Album Review

Simple Minds – Graffiti Soul

• 24th May 2009

Back once again Simple Minds return to knock a few tracks out, raise a little bit of awareness, and perhaps impress us with their continual talent.

Charlie Burchill remains and always will be a fabulous guitarist livening up any tune he comes near. Kerr remains politically lively and always relevant. Bringing the two together again here sees a step up in their game from recent years.

“Rockets” is perhaps a song that has all the highlights of the band. It sounds like Kerr, It sounds like Burchill, it’s a Simple Minds track, but perhaps far too easy to listen to and dispose of after. It isn’t ringing in our ears afterwards like so many of their bigger hits were able to do. “Stars Will Lead the Way” is perhaps stronger for the music and does leave a lasting impression. The best Simple Minds songs are the ones that are usually recognisable from their opening notes and this does not disappoint. But again the production value seems to have the reins held a bit too tightly where the music needs to be completely unleashed. It is still a strong song though. “Light Travels” finally shows Kerr’s ability to use that voice where it counts and give us something new to admire.

The band can’t be criticised for the album being so short (8 tracks) as a lot of their discography have been of the 8 or 9 track verity. And this is a band of Quality over quantity. But sometimes where there is acceptable pop there is a dire need for some face slapping Rock. Simple Minds haven’t lost it, just misplaced it. This album goes a long way puting them back where they belong, with the winners.