WOW this is really great and I am American....yeah I know America is slow to recognize tru artistic talent but there is the exception. C'mon Dif Juz, Comsat Angels, Chameleons, Wire etc. There are plenty of Americans into great musak.
Now that I have studied and listened to Kraftwerk's albums, and I come back to this album, I can definitely hear their influence on Simple Mind's, its quite interesting. :) I am sad I didn't discover Simple Mind's, Kraftwerk, and all the other early pioneers of electronic, industrial, and synth pop sooner. :( But better late then never! :)
Anything with Brian McGee on drums was good. Anything after that was half-interesting. Anything after the departure of Derek Forbes was not the real Simple Minds anymore. Wouldn't mind if they'd split in 1984.
The Minds in these days were cinematic in their scope, you just dont get albums with this sort of drive and vision these days, or I am just getting old!!!
While I'm in agreement that this record, Sons, New Gold Dream represent a period of musical creativity that sees no equal, I don't agree with the sellout comments. This band has always mirrored what was going on in the world with their music, their sound is a soundtrack for that period. You cannot fault them for sounding of the period. They always listened to the music of the time and made it better.
This thing is as much as I am hardcore New Gold Dream/Empires/Sons etc, Simple Minds always come up with atmospheric and emotional tracks even on later albums.
EG: Alive and Kicking, Let There Be Love, Hypnotised, Stay Visible, Stars Will Lead The Way, This is Your Land
This track is brilliant but with perhaps the exception of Neopolis, I cannot fault their albums at all, they balanced rock and synth perfectly.
A wonderful album, so ahead of it's time. It's such a shame that they drifted into corporate rock instead of staying left-field, though they were not the only ones...
Every song on this album is timeless and brilliant. Totally underrated and way ahead of their time. Too bad in America most only know them for the breakfast club song but then again America isn't known for embracing the experimental.
@fstop77 i love this term "UNDERRATED"! on this site. How the f**k are this band underrated? Massive global success from the mid-80's setting Kerr up for life financially. This album was massively bought when the label re-released it and all the pre-83 work following the mid-80's rise in popularity. Yes, this SM period is great, but dont talk about "underrated" giventheir record sales.
@fstop77 Absolutely agree with you.. Zoom/Arista didn't had faith in this album, They pressed 40.000 let it sell out press up another batch of 40.000 let it sold out.. That's why it was never in the shop... Bruce Findlay had to call the newspapers and apologize to the fans, Thats why it never sold so good
This album was the sound track to the Berlin wall and check-point Charlie and Europe being divided.....The Minds with their Futurist sound were the epitome of this trend with their fashion sense, hair and sound and image....OH do I miss that period....
It's not only the music: the lyrics, the lyrics of Simple Minds are genial!!
MsEcrivain 6 months ago
This has been my screen saver at work for many years, what a great album. U2 wouldn't even understand, yet alone hope to match
Crochetify 6 months ago
Top song, further no more words! Only one word more, Brillianttttttt!!!! ;)
spillykerr 7 months ago
casino i agree with you, after a point they really lost the edge (not criticizing though). i think this was their best period. d + toronto
kmattar 8 months ago
I'm the only one who hears some resemblances with Sister Of Mercy?I'm referring expecially to walk away and time to cry...
ultrafragola2000 9 months ago
@ultrafragola2000 no real resemblance this is more industrial funk and the synth is more prominent
emile235 4 months ago
WOW this is really great and I am American....yeah I know America is slow to recognize tru artistic talent but there is the exception. C'mon Dif Juz, Comsat Angels, Chameleons, Wire etc. There are plenty of Americans into great musak.
redshaftedflicker 10 months ago
Am I the only TFF fan who came here to hear the drum beat from "Empire Building"? :)
BugKilledTangerine 10 months ago
The modern life experience - I died today (and tomorrow as well!) Before they sold out to tacky stadium rock.
peterikarlstad 1 year ago
Now that I have studied and listened to Kraftwerk's albums, and I come back to this album, I can definitely hear their influence on Simple Mind's, its quite interesting. :) I am sad I didn't discover Simple Mind's, Kraftwerk, and all the other early pioneers of electronic, industrial, and synth pop sooner. :( But better late then never! :)
God Bless ~Amy
thewordthatpierces 1 year ago
this is the sound of my suicide
eleisya 1 year ago
Anything with Brian McGee on drums was good. Anything after that was half-interesting. Anything after the departure of Derek Forbes was not the real Simple Minds anymore. Wouldn't mind if they'd split in 1984.
