Bookends

It should be a four musically. But a three for me

Some beautiful tracks, but genre I enjoy the most

Another record I've never listened to... Wow, get some South Africans, tone down the trippy production and that second track could be on Graceland. The old people thing is odd. Maybe it would be more meaningful if I were more focused.

Beautiful album...

Уже как родные Дон Симон и Гомункул со своим кантри-фолк акустическим веселым и одновременно унылым произведением

This was fine. Not blown away. I really don’t have much to say about this accept based on song credits Simon was the bread winner in this relationship.

Leave favorite of S&G albums on this list. America is beautiful but some of the tracks feel like filler.

Previously rated: Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme (4/5) Bridge Over Troubled Water (5/5) ********************************************* Least of the three so far. Along with the good stuff (Mrs. Robinson and Hazy Shade of Winter (I like the Bangles version better), there are some downers and stuff that doesn't belong on a music album like Voices of Old People.

Excited to get into another S&G album. Front half was ok, voices of old people really took me out of it, like old trauma of hearing old folks rant. This one doesn't even touch bridge over troubled water. Highlights: mrs robinson

Some good tracks but not all of them are winners.

I'm so glad I got this album today because I've meant to listen to it for a while, which gave me a reason to. I liked the music but didn't totally fall in love with it.

relaxing background music.

few good songs, some odd

Обещание этой группы после известного хита про тишину сильно преувеличено в моем сознании. Альбом хороший, но без восторга. Лучшая песня - Mrs Robinson.

It's more varied than Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme. I think I like it more, but not by much.

The first half is largely unremarkable; a few good ideas but largely just filler. The second half is pretty good, but at times sounds uncomfortably like the Beatles.

ok

Meh. This was fine with a few good tracks. The tiny little bangs on the album cover are...something. 3.0

My second Simon & Garfunkel album. I think I'll stick with the greatest hits

Not their best. 6/10

Trippier than I expected. I enjoyed the spoken word portion.

Meget bra.

Was looking forward to this as I thought it would feature more of their hits. Think I was really looking out for “Bridge over troubled water” because this one didn’t really do it for me. Appreciate the music and their harmonies but it all fell a bit flat for me. Also, whilst Paul Simon having two first names would usually be a problem, Art Garfunkel has no first names, which balances them out and salvages a 3/5. Honourable mention to the album artwork, Garfunkel looks like the product of a Zoolander, Hansel and Mugatu three-way. And Simon looks like he had his haircut by a clumsy helicopter. It’s bold, but it’s certainly not bald.

Lovely twee little intro, with a nice little revisit later. Save the Life of My Child comes in with an urgent, western synth medley, it's so unexpected and draws you in. America greets you like a friendly vagrant at the end of the bar, pulling up a stool and slinging you a Harvey Wallbanger. Voices of Old People is completely pointless. Old Friends is a bit grandiose without much else going on. Faking It is pretty cool, it's a little meta before that was a thing. It reminds me of Scott Walker. Punky’s dilemma, again not a world beater of a song, but some fantastic vocals. Mrs Robinson is ace. The Graduate is ace. Wayne's World 2 spoofing The Graduate is ace. I don't even know what makes this song so triumphant, but it just has “it”. Between the melody and harmony, it's just a whole vibe, no one's come close to constructing a song quite like it. From that first little guitar fiddle, you can instantly picture young Dustin Hoffman watching those tights come off, and a warm feeling washes over you, like having a CT scan, but with no prospect of a gnarly diagnosis. At the Zoo is a fun ending to an endearing album. With a couple of mediocre songs, and it perhaps being a bit too brief, Bookends gets a 3.

Probably my least favorite effort from Mr. Simon thus far but still has some really great tunes. He knows how to write em and Garfunkel knows how to sing em!

Album art:1

Ok, so this doesn’t work as a cohesive album which is a bit odd given the supposed concept. I mean there are some absolute bangers on here - ‘America’ gives me goosebumps. But I’d rather listen to them independently or as part of a hits package than listen to this as a whole

Tender listen.

A decent album but very much of its time

3⭐️/5 [11.25.2024] 01.06.2026

Underwhelming, to be honest. Can't really do a concept album in 15 minutes. "Mrs Robinson" is great though. So was "Save the Life of My Child" - that one's like 10 years ahead of its time. Weird (in a good way) to hear a Moog synthesizer and sampling in a '68 folk album.

It's sounds old but it's ok I guess

Honestly a little disappointing. Granted, I have high standards for Simon and Garfunkel, but I don’t think they shined as much here as they do in other records.

A nice album that is a bit uneven at times.

Bit boring

Gear: Abyss DIANA MR Artwork: 📸😐😏 Production: 🔊🥴🔊 Music: 📖[👶➡️👦➡️👨‍🦳➡️⚰️]📖 Rating: 📕📗📘(📙)/5

If Bookends is on the list, I hope a couple more are ranked higher. I o ly like about 1/2 the album. The rest just seemed like useless filler.

Some good tunes

Ugh overplayed to death. I'd love to just this the the very first time ever, today..3 stars for it's brilliance

There’s a few good songs on here but ehhhhh

It was okay but I did not enjoy it as much as their earlier releases. It's very New York City and pretentious.

