Bookends

It has "America", "Mrs. Robinson", and "Hazy Shade Of Winter", what more do you people want from a sub 30 minute album?

This is great. Easy listening.

Short but good, hard not to like 8/10

It's a fine album but I think they had better.

Experimentation doesn’t always work on this album. Every song is a quality performance, but some seem a little messy. Not their best work, but still great. 4/5

++: Bookends Theme, Save the Life of My Cild, America, Overs, Old Friends, Fakin' It, Mrs. Robinson, At the Zoo +: Voices of Old People, Bookends Theme, Punky's Dilemma, A Hazy Shade of Winter 8,5/10

Interesting... the harmonies of Paul and Art are beautiful. A real classic

Nett zu hören, typischer S&G Stil…7/10

This was a great listen, even listening to it while (unsuccessfully) trying to calm a very unhappy baby didn’t diminish it. I think that’s a good sign.

chill rock album. folky but doesn’t lack in excitement

Least favorite album from a top favorite band. This is too conceptual for my taste, especially listening to it straight through — there's nothing here that I actively dislike, but it doesn't flow well to me at all. However, Hazy Shade of Winter is one of my favorite songs of all time.

It is the poetry of drugs and promiscuous sex. Honey, they're on pot.

nice. very past trash. mrs robinson not great for breakup with a 'joe'

swings from heartrending meditations on old age to whatever the hell “at the zoo” is. I love my kings from queens

Very good. I liked the sound and enjoyed how it was a conceptual album

There's some absolute classics on here aren't there! No surprise to see it in here at all! I do need to have a good listen again, as I felt through a lot of it "is this a Paul Simon album?" As there never seems to be much Art. Flow is a bit off, but just for the big hitters it's a good 4.5 for me.

Not their best but still good

I really liked it. The album was far more interesting and experimental than I expected based just on the hits. I'll give this one a few more spins.

The more I listened to this the more I liked it. The more I thought it sounded very modern for an album made in 1968, like it could have been made today and people would still have been into it. I think it’s on this list because of Mrs. Robinson but there are lots of other great songs on here. You can see how Paul Simon would go on to write such catchy songs in the future.

Breakthrough for S&G, struck hard into the late 60's vibes. Serene and enjoyable.

i liked paul simons self title album so interested in what he sounds like with good ol garfunkel btw art garfunkel might be top 5 names ever, his parents cooked with that name choice

Ahead of its time, along the lines of pet sounds and sgt. peppers. A few of the tracks are skips, but, at his best, Paul Simon's ability to turn mundanity into poetry, then turn poetry into truly astonishing melodies is unrivaled.

I’ve worn out my copy of Simon & Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits, so a fan of their work generally but not to go on a deep dive. America and Mrs. Robinson are, of course, excellent. Great cover of Hazy Shade of Winter, too. Several other songs I hadn't heard before that were good, but not great. Voices of Old People isn't something I would listen to again. 4.25⭐️, because I can't quite round up to 5.

The sound feels intimate and reflective, like finding an old journal and flipping through the pages. The harmonies are gentle, blending together with a warmth similar to Crosby, Stills & Nash. The lyrics explore big themes, but there’s a quietness, almost like a whisper. Every song has a feeling of nostalgia, mixed with a kind of melancholy. The music is simple, yet layered, leaving room for you to really sit with it.

I thought it was a decent album. It had good acoustical parts like Simon and Garfunkel always had. There is some good melody throughout. It having Mrs Robinson on it is a plus. I think I’ll give it a 7/10. Some songs weren’t as good as others, but the album flowed well.

Wasn’t expecting the wild synths. First half is pleasant but sleepy. Tight cornball anthems in the back end.

Lemppari: Old friends Vähiten lemppri: Bookends theme?

I really do feel just a step by connection when listening to this duo. They make each of their songs so strong with lyrics yet don’t overhear with their voices and let the music take you away. They are beautiful and calming.

Ah, well. A classic. Interesting studio experimentation by Simon.

That was a nice little album right there. Yes, it is finally time for the last Simon & Garfunkel album of the project. The last one I got was Bridge Over Troubled Water back in January, so I was more than okay with getting Bookends now. After listening to this album, I can safely say that this is a great album. Admittedly (and take this with a grain of salt as I haven't listened to Bridge Over Troubled Water in a while) I do like Bookends a bit less than Bridge. However, Bookends is still amazing. It's just a nice album. It's quite short, not even half an hour long. I'm okay with that though. The 29 minutes are used quite well. There's some great songs on here. Of course, "Mrs. Robinson" is an absolute classic. It perfectly encapsulates what makes S&G such an iconic duo in music history. I also really like "America." It's a cozy song. The singing is quite great all throughout. The sound is very pleasant. The writing is amazing. It's not all perfect. I think the presence of "Voices of Old People" is kind of weird. It kind of almost works, but I'm not sure if it does. It at least fits the themes of the album. Overall, while this may not be my favorite Simon & Garfunkel album, it's still an impressive showcase of musical talent that deserves to be recognized in a list like this. High 4/5.

Sat under a tree, people-watched people and their dogs, enjoyed lots.

Very close to a perfect album. No faking’ it on this record.

Simon & Garfunkel really grew on me this year I have to say

Parents owned this and played it growing up. Favorite song on this is Hazy Shade of Winter

Beatles-esque? Really solid!

I don’t know if I love how side B is sequenced - “A Hazy Shade of Winter” and “At the Zoo” have always struck me as an odd 1-2 pair of album closers - but I just love most of these individual songs so damn much, and particularly love the flow of side A. 4.5/5

Really good, with a few first-class pop tunes ("America" and "Mrs. Robinson"), several lovely melodies (the lilting "Old Friends") and a few fresh, lesser-known bits. Only the spoken word bits or recordings feel like blemishes (though it's interesting to compare "Voices of Old People" to recent hip-hop records. "Punky's" and "At the Zoo" are fun.

Some of S&G's best wrapped up in a pseudo concept album with leftovers from the Graduate.

que voces, qué temas.

Fantastic and concise. A classic

Simon and Garfunkel at their creative apex. Not every song lends itself as a classic, but this album is extremely efficient coming in under 30 min.

Good stuff.

Simon & Garfunkel appear to be plain musically. But that's only because their music has a chill vibe--because if you pay attention you're rewarded, especially in concept album Bookends. And the genre of folk rock doesn't scream hype, but S&G add much more to their music than your typical folk. The opening title track and instrumental is beautiful and brings the album together. Placing "Old Friends" after "Voices of Old People" is purposeful and evokes juxtaposition. "Voices" is an unusual inclusion and has the opinions of elderly people, truthful yet harsh. The rising violins throughout "Old Friends" nearly become discordant and grating but only after describing two dear, elderly friends refusing to discuss their mutual fear. "A Hazy Shade of Winter" is optimistic in comparison as the singer reflects on their life of missed chances and rebuilt hope. "Save the Life of My Child" has that deep bassline created by the Moog synthesizer that's just delicious, but the topics intrigue me more. The song features dramatic snippets from a sample of public life, all of which boil down to the concern of children these days. "At the Zoo" is pure Paul Simon with the playful lyrics, but it also uses some of the up-tempo melody from "Mrs. Robinson," which brings the album together musically and not just thematically. Concept albums intrigue me because artists always approach them differently. Instead of telling a story from A to B, S&G gave us vague snippets with just enough detail to put together. Like a good storyteller, S&G trust us with the information so that we can connect the dots as we see fit.

