Reviews (page 4 of 15)
Quite nice
no skips
I enjoyed most of this, pretty good overall.
5 - mastapiece
Famous songs
Classic
El sonido es suave como folk, pero también posee instrumentales muy preciosos. Conocía "The Boxer" y no lo sabía, así que fue una sorpresa reconocerla. Parece un disco pensado para disfrutar en tardes tranquilas. Me hace acordar a los Beatles muchas veces.
Snooze fest
A beautiful album by two great artists who just couldn't get along. It having The Boxer on here ensures a score of 4. Cecilia is probably my second favorite track on the album.
Love this album, my father had it when we were kids, I still love it today
I enjoyed it but it's not my favorite from them
wasn't hyped but there are some straight beautiful songs in this bad boy. favorite song is the title track, or El Condor Pasa (If I Could). strong 4
Rating: 7/10 Went in with mild expectations and came out enjoying the album well enough. It's old fashioned folk pop but definitely still has a timeless feel. The description suggests that this is the end of their creative endeavors and the peak of the band, and I can see it. Better than their last album that I listened to with more interesting musical diversity. There are two clear highlights in the tracklist to me, the title track and The Boxer, with the rest maintaining 'pretty good' status. Maybe I'll become more of a fan of the duo in time
Great album, lives up to the hype. Also felt more varied from the last Garfunkel & Simon album. Meandered a little but not too much, still felt solid. Bridge is an awesome song and kind of a bomb to start an album with, the hits were hitting, banger non-hit mention is The Only Living Boy in New York. Overall yeah strong stuff 7.8/10
Bastante insoportable la verdad
Ive heard good things abouth these guys. The title track and the boxer were really good. Most of the songs outside these two are prety mid. I dont think im a fan... I tought their sound was quieter. Its kinda the opposite. Not bad but definitively not for me.
A really great album.
I knew I was going to give this 5 stars halfway through the album. Beautiful melodies, harmonies and orchestration. Absolutely masterpiece and right up my alley. Faves: Bridge Over Troubled Water, El Condor Pasa (If I Could), Cecilia, Keep The Customer Satisfied ,The Boxer, Baby Driver
ripper. Classic. Many ear worms. “Paul Simon finds songs in the wind. The challenge for us ordinary musicians is to think of them before he does” - Some reviewer about Paul Simon i don’t remember the exact quote. He’s the goat
Me encanto ceciliaaaaa
I'm bumping this up mostly for The Only Living Boy in New York which for a while was one of my favourite songs. I forgot how much I like The Boxer too though.
Great album with some of their biggest hits. Only downside is cohesion and a little bit of filler
I thought I'd like this more than I did, but it's okay. It's good stuff! I'm proud of them making stomp-clap-burger music before the millennials had a chance to be born - thank you to Cecilia, which is one of the best songs on here tbh
The first song means a lot to me personally and the whole album is just goated overall. I love the tonal journey you go through with each track.
this was another album that was on steady repeat during my senior year of high school. i will always have incredibly fond feelings for it. when i got done at my stupid job at GameStop (horrible, terrible, truly very bad) i would start the album halfway (because i like the second half more) on my little cassette adapter while i drove to this friend's house or that friend's house to hang out for the rest of the night. love love love these two and love this album. for that reason it became kind of a nighttime album for me. favorites will probably always be "The Boxer" and "The Only Living Boy in New York", although "El Condor Pasa (If I Could)" is up there as well. really special album from two of my favorite singer/songwriters from the 60s/70s. i'd have to think more about this, but I might rate this, Sound of Silence, and Parsley Sage Rosemary and Thyme about the same. This is the first album I wish I could give like a 4.8, but whatever, let's round up, who fucking cares
Listen, I've never listened to this whole album before. Keep the Customer Satisfied for the first time was an incredible experience and it almost brought me to tears I was so overwhelmed with fun.
This is one of those albums that I’d say I enjoy on paper but have a difficult time sitting through. Some of these songs are so ubiquitous, it felt like I was listening to a commercial. Not S&G’s fault of course. Objectively I would say this is still a great album. Quality in a vacuum: 4.5 Enjoyment: 2.5-3
"Cecilia" and "Keep the Customer Satisfied" are an incredible one-two punch. This album cover is hilarious.
Much like the ~other~ BOTW, this album 1). is part of a wonderful lineage that I otherwise greatly enjoy; and 2). causes me to hiss like a cat at its mere mention. Let's explore why. I will tell you a story that at least some of you have probably heard 91 times because it's one of the only stories I actually enjoy telling. When I was in the 8th grade, there was a school talent show. This kid in my class named Nick, whose last name I don't remember, did an honestly really awesome performance of "Bridge Over Troubled Water," playing piano and everything. The school administration was so impressed that they asked Nick if he would like to perform at 8th grade graduation. He agreed. In the week leading up to graduation, we did rehearsals and this is where things go off the rails. We kept doing the walkthrough and every time we did it, they made poor Nick perform that whole song. They wouldn't just say "this is the part where Nick performs Bridge Over Troubled Water." They just kept making him play the song. Speaking CONSERVATIVELY, I would say we did 3 walkthroughs a day on the last week of school, which means I had to sit through this kid singing this song at least 15 fucking times in the span of a week. And it felt like they were hazing the kid at a certain point -- like, they didn't redo the Pledge of Allegiance or the prayer or any of that other stuff every time we did the rehearsal, but they made ol' Nick sit at the piano and sing his little heart out to the point of insanity. The song has never recovered for me. I hate it. I never want to hear it again. It's not the song's fault, it's James D. Adams Middle School's fault. According to US News and World Report, 25% of students at that school scored at or above the proficient level for math, and 38% scored at or above that level for reading. It's probably because when they should be in class they have to listen to their classmates sing Simon and Garfunkel songs. Luckily, after spending the first five minutes of the album gritting my teeth and going into a simulated flight or fight response, I get to hear the very good remainder of the album, which has "Cecilia" and "The Boxer" and "The Only Living Boy in New York."
top tier album, one dud at most among absolute legends
Definitely loved this one more in my younger days but it still holds up even though the title track is a bit schmaltzy.
Still brings a tear to the eye.
Todas as músicas parecem que vão ficar insanas e no fim é tudo meio pau mole
Super classudo!
Excellent j’ai beaucoup aimé l’ambiance de l’album !