Hmm, reading the wiki during the opening of Save the Life of My Child got my interest but it's such a short album that it's all over before it really gets going. On top of that it's a bit of a mish mash. Still, it's ok and continues my tradition of 3 stars for these guys. Faves: Save the Life of My Child

Just not as good as 'Bridge Over Troubled Water.' 3/5

So many good Simon & Garfunkel songs... To the album itself: the first side was meant to be a concept album (part). This may have worked if they had used both sides of the LP. 15 minutes is just too short and to fill it with some recorded voices is a bad idea. It seems that they liked the idea but lacked enough recorded material so they just filled the first side and used the second side for older hit singles. Long story short: this has failed as an album, but the music on it is great.

Bookends Theme - 1/5 Save the Life of My Child - 4/5 really like the bassline especially America - 3/5 Overs - 1/5 Voices of Old People - 0/5 Old Friends - 1/5 Fakin' It - 3.5/5 Punky's Dilemma - 2/5 Mrs. Robinson - 4.5/5 A Hazy Shade of Winter - 3.5/5 At the Zoo - 3.5/5

217/1001

Not bad but did have me falling asleep on the train

Might have been a four but “Voices of Old People” perplexed me.

Relaxing artistic vibe. It’s solid.

I will not respect your concept album if the concept doesn't have enough substance to constitute a full album, so you have to have this awkward second side to justify it even being an album in the first place. That said, I like Mrs. Robinson doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo

Interesting. Not as great as later Paul Simon, but a nice juxtaposition of super sweet melodies and weird stuff weaved in.

Know the name, know the cover, but before my time. Of course I know songs like "America", "Mrs Robinson" and "A Hazy Shade Of Winter" from the radio, tv and movies. Overall it's got a chill vibe, good songwriting, an uplifting tone and peeks into who Paul Simon would eventually become when he ventured out on his own. All the songs have a certain charm. "Save The Life...", "Fakin' It", & "At The Zoo" all have spunk but don't sound super dated. There are a few clunkers in "Overs" and "Old Friends", maybe they fit the times. I'm glad I gave it a solid listen. Wouldn't make my Top 1001 but I respect that it's on this list. They were super influential, there are a handful of hits that have stood the test of time (and have been covered countless times), and you can still hear this album on the radio today.

I had two Simon & Garfunkel albums within a few days of each other, and going back and rating them, they kind of blend together. As I said in my other review, I want to like Simon & Garfunkel more than I actually do.

tja, simon and garfunkel. gitarren, einfaches arrangement, gute songs. aber irgendwie gealtert. highlights America und Mrs. Robinson. und dann nach einer halben stunde durch - gut so.

Kurz. Und obwohl eine Themen Platte, für mich ein Sammelsurium an Lieder.

Utrolig solid 3er, meget tæt på 4. Jeg frygtede det eller da første nummer gik igang. Fremhævet: A hazy shade of winter.

is it just me or was this kind of a nothing album? aside from mrs. robinson, i wasn't really bowled over by anything else on here. i did appreciate that it was a tight sub-30 min album though. idk! am i just a hater?

not a lot of meat on these bones... the "concept album" designation is tenuous at best, though maybe that's more on the critics and listening public than S&G themselves. many of these songs were just middling and uninspiring, somehow saving the best tracks for the end of side B. at least it was mercifully short, but the two minutes of old people talking is all I'm gonna remember from this. why... favorites: bookends theme, mrs. robinson, a hazy shade of winter

3.5/5. I refuse to elaborate.

Artsy

Rating: 5.5/10 Two great songs, did not care for the rest. Choice cuts: Mrs. Robinson, A Hazy Shade of Winter

I like Bridge over troubled water a lot. In comparison with bookends i gotta say i really lost all my melanin while listening. It has it huge songs and moments but overall underwhelming experience to me at least. 2.5/5.0

***An ok album

This is some dependable stuff.

Usually not a fan, but this one resonated with me some. Still not anything I'd reach for to listen to often but seemed to go well beyond the folksy acoustic material I've come to expect from this duo.

2 great songs don't make a great album.

It was ok. Few good songs, few odd ones. Pretty much exactly what you'd expect.

America and Mrs. Robinson and basically nothing else.

I like it. Its quite short, and not all of them are bangers, but it's a nice listen. The zoo one is fun in particular.

Sgt. pepper rip off in the first song. The rest of the album was ok, the white bread of music

Started pretty strong, I felt it kind of flagged in the center, but pulled back up at the end. A Hazy Shade of Winter brought it back for a solid end.

Honestly a very good album with some standouts

Pleasant enough, but the only song I actually knew and enjoy is Mrs. Robinson.

Surprisingly experimental, varied, poignant.

1/2 good

3.5

A really good album. Fantastic musiciansship on this. The singing is brilliant. Some real american classics on this, however uneven standard on the songs. I've listened to it three times and will rate it with 3. My grading is 3=really good, 4=fantastic, 5=Masterpiece.

This isn't as interesting as some of there other work.

i was not prepared for the moog

Noteworthy songs - 808080808 Magical Dream - Kinda catchy synth, but the rest is bland. Ancodia - Good background noise. Cobra Bora - Actually kind of cool, reminds me of Bomberman Hero. Pacific 202 - N64 vibes, but melody isn't great. Donkey Doctor - Nothing too special, weird ending. 808080808 - Really cool beginning. A little slow in the middle but stays interesting enough. Sunrise - Nothing remarkable. The Fat Shadow - Eerie. Very short.