Nice, dreamy, soft listen. Nice coincidence with \"Mrs Robinson.\" This song inspired me with a short story idea. I think I'll give the album 4 stars.

i think bookends suffers from not having enough ideas to go around -- and there are good ideas. the first half of the album clearly is meant to be about going from youth to adulthood to middle to old age, but unfortunately, the b-side, which feels a bit more like a space saving afterthought, has more musical ideas, and that really shouldn't be the case. still, i like the brief moments of experimentation, and it is nice to have such a short album for the day. why does rym hate old people so much? who knows.

Split down the middle but will round up due to the presence of several all-time classics.

America is so very good. Some of the rest is meh, but overall very S&G sounding.

Old voices made me cry

Amazing

Mrs. Robinson ein Klassiker.

I really enjoyed this album!

Finally a group I know.

3.5-4, I love S&G, and some of the greatest hits are on here, though it doesn't feel quite as consistent as an album as I expected

Some iconic tracks.

Had not listened to this album in its entirety previous to this project. In its entirety it feels uneven, but songs like "America" and "Hazy Shade of Winter" make it impossible to give a rating less than 4.

Odd production by a couple of strange dudes. Paul Simon is a treasure, but his Simon and Garfunkel days were musically all over the place. What’s with the bizarre talking set break on a 30 minute album? Some of the songs are magic while others are a snooze fest. This 2.5 of a compilation gets a 4 because the few songs that are enjoyable truly shine brightly.

LP

yippee yahoo type music for a Thursday morning 4/5

Nice archival audio

Overall solid album. A bit bizarre to have a 'concept album' for 15 mins of it but enjoyed both sides.

Really liked this one. 4/5

3.5

Mrs robinson

Simon & Garfunkel seemed to evolve from fairly simple folk numbers to the big, grandiose songs and it’s interesting to see the progression as they got a bit more experimental and veered from the folk tradition. Not all experiments work out and while this is an interesting listen throughout, the more ‘concept’ elements are less compelling on repeat listens. But the genius of Paul Simon’s songwriting comes to the fore on the album’s best moments (America and Mrs Robinson are some of music’s best moments, period) and make it a classic nonetheless.

Lidt kort men hyggelig

I keep forgetting most of this album. It's not bad but I much prefer their followup, Bridge Over Troubled Water. Like all of their albums though, there are some amazing songs to be found here.

It's crazy how these guys sucks individually, but together they make such magic they could cure world hunger.

When these two guys are together, they reach the magic touch for writing amazing folkish/pop songs. How can someone dislike that?

Idk I see a lot of people hating on this, and some of their criticisms made me burst out laughing like: “this record made me lose all the melanin in my skin” which there is something to be said for. But I was going in thinking it would be a bit more of a straightforward folk album than it was. When the synth bass blasts in on “Save the Life of My Child” I was immediately hooked into the psychedelic and adventurous instrumentation and ambitious concept idea. Sounds like the first side of the record could have come out today from a modern folk rocker. It’s not perfect, the last few songs on the second side were a little looser and less tied into the concept but easy listens. The whole thing doesn’t even run over a half an hour so there’s not enough self-indulgence to get annoyed over haha. Solid listen and changed my mind a bit about what simon and Garfunkel’s sound really is :)

Solid folk rock

Favourite tracks: America; faking it; Mrs robinson

Bunch of dorks from New York thinking they can make music (they can). Need to rewatch the Graduate.

Simon & Garfunkel had higher highs than this. Perhaps it's unfair to judge them against themselves, but the songwriting just seems a bit weaker here. Still quite good, though; my favorite track may be "A Hazy Shade of Winter."

A great American pop record. Beautiful vocals and arrangements. A few classic songs. Solid! 4/5

Better than Dylan

Pretty classic and a solid album for sure. Some timeless songs on this one.

More of a complex album from the folk duo. Not too bad. “Hazy Shade of Winter” was a favorite song from this album.

As of the last S and G appearance on this list, I love it. I gave the last album a five star rating, but I was pretty drunk when I listened, so I’m comfortable with a sober 4 here.

More of what you'd expect from these two, their formula works for me and there were a couple of standout tracks on this one

Shorty but punchy album with some good songs. Probably a 3.5 but will tilt it to the 4 side.

great vibe - reminds me of my mum and thats nice just a chill time happy with it

A great album. Brilliant

Наверное, один из лучших их альбомов.

Sounds very familiar of course. Great songwriting, great vocal harmonies. Just not for me. Too goody-goody and too reminiscent of priests.

was good nice and humble

Pretty trippy!

Distinctive mood, atmospheric album. Surprisingly short.

Second Simon and Garfunkel album. This one is not as good as Bridge but shows signs of their greatness. 4/5

Toca por primera vez escuchar un disco de Simon & Garfunkel. Desde el comienzo se lo nota diferente a las canciones sueltas que ya ubicaba. Se plantea como reflexivo desde su concepto y su música folk pero con algo de experimentación. Cargado de sonidos sesentosos desde sus guitarras, voces y teclados (particularmente en Fakin' It), además del clasicón eterno que es "Mrs. Robinson". Lindo disco.

lovely lads and lovely songs

A classic album though it’s got some filler (spoken word recording of old folks, Voices of Old People is a drag). Still, Bookends contains some of the greatest songs in S&G’s discography. I’d argue America is one of the best songs of the 20th century, period. I was impressed by the Moog synth and electronic textures of Save the Life of My Child—atypical for S&G’s sound and pretty out there for 1968 as well.

If you take the Bookends tracks away, and don’t count the song that is just a lot of talking, there aren't too many actual songs here. Those that are there are average to great.

As I turn 50 tomorrow, listening to a concept album about aging seems appropriate today. It taps into the melancholy of aging. As I listen to some songs, I can see the piles of memories already tossed in a pile to sort through later. It’s an interesting hodgepodge. Voices of old people, theme songs, and huge hits. Sometimes, I’m not sure they all fit together, but it was a nice ride.

I must admit - I have heard plenty of Simon and Garfunkel over the years going back as far as I can remember - but I don't think I have ever heard an actual S&G album. My experience has always been either on the radio or through the lens of a greatest hits collection. A much different way to experience them. While I know half the songs on the album they feel different when presented as they are in a song cycle about aging (at least the first half of the album) and this all kicks off - after the bookends theme - with Save the Life of My Child. Let's just say - not what I have come to expect from S&G. And that trend continues with the aptly titled voice collage Voices of Old People. Ultimately this plays a bit like two sides - the first side song cycle and the what feels more like a hodgepodge on side two. A good hodgepodge - Hazy Shade..., Mrs Robinson and At the Zoo - all great tracks. But I may go back to the greatest hits...

Some real all-timers on this. The concept album parts of this are a bit clunky (and stupid) even if the idea itself is nice.

