Curt Smith - Halfway pleased (15 tracks) +Album Reviews

Everybody say "Pleased"

A. Novy | Stillwater, OK USA | 06/21/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm not going to mess around--I'm a big fan of Tears for Fears and have been for years. But Halfway, Pleased isn't a Tears for Fears album. This is Curt Smith at his most personal, holding up a pane of glass so you can peer into his world, making you feel like a welcome guest. With just the right mix of acoustics and electronics, Halfway, Pleased will have something for any lover of sensual melodies, delicate harmonies, and Smith's airy, urgent voice tying them all together.

Standout tracks:

"Seven of Sundays" A gentle, musical caress exemplifying and celebrating love in its purest form. A shining gem of a piece.

"Greatest Divide" Should hit close to home with anyone who has acknowledged the end of a relationship.

"Addict" Haunting, mesmerizing, and beautiful.

"Halfway Pleased" Curt's voice is imbued with the ache of wondering whether or not one's arrival into the world was entirely wanted.

"Who You Are" A more intimate, calmer version than what appears on Everybody Loves a Happy Ending.

"Snow Hill (live)" Curt's soaring voice, gorgeous piano accompaniment, and the spark of a live audience will keep this song on repeat.

Normally I like harder, more aggressive music, but Halfway, Pleased has a welcome spot in my collection because of its elegant, poignant beauty; the more I listen to it, the more I like it."

This is Curt Smith, not Tears for Fears

B. A. WENNER | Davis, CA USA | 07/30/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are looking for a Tears for Fears record, this will obviously not be what you expect...and thats just fine. What you get here are lush melodies and intricate lyrics that paint vivid pictures.

This album has been years in the making, having taken a back seat to the reunited work done on Everbody Loves a Happy Ending (a treasure trove in itself, that the critics loved, fans adored, but alas got no airplay on todays bubble gum pop airwaves)

Largely auto-biographical, "Halfway, Pleased" is a personal and honest look back at many topics we can all identify with - parents, kids, addiction, and more. Unlike other reviews, I am not going to pretend to tell you which songs you will like. It depends on what you will identify most with.

This is not your standard pop radio throw-away fair. Thank god for that. ELAHE by TFF was more commercial, this album is far more introspective. If you listen to the lyrics and engage with the music, purchasing this album will be a rewarding experience.

This is Curt finding his voice, while at peace with himself, and where he is in life. An eloquent speaker and a devoted father, this work finds Curt halfway through life, and pleased with where he is, despite the challenges he has faced (which are refreshingly similar to what any of us may face as well).

Give the album a try, its a refreshing deviation from todays pop fair.

"

Very soothing, but not TFF

Doctor D | So Cal, USA | 06/03/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you're expecting Tears for Fears, you've come to the wrong place. On the other hand, Curt Smith has a nearly ethereal voice and the songs on this album are very soothing. Many of the melodies are similar, in a low key style with little percussion. Not music for driving down the highway, but perfect for when you're in a mellow mood. By the way, Curt Smith is very charming in person. My son and I saw him in concert recently, and he was very accommodating in signing autographs and chatting with fans afterwords."

Very pleased indeed

Chris Youngblood | USA | 07/01/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Being an avid fan of Tears For Fears for more than 25 years, I certainly picked up the latest effort from Curt Smith. Curt (The vocalist for some of Tears For Fears biggest hits) released one very powerful and personal piece of music.

I actually have been listing to the tracks on this record for a few years as Curt did something almost no artists would ever do, he put rough, unproduced cuts of the album on his website for his fans to download...FOR FREE! I humbly respect Curt Smith for that decision and since this album has been in "development" for almost seven years, it was nice to get the finished product. Putting his solo record on hold for quite a few years when reteaming with Roland Orzabal to release the triumphant Tears For Fears record "Everybody Loves A Happy Ending" and the long world tour that followed, fans of Smith/Tears For Fears rejoiced when he announced the the release of Halfway, Pleased.

Let's get to the nitty gritty of the record, the music. This record is very different than listening to a Tears For Fears record. Gone is the bombastic and powerful voice of Roland Orzabal, leaving Curt's soothing voice to take us on a journey filled with pain, heartache, self discovery, and of course love. Curt spills his love for his wife and two daughter's triumphantly for the listener.

The music has a great air about it feeling very confident yet, not throwing it in your face. The music is quite mellow which suit's Curt's voice perfectly. One would wonder what to expect as Roland Orzabal's solo Tears For Fears records and his solo record is a bit harder and more aggressive than Curt's work. However the element of "pop" that is often missing from Orzabal's work is clearly found through out this entire record and you will find yourself tapping your foot and singing along with with Curt.

Curt Smith sings "Everybody Wants To Rule The World", but clearly he does not. He just wants to provide his two daughters with a very loving and stable home environment and express himself like a true artist through his music. He does a magnificent job at that as this record is a triumph. Give the music a listen and buy the record. You won't be sorry and I promise that you will be a bit more than Halfway, Pleased!"

Take a ride on Curt's super highway!

Carlos | Los Angeles | 06/20/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A Significant step forward into new dimensions of feeling, content, technique and most importantly, FAMILY.

Thanks,"

Search - Curt Smith :: Halfway, pleased

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	Curt Smith Halfway, pleased Genres: Alternative Rock, Folk, International Music, Pop Track Listings (15) - Disc #1 Perfect Day Seven of Sundays Halfway Pleased Greatest Divide Coming Out Aeroplane Two Addict Cover Us Who You Are Where Do I Go? Snow Hill (Live) Seven of Sundays (Acoustic) Coming Out (Acoustic) Seven of Sundays (Duet with So)
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