Review: The duo dazzle with a mix of classic '80s material and '00s songs in welcome return to the Pacific Amphitheatre. There were two great things that happened at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa on Sunday night. First, Tears for Fears performed a dazzling mix of old and new material with a sophistication and ease fitting the band's brilliant blend of melodic pop and Beatles-tinged psychedelia. Secondly, all proceeds earned by the group were donated to tour manager Gordon "Gungi" Paterson to assist him with his battle against cancer.
The only magic ingredient missing from the night was an ill-fitting capacity crowd that at times seemed more interested in tossing around beach balls, chatting incessantly and making beer runs than listening to anything but the band's best-known hits.
When Tears for Fears performed at the Pacific Amphitheatre in July 2005, it proved to be a magical night on which Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal masterfully played 75 minutes before an enthusiastic and adoring audience glad to see the duo performing together again. But at more than 90 minutes, this week's longer showcase allowed Tears for Fears to provide a proper look at the group's most recent album "Everybody Loves a Happy Ending," truly one of the best albums of 2004.
To be certain, there were times on Sunday night when the group would break into one of the newer gems such as the joyous "Call Me Mellow" and "Quiet Ones" and a fan of the group would erupt and pound a fist into the summer sky. And when Tears for Fears noted how aptly the title track off "Everybody Loves a Happy Ending" fitted the spirit of the show, it would have been great to see everybody in the audience rise to the occasion.
But it was hits and hits alone that were able to move the masses.
An effective opening with only Smith lit on stage and singing "Mad World" before the entire group burst in with "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" worked well, as did the final five-song stretch when the group playing strong versions of hits such as "Pale Shelter," "Head over Heels" and the night-ending "Shout."
Smith and Orzabal each handled his lead vocals with confidence, but the outstanding harmonies they shared (notably during "Sowing the Seeds of Love" and "Call Me Mellow") and how their roles fit so well with an excellent ensemble around them, seemed to lift the performance to an even higher level than two years ago.
Opener Gary Jules performed a 45-minute set of literate and well-crafted folk rock highlighted by his original tune "Pills" and his best-known song, a sparse reworking of Tears for Fears' "Mad World."
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Tears for Fears deftly mixes old and new in Costa Mesa
Review: The duo dazzle with a mix of classic '80s material and '00s songs in welcome return to the Pacific Amphitheatre. There were two great things that happened at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa on Sunday night. First, Tears for Fears performed a dazzling mix of old and new material with a sophistication and ease fitting the band's brilliant blend of melodic pop and Beatles-tinged psychedelia. Secondly, all proceeds earned by the group were donated to tour manager Gordon "Gungi" Paterson to assist him with his battle against cancer.
The only magic ingredient missing from the night was an ill-fitting capacity crowd that at times seemed more interested in tossing around beach balls, chatting incessantly and making beer runs than listening to anything but the band's best-known hits.
When Tears for Fears performed at the Pacific Amphitheatre in July 2005, it proved to be a magical night on which Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal masterfully played 75 minutes before an enthusiastic and adoring audience glad to see the duo performing together again. But at more than 90 minutes, this week's longer showcase allowed Tears for Fears to provide a proper look at the group's most recent album "Everybody Loves a Happy Ending," truly one of the best albums of 2004.
To be certain, there were times on Sunday night when the group would break into one of the newer gems such as the joyous "Call Me Mellow" and "Quiet Ones" and a fan of the group would erupt and pound a fist into the summer sky. And when Tears for Fears noted how aptly the title track off "Everybody Loves a Happy Ending" fitted the spirit of the show, it would have been great to see everybody in the audience rise to the occasion.
But it was hits and hits alone that were able to move the masses.
An effective opening with only Smith lit on stage and singing "Mad World" before the entire group burst in with "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" worked well, as did the final five-song stretch when the group playing strong versions of hits such as "Pale Shelter," "Head over Heels" and the night-ending "Shout."
Smith and Orzabal each handled his lead vocals with confidence, but the outstanding harmonies they shared (notably during "Sowing the Seeds of Love" and "Call Me Mellow") and how their roles fit so well with an excellent ensemble around them, seemed to lift the performance to an even higher level than two years ago.
Opener Gary Jules performed a 45-minute set of literate and well-crafted folk rock highlighted by his original tune "Pills" and his best-known song, a sparse reworking of Tears for Fears' "Mad World."
The only magic ingredient missing from the night was an ill-fitting capacity crowd that at times seemed more interested in tossing around beach balls, chatting incessantly and making beer runs than listening to anything but the band's best-known hits.
When Tears for Fears performed at the Pacific Amphitheatre in July 2005, it proved to be a magical night on which Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal masterfully played 75 minutes before an enthusiastic and adoring audience glad to see the duo performing together again. But at more than 90 minutes, this week's longer showcase allowed Tears for Fears to provide a proper look at the group's most recent album "Everybody Loves a Happy Ending," truly one of the best albums of 2004.
To be certain, there were times on Sunday night when the group would break into one of the newer gems such as the joyous "Call Me Mellow" and "Quiet Ones" and a fan of the group would erupt and pound a fist into the summer sky. And when Tears for Fears noted how aptly the title track off "Everybody Loves a Happy Ending" fitted the spirit of the show, it would have been great to see everybody in the audience rise to the occasion.