I listened to this twice through and was rather intrigued by its composition as an album. The first side of the album is the bookends concept album, while side two is already released singles and unused material for the graduate. I'm not sure if this sort of thing was common at the time, but I do find it odd, and I wish there was more of the concept album personally. That being said, I found myself a lot more satisfied with the first side of this album compared to PSRT. They knit together the songs well, and I felt like they went a little more experimental with side one, which really pays me off for me. The opening track has some stunning synth in it that surprised me with how well it sets the tone of the rest of the album. I'm an absolute sucker for sound collages, and "Voices of Old People" is so heartfelt and fits right in with the theme of the album. Side one as a whole really flows well and every song is satisfying. I'm realizing more and more how important it is to me to feel like an album isn't just a collection of singles. PSRT kinda gave me that feeling, and so, it was hard to give it a four. This album does better, but the second side feels far more like PSRT than the first side. After reading about this album a bit on Wikipedia, it seems that Simon himself didn't really think much of the second side either. Regardless of how strongly or weakly I consider the composition of the second side, I can still see myself coming back to this album, at least for the first side. A slightly weak 4 for this one.

I could probably listen to “Bookends Theme” on repeat. The transition from it to “Save the Life of My Child” was pretty cool. I like the sound of “Save The Life of My Child” but the sound coupled with the story is surprising. I’m not a huge Simon and Garfunkel person but I do prefer this over Bridge Over Troubles Water. I like the experimentation and the production of this one.

Another household name in music history I know nearly nothing about and I wonder how this could be. Absolutely great album. Without the sleeper songs this would've been the perfect score

This is my second Simon & Garfunkel album to review, after Bridge Over Troubled Water, which I absolutely loved. I have high expectations for this album, and can't wait to dive into it. I was immediately surprised and hooked in by the synthesizer parts on "Save the Life of My Child." This was not a sound I was expecting on this album, but I really loved it. The lyrics were great too, and this song was a great addition to the Bookends theme. The rest of the first side of the album was more in line with what I'd expect from Simon & Garfunkel. The songs were beautiful musically, and the songwriting was great, but nothing else really stood out to me. "Voices of Old People" fit with the theme of the album, but was certainly an odd choice. I enjoyed the second side of the album a bit more than the first side. "Mrs. Robinson" might be one of the best songs ever written. The guitar melody, Paul Simon's vocals, and the light percussion have made this song such a staple for over fifty years now. The lyrics are fantastic as well, and every time I hear it, I feel the emotions that I associate with The Graduate. It's just a perfect song in every way. Heading into this album, I wasn't a big fan of the original version of "Hazy Shade of Winter," but I've now been won over to see how great it is. I'm pretty sure I heard The Bangles' version first, which I absolutely loved, with it's nervous dread portrayed through the alternating pounding of the drums and blistering guitar melody. Simon & Garfunkel's version conveys dread as well, but it's not so much a nervous dread, but more of a sense of a fate that can't be avoided, like a criminal awaiting sentencing. The tambourine getting a bigger role in the percussion really adds to the mood, and the less frantic guitar playing puts more emphasis on each note, which I really enjoyed. The rest of the songs on side 2 were really good too, and I felt like this side of the album didn't feel as one-dimensional. I didn't enjoy Bookends as much as I enjoyed Bridge Over Troubled Water, but I still really liked it, and I think it's a great album. I used to listen to a lot of classic rock when I was younger, and I regret that I didn't spend more time listening to these two.

This is very good but I don't think it's their best album - there's a cobbled-together feel to side 2.

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 magnific, 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 subsequent song dealing on topics relevant to an older age than the previous one. Cute record, i really like it.

Good album but I have heard for so long its one of the best ever that it just doesnt live up to the hype. I lime it dont get me wrong and the last stretch is amazing with mrs robinson and hazy shades (which the bangles covered and made it better.) Great songwriting and pretty innovative stuff for the time.

Never heard this start to finish- lotsa hits! Enjoy

But why are the giraffes insincere?

Not something I'd probably go out of my way to listen to, but not an unpleasant listen. Not a bad background to have for 30 minutes.

-such a calm album -great songwriting -good concept -the concept is used really well throughout side A -for a folk (rock) album, it can increase pace and make the songs more rhythmic, especially on side B -definitely an album I would spin again from time to time -favorite songs: America, Overs, Old Friends (<3), Fakin' It, Mrs. Robinson (<3), A Hazy Shade of Winter (<3), At The Zoo -least favorite song: Voices Of Old People

This is a weird album. I read it it was supposed to be, fractured, schizophrenic. Doesn’t lend itself to repeat listening imo.

A little strange with the text part in the middle but overall good.

Real good

This sounded a lot more like the Beatles than I was expecting. Some slow parts weren't great but everything else was pretty good. The Sound of Silence sample was interesting. Low 4.

7/10 - It was quite a good album. I really like Paul Simon so I had a feeling I would enjoy it but the songs were just nice to listen to and pretty relaxing.

I always thought these dudes just made boring shit for old people. This was kinda that, but it was good, and I liked it way more than I was expecting to

Really enjoyed this! Wasn't really paying attention to the lyrics, but there were some really cool melody lines or other surprises that kept the album interesting. 4/5

Melancholy

Amazing songwriting and storytelling. But the Bangles version of Hazy Shade of Winter will always be my favorite!

Listening to this album makes me realize the only Simon & Garfunkel I've ever really listened to has been their hits (and everything from "Sounds of Silence" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water"), so it's really nice to hear something new (to me) and (occasionally) different from a great vocal duo. And a concept album to boot! (Well, side A, at least; "Voices of Old People" is a hoot) I'm not sure how much new ground they covered in this album, musically or lyrically, but I enjoyed it. And now I know where the full-length version of "Mrs. Robinson" first appeared! (And to be honest, this album would have been a 3-star rating without "Mrs. Robinson")

Wasn't into the beginning half of this album but the latter half was amazing. 4/5. Saved 5 out of 12 songs

I enjoyed it. I thought the length is good I didn’t get tired of it. I think the mixing on the first few songs could have been vastly improved though.

Much richer, composition, moods, and lyrics than I expected. Overall highly recommend.

I knew about half of this album already, and "America" is one of my favorite S&G songs. On the first listen it dragged a bit for me and the interlude of recorded voices was strange, but the album is only 28 minutes long so I jumped right into round 2 and it came together better for me. Wish I was an English muffin 'Bout to make the most out of a toaster

Very cool, mellow music with a great energy. The Old People's Voices track was weird and off-putting, but otherwise a nice listen. Mrs. Robinson of course was great, and I forgot that S&G did Hazy Shade of Winter, which is a great song. Four stars.

oh what a time it was...

You can start to see how experimental Paul is staring to get with some of these tracks. What a gift he is to the music world. America is a top 50 song of all-time for me.

Not every song on this album is a 10/10 but the ones that are really shine. The not 10/10s are still great songs but the songwriting doesn't feel as fleshed.

Short flowing songs that keep the momentum upbeat and everything very cohesive

Listened to this a ton as a kid. Surprised by how much I did NOT like Fakin It and Punky’s Dilemma listening to it as an adult. America is still one of my all time favorite songs tho.

Know it well. America is a choon.

Some real bangers on here but also some songs that today sound like a parody of silly folk music.

Some classic songs, some writing that's a little too fond of its own cleverness.

Its a lovely album with everything that makes S&G a mainstay of Americana. Tracks 9, 10, & 11 are the standouts and singles for a reason. The rest, while listenable and perfectly enjoyable weren't exactly bangers. Would slide this into rotation on my 5-stack CD player for sure, though.

