Disco de Simply Red: “Stars”

Simply Red have been my favourite band since Stars was released in 1991. Since then, I have bought every album on cassette, CD and vinyl. I am literally obsessed.

That said, I would like to point out that this is the first review I have written online. I have always felt that Simply Red's music has "sung" for itself, but I felt compelled to write this review at 1am to put my two cents in.

Stars is a Pop Music Masterpiece. Mick Hucknall is the greatest Pop singer since Sinatra (see him sing live if you don't believe me). This is not to be compared to Rock & Roll - The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Led Zepplin, Pink Floyd, even Elvis Presley are all responsible for music being so ecclectic today and are far more important than any other Artists in history.

"Stars" contains some true moments of brilliance, most notably "How Could I Fall", the most beautiful ballad in Simply Red's repertoire (yes, even more so than "Holding Back the Years"). "Funny how the things that you can never have needle you more," Mick sings plaintively, and if your heart isn't breaking at that point, I don't want to know. "Something Got Me Started" is immediately infectious, and "Freedom" and "Wonderland" provide the by-now-expected political statements. Overall, "Stars" can be said (for better or worse) to represent a "kinder, gentler" Simply Red. I can't emphsasize strongly enough that "How Could I Fall" is worth the price of the entire album.

Originally bought the cassette years ago and LOVED it, but over the years lost track of it and haven't played it in a long time. Am in the process of switching over to CDs and decided to add this to my collection. Just listened to it today (for the first time in years) and it's just as great as I remember it. Jazz, R&B, rock and easy-listening all wrapped up in one terrific album.

1.)Something Got Me Started:Highly jumpy,upbeat tune.A great wake-up call.****

2.)Stars:Heard straight after SGMS,it sounds kind of repetitive.But the title song is the perfect song to play in the car on a long journey.****

3.)Thrill Me:Lovely,smooth,slenderous track with a superb base.***

4.)Your Mirror:A homage to SR's earlier society songs (Money's Too Tight To Mention,et al),this is well meaning,but Mick should really leave this kind of thing to UB40.***

5.)She's Got It Bad:Sweeping drum & bass track,truly gets you in a rock and roll mood.****

6.)For Your Babies:My personal favourite on the album.Hucknall's excellent singing voice truly breaks through this marvellous,slender track that I would request to be played on Our Tune.****and a half

7.)Model:Slow,sexy dance floor track with bizarre lyrics.***

8.)How Could I Fall:Lovely saxaphone melody breaks through the beginning of this cool track,and Mick's pro voice of course.***and a half

9.)Freedom:Bolting,funky track to round off the best with.And no ,that's not William Wallace shouting out the title.****

10.)Wonderland:This is the final song,and alas,it's the worst.Dour,uninspiring,just plain (junk).In fact,it sounds like Mick and the gang were putting in an audition for the end of Seseme Street.*

Bought this to replace one of my old favorite cassettes that is all scratched and worn out, nice to hear all the tracks clean and clear again.