But it was hits and hits alone that were able to move the masses.
An effective opening with only Smith lit on stage and singing "Mad World" before the entire group burst in with "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" worked well, as did the final five-song stretch when the group playing strong versions of hits such as "Pale Shelter," "Head over Heels" and the night-ending "Shout."
Smith and Orzabal each handled his lead vocals with confidence, but the outstanding harmonies they shared (notably during "Sowing the Seeds of Love" and "Call Me Mellow") and how their roles fit so well with an excellent ensemble around them, seemed to lift the performance to an even higher level than two years ago.
Opener Gary Jules performed a 45-minute set of literate and well-crafted folk rock highlighted by his original tune "Pills" and his best-known song, a sparse reworking of Tears for Fears' "Mad World."
Monday, July 30, 2007
Comic-Con '07: Big News On 'Iron Man,' 'Watchmen,' 'Star Trek,' 'Spidey 4' Amid Carnival Atmosphere
SAN DIEGO — After five days of chaos, the 38th annual Comic-Con wrapped up on Sunday, following 120,000 visitors, hundreds of programming hours, and more Hollywood stars than an Oscar ceremony.
"This is my first one — it's incredible," gushed Gwyneth Paltrow, who helped unveil footage from "Iron Man" to the rabid crowd. "It's amazing to see all these people, and everybody's so enthusiastic. It's exciting."
"Excitement" doesn't even begin to describe the buzz at the San Diego Convention Center as fans celebrated what the event billed "the popular arts." Dozens of rooms simultaneously hosted events exploring the minutiae of Harry Potter, "Star Wars," "Heroes" and many more; massive displays featured a life-size Jabba the Hutt, a 40-foot-long Black Pearl, and cars ranging from the original Batmobile to Speed Racer's Mach 5 to the killer's souped up ride in next month's "Death Sentence." Lou Ferrigno charged $20 for a Polaroid while a man nearby dressed as Jesus (with a curved glo-stick for a halo) offered the same for free; another man held up a sign touting the hundreds of high-fives he had dispensed.
Meanwhile, the movie news came fast and furious. Among the highlights:
» Marvel executives and "Iron Man" director Jon Favreau revealed plans to begin teaming heroes in future flicks (see "Comic-Con: 'Hulk' Smashes At Marvel Panel, Plus 'Iron Man' Cameos To Spawn 'Marvel Heroes' Flick").
» "300" director Zack Snyder revealed the poster and cast for his highly anticipated "Watchmen" movie (see "Comic-Con: 'Watchmen' Poster Revealed!").
» Steven Spielberg revealed live via satellite that Karen Allen would return in the forthcoming fourth "Indiana Jones" as the whip-wielder's greatest love, Marion Ravenwood (see "Comic-Con: Karen Allen To Appear In 'Indiana Jones IV' ").
» Director Paul W.S. Anderson served up his newest "Death Race" stars, Tyrese and Joan Allen (see " Comic-Con: Tyrese Gibson, Joan Allen Hit The Road For 'Death Race 3000' ").» Sam Raimi let it slip that he recently met with Marvel producer Avi Arad to lay the groundwork for a "Spider-Man 4" script.
» The villainous Zachary Quinto was announced as Mr. Spock in the upcoming "Star Trek" re-launch flick (see "'Star Trek' Earmarks A 'Hero' To Play New Spock In J.J. Abrams Flick").
Speaking of Quinto's "Heroes", the NBC show was arguably the biggest success of Comic-Con, with a fire-regulations-pushing crowd in its booth each day and 10,000 fans showing up for a panel that had to turn most of them away. Movies like "Iron Man" and "The Dark Knight" engaged in a guerilla-marketing battle, while the biggest party in the history of the Con was held at Petco Park to celebrate this week's "300" DVD release. Competing with all that noise were comic titles like "Bob the Angry Flower," "Too Much Coffee Man," "Crying Macho Man" and "Pete the P.O.'d Postal Worker.""It's a good time," grinned Snyder, after greeting some 6,500 "Watchmen" fans already eager for a 2009 release. "And next year, hopefully, we'll have a little trailer."
Over the course of the highly unpredictable Con, random sights included Ed Burns and Shannyn Sossamon handing out free iPhones to promote their thriller "One Missed Call," Judd Apatow and Sam Raimi meeting for the first time at a red carpet, and a woman clad only in a makeshift dress fashioned from the free "Smallville" tote bags that were being handed out at a booth. An unexpected Con star was born when 18-year-old Lacey Henderson attended on Thursday, a genuine amputee who promoted the "Grindhouse" DVD by walking around with a machine gun attached to her stump, a la Rose McGowan's Cherry Darling character.It all wrapped up Saturday evening with a massive party sponsored by the Sci Fi Channel and Entertainment Weekly magazine. The A-list crowd included Favreau, Edward Norton, J.J. Abrams and Sarah Silverman, mingling in strange combinations with Jenna Jameson, Jonah Hill, Stan Lee and "Saw" mastermind James Wan.
Late Sunday afternoon, the last remaining geeks were dragged out of the convention center kicking and screaming, with shopping bags in one hand and light sabers in the other. Here's hoping that the last Wolverine impersonator out the door remembered to turn off the lights.
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