Search - Simple Minds :: New Gold Dream

Synthesizers and soft rock

Pieter | Johannesburg | 11/02/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"New Gold Dream has an understated, even ethereal air to it, as Simple Minds moved away from their early punk rock roots towards synthesizer soundscapes. Someone Somewhere In Summertime is an evocative pastel shaded number. Colours Fly And Catherine Wheel is a moody piece with light keyboards, whilst Promised You A Miracle, the big hit, has a funky feel, jerky rhythm and catchy hooks.



Not all the tracks are memorable, like Big Sleep, which doesn't go anywhere and lacks a proper tune. The instrumental Somebody Up There Likes You is only mildly engaging. The title track has a propulsive beat, beautiful keyboard flourishes and some rousing vocals. The mid tempo ballad Glittering Prize has its moments, Hunter And The Hunted has a more solid rock beat and King Is White And In The Crowd is a slow, brooding song.



Ultimately, New Gold Dream provides more style than substance. Simple Minds carved a niche for their distinctive version of synth-rock, but not all of these songs have passed the test of time with flying colours. There is a lack of variety that gives the album an air of monotony. I prefer the late 1970s period Simple Minds when they gave us ageless classics like Chelsea Girl and I Travel.

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The Pinnacle of Simple Minds

Paul Allaer | Cincinnati | 08/08/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

""New Gold Dream", issued in 1982, is (with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight) the very best album Simple Minds ever made, bar none. Although it contains 3 songs that charted in Europe ("Someone Somewhere in Summertime", "Promised You a Miracle", "Glittering Prize"), this is still Simple Minds before they really hit it big in the US with "Don't You Forget About Me" and the "Once Upon a Time" album.The great strength here is that the album flows wonderfully from one track to another. And, truthfully, the best tracks are NOT the 3 tracks that charted, but instead the more adventurous ones such as "Colours Fly and Catherine Wheels", the title track, the driving "Hunter and the Hunted" and "King is White".Simple Minds have recorded great music, but were never better that on this album. As an aside, I have seen them live only once, in 1983 when they were touring behind this album and it is one of my very memorable concert memories."

80's Alternative

Gregory J. Gresh | 05/09/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"One of the bands that set the tone for the early 80's 2nd British invasion. This album (CD) features Simple Minds at their very best. PROMISED YOU A MIRACLE, NEW GOLD DREAM (81-82-83-84) and to a lesser extent GLITTERING PRIZE were very popular on the college radio front. SOMEONE SOMEWHERE IN SUMMERTIME rounds out a nice album of synth pop. The album is very well mixed. A definite must for any serious 80's collection."