This is an album that is so good, it's almost hard to write a review. If you've never heard anything from it before, yes you have. It's music that's so thoroughly percolated through western popular culture in the late 21st century that anyone with a passing interest in movies, television or music that isn't limited to the past couple of years will know a few songs from the record, and if they're anything like me, those songs will carry emotional weight and sensory memories that pull you straight out of your slipstream and up into the cognitive winds. For any album to start with Bridge Over Troubled Water is, quite frankly, astonishing. It's an emotional tsunami for which you would expect at least half an hour of warning. If you're going to squeeze me till the tears come out at least let me know so I can go to the bathroom first. Even more impressive is how the record continues and doesn't feel anticlimactic. By all rights it should. But it's full of songs which continue to tower and glitter, Cecilia, Keep The Customer Satisfied, The Boxer, Baby Drive, The Only Living Boy In New York. Are you kidding me? All needle drops in some of the biggest movies of our time and times gone by. Another reason it manages to bring us back from the edge safely is El Condor Pasa (If I Could) delicately manages to build up from nothing after the climax of Troubled Water, and delivers something reminiscent of their earlier hit Sound Of Silence. This helps wipe the slate and ease us into the idea of listening to some folk pop with Keep The Customer Satisfied throwing in a brass section. So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright is easily the most moving song you'll ever hear about an architect. The Boxer delivers Simon and Garfunkel at their finger pickiest, folk harmoniest, heights and the refrain of "lie-la-lie" manages to go from a soothing hum to a haunting chant over the course of the track with the impeccable and unexpected harmonic choices they make along the way. Baby Driver is so iconic it got a film named after it. The Only Living Boy In New York so full of loneliness and contentment, yearning for self actualisation, and the bitter sweetness of the smallness of living in a big world drifting in introspection. The stand out lyric tugs at my soul every time I hear it, "half of time we're gone, but we don't know where, and we don't know where. Here I am." Don't ask me to explain it any further, just dry your eyes. The funny thing is that "Why don't you write me?", which features a much more obviously painful subject matter, deals with it in such a silly way that you can't help but grin a little listening to it. Aside from that it's probably the least integral track of the record. It's followed by a fantastic live cover of the Everly Brother's "Bye Bye Love" which fits so easily with S&G's writing that you'd be forgiven for not noticing. It provides some more light relief, and doesn't force you ask any hard questions of yourself, just to smile through a heartbreak. This comes right before the closing track says farewell so delicately offering up the record with a gentle honesty that leaves you feeling like a dear friend just wrote you a letter, and offered to write you again, whenever you need.
In grade school, our music teacher organized a music show with young students singing to various degrees of success. Unfortunately I was amongst the failures, mostly because my voice was changing and breaking. I couldn't hit the high notes as I did 6 months earlier. So, our version of Bridge is, for me, a still uncomfortable memory. Amazingly, I still sing it in the shower without shame. 5 "cracking notes" stars.
lwk ass
deuxième fois que j'écoute cet album, que j'avais déjà apprécié à la première écoute !
Nice Album
This album is fantastic. It is such a delight of a record. So melodic and warm, and with so many different elements and sounds. It's definitely great. The songs are all amazing, and they grow and elvolve into beautiful pieces with strings arrangements and other delicate touches that make them even more powerful and sonically interesting. The first song kicks off really strong, but it is surely an anticipation for such a wonderful record.
Just so nice. Very white though isn't it. Favorite Tracks: The Boxer, The Only Living Boy In New York 4.4/5
Удивительной красоты заглавная песня и ещё множество замечательной музыки на этом альбоме. Пока не удалось поближе познакомиться с лирической составляющей в альбоме, но уверен, она не подкачала. По сути, альбом - лебединая песня этого дуэта, последняя работа, после чего их жизненные пути разошлись. Обязательно буду переслушивать его и дальше.
temazos, re tranqui 8/10
It was okay, but idk not really exciting for me
Oh duck yeah
Such serious perfect music. Almost a little solemn,. 3-4 epic all time tunes.....just not exactly lighthearted or fun.
i enjoyed the album, sounds like straight from Inside Lleywn Lewis
4.5
Side 1 is definitely stronger than Side 2, but this is a fabulous album. There are some all time worldies on this It has to be 5 stars
goated
I was like damn this album got fire but it was because Spotify played me something else
This has to be one of the greatest albums of all time.
Really enjoyed "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright"
This is the kind of thing I typically don't like at all, but you can't deny this is just a good album.
I'd say 4 out of 5. Personal fav song is "The only living boy in New York"
Not my vibe at all but appreciate
my second favorite album of all time. having cecilia, the boxer, and the only boy living in the new york is something one could only dream of. keep the customer satisfied is an underrated banger, and there’s nothing as close to poetic mastery as the title song. this is perfect in every way, and a true testament to how good of a songwriter paul simon is. i don’t think there’s anyone better. i’ve was that kid growing up who loved older music and had the other kids confused on why i liked it. this is what music should be.
i’m super fucking white but simon and garfunkel have always felt a bit too white for me. def some bangers on here though.
7/10
I listened to Simon & Garfunkel for the first time about a year ago. It was the album "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme" and I thought it was incredibly beautiful and soothing, so I had great expectations for this one. While this is also really wonderful and super smooth, it isn't really resonating with me. What makes this album so appealing are primarily the voice performances. They sound incredible delicate, gentle, emotional and catchy, making the album truly memorable. The instrumentation also sounds really great. It gives a nice and warm folk sound, with the use of acoustic guitars and some occasional horns and complementary strings. In additions, in songs like "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "The Boxer" they use a loud drum to make the songs more striking. In general, I would describe this album as more sad than cheerful, due to its mellowness and lyrics, but there are a handful of tracks that are quite upbeat, those being "Cecilia", "Keep the Customer Satisfied", "Baby Driver" and "Why Don't You Write Me", which sound positive and playful thanks to their melodies and rhythms, even though the lyrics might not be as high spirited as the music. Regardless of its great quality and incredibly performances, I'm finding it hard to get the full experience. Maybe at this point I might be sounding like I'm contradicting myself with all the praise I gave them, but I think they deserved. I truly believe this album stands out as a folk rock record, is just that I'm not personally emotional connected to its sound, so the score is more of a representation of the appreciation for the skilled musicianship instead of how much I resonated with it.
did not finish the whole album; bridge over troubled water is wholesome but the individual songs were hit or miss. Lots of character but not all appealing to me "if I could be a hammer, I would" - WHAT
This record is "Very Good" but it's not "GREAT." The success of the record is driven by the immense success of the title track's single not on the particular strength of the other songs.
This may be the most dynamically spanning record so far, surprisingly. Song for the asking is underrated and criminally too short. High 4 I think, enjoyed this a lot
very versatile and diverse. rock folk but has a song that sounds like and argentine folklore. i like hearing different instruments than the ones that i am use to. it gives me the idea of what 70’s america’s music sounds like.
