Simple Minds Album: “Once Upon A Time”

There is not a weak musical spot to this production, arguably one of Simple Minds' most solid and cohesive. This album is a tribute to a decade (the eighties) and great musicianship that never dies. Two decades after the album's release it still enjoys a current sound the survived through the musical mill of grunge, techno, post-punk and many other genres. My particular favorites are "Sanctify Yourself", "Oh Jungleland" and one of the most upbeat songs ever: "Alive and Kicking", a song that will lift an elefant out of its sleep.

I really can't believe it...no one has reviewed this album, which implies that it has truly been forgotten. What a shame because this is a great (and hugely successful) mid-80's album for Simple Minds that followed on the heels of their massive hit single, "Don't You Forget About Me," from "The Breakfast Club" (or one of those John Hughes movies). Although this doesn't contain that song, it has some other huge hits: "Alive & Kicking" and "Sanctify Yourself," in particular. The whole album is solid, though, with a balanced sound that, although a bit dated in an 80's way (lots of synthesizer washes, every click on the drum is audible), still sounds appealing today. Jim Kerr is at his best singing Bono-like anthems. It's too bad Simple Minds never really capitalized on this album's success, waiting a couple of years for a live follow-up. For awhile it looked like they were going to take off into the stratosphere. Take a chance on this somewhat forgotten album and group. You'll hear some of the best rock of the 80's.

Don't pay attention to the review below. He, or she, is confusing Simple Minds with U2, in regard to the Wide Awake in America cd. When judging that, don't pay attention to the review. Everytime I listen to this cd, I get a good feeling from all the tracks. I think it rates well with New Gold Dream and Sparkle in the Rain. It sounds more like New Gold Dream than people think!!

ONCE UPON A TIME is a wonderful album by Simple Minds, an 80s Scottish band who, along with The Police, U2, REM, INXS, The Call, The Clash, The Cars, Midnight Oil, a few other 80s new-wavers, a number of 80s hard rock bands, and all of the great rockers of the 60s and 70s, may now be considered "classic rock." This album spun off three hit singles, and most of the others could have been hits as well. The fact that this band advocates sanctions against Indonesia in retaliation for that country's trumped-up 2005 drug-smuggling conviction of a young Australian tourist only makes this album more worth owning. This album and SPARKLE IN THE RAIN should be the first Simple Minds CDs you purchase.