What’s old is new again. That’s the beauty of an album re-release.

Such is the case with Mayfield, which was a collaborative project by Curt Smith in 1997. Here’s some history of this album.

Previous album cover from 1997 original release

Most know Curt as a member of Tears For Fears. During his ten year hiatus from the band, he met up with Charlton Pettus and they wrote some songs and created a band. What came out of it was ten tracks that had a familiar TFF sound, mixed with a creative pop that flows quite well. The main single that alternative radio played was “What Are We Fighting For” which is a strong lead off track that’s equally catchy.

1. What Are We Fighting For?
What Are We Fighting For by curtsmith

But as with some albums, this one went out of print. I was lucky enough to have had a CD of it, but at some point in the last 14 years, that CD is no where to be found.

Lucky for me, I can remedy that. Starting tomorrow – November 15th – the album gets re-released, with a bonus track. So if you are a fan of Tears For Fears and especially Curt Smith’s solo work, I highly recommended getting this album.

Click on this link to open a page with links to download the album from Amazon, iTunes, Bandcamp and other sources.

I grew up listening to music on vinyl records – 45′s, 78′s and 33 1/3′s. From the time I was just a kid listening to those Disney songs, then graduating to pop music, rock and roll and heavy metal, I loved putting a record on the turntable and playing my favorite artists.

As a teen, my favorite was always to play the entire side of an album, letting each song track into the next. By the end of the last track on the album, I was in musical ecstasy.

Going back as far as thirty-two years, there have been three albums that I listen to on a regular basis where I really love the flow of the last three songs on each of these albums. There isn’t a week that goes by that I don’t listen to all three and sometimes more than once [seriously]. There’s just something about each one of these that really resonates and connects with me.

But it goes beyond how these songs sound to me. It’s how they were originally placed onto the album by the band. They are all connected, running from one song to the next without a break – most prominently on two of the three albums. The term is called gapless playback and the design of many albums that incorporated this were most likely attempting to connect them all together in a way to create a musical montage – a story to be told, note by note – without interruption.

So without further explanation, here are the 3×3 albums/songs.

The Cars “The Cars” – 1978

Click the album name above to link to the MP3 album page and listen to samples
Track 7 – “Bye Bye Love”

This song and the two that follow it were sung by Benjamin Orr, who was the bass player for the band. While he is most famous for the lead vocals of the song “Drive” on the album “Heartbeat City”, it was his powerful voice, which is similar to that of Ric Ocasek’s, that cemented the beauty and awe of this song as a stand out track on this debut album. “I can’t feel this way much longer/expecting to survive” then the common musical keyboard riff on repeat. Add in a guitar solo, the enunciated and sped up vocals “Substitution/Massconfusion/Clouds Inside Your Head” and then bring back the repeats towards the end of the song as it works right into the next track.

Track 8 – “Moving In Stereo”

The last few bars of “Bye Bye Love” flow into the eery and haunting reverb of this song. The lyrics are simple, yet strong. “Life’s the same/I’m moving in stereo”, brilliantly mixed in stereo. Listening to this song in an acoustically-sound room [or at least a nice room with hardwood floors] provides a type of echo that only this song can be enjoyed in. Now put on a pair of nice headphones, preferably over the ear. Wow. Just Fucking Wow. The back and forth stereo mix adds a trippy level as the sound moves from left to right.

Track 9 – “All Mixed Up”

As “Moving In Stereo” fades out it’s psychedelic sounds, it’s morphs into the calming “All Mixed Up” Part love song, part regret and part guitar solo genius. But all of the keyboards and synths are where the real meat of the song takes place. Benjamin sings “She tricks me into thinking/I can’t believe my eyes” on the vocal track, keyboards in unison on another. Let’s add the sythesized cymbal tings and the repeated ending lyrics of “she said to leave it to me/it will be alright” and you have one of the best endings to an album.

Tears For Fears “Songs From The Big Chair” – 1985

Click the album name above to link to the MP3 album page and listen to samples
Track 6 – “Broken”

Technically speaking, it’s the last four songs that are connected without gaps on this album, but for me specifically, it’s the final three that have always spoken to me. Not that I don’t like “I Believe”, it’s just a bit out of place when played with the final three. “Broken” is one of those tracks that starts off strong and ends strong. The repeated chorus of “We Are Broken” flows well with the musical arrangement and I always like the vocals of Roland Orzabal sung as powerful as the music builds.

