Reviews (page 3 of 8)
It's amazing to hear a whole album by Paul Simon and not recognize one song, because he's everywhere. His songwriting is so intimate and specific. This album is 50 years old and still sounds fresh.
4.1 - Simon’s warm and gentle songcraft is fully realized on this record and he spins compelling slice-of-life vignettes that often draw on heady influences (see “René and Georgette Magritte…”). At times Simon channels an inner Larry David and describes middle-aged afflictions like “Allergies” and overthinking and divorce lawyers. But songs like “Cars are Cars” ensure that Simon (and us listeners) never take him too seriously, and he maintains a playful flow. The record closes us out with a sincere and loving eulogy to Johnny Ace.
PThis album put me on a fence. 80s soft rock hasn't classically been something I listen to or enjoy. But every song on this album was good and fit the album. Paul experimented with styles outside of his typical Simon & Garfunkel wheelhouse and I appreciate that. Some lyrics are definitely cheesy and haven't aged well, and some songs are less interesting than others, but overall I'm leaning closer to a 4 than a 3. 3.6/5 -> 4/5.
It is weird and different. But good. I can see to like it after a few listens.
Listened to this late in bed with the volume turned low. Perfect conditions to listening to this relaxing chilled out album.
Fun, solid album. Enjoyed the listen.
Alright! I haven't gotten very many solo albums from former members of iconic groups so far, so getting a Paul Simon solo album is neat. While I hadn't heard much about this album in comparison to something like Graceland, Hearts and Bones is actually pretty good. The sound is varied. One complaint (if you can call it that) that I have is that the final three songs give us one of the funniest tonal shifts I have ever heard in an album. You have two mostly serious songs with historical ties to tragedy with a funny car song in between them. That's just hilarious. Anyway, I still like Paul Simon's singing. The writing is pretty solid. Overall, while this might be a somewhat redundant pick for this list, I can see why some people have called this his most underrated album. I'd go so far as to say I liked it more than S&G's "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme", but not as much as Bridge Over Troubled Water. I'm feeling generous, so I'll give this album a light 4/5.
Think too much
Pretty darn good
Some of the production is dated, and Cars Are Cars is just an odd choice in an otherwise very personal set of lyrics, but when Paul Simon is on he is on and he’s on for a good amount of this record. Train In The Distance and The Late Great Johnny Ace are two of the best songs he ever wrote
I had never heard of this album but a great listen!
More great songwriting, singing, and playing by an American treasure. This list probably includes several more of Paul Simon's assorted works. Most would agree that "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and (my favorite) "Still Crazy After All These Years" could easily be included. It's not like he made many (if any) "bad" albums. Four and one-half stars. Dinged a half-star for the occasional flourishes of cheesy 80's production (drum machines, synths, and shred guitar solos) that make it sound a bit dated.
Good
So mellow to be quite gentle in effect and easily and fully listenable. Graceland is the better record, obviously, and one is loath to overpraise given the size of Simon's ego and his reputation for being an awful human being. But one will separate artist from art here, while hastening to point out what a very stupid song is "Cars Are Cars."
Oh fuck yes. Hearts and Bones and Train in the Distance are so beautiful that it hardly matters what the rest of the album sounds like. There are some real clunkers. Overall it’s unfocused, or like he was trying out contemporary styles that just don’t suit him. But what is good, is fucking amazing.
I'd never heard any of these songs before today, and I was surprised at how many of them I liked. (I wouldn't say I a Paul Simon fan, per se, but he's all right.) Things got off to a bit of a rough start with the lyrics on that Allergies song, but after that, I enjoyed myself. A few songs were a little too easy listening for my tastes, but the others were playful and/or thought-provoking. So yeah. Nice job. Maybe I am a Paul Simon fan after all.
- First time listening to this - Thought it was very good but not quite as good as some of his other stuff - Kind of weird topics for song lyrics - Fav songs: Think Too Much, When Numbers Get Serious, The Late Great Johnny Ace
Great
Great! I really enjoyed it. The title track is my fav song on here.
4.25
It’s really good. Missing a big hit, but so constant and an easy listen. Every time I’m about to lose interest it does something silly to draw me back in. I could be talked into a 5, but for feels more fair
Nice easy going music, enjoyable listen
I love the title track from this album; it's beautifully melancholic. Similarly "Train In The Distance". Not so keen on "When Numbers Get Serious", and who allowed "Cars Are Cars" onto the record? 3.5 (there are better Paul Simon albums) but rounding up to 4.
I love Paul Simon, but I didn’t love this album. Better than neutral, but a bit too goofy at times for my liking.
Kind of an in-between album with echoes of the tight creative work of his earlier solo albums and what's to come in Graceland, with complex rhythms and bass. Much of it, too, is marred by the production trends of the 80s: overuse of synth, echo-y drums, and sanitized guitar solos. In the end, every song is good, none are great -- well, maybe "Rene and Georgette Magritte with Their Dog after the War."
I'm a fan of Paul Simon in general, but I think the choice of this album for the list might actually be doing him a disservice, especially for anyone looking for an inroads to his solo material. I mean I enjoy this for all its 80s zaniness, and there are some real standout tracks, but as an album it's highly inconsistent, and more for hardcore fans who are already sold/willing to go for the ride. Some of these lyrics are just bonkers in a way I find amusing, but I can see how they'd be off-putting to others. I mean the dude was on top of the world at this point after the Simon and Garfunkel reunion concert, and I think he gave zero fucks what people thought about his output - he was gonna do what he wanted to do no matter what. I respect that to a certain degree, and think that sort of hubris can actually lead to some interesting and entertaining material, as it did here. The standout tracks to me are the title track, Train in the Distance, and The Late Great Johnny Ace. That last one, with it's sudden turn into an almost Philip Glass like minimal piece is simply haunting, but quite an unexpected tone shift after such a motley assortment of songs. Since it's Paul Simon, I'll go with it and respect it. Too bad he pissed Garfunkel off so bad during the recording of this that he burned his bridge over troubled water.
