Reviews (page 6 of 8)
Okay background music.
It was fine, I guess.
Every track feels like it could be the background of a montage in a early/mid-80's teen drama or comedy, in a good way. Atmospheric 80's chill pop. 1. "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" 8/10 2. "Colours Fly and Catherine Wheel" 6/10 3. "Promised You a Miracle" 7/10 4. "Big Sleep" 7/10 5. "Somebody Up There Likes You" 7/10 6. "New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84)" 7/10 7. "Glittering Prize" 6/10 8. "Hunter and the Hunted" 6/10 9. "King is White and in the Crowd" 6/10
This made about as much of an impression as yesterday’s very similar album - which is to say, hardly any - but I thought the opening track wasn’t bad and there were a few with a bit of a “darker” sound, so I’m being a little more generous with the rating.
Exactly as I expected. Simple Minds just aren’t a band I want to listen to albums. They make some bangers but I’m just not into a whole album of it! 3.1
boring 80s
The cover is a good representation for what you're getting, shite. Half the time it sounds like fkn geometry dash
I’d never heard of this album. I knew the band’s biggest singles (“The Breakfast Club” was one of my favourite films as a teen in the 80s). I was surprised to see this album here and have such ecstatic reviews from the British music press. I’ll be honest: on my first listen I didn’t like it at all. Might have been my mood, though. So I listened to it a second time last night in bed, and a switch flipped. Loved it. Who knew?
Really, really struggling to see how this album earned a spot on this list. I will remember nothing from this album other than it being new wave. Is it outright bad? No. Is it at all unique or memorable? No.
Not bad
Rather ordinary
This has 80's written all over it. But I found it to be like a car trip to nowhere, partly enjoyed by the trip itself and not the destination.
Was this band Duran Duran at one point? New Wave music is terrible. Each song is somehow both better and worse than the one before it. This album is awful. This is one of the worst non-experimental albums I've ever heard. I understand why this album made the list. This is the band that literally every other New Wave band of every variety sounds like. A uniquely terrible album.
I found this to be fairly boring. I don't particularly like the big single off this (miracle), and the rest of the songs don't do much for me either. Competently executed but unexciting.
pff.. typische eighties brol... synths, gezwollen zang, plastieken drums...alle nummers onderling inwisselbaar
Seems interesting but annoying when catchy
This was one of those albums that was instant love as soon as I put it on. A proper, full, cohesive collection of songs which reminds me why I love the 80s. Also love the album cover, very Catholic school prayer book.
My 80's loving heart adored this album.
3/5
Oh boy more UK-esc new wave music. Nothing memorable happened on this album.
Cool style — synth pop with dramatic vocals and loads of reverb. I dig it 🤙🕺🏼
This was alright, more classic Brit rock that sometimes leans towards pop, sometimes artsy, and sometimes towards more a more dramatic sound. The production wasn't bad and the performances weren't bad, but overall it didn't do much for me. If this album is on this list then I'm sure "Once Upon A Time" will be on the list as well, as that has the classic track "Don't You (Forget About Me)", which I feel is one of THE genre-defining tracks of a decade, the 80s. 2.4/5.
This is in my top 10 fave albums of all time
It seems the albums of some artists are chosen just as they are starting to define themselves. While I enjoyed this album, Simple Minds really hit their stride two albums later with Once Upon a Time. This album was good, but not great.
great music to fall asleep to (derogatory)
I don’t care for the singers voice. There are some interesting things here and there in the songs but overall I didn’t find them very engaging. Nothing about this album hooked me.
It’s . . . not bad? It’s not unpleasant to listen to. Occasionally it has some enjoyable parts. One of the worst album covers I’ve ever seen, but that’s neither here nor there. This is fine 80’s synth pop. It didn’t really do much for me, but it did not make my day worse. So that’s something I guess. Actually, after a couple of listens, I’d say this is better than average 80’s synth pop. A bit murky and dirge-like for my taste at times, but overall kinda cool. Had a little Tangerine Dreamy kind of instrumental in the middle, which was fun. I’d say this is an album worth hearing.
Whole range ehhs no massive 80’s hitters for me. Quite boring throughout the album. Only redeeming song is Someone somewhere and even that’s just alright
An awesome album, though I find it falters slightly towards the end. Promised you a miracle and Glittering prize are still great songs today.
Came into this one thinking I was gonna hate some generic 80s disco trash (which it still was) but I came out with a new favourite bass player. My lord, Derek Forbes where you been and that tone, so tasty.
Meh, 80s junk. Some of the textures were alright but nothing I couldn’t have heard on a Prince or Police album
Literally didn’t bother, nothing good came from the 80’s except for Miami vice and it’s aesthetic
8/10. :) I love new wave! I've heard more remarkable new wave albums, but this is still a solid, and enjoyable album!!! :)
I am just not digging these 80’s synth music albums; just not my decade. Won’t be listening to this one again.
01) Someone Somewhere in Summertime - 10,0 02) Colours Fly and Catherine Wheel - 8,0 03) Promised You a Miracle - 10,0 04) Big Sleep - 8,0 05) Somebody Up There Likes You (Instrumental) - 9,5 06) New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84) - 9,5 07) Glittering Prize - 9,5 08) Hunter and the Hunted - 8,0 09) King is White and in the Crowd - 8,5 TOTAL: 9,00 (90/100) Current ranking: 30/304 This one took me completely by surprise. I thought I knew two songs from the album, but in the end it turned out that I knew five out of nine. And that's a good recipe to get five stars from me. "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" is one of my favorite "summer" songs, "Promised You a Miracle" is a big hit, and when the first notes of "New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84)" started I thought, damn, it's Usura's "Open Your Mind", I know this song! "Somebody Up There Likes You" is a wonderful instrumental, and "Glittering Prize" is another hit that was often played on radio stations in the eighties. With the remaining four songs not bad at all, we come to the final five stars that I didn't think would happen today. Great job, Simple Minds!