Great album (if you like that kind of stuff) with some classics as well as some stuff I hadn't heard before...

Listened Before? Y One album short of their prime, this one is pretty good. These guys captured talent-lightning in a bottle for a few years and this is one of their best albums. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: America

i really enjoyed this one, Paul Simon’s guitar playing and lyrics were excellent. Of course the harmonies are very nice.

I've heard several of these tracks countless times, and many are among my favorite songs from this era. I don't know that I had ever listened to this album straight through, though, and it was surprising at times. The synth sounds on "Save the Life of My Child", and the cohesion of the Side A tracks compared to the relative disjointedness of Side B was unexpected.

Can never go wrong with “Mrs. Robinson” and “A Hazy Shade of Winter”.

It's a great album. If I didn't have to skip Voices of Old People every time, it'd be a 5.

propaganda prop a gander proper banter is this a 5? im not sure, but it is beautiful and delightful and frail like snow, a frivolous home of wonder.

I enjoyed it 4/5 stars

I’m not sure I own enough turtlenecks to like this enough to give it a five, but Mrs Robinson is an all time great and the rest of the album is fairly inoffensive and blessedly short so it snatches a four from the jaws of three.

So I love Simon and Garfunkel. But I’m learning that perhaps I love Bridge Over Troubled Water and a few of the singles and just quite like everything else. This just does quite hit as much as BOTW does. Simpsons: Yes

They got the Funk(el)

60's folk. Simon and Garfunkel are well-known to just about everybody -- I knew most of the songs on this album already. Simon's a genius as a songwriter and this is some of his finest early work.

Didn’t realise this album goes as hard as it does until this day wow

This is folky and its soft boy hall and oates. This is way different than anything. I think i just love the diversity of this record so beautiful and Hazy Shade of Winter is such a fun and interesting track. I love mrs robinson too just cause I wanna watch the graduate so bad. I knew the record was iconic but I did not realize that they touched so many genres and it really feels like the beatles in some instances. I like the bookends theme as a whole its a great motif as well :)

I’m a huge fan of S&G and have never heard this album through. It was a treat.

I love Simon and Garfunkel. The album Co twins some of their biggest hits. The lyrics are beautiful, especially on America. It could have been a 5 based on the quality of songs alone. However, I thought that this doesn’t really work as an album. The first side follows an interesting concept, however there’s barely any time to elaborate. The concept is abruptly ended after just 15mins and the second side is just a mix of various songs that couldn’t fit anywhere else (still, amazing songs). I wish the entire album would follow side a’s ideas instead. 4/5

It’s a damn shame these two hate each other now. Because together they were such a force of songwriting and harmony. This album displays some of their most creative and whimsical ideas alongside some of their most sincere lyrics and instrumentals. And this isn’t even their best album. Incredible! Maybe it’s just the constant harmonization but there’s something so natural about a good Simon & Garfunkel song

Favourites: save the life of my child, America, old friends (sounds like it's from an old Disney movie), fakin it, Mrs. Robinson. Overall pleasant, not super catchy though. High 3, low 4. I'll pick 4 because the length was very reasonable and the vibes were chill. 4/5

I feel like Simon & Garfunkel is an artist where I'm always surprised by the fact that I like their music, but I really do enjoy their work. This album had a very nice calming sound with some happy melodies and folk-y instrumentals. Cool songs overall, except for the one that one "song" in the middle that took its title way too literally and kinda ruined the vibe. It was a sweet but I'm generally not a fan of hearing non-music interludes or skits on an album, so it honestly brought my rating down to 4 stars. Big fan of the 29 minute runtime though. Favourite songs were Save the Life of My Child, America, Old Friends, Mrs. Robinson, and A Hazy Shade of Winter

simon en Art, toppertjes

Enjoyed this a lot - very soothing

Good

Another great S&G album. "Save the Life of My Child" is a pretty strange song for the duo, I wonder if they caught a whiff of the psychedelia prevalent in the music of the time. There's nothing that sounds like this on "Bridge Over Troubled Water". "America," "A Hazy Shade of Winter," and "At the Zoo" are such bops. "Old Friends" is a beautiful folk ballad. "Mrs. Robinson" is a classic and probably the first S&G song I got into after watching The Graduate in English class in high school. I think "Bridge" is more consistent than this one, but it's still a great time.

I like this album more than a bridge over troubled water, and I think I rated that unfairly last time, Cecilia has been in my head for a while. I did think it was a little back loaded, all of my favorites are in the second half. Very fun and a lot of unique elements, old people talking is great. Favorite: Punky's Dilemma 8/10

A very good Simon & Garfunkel album. Adding Mrs. Robinson to the rotation, the song is undeniably a banger.

I fell asleep listening to Simon and Garfunkel last night, happy to listen to another album. I can't describe how emotional some of these songs make me, it makes my stomach swell. They are so good at flipping between soft and crescendo. I prefer the later album, but this one is still great. Top songs: America Old friends Mrs. Robinson

Love this album. Bridge over troubled waters always hits perfectly. Probably won't come back to it for all the songs, but since it's pretty short would def give it another listen through

Not quite as impressive as Bridge Over Troubled Water, but S&G are still fantastic song writers. Light 4 Fav Songs America Fakin It Mrs Robinson

I don’t know if Simon & Garfunkel ever made a flawless album together, but Bookends is as close as they got. There’s a real sense of an Album-with-a-capital-A going on, with the orchestration and seamless transitions, with the concept narrative and high production value. The issue is that Capital-A-Albums mean songs/interludes that work in context, but not on their own. Plus, personally, I think this swooning version of S&G isn’t my preferred version of the boys; I like them quainter, a bit closer to their roots in the scene, and a little less purposefully shooting for high-brow. Still, I just love these two pretentious, precious boys dearly, so yeah, I’m a fan of Bookends.

I liked this one quite a bit. The tone shifts organically between sentimental and groovy.

really masterfully written, not frilly or overly pretentious (except for the old people bit). was not expecting to enjoy

Great album!

I was familiar with some of the songs here, and I was pleasantly surprised by the rest. This is good, and they had some really cool and heavy sounds that caught me off guard. Music was better then. Many artists are trying to do too much these days. I’d listen to this over Kendrick Lamar every single day.

Not what I expected from simon and garfunkel. It opens like a psychadelic rock album that shook my car speakers and goes on a strange journey. It feels experimental (Voices of Old People) and just strange at points. Stranger yet is that I ended up liking the whole ride.

Really enjoyed this one. Much sillier than I expected and those synths (?) on the first tracks go HARD.

Side one is an excellent piece that represents what an album means to me. A cohesive piece flowing from one song to another, each a self contained story while being part of a bigger picture. It was painted with a gentle sadness that resonated deeply within me. An inspiring piece which if I ever make an album would be a guiding light. The story from youth to old age all with a gloomy background really touched me. The second side was also good, just different. Many enjoyable songs, A Hazy Shade of Winter was my favorite. It is simply not a cohesive piece the way the first side is. I’m giving this a 4 for the first side of the album, as it meant so much to me, and I don’t find the second side to be much of a detractor

I liked the album but I wouldn’t go as far to say I loved it. I’m stuck between a 3 or 4 star rating. It was very relaxing but some songs did just not stand out from the others. But I couldn’t say much bad stuff about it. I liked it

The most upbeat I've heard the duo, classic album

Beautiful album

I found this to be much more engaging than any other S&G (or just S, or just G) project I’ve heard to this point.