Well, after the past few albums, this sounded like liquid gold. It’s a little sleepy, but definitely soothing. Paul Simon is a great storyteller.
Not Paula’s best record, but just the title track and Train in the Distance make it worth the ride. The 80s production combined with a few songs not up to his usual standards are the weak points.
Pretty damn good. 4/5
it was very hit or miss for me, but the good ones hit hard
Started to grow on me about a third of the way through. Feels familiar and comfy in a way. Real rating would probably be 3.5
This is my first Paul Simon record that I have listened to front to back and I was very pleased. Musically this album is great! The choices that he has made, the instruments, the effects, it's all great. I know Paul Simon has a great voice from other songs that I've heard... But damn, his voice is perfect on this record. His phrasing and his melodies come seemless to him. Something I envy. The first song starts off and it's talking about Allergies. And I'm sitting here just groovin' to it. I really appreciate his story telling. I still wish this was more prominent in popular music these days. Even modern country has lost that part of the art. Country used to be all about story telling... Now it's just twangy dance songs... But back to Paul Simon.. I don't have too much to say about this album... Other than it is a great record. It isn't perfect. It isn't something I'd just throw on, but I enjoyed the journey as I listened. Can't wait to hear more of him, as I know he must have more than 1 record on this list.
C'est bien mais les sujets sont chiants (voitures, allergies, notamment)
Very Sweet
noniin ja brittiputki katki.. amerikkalainem näyttää miksi piti herran vuonna 1776 tehdä päätös... (biston tea party look it up). chilliä musiikkia, silkkinen laulu ja lämmittävä lyrisointi, tekee tästä miellekkään kokemuksen.. makeata..Doesn't take itself to seriously(mitä tuo tarkoittaa) cars are cars huono biisi..(en ymmärryt ymmärtänyt biisin ideaa heh, joo autot samoja ympäri maaiomaa tästä kerroin...en ihmisyydestä...human...) train in the distance
This isn't my usual preference, but I really enjoyed it.
Very nice and comfortable album. Favorite(s): Allergies, Hearts and Bones, Song About the Moon, Train in the Distance, Rene and Georgette Magritte with Their Dog After the War
Feels inconsistent but holds some very strong and smartly written music. And while some of the arrangements feel busy, Hearts And Bones remains a fairly relaxed listen.
such a fun album
I don’t think Paul Simon’s ever made a bad album. So while this album didn’t originally jump off the turntable at me, it eventually became a favourite, revealing some hidden gems. I feel like Allergies & Think Too Much were written with me in mind. The title track was certainly written about his marriage to Carrie Fisher. And it is definitely the highlight. Thank god her father Eddie was Jewish, so that we get the wonderful opening line : One and a half wandering Jews. The other highlight for me is the song about the Magrittes. Only a great, great songwriter can come up with stuff like this. Might not be his best, but it’s still quality.
Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Allergies, Think too much (a,b)
started strong, moved to introspective and a bit whiny. I enjoyed it, but wouldn't listen to it again.
Yeah I can dig.
Pretty album.
It's just unfair the amount of talent this man has. This is just another example of the skill he has with his craft. Given his extensive body of work, though, you'd put this album on the list?
Meh
where the hell did the solo on allergies come from? Love it. Cars Are Cars...what the hell is going on there? Is it a joke? Confusing. Not sure its must listen as its not wildly different from what he generally does but generally really enjoyed this.
This album shows why Paul Simon is one of the greatest songwriters of the modern era. Even on a lesser known mown album, there are wonderful songs with rich stories and cool sounds. The demos at the end show how good these songs are with just him but the arrangements took them to another place. The guitar on here was awesome (coming in hot w/ Allegries and the “think too much” part was super funky). Clunkers like “when numbers get serious” keep this from being a 5 for me.
this album feels different from paul simon's other solo or simon & garfunkel albums. at his core, simon is a storyteller and that hasn't changed with this album. "the late great johnny ace" and "rené and georgette magritte with their dog after the war" are songs referencing real people and events; the former connects several assassinations to one another. simon's genres aren't any different from his other albums, though he isn't as heavy into folk here. his tone is the same; he's as paced and even as ever. the beat seems stronger as a whole. "when numbers get serious" is a playful song, reminiscent of simon's earlier work. i'm reminded of the songs used on simon's episode of the muppet show! "think too much (b)" uses a marimba, which definitely foreshadows simon's next album. i'm not sure of the inclusion of "cars are cars", but there seems to always be a weird song on any paul simon album. what stands out on this album is the personal aspect. simon is a storyteller, but i've come to expect that his songwriting typically doesn't cover himself. the title track references his relationship with carrie fisher. "allergies" and "train in the distance" seem to reference other love relationships. the lyrics simon wrote are simplistic yet provides an inside look into his life. i enjoyed hearts and bones more than other paul simon albums, to be honest. i found graceland to be lackluster outside of its hits, but this album had more of a consistent quality.
