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Jon
Nov-18-2010, 22:48 GMT
Unknown

I had the same issue with the XMas song as I had with many of the songs on Surprise. They are good songs in and of themselves, but the goofy sonic element takes something away from them. Songs on Surprise such as Once Upon/Ocean, That´s Me, Everything about it is a Love Song would have been much better off without the sonic landscape and just in a straightforward acoustic/electric element.

I was thinking as I was listening to Christmas Day, what a great song it would be if the guitar volume stayed the same and there weren´t any voices in the background.

Here´s to hoping the new album will be more of the 1965-2000 ilk and less like Surprise.

Jay
Nov-18-2010, 23:08 GMT
USA - United Staates America

I see what you´re saying. My opinion of this changes from time to time. I think the sonic landscapes add a whole new dynamic to the music and sometimes I Love hearing them. At other times I prefer his older style. But it is also my personal opinion that Surprise was a better album than You´re The One.

mog
Nov-18-2010, 23:13 GMT
Canada

As I said on the French forum, I am quite positive about the gospel speech weaven into the song, but suspicious about the noise of a space ship door that cross the song like a metronom.

On the other hand, my ear is already accostumed to it, and I guess they use it almost as an instrument.

Except us, I don´t know if other people will pay as much attention to it than us.

When I heard it though, it reminded me of Suprise and these songs on Hearts & Bones: ´When number gets serious´/´Think Too Much A´, that used industrial noises.

Is Paul now repeating himself ?

Jay
Nov-18-2010, 23:16 GMT
USA - United Staates America

HEY CHECK THIS OUT http://ufck.org/forums/showthread.php?t=247193&
;pagenumber= More people saying the album sounds great

Phil
Nov-18-2010, 23:57 GMT
USA - United Staates America

In this case - I think the ´sonic´ treatment is due to the rev. gates audio mix. you have to accomodate this ´voice from the past´ mixing with lyrics and music.

Ian
Nov-19-2010, 00:13 GMT
USA - United Staates America

I´ve got to disagree about the sonic landscapes on Surprise. I loved them. ´That´s me´ I believe should have been the first single. And the followup could have been ´Another Galaxy´. Both fine examples of how the mix of organic and synthetic sounds can really work. Surprise should have been a huge hit. I´m always astonished when I listen to it,just how very good it is. It would be interesting though,to hear Paul work with someone like T-Bone Burnett,who I´m sure would eschew all the electronics in favour of a more natural approach. Speaking of producers,I don´t really like this future for music turning inevitably towards downloads as opposed to buying the physical item. The new single has no information attached,no producer´s credit,no musicians credit-nothing! I don´t believe this new song is produced by Phil Ramone either. My guess is Paul produced it himself. Another reason I think the song will be offered as a bonus track or something similar on the new album and not actually part of the album.

Proof
Nov-19-2010, 01:04 GMT
USA - United Staates America

I agree with Ian. I like the approach. Conventional recording of the kind we last heard in the 1970´s from Paul would be disappointing now. Keep exploring sounds...

mog
Nov-19-2010, 02:22 GMT
Unknown

I kind of disagree with Ian on a few points (sorry !).

My theory is that Simon´s or his record´s team have probably tried to put the Xmas song out at the same time on both continents, but when they saw that it was a failure, and that some website was already offering it, they then realized it would spread in a matter of hours. Suddenly, the song was premiered by various sites....and was put in a rush on the official web site.

All this to say that I don´t see the lack of information about the production of the song as a sign of weaknesses of new technologies, but rather a sign of an artist and a new team that has tried to recuperate momentum when the paste was already out the tube.

I mean...they just took down the WB rotten web site a few days ago !

I am sure we will learn a lot more in the coming weeks in an usual manner as for the record personnel.

We should rejoice. Our artist is almost 70. A voice in fine form. He seems to hold a record that can present a certain appeal. I am happy for him and for that, and I am looking forward to it, although I am a bit cautious about very high expectations...

