Simple Minds - Cry (2002) Limited Edition

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Simple Minds - Cry (2002) Limited Edition

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That the opening bars to Cry finds Jim Kerr opining "It's difficult to love you when you do the things you do time and time again" almost implies that the hideously unfashionable Simple Minds are once again anticipating getting stabbed in the buttocks by poison pens and have decided to save their critics the bother by writing the reviews for them. Well, if that's the case, they've done themselves a little bit of an injustice. The good news–and from this world, not the next–is that Jim Kerr has not reneged on his commitment to making an indecently modest pop record, one where any delusional notions of stadium rock empires are held in check and where melody is a stronger currency than reverb and hot air. Although the cleaner-than-a-kitchen-showroom production is out of step with the contemporary, scuffed-up sounds of "now"–Simple Minds remain hamstrung by their own outmoded brand of professionalism–Cry has more than enough decent tunes to entice persons beyond the well-creased folds of their fan base. Indeed, sparklers such as the Vince Clarke-penned instrumental "The Floating World" (a satisfying instance of Eurosynth deja-vu), the insouciant strum of "Lazy Lately", the slight but rotation-friendly "Spaceface" and the typically traditional fare of "One Step Closer" all cajole the listener into thinking the unthinkable, that 2001's Best of Simple Minds compilation may have arrived a tad too hastily. Happily, Cry is more of a cause for joy than tears.

Review by Kevin Maidment

"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.

Review by Jason Stein, Amazon.com

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Simple Minds - Cry (2002) Limited Edition

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Simple Minds - Cry (2002) Limited Edition

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Simple Minds - Cry (2002) Limited Edition

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