Clapton's return with 'Pilgrim' merits thanks

I put on Eric Clapton's new album, Pilgrim, while I was cleaning my room. With the first mellow strains of the album I discovered that continuing to clean my room was no longer an option. I ended up plopping into my favorite chair, leaving my shoes and dirty clothes to fend for themselves.

The mellowing chords of the debut song and first release, "My Father's Eyes," initiated a gradual change in thought from mundane occupation, to heavy introspection. (I began to contemplate life and all its facets, the nuclear bomb threat, etc.) Pilgrim, with its piercing, soulful harmonies inspires deep thought even from the laziest spring cleaner.

The album's cover art offers the first clue of what is to come. Clapton's furrowed brow suggests the contents are deep and reflective. Upon listening to the first three songs, the artwork fits the music entirely. Though the first songs on the album are slow, they contain the power that Clapton manages to pack into all of his work.

The lyrics are particularly strong and reminiscent of the glory days of "Layla" and "Tears in Heaven." As it has been a decade since he released an original album, the arrival of Pilgrim has excited longtime Clapton followers and opened his music to a new generation of fans.

Basking in these tunes, I felt a sense of peace and tranquillity that only a good song and a comfy chair can bring. The first half of the album is every indolent daydreamer's fantasy.

I just sat in my chair and gazed out the window, peacefully ignoring the piles of junk accumulating around me. I watched the people go by on the sidewalks and the grass sway in the breeze.

"My Father's Eyes" is gripping and thought-provoking. It is powerful in its simplicity and the subtlety of its comforting message of hope. The first few chords grab your attention and bring a smile to your lips. It has all the makings of a Top 20 smash – melody, backup singers, wholesome lyrics, not to mention Clapton on guitar.

The title track "Pilgrim" brought a deep sigh of joy as I propped my feet up on my stool and sank deeper into bliss. I tapped out the rhythm in the air and prayed that my roommate didn't come in to disturb my peaceful negligence. I began to plan the rest of the day in my head: listen to album, watch people stroll by, do not clean room.

To my unfortunate surprise the slow and soothing songs abruptly end when number six, "Going Down Slow" shifts the mood of the record. I was forced to surface from my cushy retreat at the first few strains of this hard, bluesy song. It was just as powerful, but more active.

During the next set of songs, I cleaned like a madwoman. My room was spic-and-span, just in time for the heart rending strains of "You Were There," a rock ballad of the highest caliber. People don't refer to Clapton as a "guitar god" for nothing.

I jumped back into my chair to enjoy his skillful riffs and soulful voice. This is one of the five songs on the album written completely by Clap-ton, and one of my personal favorites. (I just like gushy rock songs.)

The last song, "Inside of Me" is a surprise, a pop ballad with almost a techno feel. A spoken word section at the end of the song startles and adds a new flavor to the legend of Clapton.

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While snapping my fingers to this one and contemplating the day's events of nothingness, I realized that in just over 75 minutes I had gone from pondering life to spring cleaning to just enjoying the album.

With his great artistic diversity, Clapton has proven once again why he is so loved. Very few singer/songwriters can put so much soul into so many different types of songs. Pilgrim will easily be the album of the spring (he could even sink the Mistress of Cheese whose rock around her neck would make her hit the bottom hard), especially for up-and-coming Clapton fans.

Who wouldn't want to listen to an album that encourages laying about all day watching people go by? With its soulful tunes and mellow artistry, say thanksgiving for this Pilgrim – buy it or borrow it from a friend, but be prepared to fall in love and live with a messy room for a while.