Raoul and the Kings of Spain

Tears For Fears

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 1, 2008)
• Original Release Date: October 6, 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sbme Special Mkts.
• ASIN: B0012GN39Q
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,044 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Stunning Work, April 23, 2004

By	B. Niedt (Cherry Hill, NJ United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Raoul and the Kings of Spain (Audio CD)

This is far and away the best Tears for Fears album (really, by this point, a Roland Orzabal album), and moreover, it's one of the very best, and most overlooked, albums of the 1990's. While previous and subsequent TFF albums were always blessed with standout tracks (Songs from the Big Chair being the best of the rest), this one is flat-out brilliant. It plays like a concept album, with a satisfying shift of moods and styles, and there is not one weak track in the bunch. Orzabal's songwriting has never been stronger. It's a CD that demands to be listened to from beginning to end. There are still, of course, standout tracks: "God's Mistake", "Humdrum and Humble", and "Don't Drink the Water" (with a searing guitar line) are my personal favorites. Orzabal often seems to echo both Lennon and McCartney in both voice and songwriting skills, but that's not to say this music is derivative in any sense. It is just simply stunning, both vocally and instrumentally.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Depth, Power and Rich Imagry, June 16, 2005

By	D. Wilson "WilsongsX" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Raoul and the Kings of Spain (Audio CD)

Roland Orzabal (operating under the Tears for Fears name) has created what many TFF fans consider the best album in their catalog.

Raoul and the Kings of Spain has a maturity about it that is impressive. It has muscle and swagger. It is a very confident CD and while it explores many topics, it hits on some pretty big ones: God. Love. Family. Relationships.

It moves from song to song at its own purposeful and confident pace. The arrangement and very order of the songs is brilliant. This is easily the most "rock and roll" offering in the TFF catalog. Roland's voice is phenomenal. His screaming on Raoul and Secrets ("Time and time again!!! Summer time again!!!") will send chills down your spine.

Over the years, I have purchased (and given away as gifts) several copies of Raoul and the Kings of Spain to people who had no idea whatsoever that TFF had an edgy, R&R side. These folks have, without exception, been blown away. The layman's perception of TFF (that of two young European lads riding in a convertible whilst singing "Everybody Wants To Rule The World") is quickly disintegrated by the dark and moody lyrics, the sonically rich, multi-layered tapestry of sound, the power-chords and grungy riffs of Sorry, Raoul and the Kings of Spain (the title track), Humdrum and Don't Drink The Water.

There is not much on Raoul and the Kings of Spain that would hint at the more pop offerings of earlier TFF records - although Oleta Adams resurfaces on the track Me and my Big Ideas which would sit nicely along side her work on the Seeds of Love album.

In the vein of a concept album, there is a subtle Spanish theme woven throughout (appearing via Spanish guitar, trumpets, percussion, lyrics, the artwork, etc) which serves to create an almost mystical ambiance. As the last notes of Los Reyes Catolicos fade - there is a profound sadness and longing - yet a hope remains as the demons have been purged - as Roland sings: "Ghosts all gone to another place".

This record stands out from all the other TFF recordings in a significant way. It is the "conversion" of Roland. Conversion from pop star to rock star; from songwriter to sage; from lyricist to poet.

This record is really, really special.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TFF -full steam ahead! This album in my top 10 of all time , May 3, 2006

By	L. Aiello (West Coast, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Raoul and the Kings of Spain (Audio CD)

This is such an amazing record, and a ton of credit must be issued to the man: Roland Orzabal. By 1995, he was continuing to shoulder the load by himself for the second straight album. I didn't think that TFF after Curt Smith could get any better than "Elemental," but Roland made that possible by making the Raoul album. Where to begin - the title track rocks, and sets the tone for the whole album. Rarely a miss out of all the songs, and the CD booklet with photos really lets you see Roland in a different way, compared to the 1983-89 days. The haunting yet comforting tones of "I choose you" and both "los reyes catolicos" tracks are simply amazing. Sketches of Pain, God's mistake, Secrets....all amazing songs. "Me and My Big Ideas" is now one of the best TFF songs- Ever. If you were ever skeptical about TFF in the 90s (without Curt Smith) please give this album a spin. An underrated treasure. Roland, you've done it again.