Hearts And Bones

This is a pop record which feels primarily soothing. I'm with Christgau: It never quite takes off. The string arrangements suggest it could have, too (at least for me). The writing seems solid overall with a hint of cuteness at points.

Farts & moans

Paul Simon is amazing. At least half the songs started out a little odd to me and by the end I was fully into it. He also seems to understand how sounds layer really well and he was willing to use different methods to make the exact right sound. A song writing genius, as ever.

A fun album, lots of interesting tunes and sounds. Doesn't take itself to seriously, a good listen that I have no disagreements with. Grooves and can get down too, easy listening, easy dancing. Paul Simon is a music man. True feeling: 3.8/5

I felt like this album was really catchy and all round good vibes albeit inconsistent, however that “Cars Are Cars” song made me so frustrated and angry. what the fuck

I love Paul Simon, but I have not gotten to my heavy listening period with him yet. Probably will come in my 30s.

In which one half of the duo that gave us The Boxer and The Only Living Boy in New York released a lead single about allergies, and it wasn't even the worst song on the album. Did you know that cars are cars all over the world? An awful album only partially redeemed by an introspective reflection on the assassination of John Lennon. Best track: The Late Great Johnny Ace

Pretty unremarkable, especially considering Graceland exists. Cars are Cars is probably one of the dorkiest songs to ever be made

This Paul Simon cover looks like a screenshot of a camera that caught him stealing in a convenience store. Maybe he was trying to steal a good song idea? And it obviously didn't work.

My favourite Paul Simon album, which says something given the company it has.

I haven’t listened to much Paul Simon in a long time, and was surprised there was an album from 1983 that I had never heard of nor could recall any songs from. I started off a little skeptical about a song called “Allergies” kicking things off, but I quite liked it. Nice guitar solo in the middle and I like the music and lyrics. This song was the most obviously from the 80s on this album. The 80’s elements made me like it more, overlaid as they were on what was unmistakably a Paul Simon song. Also as an allergy-sufferer I appreciated the odd subject matter. Settled in to “Hearts and Bones”, a really nice song, and knew I would be in Paul Simon’s capable hands for the rest of the listen. As the album progressed I found myself pretty much loving every song. Paul Simon has more unconventional subjects (“When Numbers Get Serious” is great, despite some questionable multiplication), all accompanied by interesting arrangements. There are two “Think Too Much” songs. Both are fantastic (although I give the edge to (A) as my favorite, but glad both are there). “Song About the Moon” is one of my favorite songs on the album. “Train in the Distance” seemed vaguely familiar to me, so I may have run across this at some point in the past. “Rene and Georgette Magritte After the War” is beautiful, Paul Simon is a wizard of taking a lyric like that and making it flow so naturally in the song. “Cars are Cars” was the first song that as it started I thought might be a miss for me… but by the end I had warmed up to it. Love the juxtaposition of styles between the chorus and the verses. “The Late Great Johnny Ace” has an unusual ending provided by none other than Philip Glass that I found was a nice ending to the album. I’m glad this album was on this list as I doubt I would ever have encountered this anywhere else. Great album I will listen to again and again!

ALLERGIES!

I prefer Graceland to this. Ok I guess but probably won’t listen again

Middle of the road. Especially for Paul Simon. He made way better albums and songs

Pretty average

No. 220/1001 Allergies 3/5 Hearts and Bones 4/5 When Numbers Get Serious 3/5 Think Too Much 3/5 Song About The Moon 3/5 Think Too Much 3/5 Train in the Distance 3/5 René and Georgette 3/5 Cars Are Cars 3/5 The Late Great Johnny Ace 3/5 Average: 3,1 Good album, but nothing to hate or love on here.

This is just bland and a bit twee at times. Disappointing

Very flaccid music. He sings about odd subjects and stories. Cars, trains, the brain, random thoughts he’s having I guess? Are we sure he isn’t a School House Rock singer? “Cars are Cars” could have easily been a hit. Unfortunately, that was the only song I liked. You can’t take this guy seriously, that’s the trick. I was happy when the album was over. 4/10

It starts with a weird \"is this Paul Simon trying to be an 80's pop star\" vibe and never quite loses it. Hearts and Bones is most enjoyable and Cars are Cars is the most silly. Gone at Last is a Simon-esque collab with a gospel groove. Overall, kind of a yawner and completely benign.

This is the third Paul Simon album I've been served in the span of two and a half months. Please make it stop. I'm really starting to resent the people who catapulted this man to such fame that he is considered so essential. He is about as fundamental to musical experience as the Barenaked Ladies.

Kinda boring, isn't it?

I hate this song Allergies, I think it's ridiculous. The 80s synth instrumentation kills me. I'm reminded of what I don't like about Paul Simon, the lyrics that go nowhere (in my opinion) except to a rhyme or pun. I don't feel a deep meaning, despite the songs hinting to it. No, Paul, in this case, you did not think too much.