Liked this
Solid, relaxing listen that teleports you to a different time
I thought it was pretty great. Understated.
Una muy buena voz con un estilo tranquilo y sosegado. Sin virtuosismos de instrumentos ni grandes alardes.
A friend of mine saw Paul Simon in concert a number of years ago. When I asked him how it was, he said it was a great show. But there was one part in particular that had a profound impact on him. When Paul Simon played “Rene and Georgette Magritte with Their Dog after the War” a song my friend had admittedly never heard before, he said he cried. He said he had an incredible personal revelation about life, love, and humanity after hearing it. Having never heard that song before myself, I was curious and gave it a listen. And while I didn’t have the benefit of hearing Paul Simon perform it live, I did marvel at his poetry and the beauty of the song. No similarly affecting personal revelations or tears for me upon listening. But I love that story, and I love my friend. And this is why songwriters like Paul Simon exist, to inspire and inflame passions with their craft.
Before this, I only knew a song or two of Paul Simon's solo work and primarily from his famous duo partner, Garfunkel. This is the second or third album of his that I have gotten, and I have really come to respect him as a singer/songwriter. Very cool album.
He writesa lot if gild but has some duds.
Did you know cars are cars? Thanks to this album, I now realize this. The album is consistently good all the way through. I enjoyed the storytelling with some unique melodies and pleasant vocals.
Again great music by Paul Simon but here it was just missing that additional touch of memorable or stand out songs and thus fails to score 5 stars
Thought I’d hate it but it was actually great
Pretty enjoyable
миленько в целом
Сначала было ощущение, что будет какой-то ненавязчивый джаз. Но всё быстро ушло в сторону бардовской песни. Очень приятные композиции, легко слушаются, прекрасные тексты. Интересный ход с двумя частями Think Too Much: непонятно только, почему часть B идёт раньше части А. Скорее всего, когда я почитаю Википедию или погуглю — станет понятно. В любом случае, можно услышать две интерпретации одной и той же музыкальной темы — круто! Не было какого-то прям вау-эффекта, но это точно лучше среднего.
It was a good day for some Paul Simon.
A good album with lots of interesting tunes and songs. Paul Simon's voice is so appealing, it is very pleasant to listen to. This album is easy listening but still interesting and more complex musically. It was a good listen overall.
Great songwriter. Unique storyteller lyrics and melodies that are unexpected. Hearts and Bones, Rene and Georgette, and the Late Great Johnny Ace are standouts. I love mellow Paul Simon arrangements.
Ingen store ups eller downs
Paul Simon fucking rocks. We've got nice, folky guitar riffs followed by some funky bass and a legendary voice. Not as good as Graceland, but these are all really good songs. I think if everyone listened to Paul Simon, we would eliminate world anger.
Nice album even though regarded as a failed one. Simon features an all star cast of musicians here and they gel great within the songs! 8,5 out of 10
It was all right, but didn't blow me away
I liked this the first time around, and I liked it even more the second. Very calming.
Saving the 5 for Graceland
I love me some Paul Simon. Found some new songs to add to my playlist.
I liked this!
It’s paul
True story: Once (probably around 2005) I was in New York City for work, staying at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, and I saw Paul Simon in the lobby bathroom. I walked in, he was at the sink washing his hands, I glanced over just as he looked up into the mirror. Our eyes met for just a moment as I realized who he was and he realized that I recognized him. He quickly looked back down at his hands in the sink and I continued walking to the urinals. When I finished peeing he was gone and I never saw him again. Despite my obviously close relationship to Paul Simon, I wasn't previously familiar with this album. On the other hand, I'm very familiar with his follow-up album Graceland, so it's interesting to hear shades of Graceland in this album. This feels much more intimate and personal, much like our shared restroom experience, but there are many hints as to what was to come. Not a big fan of the Fender Rhodes keyboard sound he used, but less so on this album than some of his previous solo work. 4 stars.
Not heard this before some great songs. Some that are so so but enjoyed it very much
I grow to enjoy P. Simon a little more every year
Maybe the weakest Paul Simon effort on this list but it is still a Paul Simon effort on this list. It grows in the listening though. The back half is way better than the front (a rarity!)
Paul Simon is maybe the Greatest Of All Time but he’s not on top form here. Some bumping 80s bass and the odd bit of pretty poetry but generally the metaphors seem to miss the mark. Cars, trains, numbers and allergies not all great analogies or allegories. Glad I listened though and can’t go lower than 4 with this guy.
Deep cut pick: Song About the Moon
Paul Simon is a genuis songwriter, this was a fantastic and Nice sounding album
I was not expecting to like this. i really like Paul with Art best. However, this is so lovely! Gotta be his best solo album.
Yep
The number of fucks Paul Simon gives can be estimated by the fact that this album begins with a song about skin rashes.
This was supposed to be Simon and Garfunkel’s return after their iconic Central Park concert. Garfunkel ended up leaving the project and Simon finished it as a solo album. Maybe it’s because it was supposed to be a Simon and Garfunkel album, but much of this album (but not all) features a stripped back sound anchored by Paul Simon’s voice. The result is a startlingly raw and introspective album that hangs on Simon’s every word. Some songs, like ‘Cars are Cars’ give us a preview of Simon’s work to come on 1986’s Graceland, his next album, but I think this album shines best through its more contemplative moments. The coda from Phillip Glass on the closing track is a great touch as well.
It's a little bit samey, but it's still Paul Simon. I'm very glad it's failure helped propel him to trying out some different sounds, because Graceland is my favourite album of all time. When listening to this unfamiliar album I was inclined to mark it down, but when I listened to it objectively, I realised that it had some great moments.
