The band then returned for the first time in almost three decades to Rockfield Studios, near Monmouth in
It's easy to forget that during the era of Brat Pack movies and Live Aid, Glaswegian outfit Simple Minds was U2's biggest challenger for the globe-straddling stadium rock crown. But while Bono and co. went on to take over the world, the status of Jim Kerr and his ever-changing lineup has since been relegated to the kind of VH1 Remember the '80s nostalgia territory. They may have slipped under the radar since their last genuine hit, 1995's "Good News from the Next World", but contrary to belief, the band hasn't just been sitting on the royalties from its iconic '80s anthems, but have continued to carve out a rather prolific, if largely unnoticed, recording career. Following 2005's return to form, "Black & White" their 15th studio album and their fifth 2000s effort, "Graffiti Soul", they continue to rehabilitate their reputation, which was slightly sullied by their sometimes overwrought and pompous '90s efforts. Produced by longtime collaborator Jez Coad, and featuring original members Charlie Burchill and Mel Gaynor, alongside bassist Eddy Duffy, several of its ten tracks were written on the same kitchen table in Glasgow where Kerr penned most of their early material, giving the album a reassuring back-to-basics feel which echoes the glossy art rock of their early-'80s prime. Full of their trademark crashing guitars, spacy synths, and Kerr's broodingly impassioned vocals, rousing lead single "Rockets," fist-pumping anthem "This Is It," and the slow-burning "Kiss and Fly" could all have appeared on the likes of Sparkle in the Rain and "Once Upon a Time". But elsewhere, there's a slight Krautrock feel to the likes of opening track "Moscow Underground," a moody and low-key slice of throbbing, Eno-esque underground disco, the rumbling basslines and inspired use of dulcimers on "Blood Type O," and the mystical shimmering of the Bowie-influenced "Light Travels," all of which make it surprising that Berlin wasn't a stop-off point in the trans-European recording process. A faithful cover version of Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World" rounds up the proceedings, while a bonus edition featuring reworkings of songs by Massive Attack, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Joan Armatrading provides an extra treat for their loyal fan base. But Graffiti Soul stands up on its own merits. Simple Minds may have been left in the dust by U2 a long time ago, but released just weeks apart from the aforementioned's disappointing No Line on the Horizon, it's Simple Minds who surprisingly emerge victorious from this battle.
02. "Rockets" (Charlie Burchill, Gordy Goudie, Jim Kerr) - 4:36
03. "Stars Will Lead the Way" (Charlie Burchill, Jim Kerr) - 3:26
04. "Light Travels" (Charlie Burchill, Jez Coad, Jim Kerr) - 4:12
05. "Kiss and Fly" (Charlie Burchill, Andy Gillespie, Jim Kerr) - 5:01
06. "Graffiti Soul" (Charlie Burchill, Andy Gillespie, Jim Kerr) - 4:48
07. "Blood Type 0" (Charlie Burchill, Jez Coad, Jim Kerr) - 3:49
08. "This Is It" (Charlie Burchill, Jim Kerr) - 4:55
09. "Shadows and Light" (Charlie Burchill, Jim Kerr) - 2:56
02. "A Song from Under the Floorboards" (Magazine) - 4:39
03. "Christine" (Siouxsie and the Banshees) - 3:13
04. "(Get A) Grip (On Yourself)" (The Stranglers) - 3:53
05. "Let the Day Begin" (The Call) - 3:02
06. "Peace, Love and Understanding" (Nick Lowe) - 3:34
07. "Teardrop" (Massive Attack) - 5:33
08. "Whiskey in the Jar" (Thin Lizzy) - 4:00
09. "Sloop John B" (The Beach Boys) - 4:35
Jim Kerr - Vocals
Charlie Burchill - Guitars & Keyboards
Eddie Duffy - Bass
Mel Gaynor - Drums
Charlie Burchill - Guitar, Keyboards
Gordy Goudie - Guitar, Keyboards
Andy Gillespie - Keyboards
Tom Hooper - Percussion
Jez Coad - Drums, Timpani
Backing Vocals – Gordy Goudie , Jez Coad , Katie Kissoon, Sonia Jones
Engineer [Assistant] – Ben Cunningham
Engineer – Arjen Mensinga, Mark Bishop, Simon Dawson
Mastered By – Bob Ludwig
Mixed By – Bob Clearmountain
Mixed By [Assistant] – Brandon Duncan
Producer [Additional Pre-Production] – Andy Gillespie, Gordy Goudie, Kevin Burleigh
Producer: Jez Coad, Simple Minds
Recorded at Rockfield Studios, with additions from The Honey Factory, LOFI Studios,The Engine Room
Genre: Rock
Length: 42:52
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