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Picture Book by Simply Red

Picture Book

Simply Red

1985
2.87
Rating
22038
Votes
1
9%
2
27%
3
39%
4
19%
5
6%
Distribution
Genres: Soul, Pop, Rock Styles: New Wave, Soft Rock, Rhythm Blues, Ballad

Reviews (page 2 of 7)

Love it, perfect cooking jams

Had no expectations, but really good. Funky, poppy, fun.

Bro whatttttt 🤯💃

c’est toujours bon signe pour ma perception subjective de l’album quand je connais un des morceaux (ce qui a été le cas ici avec Holding Back the Years). album écouté en lendemain de soirée, dans un train avec le paysage qui défilait, puis réécouté au calme posée en fin de journée, les deux expériences ont été excellentes. une mélodie un peu traînante et entraînante, qui ne tombe pas dans la lamentation; des petits sursauts de guitare électrique parsemés là où il faut (comme c’est le cas dans Jericho ou Red Box, par ex); un côté presque soul par endroits qui marche très bien; une voix qui donne du relief auquel on peut s’accrocher; on a envie de viber gentiment sur cet album. l’entrée en matière avec Come to my aid m’a directement faite accrocher au projet, puis ça a été une succession de découvertes incr. plusieurs morceaux sont directement partis dans ma playlist pour tout avouer, et je pense que prochaine fois que j’anime une soirée appart je laisse carrément tomber la playlist pour passer l’album entier. en conclusion, puisqu'il faut objectiver cette expérience d'écoute, on est pour moi sur un 4.85 pour lequel je suis obligée de faire tomber un 5!

This was way better than I expected. I only knew the one hit song on this album before listening, but all of the other tracks were very good, and varied in their sound, and I just really enjoyed the whole time. I listened to it twice and still loved it. Five stars.

Álbum fantástico, cheio de pequenas surpresas.

So fun

***** Simply....great! Always loved that album, what a cool sound, what phantastic songs!

Brilliant debut album from Simply Red. I'm not sure they ever surpassed it. Many great original tracks: Holding back the years Picture book Look at you now Plus outstanding covers: Heaven Money's too tight to mention

Amazing stretch of songs on this album with tons of surprises. I thought it’d all be groovy like the first song, only for them to get jazzier and even includes a fantastic Talking Heads cover of Heaven, and they killed it. Very rare for this book to give me a new album this amazing. Really wish it happened more.

Ehrlich gutes Jazzy Funky album

Mágico de inicio a fin.

Incredible blue-eyed soul

Solid! Talking Heads cover of Heaven

Whoa. Super 80s. Like soft yacht-rock with more pop-80s in it. This album is everything I have needed. I wish the snare was even tighter. Money's Too Tight has so much 80s in it. From the bass line, tight drum beat, to the wiggly synth... it's awesome.

Great band and album

Holding Back the Years is one of the best songs of the 80’s. It sits in that urban sweet spot vibe along with George Michael’s album Faith, and Stings first two solo albums. They have a sense of jazz but don’t quite go all the way there. This album grooves overall. There’s just something really special about it…the emotion, the vibe, the earnestness. This album is a real gem!

Jazzy synthy pop. Big fan

Simply Red are actually just underappreciated quality. This album is smooth and makes you want to dance and be in love and croon away. Full of excellent songs.

The 25 year old British white dude from the 80s fronting this band sings with the soul of a 55 year old black woman from the 60's. If you get yourself in a Yacht Rock frame of mind, this album is pretty good. It's not Yacht Rock, but I'd place it nearby. A bit too soulful for that category, but it's not far off of stuff like ATR and Hall and Oats. I enjoyed it.

great performance

Genuinely love this so much. This scratches an itch for me that ABC also does, overly polished '80s pop perfection. It's really comforting. I really love corny white boy soul like The Style Council so this just does it for me.

Awesome. Only one song I recognized, but love it all.

Great sound, fun covers, great listen.

Pleasantly surprised

Amazing synths, i have no idea what the "blue-eyed soul" or a "sophisti-pop" is, but if it's this, i'm interested.

Great songs. From songs suitable at a bowling alley, to big hits.

Shocked how much I liked this album. 80s distilled.

Very good, very nice!

schöner smother pop soul

I feel like I normally wouldn't be so down for this but I had a blast listening lmao great way to start a monday morning. Bit of grooving, great voice, the cover of Heaven was absolutely killer, all round cool asf

another band i have never heard of until now and DAMN do they slap. seriously, my jaw was to the floor the moment the first track played, with really awesome keyboard accompaniments, super catchy lines, and a whole theme centered around the appreciation for life, then and now... this is absolutely an album i will be listening to again and again.

Very surprised that I liked them so much.

Love it. Very jazzy and old school like me.

An album that is enjoyed by all that listen to it. Definitely a good choice to add to any music collection.

Superb! Amazing album!

Totally dig this album and this era of pop

Say what you like about Mick Hucknall; the man can sing. Amazing debut and can bear repeated listenings, of which there have been many since uni. Can totally forgive a Talking Heads cover (the impertinence!). Favourite track is predictably Holding Back the Years, but it’s a tough call as they’re all belters IMO.

This album was really good. Super interesting. 80s synth pop flair with soul based vocals and some touches of jazz instrumentals from time to time. Really weird in a good way. Favourite songs: Look at You Now, Money's Too Tight (To Mention), Holding Back The Years, Open Up The Red Box, Jericho, Sad Old Red, Come To My Aid, Heaven, No Direction Least favourite songs: if forced to pick, Picture Book 5/5

Absolute classic. 5 Stars.

5 Star album right here. I think it's their best work. I'm not the biggest fan of Simply Red, but this album is phenomenal!

Really liked this one. Surprisingly amazing. Kinda loved it.

Felt in love with simply red with this recommendation, absolutly amazing music.

What a likable pop album. The songs are catchy, the sound is full, the lyrics playful, and the guy's voice is great. Plus, where else have you heard a dance tune about Raegonomics?

Absolute banger of an album. Forget what you think of Mick Hucknall, just listen to it!

Warm and enjoyable over big speakers for pretty much anyone who lived and loved through the 80s a wonderful reminder of the joy of Simply Red and his bouncy locks and magical voice... And what a nice way to wake up. Great blue eyed soul (was it always called that?).

This was like 12 different genres yet I still loved it. Funky

love it

Que discazo loco, me encantó. De los mejores que escuché.

9/10 some really amazing stuff here a bit dorky at times, but for the most part it’s super solid

I love it so very much, I'm so glad it was recommended 😍

Fun, electronic, neon-feeling album, that gets you nodding your head and tapping your feet.

This is great. 1985 but does not seem 45+ years old. A really good blend of pop, funk, soul, r&b. For me, evokes the feeling of having been emotional over something for a long time, feeling tired of it, and turning inward and a bit cold with a new veiled perspective of the world.

