Bookends

While I've never listened to this album before, I was familiar with several songs. The first side of the album was intended to be a concept album, and it definitely has some strange (with strange being a relative term for Simon & Garfunkel) stuff on it. The strange stuff didn't really seem to fit. I would have rather had some of their more traditional songs. For me personally, the album is worth listening to in order to get to the last three songs. Great album and after all the super long albums I've had this week, I appreciate the fact that this one clocks in at just under thirty minutes!

Short. Sweet. S&G.

Very good and calming S & G, but too short.

Great to listen to from the other room

Another concept album. This one mercifully short as yesterday's offering was The Wall. There does seem to be some irony in that an album reflecting on the cycle of life clocks in at a measly 29 minutes and still has some filler tracks. The album picks up momentum as it progresses and is much more solid/memorable on side two. A couple of all time classics in Hazy Shade and Mrs. Robinson surrounded by some meh. The "meh" wasn't necessarily unpleasant, it just didn't do much for me.

We have had all three S&G albums in the last three weeks, could Admin take a look at the auto-scheduling algorithm please 😐 But yes, it's a class album obviously, although Voices Of Old People was a strange inclusion.

This is great, obviously because it's Simon and Garfunkel, but unfortunately we had Bridge Over Troubled Water just four days ago and of course this pales in comparison. Not to throw accusations but it feels a LITTLE like this album is only on this list to shoehorn Mrs Robinson in.

While you aren't going to get a lot of edge from a Simon and Garfunkel LP, you will get a pleasant folk record. Clocking in at under half hour, this record is somewhat of a concept album about the journey of life. The concept is abandoned on the second side and just features songs that were already recorded. Despite the concept of the record not having enough time to breathe, the songs here are gentle folk tunes that feature great harmonies. Not wanting to be left behind, some of the songs feature psychedelic elements and this caught me by surprise when I first heard the record. Outside of the track "Voices Of Old People" (which is exactly what it describes), this was a treat to listen to.

At the Zoo was my favorite

I didn't recognize this album from the name but recognized the art instantly. "America" is one of my favorite songs, but I don't think I knew any other songs here other than "Mrs. Robinson." The intro into "Save the Life of My Child" was a fun surprise. That song reminded me of "The Who."

Really enjoyable listen. Two very thoughtful songwriters doing what they do. This is another one that you have to live with and really listen to more than a few times to let it all sink in. Fits a lovely mood, listened twice and could have gone many more.

A confusing album - some incredible songs (Mrs Robinson, bookends, hazy shade of winter) and one terrible song (save the life of my child). Matt: goated but bloated

I see my boys Paul and Art and I am happy. This is definitely one of my less favorite albums of there's but it's still great.

Loved it

Best Track - "Mrs Robinson"

This was pretty decent, I thought I would know more tracks than I did. Got a bit too artsy for me in the middle, but Mrs Robinson and Hazy Shade of Winter are amazing songs. Overall 3.5/5

A lot of songs that I’ve liked and will probably keep in my rotation forever, my first Simon & Garfunkel album!!! Favorites: Overs Old friends

The first side is bad to ok with the exception of Save the Life of My Child which is more rock than I thought Simon and Garfunkel was capable of doing. The second half is great. The last 3 tracks (especially Mrs. Robinson, my favorite S&G song) save the album.

7.5/8, buen álbum. Muy variado las canciones, pero en líneas generales bueno. Mrs robinson la más conocida por lejos

America is good song

Classic folk rock. Favorite track: America other picks: mrs.robinson, old friends, punky's dilemma

Vibey

Great album! Very focused, the right vibe and well produced.

It was really good. All the songs were different some were slow, some were fast but they sounded like they belong together

Lovely album

Love it

4 de 5 Importante obra conceptual del folk-rock y ampliamente aclamado por su exploración del paso del tiempo, funcionando como un “sujetalibros”. Con letras introspectivas, armonías vocales y varios arreglos experimentales, hacen que Bookends se muestra como una obra fluida de principio a fin. A destacar: Track 2 - Save The Life Of My Child Track 4 - Overs Track 6 - Old Friends Track 9 - Punky's Dilemma Track 10 - Mrs. Robinson Track 12 - At The Zoo

Great relaxing album. Apparently I prefer Simon and Garfunkel quite alot against Paul Simon's solo efforts.

Simpatic Not a favorite, but enjoyed it A hazy shade of winter - fave

No way, they wrote "Mrs Robinson" as well as one of "The Bangles" songs! Yes a couple of the songs walk a tightrope between "delicate & insipid", but considering this list just subjected me to System of a Down, then its a 4 star with thanks to Simon and Mr Funk

I’ve listened to a lot of Simon and Garfunkel but this might be the first time I’ve listened to this album cover to cover. I enjoyed it driving with the windows down today.

Such an awkward album. Musically great, but super weird. Bridge Over Troubled Water clears this easily.

Very cohesive and lovely late night listening.

I really like Simon and Garfunkel generally and their catalog of hits as a group and as individuals is large. Large enough that every album has at least a few songs that sand out and this album show that clearly. Most of the songs are good but a few are great. Most I have heard before and the new songs I have already forgotten and the hits I will play on repeat.

"America" is such a great song. I was surprised at the depth of the entirety of the album. I guess there's a reason Simon & Garfunkel were such a phenomenon in their time.

Liked them more than I thought I would

some one offs but America is perfect

Strange album but the last half is so good!

4.5 stars.

Second time listening to this album, i actually like it alot more upon my second listen. "Fakin' it" and "A hazy shade of winter" are my new favs from this album.

Esses caras me lembram o Jack Antonoff e o Jared Leto mais novos. Só sei quem são por causa da Loira e Morena. O Theme me lembra aquela música Time of Inoccence. Legalzinho(não vou dar nota, porque vai ter a Reprise). Não me parece anos 60. Nossa, não é o que eu esperava. Save The Life of My Child me lembra o Bob Dylan no começo e tem um som mais anos 70, mas um pouco psicodélica. Me lembra do Bruce Springteen também. Uma música legalzinha que utiliza a produção para contar uma história. Parece bem mais recente. 7.7 de 10 America tem um som gosotosinho, é bem poética e também conta uma história. Acho mais encantadora que Save the Life. 8 de 10 Overs me lembra FRIENDS, tem um vocal muito legal. Gostei do verso final, me lembra Jesus. 8.5 de 10 Voices of Old People parece bem real. Old Friends me lembra o Benjamin Button. Uma letra igualmente real. 8.9 de 10(o final me lembra a Disney) TRANSIÇÃO Time of Inoccence é realmente deles!!! Bookends é calma é triste. Faz sentido com as outras duas faixas. 9 de 10 Fakin'it é bem anos 60 e quebra a melancolia das últimas três faixas. Tem um instruental bem bacana. Eles contam muitas histórias no álbum e essa é uma das mais legais. Pré-convertido. 9.5 de 10 Outra história em Punky´s, uma produção que ajuda a contar esse conto. 8 de 10 Mrs.Robison tem um som legal, tem versos sobre Jesus e adivinha??? Conta uma história! Me pergunto sobre o que é o filme, PESQUISEI E É O FILME QUE A SUMMER CHORA!!!!!!!8 de 10 A Hazy Shade é bem interessante de se ouvir(nada inovador), mas muito legalzinha. 8.5 de 10 At the Zoo é muito criativa. Gostei demais da letra. 9 de 10 Um álbum a frente do seu tempo, muito legal. Não foi psicodélico e contou histórias diferentes. 4.3

Some iconic and good songs but also songs that are not good. Enjoyed the album

A few great songs and a few really poor tracks/fillers, still I enjoyed listening to it.

