Sunday, July 14, 2013

On the turntable this Sunday...New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)



New Gold Dream is the fifth studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds. The album was released in 1982 and was a turning point for the band as they gained critical and commercial success in the UK and Europe. It made #3 in the UK Albums Chart.  In the US, A&M issued some limited edition gold marble vinyl pressings of the album.

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."

Virgin Records reissued the album as a remastered edition in 2002 (cardboard vinyl replica edition) and early 2003 (jewel-case). On the 2002/2003 edition, the gaps between the tracks on the album are slightly shorter. Virgin also reissued the album on SACD in 2003.

The album has generated substantial critical acclaim since its release; it was included in the list 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. An albums poll on the band's website suggests that it is regarded by many fans to be their finest work.


"Every band or artist with a history has an album that's their holy grail," said Jim Kerr. "I suppose New Gold Dream was ours. It was a special time because we were really beginning to break through with that record, both commercially and critically. The people that liked that record connected with it in a special way. There was a depth to it: it created its own mythology. It stood out. It was our most successful record to date and, critically, the Paul Morleys of this world were writing very nice things about it."

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