78: Simple Minds – Once Upon a Time

: Cover of Once Upon a Time

This pick has nothing to do with Molly Ringwald or Emilio Estevez or any '80s teen coming of age movie. This pick is based purely on the incredible song writing included in Simple Mind's Once Upon a Time (1985). Simple Minds really came together to form a tight band with great songs. Once Upon a Time is one of those albums from the '80s that transcends the pop synthesizers and that high-pitched screech of my particular version of the cassette. It was many years later through magic of digital music I wold discover that "Ghost Dancing" had no deafening screech interlude.

My crazy friend, Kelly, introduced me to this band at a time in high school when I had burned out on classic rock. Bob Segar and Thin Lizzy can only carry you so far. He said you have to listen to this tape. He let me borrow it and I wish to apologize here to Kelly: I don't think you'll be getting your tape back as I think I left it in my Camaro when I sold it. Also I always thought you had the best blond mullet I've ever seen.

Simple Minds, overall, is prolific band with 15 studio albums and a incredible library of solid, Irish flavored rock. Their chemistry is held together by Jim Kerr's vocals and Charlie Burchill's elegant guitar work. Since One Upon a Time Simple Minds has continually evolved with a contemporary sound and solid song writing.

Your School of Rock assignment is to listen to Once Upon a Time for a full week straight, right before finals. Afterward dig deeper into Simple Minds' catalog and give yourself a chance to become a fan.n Molly will be glad you did.