Listened to before? Yes Context of album? End of Simon and Garfunkel’s time as a duo, a clear departure from their usual sound, spawned countless hits that basically everyone has heard before, revolutionary production. *Reviewed in a song-by-song format* I don’t like when albums begin with the title track. It’s like being thrown into the deep end—a shocking plunge into the heart of an album rather than a journey along a narrative line of action. Sadly, this album does begin with the title track. However, it’s so good I can’t even be all that mad about it. The piano floats and swells perfectly—the vocals are careful, controlled, and technically impressive while also being incredibly raw. It’s just a perfect song. There’s nothing more I can say about it. El Condor begins with a similar feel, with its creepy intro, but the song becomes something bittersweet and thoughtful as the vocals start. The instrumentals are curious and thoughtful. The vocals are dreamy. Cecelia then begins with Afro-influenced drums, bringing the album’s danceability up significantly. It’s an amazing song, just like the previous two, but the transition into Keep the Customer Satisfied is entirely too sudden. It throws me off every time. Keep the Customer Satisfied is one of my favorites. The chorus is so satisfying and the fanfare trumpets add an excellent flare. Not to mention the lethal sarcasm. Just one hell of a song. So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright slows things down once more. It’s almost trance like, with the rhythmic vocals and the combination of mysterious flute, beautiful acoustic guitar, and rain-like drums. The melody of The Boxer is beautiful. The gentle arpeggios and “lie lie lies” paired with the crashing drum during the chorus and the occasional odd instrument are just fantastic, and allows the song to maintain a feeling of zoned-out thoughtfulness while remaining dynamic and interesting. The build up at the end is transcendent and the return to simple acoustic guitar makes for a perfect resolution. Baby Driver swings the emotional pendulum of the album back in the more Cecelia direction. It’s a fun, folksy song with a subtle biting undertone. There’s even the sound of a car amongst a jazzy solo, which escalates into the chaotic ending. Only Living Boy has a fantastic, introspective narrative with wonderful drum fills and background vocals that make for a perfectly dynamic song, with contrasting loud/quiet sections creating a middle ground between a nostalgia and a hope. Why Don’t You Write Me is physically impossible not to dance to. Despite the anger behind it, everything about it is relentlessly fun. It’s a perfect movie soundtrack song. Then there’s Bye Bye Love, which would be a sad song, except for the fact that it’s live, and the audience is beautifully energetic. Including a live take in an album—especially for a cover—is such a creative idea. The audience takes their cover from being good to being excellent. The fade out of audience cheers into the slow Song for the Asking beautifully summarizes the bittersweetness present throughout BOTW, with the ultimate ode to solitude and reflection amongst community and
Surprised me how good it was
Noget nostalgi ved at have LP'en. Nogle fantastiske numre, men også et par fails.
Paul’s broken heart comes through so clearly on this .
Great harmony with these two, second favorite album for me
Ahhh fuck it yeah it is that good couldn’t be happier to have finally listened to this I’ll be blasting this over spring I’m so sure.
Walking bass everywhere, father of modern ballads
bummer, not what I want during work hours tbh. Still an all time great though
This was much better than the previous Simon & Garfunkel album I got. Some songs were pretty good, but not enough to give the album as a whole a 4.
A classic from Simon & Garfunkel; I used to listen to "Cecilia" all the time as a teenager, so Bridge Over Troubled Water brings back a lot of memories
If you want singer songwriter music, this is it.
Una sorpresa, me gusto
Not one for me. I just don’t like folk.
IN THE CLEARING STANDS A BOXER AND A FIGHTER BY HIS TRADE. AND HE CARRIES THE REMINDERS OF EVERY GLOVE THAT LAID HIM DOWN OR CUT HIM TILL HE CRIED OUT IN HIS ANGER AND HIS SHAME "I AM LEAVING, I AM LEAVING" BUT THE FIGHER STILL REMAINS.
IM THE ONLY LIVING BOY IN NEWWWW YORKK<333
Supeer buena, normalmente no escucharía algo de este género, pero lo disfrute
buen album tiene buenos temas mas que nada el 2,4 y 5 fueron los mejores temas la verdad es disfrutable, no es mi estilo yo le doy un 5/10
I really enjoyed listening to this album. There isn’t one type of song on it, there’s all kinds, for a plethora of different emotions. Loved it!
a good 7.5/10
I give it a 3.5 stars out of 5
פחות הסגנון שלי 3⭐️
Not how I thought Simon and Garfunkel sounded tbh lol
eh, iont rlly like simon garfunkle
Uno de mis álbumes favoritos
somewhat varied for a folk-rock album. i was expecting more intimate sentimental sad songs, but it's a testimony to how varied can be that genre, the way they made it.
Good, but too folky for me
This is my first time listening to S&G intentionally. I've avoided them for many years due to the only song of there's that anyone ever plays being sad and over played. The album as a whole is interesting. I wasn't prepared for the range of sounds. Since all I knew was 'Sounds of Silence', it felt like a nice reprieve to hear something else from them. Favorite Track: Keep the Customer Satisfied
8/10
I’ve heard this album a few times as I listened to it while reading a book about music in the late 60s. It’s a great album. I don’t need to tell you that. Or maybe I do. Simon & Garfunkel were a great team, but like most teams, they ended up kind of hating each other over time. Paul Simon essentially wrote all the songs, but Art Garfunkel had that voice. A legit voice of an angel. And there’s no better example of Art’s voice than on track 1, the title track, Bridge Over Troubled Water. It’s one of those songs that’s so beautiful it makes you want to cry, or at least it does that to me. The music is beautiful, but the lyrics are just amazing. They sum up what you want to hear from your friend and what you want to say to them, if we weren’t macho guys who only talked sports, that is. Bridge Over Troubled Water is one of the greatest songs ever written, and most of the cover versions are amazing as well. Check out Elvis Presley’s version. It’s chill-inducing. I feel like my heart is going to burst out of my chest. Simon & Garfunkel are, for the most part, folk singers, but that doesn’t mean they are soft. They make their songs sound bigger than you can imagine, but their songs can also be as soft as a whisper. As a duo, I’m not sure there were any better in the time they were together. The two released four singles off the album, with the second being the title track, and the third was track 3, Cecilia. It’s a very percussion-based folk song with handclapping and a bass drum, or a tom, beating throughout. Just a beautiful rocking song, though it isn’t electrified. It kind of gives me tropical island feels, the music anyway. I can vaguely remember hearing it on the radio as a kid. Track 4 is Keep the Customer Satisfied and it’s got a great brass section playing to go along with the acoustic guitars. It’s a fun little song about being hassled by fans or the man or somebody. At one point, a deputy sheriff tells the singer to get out of town because he’s in big trouble. Not sure if the singer is an outlaw or if it’s