Built in 1983, released by Mercury "The Hurting" is the debut of the synth pop band Tears For Fears, which consists of the nearly sole songwriter and creative head Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith of the core. The album (then with other Cover) could last long in the charts, reaching # 1 in the UK even and can only be described as very successful. With the singles "Mad World," "Pale Shelter" (later remixed again published) and "Change" one admitted on the radio well off. The songs contain mostly a sentimental and melancholic impact and act in the texts of negative childhood experiences. While coming by guest musicians also drums and saxophone (Mel Collins!) Used are acoustic guitars to be heard, but a total reign electronic sounds before the then typical New Wave sound. "The Hurting" is a collection of really beautiful melodies, with "Start Of The Breakdown" is my personal favorite title of the duo on board, however, "Ideas of Opiates" and "The Prisoner" ostentation on me more than succeeded. And with "Suffer the Children" has so cheeky on Blondie resorted (2.Refrain "Sunday Girl"), that it acts ridiculous. Due to the catchy character and the emotional tone of many pieces you could whip out the highest rating, however safely. The publications show in addition to light shade. First, the good old vinyl record sounds pretty good, the recording quality is not bad, but not impressive. The first CD release was sounding not bad, offered a lot of momentum, based on the sound of the LP. Chris Hughes may have done a good job as a producer, but what he has done, along with Jon Astley when remastering 1999 for CD reissue, can easily serve as a prime example of cycling not a failure remaster experiment. The dynamics brutally circumcised, made to work hard, trimmed all the sound on spectacular, annoying. Compared to the old disk or CD unreasonable. With headphones, next pneumatic hammers or with massive hearing loss this tonal revision might possibly work better, on a halfway decent system it sucks just yet, especially in comparison. On my system the 99 disaster-Remaster is simply unusable. At least some bonus tracks on offer, which are extended or remixed versions. 2013, took on a new digital revision Peter Mew at the thing; that Peter Mew, who had already set all Marillion remasters the EMI years with completely exaggerated bass and constricted sound completely in the sand. Thus, also this remastering unconvincing; again low dynamics, again high modulation, again overall worse than the first (the ancient!) CD. However, the inclined buyer was spoiled with various box sets, the B-sides and remixes, live recordings, a BBC session, live sessions and even a live DVD offered, depending on the set. Who wants to set the album, so it should investigate exactly what is the many released him fit. Especially since 2014 also a Blu-Ray audio of "The Hurting" is published, containing the music as PCM, Dolby Tru HD and DTS-HD versions. With this disc you can, with the appropriate equipment, the music so as surround or as high-resolution stereo version listen (at least 24 bit / 96 kHz). Whether this version finally sounds audiophile, I do not know, I'm very happy with my old record yet and it now only times just leave it.