I had never heard this album before and damn it's good. I did find the opening track and it's weird lyric snd over the top lead guitar solo. Also a bit of a dated 80s sounding production but on first listen the songs sound great. I look forward to listening more intently and paying attention to the lyrics I expect to be pleased. 4 🌟
Se 'Allergies' è effettivamente sulle allergie è molto bella, in realtà anche se non lo è. Mi piace molto la sua voce, meno le canzoni, anche se "Song about the Moon" mi convince. Bella anche 'Train in the distance'. In particolare i testi sono molto interessanti. Bello, tra il 3 e il 4.
7/10. I like Paul Simon plenty, but this album felt a little underwhelming.
There’s something odd about the mixing of Paul Simon’s solo stuff. This was alright. 7/10
Tosi miellyttävää, mellow meikinki
Groovy pretty album
I'll admit that my rating is skewed on this one as I grew up listening to Paul Simon and consider him in my top 5 artists. Some of these songs were kinda misses for me, but even on the ones that weren't my favorites, I love his voice, his music and his storytelling in his songs. While there are much better Paul Simon albums, I enjoyed every minute of listening to this, especially the title track
Very enjoyable listen. I haven't listened to a ton of Paul Simon but I've got no complaints about this album. Wouldn't mind hearing it again.
Paul Simon is quite the storyteller, a quality that shines through in the lyrics in this collection of songs. Musically, there is a melancholic undertone in many of the tracks, but that doesn't mean that they are not listenable - quite the contrary is true. Yes, this album may not be a timeless classic, as some of the decade's more questionable stylistic choices are quite prominent. Nevertheless, it is never boring either, and deserves further listening. 3.5/5
a lot better than expected. very cool sound and melodies. calming.
Pretty good, thoughtful, well executed. I think Graceland is the better record. Have always graded Paul Simon on anti-curve ... that is, I've been a bit of a hater for as long as I've known what an a-hole he is reputed to be (sourced by members of his band).
J’aime beaucoup paul simon et cet album est fidele a son style et a lu meme, j’ai aime mais ce n’est pas dans ces top. 4.15*
Really poetic lyrics for some of these songs. Particularly loved Train in the Distance
Lovely lyrics and melody. Makes ya pause, think and feel. Loved the exploration of love, time, age, music, and identity/our never ending wants as humans. Was drawn in from the first song.
Really enjoyed this album. Really beautiful songs
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
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.
One of my top 5 all-time favorite song writers. Not my favorite album but still great.
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.
Pleasant voice and good song writing. Some very good guest musicians. (7/10) Favorite Tracks: Think Too Much, The Late Great Johnny Ace
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
Favorite: Think Too Much (a)
Always enjoy Paul Simon, groovy, intriguing lyrics, good stuff
Paul Simon goated! It was slow but really good. Songs were kinda random but they were fun
Some good some a bit long
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
Precioso disco.
Good
false
Oki
Love “Think too much”
Riktigt soft!
i cant tell what paul simon album are the best. he was just born to be a songwriter, yknow?
Pretty, pretty cool.
Sick as album. Bangers all round
enjoyed the original acoustics at the end. nice storytelling
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 this way more than I expected. Lots of weird and wonderful moments
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.
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.
Like the last Paul Simon this was very pleasant to listen to
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.
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.
Decent, not quite as good as Graceland though.
This was pleasant, and I appreciate the Magritte song ever since I saw it live, but Graceland is already on this list and may be a perfect album so what is the reason this is here?
Era partito un po' scarico, poco promettente. Invece al suo interno presenta alcune gemme che ho apprezzato molto. Non un album memorabile, ma è stato bello scoprirlo.
eh
Unmistakably Paul Simon doing Paul Simon things. It’s very good but doesn’t elevate itself past his other highlights.
Obviously not his best, but this was a great listen. Very chill and lofi.
He's not a cool chap is he? And very shit at math. Great vibe for the first few but then long and repetitive
I love Paul but this pretty average for him
I thinkbI just fail to see what this brings to the conversation that Graceland or his work with Garfunkel say better.
как обычно слишком сладко; без многих лет экспожера ничего не осознала и не запомнила)
No hits on, but very catchy. Strong three stars. 3,5
Why do I need to listen to this album? Didn't hate it but why's it on the list? Mediocre at best. Cars are cars indeed.
Ihan ok levy, mutta ei kuitenkaan ihan niin hyvä kuin odotin. Ehkä Paul Simonin muut soololevyt ovat iskevämpiä.
This is a nothingburger if ever a nothingburger existed. Just a whole lot of nothing. Not bad and yet not particularly good. Downloaded the Hearts and Bones song itself but nothing else. Big S&G fan so I expected to like it more but truly nothing was happening here!
My second Paul Simon- fewer hits and very much a "singer songwriter" album, still found myself enjoying it. Lots of folk-influence, lots of soft guitar and wistful lyrics Overall- 3.5/5
They Al DiMeola solo in the first track hits like a ton of bricks. Wow completely unexpected. Acoustic version of train in the distance is beautiful and heartbreaking.
A 2.5 I'm bumping to a 3, because I just love this man
Definitely post-peak Paul Simon, but it has a few nice songs, including the title track. Cool way to process breaking up with Princess Leia for sure.
Why would Top Gear pick an Allman Brothers song for their theme when "Cars are Cars" by Paul Simon was right there the whole time??