It was fine.

I liked most of this but felt it was a little odd with a sharp distinction between side A and B. It's a concept album... with extras? Anyway, I liked the old people spoken track, and the two soft ballads at the end of side A the most. Side B was a decent, Beatlesque collection of pop hits—I just don't see how it connected to the Bookends concept. If it did, it was a very light connection that I missed. 3.5 stars

Interesting. I've heard of Mrs. Robinson before, didnt know it was these two or that it was from the film The Graduate. I really like the spoken word track Old people talking. Liked that it was short and pleasant.

Hermoso

Holy shit look at these studs. Perfect haircut paul. Voices of Old People was of course Art’s weird ass idea. Some good stuff on here but a bit soft and slow my taste

I don't know why, but when I think about a concept album involving the growth from a child to an adult, I feel like Simon & Garfunkel are the perfect duo to convey such a concept. That said, I am not sure if I just wasn't in the mood or what, but I mostly just found this album to be okay. The songs were good, but most of them felt forgettable to me. Either way, I did enjoy it, so we will split the difference with a 3.

Never heard this album before. America, yes. Mrs. Robinson, a classic. Hazy Shade of Winter, gem in the rough. Bookends Theme (Reprise), maybe? But what the hell is the rest of this album. Feels slapped together. The "concept album" of the first half is laughably poor. Giving it 3 stars for the hits, but I won't be listening to this album again. I guess the first side is a "concept album", about the life of one person.

This one was a little disappointing. America is a really great song but the rest of side 1 didn’t grab me. Mrs. Robinson is also great, but wasn’t really composed for this album.

voices of old people was a weird yet interesting part of the album but slides into old friends very nicely, chilled, relaxing album

S&G on back to back days! I struggle to understand why they’re so esteemed. There are a couple of tracks on here that are okay, one of which would be covered better 15 years later, and one truly great track; the rest is meh to bad. They put this out a year after the Beatles released Sgt. Pepper - I mean, could you be more irrelevant?

Don't know if I like this a lot more or if I was just in a better mood than for their previous album.

Don't feel it's their strongest album but it is enjoyable

Very peaceful. 3/5

This is not a good Simon and Garfunkel album. Honestly probably their worst. Mrs Robinson is of course a stone cold classic. But that's all there is to see here. 7/10 Disappointing

Great songs, but the weird "remix/spoken word" songs from the first half really affect the overall experience.

Sorry but I cringe when I hear some of their songs...while Mrs Robinson is an all time fav. It's hard to be in the right state of mind to find all of this album enjoyable. 2.5 & they are some lucky dudes to get a 3 out of me.

Better than I thought it be.

An odd album--side 1 is like a concept album with the songs flowing together, side 2 is previously released material and songs recorded for (but not used in) The Graduate. Highlights: "America" (a more traditional S&G song), "Fakin' It" (nice fingerpicked guitar, harmonies, and horn riffs), "A Hazy Shade of Winter" Notable: "Save the Life of My Child" (wow, this is a mess of Renaissance flavored Dylan, psychedelia, and weirdness. *This* is the song opening of the album‽

I appreciate what they were attempting with this album... but there are better S&G albums for sure.

America and Mrs. Robinson are absolute monsters. A Hazy Shade of Winter was wonderful as well. But WTF was Voices of Old People? The rest was ok to good, but not as great as I was expecting.

Tunes: America, Faking it and mrs robinson. Mrs R is a classic obviously. I didnt really dig the album. It was OK but i was expecting more out of my first S&G album.

It was alright. I like Paul Simon’s music , even though if this genre is not really my style, and I found this album to still be just okay. Besides Mrs Robinson, maybe 2 other songs stood out for me

Good album. Mrs. Robinson is a great track.

Mostly enjoyed this but there are a few lows that bring it down - the old people chatting bit is weird, and the song about wanting to be a muffin is a bit of an oddity. Some good songs (Mrs Robinson of course is a classic) and some less good so 3* feels fair

It's okay. Good even, I think I enjoyed the other album more and as always I prefer solo paul simon America is an amazing tune It's somewhere in the 3 range

pretty good... voices of old people was the best song hands down

got this album on the filter last time hazy shade of winter was a banger

Good old Simon Garfunkel. 3.5

track 3 america is so good

I generally love Simon & Garfunkel, but this album is a bit disappointing: very short and really too much fillers for such a short album. It is saved by its hits, but I was expecting better from them.

I like it enough.

Fairly solid but not very cohesive

Not their best album.

Paul brings the library, Art haunts it, a unique recording.

I love them, but I didn’t love this. Only really 2 amazing tracks and the rest of some of it feels a bit lazy or silly.

3 stars

Bit of a mish mash

It was definitely not their greatest hits. Some good stuff, some stuff I didn't care for.

OK. Prefer their later stuff

The songs I knew are classics. The others are not.

Folksy.Hello Mrs. Robinson and A Hazy Shade of Winter. 3/5

Really like the guitar in this one. Otherwise it was pretty nice but nothing to write home about.

it's okay, couple of good songs, rest is meh

The last three tracks are great (i.e., Mrs. Robinson, A Hazy Shade of Winter, and At the Zoo). The rest I found boring. 3.3 stars rounded down.

