Customer Reviews

Graffiti Soul (Bonus CD) (Dlx)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I just wanted to state that I was a Simple Minds fan in the mid eighties (faves: New Gold Dream, Sparkle In The Rain, Once Upon A Time) and then stopped listening to them because their subsequent efforts seemed overloaded with pathos and boredom, almost driving me to the edge of nausea, to be honest.
BUT! This record however grows and grows on me. Incredible, after all those years.
The songs are extremely well done pieces of powerful hymnal rock, made to move people in stadions, but for what they are, they're done with great sensibility, intelligence and power.
I love how the bass is quite prominent in the mix, that big, driving fundament along with Mel Gaynor's drumming, carrying the rest of the band.
I also love the hypnotic and sometimes dreamy overall feel of the music.
A real refreshing offering, and I listen to it every day since it came out.
The Simple Minds are back for real, and they even stand out as being timeless in all those modern periods of quick hypes and plastic music.
To be a little more polemic: no, don't bother comparing to U2, the Simple Minds have clearly overstripped them!

Lots of people need to buy this record, for lots of happiness.

I was a huge Simple Minds fan during the 1980's and 1990's. I loved these albums: "New Gold Dream", "Sparkle in the Rain", "Once Upon a Time", "Street Fighting Years", "Real Life" and "Good News from the Next World". After that, I felt their muse or musical genious started to leave them. I enjoyed several songs on "Neapolis", (never released in the US), but I was severely disappointed with "Cry" and "Black & White". It seemed that they just weren't trying as hard. The advance buzz for "Graffiti Soul" was good however, so I decided to give it a try. This album is easily their best since "Good News from the Next World" and may even be better. The songs range from good to great. Just listen to the first three tracks and you'll be hooked!

After their album CRY, I figured it was all over for Jim Kerr and friends.

Nonetheless, I grudgingly allowed myself to listen to BLACK AND WHITE 050505 and was surprised by three or four strong quality tracks. "If only they can keep it up..." I thought.

Well, here we are a few years later, and we have GRAFFITI SOUL.

I wouldn't call it a classic, but boy, it sure sounds great compared to the disappointments released by U2, Depeche Mode, and the Cure in their latest outings! That's right folks. Forget about SOUNDS OF THE UNIVERSE. Forget about NO LINE ON THE HORIZON. Forget about 4:13 DREAM. Put this in your cart, instead.

There are some great sounding, rockin' good tunes here. The types of songs that are perfect for play in your car. You can sing along with 'em, and you feel a bit of the old magic there. Contemporary sounding, yet a hint of nostalgia that makes you remember the days when Simple Minds were part of the buzz. It won't change your life, mind you, but it will get your toe tapping and take you away for a little bit, which is much more than I can say for most of the stuff on the three previously mentioned releases from some of the higher-profile 80's relics. Instead of trying to come up with something profound or artsy, the guys just decided to belt out some good, catchy songs of the type of seasoned quality that can only come from veteran performers who learned their trade the hard way without the benefit of American Idol or MTV. One of the best albums I've purchased this year, and my favorite release from any aged 80's group since PLAYING THE ANGEL from Depeche Mode back in 2005.

This year marks 30 years of Simple Minds from their 1979 debut "Life In A Day". They are one of the most underrated rock bands of their time, too frequently getting compared to U2, or getting labeled 'area rock'. The fact is, this band has grown, developed and changed--something few bands are capable of doing (and surviving).

"Graffiti Soul" returns the band to the eight song format found on 1985's "Once Upon A Time". If you buy this deluxe two disc version there is only one bonus track "Shadows And Light" after the eighth track. "Once Upon A Time" this is not. In fact, "Graffiti Soul" carries on from the musical direction of 2005's "Black And White 050505". Although, I think I like "Graffiti Soul" slightly better. The melodies are stronger here, Jim Kerr's vocals more impassioned.

The band definitely sounds alive and kicking on such tracks as the first single, "Rockets", "Stars Will Lead The Way" and "Light Travels". The title track and "Blood Type O" are interesting diversions as well. One thing "Graffiti Soul" has is a cohesiveness not seen in years. The album as a whole holds up pretty well. It is not my favorite Simple Minds album, but it is one of their better recordings.

