Simple Minds
Real Life

THE REVIEW

"Real Life" represents the ultimate test for Simple Minds. In fact, McNeil, after the mega tour of "Street Fighting Years," leaves the group. The point is that it was not just one of the founders of the Scottish band who left, but one of the greatest and most enlightened keyboardists in the history of music.
The back of the album is eloquent, showing only Kerr, Burchill, and Gaynor! To support the trio, Stephen Lipson, a multi-instrumentalist and producer already present in "Street Fighting Years," and Malcom Foster on bass are called upon, even though the latter has been in the band since the previous tour.

"Real Life" is an album that breaks with the band's recent past; in short, it is an introspective and very "private" album.
The title track is amazing; the introductory keyboard, Burchill's arpeggio and riffs, Kerr's ethereal voice, and the evocative rhythm make it an exceptional piece, which would have deserved to launch the album instead of "Let There Be Love".
What has been said about the title track applies to "See The Lights", another beautiful song full of musical suffering.
The album gains power with "Stand By Love", where Gaynor and the bass support a song that shakes you from the first to the last second, and with "Travelling Man", a superb song.
With "Rivers Of Ice", the keyboard/vocal interplay gives you chills for the sweetness of a perfect ballad.