It’s a beautiful album. I love the vocal harmonies and appreciate the generally understated instrumental and production. The writing is of course a highlight, very engaging.

Another from the legendary duo. Not sure why, but it struck me today that these guys were making albums in the '60s, for some reason that's impressive. This one's great though, it's got a bona fide all-timer in Mrs. Robinson, along with a handful of other great tracks. It's not as impactful for me as Bridge Over Troubled Water (and maybe below Parsley Sage Rosemary and Thyme as well), but these guys are consistently great and enjoyable. Favorite tracks: Mrs. Robinson, Save the Life of my Child, Voices of Old People, Fakin' It, A Hazy Shade of Winter. Album art: Glamor shots by Deb energy. Two turtle neck boys, looking as if it's their first day on earth. It's a very good "band photo," as far as those go. Art Garfunkel looks like a bit a of a menace. 4/5

Honestly just a very pleasant time. Fave tracks: America, Mrs Robinson, A Hazy Shade of Winter 4.3/5

listened to again great album

I felt less than impressed with this album as it felt kind of disjointed and cobbled together for a "concept" album. Maybe the first half was the concept and the rest was a mix of unused Graduate recordings (aside from the tremendous Mrs. Robinson) and an audio recording of old people? Mrs. Robinson, America, Hazy Shade of Winter and Bookends themselves should warrant this a 5, but I hesitate. Maybe I can get used to an acoustic duo using a Moog bass? I'll give them credit for the contrast.

Graduate leftovers are the best kind of leftovers.

The high points of this album are exquisite. America and the bookends theme in particular. But there’s a fair chunk which is far more lightweight and forgettable

I really like the song old friends

Ever since i was a kid I’ve loved S&G’s music. Their harmonies have always been some of the best and the most fun to sing. But a few years ago I really listened to the lyrics and realized just how “coffee shop intelligentsia” pretentious they were. This is a primo example of that. The second side is way better than the first. There’s a reason I already knew most of the back half and little of the first. Songs added to Spotify: 2

Bookends is a classic of folk and folk-rock but not the most classic Simon and Garfunkel album. It has great music - America, Mrs. Robinson (though that was previously on The Graduate soundtrack), and A Hazy Shade of Winter - but doesn't pack the punch of Sounds of Silence or Parsley Sage Rosemary and Thyme. It is also not as iconic as the follow up to Bookends, the quintessential and Simon and Garfunkel album, Bridge Over Troubled Waters. In a word, it's a great album but not the greatest Simon and Garfunkel album.

Wie ein lieblichen Wein

This is a lovely, mostly breezy listen. A classic of its era and a high bar set for the genres of folk rock and acoustic pop. Bittersweet and whimsical, thoughtfully written. Several of Simon and Garfunkel's best songs reside here. I think I might have liked it better if they had carried the concept through the entire album. Fave Songs: Mrs. Robinson, A Hazy Shade of Winter, At the Zoo, America, Bookends Theme, Punky's Dilemma

Not as sensual as "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme". Still great folk classic. 4.5/5.

I'm a sucker for S&G and enjoyed this a lot. They didn't shy away from being heartfelt and soft and I love that. Nice harmonies. I think they just wrote songs they really liked and didn't try to be anything in particular. Not sure sure how to place the genre. Makes me feel nostalgic for something but I'm not sure what

Great stuff, classic Simon & Garfunkel

A solid, complete effort from the pop duo with what might be their most consistent and memorable work. Less "flashy" and quieter than some of their other key releases, it contains three of their best songs (America, Mrs. Robinson and the cool, Hazy Shade of Winter) and some other above average tunes that showcase their singing talent and Paul Simon's brilliant songwriting. Prefer this over, Bridge Over Troubled Waters.

9/10

Made me cry in the middle of it with the song ‘Old Friends’

S+G have been a big part of my musical life. Their Live at Central Park has strong high school memories. Although I want to give this album a 5, they will receive a 4 because some of their filler songs are just ok.

Great album by a great duo. There are few things to complain about if at all. I did find the 'skittish' bits unnecessary. Hence why I give it only four stars.

I loved this album growing up. Always wanted to be an old guy in NY sitting with my best friend on a bench. My mom had a soft spot for S+G so I listened to them a lot as a kid.

Man this was a short album. This is probably one of the better ones from this era.

Nice enough. "Old Friends" is the kind of sentimentality that I can get behind (and is part of a nice segment of songs blending one into the other). "Hazy Shade of Winter" is nicely energetic, even if the lyrics are silly. "At the Zoo" is Beatles-level silliness. And even the more run-of-the-mill tracks have a certain amount of lyrical inventiveness.

I was not expecting the synth on Save the Life of My Child. The backing vocals were also a bit odd. Voices of Old People... Why is this on an album? The rest is absolutely lovely

Released in 1968, Simon & Garfunkel's "Bookends" marked a turning point in their career. Unlike the folk-rock of their earlier work, "Bookends" ventured into a more introspective, cinematic soundscape, showcasing the full spectrum of Paul Simon's songwriting prowess. Lyrics: Profound Exploration of Youth and Society The album's lyrical tapestry is intricate and thought-provoking. Songs like "America" and "Save the Life of My Child" grapple with societal anxieties, questioning the Vietnam War and the disillusionment of the youth. They employ vivid imagery and metaphorical language, painting a picture of a generation searching for meaning amidst social unrest. "Voices of Old People" utilizes spoken word snippets, capturing the wisdom and vulnerability of aging, contrasting them with the youthful angst of "America." Other songs like "Old Friends" and "Fakin' It" delve into personal reflections on friendship and lost innocence. Simon's introspective nature shines through, examining the complexities of human connection and the passage of time. Music: Evolving Soundscape Beyond Folk Musically, "Bookends" is a departure from their folk-oriented beginnings. Paul Simon's experimentation with pop sensibilities is evident in catchy melodies and instrumentation beyond just acoustic guitars. "Mrs. Robinson" utilizes a driving rock beat and soaring vocals, becoming one of their biggest hits. "At the Zoo" incorporates whimsical flute and playful xylophone, offering a lighter counterpoint to the album's heavier themes. However, the duo's signature vocal harmonies remain a cornerstone, adding a layer of emotional depth and melancholic beauty throughout the album. Songs like "Bookends Theme" are purely instrumental, utilizing introspective acoustic melodies to create a sense of atmosphere. Production: Subtle Nuance and Studio Innovation The production on "Bookends" is subtle yet impactful. Roy Halee, their longtime collaborator, utilizes innovative recording techniques and subtle overdubs to create a nuanced and layered soundscape. "America" features faint soundbites of news anchors and street noise, adding a sense of realism to the song's social commentary. The iconic bookends of the album, "Bookends Theme" (instrumental), appear at the beginning and end, creating a sense of cyclical structure and reflection. This emphasizes the album's introspective theme, bookending the listener's journey through themes of youth, memory, and societal examination. Themes: A Tapestry of Time and Reflection The album revolves around several central themes. "Bookends" is essentially a reflection on the passage of time, exploring nostalgia, the loss of innocence, and the search for meaning in a tumultuous period. The album also delves into societal issues like war, alienation, and questioning authority. Simon's keen observation of his surroundings and introspective nature permeate the lyrics, offering a poignant commentary on the complexities of human experience. Influence: A Legacy of Innovation and Exploration "Bookends" was a critical and commercial success, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard charts and spawning several hit singles. It solidified Simon & Garfunkel as one of the most influential musical acts of their generation. The album's influence extends beyond the charts. It paved the way for the blending of folk and pop elements, inspiring countless artists to explore deeper lyrical themes and experiment with production techniques. Pros and Cons: A Balanced Viewpoint While widely acclaimed, "Bookends" is not without its critiques. Some criticize the album's disjointed feel due to the inclusion of leftover songs from other projects, making the narrative flow less cohesive. However, this can also be seen as a diverse representation of Simon's evolving songwriting at the time. Another critique is the perceived lack of emotional depth compared to their later work, particularly "Bridge Over Troubled Water." However, "Bookends" offers a different kind of emotional resonance, one that is subtle, nuanced, and built on quiet contemplation. In Conclusion: A Timeless Work of Artistic Evolution "Bookends" stands as a testament to Simon & Garfunkel's artistic growth and willingness to experiment. It is a cohesive collection of songs, rich in lyrical depth, musical innovation, and introspective themes that resonate across generations. While the album may not possess the bombastic emotional grandeur of some of their later work, it offers a unique and nuanced exploration of youth, societal anxieties, and the complexities of human experience. Its enduring influence and timeless themes solidify "Bookends" as a cornerstone of popular music history.

