OK, say you're an '80s pop band. Whaddaya do when the hits stop coming? Join the classic-rock circuit? Get day jobs? Well, if you're Simple Minds, you take a step back and become a cover band. For their umpteenth album, Jim Kerr and co. fire up the way-back machine and tackle 10 timeless tunes including Van Morrison's Gloria, Bowie's Man Who Sold the World, Pete Shelley's Homosapien, The Doors' Hello I Love You, the Velvets' All Tomorrow's Parties, Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart and Kraftwerk's title cut. Funny enough, most end up sounding a lot like Simple Minds, once the band slathers on the shimmering, slick synthesizers and Kerr starts a-crooning in that supple voice of his. So even if they can't beat 'em, at least they can join 'em. (More on: Simple Minds).

Friday, October 5, 2001

Simple Minds now a cover band