Kinda weirdly wavery but still good 7/10

Everyone knows the tracks America, Mrs Robinson, and Hazy Shade of Winter from this album, but Save the Life of My Child was the surprise favorite on the album for me, especially having never heard it before. Voices of Old People felt a little out of place with the rest of the album, especially being in the middle of it.

A 3rd S&G album! I like it, not as solid as the other 2.

Em sap greu perquè aquest àlbum té dues de les meves cançons preferides, però alhora crec que no funciona tan bé com hauria

Pretty and mellow. A quick listen

I have never really been a fan of Simon and Garfunkel. I find the music slow with no build overall. This album was different and all over the place, save the life of a child was different from what I was expecting, and Mrs Robinson is clearly a classic. Voices of old people was not really needed but I guess it led into old friends nicely. Favourite song: Mrs Robinson feels like an easier answer to this but it’s the right answer!! Least favourite: Voices of old people and old friends Album artwork: Great cover

For the first time in my life, I put on a Bangles album today. I needed to hear their cover of Hazy Shade of Winter because it is so much better than the version on Bookends (those tiny trumpets!). This album cover is a classic I would love to parody sometime. The material here is a bit uneven and gets pretty random after a bit and the production feels haphazard and dated in many respects. The highs are quite high (America) and the lows are low (whatever the name of the second tune is).

It’s fine. It might’ve been better if I listen when I was a kid

Curate’s egg.

Mrs. Robinson carried wel

Kinda feel like this album is carried by how good Mrs. Robinson is. The rest isn’t nearly as memorable.

Warm., beautiful, and well, mostly dull. I dig S&G overall, though I preferred the 8 track that was in my childhood home, Bridge Over Troubled Water.

Short and sweet - feels a little like a holding album with odd snippets and random tracks (despite being conceived as a concept album of sorts) and some interesting psych influenced production; certainly not their best work when the duo would return strongly with their follow up and final album Bridge over Troubled Water, but hard to quibble with singalong classics Mrs Robinson and A Hazy Shade of Winter. I could do without the cornflake analogy but I kind of goofed on the zoo stuff.

I swear, I do really enjoy Simon and Garfunkel, I just think their best moments are individual songs and not full projects (outside of Bridge). This album hosts two of my favorites from them, the ever-popular Mrs. Robinson and the underappreciated A Hazy Shade of Winter. Besides that, though, nothing ever hooked me here. It's just a bit too slow for my taste.

It's not a popular opinion, but this is not one of my favorite Simon & Garfunkel albums. However, it is very good; and it does contain my favorite Simon & Garfunkel song: America.

Only few songs a like on this album

Dull, Mrs Robinson stuck out. Second half got better.

Would go great with a bowl of unflavored undercooked oatmeal

Eh

Conveniently timed

Expected to love it but kind of didn't. America and Mrs. R are classics of course, the rest of it I found pretty forgettable.

There's something about S&G that I can't stand. But every 15th song or so hits me in the right way. This album isn't terrible, but I still hate most of it.

Best song: Mrs Robinson Vibes: introspection, upbeat or mellow, Themes: growth

Mrs Robinson is 5 stars, rest is just ok

Objectively great songwriting and performance, but personally, the songs really hit or really miss.

Not as good as bridge over troubled water, but inoffensive enough. Mrs Robinson is obviously a classic. I quite enjoyed "At the zoo" too. Calling it 2.5, mostly because i gave bridge over troubled water a 3 and it's better than this

Had some nice songs, but I felt like most were pretty forgettable

A few gems but overall not their best. I imagine it won’t be their only album on this list.

i'm not sure why this Simon and Garfunkel album is on this list. several of their albums are better than this one.

Strange but unique album, crazy for 1968. Carried by Mrs. Robinson

I had quite high hopes with this since S&G are quite iconic. I get the sense they might have better albums than this, but I thought there was some good songs on this one. Notable mentions to Old Friends, Fakin’ It and Punky’s Dilemma.

I thought I knew a little more on this album, but many tracks were new to me. The big hits are the only ones I'd return to.

It was ok

I really expected to enjoy this more than I did (I’ve never listened to a full Simon & Garfunkel album before, but I like their songs I’m familiar with). It was a little too scattered, a little too overwrought, and a little too poppy. Not a bad album, but a little disappointing regardless. Favorite tracks: Bookends, Old Friends, Hazy Shade of Winter (but The Bangles cover is better)

Genuinely surprised with how much I enjoyed this one. There’s some very good song writing here- I was honestly expecting some knock off Jim Croce vibes, but they give me a bit of that at times, but more so singer songwriter Beatles vibes. I don’t think the conceptual aspect of the album lands for me IMO, but this is some really chill music to throw on and vibe out to. I will deff be revisiting, I’d say this is a solid 78-79. 3.5/5

Alri yeah

Love the lyricism and concept. Was more of a fan of the second half than first. A classic album but really gotta be in the mood for folk rock.