It's weird to me that something is called a concept album when it's actually one part concept album and one part random leftovers and unreleased tracks. There's a vague cohesiveness to the album because of the duo's general guitar sound and the sort of carnival sound that opens the second half (similar to the theme on the first half), but I still kind of feel like they should be considered separate entities. The first half—the concept half—was pretty interesting. It almost feels like the soundtrack to a short film that never got made ("Up: The Musical" given the theme?). The lyrics warrant a closer listen than I was able to give on the first go round, but musically it was enjoyable enough. I don't know if it's among S&G's best material, but for the most part it kept my interest. The "Sounds of Old People" track is at once arresting and jarring —fitting in with the theme of the album, but a little out of place as a non-musical interlude. The second half of the album contains a seemingly random collection of re-released tracks, unreleased material, and songs from "The Graduate" soundtrack. Of course, "Mrs. Robinson" is a classic song from the movie. I'm vaguely familiar with "A Hazy Shade of Winter" in that I recognize the title and know I've heard it but wouldn't recognize the song (until the chorus). It heavily borrows from Roy Orbison's "Oh, Pretty Woman." Similarly, "Old Friends" (on the first half of the album) reminds me a lot of the Beatles' "A Day in the Life," both in theme and some of the musical elements. Overall, the songs are a bit more upbeat, catchy, and energetic than the first half, but not necessarily as lyrically interesting. Speaking of musical borrowing, that's one of the other things I noticed about this album—musically, there seems to be a lot of repetition of other S&G work (or, elements from songs on this album are reused in later songs). "Save a Child" shares part of the melody line with the chorus of "Me and Julio." "At the Zoo" is similar musically to "Mrs. Robinson," and "Fakin' It" shares the same drum pattern as "Celia." That's not necessarily bad, but it's something that very obviously stood out to me. I enjoyed the album for the most part. The guitar work is interesting, and sometimes soothing, and the themes explored on the first half of the album work well as a cohesive set. And the catchier songs on the second half are fun to listen to. I'm not sure I'd listen to it a ton in the future, but it's a good album. I'll give it a 4/5, but it's more of a 3.5 for me.

A fantastic collection of songs that’s slightly dampened by a pretty weak concept. The first half is a kind of concept album but not really, and then the second half is just outtakes from The Graduate soundtrack - I think it would work better for me if it was either a full on concept album or just dropped the concept entirely. Voices of Old People adds nothing for me, and At the Zoo is a slightly weak closer after everything else. Pretty much every other song is great though, very strong 4

I haven't really listened to much Simon & Garfunkel honestly, it's not something I've been exposed to other than their extremely well known songs such as The Sound of Silence. This album really had the feel of a soundtrack to a musical. I was pretty skeptical at first but probably had my biggest flip in opinion mid-album yet - I ended up really enjoying this one. Listens: 2 Fave Track: Mrs Robinson Rating: 4

A great S&G album (as most are) with some great tracks. A nicely varied listen, built with two clear sides.

Quite good - not perfect - but very good.

Let's just say that this is not the best complete S&G album However, it is a good one and has some great harmonies and several very special songs (America, Mrs. Robinson,...) 4 star at least

Very neat and beautiful texts, voices and pleasant arrangements. And of course Mrs. Robunson...

Rating: 7/10 Best songs: America, Mrs.Robinson

-Save the Life of My Child is a different sound than I’m used to from S&G -America is a great song -I recognize Old Friends, I find it very say and moving -Fakin It is another great song, reminds me of the Beatles -Mrs. Robinson LET’S GOOOO -A Hazy Shade of winter is also really good too, high energy -At the Zoo, another fun song I recognize Overall a great album and enjoyable listen. It was very short, which I don’t think is a positive or negative. Definitely an album I heard growing up.

A slightly mixed bag, has some unbelievably good songs and some that are good not great. Overall probably not where I’d start with Simon and Garfunkel but worth listening to anyway

Very interesting. Some I knew as classic. Very simple songs imo

This was interesting! Hadnt heard of them or seen this album cover. Released in 2009 definitely had me curious. Not really my style of music but overall I enjoyed it!

Classic. Jette bra!

i absolutely enjoyed this album through and through. personally, i wish they kept that sentimental and sorrow feeling that started in the beginning through the entire album. other than that, its an absolutely perfect album. 9/10

I was tempted to take a star off for a lyrics that refers to \"South California\" (Punky's Dilemma), though the album was very challenging to rate as I didn't expect the uneveness on the first half. Why \"Voices of Old People\"? And tracks like Overs and Old Friends are sleep inducing. However, America, Mrs. Robinson, Hazy Shade, and At the Zoo are monsters, with tracks like the Bookends Theme and Fakin' It showing strong support. When it hits it is beautiful, catchy, melodic pop with sweet choruses.

As much as I want to dislike S&G I just can't. They are too talented. This contains some of their most famous songs and very good they are too. A mid 4.

A concept album that only covers one side while the second side is random singles, kind of funny.

Amazing album

Una de las mejores bandas que lee escuchado, pero de este se rescatan América y Eleonor Rigby

No notes :)

Heard of the artist, not the album. 1968. Pretty chilled vibes. Low 4.

estupendo albúm, muy bonito

Solid classic S&G album. America, Overs, Mrs. Robinson, and At the Zoo are my favorites. The spoken word tracks are neat little intermissions and I always like when an album has a theme/reprise. Only note is that I wish it was longer than 29 minutes.

I enjoyed it! Funky in the beginning, but overall good.

Just lovely.

I could give this a 5 but I'm going 4.5 because of old people talking. Under half an hour and some great songs in that time though. Genius really.

