“Sons and Fascination/Sister Feelings Call” by Simple Minds

By: Evan Ferstl

It’s a common refrain that bands known for only one song are misunderstood by the public. Scottish group Simple Minds are an excellent example of this phenomenon. The band performed (but did not write) the classic “Don’t You (Forget About Me)”—but they are largely forgotten for their role as early pioneers of alternative rock. Take 1981’s “Sons and Fascination/Sister Feelings Call,” two albums combined into a single standout release. 

The album’s sound is vintage Simple Minds, with Jim Kerr’s cryptic vocals echoing over majestic synthesizer textures and a driving beat. The same goes for the lyrical content, as the band pursues their favorite theme, the power of geography, with abandon. Highlights include “70 Cities as Love Brings the Fall” with its jaw-dropping chorus, and “Love Song,” a sizzling number where Kerr imagines America as Europe’s boyfriend. Later in the album, “Theme For Great Cities” is an instrumental delight, with its evocative synth chorus that conjures imagery of some futuristic metropolitan utopia. “The American,” an absolute firecracker of a song, follows after, marking the point where the album reaches its highest high.

“Sons and Fascination/Sister Feelings Call” is 15 songs long and clocks in at over an hour in length, so naturally, some songs are weaker than others. However, each brings something interesting to the table. “Sons and Fascination/Sister Feelings Call” is among the band’s finest releases. It is worth a listen for anyone looking for a refreshing, artsy album with some killer 80s synthesizer lines.