Phil
Nov-19-2010, 03:08 GMT
USA - United Staates America

said this on another thread: if i recall, 2 or 3 songs were released on the website in advance of Surprise. Create a buzz. It´s marketing! I wouldn´t be surprised to see one or two more before the album release.

Bodo
Nov-19-2010, 12:44 GMT
Austria

I loved them for 90% on Surprise (beside Once upon a a time). Can´t judge exactly, but I believe Brian Eno knew what to do, Paul wanted to learn from him...and to my ears the result is unlistenable.

Another Galaxy is wonderful, or also sure don´t feel like Love.

Bodo  
Nov-19-2010, 12:59 GMT
Austria

Sorry Jay, but this link to ufck.org (which obviously means f...) is not worth reading. I prefer a little bit higher standards on discussions

I see only 1 person posting that he had heard some other songs, and - this is hard for me now, he wrote:

The phasing on the guitar on this first single shows up on other tracks, which is a bit jarring at first but I don´t mind it anymore.

Even for someone who likes the album the guitar sound is jarring? come on..

I begin to feel very sad now. I really do not like this new song. I can not listen to it, these sounds are epileptic, unrythmic, uncharming, unmelodic and after 2-3 minutes I have a headache. It sounds like a computer virus, sounds as if my sound-system has to be replaced. And now the whole album might sound like this?
Should I buy this album?

All my friends call me Old-styled, because I listen to old songs, and musicians in the age group 50-80. But hey, I always said: They are making real music, so I don´t care if it is not in the charts. And I said, Paul Simon is still making great new music, I do not lean on his 60s sounds so much.


If I would have to decide to go to a concert where Paul is playing (only) these songs, and a S&G show, it is the first time I would decide to see Mr. Paul Garfunkel instead.
The only good thing: I guess at live concert he will not play more than 2-3 songs from his new album.

Pelle
Nov-19-2010, 13:32 GMT
Sweden

I think the new song is growing everytime i hear it,Surprise is one of his best album and once upon a time is one of the best songs on the album. If you compare Simon whit other icons from 60 i will say he is still intresting as i say still intresting after all these years.

Pelle  
Nov-19-2010, 13:38 GMT
Sweden

Mr Bodo if you don´t like this new song, there is still a chance you can like the other 10-12 songs.
Don´t give up smile a little bit soon christmas is here.

Ian
Nov-19-2010, 14:01 GMT
USA - United Staates America

Bodo,cheer up. Don´t give up on Paul yet. We´ve heard one song,just one song. I really think this new song will no more be an indication to the style as Allergies was to Hearts And Bones,or Obvious Child was to TROTS. Late In The Evening was stylisticly different from anything else on One-Trick Pony. I think you´re going to be pleasantly surprised Bodo. Paul has NEVER made a dog of an album-EVER! I´m positive. Nearly every first single from Mother And Child Reunion on has been unlike anything else on the album from which it derived. It´s gonna be great Bodo. The one annoying thing is having to wait so long when we know it´s finished. You´d think a Paul Simon fan would be used to the interminable delays between albums,but it does leave me a little frustrated:-(

Andras
Nov-19-2010, 14:03 GMT
Hungary

I really like Surprise. Once upon a time is one of the best songs, beside Another Galaxy. (As I wrote somewhere already the two songs are somehow close related in my head. Just check the two texts which are about the same topic from different point of view. The two songs has a very special sonic landscape that I really like.)

But the new song I do not really like. I understand that this is a new version of Silent Night / 7 o´clock. (Xmas, text in the background, Vietnam - Iraq...) And I understand that this 40 years made a lot of changing in the sound of music. But I agree, that it sounds a little bit amateur. (Though the song is much better than Cars...)

Let me say one more point, that Bodo also mentioned. The last sound is a flop for me. Paul always like to put an extra chord or sound at the end of his songs. It is his fingerprint, very typical for him. But at the end of this song it is neither funny nor nice - for my ears.

I am looking forward the new album. I am sure we will have good music again. I do not want to judge now, after listening a sole track. I trust my Paul Simon even when I do not understand him. This song does not mean for me that he is not an awesome musician any more. I stay open minded!

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