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Hurricane  
Apr-02-2011, 08:59 GMT
United Kingdom

I think the problem here might be one of perspective and of age. Back in the days of Hearts And Bones and Graceland Simon was feeling confused - not in a happy place - simply put, not really satisfied with his lot - whether that be in Love or in apartheid. He was a restless soul and this showed in his lyrics - think of the songs that allude to his immigrant status or the break down of a relationship. As a person, he´s past that point in his life. Relationships are no longer unsettling places for him.
Musically and lyrically, of course, it simply doesn´t interest him to recreate a project he´s done before, a sound, word or feeling - which is probably why he has felt under pressure in writing circumstances at times and why it seems to take so long for him to write songs.
This new album, a bit like the last couple before it, is mainly talking about much much more complex themes. But Simon never wants to dictate the listeners feelings or responses but gently suggest meanings and interpretations. He no longer feels he has to ´spit it out´ or take an idea to its zenith - his listeners are cleverer than that - he knows we´ll listen and listen and listen until we get it. So the ´throw away lines´ that have been mentioned invite the listener to link the bits of the story to get to the point of the song.
My over-riding thoughts of this new album are that it is indeed yet another classic and I believe in the future it will stand out like Bridge, Still Crazy and Graceland have done before as one of the greatest albums of all time.
To me, all his albums are truly great but, for others, to have 4 ´great´ albums in an all-time top few is nothing short of genius.

Rob  
Apr-02-2011, 10:13 GMT
Netherlands

I had ordered the album already, and I am glad I did, hearing this, because I will have a great summer with it. Just have to wait 10 more days now. Not sure which sounds the best now. Maybe QFTA and the title song. But it is hard to choose.

Ans
Apr-02-2011, 13:06 GMT
Netherlands

Thanks Hurricane for sharing your thoughts about Paul´s writing process during his career with us. I agree with you, Paul is in a happy place, good marriage, great kids and also Harper is doing fine now. You are right, you have to dig deeper for the meaning of his lyrics because he is talking about more complex themes in the world. That´s what I like so much about Paul´s lyrics, that he gives the listeners space for own meanings and interpretations. And the music and sounds of his albums are so colorful, with lots of details, it will be a real joy to explore this new album.

Phil
Apr-02-2011, 13:37 GMT
USA - United Staates America

I was speaking with a forum member last night and made the comment that since ROTS Simon´s lyrics have really become much more deeply poetic than his earlier work. So to the comment that recent work lacks ´clarity´. True. You have to listen to layer upon layer - drill down and absorb. That may be too much work for some. Or, as Simon said re ROTS make his work less ´accessible´ - but for me: it´s art of the highest form. magical.

mog
Apr-02-2011, 15:33 GMT
Unknown

Hey ! Don´t get me wrong: I think the new album is great.

It is just since I am a fan I have listened and known this guy for so long, I have the ability of seeing that the guy might be running at the same place here and there.

Like...what is this thing about Love ? I agree, it must be celebrated as a ciment throughout humanity. However, on YTO, a (superb) song was titled on this. On ´Surprise´, we have ´Everything about it is a love song´. On this album, you have love in 3 titles !

Also, I noticed that there seems to be an easy twist in his songs lately when he wants a change : he talks about fall coming, a storm, rain, wind, or other imageries of that nature. Think about ´Another Galaxy´ for instance. Compare ´Love in Hard Times´ with ´Love and Blessings´.

In terms of themes, compare ´I don´t believe´ with ´Love and Blessings´ and ´Love is Eternal Sacred Light´.

´Acts of kindness
Like rain in a drought
Release the spirit with a whoop and a shout´

´Love and blessings
Simple kindness
Fell like rain on thirsty land´

mog
Apr-02-2011, 15:43 GMT
Unknown

´The earth was born in a storm
The Waters receded, the mountains were formed
The universe loves a drama, you know
And, ladies and gentlemen, this is the show´

´How`d it all begin? Started with a bang
Couple of light years later, stars and planets sang
Fire warmed the cold, waves of colors flew
Moonlight into gold, earth to green and blue´

Forum guest
Apr-02-2011, 15:48 GMT
United Kingdom

Thanks for all your replies to my post yesterday. I´ve read them all with interest.

I will, as DannyJ suggests, give the new album a lot more listens and hopefully my opinion of it will improve over time. I certainly don´t see myself as a ´lazy´ listener. My favorite artists include Nick Drake, Leonard Cohen, and Suzanne Vega - not artists that ´satisfy immediately´.

I have to admit that I do find Paul Simon less musically and lyrically interesting than I used to. His greatest songs (Train In The Distance or Still Crazy) were about the complexities of relationships, shot through with an insight and a wry humour that`s missing from the later material.

Are we really saying that a song such as the Afterlife compares with the musical and lyrical beauty of Under African Skies, The Late Great Johnny Ace or Something So Right? Really? A great man did say ´That´s your opinion, I respect that´. He also said: ´A man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest.´..!

But to be serious for a moment...

