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Frequently Bought Together
Product details
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Track Listings
| 1. Moscow Underground |
| 2. Rockets |
| 3. Stars |
| 4. Light Travels |
| 5. Kiss and Fly |
| 6. Graffiti Soul |
| 7. Blood Type O |
| 8. This Is It |
| 9. Shadows & Light |
| 10. Rocking In The Free World |
Product Description
CD Description
Featuring original members Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill (plus Mel Gaynor on drums and Eddie Duffy on bass), Graffiti Soul is Simple Minds' 15th studio album--the latest in a career spanning three decades. Following 2008's reissued The Best of Simple Minds, Graffiti Soul is the first album of new material since 2005. It has the roots of a traditional Simple Minds album, yet comes across contemporary and fresh.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
...well come on in then..!
The last Simple Minds album, "Black & White 050505" [2005], was a decent record, but perhaps somewhat obvious compared to the two previous albums "Cry" [2002] and "Our Secrets Are The Same" [2003]. Jim Kerr wanted a "landmark" album, what I think it ended up being was a band wanting to sound like what Simple Minds were 'supposed' to sound like. Don't be confused! It is a fine album with hindsight, just lacking in some areas, still, do investigate!
Here's the good news; with this new record, we're generally spared the "hey let's be back in the charts" schtick and there is much more focus on good songwriting, something that exemplified the 2002 and 2003 releases mentioned above. 8 songs; the consistancy is back on the wonderfully driving "Moscow Underground" familiar yet exciting, the perfect opener. The single "Rockets" is [to these ears at least] perhaps the weakest of the new material [a common Minds problem when it comes to recent first singles] but is not a bad song. Next up is "Stars Will lead The Way" too short and sweet and is perhaps the obvious comeback single, [watch this space!] it elbows it's way into the room where "Rockets" just shuffles hoping to be noticed. Simple Minds debuted "Rockets" as the first new song from this collection and many inlcuding myself were unimpressed, however it isn't particularly symbolic of the record as a whole.
The title song is an excellent groove [the groove is back!], echoing some of 1998's flawed, but rather fine, "Neapolis". "Light Travels' written by Sean Kelly, has been on the Minds shelf for sometime and only now brought to life, it is worth the wait, slow and sultry, with a guitar echoing 1995's single "Hypnotised" and a real opportunity for some er... "singalong" in it's "hello, hello" hook.
The final song "This Is It", is a fabulous song, one of those first listen tunes we all hope for now and again by our favourite artists, lyrically recalling an album like "Street Fighting Years" [1989] but with the kind of dynamic that era lacked. The rhythm section never really has a break on the record and given the fact that Simple Minds music was built on that very aspect, it is good to see that so prevalent again, ta, Mr Duffy and Mr Gaynor.
The covers project "In Search Of The Lost Boys" is obviously a sticking point for many fans and they pull off some better than others; Simple Minds were never really a "kick over the mic stand and flip the audience the bird.." kind of 'rawk' band, so on some of the covers it doesn't quite gel, however they do a decent run through of Siouxie's "Christine" and an interesting turn on "Teardrop" [Massive Attack]
Funny, "Teardrop" -> Liz Frazer -> Cocteau Twins who took their name from an early Minds song "..full circle again.." indeed Jim!
Very good album.
The last Simple Minds album, "Black & White 050505" [2005], was a decent record, but perhaps somewhat obvious compared to the two previous albums "Cry" [2002] and "Our Secrets Are The Same" [2003]. Jim Kerr wanted a "landmark" album, what I think it ended up being was a band wanting to sound like what Simple Minds were 'supposed' to sound like. Don't be confused! It is a fine album with hindsight, just lacking in some areas, still, do investigate!
Here's the good news; with this new record, we're generally spared the "hey let's be back in the charts" schtick and there is much more focus on good songwriting, something that exemplified the 2002 and 2003 releases mentioned above. 8 songs; the consistancy is back on the wonderfully driving "Moscow Underground" familiar yet exciting, the perfect opener. The single "Rockets" is [to these ears at least] perhaps the weakest of the new material [a common Minds problem when it comes to recent first singles] but is not a bad song. Next up is "Stars Will lead The Way" too short and sweet and is perhaps the obvious comeback single, [watch this space!] it elbows it's way into the room where "Rockets" just shuffles hoping to be noticed. Simple Minds debuted "Rockets" as the first new song from this collection and many inlcuding myself were unimpressed, however it isn't particularly symbolic of the record as a whole.
The title song is an excellent groove [the groove is back!], echoing some of 1998's flawed, but rather fine, "Neapolis". "Light Travels' written by Sean Kelly, has been on the Minds shelf for sometime and only now brought to life, it is worth the wait, slow and sultry, with a guitar echoing 1995's single "Hypnotised" and a real opportunity for some er... "singalong" in it's "hello, hello" hook.
The final song "This Is It", is a fabulous song, one of those first listen tunes we all hope for now and again by our favourite artists, lyrically recalling an album like "Street Fighting Years" [1989] but with the kind of dynamic that era lacked. The rhythm section never really has a break on the record and given the fact that Simple Minds music was built on that very aspect, it is good to see that so prevalent again, ta, Mr Duffy and Mr Gaynor.