Fabulous take from the 80s. Can’t believe I’d never listened to this before

A much funkier affair than I was initially expecting, especially judging by the fact that I'd only ever heard Holding Back the Years prior to actually sitting down for the whole album. Mick Bucknell's voice is an absolute revelation in my opinion, bursting onto the scene like the second coming of soul itself, and I really found myself entranced by both the upbeat and downbeat tracks. There's some seriously infectious rhythms throughout, the synthwork is on point, and there's even a Talking Heads cover in the middle of it all which I very much appreciated. What a debut! Favourite track: Look At You Now Least favourite track: Picture Book

Nice variation within the 80s vibe

Solid stuff.

Nice to hear them again

Some beautiful 80’s pop, hard to fault it! Nice to include a talking heads cover too. Standouts are Come to my Aid, Look at You now, Holding Back The Years and Open Up the Red Box.

4/5 Favorite song: Come to My Aid

Ничё не знал ни про альбом ни про исполнителя, было какое-то предчувствие "ой небось опять какая-то жижа" и опять второй раз за день я ошибся. Балдёжный альбом, понял что похоже что мне нравится софисти-поп, учитывая как мне приглянулся Cafe Bleu. Приятные джазово-соуловые аранжировки, отличный голос. Хорошая штука.

Das hät richtig bockt.

Very enjoyed. Jazz sounds.

I'm surprised and pleased this was as much of a hit as it was in the 80s.

I liked this! I had never heard anything besides their two hits.

++: Come to My Aid, Sad Old Red, Look at You Now, Money's Too Tight (to Mention), (Open Up the) Red Box +: Jericho, No Direction, Picture Book +-: Heaven, Holding Back the Years 7,7/10

I throughly enjoyed this. Great instrumentation and rhythm. The bass playing definitely stood out to me.

Cool grooves

Kind of like if you averaged out every 80s song like those pictures of the 'average' human face. But in a good way.

Range developed within a debut album is incredible. Some songs were too slow or dragged for me, but once in a lifetime talent depicts true poetry through their understanding of compositions

I love listening to him, and although this album is not the best representation of his work, since he has even better ones, and with more hits, it is definitely interesting to start with and introduce someone into his opus 👌😎

sorry simply red i was not familiar. this one was a hoot (some might even say a holler as well). i definitely put it back on after it had finished playing because i was enjoying it so much. it's no secret the #1 way to my heart is the saxophone

Jazz, soul, pop, sophisti-pop??? This album had it all. Definitely a pleasant surprise.

Maybe I'm lame but I liked this a lot more than I would. A very good singer and some good tunes on this.

This was big when it came out, but sounds a bit dated now.? They played my local club and I worked with them at Rock Am Ring also had a chance to kick a ball around with Mick.

I really thought I was going to hate this album. The picture they used on Spotify made me think that this is the exact kind of British fuck that I hate to listen to. I was, however, very pleasantly surprised. The album was really fun to listen to and a really good mix of a lot of core 80s sounds. I don’t think they did anything spectacular or really that innovative but it was great writing and a bunch of good with some great songs.

Oh what a nice trip into music history. Those were the other side of the 80s in that time experimental pop jazzy.

Pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this album — especially after seeing the reviews. I enjoyed the fun blend of pop-adjacent genres and, most surprisingly, the 80s production that didn’t feel too offensive.

This album is so awesome. It feels like if Tom Waits possessed Randy Newman, smoked a joint with Michael Jackson, then listened to the Talking Heads and then made an album. Favorite track: Sad Old Red

7 - some good tunes, some mediocre but goddamn does he have a voice

Some of the best 80s pop I’ve heard, I’m surprised this is my first time hearing any of this album! Really solid, makes me want to look further into his work overall. 4 stars

Fantastic ballads infused with 80s feeling. His voice is buttery smooth!

I don't see the hate for this album. It's white boy soul, sure. But it's pretty damned good white boy soul. Holding Back the Years was pretty inescapable for a good while, and there are a number of really solid tracks on here. Best of all, it doesn't *sound* quite as much like the 80's -- no gated drums, some solid guitar work, synths back in the mix to highlight the voice. Money's Too Tight To Mention is a banger. A solid four. Just gotta receive.

Holding back the years is an incredible fucking song

Despite the vocal, this one’s pretty good, I like the bass

I can get with this, mostly bc Mick Hucknall's voice. Wow.

So fun to hear songs i never heard from simply Red. Good album.

fun and funky

During the 80s, I thought Simply Red was a one-hit wonder, and the one hit pretty lame at that. Eventually I came to realize that in the UK the band is taken more seriously, and Mick Hucknall is a star. It made me curious about Simply Red, especially as there is this whole UK pop-soul thing (Style Council, Swing Out Sister, Everything But the Girl) that we don't really have. None of it is great, but it's kind of interesting. Like a much less compelling Two Tone. So, thank you to the site and the Remorseless Eating Machine for arranging for me to finally listen to a Simply Red album. It's pretty good. None of it is great, but it all works if you listen long enough and let the songs develop. Solid and consistent. Good job, Red people. Probably not gonna listen to them ever again. Though ... apparently, their album Star from a few years later was even more successful ... ?

Æ tror ikke det her albumet og Skylarking av XTC kommer godt ut av det når dem blir lytta til rett etter hverandre, alt fløyt sammen i en masse av åttitallsmusikk æ i utgangspunktet ikke e spesielt interessert i, og så blei det bare verre. Det e liksom ikke forferdelig, men æ synes kanskje ikke det e så interessant heller.

Sad that it sounds cheesy now cause this is great!

Er egentlig overrasket over hvor godt jeg synes det her var, da det er jo er sådan soul agtig sophisti-pop som jeg normalt bare ville synes var sådan lidt meh. Men der er virkelig mange gode og catchy sange på og jeg har faktisk lyttet en del til det i baggrunden, fordi det bare er godt? Det må jeg sgu indrømme. Synes det har en virkelig god stemning.

Pretty good overall!

