Graffiti Soul-Simple Minds (Graffiti Soul - Simple Minds)

Member Name: SpookyMoon

Product:	Graffiti Soul - Simple Minds
Date:	20/06/09 (33 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some really uplifting&quality tracks.Nice covers on2nd disc.Vocally wonderful,musically experienced

Disadvantages: Album sags at some points,but regains momentum really well.Some of the covers are a bit lame.

With the massive resurgence of 80s/retro punk chic-it was only a matter of time before Simple Minds jumped on the bandwagon and released another album. And who can blame them for it? This genre of music has recently become highly topical and relevant to a new wave of fans, it would be stupid not to do what you once did best and bring out another album.

I first loved this Scottish band from their hit single 'Dont You [forget about me]' which is synonymous with the movie it featured in Breakfast Club (featuring the brat pack of the time Allie Sheedy, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, and that bloke from Weird Science whose name I forget).

Graffiti Soul, released this year, is really a surprising album. Which I suppose is a silly thing to say considering that their earlier albums demonstrated an ecclecticism that they have become somewhat renowned for. The reason that I find this album surprising is not because it is brilliant, nor mindlblowing-but mainly because you can not really tell that they are an old band making a come-back (as it were). The sound on this album could be the sound of a new band influenced by bands like Simple Minds. I think this is a good thing because they aren't brewing up more of an old recipe that really only appeals to their loyal fans and a specifically targetted market. This album could appeal to anyone.

For me 'Rockets' is easily the best song on the double disk album. It has an upbeat steel guitar-cross synthesizer-feel which accompanies a clappy hands stomp style musical wallpaper. Lyrically it isnt brilliant but vocally they are still as smooth, deep and stunning as they have always been. If anything, vocally they have really matured and thickened in a way that is really appealing and a little reminscent of U2s Bono.

'Stars will lead the way', takes off where 'Rockets' lands and by this 3rd track of the album, I think the listener begins to settle into the experience, understanding what they are going to get from this album. And I must say, in this sense, the album delivers.

The best songs on this album are certainly comparable to many of U2s best ofs, and once you realise this, I think you can begin to tire of them a tiny bit. Some other songs on this album can be compared to some of Keane's better tracks-musically at least and think this is where they have achieved sounding like a current band making it big for the first time.

Other highlights of the first disc are 'Light Travels'and 'Graffiti Soul' (which is really reminiscent of their older stuff and absolutely stunning).

The second disc has some really wonderful cover tracks (my faves are Massive Attack's 'Teardrop'). Their version of 'Whiskey In The Jar' is a bit basic and been done by two many bands to hold any interest for me, but they do add their own sound to it-who hasnt?

Summary: Really contempory feel combined with maturity&skill that newer bands strive for. Not bad!