Search - Simple Minds :: Graffiti Soul (Bonus CD) (Dlx)

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Jason Stein | San Diego, CA United States | 06/06/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This year marks 30 years of Simple Minds from their 1979 debut "Life In A Day". They are one of the most underrated rock bands of their time, too frequently getting compared to U2, or getting labeled 'area rock'. The fact is, this band has grown, developed and changed--something few bands are capable of doing (and surviving).



"Graffiti Soul" returns the band to the eight song format found on 1985's "Once Upon A Time". If you buy this deluxe two disc version there is only one bonus track "Shadows And Light" after the eighth track. "Once Upon A Time" this is not. In fact, "Graffiti Soul" carries on from the musical direction of 2005's "Black And White 050505". Although, I think I like "Graffiti Soul" slightly better. The melodies are stronger here, Jim Kerr's vocals more impassioned.



The band definitely sounds alive and kicking on such tracks as the first single, "Rockets", "Stars Will Lead The Way" and "Light Travels". The title track and "Blood Type O" are interesting diversions as well. One thing "Graffiti Soul" has is a cohesiveness not seen in years. The album as a whole holds up pretty well. It is not my favorite Simple Minds album, but it is one of their better recordings.



The second disc on the deluxe version consists of nine covers. 2001's "Neon Lights" was a mixed attempt at a cover album. This disc is titled "Searching For The Lost Boys", and as it is a bonus disc, I am going to be more critical here. The band does an okay version of Neil Young's "Rockin' In The Free World" (which would not have been my choice for a bonus track on the single disc version "Graffiti Soul"). They do a great job with Magazine's "A Song From Under The Floorboards", improving upon the original--and this is the track that should have been added to the single disc version. They do a mediocre version of Siouxsie & The Banshee's "Christine", and a terrible job on The Stranglers' "Get A Grip". They do a decent job of The Call's "Let The Day Begin", but a terrible job of Elvis Costello's "Peace, Love And Understanding". Massive Attack's "Teardrop" is average, but Thin Lizzy's "Whiskey In The Jar" is really done well. The Beach Boys' "Sloop John B" is weak.



In the end, "Graffiti Soul" shows a continued strength, and the possibility of something great to come. Too bad the original members could not get along and work together because that would have been real interesting to have Forbes and MacNeil back on board. It has been my opinion for some time that the loss of original member MacNeil really put a damper on the band's creative juices.



Here's how "Graffiti Soul" compares to the band's other works:



1979 Life In A Day: Three and a Half Stars

1979 Real To Real Cacophony: Three and a Half Stars

1980 Empires And Dance: Three Stars

1981 Sons And Fascination: Four Stars

1981 Sister Feelings Call: Three Stars

1982 New Gold Dream 81-82-83-84: Five Stars

1984 Sparkle In The Rain: Five Stars

1985 Once Upon A Time: Five Stars

1989 Street Fighting Years: Five Stars

1991 Real Life: Five Stars

1995 Good News From The Next World: Two Stars

1998 Neapolis: Four Stars

2001 Neon Lights: Three Stars

2002 Cry: Three Stars

2005 Black And White 050505: Four Stars

2009 Graffiti Soul: Four Stars"

5 Stars for Longevity

Colin Logue | Melbourne, Australia | 06/03/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Simple Minds have simply trod a path of good, sometimes great music for nigh on 35 years, give or take and the years have proved they can produce some outstanding albums such as 'Street Fighting Years'. Which brings us to 2009 and their latest offering 'Graffiti Soul'.



Kerr and Burchill are up there with the best writers of decent pop/rock and this album will more than satisy their die-hard fans as well as the casual listener.



First track 'Moscow Underground' is vintage SM and reels the listener in for a fairly good if not brilliant album. 'Rockets' harps back to their halcyon days and if released as a single should, in an ideal world, garner some heavy rotation air-play. The title track is a bit of a departure from the usual format and having reached the half-way point one begins to release this is worth another few spins. It's only 8 tracks in total with 2 bonus cuts and runs less than 45 minutes but it's solid collection from a solid band who have weathered their critics and still produce the goods. That said the final track 'Rockin' in the Free World' was hardly and inspired choice, surely their time in the studio would have resulted in a few unused cuts any one of which would most likely have been better.



In summary it's well worth adding to your collection if you're a SM fan and worth checking out if you're not.



"

Surprised

Glenn O. Kirms | Anywhere, USA | 10/10/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I hadn't listened to Simple Minds in years since a lot of their radio hits. I'm probably one of those music listeners, while keeping up with many bands over the years that haven't dis-banded and I personally like, I never really kept an eye on this band. I always like Kerr's voice so it just came down to the music and if it was too poppy then it wasn't for me. No matter. Anyway, this latest release that I downloaded is quite a treat. I really don't think there's a bad song on this one and it just kind of draws you in and then, there's no turning back. For me, it almost has a progressive feel to it, so sign me up since that is where so many of my listening interests lie. But I also do like the change up periodically and this certainly does it. If you've always like Simple Minds, then picking this cd up is a no brainer along with their last one 'Black & White 050505'."