Review:
Although he would form Mayfield in 1995 and release the Aeroplane EP in 2000, this was the only solo outing for former Tears for Fears’ bassist/vocalist Curt Smith as of October 2004. He leaves “behind any of the primal-scream anguish that once motivated his old band, preferring to explore a much more conventional path. The guest list, which includes producer Martin Page and Go West singer Peter Cox, tells you most of what you need to know about the album, which falls neatly between Page's ultra-polished adult pop and Go West's similarly well-scrubbed, blue-eyed soul" (LeRoy).
"The album is a collection of sugar sweet, middle-of-the-road pop that doesn't take any chances" (MemoriesFade.com). "Endless tunes like the title track, Calling Out, and the ballad Still in Love with You are handsomely performed, with Smith's familiar, boyish tenor as appealing as ever, but wear out their welcome midway through their five- and six-minute running times" (LeRoy).
"Still, they're preferable to the attempts to get down and display a ‘social conscience’" (LeRoy), such as on "the rap-laden track Come the Revolution, which fails miserably" (MemoriesFade.com). The song, "bookended by a ridiculous rap (from vocalist Taz) about freedom, the government, and the usual left-leaning mush, will horrify Tears for Fears fans and newcomers alike" (LeRoy).
The album "was released in Europe and apparently Asia in 1993 on the Mercury label" (CurtSmithZeroDisc.com) "to lackluster reviews and worse sales figures" (MemoriesFade.com). "Not long after that the album was deleted from Mercury's catalog. Curt has said that the album was done mainly to get out of his Mercury contract" (CurtSmithZeroDisc.com). "Curt can't stand it to this day" (MemoriesFade.com): "’I like Soul on Board.’ – Fan. ‘There's medication for that’ – Curt" (CurtSmithZeroDisc.com).
"In its defense, most of Soul on Board makes for extremely pleasant listening, but those seeking more invention or depth – the sort Smith's partnership with Roland Orzabal often provided – will have to search elsewhere" (LeRoy).
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