Simple Minds Album: “New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) [DVD Audio]”

While Simple Minds are more associated with their bombastic stadium euro-rock, this subdued album of psychedelic electronica is, for me, their defining moment.

The production (by Peter Walsh, who recently returned to produced 1998's "Neapolis") is crisp and clean.

Simple Minds used to write songs initially by "jamming" and building up into something. This method of creation is evident on New Gold Dream (as well as 1984's excellent but more noisy "Sparkle In The Rain").

I bought this when it was originally released in America and was surprised to find Herbie Hancock guesting on keyboards on a track, but it does work and his work is very subtle and effective.

Although I haven't been a fan of Simple Minds' more recent music (haven't heard "Neapolis", which has been getting better reviews), this will always be a classic for me - an album I can put on at any time and enjoy from beginning to end.

I have all 11 Simple Minds studio cds, and I am often offended that they are viewed as a sub-par band. Since 1979, they have been one of Scotland's finest exports. Though they are accused of sounding like U2 (which is great, really), they are their own band. Just listen to Life in a Day (1979), Reel to Real Cacophony (1979), Empires and Dance (1980), Sons and Fascination/Sister Feelings Call (1981), New Gold Dream 81-82-83-84 (1982) and Sparkle in the Rain (1984) and you know they don't sound like U2. Although New Gold Dream is probably viewed as one of Simple Minds best recordings I have to add that Sparkle in the Rain, Street Fighting Years (1989) and Real Life (1991) are all worth owning as well. New Gold Dream is exceptional in that the new wave music heard here is not like the other new wave music produced at that time. This is more sophisticated and richer in sound than most new wave recordings of the early 80's. Simple Minds were always much more than "Don't You (Forget About Me)", and look at what American did, they forgot about Simple Minds except for that song. Shame. They are a great band, I've seen them play live in a small venue and they were great. New Gold Dream, Sparkle in the Rain, Street Fighting Years and Real Life are all must haves for rock collectors.

This is truly one of the great innovative, alternative albums in my all-time best music collection. The songs flow from one track to the next with a great deep mood inspired aura that keeps the listener in a virtual trance. Although, I usually prefer a more rythmic electronic dance style beat, there is something about this album that gives you the feel at a speed much slower than techno. If you've heard some of The Simple Minds more popular and often "simple" subsequent albums then you will be greatly surprised and impressed with this effort. I can listen to this album over and over without ever growing tired of the sound. Although, it's several years old now, it still sounds fresh, innovative and light years ahead of most of the so-called alternative garbage of today. I'd recommend this album highly along with anything by SINGLE GUN THEORY and one album by WILD SWANS entitled "Bringing Home The Ashes" which is probably the best unknown album (the lyrics/sound are incredible) of all-time (in my humble opinion).

Hey, be very careful. This is a masterpiece of music from eighties, top end of new age era. The album definitely deserved DVD-A and DTS 96/24 surround treatment and I have to admit that it has been done with maximum care. You do not need to look any further if you want to be in sound and music heaven.

***** stars for the music.

***** stars for the surround sound.

Full five stars for everything related to this album and DVD AUDIO release (except unreadable booklet).

If one ever takes notice of lists that describe the best albums ever made - one always feels dismayed when a masterpiece such as this is overlooked.

What words and phrases can be used to describe this album? 'New Gold Dream' is wonderfully articulated in all of its power and mysticism. Listening to it at this very moment - it's truly hypnotic.

Simple Minds seem to have gone through major musical changes to varying degrees. They began with a raw electronic sound with overt synthesized textures ('Real to Real Cacophony') and then developed a more polished sound ('New Gold Dream'/'Sparkle in the Rain'). From 1985 onwards (my least favourable period) they aspired to an American 'pop sound' ('Once Upon A Time'). Towards the end of the 80s and early 90s their production seemed for overburdening itself ('Street Fighting Years').

Having said that - 'New Gold Dream' is my favourite of all their releases.

Track 1 - 'Someone Somewhere in Summertime': contains a bass riff to knock you out.

Track 2 - 'Colours Fly and Catherine Wheel': hypnotic vocals accompany a trick drum beat and spiralling synthesized textures.

Track 3* - 'Promised You a Miracle': mixing a range of tempos and brilliant in every way possible.

Track 4 - 'Big Sleep': sensual rhythms and vocals.

Track 5 - 'Somebody Up There Likes You': catchy piece of music.

Track 6* - 'New Gold Dream 81-82-83-84': shimmering and uptempo synthesized textures that erupt into chorus.

Track 7* - 'Glittering Prize': just awesome.

Track 8* - 'Hunter and the Hunted': striking and haunting at the same time. Full of angst and passion.

Track 9 - 'King is White and in the Crowd': solemn and pervasive.

Speaking in terms of formal, stylistic and thematic concerns - this CD scores a ten out of ten and beyond.

*denotes favourites