Fine, not the best Paul Simon album
It's alright—nothing special. It somehow had an unintentional Caribbean feel to it that just felt out of place.
kinda disappointed, he didn’t come close to capturing the agony of allergies. rash is nothing, try anaphylaxis. similarly, cars are cars could’ve been a deep critique of our car dependent hell hole. maybe i should get into songwriting, im feeling inspired. otherwise really enjoyed a couple of songs, while some drifted by without my noticing. standouts include Song About the Moon, Train in the Distance
Some interesting things going on here, I especially liked the strings that were present on many tracks, but I found most of the album to be fairly forgettable, and there were a couple major duds (Cars Are Cars being the obvious example). An average album overall.
I don't think that I've heard a single song from this before. As always Paul Simon's song craft elevates this, but this sounds kind of corny. Some of that 1980s stink. Think Too Much (b) is a strong song, and winning me over. Think Too Much (a) also not too bad, good mixing. René and Georgette Magritte with Their Dog after the War, was okay. This is a fine album, a little odd. I wouldn't call it required listening, but I could see wanting to dig into Paul Simon's works.
I love 80's cheese but not Paul Simons 80's cheese. To my ears, the music is out of place with the songs. Rene and Gerogette is a wicked story thought.
An album with a handful of very nice songs. I had heard Cars are Cars before, but I had never heard about the actual album. Allergies is not a good opener, but after that the songs get better
Best Song: Heart and Bones. There's a lot going on here, but it is woven together into a really nice song that sounds full and cohesive. Worst Song: Cars Are Cars. Musically, this song is fine. Lyrically, it sounds like something from children's television trying to teach what a car is. Overall: He's got a sweet, lovely little voice. It is at times so soft that it feels very much like background music to me, but it is still compelling enough that it provides a pleasant beach or brunch vibe. Music for mornings.
Much like Graceland, but without Africans.
Paul Simon in the 80's! Overall, Simon's songwriting comes through and the album's best tracks sound a little bit relaxed (though, if you read a little, the recording process was not). 'Song About The Moon' in particular sounds like it emerged from a jam, in the way that great Springsteen songs do. Don't be fooled: this album was recorded, re-recorded, edited and dubbed within an inch of its life. It's no wonder it was nearly titled "Think Too Much." It even had Art Garfunkel's vocals on a bunch of tracks before Simon decided it was too personal to be a group album -- a decision credited as the final straw in Simon & Garfunkel's deteriorating relationship. There's a bit too much synth and chime and digital reverb on here. The faux accordion on 'Think Too Much (a)' really sets it (or else, there's way too much 'verb on it to sound real). At some points, Simon harmonizes beautifully with himself only to have some studio chorus or harmonizer effects come in that undermine the whole thing. I'd love a re-recording of this without the 80's schmaltz. You can really tell when someone spent a lot of studio money in the 80's and it usually isn't for the better. With that said, this is still a very good album. Simon's songwriting is wonderful. You can totally miss what a song was about and still get the feeling of it. He meanders with a precision that doesn't make any sense but works every time. And some of that studio money was well-spent: there's a chugging, bowed cello or bass towards the end of 'Train In The Distance' that really works. There's an Al Di Meola solo in the first track! Hearts and Bones is certainly a flawed record. It was bruised by conflict, undermined by overthinking and generally sullied by the bullshit of the 80's. On the other hand, the core of a great album remains. There's groove, there's pathos, there's lovely melody, harmony and stories. It's a bit like having a beautiful piece of steak that's been smothered in too much sauce. We could've just had the steak, Paul. 3/5
This is a very melodic and poetic album. While listening I felt a smooth, warm, and reflective mood from start to finish. It has this gentle sophistication that feels mature and thoughtful. The album is really diverse — it moves between soft folk, light pop, jazz touches, and even some subtle world music influences without ever feeling messy. Paul Simon’s songwriting is at its most poetic here, exploring love, relationships, memory, aging, and the small moments that define life. The lyrics are intelligent and emotionally nuanced. What stands out most is how smooth and graceful the whole record feels. The instrumentation is tasteful, the melodies are beautiful, and everything flows together with a calm elegance. It’s never in a rush, but it never gets boring either. Hearts and Bones might be one of Paul Simon’s most underrated albums. It’s not flashy, but it’s rich, intelligent, and deeply satisfying if you’re in the mood for something warm and thoughtful.
Cars are cars, three stars are three stars 3/5
It's a very pleasant listen - very MOR. Some catchy tunes and nice moments but generally very vanilla and a bit basic. Cars are Cars is exceedingly naff and unfortunately this is was the track that stuck in my head the most...
I have extremely mixed feelings about this thing. It's generally pleasing sounds, and the lyrics have some fun to them (Numbers and Cars Are Cars are standouts for just how dumb fun they are). But there isn't anything necessarily exciting or standout about it in any particular way. So, this is the three-star because it is so middle of the road.
Enjoyed it. Pretty average but one of those that there’s nothing really to dislike but it doesn’t blow you away. Solid work, but nothing more than that really.
Big Paul Simon fan, not a huge fan of this album tho, some songs weren’t that good. I liked allergies and hearts and bones.
