As far as debut albums go, Picture Book is an absolute beauty. Fusing the classic sounds of 1960’s Motown with the reverb and synth-driven hooks of 80’s soft rock, Simply Red turned in a soulful take on R&B that has stood the test of time as an 80’s classic. Lead singer Mick Hucknall’s vocal lines effortlessly transition from raw power (“Money’s Too Tight (To Mention)”) to a cheeky and sultry playfullness (“Sad Old Red”) that echoes the late great Otis Redding, displaying a well-rounded palette that allows him to paint with a variety of colors.
Picture Book is at its best when it takes on more intimate fare. “Jericho” and “Holding Back the Years” are the standouts here, with “Holding Back the Years” in particular carrying some serious weight to it. Written in a stream of consciousness style, the lyrics that poured out of Hucknall ended up reflecting the sadness associated with his mother leaving his family when he was only three years old (a realization Hucknall didn’t come to until he was finished with the song). It stands one of the great nostalgic 80’s ballads in my book, and to this day remains as the capstone work in Simply Red’s discography.
Standout Songs: “Holding Back the Years”, “Jericho”, “Money’s Too Tight (To Mention)”, “Red Box”
