By all accounts, it wasn't easy being the son of Paul Simon. From singing with dad on
Sesame Street
at seven to playing guitar on the Graceland tour, Harper Simon has grown up in the shadow of his famous father. But he's finally gotten over it and released his second album, a psychedelic/new wave collection that's a departure from his folkie-tinged debut. There's an echo of dad in Simon's lilting vocals on
Bonnie Brae,
and he's learnt a few harmonic tricks from his dad's old duo, but he pays more conscious homage to Elliot Smith (
Just Like St Teresa
) and Elvis Costello (
Eternal Questions
). With Smith's old producer Tom Rothrock, Attractions drummer Pete Thomas and Strokes bassist Nikolai Fraiture on board, it's worth taking a walk down Division Street. Harpersimon.com
Download tracks:
Veterans Parade, Bonnie Brae, Eternal Questions, Just Like St Teresa