Bookends

Has a couple goofy 60s moments but is one of the best albums from one of the best groups of the time. "America", "Old Friends", "Mrs. Robinson" are among some of the best S&G songs and the cover/vibe is iconic. As a lover of Paul Simon, I gotta go 5.

A very influential singer/songwriter album

This one takes me back to my youth. My mom had this one playing a lot when I was growing up. Great album!

Oh it's just beautiful

Masterpiece. Everything just works together in a perfect way. The themes, the lyrics, the compositions, the sound effects… it’s a journey not to be missed. It’s very thought provoking, and at times profound. Like the “Voices of Old People” track. This is from an actual nursing home and these people were “old” in 1968. Imagine their lives, the things they saw, their triumphs and struggles. All the life stories. Then the realization comes that none of those people are around anymore. This is an album that sticks with you.

One of my all time favourites, actually

Oh, man, a favorite. It’s interesting to return to it after many years, and after listening to a lot of Paul Simon’s solo albums.

Great album, love this music genre.

Just a fantastically beautiful album. America is simply one of the great songs.

When Save the Child of my Life started I thought it was a different Band, strange sound for Simon & Garfunkel A few of my favorite Simon & Garfunkel songs are on this album… America Old Friends Loved Punky’s Dillema, funny song

Ta bueno. Tranquilón y 70oso. Vines beatelescas

I'm not a big Simon & Garfunkel (or even just Paul Simon) fan, and I don't choose to listen to it "on my own time." However, I can't deny their songwriting and especially the "hits" on this album. It is really well written, produced, and performed.

Legendary smooth as silk

With all due respect to every great album they put out this my is my favorite. The song writing & performance on is incredible but it's also the production & the way it's recorded. It's a very New York album.

One of my favorite alblums. The "Non popular" tracks are a good as the ones on the radio. I can't remember the last time I heard Old Friends and Old people Voices. Listening brought a smile to my face.

Немного не то настроение и настрой чтоб расходится кучей слов, но скажу что альбом мне понравился. Особенно первая сторона вполне себе ощущается концептуальной, там авторы этого точно придерживались. Есть запоминающиеся мелодии, хорошие текста, другие работы от Simon & Garfunkel я также обязательно заценю. Обложка отличная, такие фото никогда не устаревают, недавно даже натыкался на подражание ей от какого-то современного исполнителя, что уже о многом говорит.

21. Simon & Garfunkel - Bookends (1968) Вывод: молодость уходит и память становится единственным багажом У меня особое отношение к этому дуэту, они заставляют погрузиться в глубокие раздумия, хоть и периодически очень острые. Этот альбом как неприятное напоминание про неумолимое течение времени. С этой группы, кстати, я начала любить фолк и понимать Дилана. Альбом делится на две части, один почти замерший во времени черно-белый фильм, прошлое наследие. И вот, вторая часть это современное понимание - в предпоследней песне это новое понимание. Даже когда наступила зима твоей жизни (метафора старости) сделай вид, что это ещё весна. Надежда и юность не умирают в душе, несмотря на изменения. Встреть старого друга, сходи с ума по женщине, завидуй простой жизни хлопьев и джема. Будь глупым, странным, искренним и тогда не пожалеешь о своей прошедшей жизни.

It feels physically wrong to give this album anything less than a 5, Simon and Garfunkel are way too formative to my music tastes for me to do that. They get away with things I would never tolerate in another artist simply because they are that good. Are their songs sometimes a tad maudlin? Are their lyrics sometimes a bit goofy? Yeah, but I don't care, they're fucking Simon and Garfunkel, they can sing about being cornflakes if they want. Save The Life Of My Child and America is one of the greatest one-two punches you can have on an album, but all of the songs here would've been the highlight of most other artists' careers.

This would be the best folk album of all time if Joni Mitchell didn’t exist. The lyrics in each song are colorful and describe so much in such few words. America is truly one of the best stories ever told through a song and the album itself blends together so seamlessly. A hazy shade of winter was a nice surprise for me because I’ve never heard it before but it is my new favorite off the album. The album is experimental while remaining true to traditional folk tunes. Just perfect

Beginning was fun it was like I was just starting a journey. what the hell where they thinking on track 4. Transition from 7 to 8 is like a smack in. The face. Middle was very good and upbeat 10s good but the lemon heads version is better. The end finishes greatly i might have multiple favorites. Favorite(s): at the zoo Least: voices of old people

there’s a reason this album gets pulled into every documentary and period piece reaching for the soul of the 1960s…it captures a specific American restlessness that feels less like a snapshot of an era and more like its emotional blueprint. it doesn’t just belong in the cultural zeitgeist - it defined the architecture of it.​​​​​​​​​​

4.5

Floored by this, the creative production, the story telling but most importantly the bangers… outstanding. Lovely stuff

One of my favorite albums. Special tracks: America and Overs.

This album reminds me of my Mother and the Saturday morning clean ups we did as a child. Golden light streaming through windows with dust motes hanging in the air. My favorite song on here is America. It always reminded me of the 1977 bicentennial celebration and brought a tear to my eye, but mix in the loss of my parents and the state of our country and now it brings a host of them. Thankfully it is a song of hope.

Love Paul Simon, just a genius

had listened to all the songs before but not in order - hadn't realised S&G had a concept album

I don’t care. Maybe not a five. Art has the voice of an angel; Paul is an amazing guitar player-weird chords, expertise picking. Three stone cold classics.

Loved finally listening to this one

Only heard of Simon & Garfunkel by name alone, but couldn't put a song to them before this. Unfortunately, it's on another day that I am not able to break down each song individually. Besides, this album is making it tough; it's like nothing I've ever heard before, especially with the synths on "Save the life of my Child"... in 1968! Stand out tracks for me were "Punky's Dilemma" and "A Hazy Shade of Winter". These guys are really fun. The whole thing was such a wonderful and quirky departure from almost everything else I've heard on this journey, it's been a joy from beginning to end. I understand that this is a Concept Album too, which I wasn't exactly clear on what that was until today; turns out I love these things, as The Wall and Good Kid, m.A.A.D City are some of my favourites of all time.

Wow that album was short. Good things come in small packages.

Great

Great song writing as always from these two. America is one of my favorite songs of all time

10/10 - soft, antena 1 feelings

Pre-listen - my favorite S&G album. Gonna be a 5 for sure

simon and garfunkel are the best musicians from the 60s. argue with a wall.

im just a sucker for this type of music

beautiful, often very experimental sounds

Excellent listen. Spacious layered sound and vocals. Timeless folk sound that will never grow old 5/5

10/10, NO NOTES.

Fun

Lovely...

Расслабляет

I can't help it, I am a sucker for Simon. Maybe I'm secretly 75 years old.

It’s just so crazy that this was pop music in 1968. What happened to us?

very soft and calm. Highly recommended for long walks

Garf & Sim

Best Simon and Garfunkel album as a whole. Half a concept with Bookends, half a hits comp with some of their best. Save the Life of my Child, one of their only overtly psychedelic songs, is a personal favorite.

