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."
