The folk rock legend recorded the album with longtime collaborator Roy Halee and imbued the songs with a range of influence, including Flamenco rhythms, Italian dance melodies and the offbeat styles of experimental composer Harry Partch,

So don't expect "The Sound of Silence"; Simon has other sounds in store for listeners. "Sound is the theme of this album as much as it's about the subjects of the individual songs," he said. "If people get that, I'll be pleased. The right song at the right time can live for generations. A beautiful sound, well that's forever."