It's okay... not my jam though

Got jumpscared by track 2 lol I was having a sublime time listening to Bookends Theme and they caught my ass lacking. Don't really like artists who half-speak half-sing during a melodic part of the song because if u cant sing just admit it and do rap or something. Except they can sing so idk why they do it. Way too many fadeouts for my tastes, but at least it sort of flows into the next song lol. Not my favourite Simon & Garfunkel album but it wasn't bad at all. 3/5 i guess. Favourites: VOICES OF OLD PEOPLE YESSSSSS PLEASEEEEEE MORE BRO YESSSSSS I LOVEEEEED IT YESSSSSS, America, Mrs. Robinson

Staan niet de leukste nummer van Simon & Garfunkel op, maar nog steeds wel goed. Mrs. Robinson blijft een banger

Prima, vind Simon & Garfunkel altijd beetje saai America is wel mooi ofzo, en Mrs Robinson is een klassiekertje Maar voor de rest niet heel bijzonder

I am irrationally bothered by the fact that this is referred to as a concept album when it feels like they gave up on the concept half way through a 30 minute runtime. I won't go below a 3 because neither side is bad and I love A Hazy Shade of Winter but I was close.

Great album 3 stars

A quirky little album. "Voices of Old People" is certainly not a banger, but it did force me to stop and listen to what the voices had to say. "Old Friends" is a really beautiful song. I guess "Mrs. Robinson" is the big hit from this, and it definitely has that Simon and Garfunkel sound, but it doesn't blow me away compared to the other songs.

The first half was like an english project but then the second half of the album was completely different. Seems like they had a 15 minute art installation then threw in some songs at the end, although it was a peaceful easy listen. America and At the Zoo are the same song, change my mind.

A better album than a collection of songs, but I still prefer Sounds of Silence.

I find it a bit wishy-washy now. I used to live their music xxx

“Bookends Theme - Reprise” has been one of my favorite songs for a long time, it always makes me want to cry. I really liked most of these songs, I love them. Sorry. I’m such a sap. But! I was a little disappointed in the record as a whole. Would still listen in my free time. 3.6.

A little maudlin at times but I do like several of the songs.

Lovely soft sound but no awesomeness.

s.s., 1968 -> 3

Bookends, by Simon & Garfunkel, is an album that I can’t say sounds bad or flawed, but simply isn’t really to my taste. I particularly found the A side less enjoyable, with unnecessary crooning and weird melodies. However, on the B side, there was mostly good tracks, including Mrs. Robinson, A Hazy Shade of Winter, and At the Zoo. All of these songs are upbeat, catchy, and easy to listen to. All in all, Bookends is an alright album. Best Song: A Hazy Shade of Winter Worst Song: Old Friends

Some absolute classics, and some tracks that are an absolute waste of time.

While there are more than a few things on this album to appreciate (namely Mrs. Robinson, America, and the brevity), it's always just felt like another S&G project to me. I don't know if its legendary status is as well-earned as the duo's in general. IT IS THE POETRY OF DRUGS AND PROMISCUOUS SEX! But can we talk about The Graduate?! How good is that movie?

Another S&G album, did we need it? Yeah cause of Mrs Robinson, but the rest didn’t grab me. Maybe the Zoo but I hope we are done with S&G

First off, America is a great song. Will always remind me of Almost Famous which is one of my favourite films. The rest for the most part is fine but there are too many goofy and weird tracks that throws everything off kilter. At least it isn't long so it was manageable.

Some classic tracks - America, Mrs Robinson, but the not so classic tracks are forgettable

gähn

As expected, very folkish music, which is not my thing. I don't find much at all of this album to be catchy/memorable. I will say that on a second listen it grew on me a little bit. I enjoy the whistles and happy-go-lucky sort of attitude.

a short, mostly gentle listen, not my favourite of theirs but still nice . assuming the big singles are bolted on to this edition ?

Loved it

Boy, that was way weirder than I thought it would be. So many strange choices on display. S&G are undeniably great songwriters but the production here got in the way of the songs more often than not and I had to work to connect with the words. Also, the weird sketches? What's that about? That said, "Mrs. Robinson" is an absolute monster. Hard to argue against it.

Beautiful when it’s right, understated when it’s not. The music is of course deserving of it praise with the melodic harmony and janglet guitars. The hooks are a delight and the music really speaks to the sole. I love the hits and a few others, but could do without some of the fillers.

A little sleepy for me but not bad. I always loved "Hazy Shade Of Winter."

There are some good songs on this album, but his work really doesn't resonate with me. This is the second of album of his (one solo, and this) that I've listened to it, and it's a bit of chore to listen to. I do think this album was better than the other though.

A few odd tracks, old people talking being one. Some tracks seem out of place - Mrs Robinson for example. Overall an enjoyable listen with a couple of classics in there.

Beautifully written songs and excellent harmonies. There are some stand out tracks on this album like "America" and "Mrs. Robinson" being the most well know. The production is a little too slick and the inclusion of strange interludes and sound tricks is a bit of a turn off. Overall, though, pretty good all album.

Good album. Not their best, many of the songs don’t offer much, but “America” is just a great song. Kind of saves the album in the end. 3/5 Might listen again

Uneven, but you can hear why they became a thing.

Some famous tunes, apart from that: meh

Mrs. Robinson putting the album on its back for the 3-star

Melkein neljä. Bookends theme ja mrs robinsin kyl 5/5

A little strange and sometimes sad. I kind of enjoyed it.

