Customer Reviews: Read 7 more reviews...
  Mick's Finest December 30, 2005
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have always been a big fan of Simply Red. I had to review this CD even though I bought it when it first came out. Every song is a work of art. Never Never Love was played on every jazz channel in my city and is beyond all catagorization. The thought and genius that is everywhere on this recording cannot be understood until you own it. I played this CD till it was nearly worn out. I recomend it highly.
 Hot and not. November 13, 2005
Several of the numbers in this album are HOT but not enough of them to make it worth buying the album when I can get the best of them in other albums.
 'Life" offers predictable, un-original R&B blend June 12, 2003
4 out of 9 found this review helpful
By C.S.Blue - Eyed Soul groups from the U.K. have recieved a mixed reception from North American audiences n recent years since the infusion of such acts hit such shores in the 1980's.
Arrving on the heels of their American predecesors Hall & Oates, Michael Mc Donald, and Kenny Logins,these artists, primarily influenced by contemporary Black American R&B acts, found it a tough sell to attain Stateside success.That dosen't mean that the music has been totally illegitimate by any means, just under- rated and underappreciated by an audience un-savvy to the material (like yours truly)
There have been some chart- topping moments - from Go West and their success with "King Of Wishful Thinking' from the blockbuster movie "Pretty Woman" soundtrack and moderate rotation for acts such as Living In A Box, Curiosity Killed The Cat' Rick Astley, Spandau Ballet,and Breathe.
Sheffield based ABC and former Wham! vocalist George Michael had been the most consistent with Michael, at least until his personal troubles surfaced, at the top of the list image and sales- wise.
The other British outfit that have generated on and off interest and some critical aclaim have been Simply Red. They broke chartwise in 1986 with the soulful ballad "Holding Back The Years" from their impressive "Picture Book" album.
Their next few releases sparked mild interest, but a dip in sales, particularly i the U.S.,where the market had grown weary of British acts all the way across the board, rendered the group exiled in the minds of music fans on the North American side of the Atlantic.
Then the group came back in the biggest way possible; by unleashing the best selling album in British chart history; "the multi- platinum "Stars"
Upon scrutinizing their follow up record "Life", the contrast is somewhat vast though not far removed from the soul -based foundation The Reds are known for.
"Life"is a mellow and emotive sounding piece of work with textured synths that bear a distinct resemblence to American acts stylistically packaged in a like- wise manner.
No doubt the ingredients on "Life" make it a predictabe mix, yet the interesting aspect to the songs are small live elements to the candlelight aroma that one can sniff out on the majority of the albums tracks. Case and point- the finger snaps and distant mix of horns on "So Beautiful Being", and the visual quality lent to the sexually driven subject matter on
" Remembering the First Time", a cut with the live feel that is Simply Red's forte which they continue to project on the dreamy- sounding "Out On The Range",which begins with a potent synth intro and progresses into a Philly- Motown groove vocal riff from Hucknall that certainly ranks as one the brighter spots on "Life". The album does emit a slower cadence to it and fails miserably at an attempt to master pop reggae on "Hillside Avenue" until someone walked into the studio and rattled the band's musical cage rattled to deliver the aformentioned live -sounding Simply Red tracks to give the record some sort of shape.
This album was less commericially driven and not an blatant attempt to literally duplicate "Stars",though in some respects it was. The bottom line on "Life" is that it is a less live attempt to create soul music. A counter-productive approach that prevents it from being a funkier and more powerful record and more like hip- hop based American R&B that is srtictly machine driven, lacks originality, and is way too easy to predict. Simply Red decided to be the latest in a long line of acts today that want to manufacture the magic.
All in all "Life" is not an overwhelmingly scintillating record, but it rates as a semi- strong two (2) and a half to good three (3) star album that will probably keep the die- hards satisfied, but unlikely to shift musical tides elsewhere.
C.S.
6-11-03
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! March 7, 2003
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
DEFINITELY one of the GREATEST bands of our time. Ever-changing line-ups (cept' for the vocalist of course) but nevetheless an astounding band. "Life" is filled with velvet sounds of Mick Hucknall, the kinda vibe you can relax to, tap your feet or simply get up and groove a little something..Simply Red just gets better with time. Their latest release "Home" scheduled for mid March is off-the-hook. The single "Sunrise" is already blazin' the airwaves around the world.. People get ready to lose yourself into the groove!
SIMPLY A CLASSIC! September 30, 2000
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
This is one of Simply Reds best studio albums to date. The album is full of pumping, upbeat, sultry and grooving R and B numbers as well as a great selection of touching ballards. Mick Hucknalls strong and uplifting vocals are complemented perfectly on tracks such as YOU MAKE ME BELIEVE, LIVES AND LOVES, the infectious classic FAIRGROUND, NEVER NEVER LOVE, OUT ON THE RANGE, WERE IN THIS TOGETHER and SO MANY PEOPLE. Simply Red never disappoint and this excellent album is another in a long line of classics. Truly magnificent! Recommended!
|
