Raoul and the kings of Spain, the second Roland Orzabal album released under the Tears for Fears banner, never quite reached the heights nor the commercial support of Elemental.

I hate to say it, because I love this album, but I understand why. God’s Mistake wasn’t the best choice for a lead single, as it felt too similar to Break it Down Again. The album feels less experimental than Elemental, which is a shame, as the band Orzabal had during this period was superb, especially bassist Gail Ann Dorsey.

I felt disappointed by the album because it never achieves the possibilities set up by the promise. Orzabal studies and explores his Spanish heritage, and delivers some amazing vocal performances. Los Reyes Católicos is a solemn meditation that breaks the album in two and I love its intimacy and electronic demeanour. Falling down is the right amount of thanatic pessimism and Sorry is the louder, angry side of Orzabal. Both highlights of the album.

Conversely, I choose you and Me and my big ideas feel like rethreads and I wish more could’ve been done with them. I wouldn’t skip the songs, though, they are still good.

Sketches of Pain is the moment the album reaches its apex. Orzabal goes for a vocal delivery full of longing and introspection. The part where he goes “God might claim the works of art we failed to imagine”, while an overdub of his vocals on a higher octave accentuate the lyrics is peak Tears for Fears. I’d love to hear a version with Curt Smith, because that’d be a rework for the ages. The flamenco breakdown comes as tremendous catharsis, raining down from the skies. As the post deluge skies clear up and the runoff clears out, we are left pondering again, Orzabal almost whispering the song title until it all fades away.

-Sam J. Valdés López