Picture Book

I just don't think redheads should sing like that

It's okay. I grooved.

Pretty timeless with Jazz and pop and some decent vocals.

That 80s sound is one I rarely seem to tire of. And there is plenty of it here, which makes my ears happy. But there is a lot more to be found here if you listen closely. The first track sounds like it could be right out of a 70s funk album, the second track sounds like something out of a smokey jazz club, and the rest is a nice mix of all three of those genres. There are some really good tracks here.

Easy listening but more easy. Jericho sounds like something that would be in Musikos Music Library, specifically 254-5 sampled in Fazers by MF DOOM. I thank NATMOS for letting me listen to new music, exact reason I got into Twin Sons of Different Mothers by Dan Fogelberg and Tim Weisberg. God bless Simply Red! God bless Canada!

The couple of songs released off this album were ok, but the rest just did nothing for me.

If you’re a fan of mid 80’s weird attempts at lounge music-then this is for you

Absolutely great album! "Come to my Aid", "Holding Back the Years" (super sexy) and "Open up the Red Box" were amazing.

In college there was a girl who was terrified of Michael Jackson. She had a proper fear of him. If a Jacko song came on, she’d shriek and run out of the room. I heard a story about how her friends once locked her in a room and started blaring “Black or White” through the walls at full volume in an experiment to fully test out how real this fear was. They found her hiding under a table, hands clasped tightly against her ears. It’s not that crazy. A friend of my fiancée’s has a similar aversion to David Bowie. I couldn’t fathom a world without Bowie’s music, but I get the reasoning. The movie Labyrinth didn’t paint Bowie in the best light for a kid discovering him for the first time. Like my college friend, she would have to leave the room if Bowie’s music started playing. Well, now that I’ve established that this is a real affliction, I can reveal that I have the same issue with Mick Hucknall. *involuntary shudder* I don’t know the reasons behind it exactly, but I’d be strongly compelled to leave a room if I heard Simply Red being played. So, I guess today I have to face my fear. “Picture Book” is exactly what I expected it to be. Overproduced soul-pop nonsense, absolutely crammed full of cringe. So, so much cringe. Huck grunts and growls weird little fills between lines, like the properly hilarious “looking at your head” in “Look At You Now”. There’s even an unforgivable Talking Heads cover thrown in just to really add insult to injury. Mick Hucknall once claimed that between 1985-1987, he slept with about three women a day, every day. That works out at approximately 3,285 sexual encounters in three years, or one every eight hours, including weekends, Christmas and public holidays. I don’t think any of these women heard his music. I haven’t overcome my fear, but I faced it. The 1001 algorithm locked me in a room with Mick and 45 minutes later I’m hiding under a table, hands clasped tightly against my ears. Thanks, I hate it.

No bad but just couldn’t be arsed

Don't get me wrong! I did NOT give this three stars because of how 80s it is. I will NEVER get tired of 80s music! I gave this three stars because I don't think British men should be allowed to make soul music.

It does not get more 80s Rnb / Souly than this. Nice but when do you listen to such music anymore? Ironic 80s parties?

Loved how much this jumped around genres from disco to funk to Talking Heads covers. Front half and titular tracks rule

There was a time in the mid to late nineties where Mick Hucknall’s smashed pumpkin of a head was everywhere in the UK. No matter where you looked there would be the gurning little twat, crooning his syrupy blue-eyed soul bollocks. Calm the fuck down, Mick, you aren’t Steve Winwood. You’re not even the shit on his shoes. Horrid, super-smooth pseudo-soul with the awful farting keyboards so common at that time. It’s not one star, because Holding Back The Years and Money’s Too Tight are good tunes, but it’s awfully close. The horrible album cover really doesn’t help, either.

Soul. Not my favorite

Just not my thing.

Очень хороший целостный альбом И вокал, и инструментал, и вайб 80, и джаззи Все круто Может не так трогает, зато плотно и уверенно 3.9

Oh, how I hated this album back in the days. But listening now I can hear the craftsmanship. Nothing new under the sun but a good pop album.

Forgot how good this band is. Awesome, well integrated sound and vocals. Quite enjoyable.

Swings between cheesy guilty pleasures and unlistenable for me

Somewhat surprised at how little I liked this. I was prepared to concede that, unfashionable as Simply Red are these days, it was still a good album. In truth though I find the combination of 80s production and lacklustre tunes to be rather tedious. Had no idea there would be a Talking Heads cover (Heaven) but it proved to be pretty inoffensive - neither great nor terrible.

A couple of songs are ok. The rest is so mind-numbing boring it made me a bit sad

Holding Back The Years is a classic. Unfortunately, the rest of the album is boring af

Dude sounds like a lady

Kind of meh

Not the worst thing I've heard so far.

This falls squarely into the 'guilty pleasures' category. Absolutely not mine, but someone's gran's, probably. It's so vanilla and inoffensive and there's even the odd saxophone solo thrown in to make sure there's absolutely nothing about it that stands out. As is often the case, there is plenty worse on this list so two stars, but never again will this grace any speakers I own. I considered the 1:16 runtime to be an aggravating factor in sentencing.