Simon coming home after a big tour. Oooh, big organ coming in after the first verse. Fun song. Track 5 is So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright and it’s a lovely little song. Has a wonderful flute solo in the middle. The song is a tribute, of course, to the architect Frank Lloyd Wright. That flute sings the 60s to me. Not in a bad way, but in a nice, childhood memory kind of way, and I wasn’t even around in the 1960s. Track 6 is The Boxer and it’s a song you’ve likely heard, but had no idea it was Simon & Garfunkel. Once you hear the lie, lie, lies in the middle, you’ll recognize it. The song is about a young man struggling through life in New York City. The song has this bass harmonica being played, and it sounds so strange, but it fits the song and the era perfectly. I know I’ve heard the instrument before, I think in the Apple Dumpling Gang movie or the Dukes of Hazzard, maybe. Great song and closes with a tuba blast sounding like a ship coming into the harbor. Track 7 is Baby Driver and it’s a Beach Boys-type rock song. It has great harmonies, and it’s just good old-fashioned rock and roll. The song makes you happy. Track 8 is The Only Living Boy in New York and it was written by Simon while Garfunkel was filming a movie in Mexico. The Aaaaaahhhhs make the song. According to Simon, the Aaaaahhhs were made up of about 12 to 15 voices. Then we have a church organ near the end. For what I assume was a frustrating time for Simon, waiting on Garfunkel to finish his movie, the song is so pretty. Isolation never sounded so good. Track 9 is Why Don’t You Write Me, and it has a reggae vibe to it. Their harmonies sound very Beach Boys-like, and then a baritone sax has a great solo at the end. This song sounds like Garfunkel was stuck waiting to finish his movie and was wondering why Simon hadn’t checked in on him, you know, dropped a line. Now there’s a dobro? What a fascinating song. Track 10 is a live cover of the Everly Brothers’ Bye Bye Love. Maybe I just don’t see or hear it enough, but the Everly Brothers seem to be vastly underrated in how they played a huge role in creating rock and roll. They influenced everyone in those early days, all the way up to, and including, the Beatles. The crowd went wild during that song, which is nice. Track 11 is Song for the Asking, and it closes this must-listen album. The song is looked at as both Simon and Garfunkel trying to make amends and hoping to make music together in the future. The duo would split up after this album was released, and over the years rarely spoke to each other. Simon went on to become a huge star, writing hit after hit, and Garfunkel tried acting and putting out his own music, but he wasn’t a songwriter like Simon. Sadly, these two incredibly talented people couldn’t figure out how to compromise and make things work. But it happens. They did work together and reunite a few times, but that's it. This album is one of the greatest albums ever, and I’d recommend everyone check it out. I think it may open up many people’s ears as it comes to folk music.
It’s fine
Solo me gusto la primera canción
Good album with some good songs
Bridge Over Troubled Waters // The Boxer //
Kinda sounds pretentious, folksy bullshit basically. Boring.
Added three songs to my favorites list! I think this album was big when I was BORN, but the Boxer and Bye Bye Love and even Cecilia remain great. The rest was way too slow and melancholy to hit a list. These two needed some SSRIs.
Obviously a classic. Fav song: Only Living Boy in New York
The album cover photo is kind of telling as Simon's solo career would soon near completely eclipse Garfunkel's. Nevertheless, AG has his finest moment singing lead on the title track. The Boxer is outstanding as well. Definitely a classic. 4/5
Perfect album!
Not my personal taste, but I see why people like it.
Chock full of classics
Automatic 5 from me.
my favs were bridge over troubled water, bye bye love, and so long frank lloyd wright. this album isn’t really my vibe though
Leuk dat ik nog eens een gelegenheid had om deze klassieker te herbezoeken. De plaat had een mooie afwisseling van nummers die iets emotioneler waren en nummers waar je bijna niet stil kon bij blijven zitten, iets wat me niet makkelijk lijkt om te laten werken. De vocals zijn ook zo goed, zeker wanneer ze samen zingen, doet zeker iets met een mens. Mijn favoriet nummer: keep the customer satisfied, Maar 'bridge over troubled water', 'Cecilia' en 'el condor pasa' (if I would) komen dichtbij.
straight banger. no skips. wow
A stellar product of its time, with inciteful and cutting analysis of social and spiritual shit.
It kinda is that album
Voting issue... I have loved SnG for over 40 years. My intro to 60s folk and rock. Haven't listened to this album in 20 years and can't still sing every lyric. LOVE it. But I hate Bridge Over Troubled Water. With a passion. Always have. Every other song fucks. 4 or 5 stars? Ugh. Fuck it. 5.
Didnt really like it
I fuckng love this album
Iconic.
I’m only sad that I can’t listen to it again
Why’s he hiding?
Really good and great harmony
bridge over troubled water carried this imo. im a hater, but not a bad album either.
Pretty meh, galvojau bus džiazas, sori jei praleidau ką profound
So lovely. Clarified some frustrations with Baby Driver (the movie)
i find it so badass when people release their best album as their last album... logically you'd really want to capitalize off of a hugely critically acclaimed album right? these guys were like whatever fuck it. and just for the record im team art fuck paul simon.
A bit too soft for my liking, but I can hear the craftmanship.
Meh
Son realmente buenos. No me gusta el folk rock en general, pero ellos definitivamente tienen algo. 5/10
- Packed with iconic songs, only three I didn't recognise - Slightly strange to have one live rendition of a song
Gorgeous. “Cecelia” is one of the happiest songs I’ve ever heard. “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and “The Boxer” plumb the depths of the opposite emotional pole. There is a lot more I could say, but I’m on my second Old Fashioned and I’m feeling a little lazy. 4.5 stars.
Lamentablemente no disfruto practicamente nada del folk y este disco no fue la excepcion. Si quiero rescatar las voces y la armonia de los instrumentos, a pesar de no gustarme el genero valoro lo suave de por lo menos este ejemplo.
Luister ik vaak naar 🤩
Dit is echt super!! Zo rustgevend, leuke liedjes en ook een paar nieuwe
Excellent. Mom said she borrowed the vinyl from the library and recorded it on cassette tape.
Is necessary in society.
My first memory is being 2/3 yo with my dad and the ‘Lai Le Lai’ part of the Boxer playing. By default this record get a 5 as it was my musical introduction into consciousness. A staple of my upbringing…In grown up years, I became quite partial to ‘only living boy in NY. Time wears on the grooves of this album but it still stands up.
Not everything that is near universally praised will be my cup of tea and that's fine by me. I find some of this to be just over the top corny. Also, I can't unsee that if you put your thumb on Paul's face, Art gets a serious handlebar mustache.
The Boxer, and Cecilia. Good. The rest, not so much. Title track is corny as hell to my 2026 ears and I didn't find much to like about the rest. Not being a Paul Simon hater here but I just don't find this aged very well. I'll give it a 3 on the strength of those 2 singles but it's absolutely a weak 3.
slow, chill, good for background at work.