Incredible songwriting and production

cried at bookends. beautiful album

Bookends Theme (Instrumental) - no rating Save the Life of My Child - 4/5 America - 5/5 Overs - 4/5 Voices of Old People - no rating Old Friends - 4/5 Bookends Theme - no rating Fakin' It - 5/5 Punky's Dilemma - 4/5 Mrs. Robinson - 5/5 A Hazy Shade of Winter - 5/5 At the Zoo - 4/5 Average score: 4.4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ doesn't quite beat Bridge Over Troubled Water in my opinion, but i still enjoyed this quite a bit

Me encantó. Nunca lo había escuchado. Me fascinó la armonía de sus voces, la originalidad de canciones que no sabes a dónde van a terminar, la mezcla de instrumentos con voces y la idea de contar una historia que mezcle la música y la narración.

i love these guys

A classic, very fun, very weird, very good

Irretocável. Esse álbum está repleto de sensibilidade, principalmente em relação aos seus principais temas: amizade, memórias e passagem do tempo. A dupla transita entre belas melodias, independente da levada ou BPM da canção. Em cada música você vai se pegar achando pelo menos alguns compassos assobiáveis. Conheci esse albúm através da cena maravilhosa de "Quase Famosos" e desde então virei fã da dupla. Orgulhosamente posso dizer que tenho o vinil novinho em folha! (que capa linda, diga-se). Se fosse enumerar os destaques acho que iria o disco todo, mas vou ser sucinto: "America" (essa me pega muito. A aventura de uma viagem pelo país nos anos 60, no auge da Guerra Fria. Interessante ver a transição suave entre leveza e paranóia que a letra desenha). "Overs", "Voices of Old People" (experimental e brutal). "Old Friends" tem o mesmo tema musical que perpassa por todo o álbum, mas essa faixa traz a letra mais bela. "Fakin' It", "Punky's Dilemma", "Mrs. Robinson" (totalmente ótima). "A Hazy Shade of Winter", uma das melhores deles. Acho essa música especialmente potente. "At the Zoo" para encerrar lindamente. Acabei listando quase todas rsrs

There are only a few tunesmiths on this planet who can write lyrics on par with Paul Simon. Gorgeous.

Great album, strong 4, lite 5 but I want it in the 5 directory. Hints of what would make Paul Simon a hugely eclectic artists. Some extremely weird rhythtmys that are so cool, like on the like board for boyenberry jam fan or whatever

Tycker så mkt om denna

Short, conceptual, varied and put them well and truly in the ‘big league’. Some would say their best album, and with America, Mrs Robinson, hazy shade, old friends and title track, they could be justified. Sonically interesting too. A cut above.

I should’ve known but i didn’t

Essential Simon and Garfunkel. Beautiful vocal harmonies. An eclectic collection of songs. East coast folk. I think there's something for everyone on this album. This is one of the few albums that I have that gets played front-to-back. The production is a little dated but the performance is flawless.

I definitely like this. Some great classic songs and a couple of weird ones.

Another 5 from Paul Simon. now accompanied by his (former? I think?) friend Mr. Garfunkel. Lowkey what does he do tho.

Most beautiful! America encapsulates youthful love, adventure, longing & melancholy. “Kathy, I said as we boarded the greyhound in Pittsburgh…the moon rose over an open field…I’m empty and aching and I don’t know why… I took a bus cross-country to my beloved and this resonates so deeply.

I've heard of Simon and Garfunkel, but haven't properly listened to any of their music. Bookends theme - lovely guitar if I do say so meself, nice short intro Save the life of my child - ok synths, nice switch up, I was not expecting this from them, way more upbeat than I thought America - rlly peaceful, sounds like other folkie songs I've listened to, so love Overs - short and sweet, but also a nice gentle guitar song, rlly nice Voices of old people - just an interlude of dialogue Old friends - ok strings, also nice delicate listen, lowkey orchestral and a bit dramatic, just a smidge Bookends theme reprised - nice guitar again again Fakin it - more upbeat, nice change from the folkie songs Punky's dilemma - 'wish i was an english muffin' that's exactly what Ive been saying, like the sound effects of someone falling down the stairs, this song is so silly Mrs robinson - a wee bit groovy, says its from the graduate, might have to watch A hazy shade of winter - i hear organs or smth in the back!!! the vocals remind me of someone but idk who..... good song tho At the zoo - the delicate guitar is back !!! and its here to stay, pew pew, ok country dig, i wanna go to the zoo, no i don't OVERALL: I rlly appreciate a shorter album, as the other songs I've gotten have been rather lengthy, reminded me of other folk artists I had listened to before, so they fit right in, they were very easy to listen and very soothing too, overall the guitar was just lovely. REALLY enjoyed this album :P ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/ 5

The combo of Voices of Old People followed by Old Friends definitely gut punched me unexpectedly

Didn’t know this was the album that has the English muffin song (Punky’s Dilemma)!! Found out I really like Simon and Garfunkel :)

I've never heard this in its entirety. Now that I have to say it's absolutely beautiful. Why did I sleep on this?

Never heard an album that encapsulates nostalgia more than this. Actually can't believe how much I loved this compared with the last S&G album. The flow is so nice, the harmonies are beautiful & it is immensely sentimental. I'd say half of these tracks are closing credits songs, not just Mrs Robinson. The kindof album you expect from someone in their twilight years, but this was one of their earlier ones? Wild. 9 / 10 Best track/s: Bookends Reprise, Fakin' It, Old Friends, A Hazy Shade of Winter

For me, OAD is a celebration of the album format, and it takes more than a collection of great songs to make a great album. The artists and producers must create an extended experience that takes the listener on a journey. I had never heard the entire Bookends album, but it knocked me back the very first time, as I never thought of Simon & Garfunkel as "album artists." I'd always just thought of them as making great folk singles, and I am happy to have been proven wrong here. Of course, I'm familiar with tracks like "America" and "Mrs. Robinson." "America" is always a welcome listen, but I've felt that "Mrs. Robinson," as great a track as it is, has been overplayed. The context here is different from that given by The Graduate or the tacked-on cover at the end of It's a Shame about Ray, and listening to it in this track list helped me appreciate it again. Another great thing about this album is that the journey Simon & Garfunkel have crafted here is only thirty minutes long, two of which are dedicated to simple conversation from old people, most, if not all, younger than the 84 years Paul Simon has as of this writing. Those conversations pulled me in perfectly, getting me in the exact right mindset to be crushed by "Old Friends," one of several moments in this short album that made me gasp and sniffle back a few tears. This record is the perfect fall/winter album. It is melancholy and textured, beautiful and even a little silly and subversive at times. It is a short, gentle record that hit me right in the feels. Five stars.

Paras uusi levy tämän haasteen aikana. Biiseistä muutamat olivat tuttuja ennestään. Hyvä aloitus vuodelle 2026.