Talking Heads cover was the only decent part

Highlights: Come to My Aid, Jericho, Money's Too Tight, Holding Back the Years, Open up the Red Box I often saw this one in my discover weekly, but never got around to it in its entirety. It got off to a sussy start. Come to My Aid sounded way too much like Money's Too Tight, so I wasn't sure if this was a sign of major material recycling. Luckily it wasn't, but there is a lot of repeating elements. They picked a style and really stuck to it throughout. Also, I was amazed to find out that Money was a cover, but it does make sense. Why else would a British guy talk about Reaganomics and Congress? It was rather strange how all the biggest singles were placed so late on the record. They really shot themselves in the foot with such a shitty start (tracks 2-4) because now I have to beg myself not to rate it poorly. I guess the closers weren't bad enough for it to be a 3, but it was a close one. Overall not really a record to revisit, but it has a lot of material worth pulling out. As far as 80s British soul goes, I liked Culture Club's approach better.

1. Come to My Aid - 7/10 2. Sad Old Red - 5/10 3. Look At You Now - 4/10 4. Heaven - 8/10 5. Jericho - 6/10 6. Money's Too Tight (To Mention) - 5/10 7. Holding Back The Years - 7/10 8. Open Up The Red Box - 6/10 9. No Direction - 8/10 10. Picture Book - 8/10 OVERALL - 6.4/10

Honestly this was really fun. Absolutely a product of its time, but the nice mix of so many disparate influences into something cohesive is really pleasant.

If you had told me that I would like British pop soul, I would have laughed out loud. This album changed my mind. ★★★★

There's an occasional jazz or disco theme I really appreciated. But its mostly 80s chud again. For an older listener at the time as it weaves 70s contemporary into the music as well. Not much to write home about. I did share a moment with my Aunt's over holding back the years in a local karaoke bar after my dad died. So there was some unique spit I had on this game.

Ну соул как соул хз даж, думал рок будет

extremely 80s, but more of that kinda barren ringtone kinda style, and maybe a few more covers than I'd like (I assuemd that Holding Back the Years was also a cover of theirs heh). I would probably enjoy this more if we replaced the vocals with a japanese citypop singer

Me encantó la mezcla de sonidos, es un gran album

Screw you guys this shit rips. Aggressively 80s but in a way I really enjoy. Just some really fun songs in here.

This was fine pop-funk record, but far from the best funk out there.

Simply shite

a bit more soul than i expected, but pretty good after i got used to it. The heaven cover is interesting too. Would give it a 3.5 if the scale allowed it.

Don't think I've ever listened to a Simply Red album through before, fine enough blue eyed soul

Boring album until the last few tracks. It starts out pretty uninteresting and stays that way for most of the album, but it picks up around track 7 or 8. Red Box is great as are the following tracks (albeit somewhat less). The synths also sound pretty cheesy. :3

Fetzig

Quite good

It was alright, I preferred the funkier songs compared to the more soul songs. Probably won't listen to this again, but it was okay ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Excruciating.

2.5/5 Really just forgettable and average.

2.5

another album that makes you wonder why it’s on the list because it gives nothing at all

Me ha sorprendido para bien, no cononocía el disco. La verdad que me ha gustado mucho

Come To My Aid - 85 Sad Old Red - 82 Look At You Now - 78 Heaven - 84 Jericho - 79 Money's Too Tight (To Mention) - 83 Holding Back The Years - 84 Red Box - 84 No Direction - 80 Picture Book - 83 Picture Book - 82

I thought the person singing was a woman at first. Mostly slow rock. I recognized Holding Back the Years.

Quite unremarkable. 1001 albums you must hear before the pharmacist has filled your prescription.

Holy balls is "Holding Back the Years" a fantastic tune! I could honestly have done without the rest of the album, though. Talented musicians and a hella good singer; even so, it's a bit bland. This album wears its influences on its sleeve, but it falls short of being what it's trying to be.

Some real immortal hits and interesting music with some forgettable tracks as well

What a solid album. Great 80's pop.

DNF. It’s good but I didn’t love it.

A little jazz, a little funk, and plenty of soul, every track brings something different. Less shoulder pad than expected, more groove.

Why does every song opening sound like something Elton John used 😭😭 The backings are a little cookie cutter for my taste though there are great horn and piano moments. Simply red is indeed a great singer and even reminded me of Tim Buckley in certain moments. Overall liked it 3.5

oh it's that band I always get confused with simple minds. thoroughly mid. what did David Byrne ever do to these people? 1/5.

Soulful and smooth.

Very similar to many other 80s albums both on and off the project. This was fine but nothing terribly unique unfortunately. 2.5/5

cheesy

4/10

This was pretty good! I did end up knowing one of the songs I remember it from the radio when I was a kid lol

very 80s (derogatory)

Heaven, what a fantastic cover.