The whole album is fine, the song The boxer is a WOW.
this album is a banger..no notes favorite song: the only living boy in new york HM: The Boxer least favorite song: why don’t you write me
I have never listened to this album before, but I was familiar with over half of the tracks - this thing is just full of hits. I can't say I'm overly keen on the title track actually, but nonetheless it's a brilliant album, and is deserved of its reputation. Favourites: Cecilia So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright The Only Living Boy in New York
Ehhh
hassıktır
To be fair I forgot to listen to this yesterday BUT Michael and I listened to the record a couple weeks ago and I remember it being a 5/5
After a run of some albums that I really didn’t enjoy, we move on to this album which I have never listened to fully before. Yes I’ve heard a few of the tracks here and there. But this was a very welcome change. There’s something about the title track that just has to be played loud when listening through headphones. The build up of the piano. The final note being held. Chills. Literal chills. This was an enjoyable listen and I will definitely revisit again in the future a solid four stars here, starting the week strong. Standout tracks - The Boxer and The Only Living Boy in New York
the instrumentals are awesome a very nice folk rock vibe kind of wistful
Love love
This is the second Simon and Garfunkel album I’ve had on here. I didn’t grow up in a family that listened to them; I’ve heard a lot of these songs before, but they don’t hold any special emotional weight for me. As compared to the first album of theirs I had, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme (which I liked quite a bit), this has them branching out from their folk-influenced roots. It sounds great, their sense of melody is pretty much unmatched, but as a matter of taste, I very much prefer the more folky stuff.
Very good album. Not a big fan of "El condor pasa" or the "Bye, bye love" cover. But I really liked The Boxer, Bridge Over Troubled Waters, or The Only Living Boy in New York.
Kinda boring, very deep and mellow good for like background music in a nighttime car ride very soothing
So much fun. Definitely a 5/5. I’m glad I came back to this.
This is truly an awesome album...where is the sixth star button?
I liked it, but not my favorite. I especially enjoy the song Bridge Over Troubled.
Favorite tracks: Bridge Over Troubled Water, El condor pasa, The Boxer, Baby Driver, The Only Living Boy in New York
beautiful
Favourite Songs: Keep The Customer Satisfied
All time classic with some all time great songs. Never listened to them a lot growing up but some of these songs are part of culture.
10 stars just for Bridge Over Troubled Water (and Cecilia, and The Boxer and and….)
I love this album. It’s a little corny at times, but its sincerity outweighs its corniness to me.
Not usually my thing, but really enjoyed it
Parts of this are incredible 10/10 but sometimes the lullaby quality tips over a bit too far. Will absolutely be listening again tho.
I’m a basic bitch whose favourite song on this album is Cecilia. I don’t think the sound mixing on this has been optimised for streaming/headphones because it was so soft even with my volume turned all the way up and it really got in the way of the listening experience for me. I’d hazard that my rating might be higher if I’d listened via another medium.
This was pretty good, hey! Who would’ve thought? Recognised more than I expected to, which is always a pleasant surprise
As a collection of songs, this is probably Simon and Garfunkel’s most complete and strongest selection. The Boxer is their best song by a country mile. Only Living Boy in New York would be any other bands best song. Sometimes this steers too far into ‘cheese’. Bridge Over Troubled Water is too cheesy for its own good and doesn’t register as one or Paul Simon’s best to me. Maybe when Elvis turns it into a completely camp, smoking mess, but not when ol’ Art here is singing with as much sincerity as he can muster.
Powerful work by the greatest singer/songwriter duo in history.
ew gross
simon and the other fella with the funny moustache This is probably the first time I've listened to anything by S&G except for The Sound of Silence (which has been ruined to me by overplaying). Boy did this thing not disappoint. I will absolutely be giving this about 30 more listens, this is probably even better than Graceland IMO.
What negative thing can I possibly say about this? Baby Driver is a bit kitschy? God, this is such a moving album. It means such a great deal to me that I don't even want to dissect its lyricism or instrumentation because it would be like personally doing an autopsy on a loved one. It's brilliant. Highlights: Bridge Over Troubled Water, El Cóndor Pasa (If I Could), Cecilia, Keep The Customer Satisfied, The Boxer, The Only Living Boy in New York
I remember hearing this one when younger
Fantastic I have always loved this album
3/5 Paar mooie numbers Geen al te grote fan van de opname manier, alles lijkt opgenomen uit een blik
Cecilia told me to give this 5 stars - it’s a brilliant album and if you don’t think so your just wrong
Heartfelt and not trying to be too cool.
Pretty great
Fabulous album all the way through.
Paul Simon wrote Bridge Over Troubled Water and some fuckass put it as the first track on this album, and probably said something like, "I'm sure the rest of it won't be that good, we better frontload," and then every song on this album proceeded to be a fucking classic. Paul, you 5'5" madlad maniac genuis. I love you. Also, Art Garfunkel is there to do the singing and you can't go wrong with that.
Je ne serais pas allée vers Simon and Garfunkel par moi même (à cause de The sound of scilence, la soundtrack de Girl Interrupted et leur manière de chanter mélancoliquement). Enfait, c'est une très bonne surprise!
This is one of the best folk albums of all time. The lyricism is so beautiful and every song paints a different picture that transports you to a story. It’s almost like an audiobook the way each song has its in narrative and characters. The harmonies are also some of the best from a folk group and overall this album is a no skip classic. My favorite from Simon and Garfunkel is bookends, but this one comes in as a close second
I listened to half so far need to hear rest but pretty good
really just a moment in time captured in music
i found it pretty boring without much going on, but some nice notes in the middle
Was glad to hear “condor” cus played it in violin concert. Cosy playlist. Discovered that “sound of silence” is their
First half was good, didn't enjoy 2nd as much. I think PSRT is better, there's not much Garfunkel here I feel.
3 amazing songs on it
Bridge Over Troubled Water is a beautiful album. Coming in, I expected a quieter album due to the ones I knew already being quiet, but there were livelier numbers along with the softer ones. The power of their voices is undeniable!
There were like, one or two songs that really stood out, but otherwise, meeeeeh
I’ve mentioned this before on a Simon and Garfunkel release: I like the sonic experience. I enjoy the sound of the guitars and how they’re captured. The vocal harmonies are as well. Cecelia is a notable example of a well executed recording. This album also has snoozers like the opening track. The vibe of this album makes me uncomfortable. This is the sound of Ivy League college students. I don’t know if that’s true but it’s the feeling I get.
The title track and the boxer have aged beautifully. the quieter tracks are graceful and the melodies are consistently lovely. some of the more jaunty numbers feel a bit stale but still wield a refreshing mix of styles, including jazz, r&b, soft rock, country and folk. a rewarding listen overall and one i wish to return to.
Boring, IMO
Great listen. I can tell this is an album that if listened to over and over it gets better and better. Lots of different elements to listen for.
