Paul Simon Mellows Out For "Wristband"

Another fine Paul Simon broth has been brought to the table courtesy of "Wristband" the opening serve volleyed over the net from his soon to be released "Stranger To Stranger" album. Much of what makes a Paul Simon project a multi-sense experience can be found her. Buoyant brass, percussion lifted straight off the streets of any one pf the grittiest towns you can think of, jingling chimes, a total package that respects you the listener for having bothered to invest the emotional energy on Mr. Simon's new foray into the music lab. You might say "Wristband comes as close to copping a hip hop attitude as anything in Paul's catalog ever has. Through "Sounds of Silence" we know he can do tender. Both "Graceland" and "Rhythm of the Saints were world beat dynamos. Wristband" shows off what can happen when Paul grows comfortable with his place in the universe. There's a captivating shuffle permeating this air and it's a true pleasure to inhale the poetry of a man who's quite aware he doesn't have anything to prove to anyone. Even so, even in his early seventies he doesn't perform like a guy who assumes his best days are behind him. Clearly he's retained the talent for exciting witnesses to his concert stage. His new lyrics signal that he can hang with the hipsters of both yesterday and today. "Wristband" makes for spectacular backdrop to the latte of your choosing. It's a friendly little number accessible to fans of all stripes. From line one of the first verse Paul knows how to play it cool as possible, and in a way I haven't recalled since the "Graceland" track "I Know What I Know". You can hear encapsulated backstage excitement leap out of each instrument. But, returning to that first line..."I stepped outside the backstage door to breathe some nicotine and maybe check my mailbox, see if I can read the screen." Total player who knows how to work the room. The shuffling pace motivates you to shimmy along with the maestro himself. Why he would opt for something this aesthetically adorable at this juncture in his career smacks of unsolved mystery but some things benefit from the allure of not having all the answers. What sends me to heights of ecstasy surrounding a Paul Simon project is between the vocalist himself and the supporting bevy of musicians you come away dripping love that could only come from a family effort between kindred spirits who know what they're trotting out passes the sniff test by a country mile. They know what they contribute has meaning, meaning meant to last for decades. "Wristband" strikes these ears as a vital shot in the arm from a guy who knows his audience, himself, and the mighty windfall that dedication to craft his netted him since what feels like forever. What an opportune time for chill out chords and savvy sentiment.