CD Review
This review was originally written by Jose Bernardo for www.theweeklyriff.com between 2008 and 2010.
These were Jose’s first impressions of the songs and were not written after multiple spins.
Artist: Simple Minds
Album: Graffiti Soul (2009 Universal Records)
Tracks: 8 + 2 bonus
Artist website: http://www.simpleminds.com
REVIEW OVERVIEW:
Graffiti Soul is the 16th studio album for Scottish rockers Simple Minds. Having just completed three decades of rocking in 2008, this new album does not show any signs of them stopping any time soon.
Hints of the band’s heyday sound from the late the 1980’s can still be heard in these newer tracks. The songs are definitely poppy and have infectious melodies that make them easy to remember. I really enjoyed that the arrangements are not “busy”.
Is this album “a return to form” as some critics and fans claim? Only time will tell. However, we really enjoyed this album.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Kiss & Fly, Graffiti Soul, This Is It, Rockin’ In The Free World
PLAY BY PLAY REVIEW
Track 1 – Moscow Underground
Mellow rock song.
Track 2 – Rockets
I feel like I’ve been instantly transported back to the late 1980’s with this song. Cool track.
Track 3 – Stars Will Lead The Way
This one transports me back to the early 1990’s.
Track 4 – Light Travels
Mellow pop song. This is for those who like songs to be more ambient.
Track 5 – Kiss & Fly
This is a more up tempo song that somehow manages to remain mellow and ambient. Very cool!
Track 6 – Graffiti Soul
The album’s title track is a very nice pop/rock song. I really enjoyed this track. (This should be a single.)
Track 7 – Blood Type O
Very sparse and minimalistic in instrumentation. This is a good track to chill to if you don’t mind lyrics in your relaxation music.
Track 8 – This Is It
I really like the guitar riff in the intro!
Track 9 – Shadows & Light (Bonus Track)
I almost feel like the band didn’t really know what to do with this track as This Is It feels like the album closer. However, this is a cute song that is rightly in the “bonus track” section.
Track 10 – Rockin’ In The Free World (Bonus Track)
This is definitely not the worst cover of this classic Neil Young song.
ADDITIONAL NOTES: (None)