Well, it has Mrs. Robinson, which is an all-timer. I love S&G, but this album is a little strange. I actually liked the weird at first, but then the songs didn't match the noises.

Moitié musique de film des années 80 moitié road trip

2.5

I already knew Mrs Robinson and hazy shade of winter. It was enjoyable but not exactly for me. 4/5

Several songs that I thought were on this album are actually on BOTW. I’m not sure I needed a 2 min track of old people talking but it still had its high points (America, Mrs Robinson, Hazy Shade….I even like the zoo song). 3.4

3.4 Not the snoozefest I was expecting. Bonus points for the cover inspiring a generation of lesbian haircuts

Considering their abundant talent this album was underwhelming. The two tracks I recognised I enjoyed but the rest was uninspiring. Just scrapes a 3*

It was fine. A bit dull and not as good as some of their other albums we've had.

The hits are undeniable but the filler is too. Not a bad listen but I'm not wholly convinced.

solid stuff right here

A couple songs, but another one of those "classics" I don't get. Helps me figure out who put this list together

Een vluggertje met Simon & Art, maar vooral met Simon, natuurlijk. Het album met de iconische cover die illustreert dat Jan een coltruitje niet zou misstaan. Hij opent met de theme song, die ik ondanks de mooie melodie nooit echt begrepen heb. Qua stijl had deze beter op het meer folksy 'Sounds Of Silence' gepast. De eerste helft van het album is net de moeite waard door 'America'. De rest lijkt een hoop inspiratie te halen uit Sinatra's jazz pop, met hier en daar vleugjes Big Band. Dit kan goed uitpakken, maar op deze plaat zorgt het een beetje voor een inkakker. De gospel in 'Save the Life of My Child' is wel nice. Voor het echte vuurwerk moeten we lang (wat is lang op een album van een halfuur) wachten. Vanaf Fakin' It, die weer iets meer de folk rock roots van Paul Simon doet oprakelen, wordt het stukken beter. Het laatste trio red het album behoorlijk, met als climax 'At the Zoo'. Het voelt bijna als een kinderliedje aan, maar de intelligente lyrics tillen het naar een iets hoger niveau. Het is zo'n nummer die door z'n geringe lengte, catchy progressie, en upbeat ritme, moeiteloos drie keer achter elkaar afgespeeld kan worden zonder dat hij in kracht verliest. 7/10 Highlights: America A Hazy Shade of Winter At the Zoo

Some phenomenal songs surrounded by utter garbage. Will continue to listen to their greatest hits album rather than this junk

I actually didnt like it as much as I remember

Highlights: Bookends Theme, Overs, Mrs Robinson. A concept album that haphazardly explores the chaos of life. However, the duo seem to ditch this great idea at the end of Side A. Side B sounds disjointed, even with the inclusion of runaway hit from The Graduate “Mrs Robinson”. The album would have more impact if the duo dedicated themselves to one theme and given more time to overcome their writer’s block. Is it me or is Paul’s vocals mixed louder on most songs compared to Art’s? I noticed this when reviewing Bridge Over Troubled Water. Overall: 5/10

6/10 Highlights: Mrs Robinson America Hazy Shade of Winter

interesante ngl, fr se siente viejo pero no soy así de old perd0n

3.5 stars. A little short (under a half hour) but still enjoyed it, decent folk rock. "Fakin' It" is the standout. "Mrs. Robinson" is a classic. "A Hazy Shade of Winter" is also good.

Enjoyed it

Solid folk rock album. None of it grabbed me but I liked how it sounded

Unspectacular. I do not really understand why they are lén tiến. This album was a snooze fest but it was tolerable. I was not minding how boring it was until the speaking and then the ode to Jesus.

Good

Enjoyed the lyrics and storytelling in the songs, but aside from Mrs. Robinson, Fakin’ It, and A Hazy Shade of Winter, didn’t love it. 3/5.

The upbeat tunes are legendary.

Mrs. Robinson A Hazy Shade of Winter (original)

Pleasant listening

I know so many of these songs from the covers. The originals were better in some case and not in others. Also a could weird distractions in song list the lowered overall experience.

I mean yeah, definitely was a Simon & Garfunkel album. Felt very weird to have a Bookend Theme in the middle of the album and not ~bookending~ it.

There is probably a time I’d listen to this again. But it wasn’t what I was looking for yesterday.

Made my spirit sad.

Simon & Garfunkel’s only concept album has some of their best songs, but I wish I enjoyed the overall experience more

Was.. okay

Classic but partially the album is boring

Mrs Robinson is what I recall the most. A classic by now.

Awesome

Surprisingly funky at times, and with some interesting lyrics that seem to fall into kids songs almost. The talking was an interesting add, but I didn’t love it.

Ah, Simon and Garfunkel, One of my mom's favorite music artists. While i don't like them nearly as much as her, I'd argue Bookends is a pretty decent album. The songs had a slightly energetic yet relaxed feel which i really liked. The album was also well paced and didn't drag on for too long. Its a pretty decent album for what it is. Best Song: Fakin' It Worst Song: Save the Life of My Child

Save the live of my Child Bookends theme tiene una melodía al principio guay América- reflejo se broken dream

Easy going late 60s album with Mrs Robinson on it.

