Simple Minds

Artist: Simple Minds
Title: Sparkle in the Rain
Genre: Rock, New Wave, Synth-pop, Pop Rock
Label: © Universal Music
Release Date: 2015
Recorded: September–October 1983 at Monnow Valley Studio in Rockfield; The Town House in London
Quality: Blu-ray Audio
Length: 00:45:07 + 00:44:57 (Original 1984 Stereo Mix)
Video: MPEG-4 AVC 2002 kbps / 1080p / 23,976 fps / 16:9 / High Profile 4.1
Audio#1: English DTS-HD MA 5.1 / 96 kHz / 8310 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 6.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Audio#2: English LPCM 5.1 / 96 kHz / 13824 kbps / 24-bit
Audio#3: English LPCM 2.0 / 96 kHz / 4608 kbps / 24-bit

Sparkle in the Rain is the sixth studio album by Simple Minds, released on 6 February 1984. A breakthrough commercial success for the band, the record peaked at number one in the UK Albums Chart on 18 February 1984, and reached the top 20 in numerous other countries around the world, including New Zealand, Netherlands, Sweden, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, Norway, and Australia. Receiving mostly positive reviews in the United Kingdom and the United States, Sparkle in the Rain was ultimately certified double platinum in the UK by the British Phonographic Industry, and significantly increased media interest in the band.

Scotland’s Simple Minds get creative and passionate on Sparkle in the Rain, their seventh album released prior to their mid-’80s heyday of heralding the charts. Produced by Steve Lillywhite (U2, Morrissey, XTC, Psychedelic Furs), Sparkle in the Rain marks the band’s best effort thus far, capturing thick seascapes of illustrious lyrical visions. Frontman Jim Kerr’s anthemic love songs are political and personal, and synth-beats throb over Charlie Burchill’s new wave third-chord guitars and swooning basslines. Songs like “Waterfront” and “Book of Brilliant Things” are finely cut tracks with Simple Minds’ signature harking, but the glossy verse behind “Up on the Catwalk” is what’s most appealing. Piano vibes are pinch-hitting and Kerr’s songwriting thrives on celebrity and the falling grace that coincides that. Sparkle in the Rain is a glimpse of what’s to come from Simple Minds. Kerr’s heart-wrenching vocals soar and such emotion only leads to earning a global following. Like U2 did with 1984’s The Unforgettable Fire, Simple Minds will touch hearts by stripping their soul. The process has already begun on Sparkle in the Rain. –MacKenzie Wilson

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Artist: Simple Minds
Title: New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)
Genre: Rock , New Wave , Pop Rock , Synth-Pop
Label: © Virgin Records / Universal Music Group
Release Date: 1982 /2016
Quality: Blu-ray Audio
Length: 00:54:20
Video: MPEG-4 AVC 7997 kbps / 1080p / 23,976 fps / 16:9 / High Profile 4.1
Audio: English LPCM 2.0 / 96 kHz / 4608 kbps / 24-bit
Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1 / 96 kHz / 8379 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 6.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Audio: English LPCM 5.1 / 96 kHz / 13824 kbps / 24-bit

Blu-ray Audio pressing. Digitally remastered edition of this 1982 album by the Scottish outfit fronted by Jim Kerr. New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) is the fifth studio album by Simple Minds and was a turning point for the band as they gained critical and commercial success in the UK and Europe. The record generated a handful of singles: “Promised You a Miracle” (released in April 1982), “Glittering Prize” (August 1982) and “Someone Somewhere in Summertime” (November 1982). The title track saw a limited release in Italy, when the band visited the country during their tour in March 1983. In addition, the jazz keyboardist Herbie Hancock performed a synthesizer solo on the track “Hunter and the Hunted.”

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