Some damn good synth-pop right here, kept my attention the whole way through.
p491. 1982. 3 stars. Quality 80s synth pop/rock with decent songs and vocalist. Point deducted for straying into wankage once too often - nobody need multiple 5 minute+ tracks.
This album slipped across my mind without leaving any trace of it's time there.
Maso
A few songs veer off a bit too towards pop, but overall, I like the synthy kind of surreal sound.
Not bad but not super memorable to me. It may be this site is giving me too much 80's which is a shame as I've turned around on the decade but these guys aren't standing out from the best of that decade's new wave/pop bands as of yet.
Not bad. 3/5
"New Gold Dream" undeniably captures the essence of its era, and while this isn’t intended as a dismissive comment, it’s clear that its sound is very much a product of the early 80s. At the time of its release, the album likely felt innovative and boundary-pushing. However, with over four decades having passed, its distinct 80s sound can sometimes blend into the broader sonic landscape of the decade. In hindsight, other albums and singles from that period have left a more lasting impression on me. That said, the album isn’t without its merits. The bass lines are particularly impressive and add a compelling groove throughout. Jim Kerr’s vocals are a standout feature, conveying a positive and uplifting mood that pervades the lyrics. While "New Gold Dream" may not be one I’m eager to rush out and buy on vinyl, there are certainly a few tracks that I’ll return to from time to time for their standout qualities.
one of the defining albums of the new-wave/new-pop movement from Scottish Band Simply Minds, this album maintains the distinctive new-wave sound while still achieving timeless pop sensibilities. Had to note the guest appearance from Herbie Hancock on keyboard for Hunter and the Hunted. Incredibly pretty sound that influenced U2's 1984 The Unforgettable Fire and ultimately influenced Bono's sound.
ugh i tried i’m so sorry simple minds but this is just not it for me. everything sounds the same and why is the whole album 4 hours long, with different versions of the same like 6 songs. i couldn’t even make it through disc 1😔
3.5
I listened to 4 different versions of the album thinking it was the same
This sounds super dated, which is interesting to note but not something I'd hold against the record. What I DO despise though is the terrible vocal performance - the lyrics are mid at best and the melodies don't suit the production whatsoever.
I liked this, but there was nothing groundbreaking or excellent here for me
3 stars. I like the album cover and I dig some of the production but doesn't really do it for me.
So tired of this new wave bullshit. This shouldn’t be in the top 10 million albums. Stop it!!!!
Music is a 4 but that singing is a 2.
3.5
I was expecting an album full of Don't You Forget About Me's, but this was surprisingly enjoyable - lots of dark synthy stuff that I am naturally predisposed to. An unexpected hit.
Honestly thought I would be giving this a 4. A 3.5 if I could, but not a 4.
One of my favourite Simple Minds albums - my favourite track is the last one: "King is White and in the Crowd".
That's not my taste in musik. But ok.
Omg le cover est affreux, je pensais que c’était du rock chrétien de ta paroisse locale. Finalement c’était juste du Simple Minds avec pas grand contenu, à part énormément trop de synthés
Stayed in the pleasant synthy background for me.
Didn't do all that much for me.
Dreary stuff.
I have literally never heard any other simple minds song other than the breakfast club one and while I understand that they’re mad no one paid attention to their other work, after listening to this I kinda get why they got relegated to one hit wonder status. This is just more 80s music with no discernible uniqueness.
I liked it. First time listening to it, but I think it'll creep into my mind over time.
I can't tell if I love it or hate it, but my confusion was pretty enjoyable.
This really does capture that 'New Pop' 80's sound perfectly right as it was gaining popularity. And to think I thought of them as one hit wonders
The 80s keep surprising me. I actually really enjoyed this. Promised You A miracle was a standout. Some really interesting beats.
Not anything special. Just sounds like run of the mill 80s pop
This album had some good spots, but generally this is utterly forgettable and not ideal for a list of this magnitude. Some good songs and bass riffs though. 2.5/5 -> 3/5
This is great. Flags in places at times though but overall a winner. Captures them at their best before Jim Kerr’s pompous tendencies got the better of him. My mum was once in the same house as Jim Kerr. And she recognised him. They were that famous in Scotland
It's hard to think of the band outside of "Don't You Forget About Me," but Simple Minds was not a one-hit wonder. They had numerous success throughout the world, but that one song is all people think of. (To be honest, I always confused them with a few other 80s pop bands. The instrumental piece "Somebody Up There Likes You" surprised me. I was not expecting a longer piece without vocals, but I dug it a lot. The production was really good, everything sounded like it came out a few years ago as opposed to 40. Top tracks: "Somebody Up There Likes You", "Promised You A Miracle"
My kids often ask me who different artists on the radio are, though I'm not sure they ask me much about 80's new wave/pop artists. Even if/when they do, I rarely can get straight bands like Simple Minds, OMD, ABC, The Human League, Level 42, even New Order. Either they're not all that different or I'm not interested enough to remember/pay attention to what makes them distinct. This album isn't going to change that. It was fine and all but it didn't grab me, and I'm not going to listen to it until I can pinpoint Simple Minds' distinctive sound. Throw it on the 80's pile with the rest. I'll dig out the best of the 80's when I need to. Next.
