Good News from the Next World

Simple Minds

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 7, 1995)
• Original Release Date: February 7, 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Virgin Records Us
• ASIN: B000000W6Y
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #21,852 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. She's a River

2. Night Music

3. Hypnotised

4. Great Leap Forward

5. 7 Deadly Sins

6. And the Band Played On

7. My Life

8. Criminal World

9. This Time

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good News from a Great Band, July 22, 2001

By	Erik J. Fortmeyer "beerisjoy" (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is one of Simple Minds' better albums (and they have put out plenty over the years). "New Gold Dream" and "Sparkle In the Rain" are still their best but, "Good News From the Next World" is definitely no slouch. Much of the attention from MTV on this album was directed toward "She's A River", and rightly so. The key difference is, the version of "She's A River" on the album is different from the radio version. If you want to find that version, you need to get the "She's A River (edit)" single VSCDG 1509 in digi-pac with a cover similar to the album but, with smiling Jim Kerr on the left (also with a great non-LP song "E55"). The other notable highlight is "7 Deadly Sins". The remaining seven songs flow rather well with a heavy emphasis on guitar work. There are plenty of polished power chords and riffs that the 1980-84 Simple Minds were well known for in their anthem-rock style. Charlie Burchill ably plays those guitars and keyboards throughout the album but, most notable is the great bass playing done by four (yes, four!) different bassists (one for each string?). The drumming is also done by three different guys and, somehow, it all flows quite well. Jim Kerr's vocals are great and commendably passionate.

Pick this album up if you can get it on sale if you have been a fan since the 1980s. If you are not familiar with Simple Minds beyond "Don't You Forget About Me", give it a try. It's also great night driving music. The other single to "She's A River" is VSCDX 1509 in corrugated cardboard digi-pac with the S'sAR album version, S'sAR (Duo Mix), and the excellent non-LP instrumental "Celtic Strings".

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Shining, thunderous beats from Simple Minds, November 9, 1999

By A Customer

Sometimes walking the razor blade between ponderous and transcendent, Simple Minds nailed most of the songs on this CD--a must-have for fans of early U2, Alarm and other heartfelt anthem-rockers. Charlie Burchill's economical guitar (short on leads, long on stirring power riffs) leads the way, and the drumming (not Mel Gaynor but a couple of session guys, I think)is absolutely great. The production is rich and deep. Simple Minds is always good driving music, and 'Good News from the Next World,' while typically moody, is no exception. When are these guys coming out with something new? Long overdue.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Minds Keep 'Em Coming, August 29, 2004

By	Russell Diederich (Littleton, CO United States) - See all my reviews

"Good News From the Next World" is another great album from Simple Minds. The Mind's continue to grow with the release of this album, while the minds of the band are Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill. This album seems to have a lot more edge to it than to previous releases. Kerr and Burchill pen nine songs that continue in the style of the Mind's from the past while taking them to new heights of sound.

The album opens with a crescendo of sounds, drums and guitar before Kerr's voice cuts through the mix with "She's a River". The song is a powerful wall of sound with Kerr's voice sounding rich and full. Kerr has always had a great voice, but it has aged to near perfection, and this single becomes a playground for his vocal acrobatics. This fist cut makes the album worthwhile in it's self. "Night Music" sounds a little more like Mind's past material, yet with an edge to it giving it separation from that 80's sound. Burchill's guitar work is prominent, taking a few short riffs to add color to the song. He opens "Great Leap Forward" with another great riff. The song sounds like vintage Mind's. The growl in Kerr's voice for "And the Band Played On" makes the song.

I've always been a big fan of the Mind's, and like to see bands experiment with new sounds and material without leaving their fan base behind scratching their heads. Mind's does exactly that. "Good News" is new, yet has enough of the stuff that made us enjoy the Mind's of old. An excellent album for any Mind's fan, or anyone who enjoys good rockin' music.