Surprise (studio album) by Paul Simon

After the slight disappointment of the, you're the one, album, Paul Simon returns six years later with an excellent record. Surprise, is probably Simon's most challenging album to date, featuring, according to the credits, ' sonic landscape' by Brian Eno. There is certainly a more ambient feeling to the songs, especially on, everything about it is a love song, and, sure don't feel like love. Outrageous, is a funky track, and, wartime prayers, one of Simon's best ballads for years. Other standouts are opener, how can you live in the northeast, another galaxy, and, once upon a time there was an ocean. Father and daughter,was recorded earlier for The Wild Thornberries soundtrack, and was added onto the album after it became a minor hit. Even though it's a nice enough song, it feels out of place here amongst the more atmospheric tracks. Still, surprise, is an excellent Paul Simon LP.

This record took me by surprise. Mr. Simon's strongest material in years.

From RoundTheBend 01/11/2012 00:05

I actually really like this album because I feel like he wanted to try something new. I mean, when was the last time you heard distortion on a Paul Simon album.