Simple Minds / New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) half-speed mastered vinyl LP

New Gold Dream vinyl LP

Half-speed mastered • OBI-strip • Certificate

New Gold Dream is the fifth album by the celebrated Caledonian rockers. Released in 1982, it is widely considered to be a turning point for the band, a bridge between their post punk roots and stadium-filling destiny, and gathered enormous critical acclaim as well as impressive sales. Listed in the estimable tome ‘1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die’ New Gold Dream was a discernible move toward a more a commercial sound and it entered the UK chart at number 3, yielding the hit singles Promised You a Miracle and Glittering Prize.

The latter track and the synth-heavy Someone Somewhere in Summertime in particular represented a shift towards undisguised pop and it’s also worth noting that Hunter and Hunted features a solo by Jazz keyboardist Herbie Hancock, a rare distinction for any rock/pop album.

"Every band or artist with a history has an album that's their holy grail," remarked lead singer 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.”

The artwork caused quite stir due to its religious imagery, so much so that on the version released in Yugoslavia, the cross was removed. Jim Kerr reflected "[During the writing of the album] we often went for walks. Around Perth you find a lot of Celtic crosses, crosses that seem to spring up from the earth. We thought it was a very powerful symbol. They were in the ground which produced the water we drank, so why not?"

The original cut for this record was half speed mastered at Abbey Road Studios by Miles Showell.

Side 1

1. Someone Somewhere In The Summertime
2. Colours Fly and Catherine Wheel
3. Promised You A Miracle
4. Big Sleep
5. Somebody Up There Likes You

Side 2

1. New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)
2. Glittering Prize
3. Hunter and the Hunted
4. King Is White And In The Crowd