Worst nightmare

Dire

not bad but not memorable. soft 3

Incredible that each song has everything it has on offer done by minute two, and even the first two minutes' musicality isn't very much

Robert Dimery largely has bad taste. This can't possibly be a must-listen album by any justification. There is probably an exception somewhere but if an album has more than 30 seconds of a Yamaha DX7 it is probably not worth hearing. Removing 1 star just purely because I'm so tired of these types of selections and it makes me want to quit the generator which is a habit I actually enjoy #DimeryBritPick

Actually pretty enjoyable other than the one big hit which I never liked

Sounds like elevator music to me.

Why? Why is this on the list? Is it terrible - no. But there is nothing outstanding here. I don’t see it as great or influential by any measure. I honestly couldn’t wait til it was over!

Seriously though, who likes this album?

On this album simply red distills the sound of the worst musical decade (the 80's), adds a dash of the worst musical genre (Jazz), and then throws in 10 minutes of saxophone solos for good measure. I don't think I could have made a worse album if I was actively trying.

This was a vibe that I was mostly enjoying but some of the visuals are truly nightmare inducing.

Bizarre album where every song sounds a little bit different but always not good. Why is this on here.

Pretty wank. Soul music with no soul or heart (not just because of his hair colour). Really little joy from it.

This was a really well produced record. Jazzy and bluesy. Not pop at all. Holding back the tears is a great song. This was way better than expected. Another one of those 3.5 records but I can’t round this one up. It’s not a league.

Always a nice surprise to get an album that was enjoyable. His voice is great and the playing/ parts are cool. I didn’t love the 80’s production on the some of the tracks -felt a bit sterile especially the horns. Wish it sounded more like a 70’s hall and oats album. I liked it on other tracks. Favorite songs were: Look at you know. Picture book. Money’s too tight( cool bridge). Come to my aid. Least favorite: sad old red 3.5?

This one flipped between 1-3 for me. Never got quite to the point of enjoying it lol but holding back the years was kinda nice. Really hated sad old red. I absolutely cant stand when bands like this with 80’s style production decide to do a “jazzy” one. It drives me nuts and the finger snaps were devastating.

Heaven might have been the worst lyrics I ever heard. His voice was cool. Can’t decide between 1 or 2

LP바에서 통으로 돌리면 좋을 것 같은 앨범! Simply red 라는 아티스트를 발견하게 되어서 좋다.

In what should have been yet another cheesy 80s entry in the 1001 albums to hear before you die list actually surprised me a bit with its' more modern take on Blue-Eyed Soul. This project tries to be a Pop album but has the range of something a little more sophisticated and dense. I don't think this Simply Red album is a masterpiece but I quite enjoyed this all things considered and thought it was a very fun and enjoyable listen from front to back without any major complaints being thrown its' way. Of course there are the big Pop hits like Money's Too Tight (To Mention) and Holding Back the Years but there is a bit more to chew on. One of my favorite underrated cuts comes from Heaven, which is a cover of the Talking Heads track and I think it is done quite well here on this project. I think a lot of people will feel more lukewarm to this, but I enjoyed it so that is all that matters in my books.

I’m embarrassed how long it took me to realise that the track that sounded like Talking Heads was in fact a cover of a Talking Heads song. Some truly enjoyable moments. I love some brass. Very 80s effects. But a lot of middle-of-the-road adult contemporary in the mix.

Album #166: Picture Book - Simply Red Genre (W): Sophisti-pop, blue-eyed soul Singles: Money’s Too Tight (to Mention), Come to My Aid, Holding Back the Years, Jericho, Open Up the Red Box I have not listened to this album previously. Thoughts?: I loved the production and Side Two the most. The album sounds great and I enjoy the arrangements of the tracks! Favorite tracks: Come to My Aid, Look At You Now, Heaven, Side Two

This album was fun, I really enjoyed it a lot. Remixes and extended version were also welcomed!

This was not what I was expecting for an 80’s album. It felt out of place, but it was not bad.

I didn't like it in 1985 and I still don't. 1.0

Kinda forgot about these guys. It was okay, interesting Talking Heads cover. 2.5 stars

More to this band than I thought

Everything is fine, just fine.

Dull style exercise

I always hated that album cover! Holding back the Years is of course a solid gold classic, but nothing else here comes close Sure, Mick has an amazing voice, but the mellow Simply Red style is not my thing

Very standard and quite boring.

It wasn't bad, but I remember nothing from it lol

Boring

Oh me oh my I did not need to know that redhead British George Michael’s existed. Insanely cheesy and insistent upon itself. How do some of these records get on the list anyway? “Oh but it's cool British jazzy soul music and we don't want to find anymore cool worldwide records!” Yeah guys broaden your tastes a bit more so we don't have to listen to whatever crap the UK churned out. Someone give Mick Hucknall a magic wand already so he can become a Weasley and use his creativity for good instead of producing this lifeless music.