What I'm Listening To

Paul Simon, Surprise (Warner Brothers) Well, I'll be damned--Paul Simon sounds like he just heard Peter Gabriel's music and thought the world of it. Actually, that's a compliment, since he teams up with Brian Eno for this collection, and the past 20 years of Adult Contemporary Hits, musical dramas, and money reunions with Garfunkel evaporate. Eno is such a wonderful collaborator--he finds interesting sounds and textures and rhythms but leaves Simon the focus of the mixes. And damn, Paul's voice sounds great for 64. Mark's review: ****

Neko Case, Fox Confessor Brings the Flood (Anti) Outside of the New Pornographers, Neko Case is an artist I've admired more than enjoyed. She has a big, country-sounding voice but seemed to love dark, rockabilly-style dirges and ballads--like PJ Harvey crossed with K. D. Lang. So I'm happy that this one, besides letting a little light and space into the mixes, has a few uptempo tunes, as well as really good confessional sad/lost songs. And Neko as always sings like an angel.
Mark's review: ****