I am an unabashed Simple Minds fan. Somehow Jim Kerr, Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Mick MacNeil and their various drummers snuck into my subconscious in the early ’80’s and have remained there. No permanent damage as far as I can tell (others may disagree).
For those who think Simple Minds is “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” from The Breakfast Club, give this a shot. Released in September, 1982, New Gold Dream is really their best, showcasing their musicianship & songwriting ability just before they really took off. They have great songs after this, but I think this is a real end-to-end testament of what they were and what they were about to become.
This puppy has very good production and sound, with a strong synth beat, drums and an ever present bass that is all about the melody. The production alone makes this a very enjoyable listen, especially with headphones…and volume. The album stands as a landmark in the Simple Minds catalogue, and is representative of the best of the Synth Pop / New Wave phase of rock. It’s got bright, danceable numbers, hypnotic ones and strong pop rock songs.
I’ve seen reviews that suggest this album needs about three listens to really “get”. I understand that, and agree to an extent. It’s all about how & why one listens to and appreciates music. There are certainly those killer albums, where the anthems just stand out right from the get go. Then there are the ones wherein the music flows and seeps its way into your psyche. One thing I know is that there is no right or wrong way for anyone to appreciate music – it’s all up to you as to what you do, or do not, like. And you can change your mind at any time.
By the way, this is a re-release, with the original album ending at #9, “King Is White And In The Cloud”.