Full disclosure, I knew some songs off this album before listening to it. Mainly, America and Mrs. Robinson. I’ve gained a new appreciation the album and for Simon & Garfunkel. I’ve always liked their music and folk as a genre but this album is joyful & beautiful. It was amazing albeit short. 5/5 for me.

america is one of the best songs of all time so that makes this album a 5. i thought the interludes brought the album together well. really good album and i love the sillyness of being an english muffin or kelloggs cornflake

500 Days of Summer! 💞

10/10 as a whole is the best way to listen nostalgic goosebumps all the way

There are some timeless classics here. Simon's songwriting seems mature beyond his years on Bookends. There's some innovation in the instrumentation used, including an early synthesizer on Save The Life Of My Child. That Hazy Shade Of Winter riff still rocks 50+ years later! Liked Songs Added: America Old Friends Mrs. Robinson A Hazy Shade Of Winter At The Zoo

9/10 I didn't think I'd like as much Simon and Garfunkel as I do. Not just their hits, everything sounds so timeless. 12-26-2025

I didn’t expect to love this album. But from the beginning it grabbed me. The caustic Moog of “Save the Life of My Child” cutting across the twirling guitars. The soul of a nation being dreamed and lost between the sighs of “America”’s gorgeous choruses (and perfectly evocative flange guitars). The record’s faultless run of pop folk and soft rock anthems indulge alternating dimensions of Paul Simon’s song craft; sincere and studied responses to the British Invasion (“A Hazy Shade of Winter”, “Fakin’ It”, “At the Zoo”), or what was happening in the Factory (“Old Friends”) or Haight-Ashbury (“Overs”, “Fakin’ It”). It’s a tour of the sixties’ musical high points that, with the high quality of production throughout, gifts a unique kind of wholeness to the decade’s distinctive sound. And then there’s “Mrs. Robinson”, a song so enduringly popular that it’s easy to take for granted. I was ready to let it roll past me. But from the beginning it grabbed me. I didn’t expect to love this album.

This album has some fun experimental sounds, along with some fun guitar chords and lyrics

A good album for beatles fans

top 3: - mrs. robinson - america - punky’s dilemma i always find paul simons writing so charming and this album is no exception the whole thing is just so enjoyable the harmonies, the production, the overall feeling of whimsy, i love it so much

The old people talking was dumb

4.5

I love this album because it's attached to my childhood. I remember my dad playing it in the car all the time. Listening to it again makes me nostalgic.

Excellent. Timeless

Memories of driving on weekends with my dad, with S&G playing on the car stereo.

There are few things I love more than Simon and Garfunkel. America is, in my opinion, one of the greatest songs ever written.

I really liked Bookends, Faking It and of course Mrs Robinson. It’s one of my parents favorite bands

Good! I have this on vinyl so I knew I love jt

A great album - you just have to listen to this. There is nothing else to be said.

Time it was And what a time it was It was a time of innocence A time of confidences.

SO GOOD LOVED IT

Starts almost electro starting with "Save the Life of my Child." It's a cool song, just not what I expected from 60s Simon and Garfunkel. Maybe late 70s or 80s Paul Simon. Then we've got "America," an absolute classic. "Overs" is decent, at this point looking to be a solid S&G album. "Fakin It" is solid as well. I also like "Punky's Dilemma." I'm pretty sure "Mrs. Robinson" was on the soundtrack first, but I guess its inclusion here on the studio album is warranted. It's obviously another total classic. "A Hazy Shade of Winter" sounds like S&G doing a Beatles type catchy song. Overall, this really sounds like S&G at their prime, and doesn't have as much skip material unless you could Old People Talking. Really up their with Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme. 5/5

Música de velho, mas eu gostei. Boas vibes

My favs were America, Fakin' it, Mrs. Robinson, and A Hazy Shade of Winter. this was great!

Beautiful listen

"kathy, I'm lost" I said though I knew she was sleeping

Lovely melodic tuneful. Never before or since did simon and garfunkel emulate this. Old friends is both sad and uplifting. Punky dilemma is strange but enchanting. Mrs Robinson arguably the best song made for a film. At the zoo a perfect closer to a perfect album.

Not perfect, but definitely a 5. America, Faking it, Ms. Robinson and hazy shade of winter are all amazing.

I can't listen to America without full body chills and a nostalgia for a time I never lived in. their harmonies are legendary.

Great album by a great duo

lovely album folky and well written songs great to hear an entire album from two of the greats

Another classic. America and Mrs Robinson are god tier songs and the rest of the album holds up equally well. Beautiful harmonies, songwriting that paints magical sketches of life and delicate guitarwork elevate this to something special.

Now this is my shit.

My favorite Simon and Garfunkel album, with all the bells, whistles and moog synths that you love so much. Brave to have a song called America and single handily be the only best song in music history to be titled America. Not to mention the 3-track finisher with Mrs Robinson, A Hazy Shade of Winter and At the Zoo. How cruel.

Loved. I love Simon & Garfunkel. Bookends is one of my favorite songs of theirs. I also love America. I also knew and liked Mrs. Robinson and Hazy Shade of Winter.

This is the first Simon & Garfunkel record on the list, however I've already had two Paul Simon records and they both got confident five stars each. This is no exception. The songs are so great, and honestly sound ahead of their time to me - I can't believe this is 1968. Not even any favourite tracks; everything is fantastic.

Eliott : Super ! Eva : très dans son jus... Un jus de beatles subtilement mélangé à En fait ils ont un peu recopié les beatles mais bon... C'est super quand-même

An album for all time. Great duo. Music that has lasted, and will last forever. What more can you say.

An incredible surprise. This brisk 29-minute folk rock album is packed to the brim with both catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrics, and the whole package is down-to-earth and humble. The track "Voices of Old People" even captures arguably the spirit of folk in its purest form; just snippets of real conversations from the elderly. All in all, this is the real deal. Tender, heartfelt, and just the right length to get lost in - a complete experience.

Didn’t enjoy this as much listening with headphones but it’s always a 5 for me

Tough to dislike 70’s electronica that starts with a track heralding the areival of the future - we are the robots. Love the line we are programed to do anything you want us to foloowes by a minor chord sounding ‘we are the robots’. Quite menacing. This fills me with nostalgia for early video games, lasers, time travel, everything we thought the future could be both good and bad. But without the (oftwn endless and therefore meaningless) build up and drop beat type texture of later electronic music and remixes i do winder of this one will be a difficult listen all the way to the end. Track 2 and i think not. Synth and beat pointing the way for alt-symth pop bands of the 80’s like New Order. Stripped back, subtle, not ovwr layered. Theres a lot to like here. Considering this was late 70’s and third album i think its ahead of its time and harks back to early elwctronica that if you were amartwr than me could probably trace back through Jean Jaques Perrey, to Clara Rockmore and her theremin. I think i’d prefer a YMO album to this but then it probably depends on whether i am in a happy modd (YMO) or fewling a bit dystopian (KW). Some great writing here - shes a model and shes looking good, i want to take her home thats understood. Hilarious. Drags a bit at the second to end track but there are worse albums than this. Prefer their previous album Trans-Europe Express.

Perfect album!

Beautiful tracks

I had heard many songs from this album, but in other versions. I was surprised and impressed by the more experimental aspects, particularly the sampling, synths, and chamber music accompaniments.

In the past, this has been my favorite S&G album. I still think the A-side is the strongest stretch of their discography (yeah, I even appreciate "Voices of Old People", got a problem with that?), but it's started bothering me more how thrown-together the B-side is. But when you're throwing together "Fakin' It", "Mrs. Robinson", and "Hazy Shade of Winter", it's not like it's bad or anything! Maybe not quite on the same level as Bridge Over Troubled Water, but it's still an absolute essential to anyone who cares about the music of the 60s.

One of their best albums. Never gets old.

Best Song: America Another from my collection that I have had for some time. A great album for anyone who enjoys good lyrics to their music. 5/5.

Superb album. Not competently joined up as singles added to side two. Still great.