Brilliant top to bottom. Paul Simon is a musical genius.
practically a 10/5
Watched a fairly interesting documentary about this album on Friday night. O. M. G. What a flippin' coincidence!!!!!!! These were the main takeaways, while we munched on a takeaway: 1) Paul Simon can never admit he's wrong 2) Art Garfunkel is a regular height I think this album is probably their best one because the corny tracks are the least corny, kinda like how the Beatles best album is Sgt. Pepper cos 'With a Little Help From My Friends' is the best Ringo song. It might also have the best of their best songs but that's slightly more debatable if you ask me. Anyway, defo five stars, love a bit of Sims and Gar.
high 5 one of my all time all time favs. makes other albums look absolutely rubbish. in my top 10 i recon. up there for best album of the 60s ( even tho it came out in 70 ) and maybe of all time. its a simon garfunkel best of in many ways but some of the lesser known tracks are my favs. "keep the customer satisfied" has some of the most pure energy of any recording. its simply exhilarating. have trumpets every sounded better? it just pumps you full of life man can you dig it? many times have a listen over and over to this track.
i know this one i love it
achei que seria tão chato quanto o último que recebi deles, mas tem músicas muito bacaninhas (cecilia, keep the costumes satisfied, baby driver...). gostei.
One of my favorite albums ever!!
Used to love S&G. Loved the contrast to my usual Prog Rock. Still a great album for me.
Beautifull album, some filler imo, but has some great highs. 1. Cecilia 2. The only living boy in New York 3. Bridge over troubled water
Rating 7/10. Best Song - Bridge Over Troubled Water.
one of the top five albums of all time. flawless.
This album would be certified a classic based on the title track alone, a song that has arguably the single greatest vocal take in history. But the rest of the album is nearly just as strong, with Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel singing about life through the eyes of various characters, or the struggles of living in New York. It's a shame that this would be the duo's last album, but they truly go out on a high note here.
4.4/5
4.3
I will always love Simon and Garfunkel, apart from the song Bridge Over Troubled Water, (I urge everyone to listen to Prince Busters version, it’s beautiful) otherwise I could listen to any S&G again and again on repeat, they soothe my soul
Possibly the best pop album ever?? Their absolute peak.
- Very pretty instrumentation - Vocals are very nice - Won album of the year/song of the year in 1970 - Liked 'The Boxer', 'Baby Driver', 'Why Don't You Write Me' - Songs don't stand out against each other too much
Great album
Fantastic album. Love me some S&G.
It's just that good
Todella loistava levy. 4,25/5.
🔥
70s Flower Power
A masterpiece by the New York City duo, it is packed with hits and is such a beautiful and enjoyable listen. 9/10 [KEEP]
When this showed up on my list I was going to skip it. But I am glad I didn't. I really enjoyed the album, other than So Long Frank Loyd Wright, which I couldn't get into.
Viele bekannten Lieder alle auf diesen Album. Kann man hören. Aber wird kein Favorit. Keine Überraschung dabei. Die nicht bekannten Lieder sind halt ok.
Loved this one! Adding to my oldies playlist immediately
It was ok; a little slow for me.
An album cover we all know. I really liked this album, it was clever, easy to listen to and warming
Not my absolute favorite Simon and Garfunkel, but a stone cold classic anyway. So, so good.
A true masterpiece, some of the best songs written and performed in history.
genuinely one of my favorite albums of all time, bar none. i think it's as close to a perfect album as you might find. paul simon's songwriting is at its peak, the arrangements and production are fantastic, art garfunkel's voice soars like it never has before. i could go on about the title track for a long time, but it truly is one of the most beautiful songs put to tape of all time. the way it builds and soars. it is an achievement. everything else on here is also great, from paul simon's first toe dip into world music with 'el condor pasa' to some fun and poppy tunes (with innuendo too!). my only qualm is the live track feels phoned in and feels like they put it there because they didn't have enough material. but the rest of the album is terrific. there's a reason it is held in such high regard.
More varied than I remember. Some really great songs, one or two just okay ones. Not much more to say other than a very good album overall.
Somehow I don’t think I’ve ever listened through this in its entirety. It is a collection of phenomenal songs that somehow ends up being much better than the sum of its remarkable parts. Wonderful album.
With its blending of styles and tight harmonies, it's clear why this is a classic. It's impossible not to feel emotions hearing Art Garfunkel's solo on the title track. The whole album evokes comfort and warmth.
They hit every time. It's sweet, it's nice, it's filled with misery.
4/5 Another lovely Simon & Garfunkel album that made me feel melancholy. It's a good one.
круто, но чото не вьетнам
Starting things off with a classic album. Overall, this was a very sentimental listen. Some songs are feel-good. Others made me feel kind of wistful. It's just honest-to-God folk music that sets the standard high. Would definitely revisit!
A classic with some big hits.
Hela livet i ett album. Här bor mitt hjärta.
Sweet, cute tunes, love Celia. Feels like a treat.
Ok
Bridge over troubled water - 5 out of 5 El condor pasa - 2 out of 5 Cecilia - 5 out of 5 Keep the customer satisfied - 2 out of 5 So long, Frank Lloyd Wright - 3 out of 5 The boxer - 2 out of 5 Baby driver - 3 out of 5 The only living boy in new york - 5 out of 5 Why don't you write me - 4 out of 5 Bye bye love - 4 out of 5 Song for the asking - 2 out of 5
Some forgettable tracks but decent overall. Not really what I'd typically listen to but I can appreciate why others would enjoy this more.
Neemt je mee plus paar vangers
Important album with some amazing songs however not one of my favourites.
Fabulous.
Perfectly good album. I enjoy the harmonies and the acoustic vibes from it. The Boxer is my favorite track.
I adore Simon & Garfunkel's music, and I adore this album. I'd happily listen to it again and again, and I have multiple songs (Cecilia, Bridge Over Troubled Water, The Boxer, Baby Driver) on my playlist already. Easy 5.
Este género de folk esta mucho mejor que otros que he escuchado.
This album is perfect. The vocal harmonies, the instrumentation, the varying styles that drawing inspiration from folk, rock, and anything in between. I don't often pay attention to lyrics much, but these two are such artful storytellers as well. I found a newfound appreciation for the songs I already knew, and immediately loved the ones I was less familiar with. Just beautiful 10/10
5 stars. Don't even need to listen. Biggest albums for me (thx to Mombo & Granddad) as a kid were probably this, Sgt. Pepper, and Sly/Family Stone's Greatest Hits. But I will listen. I love these songs. They're in my DNA. And they exist as a cohesive unit in my mind and heart. 5.5 stars ;)
there are some absolute titans on this album. "Bridge Over Troubled Water" is verging on saccharine, but I think it's only suffering success because it's played so much. If you heard it for the first time it would blow you away. El Condor Pasa is one of my favorite songs ever. I think The Boxer has an even better claim to be a greatest song ever written. There are weaker tracks, but it doesn't really matter because of the duo's vocals and such a high standard of song writing. It's hard for me to take an objective look because these titans have been with me for as long as I can remember, but I don't mind
No es mi gusto
Años 70, buen álbum, suena muy bien y transmite el recorrido de la soledad y el amor.
