The Album Review Club - Week #192 (page 1292) - 3ft High & Rising - De La Soul

[BimboBob]

Oooooohhh now you’re talking. I’ve got Viva stashed away somewhere. Might have to give that a quick blast next time I’m on my own

Deutsch Amerikanische Freundschaft for me. Der Mussolini is a great 12".

 

[FogBlueInSanFran]

Jim Kerr then married Patsy Kensit who later married Gallagher Jr who later married an All Saint and is now with his business manager (I think). They're all mad.

Anyway, SM - Sparkle is ok but the start of the decline IMO. Some good songs but not a great album like New Gold Dream and the production was too bombastic for me. Forbes was edging himself out the band as he openly admits and was a huge part of their songwriting, but he thought he was Champagne Charlie Nicholas & Frankie "where's the birds" McAvennie combined.

I find New Gold kind of dull and too “regal” for me though I don’t mind it. Sparkle has more bite and is definitely more beat-forward. But you’re right about the stadium thing for sure — that’s why it’s junk (albeit great junk I think). After this record they morphed from stadium rock aspirations to stadium pop realiz(s)ations, and I waved good bye.

 

[C90]

I find New Gold kind of dull and too “regal” for me though I don’t mind it. Sparkle has more bite and is definitely more beat-forward. But you’re right about the stadium thing for sure — that’s why it’s junk (albeit great junk I think). After this record they morphed from stadium rock aspirations to stadium pop realiz(s)ations, and I waved good bye.

I've been listening to Sons & Fascination/SFC recently. If they'd put Theme for Great Cities and The American on it instead of dicking about with the SFC extra album it would be unbeatable IMO. Not sure whose idea that was but I'll have a guess it was Herr Kerr.

 

[BimboBob]

I find New Gold kind of dull and too “regal” for me though I don’t mind it. Sparkle has more bite and is definitely more beat-forward. But you’re right about the stadium thing for sure — that’s why it’s junk (albeit great junk I think). After this record they morphed from stadium rock aspirations to stadium pop realiz(s)ations, and I waved good bye.

Both bands started out in the late 70's as innovators in post punk early synth songs. Both bands had hits, maybe OMD had marginally more, and then both bands fantastically crashed and burned by over producing everything and chasing the dollar. OMD marginally kill it again by having songs in two of John Hughes' teen angst films.

Whilst I can forgive OMD as they readily admit they fucked up, Simple Minds just carried on up their own arse.

Saying that, both are now fantastic in concert and play a hell of a lot of their early stuff. I still have shivers at what might have been with Simple Minds as their early stuff was amazing.

 

[BimboBob]

I've been listening to Sons & Fascination/SFC recently. If they'd put Theme for Great Cities and The American on it instead of dicking about with the SFC extra album it would be unbeatable IMO. Not sure whose idea that was but I'll have a guess it was Herr Kerr.

Allegedly they thought they had written two albums worth so why not "give" the second album out as a freebie to the first 10,000 customers. The fact that they ran out of money during the making of it which left some tracks "unfinished" showed what was to become of them later on. Pompous twats.

 

[shackattack]

Jim Kerr then married Patsy Kensit who later married Gallagher Jr who later married an All Saint and is now with his business manager (I think). They're all mad.

Anyway, SM - Sparkle is ok but the start of the decline IMO. Some good songs but not a great album like New Gold Dream and the production was too bombastic for me. Forbes was edging himself out the band as he openly admits and was a huge part of their songwriting, but he thought he was Champagne Charlie Nicholas & Frankie "where's the birds" McAvennie combined.

Patsy Kensit also had a fling with Mick Head when he was younger - she obviously has a thing for musicians.
I did tickets for Simple Minds around the time of this album and there was some big songs on it but preferred the more basic sound of Life In A Day.

 

[FogBlueInSanFran]

Both bands started out in the late 70's as innovators in post punk early synth songs. Both bands had hits, maybe OMD had marginally more, and then both bands fantastically crashed and burned by over producing everything and chasing the dollar. OMD marginally kill it again by having songs in two of John Hughes' teen angst films.