Still holds up

Favorite Songs: America, Overs, Old Friends Really good short album. Kind of feels like a time capsule. A lot of focus on later in life experience which is really interesting to me.

Like lots

C'est vrai que d'un certain point de vue c'est un bizarre d'album. Ça doit être celui que j'écoute le moins souvent car c'est le seul qu'on a pas en vinyle à la maison de S & G.

C'est quand même un album bizarre, un peu patché, 29 minutes, des extraits de personnes âgées en résidence. Des grosses tounes quand même avec America, Hazy Shade of Winter, At The Zoo et le thème Bookends. Mais je peine à voir le concept de l'album, et après lecture de l'histoire derrière, je n'ai pas de difficulté à croire que c'était un writer's block. Ça ne vaut pas un Bridge, Hearts and Bones ou Graceland.

Yeah that was pretty stunning

Brilliant

Always love some Simon and Garfunkel, courtesy of my mom.

Second Simon & Garfunkel album this week. I didn’t think much of them after the first one to be honest. But holy moly this album hit me somewhere I’d been craving to be hit. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this understood after listening to an album. First album out of this project so far that has made me cry. I loved it.

No good times, no bad times There's no times at all Just The New York Times Лирический портрет Большого Яблока с одним из самых интересных продакшенов, что доводилось слышать внутри фолк-рок альбома. Что Саймон и Гарфанкель натворили на открывающем триптихе треков с миксингом – не поддаётся словам, только эмоциям. Даже хочется закрыть глаза на то, что в какой-то момент альбом будто бы уходит от концепции и просто наваливает пачку хороших песен, потому что... Песни же и правда замечательные.

semen and gay uncle lol

Look at them! They’re on pot

I'm in the camp that thinks The Bangles cover of A Hazy Shade of Winter is much better than the original. But what elevates this album to a 5 is Mrs. Robinson, which is just an incredible song.

Somehow never heard this whole album. It’s a cohesive, single piece that’s even stronger than its parts. I knew, intimately, several of the big songs but never knew that they are essentially part of a suite. Clocking in at just under 30 minutes, “Bookends” is more experimental and creative than I expected, with a poignant theme of life’s stages. The tracks blend into each other as time does. Beautiful

Franny McDormand was right; devil's music.

A look back at 1960s Americana and the sentiments of the counter culture. A great album with some silliness and a whole lot of soul.

I've read that this was one of the first albums to be recorded on 16 track and it shows because the production is outstanding and the dynamics really add a sense of the majestic. It's a full sounding album but thanks to the arrangements, it's never overwrought. The duos vocals were the main strength and this contains some of their best songs ('America', 'Mrs Robinson', 'Hazy Shade Of Winter', 'At The Zoo' - that closing trio of songs is awesome, pretty much unbeatable). That said, there is also a nagging feeling that they didn't have quite enough material to fill the album (Voices Of Old People). But I do like it a lot and probably play it more than Bridge Over Troubled Water nowadays, so it's just about 5 stars from me.

Definitely an album of teo halves, as per the original vinyl release, (which gets lost in our current age of streaming). Side one, the bookends concept; side two, the crowd pleasers. I enjoyed this a lot.

Stone cold

Simon and Garfunkel are always a treat. I’m mostly familiar with Bridge over Troubled Water and enjoyed this equally.

Classic Simon & Garfunkel. Relaxing, mostly acoustic, mostly guitar, short songs. I was surprised by "Voices of Old People" – I did not expect non-music in this album, but it makes the transition to the next piece special. Beautiful string section. There's so much more in this album than just Mrs. Robinson. I particularily enjoyed A Hazy Shade of Winter, despite it being rather short.

Whoa!!! When that synth hit on Save the life of my child I thought my Spotify was glitching! Legitimately. I always enjoyed S&G when they were on, Bookends solidified my being a fan. What a phenomenal album.

A seminal work of art that molded me into what I am today. Not an exaggeration.

Now this a worthwhile boomer rock rec. the confidence they had to keep Mrs Robinson and Hazy Shade of Winter for the end of the album!!

Love these guys so much. They can do no wrong for me.

Good shit

Oh wow. Everything I've gotten so far that is Paul Simon or Simon & Garfunkel has been okay at best or a total snooze-fest, was totally expecting to find this a bore and put it off while working partly because I figured it wouldn't be that good. But I found myself liking pretty much every song. This is genuinely excellent. Really stands out from everything else I've heard from them, what great songwriting.

Absolute classic, reminds me of hazy, late night adventures on Waldeck Road

Człowiek słucha i nie wierzy ile może się zadziać w 30 minut

Finally, an amazing album to end the week. I enjoyed it as much as "Bridge Over Troubled Water". Every song on "Bookends" is marvellous. There's an early Moog bassline on one of the songs. I thought "Old People's Voices" would just be a song, but the title was right after all. 5 stars for "Bookends".

I like these quirked up white boys

I'm getting pretty used to being disappointed by albums from the 60s on this list which sound dated and cheesy to me. This is pretty brilliant from start to finish. Hazy Shade of Winter - which like a good Gen X'er I associate with the Bangles - is underrated and amazing. I'm still not exactly sure what Art Garfunkel brought to the table, but it's undeniable that Simon and Garfunkel's music is so much more iconic than a lot of Paul Simon's later solo work.

This is simply one of the best albums of all time. Incredible songwriting and vocal performances.

Paul Simon is one of the most unique and prolific songwriters, the perfect balance of being a great singer and instrumentalist along with his compositions. These songs have such great layers, the rhythm and melody is excellent and then paired with their vocal harmonies makes this record such a warm and enjoyable listen.

Great album, a fun listen cause tbh I don’t usually play this one start to finish. Love America, maybe one of my most favorite songs ever?

Wasn't expecting something so varied. Pleasant all the way through, engaging, doesn't overstay it's welcome. Animal Collective used to be one of my favourite bands - seems like they were clearly inspired by this.

"I prefer boysenberry more than any ordinary jam I'm a "Citizens for Boysenberry Jam" fan" The defence rests, your honour.

Brilliance.

Nos anos 60 fazia-se boa música…. Não oiço Simon&Garfulkel com frequência, mas fiquei com vontade de ouvir em loop este álbum. Mrs. Robinson, um grande clássico, mas Voices of Old People apanhou-se desprevenida e achei muito especial! Que bom!!!

enjoyable

S&G hørte at alle andre bands eksperimenterede med mærkelig produktion i slut-60erne og tænkte at de også ville prøve. Det lykkedes for dem! Rigtig godt! Klart deres mest ambitiøse (og prætentiøse) album, jeg er vild med det.

Wasn't really expecting to like this so much, but it's just a really great album of folk songwriting. Chord progressions are interesting. Words are full enunciated, almost like ASMR. Vocal harmonies are so well blended. These guys are masters. I can't decide if the parts of the album that aren't music are worth docking a star. I guess if I'm deliberating, it's fine. They blend into the songs well enough, and contextually.

Easily a contender for my top ten of all time. People can pick apart the "unfinished concept album with lightweight filler on the B-side" argument as much as they like - for me, Bookends is loaded with beautiful melodies and harmonies, and some of Simon's most poignant lyrics, all with an experimental edge and an attention to detail regardless of any perceived flaws in presentation. Beautiful stuff.

