Tomcats Screaming Outside [Import]

Roland Orzabal | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 11, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Gold Circle Records
• ASIN: B00005O6CH
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (122 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #189,881 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Ticket To The World

2. Low Life

3. Hypnoculture

4. Bullets For Brains

5. For The Love Of Cain

6. Under Ether

7. Day By Day By Day By Day By Day

8. Dandelion

9. Hey Andy!

10. Kill Love

11. Snowdrop

12. Maybe Our Days Are Numbered

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Although Tomcats Screaming Outside is technically his debut album, Roland Orzabal has been a solo artist in all but name for the best part of a decade. The dominant half of Tears for Fears, Orzabal turned the 1980s pop duo into a one-man band after the departure of Curt Smith in the early 1990s, releasing two albums, Elemental and Raoul and the Kings of Spain. Although "Ticket to the World," "Bullet for Brains," and "For the Love of Cain"--big chorus, guitar-led pop/rock anthems--could happily fit into either of his post-Curt Smith albums, Tomcats is very much a return to the experimental ways of Tears for Fears' heyday. The dark production and menacing rhythm tracks of "Under Either" and "Hypnoculture," the ambient sway of "Day by Day," the grunge-esque "Dandelion," and the drum & bass of "Kill Love" and "Hey Andy" are all coupled with contagious melodies and Orzabal's twisted vocals, leaving little doubt that the imagination that separated his former band from their peers and made their songs so enduring is still incredibly fertile. Solo album or not, Tomcats Screaming Outside is the best Tears for Fears album in a decade. --Dan Gennoe

Product Description

Re-issue of the 2001 album from the ex-Tears For Fears frontman. Inspired by his experience producing Emiliani Torinni & artists such as Roni Size & Photek. Described by the artist as, 'the first record I've made in 20 years that's not obsessed with the past'. Includes thesingle 'Lowlife'. Eagle. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ticket To The World., May 2, 2001

By 

Jason Stein (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tomcats Screaming Outside (Audio CD)

Now that the 1980's have faded from sight, bands like Tears For Fears can be considered underground music. You won't hear anything from "Tomcats Screaming Outside" on the radio today, or see a video on MTV--and this is a relief. By a giant leap Roland Orzabal has outdone anything he contributed to while as Tears For Fears. It's been six years since the last Tears For Fears cd "Raoul And The Kings Of Spain" and "Tomcats" offers up a more contemporary feel with plenty of memorable melodies like the lead-off single "Low Life", "Hypnoculture", "Bullets For Brains" and particularly "For The Love Of Cain". Roland has managed to move forward without repeating his past successes and without alienating his fans. There's a nice variety of styles on "Tomcats" to keep things fresh like the Matrix sounding "Ticket To The World", the ambient textures of "Under Ether" and "Day By Day By Day By Day", the grungy "Dandelion" and the drums and bass of "Maybe Our Days Are Numbered". And if I haven't been a broken record with my other reviews already, "Tomcats" is just another in a long list of great cds that few will have the privilege of experiencing. This is is pleasant in the sense of not having to hear great music overplayed and unpleasant in the sense that those who are listening to today's manufactured pop will not know how good pop music could be if record companies and music listeners didn't abandon musicians who they liked at one time--like for example, Tears For Fears. Oh well, this is for the true fans anyway! I'd recommend it to those who are tired of the radio and unfamiliar with Tears For Fears (though how is that possible when I still hear "Shout", "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" and "Head Over Heels" still being played frequently on radio stations).

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Master is Back, August 13, 2001

By 

Brian A. Milbrandt "bmilbrandt" (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tomcats Screaming Outside (Audio CD)

I have to be honest and say that this is the first review of any type of recorded - or written - material that I've submitted on Amazon.com. Why now? Quite simply to further relay the message that this is an amazing piece of music.

I have been a tff fan since "The Hurting" and have continued to be amazed by each release since. After seeing tff live on the "Seeds of Love" tour, I realized that talent like Roland's is extremely rare in the overproduced (hyped!) world of music. As is stated in another review of this album, Roland's voice is an instrument in and of itself. The power and range his vocal chords convey are utterly breathtaking.

OK, on to the cd. I never like to give a comment after only a few listens of anything, but it took less than two on this disc to realize there was something special going on. Roland hits you right at the start with the hard driving "Ticket to the World" which showcases both his vocal and guitar talent. One listen, and I guarantee, you'll be hooked. The first single "Low Life" follows, and the cd just continues to impress and amaze from there.

"Bullets For Brains" is my favorite track on the cd, followed closely by "Day By Day By Day By Day By Day", "For the Love of Cain", and "Snowdrop". Needless to say, all songs on the disc frame the unique talent of this incredibly gifted singer/songwriter.

It's tragic that music like this is only available on import in the US. I guess the "mall" stores have to make room for 27 facings of the newest N'Sync and Britney cd's before they will consider some quality pop recordings. My hat's off to Amazon for continuing to supply the hard to find stuff, and giving us a forum to review it. Keep up the good work!

Bottom line, buy this cd even if you're a "casual" Tears for Fears fan, you will NOT be disappointed.

Keep up the outstanding work Roland, and tour the US soon, OK?

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Crisp and lively with a couple of addictive cuts, May 4, 2002

By 

Billy Hollis (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tomcats Screaming Outside (Audio CD)

I got this when it came out on import about a year ago, and I'm still listening to it regularly. I've had more people say "What is this? I like it!" when I'm playing this album for guests than anything I've ever bought. Not every cut is superlative, but all are acceptable, and some get into your head.

The two that are best seem to be inspired by drug addiction tragedies - Low Life (best on the album, I think) and Snowdrop. But they're not depressing, just thought-provoking.

Even though I like these two best, there are no really bad cuts (though a couple took some listening to appreciate them). Several cuts show more techno influence than I've heard Roland do before, but it's not techno for its own sake. It's just a bit crisper and sharper than Raoul and the Kings of Spain...It sounds fresh and interesting to me, perhaps because I don't listen to obscure techno fringe bands. If you like the last few Tears for Fears albums, you are likely to enjoy this as well.