The second disc on the deluxe version consists of nine covers. 2001's "Neon Lights" was a mixed attempt at a cover album. This disc is titled "Searching For The Lost Boys", and as it is a bonus disc, I am going to be more critical here. The band does an okay version of Neil Young's "Rockin' In The Free World" (which would not have been my choice for a bonus track on the single disc version "Graffiti Soul"). They do a great job with Magazine's "A Song From Under The Floorboards", improving upon the original--and this is the track that should have been added to the single disc version. They do a mediocre version of Siouxsie & The Banshee's "Christine", and a terrible job on The Stranglers' "Get A Grip". They do a decent job of The Call's "Let The Day Begin", but a terrible job of Elvis Costello's "Peace, Love And Understanding". Massive Attack's "Teardrop" is average, but Thin Lizzy's "Whiskey In The Jar" is really done well. The Beach Boys' "Sloop John B" is weak.

In the end, "Graffiti Soul" shows a continued strength, and the possibility of something great to come. Too bad the original members could not get along and work together because that would have been real interesting to have Forbes and MacNeil back on board. It has been my opinion for some time that the loss of original member MacNeil really put a damper on the band's creative juices.

Here's how "Graffiti Soul" compares to the band's other works:

1979 Life In A Day: Three and a Half Stars
1979 Real To Real Cacophony: Three and a Half Stars
1980 Empires And Dance: Three Stars
1981 Sons And Fascination: Four Stars
1981 Sister Feelings Call: Three Stars
1982 New Gold Dream 81-82-83-84: Five Stars
1984 Sparkle In The Rain: Five Stars
1985 Once Upon A Time: Five Stars
1989 Street Fighting Years: Five Stars
1991 Real Life: Five Stars
1995 Good News From The Next World: Two Stars
1998 Neapolis: Four Stars
2001 Neon Lights: Three Stars
2002 Cry: Three Stars
2005 Black And White 050505: Four Stars
2009 Graffiti Soul: Four Stars

As a Simple Minds fan since "New Gold Dream" (I still own the colored vinyl LP!), I always anticipate a new release from the Minds. Unfortunately, their output for the past 10+ years has been a string of disappointments, as if Jim Kerr & Co. were desperately trying on new musical identities, none of which fit very well. In sharp contrast, "Graffiti Soul" is easily the band's' most satisfying release since 1991's "Real Life." The production is more atmospheric, the musical tone of the album is darker, and Jim Kerr's lyrics are some of the most thoughtful he's written in years. It's clear that Simple Minds have finally rediscovered their muse, and although "Graffiti Soul" is by no means an career-defining release like "New Gold Dream" or "Street Fighting Years," it's an album I haven't tired of listening to. It's also a great driving record.

I use "Real Life" as my measuring stick because it's the last collection of consistently high-quality radio-friendly material that the band recorded. Since then, Simple Minds' output has been wildly erratic. "Good News from the Next World" contained some decent arena rock, but it was buried under desperately overwrought production. "Neaopolis" was an interesting return to the band's early Kraftwerk-inspired sound, and although it was nice to hear bassist Derek Forbes again, there were only about three memorable songs on that album. It's understandable why Virgin chose not to release "Our Secrets Are The Same," as the edgy production strangled the promising material, making much of it tuneless. Although I saw the band live during their US tour for "Cry" (and they put on an amazing show), that album suffered from an oversupply of pretty melodies that didn't really coalesce into anything. "Black & White" was advertised as their big comeback, but in hindsight, it was more of a false start. "Graffiti Soul" is the real deal.

So, whether you only know the band for "Don't You (Forget About Me)" or have followed the band for years, this CD is worth owning.

Simple Minds have simply trod a path of good, sometimes great music for nigh on 35 years, give or take and the years have proved they can produce some outstanding albums such as 'Street Fighting Years'. Which brings us to 2009 and their latest offering 'Graffiti Soul'.

Kerr and Burchill are up there with the best writers of decent pop/rock and this album will more than satisy their die-hard fans as well as the casual listener.

