Almost in the same vain as before. Unfairly labelled in with U2 in the mid 80s they were more experimental in the early days and drew on their wide range of influences. Simple minds have been the second band I have collected cds by. Now with only one album to get which is rare(Sons and Fascination from 1981). Simple Minds came to main promimence in 1978 with the Life in a Day album this sounded alot like a punk contempory band called Magazine. The Follow up 'real to reel cacophnoy' had a strange title but was even more experimental than the first.
My fave albums of theirs is like a triliogy but isnt grouped as such, in my head it is. The 1980 album called 'Empire and Dance' which was followed by 'Sons and fasciantion'. Which all followed a logical progression to their most critically album 'New Gold Dream'. Through out this time they became of a singles band as well, with the 12' remixes very much in fashion they did use that format. Which resulted in some brilliant remixes of their songs. With Hindsight I have to say that the new gold dream album released in 1982 is their most bass driven record its quite atmospheric with space within the sound. where as their late 80s albums would be slightly overproduced.
They released further albums like ' Sparkle in the rain'., Once uponj a time'. Streeyt fighting years'. I have to admit I quite like the first side of Real Life which was their album from 1991. But Side 2 lacks production.
Towards the late 90s the origianl line up got back together, I think in Simple Minds history it was the loss on Forbes and Mcneil which resulted in their drop in the critics eyes. Their songs were bass driven before that, where as Mcneil produced textures and was quite experimental in their approach.
I have located a demo version on the internet of their album called Sparkle in the Rain, which was obviously recorded before Mel Gaynors drums. The songs are alost trance like and utterly brilliant. The album itself has a more rock sound but those demos, there are some excellent songs on both versions.
Simple Minds are still around . They have just released 'Graffiti Soul 'which features a full album and has a bonud disc of cover versions. Simple Minds still retain their fan base which after 32 years is no mean feat
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