release date: Feb. 6, 1984
format: cd (2003 remaster)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,42]
producer: Steve Lillywhite
label: Virgin Records - nationality: Scotland, UK
Track highlights: 1. "Up on the Catwalk" - 3. "Speed Your Love to Me" - 4. "Waterfront" - 6. "Street Hassle" - 7. "White Hot Day"
6th studio album by Simple Minds follows the band's so far biggest album success, New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) and it's the first and only album with producer Steve Lillywhite.
The album follows the same stylistic recipe as its predecessor, and it became the band's first to top the UK albums chart list - it also topped the list in New Zealand, scored high in the Scandinavian countries but peaked at number #64 on Billboard 200 in the US. The album spawned three singles with the first, "Waterfront" faring best, peaking just outside top-10 on the singles chart list; however, it became the band's first #1 single hit as it topped the charts in New Zealand. On previous albums, Jim Kerr was credited exclusively as lyricist and the band as composer of the music, but here all tracks, except a cover by Lou Reed (#6), are credited the band.
The album became an even greater success than New Gold Dream by its stronger mainstream appeal. Imho, the album isn't the strong original release but more of a 'safe' album that doesn't stir up anything, and despite containing several fine songs, it doesn't really contain true greatness. It's solid workmanship and nicely produced, but it's not one of my favourites.