I think I’ve only heard Mrs. Robison on this record before today. The front half of the record took a few listens to grow on me. The last 3 tracks are a high point on the album. Didn’t change my life but a good listen.

It was N interesting listen. Some of the songs are very beautiful whilst others are strange, like sound of old people talking. The transition between songs isn’t great with very abrupt changes. Some songs had good use of dissonance and also some kind of abrupt changes. As a cohesive album it’s not one I’d listen to regularly but had some nice songs. I did enjoy the experimental style and the experience.

Musically great, a bit too folky for me. Reminds me of the beetles with the weird talking tracks. A hazy shade of winter is a hidden banger. Also mrs. Robinson

First time hearing this album, although I did know some of the songs. Interesting mix of spoken word and songs.

About what is expected from any Simon and Garfunkel. Nice to listen to but not my style

Lot of experimental stuff on here that I (a) wasn't really expecting and (b) doesn't really work but boy wow America is one of the best songs ever written huh

Better than I thought it'd be. Still a bit too mushy for me.

A few of the songs are classic, I just can’t get over the production, it’s not Inspiring to me. Probably a product of its time.

It was cool, the First half of the album is weak, One good song only, the second half is stronger, way better. All around, is quite ok. I liked, listened to some stuff that reminded me of The Beatles somehow and I enjoyed. But an album with 3 or 4 good songs only can't have a higher note than 3. But I liked.

Good album, but not their best and the "concept" stuff/audio recordings and so on really falls flat for me and makes it less enjoyable to listen to imho...

Pretty good vibe.

Never listened to a S&G album before. Exceeded expectations despite not being a huge fan of folk-rock. Nice instrumentation and production. Wordy lyrics but not annoying. Pleasantly surprised to hear the original Hazy Shade of Winter. Might listen again but not likely to immediately seek out more S&G.

Great album. 3 stars

First half of the album is beautiful and sad Latter half of the album is more fun, feels like singles

Simon has always been a brilliant writer and arranger but this one is the softest of the soft folk/rock. One wonders if the producer enforced whispering in the studio for fear that rock music might break out. It's very good. Mrs. Robinson and America are utter classics that have served all of the mountainous praise they've received over the decades. In places, it feels pretty emotionally flat (Punky's Dilemma) flat. For a concept album about coming of age, that's a problem. Critically acclaimed, though - so what do I know?

This album is solid. It has a couple classic songs on it, but I cant say that I care to much for the rest of it. Definitely not bad tho.

The more I listen to Simon and Garfunkel the more I can’t help but feel that Garfunkel was holding Simon back the whole time. Everything’s lovely but not really all that inspiring to make me listen again 3.0

Je sais que c'est un album mollo, mais messemble qu'il manque un peu de oumph. Aussi, j'ai manquer mon bus en l'écoutant, faque ca risque d'influencer mon score

It's fine 3/5

I don't know much about Simon and Garfunkel, but this album sounds a lot more hippie, psychedelic 60s than what I *thought* I knew about them, which was more of a old-timey folksy 60s sound. Old Friends is a highlight of the album, a beautiful, haunting examination of the strangeness of old age by a young man. Now that these guys are, I presume, in their 70s, I'd be fascinated to know their thoughts on this song. Punky's Dilemna is the low point. A dumb song about being a cornflake or an English muffin. I'm sure there's an allegory or metaphor in there that I'm missing, but the song isn't good enough for me to examine it any closer. Mrs Robinson is the most famous song on this album, I think. I'm of the age that I know the song through The Lemonheads cover. A lot of times, the original can be a touch disappointing (Berlin's version of Metro being far inferior to System of a Down's cover, as an example), but I think this one holds up. I prefer the slightly more upbeat/electric Lemonheads version, but this is decent. Also, I had no idea A Hazy Shade of Winter was a cover! Overall, decent album. Not one I'm going to put on a normal rotation, but it's definitely "good" for what it is.

These songs are short, sweet, and pretty. I wish there was some more breathing room between songs. I wanted the "Bookends" intro to be longer; the tone of that guitar is perfect. I guess there is the reprise. The arrangement on "Old Friends" was a little saccharine for me, and the short length of some of these songs made them feel fleeting and at times insubstantial. I'd rather that than a song overstaying its welcome, I suppose. Some of the sound effects and added dialogue were nice ideas, but ultimately took me out of the music and struck me as kind of corny. This tracks with my overall experiences with Simon & Garfunkel albums. "Mrs. Robinson" is an all-time banger though.

Борис Моисеев и Сергей Пенкин заебенели нетленочку 6/10

I mean side-one is weird. I didn't care much for the 'concept-album'. But side two pleasently surprised me. So all in all a decent album

While this album is not catered to my music taste I certaintly cannot deny the value this album holds to other people. The calming beat and vocals with a great vibe makes this album a 4 or 3 for me. Not something I would listen to again but still a good album!

Some classics mixed with some not so classics.

Surprising discovery

Love America

A nice break after the last two albums.

Classic.

the singles are so good but there’s a lot i’m skipping on here plus just don’t ever do a “concept” album

America and Mrs. Robinson are epic bangers! The rest is not too shabby either, although a few tracks are pretty weird. A solid 3 and I should check out more of their work.

Nothing too offensive or outstanding

Liked.

Some great songs on here. Could have done without the interlude.

