Simple Minds Big Music

IT’S interesting that the profiles of both U2 and Simple Minds have been raised in recent months. Both bands freshened up the British rock scene in the early 80s, and both ended the decade on a wave of bombast as the world’s stadiums beckoned and over-sophisticated production stripped recordings of their warmth and vitality. One can’t help feeling that both bands were too easily seduced by success.

But try telling that to the loyal fan bases. Simple Minds have toured extensively in recent years and Big Music comes ahead of a string of UK dates next year, which will see them stopping off at the Oasis in Swindon on May 2.

The new album combines the best and worst of the band, immediately evoking the 80s with grand musical landscapes and, as the title suggest, a big sound.

The stand out tracks are Blindfolded, with its moody introduction and plaintive vocals from Jim Kerr, and Human, which is pure Simple Minds and is about as “catchy” a tune as you’re likely to get on this album.

Otherwise this is a sadly synth heavy production that is more akin to the modern dance scene than stadium rock. If Charlie Burchill’s chiming guitar could cut through just a bit more then we really would be on familiar territory.

Simple Minds once promised us a miracle – Big Music isn’t quite it. – STEPHEN WEBB