I like Don't You Forget About Me as much as the next kid who grew up in the 80s, but TIL it wasn't even written by Simple Minds - it was written specifically for The Breakfast Club and Simple Minds reluctantly agreed to record it after Bryan Ferry and Billy Idol each declined (apparently Simple Minds have Chrissie Hynde to thank for pushing then husband Jim Kerr to record it - it ended up being their biggest hit). That said, they made it their own, because it has a similar sound to the songs on this album (probably at bare minimum due to Kerr's very distinctive voice). I liked this album, particularly the bass playing. The recording quality is excellent (turn it up - the sonic quality really comes through when played loud), but the music is definitely VERY 80s. Regardless, solid album worth listening to. Favorite Tracks: Colours Fly and Catherine Wheel, Big Sleep, New Gold Dream, King is White and in the Crowd.
fun and perfectly normal synthpop album
My second album by a Scottish band released in 82 in a row. Luckily this one got a lot of things right that the previous one failed at. I like the layers here, creating a texture that melds into a pleasing whole. I don't think it's amazing enough to deserve a 5 star rating, but it's a solid 4.
5.5/10
one hit wonders
It’s a meh from me dawg.
I like that Breakfast Club song the most—even though it’s not on this album. Everything here is fine for background. Interesting that it influenced U2, but since I didn’t know early Simple Minds, the style shift doesn’t mean much to me.
Simple Minds has one great album. This isn't it. You can hear them working thru and tinkering with things here but clearly not ready for prime time.
Unfortunately, I only have room in my life for one Simple Minds album, and that album contains Don't You Forget About Me. Tragically, that song was never put on a proper Simple Minds album, it was written and recorded specifically for The Breakfast Club soundtrack. So, I guess what I am saying is I don't have room in my life for a Simple Minds album.
Classic 80s sound.
Whole band might be slept on, quintessential 80s
Pretty, pleasant early new wave, but lacking in energy and excitement for me, and no matter how many times I listen to it, it never seems to blossom into something with greater depth.
I really like new wave, but this didn't move me like I hoped it would. Just not much catchy stuff on here. Glittering Prize basically saved this from a 2, but it was close. I think the vocals being buried and not being catchy really is what lowered this for me.
At first I thought I wouldn’t really like it because of the album cover, and I thought it would be a different type of music. But as soon as the first song started, I felt like it was so familiar and it sounds a lot like the music my dad listens to from the 80s. The album is very long, 4 hours long to be exact, even tho most songs are just another version of the first songs, but it is the type of music I really enjoy listening to. It gives me strong “The cure” vibes and that sort of music, and I like that they have a specific sound but each song is different. Basically only the first 9 songs are the important ones to listen to
Wasn’t sure about this, kinda thought it sounded a bit like The Smiths gone wrong but it definitely peaked in the middle and then got a bit iffy again. So it’s mid, but a low 3. Very 80s and of the time
This is nothing music. I may as well not listen to anything at all.
I felt nothing. I don't get this. I guess you had to be there?
7/17/24. A fantastic 80s new wave album with a lot of funk elements. Glad I came across this one as I wasn't familiar with the group, but this earns some replays as I enjoyed each song.
J'ai pas tout écouté mais c'était bien
Heard of them; not sure I'm familiar with their songs.
anos 80 basicão. Bom demais, muito delay, sintetizador, reverb, phaser e tudo que pudesse para parecer que estávamos no futuro.
Not much to say about this one. Didn't enjoy it.
Clueless as to why this album is on this list.
Although I'm sure they're more important and notable than Duran Duran, for some reason I always think of Duran Duran when I hear the band name Simple Minds. And neither are really my first choice for music (or second or third, on down the line). But this is definitely my first listen to this album (and curiously, that includes the singles from this album, which I'm pretty sure I've also never heard), and good to see that we've got yet another Scottish band from this collection. Although I can't say I particularly enjoyed the album, it was really nice to read that the band members seemed to genuinely enjoy making the album, and at least some of them reported feeling like everything just worked out, which definitely seems to be the exception for most albums and bands.
unobtrusive for better and for worse.
Synthy new wave. Some nice basslines though.
On we go with the synth pop. Sounds like the others. Really liked Glittering Prize though. High 3.
Not sure how every single vocalist from the 80s sound exactly the same
About at 80s as it gets in my opinion. The big song was not on here which makes its inclusion puzzling, but these authors love the synthesizer like no one Ive ever seen before.
As far as albums in this genre go, this isn't bad. The bass work is fun and I appreciate a good synth chug. It's very of its time. I don't think I'll revisit, or think of it often, but there are some songs I'd return to. Trimming half a minute or a minute off of a lot of these songs would help this feel like less work to listen to and keep the hooks from wearing out. The 80s pop stomp gets tired towards the end of the album. Not that it's that important, but the album cover really put me off. Highlights: Someone Somewhere (In Summertime), Promised You A Miracle, New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84)
Solid, consistent mood, though no tracks I particularly want to come back to.