Could have been a 4 if it wasn't for the old people voices track

I liked a horse with no name

Pas mon album préféré de S&G, le flow est un peu bizarre et non consistant. Il est un peu court et donc les parties qui sont "interludes" sont encore moins nécessaires. Reste que certaines des chansons essentielles du duo sont sur cet album. 7/10

S&G just make me think of my parents' generation, and the stripped down cleaned up style of sing songy music of the day.

3/5 - Mrs. Robinson Fucking Slaps. The rest of it is idk man, alright? Sounds like the type of music a guy would play on his acoustic guitar in a stool in the middle of central park after his girlfriend of 4 years broke up with him. Jokes aside the back half of the album is pretty fun, but i think it may be 55 years too late to think it's anything special.

Would give 3.5 if I could. Some solid ideas here, interesting concept/idea, and a good sign of the time.

Chilled out easy listening

Classic. Only liked a few songs enough to want to listen again. But I can appreciate the album.

I listened to a lot of S&G in high school. When I feel the desire to listen to them now, this is not the album I come back to. Not my favorite of theirs, but still good. I totally forgot about "Punky's Dilemma!" Five stars for that song. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ How can you beat the lyrics - "Wish I was an English muffin, Got to make the most out of a toaster."?

music sounds fun but the vocals are blah

A variety: soft rock, folk, experimental… the harmonies are great. Mostly enjoyable. Solid 3

Dated. Too funky for me

Simon and garfunkel are the type of shawtys where one only lies and the other one only tells the truth. haunting yowls in save the life of my child, a unique song. I do NOT care what those old people have to say. violins in old friends are very pretty. Mrs. Robinson! :) a hazy shade of winter is a slapper as well. outside of the of the few songs I mentioned, not a interesting album. it was likely made before the invention of music that is interesting.

Different

Listened Before? Album Art: 3 / 4 Album opens with a folksy riff and then throws that away for some in your face synth vibes on Save the Life of My Child. What an interesting and incredibly trippy song. Would not want to be knees deep in an acid trip when this comes on. My body was no prepared for this in the best of possible ways. Love the interpolation of "The Sound of Silence." I've heard America before, but can't place where. Straight folk rock here -- sad to see the trippiness go. Thought we were going to get S&G unhinged. Old Friends is really pretty. Love the string arrangement and how it blends right back into the thematic reprise. This album throws me a bit. Love the trippy opening of Save the Life of My Child, and wish they would have tapped back into those experimental modes a bit more. Instead most of the album is pretty standard folk rock, with the exception of Old Friends. I dig the more adventurous aspects and thought the rest was pretty solid. 3.5 out of 5, rounding down. Added to Library? No Songs Added to Playlists:

Very short, pretty bland. Love me some Paul Simon but this one can stay on the shelf.

Pretty standard album that I would expect from Simon and Garfunkel. Short, sweet, and to the point. Only 29 minutes which is nice I didn't need any longer than that. Nice early morning listen. Voices of Old People - Bookends Theme Reprise was very strange and was about to put me to sleep. Mrs Robinson is the obvious hit off this album, coocoocachoo.

That started off a bit slow but turned out to be quite pleasant. I still cant completely get behind their voices as they make most songs sound the same to me but nice morning music.

Pretty good, some unexpected experimental sounds.

52/100

Very solid but something didn't click for me

It looks like an album that is much better for being a very cult rather than because of its individual qualities (I'm just wondering if this is not the case on almost every album on the 1001 list). It's a good album, and it's an easy listening session, but 3-star is enough

Vaag folkrocky album van Simon & Garfunkel. Er staan een paar absolute klassiekers van ze op, met America en Mrs Robinson. Maar verder vallen me juist de rare composities met geluidjes (van dichtslaande deuren bijv) of irritante producties op alsof Phil Spector met zijn klauwen aan de volumeknoppen zat. De nummers waarin Artie en Paulie mooie harmonieen zingen, simpel begeleidt door de akoestische gitaar, zijn gewoon de mooiste. Het hoeft allemaal niet ingewikkeld te zijn om een goed resultaat te boeken. Ik twijfel ergens tussen een 3 en een 4, maar als geheel vind ik het te onsamenhangend om het dit keer naar boven af te ronden. Het is niet altijd feest.

Very bouncy and upbeat, but just average

Little weord, 6.5

Okay, firstly what the fuck is going on with the production here? The dynamics are all over the place. Secondly, ‘Save the Life of My Child’ is one of the worst things that’s ever happened to me. But then ‘America’, my god what an incredible song. And the rest of the record is fine. Mixed feelings here, good but not great whilst also shite but not awful. I’m glad it exists. Peace ✌🏻.

I think it wouldn’t work for me if it would be about an hour long. With that length it got nice changes of topic and style, so I am fine hearing it, even though it isn’t my preferred genre

tis alright

Et hyggeligt lille folk album jeg lyttede til på vej hjem fra Caroline en klar oktober-formiddag på vej hjem fra Caroline dagen efter min fødselsdag. Jeg kendte Amerika, og Mrs. Robinson , som er gode, men blev også positivt overrasket over at hazy shade of winter var på albummet. Og det sidste nummer at the zoo var også rigtig fint .

Roller coaster of vibes. Chill, then hype, then megahit, then literally just people talking. But I enjoyed it