Fav song: why don’t you write me Album rating: 6.6
Classic
Not a fan of the mix. Some of the ancillary sounds are way too up front. The songs are great for the most part but become overdone suddenly.
one of the greatest folk artists. unfortch for me folk isn't something i can relate too much. just feel like my dad was listening to this a million years ago. some of these songs are straight up slappers though. baby driver? let's f'in go. the anti v. war is good too. this is just the stuff that i am happy exists because it inspired a lot of stuff that i love, but as far as turning on myself; unlikely
Enjoyed the folky 60s instrumentation. Probably controversial, however I find the Simon and Garfunkels singing/harmonising too cloying or precious. It does suit their music but its not for me. I really didn't get the reverence people have for Cecelia. I don't mind BOTW even if it is a bit sappy (prefer covers), and I have always liked The Boxer. I don't quite see this come together as an album, and beginning with BOTW is a curious decision. Overall very conflicted on rating this betwen a 3 and 4
Going into this album, I expected it to be somewhat emotionally heavy, BOTW feels very carefully crafted and cinematic but as with many S&G songs they’re almost too nice or polished for me to properly enjoy. Production wise BOTW is incredibly balanced, it uses a full orchestra with loads of layering which gives it a sort of gospel sound, everything sits very beautifully in the mix but to the point it loses any grit. Vocally S&G are technically stunning, harmonies are perfect, too perfect? I think how nice everything sounded throughout made me disengaged at times, there are tracks which I love for example the Boxer but an entire album of this was somewhat boring to me. BOTW is a very mature and well crafted album, but for me the same qualities that make it “great” also make it less interesting.
the album shares a chill vibe and i think it is perfect for moments when you are on your own company. Feels like cooking pasta for one and enjoying the plate with the satisfaction of having yourself back again.
Good one.
That didn't age well ...
Wouldn't haven thought to like this album so much. So many well known songs, that I never really listened to. A lot more complex/interesting things going than I thought
Album that manages to hide a lot of complexity under a very pop surface, effortlessly integrating influences from other genres. Highlight: So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright
For the tracks at the beginning and end, i couldn't come up with an activity were i would listen to them, except "listening to music". But in the middle there were some good classics.
5/5 would totally spend weeks learning any song off this for my amateur choir. Despite knowing a lot of songs on it, I'd never listened to this album before. But from now on I'm pulling this out for cozy afternoons with the family.
cultural important for its big impact. music itself is pretty boring and very light weight.
Clearly a historically very important album. Maybe because it was so influential, it just sounded a bit tired to me. Some songs did stand out: The Boxer and Cecilia. I will listen to those again, for sure.
Very nearly perfect - songs like bridges themselves, sung etween friends, between childhood and adulthood. Transcendent, innocent, incredible. High 4 (can't stand bye bye love)
Definitely a nostalgiafest. Also beautiful.
все песни «Bridge Over Troubled Water» красивые, приятные. чем-то напоминает битлов. не совсем мое, но под определенное настроение очень хорошо «Bye Bye Love”, “Cecilia” - пошли в плейлист
Phenomenal album that stands the rest of time. Art's voice is breathtaking.
Not my style
Instant classic!
Short, sweet, and packed with jams!
Helluva an opener, and at least four tracks on here that are absolute classics. Overall album length is spot on too.
My favorite Simon and Garfunkel album. It just sounds like New York City in the winter time, and the cover furthers that setting. Is there any better moment in music than "In the clearing stands a boxer...." with the bass harmonica? Plus this album is a short, easy listen.
Not rating this 5 stars just seems ungenerous. An absolutely era-defining record that will still be played in another 50 years by anyone who loves music.
love it, a classic, but yea not for me at this point in my life, you can only hear el condor pasa a couple of thousand times before it starts sounding like elevator music :P
Lo siento pero no puedo con ellos... :(
Good music, but not my piece of cake.
I loved this album, but I'm not really surprised about that. The title track, El Condor Pasa (If I Could) and The Boxer are probably my favourites. That being said, I need these two broads to make up so I can see them together in concert before one of them kicks the bucket. Will I be able to afford the tickets if this happens, probably not, but at least give me the chance.
Не котирую фолк но эти братаны приятны
I find S&G a bit hit and miss, and while there are still a couple of tracks that aren't very memorable, most of these are top tier career classics. The fact that any decent best of all more than half of this says something. The instrumentation is also worth mentioning. They're really trying some things here
Приятный инструментал и вокал, они действительно хороши, но ничего особенного не испытала
Already knew a few of these songs but have never listened to the full album. Wow. Blown away! Absolutely loved it. I think I saved the whole album.
perfect.
Used to crank this. I do have a kind of magnetic repulsion / attraction to the folk scene in general, sometimes I'm super into it and other times I cringe. This record's got some bangers tho, and I became familiar with it during an impressionable time in my life. Simon and Garfunkel at their best. Art Garfunkel is such a cool name, what happened to him? My impression is that he kinda fell off whereas Paul Simon went big...? The crowd clapping along in Bye Bye Love annoys me. Shaddap.
This was on a lot growing up. Don't mind it but I'm never going to actively put it on. Scratch that. This album slaps. 6/5
Over expectations
Listening session: february 15th, while going for a walk Listened to before: listened to a few songs before Thoughts: the more harmonies, the better in my opinion Favourite tracks: Bridge Over Troubled Water, So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright & The Boxer
8/10
*Some great songs but it loses steam at times
Ya lo había escuchado, posiblemente en 2023. Me emboba la música melódica y este álbum está hecho de caramelos; que lo hayan conseguido para los temas acústicos sentimentales, los teátricos y todo lo que está en medio no ha terminado de encantarme. Favorita: So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright.
If this only had Cecilia and The Boxer, it would’ve a four star album. But almost every song is good to great. El Condor Pasa is an under the radar sort of great song. And the title song is also a deeply emotional masterpiece, although I admittedly have to be in the mood for it. In amazing duo at their peak.
Always a banger
Fuck it, I admit it. This album rules.
Excellent album.
I know they’re iconic musicians but admittedly I didn’t know what I was getting into. The result? I think I listened three times to the album today. Just jam packed with great music and songs that could fill a greatest hits list. Maybe it was my mood, or just plain great music - but 5*.
Timeless, already a 5 star in my mind without even clicking the link.
Es como escuchar un album de The Beatles (nunca escuché un album de The Beatles).
