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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Okay, so a few years later they blew it (largely due to Mick McNeil leaving the band and depriving them of the musical alchemy shared between himself and Mr.Burchill) but at this time in their career, Simple Minds had reached their peak. I disagree with anyone who slags this album off for being too "big" or "pompous". Yes it was, but so were Queen and so can U2 be, but isn't that why people love them???
I'm not taking anything away from the earlier albums "Life In Day", etc , "Sons and Fascination" had some great ideas and, arguable "New Gold Dream" is more subtle and mysterious and "Sparkle..." a some cracking tunes, but "Once Upon A Time" had greater ambitions and wanted to take this one step further.
Jimmy Iovine was an excellent choice of producer, and let's not forget, this was the mid 80s and it was the right choice of record for this time. As for the tunes. I would defend the beautiful symphonic melodies of the title track, "All The Things She Said" for its uplifting middle coda, "Alive and Kickings" fantastic singalong moments, "Sanctify Yourself" for it's sheer power, "Wish You Were Here's" old style Mind's subtlety and "Come Along Way" for it's sheer haunting playout (Mr.Gaynor's drums never sounded so good!). The lyrics are more direct and politically motivated, but so what, it was largely due to their campaigning that Nelson Mandela got out when he did - is this such a bad thing? And, come on, they couldn't carry on being a cross between Depeche Mode and Roxy Music forever, they'd already done that and bought the t-shirt! Yes, "Ghostdancing" was a new "I Travel" in sheep's clothing but give me "the car pulled up" middle eight anyday! "Oh Jungleland" is the weakest for me, but only because the others are so strong and works well live was an impassioned homage to lads hometown of Glasgow.
Obviously, I'm a fan of this album, but I simply love it for the years of, "hair on the back of the neck" moments it's given me. Sorry as I'm just rambling now! ...Don't let us forget about them in a hurry!!!
I'm not taking anything away from the earlier albums "Life In Day", etc , "Sons and Fascination" had some great ideas and, arguable "New Gold Dream" is more subtle and mysterious and "Sparkle..." a some cracking tunes, but "Once Upon A Time" had greater ambitions and wanted to take this one step further.
Jimmy Iovine was an excellent choice of producer, and let's not forget, this was the mid 80s and it was the right choice of record for this time. As for the tunes. I would defend the beautiful symphonic melodies of the title track, "All The Things She Said" for its uplifting middle coda, "Alive and Kickings" fantastic singalong moments, "Sanctify Yourself" for it's sheer power, "Wish You Were Here's" old style Mind's subtlety and "Come Along Way" for it's sheer haunting playout (Mr.Gaynor's drums never sounded so good!). The lyrics are more direct and politically motivated, but so what, it was largely due to their campaigning that Nelson Mandela got out when he did - is this such a bad thing? And, come on, they couldn't carry on being a cross between Depeche Mode and Roxy Music forever, they'd already done that and bought the t-shirt! Yes, "Ghostdancing" was a new "I Travel" in sheep's clothing but give me "the car pulled up" middle eight anyday! "Oh Jungleland" is the weakest for me, but only because the others are so strong and works well live was an impassioned homage to lads hometown of Glasgow.
Obviously, I'm a fan of this album, but I simply love it for the years of, "hair on the back of the neck" moments it's given me. Sorry as I'm just rambling now! ...Don't let us forget about them in a hurry!!!
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Vinyl
Simple Minds at their very best. With fabulous big anthems such as "Alive And Kicking" and Ghostdancing, "Once Upon A Time" is a classic by this Scottish Supergroup. Although the album marks a change in direction from the rawer-on-the-edge-alternative sound of previous albums, "Once Upon A Time" hearlds new chapter in the story of Simple Minds - that of international stars. If you like Simple Minds, you'll love this collection. And even if you don't love Simple Minds, "Once Upon A Time" is certainly worth having in your collection!
16 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This has always been one of my favourite albums. Having just finally bought it on CD from Amazon, I have spent a good deal of time already re-living the music that was the backdrop to my mid to late teens. Each song is fantastically well put together. Robin Clark's backing vocals soar in and out of such classics as 'Alive & Kicking' combining brilliantly with Jim's voice and Mel's drums. What else can I say - this is their best album. Buy it, play it and remember those amazing stadium gigs !
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
stunning album across the instrument spectrum
put this album in a decent hifi and bingo ! you have piano, female vocals and drums mixing in a way you have never heard before ! For me the result is sensational. Read more
Published 1 month ago by JrF
In the whole their best album
This is a masterpiece containing only beautiful songs. Maybe none of these tracks
reaches the peaks of two previous singles, "Someone somewhere in summertime" and... Read more
reaches the peaks of two previous singles, "Someone somewhere in summertime" and... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Lucazest
Worth every penny
There are far too many disgruntled U2 fans around trying to rubbish this album.So "ghostdancing" has a similar guitar riff to that of the Edge, so??? Read more
Published 20 months ago by MusicLover
Once Upon A Time
A great trip down memory lane, then a little bit more after listening to this album once again. My last copy was on cassette, and the digital remastering brings out the great... Read more
Published 20 months ago by nigel
I want to be U2 - Big Mistake
A hit song can be a mixed blessing. The crows nest seat aloft the singes chart is a satisfying (not to mention scary) perch, but imagine attaining it with someone else's song after... Read more
Published on 2 Mar 2010 by P. Frizelle
Pompous Stadium Rock at its cheesy best.
Arguably their most famous album because of its hit singles, this was Simple Minds at their commercial peak, not only were they one of the mos popular bands in the UK and Europe... Read more
Published on 1 July 2009 by T.K
Where it all went wrong....
Rating: 4/10
Best tracks: "Ghostdancing", "Alive and Kicking", "Once Upon a Time"
The seventh and biggest Simple Minds album of them all was where it started... Read more
Best tracks: "Ghostdancing", "Alive and Kicking", "Once Upon a Time"
The seventh and biggest Simple Minds album of them all was where it started... Read more
Published on 27 May 2009 by New Gold Dreamer
Simple minds at their best.
This is an example of stadium rock at it's best. Each song is well is a classic in it's own right. There is only eight tracks but it is the type of album that leaves you wanting... Read more
Published on 28 Mar 2003 by A E Jennings
Pales in comparison to U2
After the enormous success of Don`t you , Simple Minds set about recording this set of stadium friendly anthems following in the footsteps of U2 who had recently gone stellar in... Read more
Published on 12 Mar 2003 by "freaky_dancin"
Embracing the dark side
After the huge success of Sparkle In The Rain and its accompanying tour, Simple Minds next recording was a song called (Don't You) Forget About Me. Read more
Published on 4 Jun 2002 by F. Pearson
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