I was skeptical of this record when I that 80s pop synth bass first started on "Come to My Aid." Sometimes that electric piano mid-80s pop turns me off. I was too young and too Baptist to be aware of music like this when Picture Book was released in 1985. By the time I was forming my own music tastes a few years later, we were deliberately rejecting the slick production of me-generation top-40 soul. But by the time the toms kick in over the piano a few seconds into the song, my interest was piqued. Then, four songs in, I was treated to a surprise cover of Talking Heads' "Heaven," a personal favorite song of mine. "Even if this music is a little corny, at least Simply Red has good taste," I thought. This is like the blue-eyed soul of Culture Club with a dash of Prince. Not bad. By the time "Jericho" and "Money's Too Tight" came through, I had started to be impressed by the lovely production and arrangements on this album. When the album finished with "Picture Book," I became clearly aware that this pop album wasn't all about the hooks; it was all about the groove. I was sold after that. In addition to the excellent musicality of this album is the fact that Mick Hucknall can sing his ass off. Really. This dude wails out soul music with the skill of a trained vocalist and the passion and intensity left over from his early punk days. It would have been easy for me to dismiss Picture Book as an overproduced, slick, cold mid-80s release. Instead, it has become somewhat of a hidden gem for me, which seems a bit silly since it was a hit record when it came out. Four stars.

espectacular, está lleno de clásicos que nunca supe identificar. el mejor disco para un domingo de recuperación post gripe

Amazed how good this was, what a voice even if he is a bit of a prick

Didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did. Very easy listening. Some singles that I've heard, and some songs I haven't. But overall a nice bit of easy listening. Some repetitiveness though, which knocked it down to 4.

Catchy + enjoyable

2026.03.05

This album is, surprisingly, much better than what I thought it would be. It's a very enjoyable and funny record, with some pretty nice songs. It's not a great album, nor a very interesting one, but, sometimes, music is listened for fun, as a form of entertainment (it is). And I've liked a lot listening to this album.

I've spent most of my life confusing this band with Simple Minds despite Simple Minds plea for a better memory of them. It's pretty good, and I can see why I was not a fan when I was a kid and this was popular.

Need to give it another listen. Wasn’t the most attentive but liked what I heard

I need 10 hours of this

I don’t understand all the hate. I thoroughly enjoyed this album.

This album is all the best parts of the 80s. The mixing and production is really excellent, writing is good, and vocals are well done. Some of the songs are instrumentally indistinguishable, but still so well made and groovy that it doesn't matter too much.

Of course I know all the famous songs from this album. But I have never listened to the whole album. And it is definitely quite nice.

I remember this record getting a lot of attention when it came out. I didn't find it all that compelling then, but perhaps my tastes have broadened. Amazing vocals, really strong instrumentation, good songwriting. Overall, very good!

Love these guys so smooth

I dont have a lot to say about this album today. I think I'm a little bit still in a mood, but I did enjoy listening to it :] Songs this made me listen to: Money Won't Pay by bo en

I listened to this album standing on a street corner and monitoring a traffic light. A quick glance at Simply Red's discography prior to starting this album has me expecting another Van Morrison-style singer-songwriter album, so imagine my amazed surprise at the immediately funky groove of Come to My Aid. This album just kept catching me off-guard in the best ways, with surprisingly layered lyrics like on Jericho, powerful message songs like Money's Too Tight, and weird artistic swings like Sad Old Red (adding crowd cheers to an introspective song about depression is an inspired choice which makes it that much more effective). I still know next to nothing about Simply Red, and while I will look more into them, it doesn't even feel like I need to; this album feels like it said everything which needed to be said in their favor. When I can't stop grimacing at just how funky a groove is, you're doing something right. Highlights: Come to My Aid, Sad Old Red, Heaven, Jericho, Money's Too Tight (To Mention), Red Book, Picture Book

Simply Red... Holding back the years och allt däremellan. Härligt album, massor med låtar som jag hade kunnat tänka mig spela i ett ensembleformat. Härligt med lite saxofon, xylofon, skojiga trummor och tighta stämmor. Really enjoyed this one! (Sista 5 tracksen var basically bara replays, remasters och andra versioner, men skoj att lyssna på några av dem igen som en extra lite bonus) 7.5/10

Haven’t heard this for ages. Nice smooth music with a good groove. Sounds a bit dated now but still good to listen to.

Started off really strong - I loved "Come To My Aid" - nice variety of instruments, good (and varied) vocals, catchy, and just generally a jam. Unfortunate dip in the middle for me - I found "Heaven" and "Jericho" a bit dull. Very 80s, but I like the pop/jazz/blues vibe, it's extremely cheesy, but just pleasant to listen to. Highlights: - "Come To My Aid" - has a trumpet. Liked the vocal variety. - "Money's Too Tight" - bop. - "Holding Back The Years" - classic. Simply Red are a group I've always been aware of but never paid any attention to. I wouldn't even have known "Holding Back The Years" was one of their tracks despite having heard it thousands of times... Think I might have found another guilty pleasure. 4 with a couple of skips.

i really enjoyed this! really well produced, very groovy and a really chilled listen

Fun surprise.

I always liked Simply Red, though I never owned a record. To realize that I know (and like) half of the songs from their debut album was a surprise for me.

Very good

Whatever this is I’m rocking with it

Bonus points for being released on October 11!!

This didn't show up in the way I expect the next one to show up. In fact, it never did until I clicked on History. Several have been that way. Good album, though. Holding Back the Years is still one of his greatest.

Good talking heads cover

I thought this album slapped.

Et bien! Il reste des albums intéressants dans cette liste! 996 albums, je pensais les avoir déjà tout épuisé, depuis le temps qu’on me donne des fillers à la pelle. J’aime beaucoup les avenues blues, new wave, rock et même musical hall que chaque musique amène, ça reste fresh comme disent-ils, là, les jeunes!

Volle jaren '80 geluiden. Dus met enige terughoudendheid het album beluisterd. Maar eerlijk is eerlijk. Simply Red biedt wel meer dan. Het geheel is helemaal niet zo simpel. Het tweede nummer verrast me al flink. En dan, op de een of andere manier, is zo'n echt jaren '80 nummer als Money's too tight helemaal niet zo erg meer. Zelfs wel fijn. Hoe flikken ze dat toch?

Simply outstanding album. 8/10

taki musicalowy buja ale nie najbardziej na świecie

Solid 80s pop and funk.

Great Covers of Heaven and Money's Too Tight To Mention, Come To My Aid and Holding Back The Years are standouts as well. 4 Great tracks, 4 Stars. Easy listening with not really a bad song here.

Come to My Aid stood out right away. Never heard of this band, but actually liked it a lot. Soft pop that was just real easy to get through. I might just be getting old. 4/5

Very 80s very easy listen

I liked this one a lot. Jazzy, funky, 80s pop with a great singer. I'm quite surprised at the top reviews on this one being so negative. Opening track was my favourite by far

I'm surprised to see so many low reviews. I went into this album only knowing Money's Too Tight To Mention, and Holding Back the Years (which is an incredible track). Mick Hucknall's voice is absolutely phenomenal, he has a lot of grit that he leans into on a lot of tracks here, but it's those famous high wails that really hit the mark and showcase his talent. The accompanying music is filled with great moments too perfectly fitting the vibe of each song.

I like this! I have only been familiar with their radio hits.