Every story I've heard about Paul Simon breaking anti-Apartheid travel restrictions and going to South Africa involve tales of him being bored and disillusioned with his own music, and as this appears to be the album he released before traveling to meet decent musicians - I can fully empathise. This album is technically a very competent recording, but blimey o'reilly it is ditchwater dull. Who could fail to be inspired by "Song about the moon"? Let's not mention the staggering obviousness of "Cars are cars". Are they really, Paul? It takes some real lyrical genius to spot that. Simon is a great musician, but there is little that exemplifies writer's block and moribund, contract-fulfilling journeymanning more than this tepid, desperately dull album.

Paul Simon is singlehandedly responsible for some of the worst music of the 80s. Dude should have quit after accidentally knocking it out of the park with Sound of Silence. A boring dreadful listen that manages to straddle world music, cheesy 80s production and inexecrable singer-songwriter

I’m not a Paul Simon fan

Opens with a song about having a rash, bold move. Loads of that huge 80s whoompy bass sound, possibly the whoompiest. The next song is more familiar: gentle acoustic guitar with a pitter-patter bongo percussion part and jazzy electric piano chords for a dash of schmaltz - his soft light vocals floating warmly over the mix. The rest of the songs settle somewhere between these 80s disco inflected synth pop and 70s folk singer sounds. It's all smooth and tasteful and pretty dull in a distinctly upper middle class upper middle brow way. Impossible to listen to this without picturing an arena full of Larry Davids vibing out to the musical equivalent of hotel art.

Painful

This album has the stupidest lyrics I’ve ever heard. “Allergies” and “Cars are Cars” too the list.

Am I the only one who finds Paul Simon insufferable? "Hearts and Bones"? Nope, "Farts and Drones."

Cars are Cars is one of the most painfully stupid songs I’ve ever heard in my life.

holy shit stop already

Oh. I guess Graceland isn't the only Paul Simon solo album I hope to never hear again. ZERO stars.

Just such a naturally appealing voice.

One of my faves

Loved this album.

It's really good, I love rock and pop, this album actually combines them really good, nice

Fantastic album full of Simon's trademark humor and creativity!

I can't believe I haven't heard of any of these songs prior to this! Paul Simon is a genius.

Im giving it a 5 because I got it at a very fitting time,

This album is not without some 80s cheese and some of the songs seem rather pedestrian in their themes (Allergies? Cars Are Cars? Write what you know, I guess). But Paul Simon is a poet and a prophet who can write a good melody and some great lyrics. (I also forget sometimes how freaking funny he can be.) I understand why I missed this album in 1983 --- it was a little grown-up for my 15-year-old tastes. But this sure appeals to me now. The title track, Song About the Moon, Think Too Much, and Rene and Georgette Magritte... are all really nice pieces of music. Train in the Distance and The Late Great Johnny Ace gave me chills.

Yep!

So, this was a surprise. If you'd asked me about Paul Simon albums, I could have told you there was "the one from 1975" with all the good songs and then "Graceland" in 1986, which I owned, and listened to over and over and over back in the day. You then might have pointed out, "Late in the Evening" came from a 1980 album, and I'd say, "Oh yeah, I love that song, too." So for our first Paul Simon album to be this one from 1983, it was a surprise. But again, such a joyful surprise! There's not a song I didn't love. I love the sound of all these songs. I love the lyrics. "Allergies" is such a fun song! "René and Georgette Magritte with Their Dog After the War" is so lovely lovely lovely! The rest of the songs are all very fun ("Cars are Cars"), or painfully lovely, or both. "The smartest people in the world/Had gathered in Los Angeles/To analyze our love affair/And possibly unscramble us." !!! "Hearts and Bones" says SO much with just the lyric "the arc of a love affair." Man. Love this one. Love Paul Simon. Glad for this one.

Good stuff

Standout Tracks: Allergies, Hearts And Bones, Think Too Much (a), René and Georgette Magritte with Their Dog after the War

4.5

Considered a commercial flop, but as true fans of Simon know, this is among his best work. Personal and from the heart, exploring feelings we all have. Some great songs on here and his vocals are perfect. This album makes me feel something his biggest releases don’t even.

People should be beating off to Paul Simon the way they do to Bob Dylan. What a talent. Really pleasant album and better than Dylan in so many more ways. 8/10.

Hit a diamond in the rough with this one. Fantastic album front to back.

Great lyricism and calming music.

Easiest 5 stars yet. Paul Simon is a genius and it’s an honour to get to listen to his work.

All of Paul Simon's music makes me feel good. Really enjoyed this.

Excellent - did not recognize it when it came out. Only the later ones.

Love me some Paul Simon, fantastic lyricist and musician.

i grew up listening to him!

One of the best!

I think Paul Simon is finally growing on me I really liked this one, except for the one about cars that was annoying asf

Really enjoyed this! I have always enjoyed his music...so calming and soothing.

my favorite paul simon album and one if my favorite albums all time. The Lat Great Johnny Ace, Renee and Georgie Magritte, Hearts and Bones, Train in the Distance- some songs may not match up but i love the whole album

Lovely album

Excellent album, a bit uneven, with some classic Simon songs.

Man, Paul Simon, huh? Pretty great, this guy. Should have given Graceland a 5, but I didn't so I'll make up for that. Happily. Even with the Sesame Street skit. Music to feel good to.

