ALBUM REVIEW

The marriage of rock ‘n’ roll and musical theater has sometimes been a tacky affair, ridden with the sort of bombast that can characterize both genres at their most excessive. Fortunately, Simon doesn’t have tacky or bombastic instincts. As presented on his first studio album in seven years, 13 songs that will be featured in the singer-songwriter’s first stage musical, which opens on Broadway in January, are models of elegant, unaffected musicianship.

Documenting the ‘50s tabloid saga of the Capeman, a Puerto Rican immigrant who evolved from an arrogant teenage murderer into a model prisoner and poet, allows Simon to draw on many of the diverse styles that have influenced him throughout his career, from doo-wop to gospel to Latin and African textures. It also gives him an outlet for spiritual reflection and social commentary, as evidenced by such poignant songs as “Sunday Afternoon” and “Time Is an Ocean.”

Granted, the gently insinuating melodies here don’t exactly rank with Simon’s best work as a composer. But delivered with lyrical arrangements and emotive but never overstated vocals (by Simon and the show’s stars--Ruben Blades, Marc Anthony and Ednita Nazario), these numbers offer tasty, and tasteful, alternatives to the bloat of Andrew Lloyd Webber and his ilk.

*

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent).

*

Hear the Music

* Excerpts from the album “Songs From ‘The Capeman’ ” are available on The Times’ World Wide Web site. Point your browser to: http://ziira.shop/soundclips