This is such a spread of genre, very impressive range on one album

I knew them only from the two hits that charted in the US -- Holding Back the Tears and Money's Too Tight to Mention. Those songs hold up completely, but I was charmed by the other songs. Really varied types of songs, plus a live song just plopped in the middle. Their version of Talking Head's Heaven is pretty good. This list has way too much UK stuff, but this is an example of one I'm glad I heard all the way through.

Picture Book was a surprise on many levels. Firstly, my brain must have confused Simply Red with Simple Minds. I was expecting 1980s synth pop. Instead, I hear a black woman singing soulful tunes that were more reminiscent of the late 1970s. The next surprise was that the singer was, in fact, a ginger man, not a black woman. You can imagine me flicking my fingers next to my temples, indicating a blown mind. I did dig the vibe of the album, but with one exception, the songs underwhelmed me--especially the "Heaven" cover. That one exception is the evocative "Holding Back the Years." At first, I did not remember I had heard it back in the day. But the "I'll keep holding on" line reminded me. Yes, it was a number one song, but I must have only heard it on the radio a few times and then it fell in the memory hole. Gladly, the memory hole has been excavated and a diamond was unearthed. I would probably rate this album at three and a half stars, but the fact that I love "Holding Back the Years" so much pushes Picture Book to four stars.

Extremt spretigt, men najs. Vet inte vad man kan förvänta sig av nästa låt och inget sticker ut men på nåt sätt är allt en härlig upplevelse o typ ingen dålig låt.

Picture Book is Simply Red's remarkably mature debut album. Opinions about the style may be divided, and the soft pop excursions are not to everyone's taste, but everything sounds really well thought out and produced – well, mature, as mentioned at the beginning. The new wave influence in Red's sophisty pop is (unfortunately) clearly audible, but so are the additional influences from soul, jazz, and blues. Add to that Mick Hucknall's truly great and unique voice. If it weren't for the pop numbers, which are a little too shallow and soft for my taste, I could definitely listen to this album over and over again for quite a while!

Like it

Très bon groove ; un timbre impressionnant, avec une belle couleur lumineuse et légèrement voilée, bon dans les rauques comme dans les nébuleuses plus aigues ; une maîtrise non moins impressionnante d'une variété de registre - pop, jazz, blues, soul, gospel - à la fois au sein-même des morceaux et de titres en titre. Ça se traduit par de belles partitions de guitare, saxo, batterie, avec toujours une harmonie au poil. C'est subjectivement pas ce qui me fait viber le plus intensément (un côté un peu théâtral / sentimental qui bien que très réussi me touche pas énormément), d'où un 3 alors que ça aurait bien pu exploser le 4, mais je reste très sensible à la qualité de la composition et des ambiances. Petit plus pour Jericho dont l'harmonie [clavier - basse - légère batterie - voix alternant entre chant et presque parlée - choeurs souls puis même rnb] m'a bien bluffée. De la pop soul riche en influences et en technique, avec un groove de zinzin. Ok je suis en train de la ré-écouter en écrivant le commentaire et les choeurs dans le dernier tiers me font basculer sur le 4.

Full disclosure at the outset - i can't stand Mick Hucknall! However, he is one fantastic singer, and this album covers bases of jazz, blues, soul and pop, all of which he sings brilliantly. Strongest tracks on the album are Holding Back The Years and Money's Too Tight To Mention, and song that is so hugely apt now - we're talking 'bout Donny, Donny! - and there's no let down on the unreleased tracks either, with Heaven being a standout. I can't hear Red Box without thinking of the 80s kids programme 'Don't You Open That Trap Door though. No 5 stars due to Mick, but a solid 4.

Tentative Four but who's even counting

Liked it

Started out incredibly good with some funky stuff with Come to My Aid and Sad Old Red was a pretty nice jazzy number. The following songs were still pretty funky but not nearly as good. End of the album got slow and really 80s cheesy sounding so that knocked it down a bit. Still all around pretty solid and unexpected 4

80s 80s 80s. maybe the embodiment of the music of that era? I did really enjoy though. Just solid all the way through.

Pretty meta tbh. Moneys too tight to mention. Good talking heads cover (Heaven). Fuck it we 4

I enjoyed this one quite a bit. It's got a bit of jazz and some retro synths, it's just a fun time. Favorite track: "Money's Too Tight (To Mention) - The Cutback Mix"

This seems to get a lot of hate for what it is - found it pretty mild and quite pleasing for the most of it. I would listen to it again.

Some of the best ‘80s music there is !

a little disco at first but then all chill. good rainy day album

1980’s pop with a soul twist this is the first album by “Simply Red” and contains his hits “Holding Back the Years” and “Money’s too Tight to Mention”. Great album the 80’s synth keyboard sounds but with real bass and drums … the only thing that has not aged well are some of the “shout choruses” … they may have been a cool throw back thing in the 80s… but they sound really cheesy now. 4 stars

Damn good!

“Money’s Too Tight (To Mention)” and “Holding Back the Years” are each essential, and the cover of Talking Heads’ “Heaven” isn’t far behind. Hucknall’s voice is rich and evocative. I had Picture Book on vinyl back in the day, and I played the dickens out of it, particularly Side Two. So good.

Well, this is one of those albums that if I had listened to it when I was younger, I would have hated it. It still has its parts that I’m not too crazy about, but overall, it was slightly better than average with a few standout tracks. It’s definitely well-produced and polished, capturing the sophisticated pop and art pop sound of the ’80s, with a strong blue-eyed soul influence. Another element that had to grow on me was Mick Hucknall’s voice. I’m not too crazy about it, but it grows on me each time I dive deeper into the album.

This was pretty cool. A bit of genre bending. An interesting listen.

lovely album

I like it. On the edge of being too long but overall it’s still pretty good. Good vocal as well, they sound very casual but the notes are already very high. And they do a lot of runs. It was a really good surprise for me. I could be wrong but I think except for heaven, every other tracks are 4/4. And many songs have almost the same bpm. So not quite a five.

back into a funk groove, and i really enjoyed it. i think we had a bit of disservice by getting the extended version, which has extended cuts of the songs and quite a few repeats. however, the original songs are a blast to listen to. its got a lot of groove behind it, and i could definitely see myself going back to this album.

actually enjoyed listening

The whole albums got a nice groove to it. Catchy lyrics and choruses.

4 estrelas

Such an incredible album. All great songs.

Tremendo descubrimiento, gran sonido, se nota que dejaron influencia en otras bandas posteriores y mayormente en el tracklist se hacen las canciones memorables. Gran álbum!

Really enjoyed this. A talking heads cover never hurts and holding back the years slaps

Quite a good listen, enjoyed the groove!

Excelente disco. Una cosa muy sutil y disfrutable. Música muy fina para oidos muy suculentos. Un deleite.

Fuck it, I love this. Hucknall's vocal style could have had him fronting a hard rock band, but instead he chose to use his powers for an incredibly smooth pop and soul mashup. It succeeds. It's also got a really neat poetic sensibility to it which helps distance it from some of the cheesier pop music of the time.

