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920 E ROOSEVELT RD WEST CHICAGO , IL 60185 thewcsocialclub @ gmail . com fashion . The booklet in the standard version actually omits the lyrics in favor of the storyline for each of the 33 tracks , complete with character descriptions of all the various main characters like Shiny , June , Osirah , and Nighthawk . When the penultimate track of the album “ Spellbinding ” hits with its partthe-clouds super-catchy chorus , it feels like an adventure is over . Something that certainly can ’ t be said for the work of The Smashing Pumpkins .
– Andy Derer
8
PAUL SIMON Seven Psalms
( OWL Records / Legacy )
Paul Simon has explained that Seven Psalms originated with a vivid dream on the night of January 15 , 2019 . Additional fragments of lyrics arrived over intermittent nights as he developed the music , ultimately unfolding into a song cycle that Simon says represents an internal argument about belief . The meditative material finds Simon writing from the vantage point of his age , feeling that his time is almost done but arriving at a place of peace . The arrangements are adorned exclusively with acoustic instrumentation , with emphasis on the sound of Simon ’ s voice and his acoustic guitar . Seven Psalms is intended to be heard as a 33-minute whole ( barring a vinyl album flip ), with one song flowing into the next . The album ’ s opening movement , “ The Lord ,” is a stirring proclamation of the different forms of Simon ’ s higher power , both benevolent and terrible . “ The Lord is a meal for the poorest of the poor ,” sings Simon in one stanza . “ The Lord is the ocean rising ,” he sings elsewhere . Further on , the Lord is a record producer . Simon describes a “ great migration ” of followers departing the faith , then points to the timeless traditions connecting generations of the faithful . The song ’ s central thought is about the potential for collective good . “ Nothing dies of too much love ,” sings Simon . “ Love is Like a Braid ” contemplates no less than the nature and turmoil of life ’ s experiences and the lasting consequences of even casual choices . Simon ’ s melody is accompanied by glistening fingerpicked acoustic guitar and colored by the distant thunder of a rumbling frame drum , a thrumming pump organ , and spinning bells . Simon ’ s inner dialogue turns outward during “ My Professional Opinion ” and suggests that despite widely varying circumstances , everyone endures the same fundamental struggles and burdens . “ What in the world are we whispering for ?” sings Simon , apparently to himself . “ Everyone ’ s naked , there ’ s nothing to hide .” The song ’ s sprightly folk-blues guitar and reedy harmonica accentuate the humor in its lyric . Simon expresses his doubts in “ Your Forgiveness ” but holds out hope for a place of eternal rest before Heaven reaches full capacity and closes the gates . The song glides atop Simon ’ s lyrical Spanish-style guitar playing and is elevated by a quartet of strings and flute , echoing the pensive emotion in Simon ’ s vocal . “ Two billion heartbeats and out , or does it all begin again ?” he wonders . “ Trail of Volcanoes ” describes the disasters left in the wake of youthful indiscretions and regrets that , once realized , the remaining time is insufficient to make amends . Terse propulsion is provided by the rhythm of hanging bells , underscored by the deep moans of resonant strings and reeds . Simon namechecks his famous forebear in the practice of psalmistry , calling out King David during “ The Sacred Harp .” The story song presents a mother and son as hitchhiking refugees and outcasts from their hometown . “ They don ’ t like different there ,” says the mother to her benevolent driver . Perhaps the most affecting aspect of the song is the tender duet with spouse Edie Brickell . “ Wait ” concludes the album with Simon ’ s most direct acknowledgment of mortality and apprehension about stepping into the next world . “ My hand ’ s steady ; my mind is still clear ,” he protests . Brickell joins again in the soothing voice of a beckoning angel . “ Heaven is beautiful ; it ’ s almost like home ,” she sings before Simon accepts that it ’ s time to come home with a final “ Amen .” The personal and intimate work here does benefit from trusted collaborators . In addition to Brickell , British vocal group VOCES8 add both harmony and dissonance to several tracks . In some cases , Simon layers voices to add harmonics to single-decaying guitar notes , creating an otherworldly sound .
Seven Psalms is being released with minimal fanfare . At 81 , Simon is done touring , and he is apparently giving few interviews . Odds are against reaching the broad audience of a smash hit like 1986 ’ s Graceland , but pop appeal isn ’ t the intention of this gentle and
AN EATERY , BAR , PREMIER LIVE MUSIC VENUE , AND EVENT SPACE
FRI , JUNE 09 Razor / Smokem Records
BLAZE ABK BOONDOX BUKSHOT
MON , JUNE 12
NASCAR ALOE
DEATHPROOF INC WHOKILLEDXIX
WED , JUNE 21
KOTTONMOUTH KINGS
SAT , JUNE 24 Deftones Tribute WHITE PONY
System Of A Down Tribute
DANCES WITH DDEER
A Perfect Circle Tribute
CONCENTRIC
Alice In Chains Tribute
A LITTLE BITTER
SUN , JULY 09
SKOLD
FRI , JULY 14
SHALLOW SIDE
SAT , JUNE 10 Slayer Tribute REIGN IN BLOOD Megadeth Tribute
HIGHSPEEDDIRT
King Diamond Tribute ABIGAIL Black Sabbath Tribute
AFTER FOREVER
Fear Factory Tribute
ZERO SIGNAL
FRI , JUNE 16 DEAD RECKONING
CENTRAL DISORDER WINGS OF SEVERANCE INDIGN BEHEADING THE ICON
THU , JUNE 22
PHIX
SAT , JULY 08
VCTMS
PRISON WEEPING WOUND WASTE DEAD / AWAKE VAPID SOUL THE GREEN LEAVES
TUE , JULY 11
HE IS LEGEND
SAT , AUG 12
STAR WARS METAL
GALACTIC EMPIRE
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