MSN Entertainment: The Tears happily flow again
Originally published on September 20, 2004

A new CD brings back Tears for Fears.

They enjoyed their hits back in the decade of prime-time soap operas and disposable synth-pop. But Tears For Fears' Curt Smith still says, "If I hear one more word about 'the '80s,' I'll have to kill someone. To me, it was just a time of bad haircuts and bad clothing."

Not to mention bad feelings between Smith and his fellow Fear, Roland Orzabal.

Though the group enjoyed three monster albums in that era, including 1985's "Songs From the Big Chair," and 1989's "Sowing the Seeds of Love," Smith hated the fame. He also labels his relationship with Orzabal "petulant and adolescent."

Small wonder a full decade had to elapse before the two would work together again.

This week, their first CD in 15 years hits the charts, under the winking title "Everybody Loves a Happy Ending." It retains Tears' trademark elaborate arrangements, airy pop melodies and lifelong case of Beatle-itis.

As fussy as the music may be, Smith says the duo recorded it far more quickly than before. It took six months. Their last work, "Seeds of Love," took two years.

"We've become more mature, less anal," says Smith. "Having families makes a difference. You have far more important things at home."

When Smith ditched the duo in 1989, he was going through a divorce and was feeling pressured by success. He left his native England and moved to New York to give himself what he calls a "clean palate."

New city & new start

There, he met the woman who remains his wife and took some time off. Eventually, he began playing gigs in the city under the name Mayfield. By the mid-'90s, he began writing songs again.

Meanwhile, Orzabal released two albums under the old band's name. Though Smith had no involvement in them, he says he didn't mind Orzabal using their brand. "It wasn't even on my radar," he explains.

In 1999, the pair had their first conversation in eons, prompted by some routine legal dealings. As they spoke, Smith found himself softening. "We felt, 'What the hell were all those years apart about?'" he laughs.

Long after the two finished recording the new CD, a great bit of luck came their way: Singer Gary Jules recorded a version of their old song "Mad World," and it went to No. 1 in the U.K. Smith believes Jules' version beats the original. But he was angry that the British press accused Tears of reuniting just to cash in on Jules' success.

"It's not true," Smith says. "We're well taken care of financially."

The new CD was originally going to come out on Arista in the spring, but after label chief L.A. Reid got the boot, Smith found that the label's new regime wasn't as supportive. So "Happy Ending" appears instead on a fresh imprint, New Door. The label was created as a platform for older artists interested in releasing new music - a role that suits Smith fine.

"The last thing we want," he says, "is to be a nostalgia act."


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