First track 'Moscow Underground' is vintage SM and reels the listener in for a fairly good if not brilliant album. 'Rockets' harps back to their halcyon days and if released as a single should, in an ideal world, garner some heavy rotation air-play. The title track is a bit of a departure from the usual format and having reached the half-way point one begins to release this is worth another few spins. It's only 8 tracks in total with 2 bonus cuts and runs less than 45 minutes but it's solid collection from a solid band who have weathered their critics and still produce the goods. That said the final track 'Rockin' in the Free World' was hardly and inspired choice, surely their time in the studio would have resulted in a few unused cuts any one of which would most likely have been better.

In summary it's well worth adding to your collection if you're a SM fan and worth checking out if you're not.

I was introduced to Simple Minds they way most of my generation were, watching Judd Nelson (aka John Bender) raise his hand in solidarity while walking across the face of our collective conscience in the form of a high school football field toward the cruel realities of adulthood. I followed Simple Minds from that point on long after the lights and the stadiums faded to black. It has always baffled me how a group with such talent can be exalted to god like status in one era then trivialized in the next, relegated to the back of the sales bin. Some would call that growing up, but 20 some odd years later, (in a vain attempt to get the most of my ill-crafted metaphor here), I have sat in the bleachers and watched Simple Minds as if they were playing to no one but me. I suppose that is the magic of music, it is so intensely personal, yet it is the one art form that can unite thousands of people if only for a moment.

Graffiti Soul is for me not so much a comeback as another highlight in a notable career. Its pulsating rhythms, amazing production quality, (this is truly a meticulously produced album), usual high level musicianship, and thought provoking lyrics make this a great disc. Jim Kerr has lost none of his unique and powerful vocal phrasing here and Charlie Burchill continues to be the most underrated guitar player of our time. He never ceases to amaze me with how much sound he gets out of his Strat, it has the unique visceral and atmospheric sustained quality of Alex Lifeson (Rush) with the blue eyed soul of Pete Townsend (The Who) all rolled into one. Eddy Duffy is also an unsung hero as the base is nothing short of mesmerizing, and all it held down by stalwart Mel on the drums.

Don't forget about them, don't, don't don't! pick up this album you won't be sorry

I hadn't listened to Simple Minds in years since a lot of their radio hits. I'm probably one of those music listeners, while keeping up with many bands over the years that haven't dis-banded and I personally like, I never really kept an eye on this band. I always like Kerr's voice so it just came down to the music and if it was too poppy then it wasn't for me. No matter. Anyway, this latest release that I downloaded is quite a treat. I really don't think there's a bad song on this one and it just kind of draws you in and then, there's no turning back. For me, it almost has a progressive feel to it, so sign me up since that is where so many of my listening interests lie. But I also do like the change up periodically and this certainly does it. If you've always like Simple Minds, then picking this cd up is a no brainer along with their last one 'Black & White 050505'.

I hadn't listened to Simple Minds in years since a lot of their radio hits. I'm probably one of those music listeners, while keeping up with many bands over the years that haven't dis-banded and I personally like, I never really kept an eye on this band. I always like Kerr's voice so it just came down to the music and if it was too poppy then it wasn't for me. No matter. Anyway, this latest release that I downloaded is quite a treat. I really don't think there's a bad song on this one and it just kind of draws you in and then, there's no turning back. For me, it almost has a progressive feel to it, so sign me up since that is where so many of my listening interests lie. But I also do like the change up periodically and this certainly does it. If you've always like Simple Minds, then picking this cd up is a no brainer along with their last one 'Black & White 050505'.

Simple Minds fans tend to be a die hard lot, even if the U.S. charts haven't been too favorable to them since their mid-80's super-stardom. And it is completely outrageous that the U.S. release for Graffiti Soul has been held up for months so that U.S. fans have to buy it from overseas to get it in a timely manner. But I digress...
The new album is simply fantastic, particularly in the two-disc special edition with their disc of classic covers. Simple Minds are playing with the energy and intensity of bands half their age, but with twice the talent, experience and vision. I really don't have a bad thing to say about this album: it is as strong as anything they have ever done. If you are on-the-fence about Simple Minds, the new album will win you over. It is that good. 'Rockets' is almost hypnotically catchy. You'll find yourself humming it at work or in the car. Other standouts (on this album of standouts) include 'Moscow Underground', 'Stars Will Lead the Way', and 'This Is It.' Simple Minds is still alive and kicking!