4/5 Atmospheric, otherworldly, funky, futuristic. A lot of words can be used to describe this album but none seem to sum it up sufficiently. I know I like it a lot though. The lyrics and vocals dance around saying a lot without saying or doing much, and the change ups and punchiness of the instrumentals are magnificent. An inconsistent tracklist, with plenty of room for ok-ness as the album progresses past the incredible highs, reduces the overall enjoyment for me. Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) 5/5 Colours Fly And Catherine Wheel 4/5 Promised You A Miracle 5/5 (FAV) Big Sleep 5/5 Somebody Up There Likes You 3.5/5 New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84) 3.5/5 (LEAST FAV) Glittering Prize 4/5 Hunter And The Hunted 4/5 King Is White And In The Crowd 4/5
Not my type of music
It was just ok
8/10. I enjoyed it. Had a little less focus with kids running around while I listened but liked the mix and vibes. Put Someone Somewhere and Promised You a Miracle on the 5 star list.
This is one of those albums where the version on Spotify is four hours long and I have to go digging online to find the actual tracklist. It is thankfully much shorter. I don't know the correct way to describe the vocals of this album but they are very ethereal and echoey. The instrumentation is very synthy. This is a common sound from this period of time, and it doesn't really do it for me. The singing sounds a little like David Byrne, and there is some Talking Heads energy in the music. Unfortunately it doesn't come together in a way I enjoy nearly as much. My favorite song was "Glittering Prize". 4/10
J'ai vraiment plus aimé que ce que je m'attendais. Ça restait toujours intéressant malgré que cet album est vraiment TRÈS new wave pur. Ça sonne de son époque sans pour autant paraître démodé. Très bonne qualité audio, compositions bien faites, chants solides. 8/10
Pretty solid, distinctly 80s sound. It kind of washed over me and was a little in distinct. I could pick up notes of Roxy Music, overall enjoyable listen but didn’t leave me with much to return to.
I am usually a sucker for synth pop, but this was quite bland. Pleasant, but nothing more.
Some pretty synth pop that never exceeds any expectations. No surprises, but no real let downs either.
I enjoyed nothing about this album. All the quintessential 80's sounds but bad.
A pretty solid New Romantic album that should appeal to fans of Duran Duran, OMD, et al.
I don't mind myself a bit of new wave and it's was enjoyable digging into this album. Faves for me: Someone Somewhere (In Summertime), Promised You A Miracle, Somebody Up There Likes You.
Ok, I've definitely had these guys mixed up in my head with Simply Red, so this was already a useful exercise! 😆 Ah, they're the "Don't You Forget About Me" guys - that helps orient me. I guess my new wave rehabilitation continues - this was alright, mostly - sometimes a touch more poppy than I'd prefer, and I would probably increase the post-punk and gothiness in the mix, if I had my way. Fave tracks - "Someone, Somewhere in Summertime", instrumental "Somebody Up There Likes You", and the title track...
Just a bit forgettable. Glittering Prize is a tune, but the rest just passed me by.
It's like Talking Heads and The Cure had an extremely uninteresting baby
Listened Before: Y Oh yes. This is an absolutely awesome new wave album by one of the best new wave artists. Early enough not to be over-polished, but polished enough to be a fun listen. Love it! Added to Library? Y Songs added to playlist: Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)
Usually when talentless bands release an album in the 80's there is at least one hit written by some some songwriter not in the band. NOT HERE! This album doesn't even have a hit...
For this phase of 1K+1AtLtBYD, I'm not wasting my time for the sake of the project. I hate this.
Couldn't get into this at all. Atmospheric and moody (even more so than many other 80s pop records) that just didn't draw me in.
The last really good SM album. Not their best, but this straddles their early inventive material such as I Travel and their tilt into stadium rock with Someone and Miracle. I prefer the more experimental tracks, such as King is White, but this is still a set full of great tunes that I loved at the time and still love now.
This sounded great 40 odd years on. The singles are utstanding. Promised You a Miracle straddles new romantic make up entering stadium rock. Never an easy - or wise - move. Impossible not to dance to this. In a weird way, natch. The tunes are given space to breathe. Who needs constant vocals anyway?
Always nice to listen to an album by a band who I know for one or two good songs and discover that, shockingly, they have a bunch of other good songs as well. Wonderful mix of bombastic synth pop and more ethereal moods.
1. Open up 1001 albums generator 2. Check your new album of the day 3. See that it is a new wave album (ol' reliable) 4. Click the one star rating 5. Continue on with your day
Fairly lacklustre, and that's as someone who usually likes new wave
Painfully Average. Every sound sounded exactly the same.
This is timid and mild. I cam enjoy some 80s pop ballads, but this is all too familiar.
Ethereal melodies, uplifting.
One more time. It's British New Wave, I liked it. 3.5/5
With all that time passing since, this type of booming pop drenched in tacky synth strikes as little more than irritating and dated.
Pre-listen: I’m so fucking sick of so many fucking 80’s albums. I hope I’m wrong and I look/sound like an idiot, but oh my god, it feels like every other album is from this wretched decade. Post-listen: nope, wasn’t wrong. More terribly boring and dated music to be filed away under the worst, most pretentious genre name: “sophisti-pop.” Spare me your declarations of how “intelligent” it is. “Someone Somewhere” isn’t the worst leadoff track, the energy of “Colours Fly and Catherine Wheel” is somewhat interesting, and the bass line on “Glittering Prize” rips. But I really don’t understand the appeal of this production or general style 99% of the time, and although Jim Kerr is not a terrible vocalist, he’s terribly anonymous, and that may be even worse. 2.5/5
If you love early new wave pop this is the album for you. It is painfully terrible.
ganz schön, fehlen nur die ganz großen Hits
Umm no
Pop con sintetizadores. Un rollo. Un 2.
Bien.
Why are the vocals so low in the mix? They get completely overpowered by the synths and everything else going on. A shame as some of the songs seem really good.
It’s okay. I listened to the original recording because no one has 4 hours for the long version. Harmless.
