This is an Analogue/Digital/Digital [ADD] disc. It is the only album by Pet Shop Boys to be recorded using 'emphasis', a digital audio recording process designed to improve the overall signal-to-noise ratio.

This was my very first CD, I still recall to this day the initial moments of it's first play, the start of 'Two Divided by Zero'. This album was only bettered by their masterpiece 'Behaviour' (1990).

Spawning from 'Johnny and the Self Abusers' in the late 70's, the early 'punk' era of Simple Minds brought them little recognition. Not surprising really, since the Sex Pistols had been killed off several years previously and nobody wanted anything to do with a resurgence of such an unmelodic genre. From this period the only track of real note was the epic 'Pleasantly Disturbed' ('Life in a Day', 1979).

Later, with the release of their first iconic single 'Waterfront' from the outstanding, though underrated album, 'Sparkle in the Rain' (1983) they began to gain a fan base. A more fluid, less rigid, musical style gave Kerr the chance to show the world he could actually sing. Resultantly, the band soon had a bigger live following than their fame, alone, could merit.

In 1985 Jim Kerr, Charlie Burchill, and Michael MacNeil produced an album that elevated them to superstardom and Simple Minds could be considered 'the best band in the world'. Arguably the greatest pop/rock album ever written, 'Once Upon a Time' contained 5 hit records and no 'fillers', indeed, the title track and 'Come a Long Way' were exceptional recordings. Whether, or not, it garnered the critical acclaim it deserved is irrelevant.

After a break of almost 5 years, not to discount the release of their live masterpiece ('Live in the City of Light', 1987), 1989 brought their forth consecutive album to debut at No.1 (UK). This time, the 'Street Fighting Years' LP gave (guitarist) Burchill a platform to showcase his talents, creating a unique, and immensely atmospheric, soundscape. 'The Ballad of the Streets EP', from the album, gave the group their only UK No.1, staying at the top of the charts for, seemingly, months. It was the title track, however, which showed the band at their very, very, best.

Whether intentionally, or not, in the years since 'Once Upon a Time' Jim Kerr's voice has softened, first evident in 1989, and lacks the aggression it once had. The last creditable recordings by Simple Minds came way back in 1991, with 'See The Lights' and, once again, the customarily unreleased title track from 'Real Life'.