Paul Simon: Surprise
CML call number: CD/ROCK/Simon
Alan Light wrote in the New York Times: "[A]n ambitious and challenging work full of sonic experimentation and oblique lyrics. Its 11 songs elliptically convey the struggle to navigate an absurd, often tragic world where registering to vote makes you 'feel like a fool' and conscience is something 'sticking to the sole of my shoe' — even as the singer confesses that 'it's outrageous a man like me/ stand here and complain.' … As always, Mr. Simon's writing started with the drums; this time, he wanted to pursue more 'American-sounding rhythms' than the polyrhythmic grooves that have dominated his work since the South African stylings of 'Graceland,' the 1986 smash. … But in 2003, with just one song finished … and a few scattered ideas and fragments, he was introduced to the electronic music pioneer Brian Eno, a former member of the art-rock band Roxy Music and producer for artists like U2 and Talking Heads. … The final credits for 'Surprise' read 'Produced by Paul Simon, Sonic Landscape by Brian Eno.' … [W]hen Mr. Eno's atmospheric washes of sound elevate Mr. Simon's shimmering guitar … the effect is hypnotic" (5/7/06).
Alan Light wrote in the New York Times: "[A]n ambitious and challenging work full of sonic experimentation and oblique lyrics. Its 11 songs elliptically convey the struggle to navigate an absurd, often tragic world where registering to vote makes you 'feel like a fool' and conscience is something 'sticking to the sole of my shoe' — even as the singer confesses that 'it's outrageous a man like me/ stand here and complain.' … As always, Mr. Simon's writing started with the drums; this time, he wanted to pursue more 'American-sounding rhythms' than the polyrhythmic grooves that have dominated his work since the South African stylings of 'Graceland,' the 1986 smash. … But in 2003, with just one song finished … and a few scattered ideas and fragments, he was introduced to the electronic music pioneer Brian Eno, a former member of the art-rock band Roxy Music and producer for artists like U2 and Talking Heads. … The final credits for 'Surprise' read 'Produced by Paul Simon, Sonic Landscape by Brian Eno.' … [W]hen Mr. Eno's atmospheric washes of sound elevate Mr. Simon's shimmering guitar … the effect is hypnotic" (5/7/06).
posted by casemusic at 12:09 PM
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