This was ok. I didn't hate it, and it worked well as background music.
Some nice songs, but also a few that I don't like.
Good group from the 70s-80s. Good music.
It starts on a high note. Very rhytmic and melodic. But it dies out a little throughout.
Love the vibe
I wanted to like this so much more than I did. There’s some great moments, specifically synth tones, but there’s something sleepy in the songwriting that pulls me out of it.
Not bad, not memorable.
Great listen
This is some UK new wave pop synth stuff from the early 80s that I just could not care less about listening to.
Olisin pitänyt tästä enemmän jos yhden instrumentaalin sijaan olisivat äänittäneet kaikki kappaleet ilman vokalistia 🤷
Not bad by any means but a lot of the same. Went in one ear and straight out the other for the most part.
Wow. A 3 record mega album. That was... a long listen. Man honestly, this was a bit of a slog. By the end, every song starts sounding the same. I'll be ok to not return to this one again.
I found an instrumental on a 9-track album with 5 songs exceeding five minutes to be interesting. It feels a bit unnecessary, but this is still a really good album even though it does not have their biggest hit. I may not have listened to this enough (twice) but the breezy nature of these songs that I enjoyed also seemed to make them go forth without me remembering a lot of what I heard.
3/10 very subpar 80s music
I hate how hard it is to hear the lyrics. I really did not care for this album. Extremely boring. Couldn’t hear the lyrics. Unemotional.
So 80’s!
Oh God. I wanted so badly to like this one, but I genuinely can't remember anything that stood out. I am a sucker for synths, so it definitely wasn't unpleasant at all, but. Meh....
An unremarkable album by Simple Minds. It's alright when it's used as background music. I'm not into that particular genre. I hope I get a better album next time. "Gold Dream" is OK but I expected more. 2 stars for a boring album.
When I was 18, Jim Kerr came into my uni to do a guest lecture, and I must admit I had no idea who he was, but he had some pretty cool rock and roll stories. I was expecting this to be a bit more raucous, but it’s just a bunch of easy listening 80’s music that gets a bit samey after a while.
Heyrðu, fínt. Má alveg ganga í bakgrunni. En eftir þrjár hlustanir fæ ég mig samt ekki til að toga þetta uppí fjarka. Glittering prize er best.
..(.
This is a good album and explains where a lot of U2 comes from. The singles are magnificent. The rest is pretty great. 3.5.
Huh! Thanks for reminding me if the glorious and Simple Minds. Adding them to my list of "live bands to see before I die' list now.... this album = Gorgeous on headphones - they were loving their work together and everything was just working for them. And they shapes pop music for a decade or more and there are some eternal songs that came out of this period (not all on this album, but you get a sense of how they can make soaring anthems here) . Warm sounds, funky beats, and playful - and most of all the gift for the warm voice of Jim Kerr, which of course have us - a few years later - "Don't you (forget about me)" which a new generation is learning. An excellent and very "tight" pop music style, rich vocals and all the funky electric toys of 80s music here. Yes this band deserves a place on the list. They would groove a stadium live. Something to keep in mind. I just checked. Anyone going to be in Nimes (FR) ON 12 JULY?
Was never really a fan. Just another deep-throated British vocalist, sounding just like all the others (all Bowie wannabes). And I was pissed off that he beat me to Chrissie Hynde. Promised You A Miracle and Glittering Prize are the standouts.
I was trying to work out what to say about this, when I read Robert Christgau's review, which I will quote in full: "With more effort than hedonism should ever require, I make out three or maybe four full-fledged melodies on this self-important, mysteriously prestigious essay in romantic escape. Though the textures are richer than in ordinary Anglodisco, they arouse nary a spiritual frisson in your faithful synesthetician. Auteur Jim Kerr is Bowie sans stance, Ferry sans pop, Morrison sans rock and roll. He says simple, I say empty and we both go home." Cruel but fair. It's a schmick production, spacious and polished, but ultimately, I am not moved. 2.5 stars.
Very 80s pop
I used to really dislike this band as they seemed to aspire to be U2 type stadium rockstars but a delve into their early and mid period and the quality is really high. Here there is a optimistic assurance in the music that brilliantly holds together. Great 80s rock/pop.
I hate this on principle. Why is the only version of this album that's available on Spotify 4 fucking hours long?!?! That is ABSURD! If the original release runtime is 46 minutes or so, why can't I listen to that version?? I've managed to listen to the first 9 tracks representing the original release, but I still don't like it. It's middling at best. Everything about this is wrong: the branding, the album artwork, the naming of it, the music is just so unappealing and bland. I would prefer to forget about this, if I can, thank you very much.
if you took a Worst of New Order compilation and then removed the spark that implies the band must have some cool stuff around, it'd sound like this music: hated. (⌐■_■)
Maybe to my taste, new wave has to be a little bit gothy or a little bit punk, to be a good time.
A lot of the same over and over.
Forty years old? Still has a nice vibe, in small does.
Just a collection of nothing songs.
This barely escapes being a 1 with vocals that are nearly indiscernible and a total lack of variety from track to track. Listened to: at home.
Neat
Didn’t enjoy this sound
I listened to this album and forgot to rate, listened it again because I thought I skipped. I totally forgot about it already (again)
Very eighties pop - it sounds like a lot of other bands in the genre, but doesn’t stand out above others.
This album is sensational. I love Jim Kerr's distinctive vocals and the music is brilliant. Such a great sound. One of my favourite bands. It's worth a listen for the instrumental too. Fabulous 👌
Some decent songs here and there but nothing worth coming back to unfortunately
Hell yeah. I know others fatigue of it, but I love the fact I've been able to discover tons of new wave thanks to this list. Bring it on!
