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Bodo  
Nov-16-2010, 15:11 GMT
Austria

http://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2010/11/15/13133
4776/paul-simon-s-new-christmas-song

Pelle  
Nov-16-2010, 15:24 GMT
Sweden

I like this very much, im getting ready for the new album.

Bodo
Nov-16-2010, 15:39 GMT
Austria

I still have problems with that song. I guess I am the only one, so I should better keep my mouth.


But I can´t...it is my personality
;-)

Better don´t read. My arguments may be weak.


I really dislike the sound-mix-overdubbing or whatever it is called he did with the guitar...it is very unrythmic, sounds complete like synthesizer sound - all the melody-parts miss exactly 1 beat, they are cut (thats what I feel). If I imagine I should dance to this song, then I get stucked every 5 steps. I can only do a robot dance to it

The song is boring after 2:00 minutes, not much changes in that 4 minutes (there is one background interlude at minute 2:40), this simple synth-guitar beat is in the foreground all time. Didn´t Paul always say he knews exactly how long a song should be? Like ´Old´. This one is too long, it has a radio-length (3:50)
Paul singin is unmotivated, very monotone, I miss his clear voice. Which words are important, what is the point of the story, which information pertains?
I think the mix is worse, especially at 3:45 (for the power and the glory...) his singin is
not more than a background noise.
All together I really dislike it.

And last thing: All my statements before did nothing have to do with my believe to expect a ´Christmas song´. But, this is the least thing which the song implements.
No, this song will not be played under my Christmas tree.
No, I do not want to hear this song when I shop for christmas gifts, or when I walk trough the city, drinking christmas punch while snow is falling.

Sorry, but I do not expect to hear this song on the radio a lot.


The first 10 seconds are good btw.

Bodo
Nov-16-2010, 15:43 GMT
Austria

Ah, and now I know what this remix reminds me of: A bootleg live recording with a microphone that tries to amplify the sound automatically (gets louder in quiet passages, cuts the real loud passages)
Thats what I hear when I listen to the guitars (especially form second 10-30) wuba wuba wuw WUBA wuwu WUBB wuwuWUWB wu wu ..uw ...WUWUWM

I stop now :)

Enjo it!
I hope I like the rest from that album.

Bodo
Nov-16-2010, 15:53 GMT
Austria

Oh, and the very very last sound, after the song has ended - is that a joke?

I have a feeling that Paul Simon just learned at the age of 65 or so what a synthesizer is, and now he plays around with it like a child. Or was this someone elses work? I expect more from Bian Eno, he can play with those sounds. Here it sounds like Star Strek "Mr. Worf, destroy it with the disruptor" - "Yes Mr. Simon" tssscchhhshwoop.

Jay
Nov-16-2010, 15:59 GMT
USA - United Staates America

I understand and respect your opinion Bodo. We all like different things about Paul´s music... But I really like this song.

Bodo
Nov-16-2010, 16:19 GMT
Austria

Thats fine Jay.

Well, I am surprised about myself, because until today I liked nearly all things. I even like Cars Are Cars a little bit more (although it has some parallels to me)

I Love Pauls last album Surprise, with all of its beats and sonic landscapes. But this song is only schrumm schrumm schrumm for me (thats what we say in german, have not found any translation). Does it have real drums? I can´t say, because it is only
tok tok tok tak
tok tok tok tak
tok tok tok tak
from second 0 till the end.

I expect more clever things. Although for example songs like ´ Sure don´t feel like´ go into the same direction, it is much more tricky, and his singin is brilliant. Cause it suuuure don´t feeel like loooove.
A teartrop...


Whatever, I do not hear any of that brilliance in that new christmas song.

Bodo
Nov-16-2010, 16:20 GMT
Austria

I hope the Bluegrass part on that album has something for my taste ;-)

Bodo  
Nov-16-2010, 16:22 GMT
Austria

But I knew one thing - the more you listen to a song the more you get used to it, and finally you like it.

So maybe I will listen to this one now 20 times a day.

Jeroen
Nov-16-2010, 16:33 GMT
Netherlands

Well, I tend to agree. I´m a bit disappointed too. Too much of the same. Skipping half a beat (and the robotic dance)after the vocal line is interesting though. Seems like a musical merging of Cecilia and Brian Eno´s soundscapes. But it´s worth giving a another chance.

Jeroen
Nov-16-2010, 16:38 GMT
Netherlands

The last part is reversed, I guess. A bit trippy. Like the last part of Kumalo´s bass break in You Can Call Me Al.

Nathanael
Nov-16-2010, 16:56 GMT
Switzerland

I don´t like this song that much and I think - if it´s really on the new album - it might be one of the weaker songs on it. But they had to release this song now. Would not make any sense at all to release a new album in March including a Christmas song. Whatever this album delay may have caused, in my opinion, the music company messed it up to promote it better and are now in trouble... Anyway, looking forward to the album in March.

Matthew Evans
Nov-16-2010, 17:03 GMT
United Kingdom

I can´t disagree with you too much Bodo - especially when you listen on headphones. I actually swapped headphones last night as I thought they may be broken - it sounds like one of the channels is fading in and out.

I´m not sure about the speaking bit - it´s a bit of something or nothing, it takes up a lot of time on the track but isn´t clear enough to really make a point or be enjoyable.

I like the lyrics on the whole but I feel like the political references are a bit forced. Pakistan fits the song better than Afghanistan but it´s not really relevant is it?

Finally, I think there´s not enough singing on the track. I like Paul´s lyrics and singing but not enough here.

Not a terrible track but not my favourite. I file it alongside Outrageous.

mog
Nov-16-2010, 17:24 GMT
Canada

It is not major, but it is a very well-done little tune !

It is good to see him coming back to a more standard pattern in terms of songs...more direct, simple & straighforward. Sometimes, it does not hurt.

I see it as having the same potential as F&D.

mog
Nov-16-2010, 17:26 GMT
Canada

Oh, and by the way, I had the chance to listen to it twice before going to work, and it had the chorus in my head all the time on the bus.

It is a good sign...

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