Me gusta

Bookends reminds me of my dad who, to his eternal credit was a big Simon and Garfunkel fan. This album reminds me of my childhood, which is ironic as the concept behind this album is about youth and ageing. As I listen again as an older man I’m consumed by regret for my life but optimistic for the lives of my children. Perhaps I’ll play it to them?

Muy bueno

Some of this album wouldn't be out of place in a 21st century. The opening took me aback.

Good and mellow

About a 3.5. Some very strong songs. Was a lot funkier than I was expecting. Classics, also.

Tipo parte che sembra mega peso e anche la copertina non aiuta, ma; c'è un ma: non è così. Mrs. Robinson capolavoro giustamente valutato.

Good album. I knew several of the songs from their greatest hits album. The others were good. I’d give this 4 stars.

Haven't listened to Simon & Garfunkel in a very long time. I remember first hearing them in the mid 1960s. I had forgotten just how good of voice Art Garfunkel has. Very enjoyable.

Melody. Simplicity. Storytelling. Harmonizing. A bit of sentimentality but generally balanced with humor, irony, and some cynicism. Good song writing goes a long way.

I was not expecting such an interesting and experimental record, especially for its time… sometimes it felt like this could have been made in the 80s or 90s

4.5-5

good album. Some songs are an acquired taste. Music represents the decade well.

Intricate production techniques, incredible vocal performance and unique track listing

Muy bonito. América.

Songs are short and satisfying. Folk rock with some interesting bits. Chill

Interesting concept album with an intro and interludes giving the experience a "living in the city vibe." Nothing extremely standing out lyrically, but it had some solid moments.

It's Simon and Garfunkel, what more needs to be said? True classic.

Excellent mastering and use of voice as instruments. Opened up more music than just their most well known “mrs robinson” for me

Like soft rock

First time hearing this one. Not bad.

Super short - less than 30 mins. I was surprised I only knew 2 songs. Comforting and reminds me of my parents.

Pretty good stuff here. I know it's a great album. But I just wasn't in the mood for it.

"Bookends" by Simon & Garfunkel, released in 1968, is a masterful exploration of life's complexities through the lens of poetic lyricism and acoustic folk-rock. The album is a thematic journey that navigates through the various stages of existence, from the optimism of youth to the introspection of aging. The opening track, "Bookends Theme," sets the tone with its melancholic beauty, while iconic songs like "Mrs. Robinson" and "America" showcase the duo's storytelling prowess. The intricate harmonies and Paul Simon's introspective songwriting create a timeless and evocative listening experience. "Bookends" is a testament to Simon & Garfunkel's ability to craft profound narratives with musical elegance. Its enduring appeal and cultural significance earn it a solid 4/5 for its emotional depth and contribution to the folk-rock genre.

4 I’ve always been a Simon & Garfunkel fan, and this album just so happens to connect two of my favorite movies as well: The Graduate and 500 Days of Summer (ironic, if you’ve seen the latter). The song Mrs. Robinson here obviously was composed for and largely featured in The Graduate, and the Bookends Theme was used more subtly, but perfectly in one of 500 Days’ best scenes, aptly bookending a romantic period for our lovably toxic protagonist. I digress, this album is fantastic by its own merits and not just because of how its songs were used in movies, though admittedly, it’s a bit disjointed. Side A largely outshines Side B, mostly because the songs are connected as a sort of concept album, with Save the Life of My Child, America, Overs, and Voices of Old People/Old Friends illustrating youth, young adulthood, middle age, and old age, respectively, which are then literally bookended by the two Bookends tracks, which I assume refer to life and death. Side B is a compilation of songs that were written for or around the time as The Graduate, though only Mrs. Robinson ultimately made it into the film. The songs on this side are also much heavier than anything on Side A, but fortunately, they’re all pretty enjoyable as well, so it’s not a huge deal, though the shift is definitely noticeable. Going into this as a big fan of Mrs. Robinson and the Bookends Theme, I actually walked away with a newfound favorite in America. The song really resonated with me, probably partially because it’s supposed to embody my current stage in life, but it’s also hard not to relate to a song about a young man from Michigan leaving home to see the country as an ex-Michigander, newfound LA transplant myself. Old Friends was another one that really stuck out to me as well, both because it’s a great song and because it served as a bit of reminder of my own mortality, giving me a bit of existential dread in the process (“Can you imagine us years from today/Sharing a park bench quietly?/How terribly strange to be 70”). I really don’t have anything negative to say about any of the songs though - I even kind of like Voices of Old People as an interlude, though it could definitely stand to be a bit shorter than two full minutes. Really solid album and a nice reminder of what I like about these guys. Could probably be organized a bit better, but it’s still really enjoyable nonetheless.

p147. 1968. 4 stars. Quality 60s folk-pop, infused with melancholy and only let down by the amount of filler on it. When it's good it's very good indeed, and Paul Simon is an underrated guitarist.

Weird but not unpleasant album

Mrs. Robinson -- classic and delightful. America is covered by First Aid Kit and it's cool to see the origin story.

3.5/5

Didn’t feel like I was At the Zoo, more like A Hazy Shade of Winter with Old Friends with Voices of Old People in the background.

- Such a surprising album. I've always knew Simon & Garfunkel from songs that are a lot more melancholic. - The cacophony in "Save the life of my child" blew me away. I thought that there was something else playing on the background. - "Mrs. Robinson" is still as fun to hum as ever.

Mrs Robinson is super overrrated, but still a solid album. America is amazing. 3.5/5

A few great songs, america mrs robinson. A lot of the others pretty good with some interesting lyrics (at the zoo) and always melodic. Quite a few of the songs and the album itself a little dijointed.

Meistarastykki, ég segi nei. En vissulega mjög góð plata. Allt er ljúft en miseftirminnilegt þó. Mrs. Robinson er flott lag, en America er toppurinn á þessari plötu.

3.5/5

Never listened to this one before, a few surprises. Obviously it's Simon and Garfunkel and it's Mrs Robinson, but I found the album a curious listen. Being called a proto-concept album makes sense, in that it's slightly confusing, with old people talking in the middle, and someone walking into the tailors shop setting off the bell with a cheery "Good morning Mr Leach, have you had a busy day?" in the middle of a song. What's going on? So I can't give the album a perfect score. Hazy Shade of Winter is ace though, I always forget about that one. I will have the Bangles cover as well. That riff sounds equally good picked here with an acoustic sound as it does as a full electric lick.

01) Bookends Theme - 8,0 02) Save The Life Of My Child - 6,0 03) America - 8,5 04) Overs - 8,5 05) Voices of Old People - 1,0 06) Old Friends - 7,5 07) Bookends Theme - 8,0 08) Fakin' It - 9,0 09) Punky's Dilemma - 8,0 10) Mrs. Robinson - 10,0 11) A Hazy Shade of Winter - 9,5 12) At The Zoo - 8,5 TOTAL: 7,71 (77/100) I know it's a concept album, but I can see no point in track #5. On the other hand, "Mrs. Robinson" is a classic and my favorite. So, this is the first album that has lowest and highest mark on it. Oooh, and I know "A Hazy Shade Of Winter" too :-) I don't know why, but I kind of expected more.

Regarded by many as a classic album, I can’t deny that it does have some incredible songs that are still played regularly today. Personally added two more songs to my music collection. However feels like the mid section gets a bit ‘rambly’ and unfocused. 3.5/5.

