A transitional bridge between the ambient art-rock of New Gold Dream and stadium pomp of Once Upon A Time, you can see why, for some purists, Sparkle In The Rain signalled the beginning of the end for Simple Minds’ imperial phase.
Fresh from his work on U2’s War, producer Steve Lillywhite leaned into the extra muscle that new drummer Mel Gaynor had brought to the band, while Derek Forbes’ bass is so powerful – most famously on the concrete-loosening throb of Waterfront – it’s no surprise he burst his thumb open in the studio.
© Adrian Boot