Rating: NNN
Surprise! Paul Simon teamed up with Brian Eno, and the two of them did a record that’s, dare I say?, edgy. Well maybe that’s a bit extreme, as there’s no suppressing the optimism of Simon’s friendly vox. But consummate studio wiz Eno definitely does imbue the mix with some sonically compelling elements, washing songs through some darker-than-usual moods. Simon’s lyrics stimulate: “If the answer is infinite light, why do we live in the dark?” And his modestly penned, choir-accompanied protest elegy Wartime Prayers is relevant but tastefully maintains a timeless poignance by avoiding facile references to current events.