****a great album, easy listening! Good vocals

wasn’t expecting this. wish i could hate it because he’s redhead but this is good stuff.

8/19/25. Sleeper hit for me! First time listening to this and can tell I'll have some long-term love for a couple tracks, especially Jericho. Somewhat of a Talking Heads vibe, which I found that David Byrne wrote a song on this.

Simply Red’s Picture Book is immaculate—sleek, airbrushed soul dressed immaculately in an Armani suit. Hucknall’s voice is desperate but controlled, like someone begging for mercy while you adjust your tie in the mirror. The horns on “Money’s Too Tight (to Mention)” cut clean, surgical, almost erotic in their sharpness. It’s not revolutionary, but it doesn’t have to be; it radiates style, a perfect veneer. Listening to it, I imagine blood on polished marble, perfectly symmetrical, drying quietly while the chorus plays. It’s beautiful, really.

Irgendwie ist es kitschig, aber irgendwie auch gut. Mag es.

Much derided but I really enjoyed it. A couple of very famous songs that I remember hearing growing up and a lot of good songs on the rest of the album.

Very nice.

me gustó, no entendí porque tiene tanto hate, me gusta esa mezcla de pop medio soul funk

Nice and smooth pop. I’d go back to this for sure!

I thought I wouldn't like this album. This is good pop. 8/10

Very enjoyable, "Money's too tight" and "Heaven" are good but the last two songs are really boring. Much better than I was expecting.

Never heard before but easy listening

Have you ever thought you knew exactly what you were getting into, only to be totally surprised by what you got into? That’s me with Simply Red. I thought I knew what the band’s album Picture Book was going to be: heavy synths, electronic drums with a new wave sound. Nope. Simply Red’s Picture Book is jazzy and soulful, with powerhouse vocals by lead singer/songwriter Mick Hucknall. The album has an 80’s production style, you know it when you hear it. Otherwise, this album could have been made in Memphis at Stax in 1966. As for standouts, for me, there’s really not a bad song on here. However, I loved Money’s Too Tight, Sad Old Red, and Holding Back the Years, which was the big single off this album. My favorite song on the album is probably Jericho, a Boz Scaggs-type jam. If you’re not a fan of a jazzy/soul sound, you might proceed with caution. I enjoyed this album & while it may not be something I listen to over and over, I will break it out on occasion.

Holding Back the Years didn't really do it for me back in 1985, when I was a twelve year old metal head. But that song has aged well, and I loved the rest of the album. Great Talking Heads cover. 4

I was checking out reviews of this, and boy do people hate on Simply Red. For those not around back then, I found the band to be a very fresh sound in the dross of most of what was popular at the time. Mick Hucknall’s voice is sublime. Yes, the 80’s production is dated, but his voice is timeless. And it is a sad reminder of the beginning of the end of America as we know it thanks to the Reaganomics mentioned in “Money’s Too Tight (To Mention).

I was shocked to find the reviews so low - I thought this was so fun! Super funky and jazzy. I had a great time with it. Nuts 2 da h8rs

My mum always listened to Simply Red, I remember when "Stars" was released she had it on repeat. I'm certain I could still sing all the words to each song back-to-back. Anyway, I digress... This is a great album. "Holding Back The Years" and "Money's Too Tight (To Mention)" are top tracks, but there are some other greats in there too. Some with funky beats, others jazzy and down tempo. There may be a few that aren't amazing, but overall It's enjoyable.

Enjoyed "Moneys too tight to mention"

Mick Hucknall has an extraordinary voice and there are a couple of great jazz fusion and funk songs on here! Great album, it would be five stars however there were a couple of songs which not amazing on there as they haven’t aged as well as some of the others

This album was surprisingly fantastic. Very 80s but really killer tunes with great vocals. Come To My Aid and Holding Back Tears are my faves.

I knew more songs than I realised (Sad Old Red and Jericho). I went in thinking I like Simply Red, but prefer their later stuff. Maybe that's still true, but there's a lot of good funky stuff going on here. They sure started with a banger. It was a fun touch to go from repeatedly mentioning money on Jericho to Money's Too Tight (to Mention). Mick Hucknall is a great singer with an awesome voice.

A few duds on here (usually the cheesiest most generic 80s sounding stuff possible), but when Simply Red get into it, it's really good. The middle of the album is its peak, just banger after banger after banger

Didn’t really catch on in the states and that’s to our detriment. Excellent album. Beautiful songs, beautiful singing.

I've never actually liked Simply Red. I always thought Mick Hucknall was a bit pretentious and a bit of an airhead. But the girls in my clique thought he was great, for whatever reason. So I didn't expect much from the album. But in the end it was fun to listen to the album, even if I won't become a fan of the band. 4/5