`Hurricane` is right when he says that the Hearts And Bones and Graceland albums were the result of the tension and conflicts that were in his life at the time. But I would extend his point to say that it was this tension, this sense of searching for the answer to human relationships, that made his best work so compelling. I´m also guessing it was why he connected to a larger audience in the 1970s and 80s. For me, once this was resolved and he found equilibrium in his life, the albums became less interesting.

Now it may well be (as some of you suggest) that I haven´t got the critical insight to ´get´ his songs. Maybe. But the emphasis on God and `mysticism` that`s crept in since You`re the One ironically doesn`t have the same depth and meaning for me as songs like Hearts and Bones or American Tune. What is he actually saying in songs like So Beautiful, So What? or the Afterlife? Obfuscation is no substitute for artistry. For me his greatest songs connected because they were about human hope and frailties, the struggle of the every day; our mutual sorrows. For much of the noughties he moved from this to a tussle with the `big` questions of God, life, and death. Weighty themes, to be sure, but not ones that resonate with me as much.

I really wish I could share your excitement about the new material. I will, as you suggest, keep listening on. I`ll also be there in London on 28th June to watch Simon perform his new and earlier work. I know I`ll be spellbound. But for me (and I know this will cause consternation for you all) I think his greatest work is behind him. But I`m truly thankful for the gift he has shared with me.

Stephen

Jay
Apr-02-2011, 18:51 GMT
USA - United Staates America

Here is my song by song review of the album

Getting Ready For Christmas Day: This song is alot of bouncy fun with clever simplistic lyrics. The rhythm blends perfectly with the sermon providing an interesting and unique listening experience.

The Afterlife: To me this is the weakest song on the album. Don´t get me wrong it´s a great story, but there really is no change to the instrumental melody. This is made up for by how good the vocal melody is. Overall a really fun melody, that easily gets stuck in your head.

Dazzling Blue: This song is amazing. It reminds me of Under African Skies for some reason or another. It is a really good Love song with some unexpected melody shifts.

Rewrite: I love this song. The melody is great and one doesn´t have a hard time relating to the lyrics. The sophisticated guitar sounds make this song jump out of the speakers. The best part is the whistling at the end which reminds me of the theme song to the Old cartoon Doug.

Love and Hard Times: This is literally one of the best songs I´ve ever heard. The way the strings complement the lyrics is uncanny. I especially love the part about clouds of antelope.

Love is Eternal Sacred Light: This song is a blast! Four minutes or so that describe the entire history of the universe. I was left speechless the first time I heard it.

Amulet: Lovely instrumental. This goes very nicely before QFTA.

Questions for the Angels: This is a great narrative but if you´re not paying attention you might miss it. There are alot of subtitle changes in sound.

Love and Blessings: This song caught me off guard. I would have never guessed it was going to jump from a slow gospel bluegrassy song into a bouncy rock n´ roll song. This song contains some of the best imagery in the album.

So Beautiful or So What: This song is wonderful. The scope of the lyrics reaches really far. These are some of the best lyrics Paul has ever produced.

Over all: Very satisfying album. It´s quickly becoming my favorite.

Forum guest  
Apr-02-2011, 22:03 GMT
Spain

Stephen: "Consternation"? Why?

linclink
Apr-04-2011, 06:59 GMT
USA - United Staates America

Streaming on NPR´s First Listen until the release date of April 12th:
http://www.npr.org/2011/04/03/135047046/first-list
en-paul-simon-so-beautiful-or-so-what?ps=mh_fl
And here´s the review:
First Listen: Paul Simon, ´So Beautiful Or So What´
by Bruce Warren
April 3, 2011

When Paul Simon sings and plays, many languages are spoken: gospel, folk, R&B, African, doo-wop, blues and standard American pop. But they´re all synthesized into one of American music´s most unmistakable voices.

So Beautiful or So What is Simon´s first album since 2006´s Surprise. It´s also his best since Graceland, from the opener ("Getting Ready for Christmas Day") to the closing title track. "The Afterlife" echoes Graceland´s world fusion, graced with syncopated African rhythms and guitarist Vincent Nguini´s mellifluous guitar playing, while "Dazzling Blue" incorporates Indian rhythms and highlights Simon´s own wonderful guitar playing, which is so often overshadowed by the strength of his lyrics.

"Questions for the Angels" is Simon´s most beautiful song in years, paced just a step above a lullaby while the soft guitars, harp and marimba stand back enough for the words to come through: "If you shop for Love in a bargain store / and you don´t get what you bargained for / can you get your money back? / If an empty train in a railroad station / calls you to its destination / can you choose another track?" Simon poses these and other rhetorical questions from the perspective of a wandering pilgrim crossing the Brooklyn Bridge.

The album showcases a veteran songwriter who´s still in exquisite form. It´s classic Paul Simon, conveying the sense of place and emotion he´s captured, wondrously and timelessly, since the beginning.

So Beautiful or So What will stream here in its entirety until its release on April 12. Please leave your thoughts on the album in the comments section below.

linclink
Apr-04-2011, 13:12 GMT
USA - United Staates America

To all you tech savvy guys out there...if this is better quality than the first stream, please email those better quality MP3´s to your ´Ole ever-lovin´ linclink @ "[email protected]". Thanks & Blessings!

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