Whilst I can forgive OMD as they readily admit they fucked up, Simple Minds just carried on up their own arse.

Saying that, both are now fantastic in concert and play a hell of a lot of their early stuff. I still have shivers at what might have been with Simple Minds as their early stuff was amazing.

Re OMD I may or may not nominate Dazzle Ships in future, which along with Architecture and Morality, is my favo(u)rite, with DS shading it in part because it’s odd and I love the broadcast fragments. I didn’t mind Junk Culture but after that it got too bog-standard poppy for me. Be interesting to hear the board's views on Tears For Fears while we’re on that topic.

 

[C90]

Patsy Kensit also had a fling with Mick Head when he was younger - she obviously has a thing for musicians.
I did tickets for Simple Minds around the time of this album and there was some big songs on it but preferred the more basic sound of Life In A Day.

Really?! I've been listening to PF/Shack/MH since mid 80s and never knew that. Patsy was also married to the BAD keyboard player who was a handsome fella (Dan Donovan). And her dad was a famous thief, Jimmy the Dip although that's probably an urban myth like most of the Krays stories.

Simple Minds top 5 (imo)
1. Sons & Fascination/SFC
2. New Gold Dream
3. Empires & Dance
4. Real to Real Cacophony

 

[C90]

Whilst I can forgive OMD as they readily admit they fucked up, Simple Minds just carried on up their own arse.

I think OMD were having cocaine breakfasts mid 80s. Kerr & Co just got carried away until every one left apart from Charlie, much like Echo = McCull & Will Sergeant, it's just a business now, although the current SM is an abomination.

 

[bennyboy]

That’s probably my favourite - still got the 12inch version somewhere. Think I had most of their vinyl at one point.

The other blast from my past was Spear of Destiny who were great live. Happy times, if not a little dated when listened to now.

Saw them a few times live.As you said great the time.
Classic line up of Kirk Brandon,Stan Stammers,Dolphin Taylor,Neil Pyzer,Mickey Donnelly and Alan St Clair were brilliant.
Grapes of Wrath and One Eyed Jacks brilliant albums.

 

[C90]

Saw them a few times live.As you said great the time.
Classic line up of Kirk Brandon,Stan Stammers,Dolphin Taylor,Neil Pyzer,Mickey Donnelly and Alan St Clair were brilliant.
Grapes of Wrath and One Eyed Jacks brilliant albums.

First proper band I saw, Spear 1984 just before OEJ came out. The Cult were great that year too but went downhill in 1985.

 

[BimboBob]

Re OMD I may or may not nominate Dazzle Ships in future, which along with Architecture and Morality, is my favo(u)rite, with DS shading it in part because it’s odd and I love the broadcast fragments. I didn’t mind Junk Culture but after that it got too bog-standard poppy for me. Be interesting to hear the board's views on Tears For Fears while we’re on that topic.

Architecture and Morality is one of my favourite records. Grew to like Dazzle Ships but hated it at the time. A weird mix of early type songs fantastically over produced.

Tears For Fears first album was a doozy. I know they went for a more polished sound on the next one but it worked. Head Over Heels is a personal favourite. Also love Shout, especially the When The Levee Breaks drum pattern.

I also love the brilliantly over the top Sowing The Seeds of Love. An example of how throwing everything at a record actually works.

So yes...I quite like them!

 

[FogBlueInSanFran]

Architecture and Morality is one of my favourite records. Grew to like Dazzle Ships but hated it at the time. A weird mix of early type songs fantastically over produced.

Tears For Fears first album was a doozy. I know they went for a more polished sound on the next one but it worked. Head Over Heels is a personal favourite. Also love Shout, especially the When The Levee Breaks drum pattern.

I also love the brilliantly over the top Sowing The Seeds of Love. An example of how throwing everything at a record actually works.

So yes...I quite like them!