Didn't hate this, but I'm sure this will be polarizing. It's New Wave through and through, and it's SO DAMN LONG.
Very 80s.
Artsy, echoey, new-agey, atmospheric
This is annoying. Why? Because I like Simple Minds more than say... Metallica, but this site gave me the definitive Metallica album to rate. I am trying to be realistic. This album is not Simple Minds best. It is Ok. But a LOT of bands were around putting out good stuff and look at those numbers, they are not random, they are 1981 - 1984. Golden years in 80's music. So I get stuck with my profile saying I prefer "metal" to "indy" but they have me rate one of the greatest metal albums of all time and then have me rate obscure indy titles or so so albums from otherwise great bands... Kind of annoying.
1.5 per track.
Simple Minds = Simple Music? Not for me...
The bass on Colours Fly and Catherine Wheel beats ass, it comes in so heavy. Honestly the bass on a lot of this is very prominent and cool, without being super complex. Real sucker for the echoey production on the voice, very New Romantics. Catchy album, nothing super crazy but a good listen throughout.
Firstly, the album cover and album name are both terrible, very forgettable. As for the album, it was very 80s, which I liked. Some songs were ok, but overall I liked the synths and everything.
I really liked this, I feel like the whole thing was good, bordering on a 5 but I don't see myself being like obsessed w/ this or any song in particular, I just feel like every song was an enjoyable listen so overall very good as an album, 8/10
I listened this morning and forgot to write a review and it’s been a long ass day between then and now. I think I liked it a good bit. Ok, yeah, just relistened to a few and it’s good. Go electric bass! No way Lucas scoops this one 8/10
6/10 - It sounded kind of like tears for fears in my opinion. Seems like it has similarities to early electronic music. But overall, not amazing.
It was fine 6/10
Sounds super 80s, but not necessarily in a bad way. Solid, but there’s a lot out there that’s very similar but also just better 6/10
Idc.
do something, bums
Idc
Yeah there was just nothing memorable about this. Boring and uninspired.
Liked the hit, put up with rest.
Not an album I would choose to listen to again
Oldie but a goodie!
New wave's not really my thing but solid album nonetheless
Easily forgettable
Bastante bueno pero sigue sin ser del todo mi estilo
80er ja, dieses Album nein!
A solid early 80s synth-pop album. Very much of its era, but in the right ways. Splendid, nuanced synth arrangements and standout vocals from Jim Kerr. Fave Song: Promised You a Miracle, Someone Somewhere in Summertime, Glittering Prize, King is White and in the Crowd, Big Sleep, Hunter and the Hunted
Not awful, but too blatantly 80’s for me.
Synth pop tastic. The start of a decent body of work.
Some good tunes and a great throwback to the 80’s!
i liked 1 song tbh
Very generic 1980s sound and feel. Not great, not bad. Nothing really left any impression.
2.5 - I'd say it was fine, though a bit unmemorable. There was a track or two that I sort of liked, but they all blend together now.
None of this jumped out at me but I'm probably going to keep listening to this. Something about this era of 80s pop that can't be faked. I want to love it. I don't yet but there was a time when I didn't love Trump either, so... maybe I'll never love it. But I'll keep listening.
What surprised me was how close to goth some of this sounds - 'New Gold Dream' itself isn't a million miles away from the Sisters of Mercy. Another little jolt - 'Somebody Up There Likes You' sounds somewhat out of time, a presage to the Goan trance wave of the 1990s. Still, this is mostly serviceable synth pop; listenable, but not on the level of some other bands of this genre encountered on the app.
I liked this album! I would listen again but I'm not sure if it is a top album for me.
Another time capsule. Fine, but doesn't hold up.
2.6
Metallisch kalt.
Fairly average album, wouldn’t be inclined to listen again. Very dated. Perhaps would have enjoyed more if I was coked up in a garish silk shirt having 80’s big bush sex. Chance would be a fine thing.
Generally enjoyed the overall vibe, but I can’t think of a standout track.
A solid mid-table of an album. The album equivalent to Crystal Palace. The Simpsons: I’m sure they parody the end of The Breakfast Club at some point, but can’t find any evidence of that.
It was alright. I did actually get a small amount of enjoyment from this, which is more than I thought I would considering the genre and other similar albums we've had so far. Won't listen to it again though. Cannot imagine how this could be anyone's favourite kind of music. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Solid mid-table album, it would have had 3 stars. However they had an instrumental track in the middle which was just so boring. So it gets 2
I liked Promised You a Miracle but it some how managed to be repetitive despite being fairly short. The rest of the album was Simply Forgettable
za album iz 80-ih nelose
Fun, dubby basslines. Bright, cracking drumming. Angular, reverb drenched, noisy guitars. Songs about Chelsea Girls and Murder. Jim Kerr's compelling vocals. Yes, Life in a Day is an excellent record. Check it out. . . Except that's not the album I was dealt. I did supplemental research and listening to attempt to get a handle on the one I was dealt. One thing I read is that producer Peter Walsh was tasked with capturing the sound of the band live. If this is how Simple Minds sounds live, it may be the lamest thing I have heard. Was Walsh responsible for turning Derek Forbes onto Stanley Clarke, and recording Forbes slapping in the most generic fashion imaginable? Did Walsh purposefully murder the drums into a mush of cardboard thuds? Can we blame Walsh for the whole band sound sliding into the the kind of AOR 1980s dribble that made worldwide moms think they, too, were "kinda punk". Post-Punk beginning into Air Supply bullshit? People that like this probably voted for Reagan or Thatcher. Get those acid washed Sassoons on. Chop up those baby laxative lines. Get an angular haircut. Find some shoulder pads. Put this on, and let the nothing happen. Recommended for Incels and Conservatives. If I could give this a black hole as a review, I would.
i only knew Simple Minds from Don’t You but that’s a great song so i was hopeful for this album. really nothing special though unfortunately, kind of a watered down Tears for Fears
Meh. The songs are okay but it's hard to get past the bad production.