Strong collection of songs

I actually enjoyed this one. Loved At the Zoo.

It was good, I really enjoyed the first part. Didn't know that Mrs Robinson was a son of them, really amazed about that!

I love these guys but this isn't my favorite from them

Incredible. Old people lol

At the Zoo is a metaphor for something but I don't know what

"Giraffes are insincere And the elephants are kindly, but they're dumb" Fuck you, Simon and/or Garfunkel. This was going to be a five.

As usual, fantastic harmonies and thoughtful lyrics. "America" and "Mrs. Robinson" are all-time classics, and "Old Friends" is great. And did you know that Paul Simon wrote "A Hazy Shade of Winter"? I didn't! Good stuff all around.

I liked it, very sentimental at times. Some fluff and pretentiousness here and there.

Really great, I've never heard of them, i saved some songs from the album to put in my mp3!

Great harmony. Never disappointed with there music however not all are rated 5.

Great album. I love Paul Simon's poetry and guitar playing. The harmonies are, of course, legendary. I really dig the 60's folk rock feel of some tunes like Hazy Shade of Winter and Mrs. Robinson. Paul Simon's guitar playing is actually a pretty interesting mix of folk, classical, and jazz and worth noting how unique that is. It kind of gets overshadowed by the vocals and lyrics but very cool.

The first half of this album is so gentle and smoothly strung together, and the second half feels more like singles reminiscent of the era it was written and recorded in. I wish the whole album flowed like a river the way the first half did. There were one or two tracks where the used everyday occurrences (like a conversation in the living room) as part of the song, and those tracks made very good use of stereo. It made it feel more authentic like the listener themselves were sitting in the room as it was happening. Nothing really blew me away from this album, but I can understand and respect its reputation.

I loved this albummmm!!! Didnt expect to but every song has something I love. Whether it be the lyrics, the melody or just the general concept. I LOVE THIS

Mrs. Robinson is so good that it turned my opinion around completely waow Confession: my dad kept bringing them up and playing them for my "music education" (read: he really wanted his kids to have the same taste in music as him) so I always wrote off Simon and Garf as boring folk. But honestly, there's a lot of great energy. It's easy listening, but still has a great amount of depth. I was physiologically happier by the end of the album, and I can't say that about a lot of albums. It was the perfect length

Time it was and what a time it was. It was... a time of innocence. A time of confidences... I am wracking my brain to see if I can think of any American songwriters who wrote as powerfully and harmonized as well as Simon and Garfunkel. I am coming up empty. I love their music, I'll admit. I grew up listening to them, and then Paul Simon's solo work after. This album was their fourth studio album, featuring absolute classics Mrs. Robinson and America, as well as Bookends Reprise (quotes above). They only recorded one more studio album before splitting. Always wondered what coulda been... Listenable, easy to sing along with, and just plain enjoyable. I'm hovering around 3 1/2 but coo-coo cachoo, Mrs. Robinson, we're going 4.

Let me start off by saying Bridge Over Troubled Water is easily the greatest folk album of all time. Personally, I would put it in my top 10 albums ever created. That being said, despite my love for it, I've never listened to Simon and Garfunkel's other albums. I've obviously heard the hits like America and Mrs. Robinson, but I'm going in blind for everything else. And I know I shouldn't go in with high expectations, but it's hard not to. Anyways, it's half a concept album, half a collection of killer singles, a similar dynamic to The Beatles' "Magical Mystery Tour" record. Funny enough, just like on that one, there is barely any filler on here. Paul Simon's songwriting is magnificent, songs like "Old Friends" have some of the best lyrics I've heard in a while. I'll say that this, to today's standards at least, is far from a grand concept album, but I really like how the first side depicts coming of age with each song dealing on topics relevant to an older age than the previous one. Cute record, I really like it. And honestly, the only thing holding it back is the fact that I know their best is yet to come.

sounds like harry styles definitely sampled this album in one way or another, but so joyful so light even if the meaning is darker and genuinely enjoyable.

That was very good, still not my taste

me encanta cuando un album es tan visual que puedo ver cada cancion en mi cabeza. this feels like a musical. old friends me hizo llorar. a hazy shade of winter me hizo bailar de la felicidad. loved it.

Very close to a 5 but the misses are quite misses.

I be listened to this as a kid on lap, where it was easy enough to skip old people or even just go to side b which is killer. Normally this type of album would be a 3 but nostalgia plus Side b makes it a 4

Top tier s&g album, america, hazy, and Mrs robinson are my top three in that order. 4.5 rounded down because I wouldn't listen to the album as frequently as the rest of my 5s.

Lekkere nummertjes maar beetje apart album met de gesprekken er op. Mrs robbinson trekt hem toch naar de 4.

Amazing album

Amazing

Decent

Eh

what! Got this album the day after Lo got it as theirs! Fuck. Realizing the first time I heard America was likely the first time I watched Almost Famous. 20+ years ago? Now I just associated it with Bernie’s 2016 campaign and the last time I felt hope. God this album is fucking good. Old Friends. Bookends Theme Reprise. Fakin’ It! Mrs. Robinson! Wowowow Omg “wish I was an English muffin” Is it rude if I drop this from 5 to 4 stars because the voices of old people is too jarring and I’ll be annoyed every time I listen or skip? Remembering I missed seeing them at MSG in 2013(?) because I went to my first conference in New Orleans.

I enjoyed it, but not as much as Bridge Over Troubled Water.

Album relativement court, avec des interludes en plus, certaines chansons sont très bien écrites et l’aspect guitares sèches donne une vraie identité à l’album, Cependant si l’album a une identité, les musiques en elle même ne sont pas extrêmement remarquables (à part Mrs Robinson et America)

The 60s Simon & Garfunkel is always really nice to listen to. Well arranged and poetic. No exception here!

Full of experimental yearning Favourite track: Old Friends

What a delightful album! The soothing and increadibly beautiful vocal harmonies by Simon and Garfunkel are outstanding - that's what I've always known them for. But what I wasn't prepared for was the more experimental sounding bits and pieces ("Voices of old people" ...) and the quite powerful sound of "Safe the Life of my Child". All in all, a very interesting album showing more aspects of two musicians I've known for a while, although I never checked out most of their material...

Actually a well written and good sounding album. Pleasant from start to finish. 10 years later, this would be very vanilla, but in 1968, this is great.

Great rhythm changes between song, it gives me the beatles vibes, I didn't get to pay attention to the lyrics as much but overall loved the sound of it and it definitely is my type of music.