Track 7 – “Head Over Heels”

As the words “.. funny how time flies” escapes the lips of Roland, the first keyboard strikes of this song quickly rolls into the depth of this track. It’s another Roland lead vocal masterpiece. But then we add the harmony vocals of Curt Smith throughout each lyrical segment. Not to mention Curt’s bass notes adding even more to this popular yet addictive song. The lyrics don’t make much sense, which is sometimes the case with love songs. “This is my four-leaf clover” starts the end of the song as the multitude of “La La La La La La” chant easily moves into a final, yet fast arrangement.

Track 8 – “Listen”

Towards the end of “Head Over Heels”, you think the song is just going to end, with the crowd cheering. But as it migrates into a zen-like atmosphere of sound, “Listen” becomes pretty much the only lyric you remember from this calming tune. Not much more to say about this song. It’s nice. It flows. It has some oddness to it. And yet, it’s the perfect ending to a great album.

Radiohead “OK Computer” – 1997

Click the album name above to link to the MP3 album page and listen to samples
Track 10 – “No Surprises”

The first time I heard this album wasn’t until it had been out for almost three years. Tracking through the first nine songs left me breathless. But once the defined guitar picking notes of this song start, it quickly becomes obvious that this is the beginning of the end. The song builds into multiple facets. It’s bright and cheery, even given the gloomy vocals of Thom Yorke. Like a walk in a field of flowers, you want to jump around and smile and enjoy each and every note.

Track 11 – “Lucky”

While there is not a gapless transition from the previous song to this one, the flow of happy to a sonic sound of deep guitar and defined vocals begins to tell a story… “Pull me out of the aircrash/pull me out of the lake”… Doesn’t sound happy, but it is. It’s the hope of being the superhero that saves someone. And at the end of the second chorus, when the solo guitar strums take center stage, it speaks out… “We are standing on the edge” at least in musical form.

Track 12 – “The Tourist”

Again, lacking a gapless transition, the soulful guitar of Jonny Greenwood starts, soon to be joined by an even more soulful vocal yearning. “Hey man, slow down, slow down” The song is already pretty slow at this point, even with the guitar kicking it up a notch. The low and faint tone can seem to be a drop off. But just as it starts to drop, the guitar once again picks up and keeps going, right up until you hit the last few notes. Then we have that slow down that Thom has been singing about, ending with a single hit of the chimes.

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Any albums or sets of songs that you like? Please share. And go into detail. As a music lover, I want to hear.

10. Alice In Chains: MTV Unplugged
    
    The first time I heard Alice In Chains, it was 1990 and they had just released “Facelift” I really wasn’t that into it. It only took a short time before their sound grabbed me and I became a fan. But the album of theirs that I listen to most is “MTV Unplugged” from 1996. The raw and stripped down sound is so clean and fresh. Plus it’s one of the last time’s Layne performed with the band. Just try and listen to this version of “Down in a Hole” without feeling goosebumps.

 

11. U2: The Joshua Tree
    
    The music released in 1987 was tops. An excellent year for many bands. U2 was already becoming a household name, but this album made sure no one mistook the band for the military plane. Songs like “With Or Without You” and “Bullet The Blue Sky” forever changed the status of this Irish band. This album is still in constant rotation in my CD player on on my iPod.

 

12. Prince: Purple Rain
    
    I found Prince’s music when he released the album 1999. But it was seeing the movie Purple Rain that helped me get more into this funk master’s mindset and his grooves. Even the backwards masking controversy could not stop people from embracing this album. “Darling Nikki” will always bring a smile to my face, and “Let’s Go Crazy” starts off any party with a blast.

 

13. Led Zeppelin: Houses of the Holy
    
    I’ve been a Zeppelin fan since the beginning of their career. And I like pretty much all of their music. This album, released in 1973, came out on top and stayed there. Even missing the title track (which showed up on their next album, “Physical Graffiti”), it still didn’t take away from the tracks like “Dancing Days” and “No Quarter”. In fact, this album contains my favorite Zep song – “The Rain Song” which is almost eight minutes of pure enjoyment.

 

14. The Eagles: Hotel California
    
    Even with their country infused sound, the Eagles forever changed the landscape of rock with this 1976 album. Hearing “Life In The Fast Lane” on the radio that year, wiped out any stereotype I had from their previous work. And although I prefer the version of “Hotel California” from their album “Hell Freezes Over”, the original studio version still stands up in its classic format.

 

15. Fleetwood Mac: Rumours
    
    If you have ever read the story of the making of this album, you will be amazed that it actually got made. To date, it has sold over 30 million copies and is considered one of the best rock albums ever made. And with songs like “The Chain” (which is my favorite), it’s hard not to keep playing this album over and over. This is the album that gets put on when I leave for a camping trip, driving down the highway and backroads.

