This came out in 2001 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
Let’s say you’re an ’80s pop band. Whaddaya do when the hits stop coming? Join the classic-rock circuit? Get day jobs? Retire?
Well, if you’re Simple Minds, you take a step back and become a cover band again. For their umpteenth album, Jim Kerr and co. step into the way-back machine and tackle 10 timeless tunes from various sectors of the music universe: Van Morrison’s Gloria, David Bowie’s Man Who Sold the World, Pete Shelley’s Homosapien, The Doors’ Hello I Love You, Neil Young’s Needle and the Damage Done, The Velvet Underground’s All Tomorrow’s Parties, Joy Division’s Love Will Tear Us Apart and the Kraftwerk title cut. Funnily enough, most end up sounding pretty much like Simple Minds, once the band slathers on the shimmering, slick synthesizers and Kerr starts a-crooning in that supple voice of his. So even if they can’t beat ’em, at least they can join ’em.