Muy nostálgico y bueno

So good. Elicits that melancholia that feels comforting, because you know others share the feeling. I want to curl up on a rainy day and drink this album out of a mug.

thank you mom for being a sound of silence head. also thank you paul simon.

very interesting topics for each song, and catchy lyrics. im not into the genre as much though so 6.5/10

Interesting! I never thought that S&G could sound so orchestrated and large. Fabulous recording... looked up the producer and apparently John Simon also recorded some other fab albums like Cohen's first album and Songs from the Big Pink. So that makes sense. Also, I had no idea that Hazy Shade of Winter was originally their song! I love it when that happens.

The Bookends theme instrumental is already beautiful. "Save the Life of My Child" the opening is so... interesting, but I kind of like the synth mixed with the guitar. I've only listened to the first four songs so far but they all feel as if they're singing about a distant memory that is a bit sad but a bit nice as well. I feel like I should be crying, and I feel like I'm going to cry. "Voices of Old People" and "Old Friends" back to back made me cry. "Old Friends" is a mistake, it's so beautiful, the violins! The reprise of the theme also made me cry, ugh.

Estuvo bueno, canciones memorables y bonitas. Me recordó a los primeros albums de los beatles

The blasting synths of Save the Life of my Child, and the talk samples of Voices of Old People are a mistake. But otherwise this delivers oodles of what we love Simon & Garfunkel for: Simon's perceptive lyrics, catchy acoustic hooks and Garfunkel's extraordinary voice.

Mrs. Robinson my beloved

Some unusual stuff among well known classics and standard beautiful s&g

It’s been a really long time since I last listened to this. Something I appreciate now is that it must have been pretty pioneering in really putting stereo to good use, sampled audio, and interstitial speaking segments.

Me gustó

Always surprised by these guys. Pretty good, had a few songs I will come back too. The project as a whole is pretty good too. 4/5

"Bookends" is an album of two distinct halves. Side A consists of a conceptual suite exploring the human life cycle from youth to old age, while Side B collects several high-profile singles and recordings originally intended for "The Graduate soundtrack". The record features three renowned tracks that justify their standing as five-star compositions: 'America': A narrative folk song detailing a literal and metaphorical journey across the United States. It follows two young lovers, Paul and Kathy, as they attempt to find the elusive "soul" of the country. 'Old Friends': A poignant piece from which the album derives its title. While the preceding track, "Voices of Old People", is often criticised, it functions best when heard as a single movement with "Old Friends". When approached this way, the field recordings feel less out of place, though modern listeners accustomed to listening to isolated tracks, one by one, may still find the transition jarring. 'Mrs. Robinson': An iconic recording that remains compelling and mysterious. It offers an ironic perspective on disillusionment as we get older. The live rendition from the "The Concert in Central Park" is also an excellent version of this piece. The production by Roy Halee is clean and precise, remaining remarkably fresh for an album that is now fifty-eight years old. Furthermore, the vocal performances throughout are exemplary. As a complete work, "Bookends" does not quite reach the five-star level, as the consistency fluctuates in a few places. However, it remains a very engaging listen - four stars. Finally, the striking black-and-white cover portrait was taken by the American photographer Richard Avedon. The image is notable for its starkness and simplicity. It is a favourite of mine. Side one 1 "Bookends Theme" (5/5) 2 "Save the Life of My Child" (4/5) 3 "America" (5/5) 4 "Overs" (4/5) 5 "Voices of Old People" (3/5) 6 "Old Friends" (5/5) 7 "Bookends Theme" (5/5) Side two 1 "Fakin' It" (3/5) 2 "Punky's Dilemma" (4/5) 3 "Mrs. Robinson" (from the motion picture The Graduate) (5/5) 4 "A Hazy Shade of Winter" (5/5) 5 "At the Zoo" (5/5) Total - 53 Average - 4.42 288/1001 153/288 albums reviewed were new to me

8.5/10

this hits for me. There are a handful of skips on here but when it’s good it’s really good. Love the layering, such a great sound overall. Feels sincere, soft, emotional. I loike it Mrs. Robinson is ofc the usual highlight, it’s just a victim of being overplayed for 60 years. I hadn’t heard Hazy Shade of Winter or Old Friends before and they are just beautiful and contemplative. Put on yer good time hat and hit play type album for me.

There is just something comfortable about listening to this music that’s hard to describe, while also being a bit inventive for its time.

Soft tunes and gentle vocals!

This album is really good. Definitely better than the other album by them we got earlier. The singles here are definitely the standouts. Not big on Voices Of Old People and Punky’s Dilemma, but every else here is pretty great. Favorites were America, Fakin’ It, Mrs Robinson, and A Hazy Shade Of Winter.

Great to hear the original version of America, one of my favourite songs (I first heard it on Paul Simon's live double album from his concert in Central Park), and of course Mrs. Robinson.

Relaxing

I'd never listened to this album--the hits, of course, but not the whole thing. There's a heavy dose of Sergeant Pepper's in this cauldron, which makes sense, as that was an inflection point album. Great songwriting, beautiful harmony as always, and an interesting space created by the production.

- simon and garfunkle my goats - hazy shade of winter... is this a gerard way reference guys - fun instrumentals and lyricism - the beatles if they chilled a little bit - favorite tracks: bookends theme, old friends, america, a hazy shade of winter - rating: 4/5

very good

I thought this was going to bore me but it was so much fun to listen to. Quick but interesting and not what I was expecting at all. Teetering on a 5 for a fist time listen but a solid 4

Start and end are great. Middle could take or leave. Lots of influence from the Beatles. The intro song could have been half an hour longer, loved it. Couple of classics on here too.

Pretty dang good. I love “America” so much. A perfect song to me

i liked it. it's another one of theirs that i was only familiar with their greatest hits and maybe a couple more. a pretty solid album.

Albeit, old people voices was a strange song. However, this was an excellent album as I would expect prior to listening to it. This is a top notch record. It’s probably a must have in a record collection.

Very good album!

I like how not only the lyrics talk about the stages from a kid to becoming old, but the melodies as well. It sort of represents the chaotic of youth, the hope and romanticism of young adulthood and the “ease” of elder life. Beautiful album. 9/10

Although this is a solid effort by the duo side 2 has previously recorded material. Despite that Mrs. Robinson reached #1. Smooth harmonies and melodic sound track.

If it wasnt for that bland slow one somewhere in the middle this would be 30 minutes of perfect pop. 4.5 rounded down to be harsh for no reason.

I for one loved the two minutes of old people talking in the middle that was mostly depressing, not musical and killed all momentum. Oh no wait, I hated it.

Solid — love the old people interludes. Nice catchy emotional pop.

I love this album and it's very nostalgic for me. Favorite song is probably America but Old friends is a close second. Well and also Mrs Robinson and Hazy shade of winter. Such a soothing album

4/5 awesome but not their best

Favorite Track: America

I loved America, of course, and the trio of tunes to close it out: Mrs. Robinson, Hazy Shade of Winter, At the Zoo. I have fond memories of a house filled with Simon & Garfunkel growing up.

