Reviews (page 4 of 8)
lots of simple statements and sentences (cars ARE cars!) felt a bit like reading an essay or story from a middle schooler (after No Child Left Behind). not sure if there’s an overarching theme of this album, seems like he was just saying whatever, a lot of these songs could’ve been a brief conversation between friends. i think if i blind bought this album in 1983 i’d be a little pissed at wasting my money. with the way people talk about the music from the 80s, it’s refreshing to know that artists from that time could create shit from a butt like this. jarring realization that this is The Simon from Simon & Garfunkel, expected more from him on this but maybe the majority of good song writing came from Art. i feel a little annoyed with myself about how many opinions i have about this stinker, oh well. at worst, it was shit, at best it’s fine for even the most tolerable of people, i was glad when the album was over both times i listened to it, now i need to figure out how to remove this from my listening history so it doesn’t mess up my algorithm.
Fairly generic soft pop album with some solid standout moments. Nothing too noteworthy, but a few songs (particularly the title track) do rise above the rest and have a very sentimental quality that makes them more enjoyable on their own. Top tracks: Hearts amd Bones, Think Too Much (b), Cars Are Cars
No wonder he went to Africa for the next one. "Cars are Cars" might be one of the worst songs I have ever heard.
It was a very fun album, nothing really super crazy. It had enjoyable messages and a fun tone!
Favorite Track: Hearts and Bones
A more intimate collection of songs that demands a few spins to find its groove.
Sounds like the soundtrack to a Vietnam War movie.
Het is een wat vreemd album, het is haast extreem gezapig album en toch heeft het ook wel weer wat. Misschien net wat minder duidelijk dan bij Graceland meanderen en kabbelen we een beetje door Afrika. Met de hand aangeslagen trommeltjes, kampvuurgitaartjes en de heldere stem van ome Paul. Aan de oplettende luisteraar worden er denk ik mooie verhalen verteld. De 80's drukken nog niet teveel hun stempel. Van die lekkere easy listening luistermuziek waar je eigenlijk niet zo heel veel tegen kunt hebben zou je denken. Af en toe een uitstapje naar pop. Muzikant maakt mooie muziek; Je zou denken dat dat de minimale eis is hier in deze lijst maar regelmatig blijkt het toch teveel gevraagd. Misschien mag ik hier dus nog wel iets dankbaarder voor zijn. Gewoon een drietje. Prima.
Not really a dud. But not a masterpiece like Graceland. I just kinda wish his 80s efforts were so pop washed. The original demos and recordings after the album moved me so much more than the forward. But I guess you don't "you can call me al" without some treading water and making okay pop songs.
There are so many great Paul Simon albums, why is this one here? So bland.
This album has the feel and energy of a cat taking a nap, atop a pile of old magazines, in a cluttered, eclectic apartment.
kinda love this -- sent me into a paul simon phase for the past week. i think i prefer this to graceland
Would have been better with Garfunkel
This album was BORING GET A FUCKING JOB PAUL
This was a good listen. I didn't take too much away from it but not bad in the slightest. Paul's has a nice voice.
Albums like this are hard to rate. I enjoyed it. They're great songs. I appreciate the mastery. I FEEL like I should be giving it a four or five. But am I ever going to listen to this again? Unlikely.
As a certified Philistine, I have a hard time distinguishing between Paul Simon albums. He writes some pretty little ditties, but in the end they all sound like a Paul Simon minus Art Garfunkle song. This album is no exception. In fact, in the catslog of things we've listened to, it would be listed first under "Unexceptional." This is in no way an album I ever needed to hear, but in the hearing I did not sustain any lasting psychic injuries like some we've heard. And for that, 3 stars!
Initially I had a strong negative reaction to the production on this album and the first song, which sucks despite being very real for Paul Simon. I listened twice and liked it much more on the second listen. I’m not choosing to listen to this over Graceland or There Goes Rhymin’ Simon, but it was pretty interesting to see how some of the songs would transmute into songs from Graceland. You Can Call Me Al is a dumb, catchy song that bears resemblance to Cars Are Cars which is a very dumb song. Similarly, Hearts and Bones sure has things in common with Graceland, especially when he says “are traveling together.” The melody and phrase is really close to “my traveling companion is nine years old”. Train in the Distance has elements that sound like Under African Skies. Glad I heard it but not sure I will go back.
