Simple Minds: Graffiti Soul
Simple Minds release 15th album Graffiti Soul
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Monday, 01, Jun 2009 04:15
Universal Music, out now.
In a nutshell...
Simple Minds stay the course.
What's it all about?
Fusing their big stadium rock style to ambient dance-inspired soundscapes, at least to some degree, Simple Minds unleash their 15th album comprising of eight songs that mark a new vitality in the annals of this veteran outfit's discography.
Who's it by
If you grew up in the 80s then Jim Kerr's band need no introduction. Their heartfelt urgent rock glowed on seminal tracks such as Don't You (Forget About Me) and into their sumptuous early 90s output.
Having formed in 1977 the band have had their ups and downs but new album Graffiti Soul, written in Rome, Sicily, Antwerp and Glasgow shows there is an electricity still crackling through Simple Minds.
The album was laid down at Rockfield Studios where the band recorded Real To Real Cacophony, Empires And Dance and 1982's New Gold Dream.
Produced by Jez Coad and the band, Graffiti Soul was mixed in LA by Bob Clearmountain.
Frontman Jim Kerr said Graffiti Soul features a bold and energetic collection of songs.
"Stylistically, this is a truly vibrant rock 'n' roll album that's bursting at the seams with quite possibly the most ballsy pop songs we have written in years.
"It's taken us a while but over the past couple of years, Charlie Burchill and I have put together a great team of individuals to work with, and that, as well as a revitalised and energetic new commitment has triggered an effect that has dramatically overhauled Simple Minds. Graffiti Soul is a testament to that," he said.
As an example...
"Things get better after things get worse." - Light Travels
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
I don't know, to be honest. Admittedly, Graffiti Soul will please the band's fans and has the ability to draw in those people who have always had a soft spot for Simple Minds, however, the workings of the Grammy mindset are hard to decipher.
Best to adopt a 'wait and see' approach.
What the others say
"So the question is, how will everyone react to the 15th Simple Minds album Graffiti Soul? Well, only time will tell. In true Simple Minds style this is a mix of ambient dance-inspired tracks and some lighter rock mixed together with Jim Kerr's recognizable vocals. Songs like Moscow Underground have quite a heavy underground feel to them whilst others like Light Travels, to me, have a somewhat mystical air. I'd say that the minimalist approach to lyrics didn't quite hold my attention but the hard work that's gone into the sequencing and production of these songs is evident. My personal preference is leaning more towards the lighter, more infectious sounds that come from Rockets and Stars Will Lead The Way. Look out for some well-crafted melodies and instrumentation here." - Music.co.uk
So is it any good?
Simple Minds and U2 have warily circled one another over the years with the latter snatching the lion's share of attention although it's the former, who despite line-up changes, maintain a solidity in songwriting ideas and passion for music.
Whereas Bono and his ageing entourage are veering toward musical senility and ever deeper oceans of self-absorption, Simple Minds have consistency on their side.
Perhaps this trait could be viewed as being pedestrian but new album Graffiti Soul, weighing in with eight tracks, proudly displays Kerr and company's innate ability to wrap sonic firecrackers around pots of aural honey as the second song, Rockets, ably demonstrates.
Track three Stars Will Lead The Way keeps the feeling going. A big, moody slab of classic Simple Minds melodic rock that captivates and reassures as to why you were snared by the band in the first place.
Jim Kerr's voice and Charlie Burchill's guitar ensure the track soars but credit must go to the beautiful backing vocal talents of Katie Kissoon, Sonja Jones and Gordy Goudie.
Kiss And Fly is anthemic and sensual; stolen kisses while driving at high speed on a Florida freeway as the sun boils away in the evening sky.
Kiss And Fly's cinematic atmosphere takes you back to Simple Minds' majestic 80s material but with a definite sense of credit crunch 21st century bleakness pervading the song.
Title track Graffiti Soul is weak but it's followed by the wondrous pomposity of Blood Type O which hurls prog-lite and psych at a middle-aged definition of dance music to great effect.
This Is It brings the album to an end with a full-on surge of Kerr's trademark urgency and iridescent guitar and bass from Charlie Burchill and Mel Gaynor.
There is a cheeky U2 riff underscoring the song but Jim Kerr's still mighty vocals keep things firmly grounded in Simple Minds territory.
8/10
Lee Davis