Before going into this project, I’ve already listened to this record. I think its pretty damn great, and its a classic of course. Thoughts: Nice! Favorite Songs: Old Friends, Fakin’ It, A Hazy Shade of Winter, At the Zoo

Encore le biais onomastique, mais au-delà de ça, un très bon disque de chansons douces-amères qu'on prend plaisir à réécouter. C'est cool.

I could probably listen to them sing a phone book. So calm, so peaceful. Not my favorite album from them but loved America.

actually quite interesting

A rare example of a B side better than an A side

i like the folk aspect and it was an easy listen & the story telling was good. fav songs (top 3): america, fakin it, mrs. robinson

Not my favorite album of theirs, but a solid outing that evokes self reflection.

Pretty darn good. Though there are a few more filler tracks than I remember. Maybe this is one where streaming/shuffle culture has damaged great albums as we expect wall-to-wall hits.

Simon and Garfunkel at their most interesting and experimental. I can see how this was an important record for them, and also the genre. This album is full of great songwriting and some tracks have brilliant messages and meditations. I throughly enjoyed it, though a few tracks pass me by a little.

<3

Some famous songs here. Most are good

With it's overall length and the length of many of the songs here, you can't help but feel like it's a little unfinished. With more time you might have a real classic here, but what you get is pretty great regardless. Mrs Robinson, America, Hazy Shade of Winter are serious highlights. The rest flows well, if being a little forgettable compared to those. At 29 minutes though you never get bored of it.

I, for one, was fascinated to learn that the pointless inter-song hip-hop skit actually originates with this album and their pointless skit Voices of Old People. Fascinating! This album starts off kinda slow, and then gets bogged down in the middle with that horrible skit or whatever you want to call it, but god damn does it finish strong. Mrs. Robinson, Hazy Shade of Winter, and At the Zoo are all bangers. That, along with the good songs scattered earlier in the album make this a very strong album overall. Not my favorite S&G album on this list, but well worth a listen 4/5

Really enjoyed this.

i had a bunch of songs from this album already saved so i knew i was gonna like it. it was good but some songs were too noisy for me

Mrs Robinson is a banger

Beautiful. Melodic. Haunting. 4.5/5

10/30/23. Not crazy familiar with S&G’s work (obviously know the name). Very brief album with enjoyable acoustic tracks. Almost Beatles like with the production.

Yay! Also love Simon & Garfunkel. The transition from Bookends Theme to Save the Life of My Child made me jump! STLOMC is funky and fun. Lots going on. America is a great song and popular for a reason. I've mentioned on other reviews that I don't really like the random talking portions or ambient conversation additions to tracks. But Voices of Old People is certainly the way to charm me into it. Love the whistling in Punky's Dilemma. Similarly, great upbeat instrumentals in A Hazy Shade of Winter. Mrs. Robinson is classic and beloved. They do a lot with their music with minimal complexity. Simple sound. Simple stories. Pleasant listening.

Bookends Theme through the Reprise didn't seem to ever fully capture my attention even on a second listen through. I want to say it's slow but all their music is slow. It's good music, just not very catchy. America is probably my favorite part of the first half of the album. Fakin' It, Mrs. Robinson, and A Hazy Shade of Winter are my favorites from the second half. Good music but not their best album especially considering it followed Sounds of Silence, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme, and The Graduate. And preceded Bridge Over Troubled Water. Still gets a 4/5.

Some top notch Simon and Garfunkel tunes. Not sure about the concept of the concept album. And it looks like they shoehorned in Mrs. Robinson (although it's the best song on the album). The hits are classics. The rest is pretty darn good. What would the genre be? Elevated folk?

Sweet and catchy

A peaceful, beautiful journey through life that ends up feeling a little disjointed with the second side

I can say I liked the second half of the album better than the first, which is funny since Paul Simon didn't like the second side as much and felt they were throwaway tracks. I feel bad for Simon & Garfunkel, this being their fourth album they were trying some new things. You can tell Paul Simon was becoming complacent. But this album really brought them out into the limelight with the big tunes "Mrs. Robinson" and "Hazy Shade of Winter". The whole idea of the concept on the first side... it doesn't seem as coherent as it should. And the "Voices of Old People" collage, what was THAT about? "At The Zoo"...the Bronx Zoo licensed the song for commercials in the late 70s. I distinctly remember seeing those ads as a child. Fast forward to a few years ago and I heard that the song for the first time in 45 years. It turned me back into that little child, watching TV on a huge Zenith technicolor TV. So that song really holds a place in my heart. Like I said, the second half of the album is better, has the songs we all know. The organ sound on the first side sounds a little too pipe-organy which sounded odd. I don't know if it would have even fit in "At The Zoo." Still in the strength of the second side I really enjoyed this album. I was surprised at its brevity, though.

Per Wikipedia, it is hotly debated whether this album or Bridge Over Troubled Waters is their best. To me, it's no contest - the latter and not this one. This one still has some great songs in America (lovely, but not as good BOTW the song or The Boxer), Mrs. Robinson (yes, top 2 S&G songs of all time), Hazy Shade of Winter (but third best of these three). And it has some nice musical / orchestral elements, but it just doesn't deliver as consistently as BOTW. The two Bookend Themes are sort of throwaways (they're incomplete, despite being beautiful) as is Voices of Old People. Paul and Art still harmonize like no one else and there's a lot to like. But love? Nah.

Happy songs mostly a bit of experimentations

I liked the faster-paced songs but the few slow ones were boring. Stand-out: Save the Life of My Child

Second half of this is much stronger than first, Mrs. Robinson and A Hazy Shade of Winter are by far the best tracks from the album. Overall strong 4 stars, would listen to it again.

Very good album contains some real gems: Bookend Theme, America, Hazy Shade of Winter and Fakin it. The only forgettable song is Punky’s Dilemma. My only complaint is that I would like for Bookends Theme was a full length theme.

Om euhm, persoonlijke reden had ik altijd een haat-liefdeverhouding met Simon & Garfunkel. Het zal met die draak van een lied 'Bridge of over troubled water' te maken hebben, terwijl 'The sounds of silence' in heel Nederland door jongerenkoren (en de BBB) kapot is gezongen. En het ge-toetoetoetoetoedoe in Mrs. Robinson, mjah. Maar hier horen we ook het verstilde gitaarspel van Paul Simon, de creatieve nieuwe wegen, de toch niet onaardige samenzang. Zo'n nummer als 'Old friends' is toch prachtig, al hadden die valse violen niet gehoeven. Er zal nog wel meer langskomen van deze heren, ik denk dat ik nog wel 5 voor ze in m'n achterzak heb zitten.

7/10- included some classics I grew up listening to

Very good album, but I couldn’t get over a feeling the instruments were too loud and the voices too quiet

Lovely

Virkelig et godt album. Skal helt sikkert høre det igen

I love some of the songs on here Hazy Shade of Winter is maybe one of my favorite S and G songs, some of the slower songs bog down a bit for me.

Upbeat, poppy nearly. Will listen again.

No ha sido muy moñas para ser de Simon & Garfunkel...

Muy bonito. América.

Nice listen

My vinyl copy sounds way better than I remember it

Good album. Better songs at the end.