Solid overall. The couple super slow songs downgraded my rating. Faves were America, Winter, and Zoo.

Yeah, this was great and I knew it would be.

love this !!

Knew & liked several songs on this album. It was much more experimental than I expected & less folksy.

Pretty solid little album by Simon, decent contribution from Garfunkel.

This was actually very good. I especially liked Old Friends.

Some really good songs on it. Pity you can't give half marks, so I've upped it to 4

- Concept album exploring time and aging, bookended by instrumental title tracks - Intricate harmonies and orchestral arrangements showcase artistic maturity - “Mrs. Robinson” is the standout pop moment - Introspective, lyrically sophisticated throughout - Balances commercial appeal with literacy artistry

Toe tapping good times

En weet je wat, ik geef dit gewoon 4 sterren, stop de Simon & Garfunkel slander

Ik heb hier gewoon een zwak voor, vind dit erg leuk. De vocals van Art Garfunkel zijn echt insane tbh

Primera cosa que me gusta tanto de estos dos, 4,5

Surprisingly excellent.

Like Bowie but if you replaced the pop with folk. I thought this group was old people music but this goes hard.

Some amazing tracks on here and some strange choices, but I like the album overall. As always, Simon's songwriting is fantastic.

It's interesting how, in the shadow of Sgt Pepper, even the folkies felt the need to make their albums have a concept, no matter how thin. That said, this is a good album but not as consistently great as Bridge Over Troubled Water

1/12 bekannt 7,5/10 Beste Songs: Mrs. Robinson, fakin‘ it, a hazy shade of winter

As I get older I realize that Paul Simon is one of America's greatest musical gifts to the world- and yes, I realize that that statement neglects half the band (who is rightfully due some major props as well, do not get me wrong). I love all of PS' stuff and find this record so well put-together. Sounds fresh, artful but not difficult, and most of all, with messages that still resound today. "Old Friends" is incredibly moving, especially with its extended tape-recorded intro factored in. Everyone knows and [hopefully] loves "Mrs. Robinson," a song that encompasses the guarded, tentative optimism of the late 1960s. Bottom line- the record is timeless and excellent- a classic.

Прикольно, но не мое

Really enjoyed the album. Not the most sonically advanced record, but something about their voices and lyrics hits me the right way.

A cool folk album, side 1 is a concept and has some great storytelling with great stripped down psych folk songs. Side 2 has some more upbeat pop-folk hits, starting with Fakin' It which I was not familiar with until now. Cool album only one song that I would have left out. Worth a listen

First listen. Thought provoking. Musically very pleasant. I enjoyed the acoustic guitar a lot, especially the way the music directs the tone. I like how the soft picking felt quite impactful through subtle changes. I enjoyed the variety of themes and topics. Hazy shade of winter was a favourite. Enjoyed America. It made me think about cultural issues in America at the time and how they are relevant now.

“Michigan seems like a dream to me now…” I adore this song. I once drove a friend from Ann Arbor, Michigan to Amherst, Massachusetts via Canada to visit her girlfriend. She was obsessed with Paul Simon, so we listened to all his albums on CDs on the way. America came on late that evening as we rounded a corner to reveal the view from the escarpment over Hamilton, Ontario. The city looked like it was on fire from the coal plant stacks. I didn’t know it then, but I would move to that city two years later for my PhD. I don’t really remember the non-famous songs from this album, but I enjoyed them a lot. I love the storytelling aspect of folk music, and S&G are masters of it. It’s probably sacrilege to say, but I prefer the Bangles’ version of Hazy Shade of Winter.

Very nice, soft and jazzy

Lovely.

Great sound. Wish this album was longer.

8/10

Some beautiful music and some distractions

Surprisingly experimental and fun, mkstly because it is so short so it doesn't outstay its welcome.

Actually kind of a wild album! Save the Life of My Child for example just like BAM after the peaceful opener, Voices of Old People interluding in there, Punky’s Dilemma going through the breakfast pantry. It’s all pretty nuts. But it’s also got some really lovely and cool moments like Hazy Shade and the funny little ending At the Zoo.

I put this on as a gentle Sunday morning listen and I was not disappointed. A Hazy Shade of Winter and At the Zoo were particular favourites.

4/5 This was lovely. Chill, but fun and very artistic.

4/5 Very nice album, I really can appreciate Simon and Garfunkel for keeping their albums both engaging, fun and chill. Always a lovely experience with them.

Bookends Theme - NOT RATED (Just a lil cute intro theme I'm not gonna rate that it's 30 seconds) Save the Life of My Child - 7.5/10 (That was very interesting, incredibly experimental for 1968 and I liked the "Hello darkness my old friend" in the middle of the song, that's fun) America - 9/10 (Just a really good folky song, I love this sound so for me this is amazing) Overs - 9/10 (I LOVEEEEE this sound, it's so peaceful, so calming, ugh it's great) Voices of Old People - NOT RATED (This is just old people talking, and fits surprisingly well into the album, it's oddly soothing) Old Friends - 9/10 Bookends Theme - Reprise - 8.5/10 (The transition from Old Friends into this was so good I didn't even realize it happened, this is so peaceful I LOVE ITTTT but I can't give it a 9 or higher because it's too shortttt) Fakin' It - 8.5/10 (The sound changed very abruptly from the past songs but this is still so great omg) Punky's Dilemma - 8/10 (Did he fall down the stairs near the end of the song what the hell, still such a fun track) Mrs. Robinson - 8.5/10 (I recognize this song, makes sense as it has a very high amount of streams, and yeah it's also great) A Hazy Shade of Winter - 8.5/10 (Very different compared to the rest of the album but it's still so good like I can't complain) At the Zoo - 8/10 (This song is just funny I love this why is this album so good??) That was so much better than I expected omg, like genuinely great, I loved that, on a re-listen I would probably give it a higher score, but as is I'm gonna leave it as a 4.4/5

I wasn’t aware of that Simon & Garfunkel had made a concept album. Of course I knew some of the songs already, but I had definetly not heard this full record earlier. I feel like it’s trying a little too much. Recording old people just talking for two minutes on a 29 minute long album is a waste of time. The album is saved a little by a few strong songs, but it feels very uneven. Favourite songs: Bookends Theme (reprise), America, Mrs. Robinson and Hazy Shade of Winter.

awesome, 4.5

Not sure about the taped conversation bits but you can’t really fault an alb that has America, Mrs Robinson and Hazy shade of winter

This was better than I thought it would be. I didn't hate it!

Hodgepodge - movie, singles Save the life of my child America Mrs. robinson

America - liked it a lot! Fun road trip vibes. The voices of old people broke stuff up, not loving it from a listening experience perspective, but "Old Friends" is a beautiful song. "I wish I was an English muffin, 'bout to make the most out of a toaster" - Maybe the best line I've ever heard in a song? Not sure what "Punky's Dilemma" was supposed to be about, but I loved it. "At the Zoo" was fun too! "Taking time to treat your friendly neighbors honestly" This was probably one of my favorite listening experiences thus far, I'm not sure what all of the songs are saying, nor do I think there's even a super huge point/message to a lot of them, but it's a fun album and the sound is cohesive but varied. Creates a fun vibe and is easy to listen to. There's also some songs that are actually quite profound in there despite the gentle and at times upbeat tone. Of note: I actually listened to this one through multiple times!

