New Wave Outpost Forum

Here is my review of the boxset:

Presentation - 5/5
The boxset is the most visually pleasing out of the 3. Nice design and the book seems very sturdy. Great booklet with lots of interesting interviews.

Mastering/Dynamics 2/5

The mastering on all discs is below average. Typical compressed remaster in most instances apart from a few tracks. Thankfully the best track on the box, Woman in Chains Reprise, has the most dynamics. Maybe more than a coincidence?

Content 3/5

Unlike the previous two boxsets, there are no major differences in the various mixes, demos and outtakes. They are different but just not to the same level as mixes from say The Hurting.

Some of the demos sound awful, as if there was tape damage. The demo for Famous Last Words is difficult to listen to. Roland's vocals are very bad on this. You can tell it was such a rough guide for the completed version.

The jam sessions are a great bonus but we should have had more of this or a live concert.

Here is my rating for the boxsets:
The Hurting 3/5
Songs From The Big Chair 4/5
Seeds of Love 2/5

I love the album and I am glad the box was made but it just weak in terms of sound and content compared to the previous two.

Where is the 12" (full length) version of the main (?) track Sowing the Seeds of Love?

discoginfo wrote:Where is the 12" (full length) version of the main (?) track Sowing the Seeds of Love?

It seems that it is included:

CD3-3 Sowing The Seeds Of Love (Alternate Mix)

I've listened to that track and, to my ears, it's the same version as the Full Length Version from 1989. They could
have mentioned it, or rename that track to it's original name.

Regarding the 12" version of Sowing The Seeds of Love:

According to Paul at SDE (who helped compile the box set) the version on the new box set is a similar edit. Here is the Q&A on that from the comments of his announcement about the box finally being released:

Q: Sounds like the STSOL 7:22 version could serve as a worthy substitute for the absent 6:48 version (AKA ‘Full Version’ / ‘Wen’s Overnight Mix’).
A (Paul Sinclair): I vaguely recall that that was our thinking. It’s very similar to the original just with no fade out at all.

Link: https://www.superdeluxeedition.com/news ... n-october/

ZippY wrote:

discoginfo wrote:Where is the 12" (full length) version of the main (?) track Sowing the Seeds of Love?

It seems that it is included:

CD3-3 Sowing The Seeds Of Love (Alternate Mix)

I've listened to that track and, to my ears, it's the same version as the Full Length Version from 1989. They could
have mentioned it, or rename that track to it's original name.

The “full” version has a guitar solo that the alternative mix doesn’t so it’s a different mix.

Got the 2 cd version today. It sounds pretty good to me. I still have the 1999 remaster as well.

The Tears for Fears Seeds of Love Super Deluxe box set had been out of print for a while but Universal recently issued more copies. You can find them now at the retail price on several sites (AMZ.fr, JPC.de, and from 3rd party sellers on AMZ). Suggest you grab one now if you are interested as this is bound to go back out of print soon.