Väldigt 80-tal, kommer nog lyssna igenom fler gånger när jag är i en 80-tals/synth period.
I liked it, but I wouldn't necessarily seek it out again. 3 stars seems like a cop out, but it's accurate.
Underwhelming. I really thought I would love this and just didn’t. Nothing really stood out and it was kinda blah.
I mean that's fine. Many of these albums are just ho hum.
snoozefest
Dated and incredibly corny music.
Someone Somewhere in Summertime- 3.2/5 Colours Fly and Catherine Whee- 3.5/5 Promised You a Miracle- 4.3/5 Big Sleep- 4.5/5 Somebody Up There Likes You- 2.2/5 New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)- 3.4/5 Glittering Prize- 3.1/5 Hunter and the Hunted- 3.6/5 King Is White and in the Crowd- 2/5 Total- 3.3/5
Honestly, kind of boring. I'll bet if you listened to it 10 times in a row it would be your personal album to gatekeep, but I'm not doing that! However, I again do realize the intricacies of the songwriting and it gets a 3, but would probably be 2.5.
At first I thought it was a little generic, but I loved the 2nd and 3rd songs. The diversity of style was great, and I really love the groove and timbre they have!
Although I know Simple Minds a bit, I don't think I've ever listened to a full album. It was pretty unremarkable for me. I didn't actively dislike any of it, but nothing stood out as interesting. It's nice background music for me, but not something I would seek out.
I only know one song by Simple Minds and that was just because it was on The Breakfast Club soundtrack. That one is definitely a banger. Overall, this was quintessentially 80's with some generic stuff and a couple nice tracks mixed in. Track reactions: 1 - Straight into that 80's sound. I can dig it. 2 - A bit of a drop-off but I can listen to it. 3 - Nothing special, just some OK background music. 4 - More of the same. 5 - Instrumental track? It's actually quite nice... 6 - Favorite track so far. Nice ethereal vibe I can get lost in. 7 - Fine generic 80's music 8 - This one got better as I listened to it. 9 - Ended with just an ok track.
Ehh
Ultimately I'm just ok on this one. I found the general sound to be intriguing, as well as some of the soundscapes/arrangements. But the songwriting was all just a little too same-y for me to really dig.
Very cool sound. I especially like their bass.
3.5/5
Pop con sintetizadores. Un rollo. Un 2.
Good stuff. More new wave than the radio hits from Big Chaie.
Good songs.
Kuvittelin tän olevan jotain aivan huttua, mutta tässähän oli tällästä ihan uskottavaa synapop-meininkiä. Uskon että tästä olis mulle dj-hommissa hyötyä jos jostain löytyis halvalla. Siirtymäbiisejä muiden synth wave kappaleiden välissä esim. 3/5
Listalla on ollut sen verran paljon keskinkertaista brittikasaria, että tän hyvyys kyllä yllätti.
Toimivaa synapoppia, yllättävän hyvä. 3.5/5.
Yo what’s up with the album cover? The album is good vibes, but not mind blowing. 3* because I enjoy this sound. Highlights: big sleep
Good overall.
Okay.. not brilliant
Nothing special on this. Simple Minds have some great songs, but this album was overwhelmingly "eh". I still don't understand why the album and title track have (81/82/83/84)?
Was hoping Don't You Forget About Me would be on here but hey this album is pretty good without it tbh. For someone listening in 2024 the sound has been played a lot (especially in a house with 2 80's parents) but this was a particularly enjoyable version of that sound. Nothing groundbreaking in my eyes but fun none the less. Fav songs: - Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) - Somebody Up There Likes You - New Gold Dream
Bien.
I was not very familiar with this group, but enjoyed the album.
Landing smack dab in the middle of the synthpop age, Simple Minds are anything but in this breakthrough. The new gold dream shimmers and shines throughout, lending itself to plenty of opportunities for the listener to burst through the gates with this blaring. It is little to no surprise that they would end up defining the 80s in their own way and it starts here. Favorites: Someone Somewhere (In Summertime), Colours Fly and Catherine Wheel, Promised You a Miracle, New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84), Glittering Prize.
Big fan of Alive and Kicking and was hoping for a surprise here. Didn't hear the song I wanted and thought the rest was pretty generic, basic 80's pop. Not that is was terrible, but there wasn't anything that caught my attention, other than Colours Fly. And that's because I thought of Foo's album, The Colour and the Shape. Yea, I'm a strange dude, but I like me. Not mush else to say. Decent background music, but nothing to get excited for. I do like the guy's voice though. 2.5
2.5 Allegedly this album helped innovate the 80s pop sound that would go on to define the decade. I can’t say that I feel strongly one way or the other in regards to that claim, but what I can confidently say is that what Simple Minds did with it here is far from the most interesting version of it. Maybe it’s not fair to compare this to music that followed and likely took influence, but there are plenty of genre-defining artists I could point to that came out of the gates swinging, and these guys couldn’t even do that five albums in. Hell, even comparing this to their own work, there’s nothing here that holds a candle to Don’t You (Forget About Me). Why didn’t we get that album? The inclusion of the Breakfast Club song alone must make it a better listen than this. Trash talk aside, this really did nothing for me and was just kind of a non-presence while I was working. It didn’t give me anything to like, anything to dislike, or anything to feel remotely strongly about it in any particular way - this truly was just very vanilla. Normally I’m the first pretentious a-hole to call a group out as being better before they got big, but that is very much not the case with Simple Minds. Ok, a correction after a Google search later - Don’t You (Forget About Me) was a non-album single written and recorded for The Breakfast Club (apparently reluctantly). While I could update the above paragraph, I went ahead and listened to the album the song was later bundled with anyway, and it is indeed better than this, so I stand by my initial sentiment.