Agree with this entire assessment. I liked T4F In “both” incarnations too. Talented chaps! I do go back and forth between A&M and DS. If you asked me 10 or 15 years ago I might have said AM. I also think New Stone Age is one of my very favo(u)rite side one/track ones ever, one I bet not many folks would pick. I also love She’s Leaving and both J of A songs and effectively all the rest save Sealand which I think bogs the record down a trifle. DS was the first record I heard by them (introduced to me by the same fellow who introduced SITR to me) so that may be another reason I like it. I own all the first five on vinyl and I think the first three are imports; they’re in a box — I should check!

 

[FogBlueInSanFran]

Really?! I've been listening to PF/Shack/MH since mid 80s and never knew that. Patsy was also married to the BAD keyboard player who was a handsome fella (Dan Donovan). And her dad was a famous thief, Jimmy the Dip although that's probably an urban myth like most of the Krays stories.

Simple Minds top 5 (imo)
1. Sons & Fascination/SFC
2. New Gold Dream
3. Empires & Dance
4. Real to Real Cacophony

Make sure you score this one and I hope you become a regular nominator here too!

 

[Out on blue 6]

I would give this an 8. Not as good as Sons or New Gold Dream imo.
If anyone is interested on YouTube there are 2 performances from The Tube.
First is New Gold Dream songs and 2nd is Sparkle songs. Interesting snap shot of the band at the time with what's regarded as classic lineup.
Previous album would have been a 7. Not my favourite of theirs

 

[BimboBob]

Agree with this entire assessment. I liked T4F In “both” incarnations too. Talented chaps! I do go back and forth between A&M and DS. If you asked me 10 or 15 years ago I might have said AM. I also think New Stone Age is one of my very favo(u)rite side one/track ones ever, one I bet not many folks would pick. I also love She’s Leaving and both J of A songs and effectively all the rest save Sealand which I think bogs the record down a trifle. DS was the first record I heard by them (introduced to me by the same fellow who introduced SITR to me) so that may be another reason I like it. I own all the first five on vinyl and I think the first three are imports; they’re in a box — I should check!

I'm a saddo for A&M. The album cover came in three colours all of which I still have. And I love Sealand. Gives the album a nice slow down but it's in the wrong place. Needs to be the last track.

 

[bennyboy]

The dreaded early review from me.
Simple minds went from a group who showed promise to one i did not like from new gold dream onwards.
Any of the following lps i would have scored a lot higher.
Life in a Day
Empires and Dance.
Sons and Fascinations.
Weird how a breakthrough album New Gold Dream takes you to a direction you hate and you lose all interest in a band after and actually get to dislike them intensely.
Up on the Catwalk the only track i can give pass marks to.
The rest as bad as it gets from my point of view.
Wish he went out on the rain and kept on walking.
An extra point off because Kerr reeks of celtic.2/10.

 

[BlueHammer85]

Just giving the greatest hits a go as a warm up for this - is it uncool to say ‘Alive and Kicking’ and ‘Don’t You’ are great tracks ?

 

[RobMCFC]

Just giving the greatest hits a go as a warm up for this - is it uncool to say ‘Alive and Kicking’ and ‘Don’t You’ are great tracks ?

Not for me. I'm not a Simple Minds fan but I like some of their singles and there's nothing wrong with those two.

 

[Out on blue 6]

The dreaded early review from me.
Simple minds went from a group who showed promise to one i did not like from new gold dream onwards.
Any of the following lps i would have scored a lot higher.
Life in a Day
Empires and Dance.
Sons and Fascinations.
Weird how a breakthrough album New Gold Dream takes you to a direction you hate and you lose all interest in a band after and actually get to dislike them intensely.
Up on the Catwalk the only track i can give pass marks to.
The rest as bad as it gets from my point of view.
Wish he went out on the rain and kept on walking.
An extra point off because Kerr reeks of celtic.2/10.

Is Reeks Of Celtic their new after shave line?