I only wish this were longer. I never think of this as one of my favourites, but it’s hard to argue that it is one of the best folk albums of all time.

ah yes

Ein tolles Album mit den Highlights "Mrs. Robinson" und "A Hazy Shade of Winter". Aber auch der Rest hat mich begeistert, eines der wenigen Alben, die in meiner Sammlung fehlen. 5/5

No es su mejor disco, pero es un disco excelente. como cualquiera de su discografía (o la de gran parte de Simon). Aquí destacna clásicos como America, y la triada final: Mrs. Robinson, A Hazy Shade of Winter, At the Zoo. Save the of my child es todo un viaje, con un acertado uso de sintetizadores Moog –supervisados por Robert Moog en persona. Overs es delicada y hermosa. Voices of old people es un claro precedente de Revolution 9 pero mejor ejecutado. Old friends es otra gema. Fakin´it (que podría estra en Forever changes), en el disco sale con duración de 2.74 para poder ser emitida en radio (tenía que durar menos de 3 minutos para ello). Este disco está a la altura de maravillas como el Forever Changes de Love (uno de mis discos favoritos de todos los tiempos). Maestros, en todo.

Utterly wonderful. Worth listening beginning to end rather than aiming for any famous individual songs.

I really enjoyed this and saved a few songs. I really like “Hazy Shade of Winter” which MCR and The Bangles also have versions of. I also liked “At The Zoo”. And of course “Mrs. Robinson”

track 1: mellow-peaceful instrumental for the record intro track 2: This track is full of life, and the storytelling is also great track 3: OKAYY TRANSITION!! A sweet track with great lyricism track 4: ART GARFUNKEL!!!!!!! YOUR VOICE IS SOOOOO BEAUTIFULLLLL ARGHHHHHH, I LOVE THIS TRACK SO MUCH THE COMBO OF THESE TWO IS IMMACULATE track 5: interlude (I guess), but I like when an interlude has good storytelling, like a narrative pieces like this one track 6: OMG THIS TRACK MADE ME WEAKK IT IS SO BEAUTIFULL WTFF I'M CRYINGGG, MY FAV SO FARRR THE ENDING IS SO MAGNIFICENTTT track 7: THE TRANSITION!!!!!! HARMONIZEEEE!!! THIS IS A CERTIFIED LULLABYY track 8: this track is so dense and dynamic, full of life. A great track track 9: This track is a vibeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee track 10: I LOVE THIS TRACK, excuse me, THIS "GRAMMY-WINNING" TRACK SO MUCHHH track 11: OKAYY UPBEATTT TRACKK, ONE OF MY FAVV track 12: What a great ending track, my least fav among the other track but still great (10/10) Whatt a great record. Paul and Art is a combination of greatness. I still can't move on with the 6th track "Old Friends" that is one of the most beautiful track I had heard in my life

Wonderful, wonderful. I'd forgotten about this album so it was good to revisit.

163/1089 - Man it's nice to see folk musicians who can actually write melodies. I wonder if they could've fit Side B within the concept album and had it make sense as a whole album instead of Side A being a concept and Side B being soundtrack outtakes. That doesn't stop this from being a really well made and recorded album with super intriguing songs though.

5-

Loved it,

Always up there in my fave albums.

yep

Super great album, includes the absolutely beautiful masterpiece Mrs Robinson

Fucking love. Perfect rainy day album and At the Zoo is one of the biggest bangers ever

Amazing album

Belter with some of my favourite ever songs.

Bit disjointed of a concept album. But America, Mrs Robinson. Makes any album great. Plus, everything else is really good anyway. 4.5 stars

I was shocked how little I remembered of side one when I remembered pretty much all of side two. I went into this thinking its not their best album. The highs are high enough to praise as their best.

This is a great album.

Honestly not sure if I like this one more than the Parsley Sage album, both were great! Oh no I might have to listen to them both again... what a shame that would be! :)

Great record from the kings of acoustic pop duos.

Dated, moreso than other major albums from the late sixties, but their best was transcendent like the Beatles

America is one of my favorite songs of all time, and thankfully the rest of the album matches its beauty if not transcends it.

This is such a classic. It was one of my late mother’s favorites… which makes it one of my favorites.

10/10 I loved every song

Classic folk album

Great album.

I literally have lyrics from this album tattooed on my chest

America

Great Album, great songs and songwriting. There’s not much more that can or needs to be said.

look at these sweet boys. feral. likely cut their own hair while mommy and daddy were distracted! its nice of them to sit so still for this photo. my theme of "i like this musical act but ive never really sat down and listened to their ablums continues". I have a soft spot for S&G. Their music relaxes me. this album is an infinite repeat for me. its very easy to listen to. It's beautiful. It's run time is a relief after Stevie. its a 5. RIP lee lee

Really interesting folkish/older pop with a mix of electronic. Sounds dylabush but with its own twist

Classic! Superb.

With America and Mrs Robinson on there, I have to give it a 5, even though half the album is filler.

Loved it

This album feels like a coming of age film or something where many facets of life are represented. Kinda Forrest Gumpy. Fun, complex, a range of perspectives, and of course well arranged executed. Another album with an undeniable crown jewel (Mrs Robinson) but so many great supporting gems giving an easy 5 star overall effect.

It was super chill and it was real when he was feeling like cereal floating in a bowl

I wasn't expecting S & G to be quite as experimental as they can be on this record, but here they are quoting 'The Sound of Silence' on the second track and creating an audio collage of old home conversations on 'Voices of Old People.' Instrumentally too, this is far more than strumming a guitar. But the star of the show is Simon, who is simultaneously at his most playful and his most heartfelt, producing a stunning meditation on old age thruout: 'There's no times at all / Just the New York Times'; 'How terribly strange to be seventy'; 'Orangutans are skeptical / Of changes in their cages.' Mixed into the whole thing is the perennial 'Mrs. Robinson.' When encountered here, it's an iconic blast.

Paul Simon is a musical genius. He can do no wrong. This is a masterpiece. 500billion/5

I like most songs on this album though its not perfect. Moreover, some of them have real cultural significance, which is more than you can say about much of the garbage on this list. But I’m giving it a 5 just to counter the jerk reviewer who described Simon and Garfunkel as ‘low-talent hacks’ - and then rates Fiona Apple as one of his top albums. Seriously?

Excellent.

Beautiful album filled with some of their best work. Outside of Garfunkel's stupid sound collage

4.5

So many outstanding songs on this classic. So ahead of its time. I was raised on their greatest hits, so much of this is on my DNA.

I really enjoyed this and was pleasantly surprised by the songs I had not previously heard. The two standouts were Save The Life of My Child and Punky's Dilemma, in addition to the much loved songs America, Bookends Theme (Reprise), Mrs. Robinson, and A Hazy Shade of Winter.

Simon and G-Funk for the win!

These guys are the best.

So fucking amazing. Voices of old people gives me absolute chills. Wow. They r one of the goat American acts ever Paul Simon is such a good fucking songwriter

WOW. can't believe i've never heard this before today.

Excellent!

How can you’ve ate an album that has America and hazy shade of winter anything but a 5? This must have been massive when it was released. And book ends theme is still one of my favourites, despite its length (that’s what she said). What a time it was.

