Graffiti Soul - Simple Minds

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	Restrained vocals, excellent guitar work, interesting songs
Disadvantages:	A bit disjointed at times, the tracks don't flow well into each other .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I've been a big fan of Simple Minds since the age 14 back in 1992. They had just released their Greatest Hits compilation as all bands do at some point in their career and I found myself listening to it in Our Price (remember them?!) one Saturday afternoon. I was fascinated and after buying a copy was hooked, I tracked down all their albums and taped everything about them on the radio and TV, my parents were somewhat perplexed by my sudden obsession seeing as just weeks before I had gone mad over Take That! I was being a typical teenage I guess.

17 years on and whilst still a fan of Simple Minds and their work my obsession has faded somewhat. Their last effort in 2005 failed to set me or the world on fire and did little to increase their profile and I daresay it their fan base. My partner is also a huge fan and in fact it's down to our shared love of music that we actually met, of course we go to concerts together and check out their activities online and chat to other fans around the world. It's wonderful to have someone to share all this with as most of my friends and colleagues, plus family think that the band split up years ago if they've heard of them at all. It does get a little embarassing at times but their mostly wonderful music makes it all worth it.

When I heard towards the end of last year that SM would be releasing another new studio album this summer I was quietly thrilled but on the surface a little nervous, their last offering was pretty crap by anyone's standards and I did wonder if this would be any better, they're getting on a bit these days and you have to wonder if they still have the energy to produce good music like they used to?

I was lucky enough to hear a preview of the album, my partner was invited by their record company to a preview play of the album and bought home a sampler. It contained only 30 second snippets of half the proposed tracks but was enough to interest me and make me think this could be worth a shot after all.

The album proper was released at the end of May and despite my partner buying a copy immediately I didn't listen to it all the way through for a good couple of weeks. When I finally did one night whilst my partner was away I was very pleasantly surprised.

Track listing -

1) Moscow Underground
This is a good opening track and is pleasant enough though it doesn't really seem to go anywhere, it's stay steady the whole way through and leaves me wanting more by just fizzling out towards the end. It puts me in mind of early U2 work from the 80s before they found their feet and hit the big time.

2) Rockets - the first single to be released
This track is a bit more lively though I don't think it was right for a single. It's not punchy enough and despite promising much it again fizzles out towards the end. Mind you it's not bad enough that I can't listen to it.

3) Stars Will Lead the Way
This is where things get more interesting, this track is easier to listen to with lyrics that are coherent and that actually make sense which is rarely the case with Simple Minds. The track is very catchy with some excellent guitar work though also has some odd sounding backing vocals, it sounds to me as if someone during production got carried away with the vocoder at times.

4) Light Travels
This is my favourite track on the album, I loved this from the moment I first heard it. It begins simply with a deep bassy backdrop and simple, quiet lyrics then gradually builds as the chorus grows closer with guitars and drums joining in. Jim Kerr has a fantastic voice on this track, powerful yet restrained. He does at times tend to over sing and get carried away but with this song he has resisted the urge and the song really benefits.

5) Kiss and Fly
Another restrained track, yet it's powerful at the same time if that makes sense.

6) Graffiti Soul
Another good track, there's nothing of note to say about it really though

7) Blood Type O
This has some interesting keyboard work on it, I don't like the vocals however, a special effect has put on them for most of the track which isn't necessary.

8) This is It
This is my second favourite track, it has a funky vibe to it and restrained vocals again which let the music shine through.

9) Shadows and Light (bonus track)
This is a strange one and doesn't seem as if it fits in with the rest of the album. It has a lighter and more poppy feel than the rest of the tracks and a few moments of trippy, old school dance moments thrown in. I'm unsure about it and will probably need a while to get used to this one.

I would rate this album as good and decent return to form, it continues to grow on me the more I listen to it and no doubt will sound wonderful live when the band take it on the road this summer.

I'm impressed with the vocals on this album too, in the past they have been difficult to listen to but this time around some restraint has been found and the realisation that you need to shout to get your message across.