Must go to the zoo now

For me this album has always sat in the shadow of its follow-up, BOTW. But Bookends was a hugely successful album with some beautiful songwriting and performance, America and Mrs Robinson are my favourites here.

9 Do u know what is cute? Simon and Garfunkel. Do you know what is double cute?? Simon and garkfunkle singing about old people. Didn’t expect to be assaulted with this level of cuteness. I think it would be perfect but it just doesn’t really have enough shouting for me I don’t feel like I can give a perfect score unless there’s at least one shout at some point

Classics

I saw a tweet asking why Paul Simon doesn’t get the same respect as Bob Dylan. He’s just as fine a songwriter AND he can sing. I don’t disagree.

Stacked and sublime

This album has a soft spot in my heart. It's beautiful, melodic, and tight. Takes me right back to the day I discovered The Graduate in high school and went on a deep rabbit hole listening to all the Simon & Garfunkel my dad owned.

Easy listening

Mostly classic but just 🤏this much annoying boomer shit to keep it from my own personal top tier.

Rightly acknowledged as a classic album

dobry album

Decent album. Great cover of The Bangles ‘Hazy Shade of Winter’..😬😁

Good listen, would come back to

This album really surprised me. Going trough the cycle of life in 29 minutes. The second song stood out for me the most. Very experimental in sound usage. My favourite is America.

The famous hit definitely made this album because there were a few head scratchers here. Generally a beautiful album if some of the fat got trimmed, in my opinion.

Short but strong. Silly at times. Punky’s Dilemma was special. 7/10

Love.

Such a jolly little album. Short & sweet, but full of well-written & delivered folk rock tunes. It felt like a really enjoyable ride with some good standouts. As much as I enjoyed it I wouldn’t say I’m utterly wow’d, but I don’t really have anything bad to say about it.

My second favorite Simon & Garfunkel album after BOTW. This one feels softer than that album which I enjoy :) Favorite track: America

There were a few weird tracks on this album but overall I really enjoyed it.

The concept album aspect is cool but the songs there don’t hit as much as they should. Then the back half is also cool but a few of the songs don’t have enough to them to leave much of a lasting impression. America, Fakin’ It, Mrs. Robinson, A Hazy Shade of Winter, and At the Zoo added to my 1001 Bangers playlist

I love Simon & Garfunkel. A few months ago I got Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme in this generator, which was the first time I listened to an album by this duo. I really enjoyed it, so since then I've listened to their whole discography (I actually binge listened to it on one sitting when I got a pack with the five albums on CD, as it's not really that long). Admittedly, I've really liked Bookends, but it hasn't been my favourite record made by Simon & Garfunkel. I really loved hearing it between Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme, and Bridge Over Troubled Water, but I liked those two albums better. That said, I'd say Bookends gets even better on the second listen. Paul Simon is such an amazing songwriter. The highlights for me were Overs, Old Friends, Fakin' It, Mrs. Robinson, A Hazy Shade Of Winter; which I now realize is about half of the album so maybe for me Bookends falls between a 4/5 and a 5/5 rating. I might bump the rating up on the future with more re-listens. On a side note, I really have the urge to play Mrs. Robinson on guitar now after hearing it again!

Side A is a little weirder than I expected, but plenty to love here.

Das große Meisterwerk höre ich hier noch nicht raus. Dafür ist mir auch der stilistische Bruch nach der Hälfte zu groß. Hätte es schöner gefunden, wenn sie das Konzept "Leben von Jung nach Alt" auf Albumlänge durchgezogen hätten. Aber hier sind schon einige spannende Kompositionen zu hören. Auch dass hier schon Synthesizer integriert werden, hätte ich niemals erwartet.

It wasn't my favorite

This was 2 halves of what could be a great whole. The ‘concept’ album 1st half was interesting, and had a couple tracks I liked, but felt more like a half formed idea than a fully executed one. The back half was full of banger tracks, but didn’t really go with the first half. 4/5

Love the group, too much conversation tracks for my taste in this specific album.

Beautiful album but I had to listen to it twice. The conceptual opening threw me and I couldn't appreciate the songs as much. The second time I just got it. Love it now!

There are no bad S&G albums.

Very nice. America is such a cool song

I’m not sure the concept part of the concept album works for me, and I’m not too take. With most of the tracks on here (they’re all good but I have higher expectations for Simon & Garfunkel). Still, America, A Hazy Shade of Winter, and Mrs. Robinson are classics so they lift the album up. Quite a lot of production on this album.

Classic folk singer/songwriter record. Production is dated, but it kind of adds to the charm.

Oh this is THE album I know just from the iconic album cover but really never heard anything from this besides Mrs Robinson

A subtle and soft look into what would be to come for Paul Simon as one of the greatest musicians of his generation. You get glimpses of the creativity that make Paul Simon special, but this albums is still grounded In the folk duo style of their previous several albums. Bookends is a nearly perfect, neat, little folk album but I have to reserve some points simply on the fact that I know Paul Simon's music gets even better.

Whoa, I was not ready for the opening couple tracks on this album! I was expecting pleasant folk music, which is exactly what is setup by Bookends Theme, and then Save the Life of my Child comes straight out of left field with chaotic synths and an incredibly psychedelic sound. I feel like I'm surprised by Simon & Garfunkel every time I listen to them and this album is no exception. Their music is always more complex and experimental than I'm expecting and I always enjoy listening to it more than I expect that I will, but for some reason, it never occurs to me to actually listen to their music. Because the "life cycles concept" is only on the first side of the album, it feels unfinished and it makes the second half of the album feel a bit like an after thought, but I don't think it really detracts too much from the overall experience, so I'm not going to dig too deeply into it.

Not as massive as their next album, (Bridge Over Troubled Water), would become, but still a good Folk Rock album. Highlights are "America" and "Mrs. Robinson".

Great collection of songs

liked this one

Bookends is an appropriate title, because the start and finish to this album are phenomenal. The momentum built in the first two tracks hits a brick wall at Overs and doesn't really hit a good groove until Fakin' It. The middles songs are pretty, but not particularly interesting compared to the run at the end. 9/10

4.5

Pretty good chill album.

i just love bridge over troubled water. so i like that one more <3

Very good folk

Album 5/1001. Listened 1/12/2026. So many songs I know by heart. Can't say I love every single one of them; I never ever need to hear Voices of Old People again - like listening to Congress.

easy listening melancholic yet happy and gentle folk album. amazing musicality and instrumentals -love the aggressive and shocking transition from 1st to second track from soft, acoustic melancholic feel to electrical dramatic feel of the second track. save the life of my child: -not like previous songs by them ive heard -love the percussion and timpani use aswell as the gospel choir in the back america: -beautiful harmonies and soft angelic voice -feels like starting a new chapter Overs: -first part feels lullaby ish -love the build up and climax at the end old friends: -love the string accompaniment -double bass gives eerie feel and is then cancelled out by the violins

Potentiell 5

Track 2 damn near threw me out of my seat. That synth came out of nowhere. The rest of the album is also a nice listen

It's my first album starting this. I really liked, I don't really know how to analyze an album, but the sonority is cool.