 

16. Sex Pistols: Nevermind The Bullocks
    
    “God Save The Queen/Her Facist Regime” Opening lyrics that became glued to every punk kid’s memory. Released in 1977, it is the first and only album recorded by the Sex Pistols. It’s also the one that everyone turns to when they think of the start of the punk rock revolution. Raw, unapologetic and dirty, this album has stood the test of time and inspired many followers over the years.

 

17. Marilyn Manson: Antichrist Superstar
    
    Not too many people know what a huge fan of Marilyn Manson I am. I’ve seen him twice in concert (2001 and 2008) and have always considered his music misunderstood by most. Most people may remember all of the odd things he’s done over the years, but it’s this 1996 release that will remain one of his best works. Produced by Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails), it tells a story of a misguided rock star looking for whatever it can find to satisfy any desire in life. Besides the well-known “The Beautiful People”, songs like “Little Horn” and the title track make this album one I never get tired of hearing.

 

18. Rolling Stones: Exile On Main Street
    
    I can’t tell you how many great albums were released in the 70′s. Today most are known as classic rock. Eight years into their career, the Rolling Stones came out with this album. Except for “Tumbling Dice”, there wasn’t a lot of well-known radio hits, but that wasn’t the point of this record. Playing it from start to finish is much more what Mick & Keith and Co. had in mind. Eighteen songs long, it’s easily my favorite, and with many music critics, as well.

 

19. Tears For Fears: Songs From The Big Chair
    
    How many times do you hear an album for the first time and think, “This is going to be huge” Tears For Fears second release from 1985 was one of those albums that I heard and uttered the above phrase. “Shout” and “Head Over Heels” were heard everywhere. You couldn’t escape them if you wanted to. And now 23 years later, I enjoy them just as much as when they were in heavy rotation on pop radio.

 

20. Notorious B.I.G.: Life After Death
    
    I don’t like too many rap artists. In fact, I can only name four or five that I really count as musicians that matter in the music industry. One had his life cut short, just days before the release of this album. Christopher “Biggie” Wallace knew how to rap. Just listen to “Hypnotize” and “Going Back To Cali” and you’ll hear someone who really spent time perfecting his talent. And to have one of the best selling double albums, it’s a 1996 release that you should really check out.

 

21. Pink Floyd: Dark Side Of The Moon
    
    Who knew that in 1973, an long time jazzy blues band was going down a more creative route musically. They had several albums that resulted in their efforts, but it was this album that sticks in most people’s minds as the definitive crown. Spending over 12 years on the Billboard Top 200 list, it’s the one album that most people own and play often. It’s meant to be played from start to finish and you can listen to tracks like “Money” and still be blown away at how well this sounds.

 

22. Black Sabbath: Paranoid
    
    The start of the 70′s found the a band from England releasing one of their best selling and most popular albums. “War Pigs”, “Faries Wear Boots” and “Iron Man” are some timeless classics, you can’t help but listen each and every time they are played. They would go on to release six more albums with Ozzy Osbourne at the helm, but Paranoid remains the one that most people know and love.

 

23. The Cars: The Cars
    
    An odd lead singer with an even odder name, Ric Otcasek (later changed to Ocasek) helped start this Boston band on its road to success. Their first album is yet another one that must be played from the beginning to the end. And with no gaps between the tracks on each side of the album, it flows perfectly. It’s very common for me to play all of side 2 (which is the final three songs) for a lot of people, just to show how well it sounds. “Good Times Roll” and “Best Friend’s Girl” are the stand out tracks that makes this record a keeper.

 

24. The Cure: Pornography
    
    Long considered a goth band, The Cure was always a favorite of mine. In 1982, they released the first of the trilogy of albums [Disintegration (1989) and Bloodflowers (2000) were the other two] that would define their drastic and dread-like sound. “One Hundred Years” and “Hanging Garden” are classic alternative songs that make you want to mosh and sway.

 

25. Nine Inch Nails: The Fragile
    
    A double album is not something that’s easy to release, let alone expect the buying public to embrace. Bands like Smashing Pumpkins and Peter Frampton made them work. And so did Nine Inch Nails in 1999. The album is broken up into two: Left and Right. While I prefer the Left side (another one that is great from start to finish), the Right side contains the Grammy-nominated song “Starfuckers Inc.”, which is not only a killer song, its lyrics tell a sordid tale about torn friendships.

 

So there you have it. I guess I could go on with my favorites, which could fill countless blog posts. But we’ll stop a the Top Nine and the rest of the top 25 favorites. Comment away if you have anything to add to this or add your favorites or suggestions.