A Paul Simon album I've never heard of, with not one song I recognize by title. This should be interesting. From the timing I guess it's the one before Graceland. ... It wasn't that interesting. One or two songs that caught my attention, but I'm apparently one of those shallow Simon fans who needs more Kodachrome.
1/5 - From a lesser talent, this would be a 2, but Simon is too good to make such a lazy snooze of an album. “Cars are Cars” is one of the dumbest songs I’ve ever heard. “Hearts and Bones” was the only thing I needed to hear off this album. Disappointing.
Not a very memorable album and a little bit of a snoozefest.
Mountain Passes Slipping Into Stone 1001 Albums Generator 135 (10/08/2025) While I was listening to Paul Simon's Hearts And Bones, all I could think about was the greatness of songs like Sound of Silence and Homeward Bound. Even the somewhat silly I Am A Rock seems like genius compared to many of the boring and uninteresting compositions on display on Hearts And Bones. I'm starting this out so negative not because it's one of the worst albums on the list, but because I expect so much more from Paul Simon. Allergies is a really fun 80's pop/new wave tune and the title track is really beautiful. But after these two songs, there is unfortunately not too much to speak of. I do like Train in the Distance, which is a really cool, smooth piece of sophisti-pop, although it is cheesy. While most songs here are forgettable and just not great, Cars Are Cars is actively terrible and is one of my least favorite songs I've had on this challenge thus far. Hearts And Bones is a kind of weak 2/5 to be honest. Favs: Allergies Hearts And Bones Train in the Distance Least Fav: Cars Are Cars
I was pretty underwhelmed with this one perhaps because I was given Bridge Over Troubled Water earlier this week.
It's fine but definitely not Paul Simon's best.
Not for me. Bad 80s Paul Simon.
Apart from his time with Mr Garfunkel I’ve never really listened to Paul Simon beyond “You Can Call Me Al” (which you couldn’t avoid when it came out) and (possibly) the “Graceland” album. This album certainly doesn’t reach the heights of the Art & Garfunkel tracks, but is largely inoffensive. That said, what the hell is “Cars Are Cars”? What bright spark thought that was a good or interesting idea? That song almost made me drop the album to a 2. Maybe it still will, but generally the album is probably a more mediocre average 3. Halfway through my second listen as I write this but none of the songs have jumped out at me (or atleast in a good way - Cars Are Cars certainly jumped out, but more in a road crash sense).
Fantastic album - might even be a five after a few more listens. The Train in the Distance is a great song
This is one of those 1980s albums with so many musicians involved that it all sounds a bit homogenous, with annoying 80s production effects. Bland and uninspiring. Track 2 was a bit more conventional Simon territory, then it's back to 80s percussion. And so it goes.
This a fairly weak album for Paul Simon. 3 stars or C-.
Dropping the Garfunkel didn’t help this album!
Interesting
Huge disappointment. Too 80s sounding, no heart in the songwriting
Really close to a 4.
This is #day421 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… here's to one half of Simon & Garfunkel. Something that seemed like an inoffensive listen for the first song or two got boring really fast. "Cars Are Cars" is one of the dumbest songs out there. Is this record worth hearing before you die? I doubt it. This is a 2 out of 5. Looking forward to #day422.