I mean they’re all just great songs. Not sure about the concept idea, it’s a bit of a loose one and changes in the second half anyway but the actual songs are awesome. They’ve obviously already showed how great they are on the folk side if things from their previous albums so it was cool to hear some experimentation on some of the songs like the bass synth on the second song (first after the intro) and some strings on old friends for instance. Mrs Robinson is a classic on here as well. Favourites: all but the old people interlude. Overall, 8/10.

hermoso. me gustó todo

Love a quickie. Mrs Robinson is the obvious standout here. To me nothing comes close to bridge over troubled water though. Still, this sounded nice and I appreciate the attempt at a concept on side a. Light 4.

There are some fantastic songs on here ("America" and "Old Friend") but as a whole I just cant get to 5. The old people talking was quite unpleasant and for only 30 minutes there felt like lots of filler.

Lowkey reflective.

07/10 05.01.2026

It was a great experience to listen this album, definitely goes into my music library. 4/5

3.5

This was a pleasant listen. I’m not versed in S&G - and I often thought of their songs to be acoustic driven folk songs. But this record had that and a bit more. Some interestingly creative decisions that made an impact. Lyrics can be goofy at times but it didn’t take you out of the songs.

Great album! Well composed, soft and calming. My favorite song was Punkys Dilemma

You can hear the shift into the more psychedelic wall of sound and such but also the older more folksy tracks. I remember some of these from high school.

Had to skip the people taking but i already loved this album

This album is only 29 minutes long but is full of surprises. It has a few of my favorites--America, A Hazy Shade of Winter--and also surprises. The beginning of the first full song, Save the Life of My Child, is more electric than I was expecting, and the Voices of Old People was new to me. It really is just old people talking. :) This album came out the year I was born and it was fun to think about people in that year putting this LP on the turntable for the first time and giving it a spin.

country music album. i love "take me home, country roads" by john denver as a classic so it's common sense that i love this album too.

I like this album. I think it was quirky and nostalgic. I loved the lyric “I wish I was a Kellogg’s cornflake floating in my bowl.” I would definitely listen to this album again if I was on a road trip to the mountains

i surprisingly LOVED it!!! such fun songs, not per se to dance to or sing along to but great chill soft songs

Good but not their best...

I didn’t fall in love with this one as quickly as Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme, but I still enjoyed it. Bookends definitely has a clearer and well-defined narrative throughout, which I can appreciate. When I listen to this again, I think I will enjoy it a lot more as I dive deeper into its themes.

Calm and poetic

We listened to these two a lot growing up. Sadly, my mom leaned toward the folky Ren faire stuff that never resonated with me. About half of this album is surprising and aiming for something far left of their center. I found those tracks something of a revelation. The rest of them I could take or leave, though I leaned towards take. I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would.

Starts off with a beautiful and calming instrumental that leads into the second song "Save the life of my child" which has a grand start. This song seems to explore the suicide of a young boy and looks into the affection of the women around and the inaffection of the men, mainly the police officer who has a lack of remorse saying that the boy does not respect the law. It's a overwhelming song with much going on but it matches the topic explored. The overwhelming situation, the panic of the people, matches the different sounds going on all at once in the song. We are then lead into "America." I hear the faint sound of a woman's voice. A calmer song than the last. There's a surprising amount of dialogue in the song, snippets of conversations or even simple shared words between lovers. Simon and his girlfriend of the time (which I found out by looking up) are on a road trip to America, and while there Simon keeps looking for the America he's been promised, the "American Dream." This song is an exploration on Simon's existential crisis over what he was taught to believe America is and what it actually is. We are then taken into "Overs." This song seems to explore a seemingly short relationship. A relationship on it's last legs, it's last run. These lovers seem to be separating from one another but can't seem to make any true commitment to a separation. Not happy but comfortable and leaving the comfort of a relationship lost of any real emotions is less frightening than being on their own. Next we are taken into "Voices of Old People." This song is a mixing of snippets of conversations from elderly people at the United home for aged Hebrews and the old home for age Reseda. An interesting look on what elderly people are thinking and feeling. "Old Friends" has a stunning beginning. Something that feels a little melancholic but also peaceful and calm. Like coming to terms with something that offers sadness but feels relieving in one way or another. I don't quite know what to make of this song, all I could truly focus on was the deep sadness I felt while listening. A beautiful song I must say. " Bookends Theme- Reprise" is a repeat of the intro. It seems to look back on a memory from when you were younger, a child or teenager. Moments that at the time don't seem that big but as you grow older you can't help but look back on with fondness. "Fakin' It" has a more upbeat sound. The subject is less sad then the others mostly because it is an extremely common feeling among most everyone. The feeling of insecurity and shortcomings and doing your best to hide them. "Punky's Dilemma" This song contains quite silly lyrics. Dreaming of being serial or a form of bread. But it has some deep political meanings. After doing some research it seems that Simon is critiquing the way society seems to quickly jump into groups and constantly politicizing small or trivial things. Making groups with fervor. A silly song contains deep meanings when you really look at it. " Mrs. Robinson" is a song featured the "The Graduate" soundtrack. This song was originally called "Mrs. Roosevelt" but Simon was asked if he could write a song for a movie. He said he was too busy touring but was working on a song which then became "Mrs.Robinson." I don't quite know what it is fully exploring but it isn't as sad as the other songs on the album have been. A nice break from the sadness I've so far indured. " A Hazy Shade of Winter" is a look on the journey of life and what your life has now become, what it now is. "At the Zoo" could stand for a collection of different people, how they may all come together in one place but are still separated by their differences. I think the album was an exploration of different relationships in life and I think it's an album that I enjoyed but the more I listen the more I'll love it and the more I'll understand it.

introduced me to a whole new genre, loved it

Great album

hay una canción que se llama Punky's dilemma, y le agrega mil puntos más a un muy buen disco, tranqui, medio chill, no estoy tan tan segura si he escuchado canciones antes, pero algunas siento que son conocidas Replayability: 9/10 Fav: Punky's dilemma / Mrs. Robinson Vibe: de fondo en alguna cena, en una tarde media otoñal, en juntas mas reducidas, que se pierda la musica sobre las conversaciones que se tienen

This album was surprising. The inclusion of synthesizers caught me off guard. The songwriting is fantastic. The track that is literally just field recordings of old people talking is the low-point of the album, but it does at least fit with the "concept" going on for the first half of the album. Overall, this is a great album. 4 stars

Probably my favorite S&G album, and not for Mrs. Robinson. America is a much better track.