Cars is Cars was excruciating, but the album was ok
Didn't like this one as much as Graceland but was more good stuff from Paul Simon, nice. Favorite Track: Rene and Georgette Margritte with Their Dog After the War
An early version of Graceland that doesn't work quite as well. I don't mind it too much - I think the best parts are the ones that lean most heavily into World music, like "Think Too Much (b)" - and "Song about the Moon" is excellent! But "Think Too Much (a)" is just kind of silly. It's dated, and the songs aren't super strong. It has to be - THREE STARS
allergies -- achei esquisitissimo (1.5 / 5) heart and bones -- top (4.2/5) when numbers get serious -- isso eles sempre são né (3.4/5) think too much (b) -- gostei q o B vem antes do A (++0.3) (4.5/5) song about the moon -- love the moon! love the heart (4.8/5) think too much (a) -- 3.0/5 train in the distance -- não sei se eu gosto do som do trem a distância (3.3/5)
I gotta hand it to him—cars ARE cars.
My favourites were the title track and Think Too Much (b). Cool outro on The Late Great Johnny Ace.
Ehhh. It’s inoffensive.
This grew on me as I listened. Not a lot but a little. Seemed pretty relaxing and original.
I feel like every music from this genre/time sounds exactly the same to me.
What the hell is that cars are cars song
Pretty good
and today we have an overrated paul simon album when graceland and rhythm of the saints exist. 3/5
Evidence of the gap between the brilliance of S and G and Graceland. Fine, but not great.
7 / 10
This album was fine. It didn't wow me.
Yep. Sounds like Paul Simon.
Nice from a legend
Paul Simon sounds like Paul Simon, no matter the decade or genre, and that's never a bad thing.
Fun but a bit forgettable. 6/10 Pretty Good
it was a great listen but nothing remarkable either. I enjoyed a few notable songs but nothing extraordinary. Renee and Georgette was possibly the standout track. 3.5 stars
Neat! I enjoyed this more than expected. Ultimately, it's very forgettable music.
Haven't heard this one before but Paul's always a chill hang. I like "The Late Great Johnny Ace."
Hearts and Bones was not at all what I was expecting going into this listen. "Allergies" really sets a pumping, drum machine and guitar solo filled 80s tone. It would have been great to continue like that, but alas it's a one-off. "Hearts and Bones" brings it back more to the Paul Simon sound I'm used to. It bounces all around after that before settling into a typical Simon lullabye on the back half of the album. Standout tracks on this listen were "Allergies" "Hearts and Bones" and "Think Too Much (b)" I like Simon's voice. Songs were interesting and didn't drag too much. The vibe was weird on this album though. It hopped genres a lot, the second half was a little slow. This one gets a solid 3/5.
This is a really mellow, calming album. Paul Simon's voice lulls you into a sweet sleep throughout this album. There's some songs I didn't vibe with (looking at you, "Cars are Cars"), but overall a good album.
Feels like a decent balance of his og songwriting style with his graceland world influence.
Catchy and smooth, I am a fan of Simon’s voice. Now… Cars are Cars actively made me wanna blow my brains out. Genuinely what the fuck. Other than that I kinda love that the album never takes itself too seriously.
The title track is pretty good, but the rest of it is just okay and the two goofy songs — Allergies and Cars are Cars — almost bring this down to a two.
3.5
3.5
Some really good songs, but some uneven ones as well, and I don't enjoy the production that much. 3.5 stars
I'm not crazy about this Paul Simon. I'm not as big on Paul as others here, but I'm glad he went in the Graceland direction after hearing this. I just found it a bit too 80s soft rock for my tastes and nothing really blew me away. 3 stars.
Not crazy about his solo stuff
I don't hate this but I think I'd enjoy these songs more if someone other than Paul Simon was performing them. I get that this a very personal and introspective album, and the best parts of his performance are where you feel that, BUT I just find his instincts in regards to arraignment and production to be annoying. And his voice is so twerpy and smug. It's hard to appreciate how clever he can be when I can hear in his voice how clever he already finds himself.
2.4+1 for meeting notability guidelines.
One day, when I'm weathered down by age and time, my achy breaky heart will open to the palliative tones of Paul Simon—his songcraft, storytelling, and dulcet voice. Anyway, can't wait for that. Great title track.
Ugh. 2.51 rounded up for a couple classic songs. Cars Are Cars might be one of the five worst somgs I’ve ever heard.
It's fine. I can't say I disliked anything but nothing really jumps off the record for me.
Hearts and Bones was pretty nice. I learned that Cars are Cars all over the world. Not Paul Simon's best effort but it was ok.
This isn't good but isn't bad. 2.5 rounded to 3 I guess
Look I can't really hold it against Paul that this album was included on this list, but it does seem like an incredibly odd inclusion. There are plenty of albums in his own discography, as well as the discography of Simon & Garfunkel that showcase that Paul Simon a fucking genius songwriter, and as far as I'm aware they are included extensively on this list, so having this on here as well really seems a bit excessive. It's an enjoyable enough album, but not quite as memorable as his other work, so what purpose does it serve being on this list? To be clear I am asking this as a massive fan of Paul Simon. But Robert Dimery needs to figure his shit out. OKAY moving into the actual album itself, as I said it's enjoyable enough. There's definitely some great tracks on here, and I was shocked to find that I didn't have Train in the Distance on my Paul Simon playlist already, it is a really great song, and some other tracks like Rene and Georgette, and the title track I quite enjoyed. But then you have a track like Cars are Cars, which is truly just fucking awful, as well as some other fairly uninteresting songs, and it all comes together into a pretty middling album. Some enjoyable moments, but not an album you must listen to, and not the one to represent Paul Simon's body of work. Fav Track: 7 - Train in the Distance Best Three Track Run: 6, 7, 8
Being a huge fan of Simon & Garfunkel, never got into their individual work, other than Graceland. This album reinstates why that is still true. Although I loved the album, it is purely a pop record, lacks the laidback and breezy sound by the duo. Wish the album opener was better. Favourite song on the album - Train in the distance.