Farrrmmaaaa
C'est marrant comme on a tendance à mythifier l'année où l'on pousse son premier cri, comme si les astres musicaux s'étaient alignés pour célébrer l'arrivée d'un futur maniaque du vinyle. Et pourtant, quand je regarde ce "Bridge Over Troubled Water", sorti pile cette année-là, je me dis que le cadeau d'anniversaire a un goût un peu étrange. Un goût d'adieu, de fin de règne, et d'une perfection glacée qui me laisse, disons-le tout net, un peu sur le carreau. On ne va pas se mentir, c'est un monstre sacré, et si je devais sortir ma casquette de l'ancien disquaire que j'étais à la fin des années 90, je dirais que c'est l'album "Incontournable". Celui qu'on vendait à la pelle, celui que tout le monde connaît, celui qui trône dans la collection de disques de vos parents, coincé entre un Best Of des Eagles et, si vous avez de la chance, un vieux Bowie. Mais voilà, je ne suis plus derrière le comptoir, et aujourd'hui, j'ai envie de gratter un peu le vernis. J'avais adoré "Bookends" et je lui avais collé un 4/5 senti et mérité. J'avais aussi encensé "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme", encore un 4/5. Ces albums avaient une âme, une cohérence, une espèce de chaleur mélancolique qui me parlait. Là, avec "Bridge Over Troubled Water", on est ailleurs, on est dans la stratosphère de la production pop. C'est beau, c'est propre, c'est une production d'orfèvre, il n'y a pas un cheveu qui dépasse. Roy Halee et le duo ont bossé comme des dingues, ça s'entend et c'est techniquement irréprochable. Mais bordel, que c'est froid. C'est froid comme cette "eau troublée" du titre. Et c'est peut-être là le paradoxe de cet album : il est censé être un message de réconfort, d'amitié, de soutien ("I will lay me down", tout ça), mais il sonne surtout comme deux types qui ne peuvent plus se voir en peinture et qui enregistrent chacun dans leur coin pour livrer le produit fini contractuel ultime. On sait que l'ambiance était délétère pendant l'enregistrement, que Paul Simon et Art Garfunkel étaient au bord de la rupture (qui arrivera juste après), et franchement, j'ai l'impression que ça suinte par les micros. Alors oui, il y a les tubes et la chanson titre est monumentale, c'est une cathédrale. Art Garfunkel y livre probablement la performance vocale de sa vie, une montée en puissance qui ferait pleurer une statue. "The Boxer", c'est pareil, c'est du génie de composition, avec ce refrain "lie-la-lie" qui rentre dans le crâne pour ne plus jamais en sortir. Et puis il y a "Cecilia", ce truc rythmique un peu foutraque enregistré sur un tabouret de cuisine qui apporte un peu de vie, ou "El Condor Pasa" qui a fait découvrir la musique andine à la planète entière (pour le meilleur et pour le pire, diront ceux qui ont trop entendu de flûte de pan dans le métro). Mais en dehors de ces piliers ? Que reste-t-il ? J'ai beau être un fan absolu de trucs qui s'étirent en longueur et qui prennent leur temps – je vous rappelle que je peux écouter du Sunn O))) faire vibrer un ampli pendant 20 minutes, mais ici je m'ennuie. L'album ne fait que 37 minutes. Trente-sept petites minutes ! C'est que dalle ! Un EP de post-rock dure plus longtemps que ça. Et pourtant, je le trouve longuet, interminable par moments. Il y a un ventre mou, une perte de rythme, ou peut-être juste un manque de cette étincelle de folie douce qu'ils avaient avant. "So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright", c'est joli, mais c'est du remplissage de luxe. "Baby Driver", c'est sympa, mais ça ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard. On dirait qu'ils ont mis tout le paquet sur les singles et que le reste sert à faire tenir la pochette debout. C'est peut-être mon côté amateur de musiques plus "rugueuses" qui parle. Mais cette pop ultra-polie, ultra-arrangée, où chaque note de piano semble avoir été validée par un comité d'experts, ça peut vite devenir écœurant. C'est trop sucré, c'est trop parfait. "Bookends" avait ce côté conceptuel, un peu bizarre, un peu vieillot-charmant. Ici, on est dans l'efficacité redoutable du "Grand Public". C'est l'album de la consécration, celui des Grammys, celui des records de vente. C'est l'album qui a fait d'eux des légendes intouchables. Mais c'est aussi celui qui a tué le groupe. Et quelque part, à l'écoute, on entend le son d'un groupe qui meurt. C'est une magnifique oraison funèbre, luxueuse, avec des fleurs hors de prix et un cercueil en acajou vernis, mais ça reste une oraison funèbre. Alors pourquoi je lui mets quand même un 4 sur 5 ? Parce que je ne suis pas sourd, et encore moins aveugle (ou con, c'est selon). Je ne peux pas, en toute honnêteté intellectuelle, mettre une sale note à un disque qui contient "Bridge Over Troubled Water" et "The Boxer". Ce serait du snobisme mal placé, le genre de snobisme qu'on a parfois quand on bosse en radio indé et qu'on veut prouver qu'on est plus malin que la masse. Ce disque est un chef-d'œuvre de son époque. Il marque la fin des années 60, la fin de l'innocence, le début d'une ère plus cynique peut-être. La qualité d'écriture de Paul Simon est à son zénith, même si l'exécution me laisse de marbre. Les arrangements orchestraux sont grandioses. C'est un "Must Hear" absolu, ne serait-ce que pour comprendre l'histoire de la pop music. C'est un 4/5 "objectif" et un 4/5 de respect. C'est la note qu'on donne à un film classique qu'on reconnait comme étant brillant mais qu'on n'a pas envie de revoir tous les dimanches. Contrairement à "Bookends" ou "Parsley..." que je peux remettre sur la platine pour le plaisir, "Bridge" restera probablement rangé dans son étagère un bon moment. C'est un gros 4, solide comme un pont, mais un pont sur lequel je ne traverse pas avec le sourire. Je traverse parce qu'il faut aller de l'autre côté, vers les années 70, vers les carrières solos, vers d'autres horizons musicaux plus sombres, plus expérimentaux, plus "moi". Si vous voulez découvrir Simon & Garfunkel, ne commencez pas par la fin, mais allez plutôt chercher la poésie des débuts. Ensuite, il faudra passer par celui ci, il faudra écouter ce chant du cygne, cette démonstration de force un peu vaniteuse mais techniquement imparable.
It was good! I loved the songs with the folk vibe more than the songs with an early The Beatles vibe ngl but the album was very solid
This was great.
not technically bad it’s just too much of the slow beatles esque 60s-70s that doesn’t speak to me
Simon & Garfunkel's swan song. The title track is lovely. How has Cecilia had 50% more streams than The Boxer? It's one of the greatest songs ever written. So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright is an odd song lyrically. Musically, it's like the folk version of Chicago's If You Leave Me Now. The Boxer is amazing. The Only Living Boy in New York is a great song. They are at their best at their most wistful, singing about loneliness. Bye Bye Love is apparently a studio recording with superimposed live clapping...that is ridiculous. Just record it live.
Kinda boring
If you told the kids these days that the biggest selling album of the 1970s was by a folk duo they wouldn't believe you! Of course this is bullet proof and anything anyone says at this point is hardly going to change its classic (mythic) status. Fortunately it manages to live up to hype. One amazing song after another. Superb. The Only Living Boy in New York is gorgeous