Antes de empezar aclaracion para Tapestry, no sabia que Joni era contemporanea a Carole lol pense q Joni era de los 90s. Prosigo: Bueno, otro album que para mi no es un esencial, no siento que traiga nada muy innovador. Tiene canciones que estan bien dentro de lo chill que es el album. Igual, habian temas demasiado corny o algunos ya medio bizarros tipo que hacemos cantando sobre alergias??? Puede ser que haya alguna alegoría que me perdiera. Lo escuche en el bus a las 7 am y me dio mas sueño del que ya tenia. Favs: When Numbers Get Serious, Train in the Distance, Rene and Georgette etc etc
Simon y Garfunkel pero sin el Garfunkel. Se escuchan los ecos de esa época en el buen storytelling, pero, más allá de eso, no me parece su mejor trabajo en solitario (espero que hayan metido Graceland en la lista). Igualmente me gustó porque un señor taciturno cantando es todo lo que necesito, I mean, me llamo Damon Albarn por algo. Rene and Georgette Magritte with their dog after the war es un título loco para una canción Favs: Heart and bones, Song About the Moon, la del perro de Magritte
Letras bonitas, melodías suaves y una melancolía extraña que se instala durante la escucha. Al parecer este álbum es inmediato a la reunión fallida con Garfunkel así que imagino que eso influyó en la composición. Siento que Paul expresa una especie de sabiduría cansada, un ejercicio de introspección y contención de la euforia de otros proyectos que asoma en algunas canciones. La verdad que no soy ningún entendido de su discografía pero me gustaría escuchar más. Favs: Song About the Moon, Train in the Distance, The Late Great Johnny Ace
Un disco muy minimalista pero con mucho sentimiento detrás. Tanto, que iba a ser un disco con Garfunkel y a Simon le pareció tan personal que decidió que mejor que no. Garfunkel se cabreó y se aseguró de nunca más grabar con Simon. Escucha muy melancólica, con letras muy bonitas y, aunque algunas canciones te sacan un poco de onda, nunca es desagradable. Siempre hubo algo que me mantuvo al tanto. Excepto en Cars are Cars. A la playlist: Allergies, Hearts and Bones (no sabía que Paul Simon estuvo con Carrie Fisher), Song About the Moon, Rene and Georgette Magritte with their Dog After the War.
Rock, Pop, 1983 -> 3
easy listening, no strong feelings either way — tho largely unmemorable. however I never trust a man with two first names, sorry paul
Unfortunately this album, to me, at its best sounded like a mediocre soundtrack for a 90s Disney movie. (Phil Collins just rolled over in his grave.) At its worst, it was mind numbing and anemic. Nothing more than a very drab man’s diaristic thoughts that could’ve stayed relegated to the journal. The production? Unsurprising. The lyrics? Uninspired. His voice? Meek. The first song, Allergies, felt like it belonged in a Benadryl commercial. It seemed as though he had nothing he really wanted to say in any of these songs. In the track, Train in the Distance, near the end he sings, “What is the point of this story?” I wish he’d asked himself that before he set out to write. Seriously, Cars Are Cars? Need I say more? But I hear he did some great stuff with his band after this album. Sometimes, I suppose, you have to make terrible art to get at the good stuff.
When Numbers Get Serious had me scared for a bit. There were some bits where I thought horns were going to come in and I was going to have to listen to a Ska song. Not bad at all. Just not my cup of tea.
There’s something to be said about the fact that I thought this came out BEFORE two of Billy Joel’s major albums. There was some merit there in the fact I was under the impression this may have been influential to that. Unfortunately for Paul Simon, this is not the proto-Billy Joel inspo album. It’s fine, but largely uninspired and missing the kind of charm and songwriting that makes Simon & Garfunkel great. Thankfully, the next Paul Simon album swings heavy in the other direction - go listen to that instead.
Great perfect Paul Simon but I would rather noy be so depressed
#135/1001. Paul Simon marries the 80s and it ends up in a divorce three years later in Graceland. Claims for divorce were grounded on the infidelity with at least 35 musicians who came and went for the album sessions, and at least as many techical personnel people - the 8 second engineers all wanted equal share claiming they were the true 2nd engineer, and bousting their superiority over the 5 additional engineers. More evidence were given by Art Garfunkel, and the court was unanimous in the judgement: mostly good and some okayish songs covered with 80s overproduction and confetti should be outlawed and mr. Simon should perhaps look for inspiration in world music, perhaps South Africa or something.