I don’t think this one was necessary
Parfaite musique pour une ptite siesta, j’en cognais des clous 🥱💤💤
Not one of his better albums.
6.0/10 Didn't hate it... but there were some weird tunes here
Didn't really know what I would get from Paul Simons first album, but I was not mad at it. It was pleasant soft rock/pop. Kind of comfortable with it in any scenario.
Pleasant enough, but hardly Paul Simon at his best.
good
This one took patience. The complexity isn’t on the surface, but it’s there in the phrasing and harmonic movement. It feels like a carefully arranged piece where every small detail matters. It doesn’t hit with intensity, but it rewards focus in a way I appreciate.
Muy chill para una tarde de domingo lluviosa. No sé si me dejó algo. A lo mejor le daré una escuchada más.
i just dont like paul simon
254/1001 Paul Simon - Hearts and Bones Heard before? ❎ Revisit? ❓ A perfectly fine album that breezed by in the background. Some interesting arrangements, but considering some of the albums he's been a part of, I'd pick them over this.
As you would expect from a Paul Simon album: well-written and pleasant. But it also clearly lacks the brilliance more apparent in his better works.
It’s not bad music by any means, just for me it wasn’t memorable at all.
Solid ig
A nice listen, I really liked some of the references made like to the Magrittes, several doo-wop greats, and Johnny Ace (definitely an underrated "what if" among young musician deaths).
Not a fan, it could have been a great folk album, but it's another mediocre 80's album.
Some lovely moments, especially the folkier stuff.. but overall not at the level of some of his other work.
This is so 80’s in a way that is difficult to articulate (derogatory and non-derogatory). I would never expect songs with names and lyrics like this today… for whatever that is worth lol. Did not expect a song named “Allergies” to be a banger.
Pleasant, easy listen. Didn’t grab my attention much.
Average. 2.9
Sni?? Ascoltato poco
I love Paul Simon and the title track is an absolute masterpiece. However, why on earth does this album start with a track about allergies?! Its a strange album, with plenty of beauty and introspection but also a fair few throwaway tracks
A perfectly cromulent pop record with a hint of melancholy from the maestro himself. One of the b-sides stuck with me more than the album itself, but it wasn't unpleasant either.
I’m starting to think that Paul Simon might be overrated 😔.
Mellow and sentimental.
Total snoozefest. Not unpleasant but not interesting
Overall, this is a really interesting album. The performances are great and the arrangements are interesting. There's just nothing particularly memorable on here. 3 stars.
Solid, unspectacular
This album is just ok. I feel like Solon has other better albums on this list than this one.
I already know cars are cars
This was totally mid. Graceland is better. I hated the Cars are Cars song.
Was alright. Hard to go wrong with Paul Simon, but certainly wasn't as memorable for me as his big works.
3/5
Its a nice album, but it doesn't push any boundaries and isn't particularly standout.
I want to give this album more credit than it deserves. I like Simon, but I feel as though this is some of his weaker work. Nothing too bad here (outside of Cars Are Cars) but also nothing incredible.
Delicate acoustic album with some beautiful melodies. Didn’t strike me as a classic though.
This is a confusing one for me. Simon is undoubtedly a master of his craft, the musicianship on this album is top notch, across both the more rooted singer-songwriter guitar and voice tracks, and the more contemporary pop cuts. My issue is Simon's style, which is one that takes often upbeat if somewhat bittersweet compositions and places some of the goofiest, quirkiest lyrics ever on top of them. Examples like "Allergies" and "Cars Are Cars" come to mind, which aren't bad tracks, but are silly as hell. These are sat directly next to serious lyrical content like "The Late Great Johnny Ace", the title track "Hearts and Bones", and "Renee and Georgette Magritte...", and to give you even more whiplash, some songs will alternate between the silly and the thought-provoking in the same track, like "Train in the Distance". This isn't necessarily a bad thing, and Simon weaves it well, but it leaves me confused and mystified more than not. Favorite Tracks: "Allergies" (the solos absolutely rip on this randomly?), "Renee and Georgette Magritte...", "The Late Great Johnny Ace" Least Favorite Track: "Song About the Moon"
Everything about this album is well written, produced and delivered, but it never really gets going and left me feeling a bit flat. There are catchy moments here, but again, they leave little lasting impact. The album could not be more 6/10 if it tried. Not bad but could not be further from spectacular.
On Hearts and Bones, Paul Simon adds 80's rock and new wave sounds to his rambling folk style delivery, and the synthesis lends itself very well. As light and breezy as ever. No matter how cheesy a song sounds, Simon is typically able to save it with vocal delivery and lyricism alone.
Not my thing but it was ok I guess
Cars are cars everywhere? WTF?
Вот и закончились халявные первые семь альбомов, вот и пошли суровые рутинные будни прослушивания устаревшей бумерской музыки. Тут уже даже какую-то отдельную песню не могу выделить, но все еще не раздражающая или пустая музыка, чтобы наконец 2 или 1 поставить.
Просто окей, приятная музыка
многократно пытался вслушаться в сольное творчество пола саймона, но кроме нескольких песен так ничего и не зашло, хоть и не могу сказать, что плохо. на этом альбоме нет любимых песен
В целом, нормальный фолк-поп-рок альбом. Где-то на фоне будет звучать хорошо. А так - скучновато.
it's not quite my jams but is obviously good Will I listen to again: 3%
Klart ikke hans bedste arbejde, men havde stadig en great time!