## In-Depth Review of Simply Red's *Picture Book* Simply Red’s *Picture Book*, released in October 1985, stands as a landmark debut that both encapsulates and transcends the 1980s “blue-eyed soul” and sophisti-pop sound[8][6]. Fronted by Mick Hucknall’s unmistakable vocals, the album blends soul, pop, jazz, and R&B influences, delivering both commercial success and polarizing critical reception. This review will examine the album through its lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, concluding with a balanced assessment of its strengths and weaknesses. --- ## **Lyrics** *Picture Book*’s lyrics oscillate between personal introspection and sharp social commentary. Hucknall’s songwriting is at its most potent on “Holding Back the Years,” a deeply personal ballad reflecting on loss and emotional restraint. The song’s plaintive refrain and evocative imagery have resonated with listeners for decades, earning it status as a classic[8][6]. Conversely, tracks like “Money’s Too Tight (to Mention)”—a cover of The Valentine Brothers’ anti-Reaganomics anthem—showcase Hucknall’s willingness to smuggle leftist, anti-capitalist themes into mainstream pop, a rarity for the era[6][7]. The lyrics here are direct, critical, and pointed, tackling economic hardship and political hypocrisy with a soulful sneer. Other songs, such as “Come to My Aid” and “Open Up the Red Box,” continue this blend of the personal and political, though sometimes the messaging can feel heavy-handed or lost amid the album’s glossy production[7]. The title track, “Picture Book,” closes the album with a colder, more introspective tone, contrasting the warmth of earlier tracks[4]. **Pros:** - Genuine emotional depth in “Holding Back the Years.” - Socially conscious lyrics in “Money’s Too Tight (to Mention)” and “Open Up the Red Box.” - Balances personal vulnerability with broader societal critique[7][6]. **Cons:** - Some tracks veer into cliché or lack lyrical subtlety[7]. - Not all songs maintain the same level of lyrical sophistication or impact. --- ## **Music** Musically, *Picture Book* is a masterclass in 80s production, for better and worse. The album is built on a foundation of soul, reggae, and 60s pop influences, filtered through the era’s penchant for synthesizers, drum machines, and polished studio techniques[1][2][8]. The arrangements are lush, with prominent use of keyboards, saxophones, and tight rhythm sections. “Come to My Aid” opens the album with a groove-laden bassline and punchy horns, setting a vibrant tone. “Jericho” and “Look at You Now” follow suit, blending funk-inspired guitar with slick, danceable beats[5]. “Holding Back the Years” strips things back, allowing Hucknall’s voice to take center stage, supported by subtle strings and understated instrumentation. The cover of Talking Heads’ “Heaven” attempts a dreamy, atmospheric approach, though it has been criticized for lacking the original’s nuance[5]. **Pros:** - Infectious grooves and memorable hooks, particularly on singles. - Strong musicianship, especially in rhythm and horn sections[5]. - Hucknall’s vocal performances are consistently powerful and emotive[5][7]. **Cons:** - Over-reliance on 80s production tropes: synthetic textures, drum machines, and occasionally cheesy saxophones[5]. - Some tracks feel dated or overly slick, sacrificing warmth and swing for studio polish[5]. - The “blue-eyed soul” approach can come off as derivative or inauthentic to some listeners[5]. --- ## **Production** Produced by Stewart Levine, *Picture Book* is a product of its time: clean, crisp, and meticulously layered. The album’s sound is defined by its clarity and balance, with each instrument occupying a distinct space in the mix. The production highlights Hucknall’s vocals, ensuring they remain the focal point throughout[8][1]. The downside of this approach is a certain sterility—some critics argue that the album’s sheen drains the music of the raw emotion and grit that characterized classic soul records[5]. The use of drum machines and synthesizers, while modern in 1985, now marks the album as unmistakably of its era, for better or worse[5]. **Pros:** - Impeccable studio craftsmanship; every instrument is clear and well-placed[8]. - Polished sound that suits radio and mainstream appeal[5]. - Vocals are front and center, allowing Hucknall’s strengths to shine[5]. **Cons:** - Production can feel cold or overly sanitized, lacking the organic feel of earlier soul music[5]. - Some arrangements are weighed down by dated 80s effects and instrumentation[5]. --- ## **Themes** *Picture Book* is thematically rich, weaving together personal reflection, romantic longing, and sharp political critique. The album’s central themes include: - **Nostalgia and Loss:** Most evident in “Holding Back the Years,” which explores memory, regret, and the passage of time[8][6]. - **Economic Hardship and Social Critique:** “Money’s Too Tight (to Mention)” and “Open Up the Red Box” tackle issues of poverty, inequality, and political disillusionment, rare for mainstream pop at the time[6][7]. - **Love and Redemption:** Several tracks, including “Come to My Aid,” address the search for support and emotional healing. The album’s ability to combine heartfelt sentiment with biting social commentary sets it apart from many contemporaries, even if not every track lands with equal force[7]. --- ## **Influence** *Picture Book* helped define the “blue-eyed soul” and sophisti-pop genres, paving the way for acts like Simply Red to bring soul music into the mainstream pop charts[6][8]. The album’s success—bolstered by the global hit “Holding Back the Years”—earned Simply Red a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist and cemented Hucknall’s reputation as a formidable vocalist[8]. While some critics have dismissed the album as derivative or lacking depth, others recognize its role in reintroducing social consciousness to soul music during a period dominated by more superficial pop trends[7][6]. The album’s blend of soul, pop, and jazz influences would echo in the work of later British acts, though its overtly 80s production has limited its timelessness for some listeners[5]. --- ## **Pros and Cons Summary** | Pros | Cons | |------|------| | Strong, emotive vocals from Mick Hucknall[5][7] | Over-reliance on 80s production clichés[5] | | Memorable singles (“Holding Back the Years,” “Money’s Too Tight (to Mention)”) | Some tracks feel dated or lack warmth[5] | | Balances personal and political themes[6][7] | Inconsistent songwriting; not all tracks stand out[7] | | Polished production and musicianship[8] | “Blue-eyed soul” approach can seem inauthentic or derivative[5] | | Helped revive social commentary in mainstream soul[6][7] | Covers (e.g., “Heaven”) pale compared to originals[5] | --- ## **Conclusion** *Picture Book* is a quintessential 80s album: slick, soulful, and sometimes polarizing. Its strengths lie in Hucknall’s impassioned vocals, the album’s infectious grooves, and its willingness to tackle both personal and societal issues. The production, while immaculate, is also its Achilles’ heel—rooting the album firmly in its decade and, for some, draining it of soul’s essential grit. The album’s influence is undeniable, helping to bring soul back into the pop mainstream and inspiring a wave of British acts to follow suit. For fans of the “sophisti-pop” and blue-eyed soul genres, *Picture Book* remains a touchstone. For others, its dated production and occasional lyrical missteps may limit its appeal. Ultimately, *Picture Book* stands as a testament to Simply Red’s ambition and Hucknall’s vocal prowess—a debut that, despite its flaws, set a high bar for the band and for 80s soul-pop as a whole.

Very soulful and has aged well for an 80s album.

This was fun! It was another that surprised me! I liked it a lot!

Really nice discovery! 9/10

Listen... I know it's not that outstanding or whatever, but I just absolutely love 80's music with this vibe.

Some bangers on this album! Reminds me of road trips with my family.

Phenomenal album, beautiful combination of styles and sounds. From the jazzy sax/piano comping to the groovy, funky beats. Love it. Plus moving lyrics? Sheesh. Part of me wants to drop a 5 star, but I’m a chicken. 4.5 stars if I could. 4 stars otherwise.

A delicious 80s pop soul debut from Sexyy Red’s very own father, Simply Red. Impressively good and quite enjoyable.

Not usually my kind of music, but this album is a pretty good. That synth pop 80's vibe is very present here. I definitely recognized "Holding back the Years", but I also kind of liked the titular song as well. Probably more a 3.5 for me, but I'll bump it up since it surprised me a bit.

Ok so thoughts upon opening track - I like it, bit of MJ. I don’t really listen to Soul Pop but I haven’t tried it much either so maybe it’s a new thing for me. I really liked Holding Back the Years and Picture Book. Woo will listen again.

michael jackson you have 24 hours to respond.

A nice surprise. I was familiar with them and the hits. Hearing the entire album was a new event. I like it a lot! Before listening I was inclined to give 2 stars. But listening raised it to 4.

01) Come to My Aid - 9,5 02) Sad Old Red - 8,0 03) Look at You Now - 8,0 04) Heaven - 7,5 05) Jericho - 7,5 06) Money's Too Tight (to Mention) - 10,0 07) Holding Back the Years - 10,0 08) (Open Up the) Red Box - 8,0 09) No Direction - 7,5 10) Picture Book - 8,0 TOTAL: 8,40 (84/100) Current ranking: 113/529

Loved it

This Picture Book of an album was like Heaven.