Music so far in the background you'd need a magnifying glass to find it.
80s singer songwriter folk. Very soothing with a world music twist.
Kind of forgettable, some good songs on here though. Doesn't measure up to other Paul Simon albums. 5/10
knowing Garfunkel was there for the whole recording but Paul erased him off the album adds a whole new flavor
I'm just such a fan of Paul Simon that even a middling album from him still left me charmed and entertained for the entire listen. He writes a good and catchy song that it's hard to not find something to like. The only song that felt a bit too odd was Cars are Cars, but I'm wondering if I missed a deeper meaning to it somewhere. Still, as much as I like Paul Simon, I wonder if this is a slot that could go to a band or artist that doesn't have any representation on the list.
A bit underwhelming for what I'd hoped.
Solid, but not outstanding overall. Liked the Philip Glass feature though
A lovely little record from Simon that I wasn’t familiar with. It’s quirky, honest, and very re-listenable. Some experimentation that adds valuable flourishes without taking away from the songwriting. If this was the debut from Joe Shithead from Brooklyn, it’d be 4 stars. But need to grade compared to the rest of this list and his catalogue. An exciting discovery nonetheless.
I love vampire weekend! Just listen to Graceland and you'll be good
- 0 nummers toegevoegd aan MMMM - 0 nummers al toegevoegd aan MMMM
This was a very Paul Simon album not bad but not his greatest
The musical equivalent of a roundabout on the road from Simon & Garfunkel to Graceland
Paul Simon wer es mag der mags ich finde es bisschen zu monoton bisschen zu viel paul bisschen zu wenig gute Musik Rating: 2,7/5 Best Song: René and….
What the fuck? This is the worst lyricism from Paul Simon. Allergies? WHAT THE FUCK? Cars are cars? Absolutely not. Trash. This man has given us some beautiful music but this is absolute shit.
maybei think too mucch
Would've given 0.
I love solo Paul Simon, late to the game as I was. Graceland is one of yr best albums of all time. This... I think I'd like more on repeated listens but didn't hit that much first time. It's a bit all over the place.
Simon and Garfunkel made some of the greatest most magical music of all time and I find that Paul Simons solo stuff just doesn't have that heart to it. Even Graceland, the best of his stuff, can't touch the S&G output for me. I'd love to one day hear the version of this album they recorded together before art's vocals were binned - I heard that the arrangements were simpler and that would likely be more up my street. The demos on the end of this album were more intriguing for me than the album itself.
I’d give it 2.5 stars if I could. Some songs on here I really liked and I liked the whole general vibe of the album. People hating on the Cars song, but I actually kind of liked it. I did not like the Allergy one tho.
I’m a sucker for 80s eras for earlier artists.
Starts out like someone who has run out of things to sing about. I had heard "Think too much" before and it is far and away the stand out track. There were a couple of other decent offering included, but not the best from this musical genius. We expect such high standards from him, that when he doesn't hit them the temptation is to under score him. Compared to his other works it is a high 1. But compared to every thing else out there it was a reasonable listen and therefore worthy of a 3. This is getting to be a bit of a run of mediocre albums, come on let get a bit more extreme, try something really different.
So dull. Flacid music. Lyrical genius at work writing a songs about allergies and the mind-bending observation that ‘Cars are Cars’.
So far Paul Simon albums have been a nice surprise. Then this turned up. I read their was 'Overshadowed by Graceland'. There's a reason for that its not very good, a rare miss from a musical genius. No one can get it right every time. It was just plain dreary.