Always great!!

You'll never see me give a Paul Simon album not a 5. That being said, this one is lower on the list of 5s for me, even though Hearts and Bones is one of his best songs. Enjoyed the acoustic versions at the end of the deluxe re-release, especially the Everybody Love the Sounds Of A Train In the Distance.

Think too much (a) is amazing. Cars are cars - good as well. 5. Excellent album.

Probably my favourite PS album.

Wow I really really liked this album. I knew I was a fan of Simon and Garfunkel but I don’t think I’ve ever listened to Simon on his own and I loved it. It sounded similar to his duo work and there wasn’t a part i didn’t like.

A hidden gem! I knew albums before and after but hadn’t heard this one…only a couple songs from it. Great album!

I’ll be honest and tell you that my eyes rolled a little bit when I saw this album pop up and figured it was just the result of some Paul Simon fanboys on the editorial team for the book. After all, I consider myself a Paul Simon fan (though I stop short of being a fanboy) and I’d never even heard of it! It turns out I just don’t explore enough because this does in fact kick ass and even though it seems unfair for Paul Simon to have at least three albums on here (because surely Graceland at least is still coming up, right?), I agree you should listen to it before you die. The only thing that sucks about it is that it sounds like Paul was a dick to Art during the making of it and that the experience broke the Garfunkelian camel’s back, leaving all of us without the opportunity to hear what the two of them could have gone on to do together.

Really good production, need to hear it again to see how replayable it is

gostei bastante, não conhecia.

I have developed such a soft spot for Paul Simon. This is sweet. Laid back, but also psychoanalytical, and it reminds me a little teeny bit of Daniel Lopatin's work. Cars are Cars is utter dogshit though.

Decent, not quite as good as Graceland though.

im gonna be honest it didnt even occur to me that music like this still happened in the 80s. like this sounds way more like some 70s bullshit with a couple synths thrown in every so often, which i guess makes sense because paul simon is the guy from simon and garfunkel, and i think most artists are always kinda stuck to the time of their peak to some degree. like in ten years i dont rly expect taylor swift to be at the cutting edge of pop music yknow? i dont mean any of this as a negative to the album, it just suprised me a little and the fact that this sounds like pretty nice 70s rock, with a bit of folk and strings and whatever else thrown in sometimes + a couple synths, is all i can think of to rly say about this album. its nice, its comfy, its kinda boring sometimes. cool stuff.

Hearts And Bones tells simple yet striking little stories about being human. Although some aspects do sound a little outdated (e.g. 80's Caribbean flutes), I love the way the singing and instruments blend perfect together with emotion throughout the album. It brings together a lighthearted yet serious way of storytelling.

Like the last Paul Simon this was very pleasant to listen to

I love Paul Simon's style. It very recognisable but still very varied from album to album. This would have five stars but Cars Are Cars was just too much.

I love the feeling of this album and how it's so soft. Both versions of Maybe I think too much are great but I think I prefer (b). (a) sounds like vulfpeck. Love his voice too, but I think allergies is a bit much for this album.

Enjoyed this way more than I expected. Lots of weird and wonderful moments

Very good. I mostly knew Paul Simon for his time in Simon & Garfunkel and his only solo hit I knew was Al. He's a very talented songwriter.

enjoyed the original acoustics at the end. nice storytelling

Sick as album. Bangers all round

Pretty, pretty cool.

i cant tell what paul simon album are the best. he was just born to be a songwriter, yknow?

Riktigt soft!

Love “Think too much”

Oki

false

Good

Precioso disco.

This was going to be a Simon and Garfunkel reunion album until they fell out and Simon got rid of Garfunkel's parts and re-recorded sections. Panned at the time it is a bit of a hidden gem. BT: Hearts and Bones, Song About the Moon, Train in the Distance

Some good some a bit long

Paul Simon goated! It was slow but really good. Songs were kinda random but they were fun

Always enjoy Paul Simon, groovy, intriguing lyrics, good stuff

Favorite: Think Too Much (a)

Pleasantly surprised by this one. I'm probably the only person that is not a fan of Graceland and the influence that World music played in Simon's future works, but this album is lovely to listen to. It will definitely work it's way into my rotation. Actual score: 3.9

Pleasant voice and good song writing. Some very good guest musicians. (7/10) Favorite Tracks: Think Too Much, The Late Great Johnny Ace

It’s the real Paul Simon sound, but not the best. The last 3 (original acoustics) are great examples how creative and unique “classic” songwriting can be.

One of my top 5 all-time favorite song writers. Not my favorite album but still great.

When I first dove into Paul Simon’s catalog a few years ago, this was one of my least favorite of his solo albums. I still think it’s pretty uneven, but the title track is one of his best songs, and “Train In The Distance,” and “Renee and Georgette Magritte with Their Dog After The War” are really great too.

I can see why this album didn't do well at the time, but these are pretty solid songs throughout. He just seems like a such mature and confident songwriter here. On the other hand, I'm also grateful that this album failed, since Graceland wouldn't have emerged otherwise. You can definitely hear him starting to flex the kind of muscles here that he explores later on in Graceland