This is great for the person who loves that classic 80’s sound. As a 90’s kid I always pushed away from it, but have grown in my appreciation of it. I might check out this bands other stuff since they’re apparently very versatile.
Rating it a bit higher because I like the bass lines and some of the grooves, but the songs themselves are pretty forgettable. No hooks, they don’t really go anywhere, and every one is at least a minute too long. Some of them take a minute+ just to fade out. Maybe that was a thing at the time? Kind of reminds me of U2 with eyeliner.
I remember giving Simple Minds a good try back then, and just not getting it. I haven't changed my mind. The mix is unnecessarily muddy and dull, a poor imitation of The Lexicon of Love or The Luxury Gap.
Uninspiring
Da sagt mir leider nur ein Lied etwas. Die Band zieht mich nicht so in den Bann.
Super long album
Thought it was an interesting peek into their earlier years before they really hit their stride.
ihan jeeees kasari musaa Jep 3/5
This album is awesome. Sound slike billy idol a bit
Ni fu ni fa
3/5. The album started off very weak in my mind, even the more popular star tracks, but as the songs chugged along, I felt myself getting much more into it.
I really like this one but there is one song thats really repetitive
Ok, but didn’t hold my interest for the whole album
It was alright. Nothing really stood out. It was not bad. Relatively short. It was an 80s album. Better than a two. Not really a three. I will round up.
Some great remixes but come really compressed hard to hear tracks. This was a mixed bag. Love Glittering Prize and Promised You A Miracle
I may have not just been in the mood for this New Wave but it was such background music. I don't think there's anything that got my attention once.
This album cover is the worst. Oh this is not my kind of music. The bass player stands out. Promised You a Miracle and Glittering Prize are okay. Still plagues me, why do so many 80s singers sing like this? Not even this amazing bass player can save this for me. I gotta go 1.
This is the band that made quite possibly one of the most influential 80s songs of all time. This album is a big step below that and none of the songs on here get close to as enjoyable as forget about me. This album didn’t seem to have any of the lure of what made them great on their other album. This album was an interesting choice as it seemed they made a significantly better one. 5.5/10
Promised you a miracle, king is white and so is the crowd
💖 glittering prize 🗣️ 8️⃣
Wore the album out back in the day. Sounds a bit dated now but still worthy. 3/5
Generic
Really liked this one Really up my street Singles are great Album tracks are great Will listen to it more during the week 4
Not bad, there were actually some songs that I liked on this one. I like this kind of music.
2 Fuck it this was really fucking boring 1
Didn’t realize that Simple Minds were that big in the UK- in my mind they’re firmly in the one hit wonder category (whoops?). Fun album! We love you unexpected Herbie Hancock solo (by the way, Hunter and the Hunted sounds so much like an A-Ha song). Favorite tracks: Someone Somewhere, Promised You a Miracle, Big Sleep, New Gold Dream.
Not as good as originals.
Langsom newwave poprock, lidt 80’er synth, et par ok numre men uden rigtig at gøre indtryk
This is how I think the 80's sounded like. Its good but not groundbreaking.
A lot more expansive 80’s electronic pop. Got a little boring over the latter half Fav tracks: Colours Fly and Catherine Wheel (fun bass), Promised You a Miracle, Somebody Up There Like You
3/5. This was an enjoyable pop album, had great instrumentals. The vocals were muddy and hard to hear, bad producing on that part but otherwise, felt like a great instrumental album. The songs didn't stand out too clearly, but I didn't hate it.
♥️
Good
Not the best the 80s had to offer
Great album
not my jam
Decent overall album. Worth a listen.
I didn’t really give this one a very proper listen through but I gave it two half-listens. It was enough for me to decide this was perfectly fine 80s music but bored me a little. Listens: 2 x 1/2 Fave Tracks: Somebody Up There Likes You Rating: 3
Tellement daté. Et y a même pas de tube. Tolérable sur la longueur, avec des moment mouif et des moments bof, comme cet interminable instrumental en plein milieu de l'album ("Somebody Up There Likes You"). Mais je n'y trouve pas grand intérêt. Ce 2 est généreux.
Who? These guys have 8.6m listeners? Oh.. the Don't You Forget About Me band. That song was great. This album was ok.
Listened to some and enjoyed. Saved
Rating: 7/10 Very good album overall. Really enjoyed the atmosphere on most of the songs. The bass in this album is beautiful, many memorable and melodic basslines. The production and the synths on this album were very good as well, adding to the ambience and beautiful nature on a lot of the songs. As pleasant as this was to listen to, some songs were very forgettable, there is not much variety on this album. Favorite songs: Someone Somewhere (In Summertime), New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84), Glittering Prize. Worst song: Colours Fly And Catherine Wheel.