Simple Minds - Big Music
Almost lives up to the title. As enjoyable as it is pompous.
Simple Minds have never been my favourite band, victims of the overblown production and, at times, purveyors of the overbearing self-importance that blighted the 80s.
Perhaps revitalised by appearing in NME's 100 Most Important Bands and being name-checked by the likes of the Manics, this is their best album since New Gold Dream. Not a classic,but fine nonetheless.
With the likes of Midnight Walking, Honest Town and Blood Diamonds, most of the album follows the established SM template. However, Human and Let The Day Begin are a little more contemporary and catchy as hell, whilst opener Blindfolded is an earworm of the highest order. The title track may be as pompous as the title suggests but makes a guilty pleasure.
Not one to attract a new fanbase but it will please existing fans and I have no doubt that these songs will be storming live.
(7/10)
