Themes for Great Cities

Name: Themes for Great Cities
Brand: Hachette New Zealand Ltd
SKU: 9781472134011
Price: 29.99 NZD
Availability: InStock

A New History of Simple Minds

By Graeme Thomson

0.0 (0 reviews)

4.4

( 182 ratings, 26 reviews)

Summary

Themes for Great Cities by Graeme Thomson delves into the richly textured journey of the Scottish post-punk band Simple Minds. The book paints a vivid picture of the band's rise, exploring their innovative sound and influences that defined a generation. It's a compelling narrative that captures both the cultural backdrop and the personal stories behind this iconic group's music.
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Format: Paperback / softback

$29⁹⁹

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Themes for Great Cities

$29⁹⁹

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by the intersection of music and urban life, exploring how cityscapes can influence artistic expression. With its vivid portrayal of musicians and their creative environments, it offers a rich narrative for anyone interested in how geography shapes sound and storytelling.

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An illuminating new biography of one of Britain's biggest and most influential bands, written with the full input and cooperation of Simple Minds, shedding new light on their dazzling art-rock legacy.

Description

'Nobody owes us anything, but the Simple Minds story has been too condensed. After Live Aid and "Don't You (Forget About Me)" there hasn't been quite the credit for those first few records. I think they contain some really special music. I can hear the flaws but there's something about the spirit and imagination in them that feels good. They draw from such a wide range of influences... but the spirit of it was always Simple Minds.' - Jim Kerr, to the author

An illuminating new biography of one of Britain's biggest and most influential bands, written with the full input and cooperation of Simple Minds, shedding new light on their dazzling art-rock legacy.

Themes for Great Cities features in-depth new interviews with original band members Jim Kerr, Charlie Burchill, Mick MacNeil, and Derek Forbes, alongside key figures from within their creative community and high-profile fans such as Bobby Gillespie, James Dean Bradfield, and Mogwai's Stuart Braithwaite. The book reclaims and revivifies the magnificence of Simple Minds' pioneering early albums, from the glitchy Euro-ambience of Real to Real Cacophony and Empires and Dance to the pulsing, agitated romance of Sons and Fascination, New Gold Dream and beyond.

Emerging in 1978 from Glasgow's post-punk scene, Simple Minds transitioned from restless art-rock to electro futurism, mutated into passionate pop contenders and, finally, a global rock behemoth. They have sold in the region of 60 million records and remain a worldwide phenomenon. The drama of their tale lies in these transformations and triumphs, conflicts and contradictions.

Themes for Great Cities tells the inside story of a band becoming a band. Inspiring, insightful, and enlightening, it celebrates the trailblazing music of one of Britain's greatest groups.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Themes for Great Cities by Graeme Thomson offers a thrilling biography of the band Simple Minds, capturing their evolution and influence in the music world. Critics praise Thomson for his deep dive into the band's early, often overlooked, works and his ability to reignite interest in their catalogue. It's noted for its engaging narrative style that masterfully balances detailed analysis without damping the band's mystique, making it an essential read for both new listeners and long-time fans.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781472134011

Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 22 June 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Constable

Illustration: 16pp colour plate sections

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 30.0mm

Width: 126.0mm

Height: 194.0mm

Weight: 320g

Pages: 368

Collections

Arts & Culture Best Sellers at Book Hero Biography & Memoir Graeme Thomson In Stock Books Music & Musicians Musicians, Movie Stars & Creative Biographies Non-Fiction

About the Author

Graeme Thomson is the author of several acclaimed music books, including Under the Ivy: The Life & Music of Kate Bush, described by the Irish Times as 'the best music biography in perhaps the past decade', and Cowboy Song, the authorised biography of Philip Lynott, published by Constable in 2016. In 2020, Small Hours: The Long Night of John Martyn was a Book of the Year in the Sunday Times, Financial Times, Telegraph, Evening Standard and MOJO. Graeme is pop columnist for the Spectator and writes on music, literature and popular culture for a number of publications, including the Guardian, Radio Times, Uncut and Pitchfork.

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