The covers project "In Search Of The Lost Boys" is obviously a sticking point for many fans and they pull off some better than others; Simple Minds were never really a "kick over the mic stand and flip the audience the bird.." kind of 'rawk' band, so on some of the covers it doesn't quite gel, however they do a decent run through of Siouxie's "Christine" and an interesting turn on "Teardrop" [Massive Attack]
Funny, "Teardrop" -> Liz Frazer -> Cocteau Twins who took their name from an early Minds song "..full circle again.." indeed Jim!
Very good album.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Only heard a few tracks so far, however this is the classic sound of Simple Minds rapped up in a fresh contempory rapper!
Rockets - crisp and fresh new single - a stripped back delight that will have you whistling while you work. A Joy.
Moscow Underground - Heavy broody deep and menancing! Charlie Burchill is sublime - Thinking comrades music!
Stars will leading the way - A showcase for all that is SM - Loud, Crashing, Riffs galore - Brilliant!
Lights Travel - If there is such a thing as an instant grower then this is it - Slow, thought provoking and insprirational - Magical!
Much much better than most of the material of the last 10 years.
Thats all so far - This could elevate SM to the A list...again!
PS - Note all media people - the comparisons with U2 must stop - its getting a bit tiresome and quite frankly boring. Please listen without prior judgement :)
GC
Rockets - crisp and fresh new single - a stripped back delight that will have you whistling while you work. A Joy.
Moscow Underground - Heavy broody deep and menancing! Charlie Burchill is sublime - Thinking comrades music!
Stars will leading the way - A showcase for all that is SM - Loud, Crashing, Riffs galore - Brilliant!
Lights Travel - If there is such a thing as an instant grower then this is it - Slow, thought provoking and insprirational - Magical!
Much much better than most of the material of the last 10 years.
Thats all so far - This could elevate SM to the A list...again!
PS - Note all media people - the comparisons with U2 must stop - its getting a bit tiresome and quite frankly boring. Please listen without prior judgement :)
GC
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The six or so tracks I've heard so far (cd isn't out yet) have really grabbed my attention. The other two reviewers have done the "Big Picture" and song-by-song lowdown, so I'll keep it short and sweet. Suffice to say, Simple Minds are still swinging and there's a lot of energy housed in their bat. Indeed, "Moscow Underground" and "This Is It" hit homeruns, straight out of the ballpark!
There's an undeniable energy and integrity to this band, a refusal to sit back and rest on its laurels or take the easy way out by writing pablum simply for the sake of charting. The new tracks are true to the band's legacy without rehashing formulas that worked very well for them in the past. It's what we've come to expect from a Simple Minds album -- but that's not to say it's predictable. Far from it. The music industry has changed since New Gold Dream, so have music-buyers - and the band's sound has evolved right along with 'em.
I strongly recommend this album -- esp. to anyone who may have drifted away over the years and forgotten what a powerhouse Simple Minds really is.
There's an undeniable energy and integrity to this band, a refusal to sit back and rest on its laurels or take the easy way out by writing pablum simply for the sake of charting. The new tracks are true to the band's legacy without rehashing formulas that worked very well for them in the past. It's what we've come to expect from a Simple Minds album -- but that's not to say it's predictable. Far from it. The music industry has changed since New Gold Dream, so have music-buyers - and the band's sound has evolved right along with 'em.
I strongly recommend this album -- esp. to anyone who may have drifted away over the years and forgotten what a powerhouse Simple Minds really is.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Back in form
Simple Minds have become the band every politically correct music journalists love to hate. And this album proves how unfair is that. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Asado
Excellent
This is a album that i can play every track and enjoy again and again. All songs are catchy and moving
especially kiss and fly which has a lot of emotions, and this is it... Read more
especially kiss and fly which has a lot of emotions, and this is it... Read more
Published 17 months ago by ant
Keeps building momentum............
New Gold Dream it aint and when I first heard it I thought that SM's had let me down like my other favourite band, James whose last album is plain dire! Read more
Published on 22 April 2010 by C. Abela
Sublime production and great songs on Graffiti Soul
Finally the CD I've been waiting for since a very long time. This Graffiti Soul is everything you want to hear from the Simple Minds since their albums "Sparkle in the Rain" and... Read more
Published on 2 Dec 2009 by H. P. Manak
Very Good, but lacks the punch of 'Black and White'
This album is indeed an excellent addition to Simple Minds' discography, but I cannot help but feel that it simply does not live up to its predecessor, Black and White 050505 as a... Read more
Published on 13 Aug 2009 by Stephen T. Lowrey
This Guy Jez Coad....
I see that on both Black and White, and now Graffiti Soul, there's the producer Jez Coad, who's got song credits and plays as well. Read more
Published on 10 Aug 2009 by Hugo Carruthers
Very, very disappointing - and over-hyped!
I've been a die-hard for over 20 years and thought SM had found their feet again with Black & White 050505; I was really looking forward to Graffiti Soul but after about 10 plays... Read more
Published on 8 Aug 2009 by Peter Bradshaw
Road to recovery
The 15th studio album from the Scottish dance/rock survivors Simple Minds showcases a blend of dancier tracks that hark back to early albums and breakthrough 80s singles such as... Read more
Published on 7 Aug 2009 by Captain Pugwash
graffiti soul de luxe
To me Graffiti Soul is the best album I've bought in the last couple of years. And for sure a REAL Simple Minds-album. Read more
Published on 1 Aug 2009 by valerie
Body And Soul
A step further from Black & White 050505 (2005) wich is already a good CD towards plain, classic, Simple Minds wall of sound was it was known through the 80s. Read more
Published on 1 Aug 2009 by Carlos J. T. Loureiro
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