Paul Simon is a great writer and musician but this is not his best album. Some of the effects make them dated in a bad way. The acoustic version of Rene and Georgette... was nice.
I didn't like everything on this album, but there's some good stuff, and it's all at least really well done.
Непоганий альбом, але не зачепив. Більша частина пісень здалася дуже схожа
The time I’ve spent with this album has been fine, and there was still a lot to enjoy listening today. It’s not peak Paul Simon by a long shot.
This is a good album. I honestly thought I'd like it more, but it's actually a bit dated.
Through the years i start to dig his songs more
Perfectly pleasant to listen to. Loved some of the guitars, just no real memorable song for me. At least I have had it finally confirmed for me that Cars are, in deed, actually Cars.
I’m left with the distinct impression of a brilliant songwriter navigating a strange, transitional phase before his great Graceland project. The album feels like a polarizing mix of profound beauty and dated 80s production that can easily divide opinion. On one hand, it acts as a hidden gem containing some of Simon's most underrated and sophisticated songwriting, serving as a quiet, soothing prequel to Graceland. On the other, the slick, synthesized sterile sound can make the album feel occasionally flaccid or boring. Standouts were "The Late Great Johnny Ace" and the surreal "Rene And Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After The War". However, these are sharply contrasted by the opener "Allergies" and the almost universally reviled "Cars Are Cars", which strikes me (and many others) as painfully silly and jarring. Ultimately, I see this as a fascinated but flawed listen, it is a mixed bag that is saved from mediocrity by three or four genuinely perfect songs that justify the price of admission.
So, I was actually assigned 2 Paul Simon albums back to back. Since I'm behind, I decided to listen to the earlier one first. I'm honestly glad I did that, cause I liked it better. Felt like a better intro. This album is good/fine, but doesn't grab me like the other one does. I still like his voice, I find the overtly 80s sound very fun, but there's just something missing. I can't say what it is. Fave songs: When Numbers Get Serious, Late Great Johnny Ace
I wonder if the fact that it's the 3rd album of his that we've listened to and I still don't remember his name says more about him or me Absolutely mid
I've heard endless praise for Graceland, and when I get to it I will probably agree. But as my first Paul Simon listen, I am not very into it. P.s. did you know cars are cars all over the world? Fuck me I would've never known.
Goofy enough to inspire me to start recording my own music...thank you, Mr. Simon.
Another pleasant Simon album, he is damn good at this.
Decent
Seems like Graceland’s cheesy 80s elements without the things that make Graceland cool.
2.5
It’s ok. But this is Paul Simon. High standard
suona bene
Knocking out these Paul Simon albums in quick succession here. One of the less memorable Simon albums to be honest. Just never really took off I felt. Solid writing with some playful tunes, per usual. The title track was one of the standouts. Also, 2x2 does NOT equal 22, nor does 4x4 equal 44. Might want to check your math there, Mr. Simon.
kósý, en ekki frábær
Kósý vinnuplata. Greinilega svona millibilsplata áður en hann breytit um kúrs og hendir sér í Graceland.
2.9 If you like Paul Simon, you'd probably like this. Im pretty indifferent.
this was a vibe. i hear graceland is his masterpiece tho?
A pretty good album, despite "Cars Are Cars". 3.5/5
Had a lot of silly tracks (cars are cars) overthinking, but I kinda dug it
This feels like a pleasant but unremarkable Saturday evening.
Production was great, but I won't remember a thing other than cars are cars and that's probably not the takeaway
Overall I enjoyed it, but pretty slow for me. I don’t think I’d listen to again but it’s a good album for a slow morning or baking or something!
nice
Lovely
Meh
7/10 Best songs: Allergies, Train in the Distance, Think Too Much (b), The Late Great Johnny Ace (Demo) This album honestly wasn't what I was expecting, but it was pretty good. There were some flashes of brilliance, namely in the occasional brilliant line or harmony, but they were hobbled by some questionable choices (Cars and Cars????). I think that the album never quite took off - it felt a little one-note, lacking any truly climactic songs, although Train in the Distance may be the best song I've heard while doing this project.
Creative but a bit too cerebral for its own good
great album
Very middle of the road, slightly sleep-inducing.
Real mixed-bag album. There were some great, classic Paul Simon, acoustic-driven tunes, and then there were attempts at 80's pop that fell extremely short of the mark. Standout Tracks: Hearts and Bones, Think Too Much (b), Train In The Distance
Real middle of the road experience
17/12/2025 It was okay, wasn't anything special. Spotify listeners: 7.3 million
Decent.
Ok
70
I've always like Paul Simon, but this was pretty meh.
Cars are cars. Deep!
It was okay
Not as amazing as Graceland, but certainly a fine album. Doesn’t have any of the hits as far as I’m concerned from his career personally, I would’ve liked to have heard what Garfunkel sounded like on these tracks originally.
Not his best but it’s Paul Simon so it’s still good. No real standout tracks but still a pretty solid effort!
Paul Simon is a great songwriter, although this album has more misses than hits for me. I think he shines in his other work, but if you're a fan I am sure there is plenty to like here. He has a great way with lyrics and meaning behind his music, minus Cars Are Cars, what the hell was that? Pretty basic entry, couldve been a spot for something else considering Simon is already on the list.
Can’t look past the Cars song.