Someone quipped that Bookends is like the Beatles’ “A Day in the Life” played out over an entire album. That seems right. I can feel the influence and vibe of Sgt Pepper here, even though the acoustic presentation provides misdirection. Along with Mrs Robinson, there are some great counter culture gems here ("Save the Life of My Child," "Fakin’ It," "Hazy Shade of Winter"). And “America” is a Simon and Garfunkel classic. Yet there are low points. "Overs," "Voices of Old People," and "Old Friends" form a skippable trilogy. A song about Kellogg’s Corn Flakes and another about the Zoo probably contain profound insight…somewhere…but feel like filler. I think the Beatles had the right idea in keeping it to one song. But man, the great songs here are really deserving. Put the best songs on a playlist and that playlist should indeed be heard (a few times) before you die.

Very airy, slow,

Not my favorite album of theirs solely because of a few sound effect storytelling devices used that I would cut out. Otherwise, another killer album.

I knew A Hazy Shade of Winter

I didn't know they were so weird! Cameron Crowe's mom was right.

Very chill and pleasant

I seem to harp on how I can’t appreciate an album fully because it’s not in my folky wheelhouse. This seems like a cop out as most of what I listen to can’t be called folky. So now, I am confronted with undeniable folkiness. What to do? Despite my folky roots and to echo something I’ve said everyday, I’ve never listened to this album. I know Paul Simon as really one of the best acoustic guitarists of his era—his work on sound of silence solidifies that—and a more than worthy songwriter (his work on sound of silence solidifies that). But my criticism of Simon (and Garfunkel!) is that he (they!) are a little soft. They are very pleasant to listen to, but they are a little too pleasant to listen to. A little too much polish, seemingly lacking a certain authenticity that is absolutely essential in his genre. There are Paul Simon songs that have become standards, and deservedly so, but he isn’t on my Rushmore of folk singers, he and Dylan are at the kids table for opposing reasons. The beginning of this album was entirely unexpected and so welcomed. Hell yeah. Paul Simon is relentlessly gifted at playing the guitar and the rest of the band is fervent here. I am just shocked by the statement that save the life of my child is—I might have to listen to this five more times before moving on to the rest of the album. The bass is unrelenting and the tone of the crashing cymbals adds so much to this song. It just feels so unexpected from Simon and it’s executed so well. I did not expect this album to start so aggressively and it works so well. And it just keeps going. America is so different from its predecessor, but it’s a banger as well. We get to dive into Simon’s ability as a storyteller, where few can compete. The rest of the band, the production on this album take this from some good songs to a stellar album. Simon can play truly beautiful acoustic lines that occupy so much space as he is wont to do, but the bass forces the issue in a way Simon’s guitar can’t and the (Hammond? Whatever keys) play a beautiful accent. It also makes it that much more poignant when you do get situated in songs like Overs or old friends that absolutely showcase Simon’s voice and playing, both of which are impeccable as ever here. And we must talk about voices of old people. This album is stuffed with the unexpected, and I did not expect field recordings of elderly Americans used as a framing device for the song’s accompanying it, but wow does it work. This is an album that seems shockingly considerate in its arrangement, between having (and reprising) a theme and including a recording like voices of old people. This album is so strong and cohesively resonant that, while Mrs. Robinson is probably the most listenable standalone track, the album would be just as good without it. It’s a classic that I don’t much care for, and it doesn’t really belong here (I wonder what the conversation was to put the song on the album as obviously it wasn’t recorded for this release). I walked into this listen fully expecting to go against type and criticize a folk album. I walked out not even positive this is a folk album. It’s certainly not perfect or remotely close to contending for my favorite album, but what a stellar album front to back. I think I would’ve liked to see another reprise of the theme to tie the whole piece together, having the reprise appear fairly early in the album and disappear was something of a disappointment. I also think Mrs. Robinson, while a standout track, should’ve been left off. In such a conceptually driven album, I think a nonsequitur track like that detracts more than it should. But, while far from perfect, it deserves its flowers and then some.

I don't think I know this album, let's go. The singles are just so damn good: America, Mrs Robinson. Some strong 60s sounds in here, a little more than usual for Simon. A Hazy Shade of Winter is giving crazy 60s energy. I don't think I knew this song was theirs originally! Fun little folksy album that I would def listen to again. 3.9/5

I've grown up listening to Simon and Garfunkel. My parents loved them, my wife loves them and I was lucky enough to see Art Garfunkel live a few years ago. Bookends contains a few of the classics, in Mrs Robinson, America and Hazy Shade of Winter. Old Friends and Punky's Dilemma are also warm, comfortable songs. Save the Life of my Child doesn't really fit with the rest of the album, and feels a bit jarring, while Overs and Fakin' It, while not unpleasant, just seem to be going through the motions. A low 4 stars.

Lots of Highlights.

Genre: Folk Pop One of the more pleasant listening experiences found in this book, Simon & Garfunkel made themselves a very solid, very long-living pop record that has stood the test of time. From the big hits (Mrs. Robinson) to the deep cuts (At the Zoo), this is a great album any way you slice it. Can’t believe this came out in 1968. Folk Pop music would sound like this for a long time. I listened to this on a snowy drive. Probably made it that much better. 4/5

Greit. De skal få denne TIL TROSS for gamle folk som prater...

Lovely

Old favourite - original release pilfered from mum and dad’s collection. A great chill album with oddities (Voices Of Old People/Old Friends) blended with classics (America, Hazy Shade of Winter, At The Zoo), and a best ever filler (Mrs. Robinson (From The Motion Picture "The Graduate")).

I knew like half the songs already. Classic, hard to go wrong with Simon and Garfunkel. Only bit I didn't care for was the old people talking filler track

3.8/5 Pretty good album overall, but not my favourite. "Bridge Over Troubled Water" heightened my expectations too much honestly. And although there's nothing on "Bookends" that I'd call bad or boring, only the last 3 songs were actually catching my attention.

Love S&G, great tracks on here, America, and Mrs R, great singalong tunes

Hard to be mad at those folksy harmonies. Some absolute classics here (America, Mrs Robinson, Hazy Shade of Winter). I can trace a through line from Dylan to this to The Kinks ‘Village Green…’

At The Zoo

Bookends by Simon & Garfunkel was an interesting experience. It has nostalgic folk roots and iconic guitar riffs. At times it was slow and boring, but other times it's groovy. -Sean

I appreciate the genius, it’s just not my thing.

Beautiful

Very good album. Kept wanting to hear it again and relisten.

Certified classic. The duo executes the life end-to-end concept really well, and the music is, as always, fantastic.

Nice album for a sunday morning drive

Really enjoyed the variety of songs and harmonies on this one. My favorite of theirs thus far.

Some lovely songs, very nostalgic. America is top song for me on this album. Prefer “Bridge Over Troubled Water”

it's k

I’ll never get over that soft and beautiful opening acoustic number going straight into Paul Simon discovering Moog synthesizers. It’s awesome.

Interesting, essential listening. I had forgotten that Simon & Garfunkel performed "Hazy Shade of Winter", and the Bangles only punched it up a little to be honest. This is fairly crucial 70's listening. I can't find any nits to pick, but I wouldn't pull it again unless it's to listen to "Hazy Shade of Winter" or "Mrs. Robinson" again.

