Lostboy!
aka Jim Kerr

The person directly involved has stated that he is very satisfied, happy, and enthusiastic. He also said he would feel bad if someone were to describe this record as a new endeavor by Simple Minds under a different guise, and he would consider it unfair especially towards his co-authors in the Simple Minds.

I read all of this before writing, but even then, I already had the intention to write exactly, precisely, that stuff he dislikes...

Yes, guys, because it's exactly precisely that stuff.

What do I mean? A Simple Minds record, and quite a good one too. Of course, one might argue, the band's classic sound isn’t there, so identifiable, especially in terms of guitars and drums. Counter-argument: for a very long period, especially in the nineties, it was the band itself that gave up its own sound, only to return to it in the last studio albums.

In short: the voice is the same (obviously), the type of songs too (perhaps this time slightly more interesting).

But the real question is: could one have expected something different?

Let's take the example of Paul McCartney: the albums by Fireman are, objectively, a parallel project, where the "Macca sound" is strongly present, but the mushy ballad is forsaken, the sometimes unnecessary high notes, the more melodic "Beatles-like" elements are set aside to make room for noise, creativity, atmosphere...in short..., fundamentally, for the more "progressive" "Beatles-like" elements.

Here, even to an ear that is passionate and (I believe) knowledgeable in matters of Simple Minds, everything seems to be little, very little more than a mere matter of sound, in the sense that that guitar and that (returned...not always present...) drum are glaringly missing. The rest navigates (although pleasantly) always among the same harbors, with riffs aiming to be quickly memorized, a seductive voice, and a strong sense of song.

Are we complaining, then? Obviously not. The record is good, flows well, and keeps good company. It falls just under the excellent (and currently latest) "Graffiti Soul" by Simple Minds, but not by much.

It’s just not clear about the pseudonym which, in the final version of the album, has almost disappeared (initially, it seems it was all supposed to be attributed to Lostboy...while now Kerr's name stands strong and clear on the cover).

Full marks to a very honest and - I believe - underrated craftsman.