Best Album Since "Sparkle in the Rain"
Kirk Lott | adrift on the seas of life | 11/03/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"While U2 has always been more popular, people in the know have always known that Simple Minds is an equally strong yet more diverse band. And with 2002's "Cry," Simple Minds reaffirmed their status as rock's best kept secret with a surprisingly strong return to form.
The album features a wonderful variety of tracks. "One Step Closer" and "Spaceface" are shouted anthems. "Disconnected" is a bubbling sing-a-long pop song that should have been #1 - you can't help but sing along.
"Face in the Sun" is a scruffy, acoustic track with a coffee and cigarette vibes. "Floating World" and the nouveau classic "Sleeping Girl" are superb examples of Simple Mind's influential techno roots. "Cry Again" is a beautiful, gossamer ballad.
A few tracks - including the title song - are weak, but the overall album is excellent. And despite the breathtaking variety of the tracks, "Cry" is held together by the excellence of the music, and is a worthy addition to your collection.
"
Most Excellent!
Steven Piek | Calgary, Alberta Canada | 12/31/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was quite amazed when I ordered this CD on a whim. My only real Simple Minds song I know of was Don't Forget About me. Going strictly on this, I ordered the new CD, Cry. The production quality on this CD is amazing! It was nice to hear a good mix of synth blended in with traditional guitar. I have to say this CD has spent a lot of time in my CD player in my car. Disconnected is one of my favorite songs. Actually most of the songs on the CD spent a lot of time in my head. They are very catchy and well produced. The one instrumental track could have been put as a B-Side, as it really doesn't fit into the normal flow of things. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes synth/rock/pop style music."
Five years later
Nobody | 02/18/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been listening to the Minds since "Sons and Fascination" days, following them through the glory years and sticking with them through the decline. The MP3 age has rather changed how music and "albums" are viewed, given that one does not pull a CD off the shelf, all the band's songs are typically bundled together in a single playlist. At least that's how I organize my collection, by band rather than CD.
So when I click on my Simple Minds playlist over the past few years, once thing has become readily apparent. "Cry" is where the cursor lands. I even moved around the songs so that the live versions of "One Step Closer" from Liverpool and "New Sunshine Morning" from Guilford are in the same grouping. That's remarkable, considering that this set of songs has risen to the top of the list from 30 some odd years of music from a great band, and considering also the conventional wisdom is that Jim and Charlie are past their best years by a couple of decades.
It may be unique, I certainly couldn't say that about the Cure for example. As much as I like that the last couple efforts, there's no way I listen to the last CD's more than their 90's work. So, carry on old dudes. My ears are impartial judges, and they say your best work could still be in you, after all this time. Everything is okay, Jim."