Can really understand now where Graceland and Rhythm of the Saints came from - 3.5
This almost sounds like an album of stuff that wasn't quite good enough to make it on to Graceland, except made before Graceland? 2.5*
The album that very nearly became a Simon & Garfunkel comeback record before Art Garfunkel cracked the shits with Paul Simon and left the project. Not that it bothered Simon much, as he was always the chief songwriter of the duo anyway. 'Hearts and Bones' is essentially about Simon's relationship with Carrie Fisher (they got married during production for the album), and serves as somewhat of a return to form for Simon, who's career had stalled somewhat heading into the 1980s. With this album, you can hear Simon starting to incorporate a strong worldly presence within the songs. This is very significant as it gave listeners a hint of what was to come a few years later on 'Graceland', his finest solo effort. But unlike 'Graceland', the lyrics on 'Hearts and Bones' are less adventurous and more centred around a select few themes: love, self-reflection and reaffirmation. Simon made the right call not to include Garfunkel on this record (although Garfunkel, by all accounts, disagreed), as its really hard to see any of these songs working as Simon and Garfunkel songs. Perhaps Simon had realised by this point in his career that Garfunkel was more hindrance than help. The songs work very well as a solo effort, and Simon has enough confidence here to take his own career in a new direction. It's no 'Graceland' to be sure, not even close, but 'Hearts and Bones' is the more subdued and bare-bones predecessor (distant cousin) to it, not unlike Bruce Springsteen's transition from 'Nebraska' to 'Born in the USA'. Best songs: Hearts and Bones, Train in the Distance, Allergies 3.5/5
I quite enjoyed this one. Bit lightweight perhaps, but the 80s production is fun, and I appreciated the lack of pretension and cultural shoplifting compared to Graceland.
Good
The album was good I enjoyed listening to it. The acoustic demo's were the best.
🗯 Despite most songs written about Princess Leia, the force isn’t really with this one. This was supposed to be the big reunion with Art Garfunkel — until Paul pulled the plug and claimed the songs were too personal. That was enough to piss Art off for good, and they never reunited again. The muse at the heart of it all? Carrie Fisher, Simon’s on-again, off-again partner, and the inspiration behind much of the record. Musically, it’s subtle to the point of being a little beige, but there are glimmers where it spikes: Allergies, When Numbers Get Serious, and Think Too Much (a) all add some bite (thanks to Nile Rodgers’ fingerprints on the latter). The rest drifts by in delicate shades of melancholy, almost too polite for its own good. It’s a fascinating record, though — a breakup diary set to restrained pop, forever caught between reconciliation and reinvention. And the best part? What came next. Graceland would arrive just a few years later, blowing the doors open and fixing all of Simon’s prior mistakes in one glorious stroke. Verdict: it’s fine the Hustle (minor Simon, but fascinating — and the misstep that set up a masterpiece) For fans of: Paul Simon’s craft, breakup diaries, Carrie Fisher lore
Man, I really get bored of Paul Simon's music Best Song: Hearts and Bones Rating: 5/10 Stars: 3/5
Far from the heights of Graceland. Unfortunately unremarkable.
Liked his self titled album much more
This one grew on me. What can i say though excited for Graceland
Fine I guess
I’m not sure. It’s decent and a bit boring I think. Did not do very much for me. Also, goofy (especially Cars Are Cars).
Not sure how many Paul Simon albums there are going to be on this list; there are albums I like better which haven’t shown up, those that have so far, with the exception of Graceland, are not required listening to my ears. That doesn’t mean that Hearts and Bones is a bad album. The songs are never less than listenable, some excellent. The title track foreshadows Graceland (both the song and the overall sound of that record). The production on some, not all, songs on the album, despite the quality of the players on them, displays too many ‘80s cliches, particularly on the more uptempo songs like opener “Allergies” - too much reverb, too much Greg Phillinganes. (That’s perhaps a little unfair but he did seem to appear on albums by the likes of Phil Collins and Eric Clapton from that decade, probably Tina Turner too.) The middle of the record is a little forgettable, both ‘Think Too Much (A)” and (B), or B and A as they are sequenced. “Train In the Distance” is a nice enough track but could lose the sax solo - another ‘80s trait. “Rene and Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After the War” is almost as surreal as its subject’s art with the painter and his wife pictured dancing naked, window shopping, and listening to ‘forbidden’ doo-wop groups of the ‘50s. Not sure what “Cars are Cars” is about, not one of Simon’s best lyrics, but “The Late Great Johnny Ace” is a great song in that introspective, slightly maudlin, way of much of the album. The mood captures the feeling of emptiness that the death of and idol can bring - in this case Johnny Ace, whose music the singer doesn’t know, and John Lennon, with whom he was obviously much more familiar - and the Philip Glass composed coda adds to that feeling.