Very nice

I mean... Of course 5 Stars

Shockingly good

Best lyrics on this album: "Kathy, I'm lost, I said, though I knew she was sleeping. Im empty and aching and I don't know why." this really got me Bookends Reprise is the best 1.50 minute song I can think of. "Time it was and what a time it was, it was." ugh love. I can't help but still love Mrs. Robinson. What's not to love about this song?

I actually like reading on the weekend.

I really enjoyed this album. So grateful for the generator for introducing me to Simon & Garfunkel!

Despite absolutely loving Simon & Garfunkel, I'm not sure I've ever listened to the full album of Bookends before. Just... wow. This album is completely ahead of it's time. "Save The Life Of My Child" sounds like something Paul Simon would have done in the 80s, but this came out in 1968. "Voices Of Old People" is just talking? In the middle of a pop record? Definitely something you don't hear everyday, but fits in perfectly with "Old Friends" right afterwards. The first half of the album tells its own unique story, and the second half is filled with great pop hits. "Punky's Dilemma" is such an interesting song to unpack. At first it seems like a pleasant ditty about breakfast food but then becomes a commentary on military service (all during the Vietnam War era). And "Mrs. Robinson" is just an absolutely perfect song, though in some ways I do prefer the version on The Graduate soundtrack, and "America" is one of the best Simon & Garfunkel songs of all time. On the outside this album is a nice pop record from Simon & Garfunkel, but when you really listen to the lyrics, take the production into account, the time period, and the varied themes, it becomes so much more than that and becomes a perfect commentary on the late 60s. I feel so privileged to have been able to see them in concert when they reunited when I was a teen. It makes me appreciate their music even more.

Great album and great storytelling! Loved it!

I’m such a sucker for Simon & Garfunkel. To me they ARE folk music, and this album is no exception. A wonderful listen all the way through. There’s some poppy ear worms like Mrs. Robinson, some contemplative songs like America, and some truly emotional work like Old Friends. This album builds you up and tears you down again and again. It’s magnificent, and I can’t recommend it enough.

I used to have a personal tradition where I would listen to this album on the first day of the year that felt like autumn. It's a bit out of season for me to listen to this, although I guess late February falls into the "hazy shade of winter" category. I love this album. It's one of my all-time favorites. It feels like a Beatles album in the way that every song has a unique style and character. The songs are playful and inventive. That opening synth on "Save the Life of My Child" is such a great surprise after the acoustic intro "Bookends Theme." The whole song has cool production details -- voices and effects! It's a quirky collection of tunes, with the classic "Mrs. Robinson" sitting alongside the airy "Punky's Dilemma" and the rocking "Hazy Shade of Winter." There's also the memorable and heartbreaking sound collage, "Voices of Old People." The closer, "At the Zoo," is one of my favorites. I love that they end the album on that note, and I love how you can hear Paul Simon laugh a bit at 1:04. It's such a joyful song. At just under 30 minutes, "Bookends" is a short album but it's rich with emotion and full of character. Simon & Garfunkel made a lot of incredible music, but this will always be the album of theirs that I hold closest to my heart.

The sound of Simon & Garfunkel is so inherently iconic, memorable, and nostalgic for me. I love all of their work and this album is no outlier. Mrs. Robinson is my favorite song of theirs, and here's my anecdote about it: Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a big baseball fan, and I love the odd random mixes of baseball and music that tend to pop up more than one would think- like the Strokes song "Ode to the Mets", Bruce Springsteen's "Glory Days" having a verse about an old baseball teammate, "Centerfield" by John Fogerty, Mike Piazza (famous Mets catcher) shouting some growls on a Black Label Society song, etc. "Mrs. Robinson" on this album of course has a great ode to Joe DiMaggio and it's one of the better instances of these two things intersecting; even if it's not the big topic of the song. When Joe DiMaggio died shortly before the 1999 baseball season, the Yankees honored him by creating "DiMaggio Day", and had Paul Simon perform this song in the stadium outfield. When he got to the part "Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio, our nation turns its lonely eyes to you, what's that you say, Mrs. Robinson, Joltin' Joe has left and gone away", something hit me in the chest and I sobbed hard. There's a beautiful slowing down rubato by Paul Simon, with some extra time spent on these lyrics and the crowd goes wild. I'm not a Yankees fan, and DiMaggio was way before my time, but this moment felt so special and important for me. This might be one of the earlier moments in my life where a piece of music made me feel really strong emotions.

A few classics on here. I really enjoyed the production and the nice layers they have in their songs. Hazy shade of winter was a new pick up from this listen

They’re on pot…. Wish we got more of that synth in save the life of a child. Fucking love S&G. Also, props to Patrick for giving SY a shot. My frustration is misguided, I just wish the algorithm would space those out.

Another half concept album. Still works

Wow, first time through this cover to cover. My thoughts: This album doesnt have a clear arc — although most songs build into each other quite nicely. Bookends Theme being a major piece of glue. It feels like S & G tried to have their Sargent Pepper moment and go truly psychedelic with orchestral arrangements that are all over the place at times. Emotionally speaking, I felt the general theme of aging in the first half. The second half was sort of all over the place, but fun (like sargent pepper, the theme disappeared) I loved this. Incredibly spacey/vibey and easy listening without being boring. Psychedelic. Fun.

Super brown.

Fabulous

Quite an odd record really. Rather bitty and unsatisfying in a lot of ways but even the worst SImon and Garfunkel record beats a lot of people's best work. And it does have America and Hazy Shade of Winter, which are both glorious.

Too many certified bangers to not be perfect.

Brilliant

I always expect to find hidden album gems with S&G, and I found them aplenty on 'Parsley, Sage...' - but there just aren't any here. Having said that, there is absolutely no way an album with Hazy Shade, America, Old Friends, Bookends, At the Zoo and Mrs Robinson, comes in below a five. Even if the rest of the album was the duo farting it's a five for those alone.

Great album, an all time classic

Absolutely an incredible album that defined the 1960"s.

listened to this the other day. masterpiece

Old friends, punkys dilemma, mrs robinson are favourite songs.

bookends theme sehr cool, haha blah blah blah. america isch es meisterwerk vo storytwlling ind songwriting und d ufnahm isch de haaammmer ich lieb die beide. scheisse. kathy im lost i said though i knew she was sleepng. so guet so guuuet. und am garfunkel sini harmonies oh mein gooott. overs hani nonie ghört und isch au soooo schöön. sie mached de stop! mega geil. ultra schön am art sis engelsstimmli. voices of old people hahahah. cute. old friends so schöni choords su schöni strings, sie mached mega dynamik. uii und atonali passage. uuh wieder bookends theme immerno schön. fakin it mega groovy mega geile hall ufem schlagzüg uiii. und sie überrasched immer. wie han ich das album nie glost? punky's dilemma au wieder text so geil. und gloockenspiel mrs robinson perfekt iconic groovy no notes hammer. a hazy shade if winter isch etz meh afich a mir verbigange als die andere songs aber sobald mer biitz uf de text lost hittets eim. und s riff isch super. at the zio wieder meega feelgood meega schön.

The big breakout. So many great tunes on this one.

I am not looking for America anymore, but what a perfect album.

This morning I was debating whether America and Mrs Robinson alone could push this to 4 stars, but then the other songs hit too. 5

Stunningly beautiful

More experimental than I realized. Love it big fan

If the Beatles I fired george and used acoustic guitar

Perfection. There are some albums of a beauty that mocks the sincerest efforts to explain it.