Hwral 1 year ago 3
1) Real to real cacophony
2) Empires and dance
3) Sons and fascination
4) Sister feelings call
5) New gold dream
19hyper72 1 year ago 4
@19hyper72
Bang on, then they went all corporate stadium. They should be as highly regarded as Joy Division :(
crouchypony 1 year ago
new gold dream..one of the best albums of the 80s...still sounds great 2day...
bilko7777 2 years ago
everything before they sold out with once upon a time....
veinymark 2 years ago
1º Sparkle in the rain
2º Once upon a time
3º graffiti soul
4º street fighting years
5º New gold dream
jsara70 2 years ago
Still love New Gold Dream the best ...the title track of the album... Charlie`s riff on "she is your friend" is priceless beyond words
wozzzurp 2 years ago 3
1º Sparkle in the Rain
2º New Gold Dream
3º Sons and Fascination
4º Empires and Dance
5º Once Upon a Time
chamillionaire96 2 years ago
The Minds in these days were cinematic in their scope, you just dont get albums with this sort of drive and vision these days, or I am just getting old!!!
casinodelonge 2 years ago 9
Sparkle In The Rain their best album. Empires and Dance a close second.
hatmap 2 years ago
I disagree. New Gold Dream would probably come in 2nd.
therealsoulproduct 2 years ago 2
While I'm in agreement that this record, Sons, New Gold Dream represent a period of musical creativity that sees no equal, I don't agree with the sellout comments. This band has always mirrored what was going on in the world with their music, their sound is a soundtrack for that period. You cannot fault them for sounding of the period. They always listened to the music of the time and made it better.
squeakens 2 years ago
What about sister feelings call??? That's one of their best albums, better even than new gold dream and sparkle in the rain.
Prussian85 2 years ago 2
This thing is as much as I am hardcore New Gold Dream/Empires/Sons etc, Simple Minds always come up with atmospheric and emotional tracks even on later albums.
EG: Alive and Kicking, Let There Be Love, Hypnotised, Stay Visible, Stars Will Lead The Way, This is Your Land
This track is brilliant but with perhaps the exception of Neopolis, I cannot fault their albums at all, they balanced rock and synth perfectly.
brismike65 1 year ago
A wonderful album, so ahead of it's time. It's such a shame that they drifted into corporate rock instead of staying left-field, though they were not the only ones...
djh29971 2 years ago
Every song on this album is timeless and brilliant. Totally underrated and way ahead of their time. Too bad in America most only know them for the breakfast club song but then again America isn't known for embracing the experimental.
fstop77 2 years ago 27
@fstop77 i agree ... but Canada was more than willing to embracing the experimental.
therose059 1 year ago
@fstop77 i agree .. Canada was more than willing to embracing the experimental. BANDS ..bringing new sounds to this side of pond.
therose059 1 year ago
@therose059
Yes they had way better success there... And I think Canada feels more attracting to european music because most peoples roots come from europe
MrDemilord 6 months ago
@therose059 Just my thoughts
MrDemilord 6 months ago
@fstop77 i love this term "UNDERRATED"! on this site. How the f**k are this band underrated? Massive global success from the mid-80's setting Kerr up for life financially. This album was massively bought when the label re-released it and all the pre-83 work following the mid-80's rise in popularity. Yes, this SM period is great, but dont talk about "underrated" giventheir record sales.
CONSIDERABLYMORE1 8 months ago
@fstop77 Absolutely agree with you.. Zoom/Arista didn't had faith in this album, They pressed 40.000 let it sell out press up another batch of 40.000 let it sold out.. That's why it was never in the shop... Bruce Findlay had to call the newspapers and apologize to the fans, Thats why it never sold so good
MrDemilord 1 month ago
This album was the sound track to the Berlin wall and check-point Charlie and Europe being divided.....The Minds with their Futurist sound were the epitome of this trend with their fashion sense, hair and sound and image....OH do I miss that period....
khorrumg 2 years ago 3
Totally under-rated. Brilliant track. Should be in a movie.
SciFiAssasin 3 years ago 5
this is still edgy style, after so many years...
aldigau 3 years ago 3
you don't happen to have Pink Industry oh,the song that goes "you left me in a state of grace..."
semitelfeletem 3 years ago
Brian McGee's drumming is outstanding here.Great sound and production.Just love Empires and Dance!
ianwr000 3 years ago
MOZZA LISTENED TO THIS
smurfo2007 3 years ago
Who's MOZZA?
ianwr000 3 years ago
Great music by the early minds....
imonlyhumantoo 3 years ago 4