Funk/ Soul/ R&B

Simple Things is the eighth studio album by American singer-songwriter Carole King, originally released in July 1977 by Capitol Records.

It must’ve been difficult for King with her releases always compared to Tapestry and Music. How do you ive up to that standard!

Simple Things is arguably the closest of the period to representing her King’s songwriting skill, and surprisingly was the first of her albums to peak outside the Top Ten.

The thumping “Hard Rock Café” was a hit for her with good enough reason since it stands out among the rest here, warming her percussive piano with guitars and horn fills. The ballads “In The Name Of Love” and “Time Alone” are solid turns, focusing on King’s voice and piano more clearly than the rest of the record.

Overall the album has a feel of transition, finding the limits of her previous sound and, trying to push into something different.

Simple Things is a good album, and has handsome rewards for those who appreciate her excellent songcraft and performance.

Check out the tracks: “Hard Rock Café”; "Hold On"; "God Only Knows"; and “Simple Things”.

This 40th Anniversary LP record is a Music On Vinyl reissue on 180 gram audiophile vinyl, featuring remastered audio and housed in a gatefold sleeve with a printed insert, pressed in Europe.