SUCH A FIVE SUUUUUUUUUCCH A FIVE

Wow - rich textures

Is this the best Simon & Garfunkel album? I don't think I could gush about it enough. I love the soft acoustic intro that lulls you into a false sense of security and then jump scares you with that first synthesizer note on Save the Life of My Child. And how about the ghostly choir on that same track? It absolutely makes the song. And this is the album with America, which I believe is one of the greatest songs ever written. I wondered about how Voices of Old People was recorded, and loved what I found in the Wikipedia entry: "...this piece, which was taped at convalescent homes in Southern California, helps to underline the feeling of aging and the passage of time, themes that are indeed paramount." What a beautiful lead-in to the next song, Old Friends. This album has the feeling of being an old friend, really. Familiar and comforting, something you'll never grow tired of, but love and cherish forever. The latter part of the album has back to back bangers with Mrs. Robinson and A Hazy Shade of Winter, then closes with the lighthearted At the Zoo. Just one pleasant surprise after another. Bookends is such a masterful exhibit of beautiful songwriting. Ahh, I could go on and on. This is a perfect album.

I can’t fault this album at all. It’s a perfect slice of 60’s Americana, perfectly framing the time.

true lyrical poetry. there was a reason why i was introduced to these guys in high school english. this album is based upon life, death, and existing... no doubt about it, this album would've probably broken me last year. it's a masterpiece, heavy but brilliantly written. not only are the lyrics great, but the whole mixdown as well... both men are quite possibly some of the greatest contributors in the singer-songwriter folk sphere. i'm in awe.

4.5/5

Another S+G mini-masterpiece with even bolder and more iconic front sleeve. First half is a wild rapidfire journey from the bookends of life with extremes such as crazy wailing synth, choir and space orchestra of Save The Life Of My Child and gushing sentimental, super-affecting strings n diced sound clip poignancy of Old Friends and Voice Of Old People plus a mission to find America along the way. Second half are just random songs plunked together with no real thread or connection but they’re all heavy hitters with indisputable classics such as Mrs Robinson and Hazy Shade Of Winter. As well as being musically more daring and ambitious the lyrics are also very unique and memorable with songs about being a Kelloggs cornflake swimming in a bowl and elephants at a zoo that are kindly but dumb.

Classic

Exceptional. What it must have been like to listen to this when it came out with tracks of people speaking! Paul Simon is a true genius.

I grew up with S&G music playing in the house, and have had a lifelong love of their music. This album really bridges the more classic folk of Joan Baez and early Dylan into a more modern sound for the time. The lyrics, harmonies, and production are top, and at least four of their best tunes are here.

Excellent

Excellent

Everything they touched turned to gold

Great. Loved it

Simon and Garfunkel remind me of Fall foliage. I went through a heavy S&G rotation one high school autumn once the air had turned crisp and refreshing. So it was likely an October spent listening to their greatest hits. I fondly remember several tracks from this album. American gives me euphoric frisson (chills or shivers felt when listening to music) every time and it carries side one. Side two dominates side one, to the point where I felt side one let the album down as a whole. But then I listened to side one a couple more times and came to appreciate its brilliance.

What a time it was…

I LOVE YOU SIMON AND GARFUNKEL

I mean... come on

Amazing from start to finish I loved every minute of it!!! Almost all the tracks are going onto my playlist. Save the Life of My Child was beautiful , then I really loved everything especially Old Friends and A Hazy Shade of Winter.

Just brilliant. A huge variety of music, all well produced and edited. I think the section of elders voices was too long, and it ruined the flow. Still, I wish I had heard this as a whole album years ago instead of just bits and pieces.

Simon and Garfunkel got back together just in time to remind us of their original glory.

idk if i can really rate or even talk about this album i’ve just heard it way too many times. but it’s still so beautiful, fun, silly, heartbreaking, sincere…a vast and complex range of human emotion….and it sounds good too!

Yaaaaaasss. And also slay…. This was so beautiful and fresh. A lot of the songs from here do not feel like they’re from as long ago as the sixties (that’s the second time I’ve said that in a review this week…maybe they were onto something back then). Specifically “Save the Life of My Child” and “Fakin’ It” felt much more recent, maybe because of the production or non-instrument effects. I love the interlude in the middle, and I imagine back then that was less common and would’ve been a really special thing to hear in the middle of a record. Truly the original SZA’s grandma on Ctrl. I think I’ll have to relisten to this again to really process the life stages narrative and pay more attention to the lyrics; I’m sure my appreciation for it will only grow because I already enjoyed which lyrics I was able to catch. “No good times, no bad times / there’s no times at all, just the New York Times” probably went crazy in 1969. Side note: I love that “Punkie’s Dilemma” provided another addition to the already vast Paul Simon Wishing He Was An Inanimate Object cinematic universe. I need someone to make a no-context super cut of him saying stuff like that. “Wish I was an English muffin” “I’d rather be a hammer than a nail” “Wish I was a Kellogg’s cornflake” literally this man is always wishing he was a little object. Paul I think you should just be yourself <3 Best tracks: Save the Life of My Child, Fakin’ It, Overs

Loved it, reminds me of listening to Gold 60’ Sundays on the radio with my mom. Wasn’t a bad song on the album but stands out for me were: Mrs Robinson (an all time favourite of mine), Save the Love of My Child is amazing and really enjoyed At the Zoo to finish it off.

Bookends has been my favourite album on this list so far, a brilliantly crafted album that encapsulates Simon and Garfunkel's unique ability to nibble playfully on your ears with their charming, folkish rock (not to mention how much Art Garfunkel's hair tickles). Whilst at the same time they slap you around the chops with lyricism, metaphors and imagery far more introspective and poignant than you expected at first glance. A bit of audial slap and tickle, that I'm absolutely on board with. From the effervescent youth and hopefulness you feel in "America", to the inescapable nostalgia and reflections that come with old age in "Old Friends"... to the abstractly whimsical and drug filled turmoil Punky is in, in "Punky's Dilemma", caught between having to decide to go to war.. or try and dodge the draft... and ultimately just wishing he could escape into the cereal bowl in front of him. The album, aptly named 'bookends', covers the inevitable good/bad, light/dark, youth/ageing that 'bookends' life. This to me felt a little bit like listening to the Beatles if they'd grown up a bit and packed some of the acid in.. the music and messaging is far more cohesive and yet still delivered in a way that I really enjoyed. The Beatles by comparison, make music akin to anal sex, novel.. experimentative maybe.. but ultimately a bit of a mess and frankly, not worth the hassle. S&G is by no means plain missionary... but I didn't get to the end of it and find myself thinking.. "This is shit". 5/5 will listen to this again.

Music.

Wow. This just has so much emotion to it. There’s a lot of variety in that aspect to be found here. Paul’s lyricism and Art’s vocal mix amazingly well together. The lyricism is just so moody and meaningful. There’s so many highlights on this album. The track that consists of old folks speaking even hits, I think that says a lot about this album. “America” is about Art’s trip across America with his girlfriend, it’s amazing and very heartfelt, like a lot of this album. “Mrs. Robinson” is just iconic. After watching The Graduate and revisiting this song, it helps me realize how great it really is. This album just sounds so great. The guitar arrangements just sound so moody and calming. “Bookends Theme” is a great example of that. The fact that all of this is just under thirty minutes is incredible. This album is just a classic, in folk music and music in general. Simon and Garfunkel really did hit it out of the ballpark here. This is some of the best that i’ve heard from them.