Definitely one of the good examples out the 80s. First I was deeply scared after seeing some reviews but to me this album just seems crazy overhated. I mean yeah in a Best albums of the 80s alone this one wouldnt stand out but its either not worse. Its smooth and has a good disco happy energy to it. (4.0/5.0)

I loved this back in the day!

Quite awful album cover considering what was actually in there. I expected something along the lines of Dexys Midnight Runners, but instead got some mix of jazz, funk, disco, synth, and soul? I really liked this record though. Probably because I was taken off guard by the album cover, but also it was just very groovy and kept my interest up throughout the whole record. The singer has a powerful voice that really contributes to the songs. At times it made me think of Tom Collins actually, like 'Holding Back the Years', which sounded like it could've been a song made by him. While almost all songs were good, a downside with the album is that I had a bit of a hard time finding smash hits. 'Money's Too Tight (To Mention)' is probably my favourite song of the record, but turns out is a cover... bummer. Overall, the high quality across the board warrants a 4 star! Probably because I am a bit of a sucker for this type of music.

I like it. You've all got it in for the 80s for some reason.

My initial reaction was, “wow this sounds dated” and “really? this is considered soul?” But after a few listens, I realized that these songs are pretty damn catchy and well written, and “Red” does have some pipes. Come to My Aid, Jericho, and Money’s Too Tight are all very good. That Heaven cover is also pretty nice. Holding Back the Years is obviously a standout. Not an album I’d necessarily seek out on the regular, but I do respect it. I’d say a borderline 3/4, but will err to the higher side because this did get me moving.

Simply lovely.

Outstanding Pop and soul album. Some really sound standing vocals that surprised me. Most of the album feels at home with 80s pop/synth but then there are soul tracks that almost sound like another artist. Really enjoyed this album overall.

This was pretty dope

This is fire

Not quite my type of energy, but good album overall. Interesting Talking Heads cover. 3.5/5

I was not expecting this. Of course I was aware of some of the band's singles in period, who couldn't be. They weren't my sort of thing then. They're better, and seem more at home, doing the slower, jazz/soul oriented numbers on the album. Good variety. The sound on this 2008 remastered edition I'm listening to is excellent. Yeah. Very good album. It gets a solid 4/5 from me.

This album shows that Simply Red is actually a very good example of blue eyed soul. The arrangements are powerful yet tender. To get this balance right is no easy task. In the end I don't give this four stars because the competition is heavy.

Not knowing the band and seeing the cover, I initially assumed that this album would be folk or country (neither of which I am too interested in). However, seeing that this came out in the '80s, I should've known better. I liked the first song, "Come to My Aid" because, with my previous assumptions, it worked as a great shocker. Honestly, I questioned listening to the remastered songs, but did it anyway since I felt like the album would've been incomplete otherwise. Maybe I had been too distracted during these moments, but I of course didn't focus on the major differences other than the fact that the remasters were noticeably longer. The point is, I truly couldn't notice an important addition that deemed additional minutes necessary. Although, I could contradict that given that I truthfully enjoyed the additional four minutes on the remasted version of "Money's Too Tight (To Mention)". I felt like the instrumentals were very nice. 3 stars

I like most of the songs on this album. Notable exception: the title track. Why would you name the album after that song? Good voice. Tight production, but not too tight. Decent songs for the most part. Favorite song: holding back the years.

Beautiful soul record very jazzy compositions

- Ich liebe die einfach - Finde deren "Blue-Eyed-Soul" unfassbar geil. - Mick Hucknall hat einfach eine besondere und mega gute Stimme, die zwischen super gefühlvoll und sehr kräftig variiert, aber dabei jeden Ton nailt! - Dazu klasse Songwriting, geile Big Band Arrangements, mega groovy und geiler vibe. (Auf die Texte habe ich nicht so geachtet, aber denke das passt). Was will ich mehr von einem Funk/Soul Album?! - Man darf nicht vergessen: Wir reden hier von einem fucking Debütalbum! WTF?!! Das muss erstmal so souverän sitzen. - So viele gute Tracks drauf, von denen ich auch einige kannte, aber nicht die ganze Platte. - "Holding Back The Years" ist natürlich ein Welthit - Ich finde Hucknall mit seiner sozialistischen Ader und seinem sozialen/politischen Engagement auch einfach ziemlich cool. Mag den. - Mir gefallen ohnehin einige Alben von Simply Red: Finde auch A New Flame toll (was sich mit seiner Pinken Farbe wunderbar in meiner Plattensammlung macht) oder auch das später erschiene Home, was ich persönlich das beste Album finde. Bin aber auch bias, weil ich definitiv damit auch groß geworden bin. - Macht einfach Laune und hat mir hier einen guten Vormittag beschert. Bin vollends begeistert. Innerhalb des Genres wäre es vielleicht sogar eine 5/5. Allgemein still strong. Rating: 4,25-4,5/5

I don't care much for the jazz-sounding songs but the ballad songs are really good. Overall it is 4 stars or B for me.

Goed album. Heerlijke muziek.

Amazing British Pop. It's quickly becoming another criteria I've been sleeping in

strong 3.5, groovy af

You can’t deny Mick Hucknall has a great voice. There’s some really good songs on this album, and it’s definitely not a chore to listen to. It’s unmistakably Simply Red and I actually really enjoyed it.

Damn that shit's funky...

Perky 80s funk rock or something like that. It's good. And fun to listen to.

Upbeat, soulful, uplifting, sultry. This was just the record I needed to start my day today. It has a great mood and feel all throughout. I didn't realize this was the artist that did "Holding Back the Years" - classic. This was a really nice one.

Enjoyed the vocals and the music was pretty good. Surprised by this group since I have never heard of them before today.

Cassette from the past

Favorite Tracks: Come to My Aid Heaven Money’s Too Tight (To Mention)

I really didn’t like Simply Red back in the day, I think largely I was picking up on the fact that the lead singer used to annoy my mum. This was actually pretty good for its genre; not the kind of thing I’d listen to but I need to give credit where it’s due. Rating: 4

I loved this album, but it's definitely right up my musical alley so not a surprise. I didn't have the album back in the day but I knew and loved the hits. 80's jazzy synth pop is a nice palate cleanser along the 1001 albums journey.

Classic 80s white boy soul

Fine 80s rock, superb lead singer.

I like it

i would say strictly a good album, not a great album. the lead singer's voice is very good and i think the songs here are solid enough, but the production is quite dated in a not-so-charming way and nothing here jumps out as an amazing song or performance. it's better than average, but nothing super special either.

Excellent vocals. Phenomenal saxophone work. Great compositions and a great recording make this a very listenable album. Standouts are the title track and Holding back the Years.

