You're the One

By Gautam Baksi

Well into his fifth decade of song writing, Paul Simon's music is like the proverbial fine wine, improved and more mature with age. Filled with eleven mellow tracks, You're the One is a refreshing release with some lyrics still reminiscent of Paul Simon's early albums.

Fans of modern radio pop may find the CD slow and sluggish, but the patient listener will be rewarded with an easy-listening classic, certain to be ranked with Rhymin' as one of Simon's best.

The album opens with an unassuming flute melody on "That's Where I Belong." Tracing back roots and heritage, the song takes the listener through piercing images of a writer's memory. The silly "Pigs, Sheep and Wolves" appears to be little more than a parody of "Animal Farm." However, like Orwell, Simon's work is deeply politically based.

Questioning the need for capital punishment, Simon cleverly narrates the tale of a sheep's death leading to the lethal injection of a wolf.

But the album's title track, "You're the One," is far and away the best. Rhythmically evocative of "Late in the Evening," Simon mixes congas, keyboards, guitars and a horn section into a cynical love song: "May twelve angels guard you when you sleep / Maybe that's a waste of angels, I don't know."

Other standout tracks include the syncopated "Darling Lorraine" and sitar-based "Love," both of which could have easily found a home on Simon's last studio album, Rhythm of the Saints, released in 1990.

Throughout You're the One, Simon juxtaposes a collage of colorful images, mixing references to music, humor, politics and love with his established, thought-provoking lyrics.

The result is a pensive album that may alienate the passing listener, but captures a deep spirit lacking in contemporary releases.

Not to be compared with the immaculate Graceland or his best works with Garfunkel, You're the One is still a "must-have" for any Paul Simon fan.

Grade: A-