cd sunday: paul simon's graceland

it was my dad who introduced me to this album.  i had no interest in paul simon (i though he was a little to soft and "easy rock" for me), but when i returned from a semester abroad in south africa, i suddenly felt a deep connection for this album.  for one, much of the music on this record was deeply influenced by south african street music.  it even includes south african artists like ladysmith black mambazo.

and when i began to really take the music seriously, i realized, "wow, this is good stuff!"  each song holds incredibly deep meaning and emotion.  there is a deep energy present here that is hard to catagorize.  the music does have some african influence, but it is clearly still paul simon's style.  it isn't quite rock, nor is it folk music in the traditional sense.  it is something new - even now, almost 25 years after its original release.

today's photo is from that semester abroad in south africa.  one afternoon our group took a trip to the beach where we found this incredible secluded spot.  one of my classmates took this photo (my camera had been stolen earlier in the trip (for the 2nd time i might add)), and it came out beautifully.  it is a photo - much like this music - that transports me back in time to that semester of experiencing new cultures, values, peoples, and food.  a time of wonder, excitement, struggle, and stress.  and something i will never forget.

1. u2 - the joshua tree
2. dave matthews band - crash
3. cake - comfort eagle
4. blue rodeo - five days in july
5. the beach boys - pet sounds
6. coldplay - viva la vida
7. weezer - pinkerton
8. mates of state - re-arrange us
9. radiohead - ok computer 
10. nickel creek - this side
11. u2 - how to dismantle an atomic bomb 
12. the beatles - the white album 
13. sloan - one chord to another 
14. o.a.r. - risen