I have heard of Simply Red and def heard a few of his songs - but hadn’t put the two together. I was thinking he was more like a Howard Jones. I was quite wrong. I didn’t enjoy every song but in whole I thought this was an excellent album. The dude can sing.

heard this a lot in Rozelle in 1989, nice soul/pop record

Good album.

Weirdly genre switching all the time but overall good

Some good moments. But a bit bland for anything more than a 4.

God help me, I like Simply Red and I always have. Nothing cool about this band at all. But they definitely do not sound quite like any other band. This album was equal parts interesting and cheesy as hell. Always a great listen.

Easy-listening and accessible 80s pop rock, borrowing from both New Wave and blue-eyed soul. You have the funk guitar, punk beat, enthusiasm and energy, atmospheric synths, some jazz lounge, and soulful vocals. Similar to artists Culture Club and Hall & Oates. Plenty of creative ideas, personality, and high studio production value. Plenty of standout hits, with fun and creative deep cuts dispersed. It's a very accessible album, with some very catchy tunes that don't get too annoying. I honestly find it to be easier, more consistent, and more enjoyable than Culture Club. There a couple weak songs, and there are some out-of-place track placements with how diverse the energy and mood can be. Yet, it starts strong, with the hits in the middle, and an appropriate closer, which makes it a digestible listen in its entirety.

Very enjoyable jazz album. His voice is smooth and silky and comforts like soft pajamas after a shower. Music is well done clean clear production a well-deserved inclusion. Very relaxing

Really enjoyed this. Some of the first few songs really hit for me. I love some of the disco-esque guitar tracks, funky basslines, and the overall soul feel. It staled out for me and a couple songs dragged/felt overly 80's, which kept it from a 5 for me.

Enjoyed the two listens. Solid 80’s pop album. Money Too Hard, Jericho, and Come to Aid were great tracks. 4/5!

Enjoyed it! Always loved Holding Back The Years, it's a beautiful song

Pretty damn good pop for their debut record. 80's production never sounded so better.

That’s a really good 4. When this album clicks, it clicks; those are some high-energy tracks with the 80s written all over them to me, in a good way. When I think of the 80s, this is part of the sound my brain goes to: heavy synth work, deep drum pads for percussion, a whole slew of instruments that somehow work together in harmony, plus really fun vocal work that can run the range of “basically screaming” to “really smooth” in a heartbeat. The slower tracks are what drag this album down to a 4 for me; they’re not bad songs at all, and I think they’re great to listen to, but they just didn’t keep me engaged in the way the higher paced and frenetic songs did. Some of them were a bit boring for me, even. I’ll admit, a lot of this album can be called “generic,” but I’m a sucker for this type of sound and this type of earworm stuff. If you’re listening to this and not grooving on at least one track, then I think you’re too deep into the “artsy” side of music to enjoy a good time when you hear one.

Did the earth move for me…..? Well, no but I do enjoy a bit of Manc Motown from time to time and certainly Hucknall is much more interesting here than on, say, the mega-popular “Stars” years down the track. Top notch voice and at times genuinely soulful, which the production serves extremely well.

A good album that I liked the style of. I Iiked the songs Come to My Aid, Sad Old Red and Holding Back The Years.

Fun ahh hell

Jazzy. Funky. Enjoyable.

Day53 - i went in fully expecting to hate this but listening to this on a slow sunday morning was enjoyable

Pretty nice

Das Soul und Pop zusammenpassen können zeigt dieses Album. Ein toll abgestimmtes Album mit vielen Facetten und einer markanten und tollen Stimme. Hinzu kommen Megahits wie „Come On My Aid“, „Money’s to tied“ und „Holding Back The Years“. Ich freue mich es wieder zu hören 😊.

beautifully done!

Soulful and satisfying.

Solid album including tracks featuring Blues, jazz, funk and the classic Simply Red sound. Slightly carried by the 3 singles but an enjoyable listen and would listen again 4/5

A nice disco/funk album with some great tracks!

Good to hear this in its entirety and I think it's stood the test of time. You can see why it had an impact, especially coming out of Manchester which wasn't well-known for smooth soulful sounds. Quality. Would be a 7 out of 10 but I've rounded it up.

очень приятный соул поп алкоальбом: глинтвейн у камина

If it finished stronger it would’ve been 5. Great album

Lots of songs I would revisit, album is slightly messy in that the tone/feel is often changing. Despite this, lots of bangers which all have a slightly different genre feel to them, favourite tracks: Come to my aid/Sad old red/Jericho.

This is a cool album. Really reminded me a lot of some other pop from that era like Prince. I found myself really enjoying the drums and vocals. But like most pop albums, there are some songs that really slap and some that are forgettable

4/5 I really liked the versatility.

Hey, that’s pretty good. Love soul, definitely feel like they have some fun with it, particularly like the delivery changes in Jericho. Good times.

This list is still a little too Br*tish for my liking but this album's not bad

I don't know why I pictured the singer's voice differently in my head, but I did. Maybe I was thinking of UB40? Obviously 2 very different bands. Anyway, I was really surprised at how much I liked the vocals. They were different than what I expected, and made the songs more interesting. I really liked the interpretation of "Heaven," making more of a bluesy soul song. "No Direction" felt like a song that should have gone on a late 80s or early 90s soundtrack. It didn't grab me like a lot of the other songs did. And when "Holding Back The Years" came on, I was like "Oh yeah, I remember this one." So I was pleasantly surprised with this one. Don't know why I didn't listen to them more growing up.

Strong and steady throughout. Hucknall puts his distinct voice to very good effect across the cuts, the best of which are "Come to My Aid," "Jericho" and "Heaven" and "Holding the Back Years," which will have a long shelf life and history will continue to like – it just sounds like a song that will last forever. Overall, it holds up quite well (sophistication always does, doesn't it, when supported by tight and capable playing) and only here and there veers too annoyingly or eye-rollingly into ultimate '80s territory.

Rating solely based on vibes

Funky! Great instruments! Weird lyrics! This album has it all.

Wait I loved this

Pretty great, tbh. Wouldn't seek it out though

I did not know who Simply Red was before listening to this album. Overall the album was better than I expected and there were several tracks I really enjoyed! I recommend this album to those who enjoy 80s new wave, pop rock. Favorite Song(s): "Money's Too Tight", "Come To My Aid", "Jericho", "No Direction"

Soulful and smooth. 4 stars.

Pretty, pretty good

The majority of the album is so-so, a pleasant mix of pop-rock-soul-funk-jazz, very much an album from the 1980s. But then you have their hit "Money’s Too Tight (to Mention)" and the massive "Holding Back the Years" with Mick Hucknall's superb vocals.

Nice funky soul album. Favorite track: Sad Old Red