It would be a sin not to rate this 5 stars. I was thinking about what a great album this is to listen to in the Winter, then I realized it would also be perfect for fall, summer, spring... Lol. Perfection.

Just goes to show how much these 2 can make some excellent folk tunes. Solid 5 Stars.

I’m at a 5. It is getting a little hard to praise Simon & Garfunkel after listening to three albums of theirs, but this is a pretty damn good album. The big highlight is obviously the first 7 tracks and the mini-narrative of the fragility of life at all ages, whether it’s at your youngest or your oldest. “Voices of Old People”, while less of a track and more of a documentary-esque look at the elderly, is a genuine standout to me here, if only for being a really strong example of a track built for “serving the narrative”, especially so for 1968. The way that leads right into Old Friends and the subsequent reprise of Bookends flows perfectly, and it really solidifies those first 7 tracks as something kinda special. If I have any “complaint” about the album, I guess I just wasn’t as engaged by everything else. None of the last 5 tracks are bad; Fakin’ It is pretty fun, with a great tempo and a good hook. Punky’s Dilemma is a goofy sort of Sesame Street-esque cut about avoiding the draft. Mrs. Robinson is obviously the big commercial standout of the back half, and it’s pretty catchy, even though I’ve never seen the movie it’s based on. A Hazy Shade of Winter is probably my favorite one there; it feels distinctly like Simon & Garfunkel’s style and production, even with the rock & roll stylizations thrown in. It could’ve totally fit into the “Bookends” part of the album without a hitch. At the Zoo is charming, if a bit cheesy, and a slightly odd choice to end the album on. They’re all great tracks, but as their own side, they just weren’t as compelling to me as their own set of songs as the Bookends half was. Either way though, it’s a great 30 minutes; Paul Simon’s songwriting chops are on full display here, and there’s really not a missed beat throughout. I do wish the “Bookends” portion of the album had a little more to it. Hell, it could’ve taken up the entire album and I wouldn’t have complained one bit. As it stands, I just enjoyed this a lot, and it’s another damn good Simon & Garfunkel album. No complaints giving this a 5.

:D!

Easy 5 stars. Though when I was a wee little lad (teenager), I would have listed this as a distant third in their discography. Now, I would say it's definitely top two, with only Bridge over Troubled Water in competition (not sure which I would put first -- they're fairly different, so it probably depends on my mood, but most days this would get the nod). Excellent album with a lot of understated classics, like "America".

This album is really good. Side 1 is a bit more experimental with "Voices of Old People" but it fits well within the context of the album. Side 2 is basically all excellent songs. The harmonies are fantastic as always from Simon & Garfunkel. The instrumentation is interesting as well. The only knock on this album might be that it's a bit short!

Save the Life of My Child // America // Old Friends // Mrs Robinson // A Hazy Shade of Winter // At the Zoo //

👍

Epic!!!

One of the greatest

my headphones died the minute i finished this album and i'm devastated because i was going to replay it all day :(

I liked it a lot

"Bookends" is the fourth studio albums by American folk rock duo Simon & Garfunkel. The first side is in the concept album format style exploring the life cycle journey from childhood to old age. The second side has songs which were previously singles or unused martial from the movie "The Graduate." The lyrics on side one deal with youth, disillusionment, relationships, old age and mortality. It did well commercially hitting #1 in both the US and UK. Critically, it was cited as their breakthrough moving them to the forefront of the 1960's counterculture movement (alongside others). The album begins with the short acoustic guitar instrumental "Bookends." This song leads to the pyschedelic "Save the Life of My Child." Electronic and a moog synthesizer. I wasn't expecting Pink Floyd and Sgt. Peppers but here it is. Youth and drugs, violence and suicide. A dark interesting song. They continue the Sgt. Peppers' theme with a very Beatle-esque drum beat in the wonderful "America." Acoustic guitar, a flute and an organ. Great lead and backing vocals by the duo as they describe two young lovers as they take a bus to physically see the country they feared has disappeared. Side one comes full circle or cycle and ends with "Bookends." This time with vocals. "Fakin' It" opens the singles-laden second side. Acoustic guitar and a handclap beat. They like the use of the handclap. Simon's mulling over his insecurities and shortcomings. Soaring vocals at the end. Acoustic guitar, bass and another handclap-shuffle beat musically anchor "Mrs. Robinson," written for "The Graduate." The "do-do- do's" and "da-da-da's" are an homage to the Beatles' '"I am Walrus." I do like the Lemonheads' punkish version. I also like the Bangles' version of "A Hazy Shade of Winter" but this original version is pretty great too. Great guitar riff and harmonization. Tambourine, congas, horns and strings. One of the better songs capturing the mood of the title. This may be my favorite Simon & Garfunkel. The first side is definitely influenced by the Beatles. They use strings, horns and synths but in no way is this baroque and they settle in to their unique folk-rock sound. There are are short, tight songs and I always appreciate the shorter albums doing this challenge. This one clocking in at 29 minutes. I didn't mind the disjointedness to some extent of the concept-album and single album sides. The quality of the songs stands out. A very strong recommendation from me.

Me gustó más de lo que creí, además hay algunos temas que me conocía de antes

Americas Mrs Robinson

Gehört zum Soundtrack meines Lebens!

I was loving it until we got to "Hazy Shade of Winter" and was disappointed to see it was the second last song. Guess we'll start from the beginning again....

With the sheer massive volume of the list, I feel a certain pressure to “keep up” with my listens. I want to listen to my new album every day. I want to stay on top of the process. In reality, I fall behind and the list stops. Many times it’s just from life, but sometimes it becomes I can’t get past an album. Bookends is that album. I absolutely love it. I keep listening over and over. I love the melodies. I love the lyrics. I love the old people talking. These men put out so much fantastic music, but as an album, it’s hard to surpass this. I’m awarding them the elusive 5 stars rating. Congratulations, Simon and Garfunkel! I think you two will make it!

"Honey - they're on pot." A personally-formative album (this one's for Cordie) - one of the ~5 or so records in my parents' collection that I learned to read from and love music all at once as a toddler. I still have little tinges of remembering how a few parts of songs scared me at age 2 (the voices, sound fx, something in "At The Zoo" that only would make sense to a 2yr old), this was the "freaky" S&G album - bonus points for that which help earn it a score of timeless utter perfection. Experimental, weirdly unpredictable for a "folk duo" and definitely a few echoes of Sgt. Pepper in terms of use of the studio as an instrument. I'll just leave it as perfect, including the quick running time. 10/10 5 stars

what a pair. one of the best songwriters ever and garfunkel.

YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOLY HEAVENS

I had heard a number of the singles from this album but never in the album in its entirety. I really enjoyed it and listened to it twice

it was good

Classic album.

Easily one of my favorite albums.

Incredibly brief, but also efficient. The only thing that could be described as filler is when the old folks talk, but that track sets the mood to an extent. It’s not as good as Bridge Over Troubled Water, but it’s still very very good. With such a short playing time, every note and every word seems to have more meaning and intention. It’s powerful, it’s poignant.