Simple Minds Album: “Cry”

Here is my UPDATE after 3 years of owning this album, also a few words about the plagiarist comment.

I still love all the songs, the album doesn't get old to me, I love all of them... the only ones I don't hit the "repeat" button to are Cry, Cry Again and Slave Nation. I find myself hitting repeat on the others everytime I hear the album.. Oh well! :)

I just heard the Indestructible song from Mr Matthew's Band (or whatever). Comparing Cry with Indestructible is like comparing Disconnected to the Macarena. I only found that the guitar intro is similar but the songs in themselves are completely different from each other. Cry is a Pop song while Indestructible is an Alternative-Rock song, someone must have heard one on the radio expecting the other, but gosh, saying SM are plagiarist because the guitar intro of a song? The music is different, the lyrics are different, this guy must be too into whoever the other artist is, Simple Minds have been playing for 29-30 years and have plenty of fame to have to steal music from other people, who knows if the guitar intro was developed by someone else and they just both used it on their music with permissions! Geez!

--------------------My Old Review-------------------------

Ok I had the privilege of listening to the demos and the pre-releases before buying the CD. But buying the CD was worth every cent. The finished work sounds so professional and it's perfect. I couldn't ask for a most perfect compilation.

Songs I absolutely fell in love with within ONE day are:

3. New Sunshine Morning

4. One Step Closer (this is the best song!)

5. Face In The Sun (peaceful, if you are alone this is the best)

6. Disconnected (lot of people say it sounds like the Macarena but this song has so much more style than the Macarena).

8. Sugar (oh this is my favorite!)

9. Sleeping Girl (did I say Sugar is my favorite?... huh... well I guess I can say this is my favorite too! ;) )

10. Cry Again (slower version of cry)

12. The Floating World (this song is a cool techno tune)

This Simple Minds CD sounds so much different than anything they have ever recorded. But it's great you wont regret buying it.

I am editing this review after ONE year since I purchased it, to me this album is still within my list of favourites. And although the sound is dramatically different from their first CD (Life In A Day), it is evident that they have evolved in a very pleasant and decent way, I thought I wasn't a fan of POP music till I bought this album, keep up the good work and I can't wait for the next one!

"Cry" is Simple Minds' twelfth studio cd, and a welcome return to form for Simple Minds fans in America that have kept up with the band since their fall from the top 40 in 1986. "Cry" offers a Simple Minds that sounds refreshed after the lackluster "Neapolis" (1998) and "Good News From The Next World" (1995). There are sure to be new Simple Minds classics such as "Cry", "New Sunshine Morning", "One Step Closer", "Disconnected" and "Cry Again". The band has not tried to drastically change their sound so much as tinker with it and create some fine pop songs along the way. Certainly the techno sounds on "One Step Closer", "Disconnected" and most notably Vince Clarke's (Depeche Mode, Yaz, Erasure) fine keyboard and production values on "The Floating World" certainly enhance the old Simple Minds sound. "New Sunshine Morning" seems as every bit as moving as "Waterfront", "Alive And Kicking" and "She's A River". So, you may wonder, why only four stars? Well, this isn't Simple Minds best work such as "Street Fighting Years", "Once Upon A Time", "Sparkle In The Rain", and "New Gold Dream", but it is superior to "Neapolis" and anything prior to "New Gold Dream". I have to say that this is the most enjoyable Minds' cd since 1991's "Real Life", and it's a step in the right direction for the band. If Jim Kerr continues with a couple more cds like this, continuing to refine and tinker with the band's sound, they should easily be back in the limelight. I'm tired of the comparisons to U2, the band deserves their own respect, they've worked hard for it, and they're still alive and kicking after 23 years, which is more than most bands can muster. As with most cds, there are a couple of tracks that could have/should have been left off. These would be "Slave Nation", "Sugar" and "Face In The Sun" because they all prevent the steady flow of the disc and because they all overreach their objective in trying to push the band in a different direction and not quite doing it. But still, if you are a Simple Minds fan, or are thinking about re-introducing yourself to them, do not hesitate to check this out. You will not be disappointed.

I didn't mind the big sound of "Real Life" and "Good News . . .", because the experience of Jim and Charlie, their sure hand, made the music work. "Neapolis" on the other hand was a mess, a change of direction that seemed to leave them rootless and unsure of themselves. I contrast "Neapolis" with the polished work of the Fixx on "Elemental", which came out around the same time, from similary-situated musicians. One group knew who they were and the other didn't. Maybe it was just a matter of admitting the brass ring would never come around again and concentrating on the songs.

Anyway, "Cry" is a welcome relief. This CD is packed with songs familiar to those listening to alternative electronic rock, call it "new wave" if you like, a group of songs that float through as a piece, mostly, and create a mood. It sounds very much like New Order in places, but Kerr is a far superior singer and the melodies are stronger than the beat. It's not what I expected from Jim and Charlie maybe, but it fits them very well. Kerr's voice turns out to be perfect at floating along with the arrangements in a seamless way, and his vocal sound is responsible for many of the hooks, which are numerous. The big key of course is that the melodies here are much more pleasant than in "Neapolis", parts of which I found to be unlistenable. On my MP3 playlist only "Glitterball" survives, but "Cry" lives as a solid piece of work; only "Floating World" got the heave-ho.

Also welcome is the change in attitude, from big social concept songs - we're a big important group like U-2, so you better listen to us; uggh - to the songs on "Cry", which appear to be about simple things like relationships with girls. Maybe it's the Italian influence on Kerr (he looks Neopolitan on the CD art), a little more laid back. There's little, if anything, that beats you over the head with a message.

You know, I suspect they may have received a bigger commercial greeting with this album if they had done so under another name. None of the modern music followers will listen to this, and those stuck in the Simple Minds past will view it as a sell out. Pity, but gentlemen, carry on. I'll take more just like this; keep working on the hooks and maintaining the groove and you may be surprised what happens. Right now "Cry" is my favorite CD of the week. After "Neapolis" I never thought that could happen.

After my first listening of 'Cry' I was disappointed. It did not sound anything like 'New Gold Dream' or 'Sparkle in the Rain' (which I think we all secretly hope their albums will sound like). But after listening to 'Cry' for the past three weeks or so I found that I really like it for what it is. The songs are all catchy as I find myself singing a different one in my mind during the day when I am not listening to it. The songs are different (as opposed to 'She's a River' where they all sounded alike) and well written. 'Cry' is more of a laid back, easy listening album (as opposed to NGD and SITR which were tense and energetic). It looks like Jim Kerr gave a good effort on this one (It is interesting that Charlie Burchill did not assist in writing the songs). I am really enjoying this one.

The most commercially sound Simple Minds record since "Once upon a time".

Catchy choruses, keyboards driven melodies, and experimenting with new voice effects for Jim Kerr.

If you're a long time Simple Minds fan, it's the early days with 20 years experience; just great.

Some may whine at the techno sounds, and i'm no techno fan, but it fits the mould perfectly here.

If you liked U2's "all that you...", you'll love "Cry",

It sounds alike at times, but I always thought Simple Minds have a more down to earth, humble way about them.

Great buy.