Usage of instruments, sounds and effects makes this recording very pleasurable to listen to. Vocals are emotional, warm and so eager to tell stories. Mastering is impeccable, very spacious, clean and dimensional. All albums should sound like this one. Favourites: Old Friends; A Hazy Shade of Winter; Mrs. Robinson

While I wish that some of the stranger songs were left off this album and replaced by, you know, songs, I just don't know how you can give one that includes songs like America and Mrs Robinson less than a 4. I mean, I get it, but I don't agree with it.

Some of their absolute classics interspersed with some very quirky songs. Loved it.

I sure didn't expect that rock opening! While the rest of this album plays as I'd expected, when that first crash hits, I honestly thought I'd hit a button and somehow played another album. Then of course, the album settles down into the S&G you'd expect. Mellow, singer-songwriter tunes. "America" is a nice song I'd heard before, but didn't recognize until a third of the way through. Why the hell would you add "Voices of Old people" to a music recording? Not just a sample or two in a song, but 2 minutes of people griping. Crazy "Old Friends" is weak and treacle-y. Why would you have some 20-year-olds singing about what it's like being 70 accompanied by music that sounds like it's from the 40s? The rest of the songs are pretty good. Obviously "Mrs. Robinson" is a great listen. Classic tune. "A Hazy Shade of Winter" is winner that a lot of people have covered. A little more rocking than you'd expect from these two. When I see or hear the words "Simon and Garfunkel" I think, "Oh, yah. folky, light acoustic, background music". But then I listen to a whole album and like them much more than expected. It's happened more than once. I want to give this a 4.5, but with the couple of real clunkers in there, I've got to go with a 4.

Great albums with a few classics! Short and sweet.

That first track sounds so weird to modern ears

A classic, the 4 heavy hitters on this make it an enjoyable listen. The rest is average but it’s a short album so the hits make it pack a punch. It’s probably a solid 3.5 for me but I’ll give it the round up since I remember it from an early age in my living room on the console turntable.

I’ll have to check with my mom, but fairly sure this is at/near peak S&G. At 29m (with that odd Voices of Old People inclusion…), it’d be easy to think there’s not enough meat here. But this has undoubtedly their biggest song and a few of their other fan faves. As a sucker for a song with a shoutout of any lesser known Michigan city, have always liked “America”.

I came thinking this was a 4 easy. But man, I didn’t love as much as I thought I would. Mrs. Robinson = greatness. A hazy shade of winter = greatness. Both also with great covers as well. American is another good one. Voices of old peeps is unnecessary. This is a 3.5 for me but I gotta round up for the aforementioned songs. Also, why are these homeys dressing up like Steve Jobs?

Simon & Garfunkel are the undisputed corniest motherfuckers to ever do it. And I'm here for it. A song about various breakfast foods? Brilliant! America may be my favorite song of theirs and of course Mrs. Robinson. I don't think it rises to the level of Bridge of Troubled Water, but still a solid album (and yay only 30 minutes!). 4/5

When an album is so good that it even got me to like folk music for a bit, I gotta give it at least a 4. Shoutout Mrs. Robinson

Love love love this album, but knowing Bridge Over Troubled Water and Paul Simon's solo work, I don't think they were on a 5 level yet. The front half of this album is a little weak for me, especially compared to the fantastic back half. However, this is still head and shoulders above most other albums from this time period. I wish I was an English muffin about to make the most out of the toaster *falling down stairs noises*

Don’t see why this made the cut of the 1000, personally

Really effective concept album, felt very personal without being so literal. The instrumentation is always on point with this duo. Best Track: Old Friends

Nice album.

Yep. Like that one.

A mixed bag of genius and gentle shrugs.

Peaceful Rainy day music Couple of iconic songs on there

This was good and has some amazing classics on it but not on the level of future Paul Simon solo albums. I love the synth sound on Save The Life of My Child and Side B was mostly great but I just don’t fully get most of Side A.

Simon & Garfunkel, perhaps simply because of saturation and over-familiarity, might be the exception to my general disposition that folk is boring. Only *a little* of this album is boring ("Overs" and "Voices of Old People" really). The rest is pretty excellent. Obviously, some of these songs I've heard a million times ("America" "Mrs. Robinson") but they're classics for a reason. "A Hazy Shade of Winter" and "At the Zoo" sound archetypally like S&G, but have a pep and verve they don't always show. I'm still not a straight-up folk guy, but this is a pleasure to listen to. Great voices, great lyricists, great album.

Probably the best album I’ve personally heard by the duo

More magic from the late 60’s

I liked this but I like Bridge Over Troubled Water better

I’ve listened to a fair amount of Simon and Garfunkel but the only two songs I’ve heard from Bookends are America and Mrs. Robinson. I get it because the rest of the album isn’t really filled with hits. Although the other songs are absolutely beautiful. Paul Simon has a way of evoking vivid images and deep emotions in only a line or two. Very good album, except for Voices of Old People. That was a pretty weird one

As I expected from Simon & Garfunkel. Although the jump between track 1 and 2 took me by surprise.

The acoustic sound is great . A classic

I wish I lived in a wholesome enough society to have more examples of close harmony pop duos. Its a powerful and direct way to perform music. I am more familiar with Simon & Garfunkel's solo works (with a strong emphasis on Paul Simon) so it was exciting to hear them in this iconic original form. Bookends is enjoyable throughout but has a particularly strong ending. The epic A Hazy Shade of Winter stood out positively to me.

Bookends gets a solid to high 4 from me, I love the concept of side A, but love the singles on side B, unfortunately they don’t integrate into a satisfying enough full picture to push into the low 5s, not far off though

I love Simon and Garfunkel, so I wanted to rate this 5 stars, but there were a couple of strange choices (Voices of Old People and Punky’s Dilemma, mainly), which made me pull it back. However there are some gorgeous songs like America, Old Friends, the Bookends Theme reprise, Mrs Robinson and A Hazy Shade of Winter which I could play over and over again.

I liked this a lot but didn't love it - very short and a little too background-y in places.

Old people talking vs Hazy shade of winter is the original Coughing Baby vs Hydrogen Bomb. It gives the album one hell of a split personality feel.

"I wish I was a kellogg's cornflake" ??? Ok?? I don't?? As is rote for Simon and Garfunkel, there are some great parts, some deep parts, and some just straight up bizarre. I never know how to feel about them. In the end the album is fine but it doesn't stop the dread I feel at the prospect of listening to them - at least at half an hour long this one manages to stave off boredom. I will give them an extra star just for the way they committed to singing hazy shade of WINTERRR

Do yourself a favor and only listen to side 2 of Bookends, i.e. songs 8-12.

Beautiful album and songs. Easily accessible for everyone. I can listen to this over and over

Beautiful

this album had a strong moments with the most wellness song being this Robinson, but it also hurts to familiar entertaining moments despite that I think add this album is very good and then looking at time when this was released, it is really really ahead of its time, that’s why I give you a seven out of 10

Album bellissimo

Beaucoup de fun dans les arrangements, production top. 4.49 étoiles