It was decent, couple good songs.
I got nothing. 3/5
I enjoyed it a lot, great album.
No surprises here. It was Paul Simon and not at his best either. Pretty bland stuff
Not my thing at all. Boring. Sometimes nice enough, sometimes a bit annoying.
Yawn
Not bad. Paul’s voice is as good as ever on this record, but some of the songs are forgettable. “Cars Are Cars” is not forgettable. It’s one of the most lyrically tortured songs I have ever heard. A 5 year old could have written something more profound. Anyway, good guitar work and pleasant vocals make up for some of the lyrical shortcomings. It’s okay. I wouldn’t go out of my way to listen again, but I wouldn’t say it’s a record to avoid like the plague.
Listened to half the album then realized it was accidentally on shuffle. Listened to it in order again and managed to still enjoy the whole thing. Nice.
I really liked some songs. Others were kinda silly. I don't know Paul Simons work and I only know the hits of Simon & Garfunkel. It was a good listen. Probably wont listen again though. I am glad I did.
4/10
Like when you start singing gibberish in the shower, run out of stuff to rhyme and then change the entire beat to fit something else you've just seen.
A great album, this reminded me of John Lennons individual work. It's easy to tell when an artist has a natural talent for music and Paul Simon is one of those individuals
I had heard this album sucked, and that's why Paul was inspired to make the magnificent 'Graceland.' However, I was pleasantly surprised by this album (I would've been quite interested to hear things with Art Garfunkel). I'm not sure this album is better than 'There Goes Rhymin' Simon' or 'Still Crazy After All These Years' but Paul makes good stuff and I should apparently listen to more. Top tracks: "Hearts and Bones," "Think Too Much (a)," "Cars Are Cars"
huh. Not a lot to say about this. I put this on in the background and it stayed there for the duration, save one song with a dumb title ("Rene and Georgette"). Didn't do anything for me. And I like Paul Simon! There are so many better songs and albums for me, tho. 2.
--Allergies...you throwing a robotic voice at me, Paul?! A funky groove. Cool guitar solo. --Hearts and Bones...beautiful --When Numbers Get Serious...a little weird but fun --Think Too Much (b)...another beautiful song. I like that marimba (that's a marimba, right?) --Song About the Moon...It's nice, maybe a little cloying --Think Too Much (a)...Paul drops the funk again. It's good --Train in the Distance...I do love the sound of a train in the distance! --Renee and Georgette Magritte...another nice track --Cars are Cars...wtf is this? --The Late Great Johnny Ace...interesting and ambitious closer. I think I like it
He sucks.
This was ok. There is so much of his solo work and S&G I like so much better that this kind of sounded a little generic. Nothing really stood out, although “Cars are Cars” was kind of catchy. Rounding up since when Garfunkel bailed on some of this material he powered through on his own. Could it have been better with both? We will never know…. 2.5/5
This seemed like an album that bridged his signature softer 70s sound with what would eventually become Graceland. At times Simon’s music can be simple and literal, and at other times pretty complex and challenging. He writes some of the most beautiful melodies too. This album has all those moments, along with one of the dumbest songs ever written in Cars are Cars. At times the production is way cheesy with 80s techniques, but it’s still a fine listen.
Would you describe Simon’s song writing as playful? At times this is endearing and he writes beautiful songs paint a beautiful picture in your mind. Other times I find it a little too childish (I’m looking at you Cars are Cars). No denying the musicianship on this is stellar. The guitar work on Allergies was surprising and I was like “god damn that boy can wail!” Also read this was supposed to be a reunion album. But there were creative differences so Simon cut Garfunkel’s vocals. Suck it Art!
Something about Paul Simon's music comes off corny AF. I still thought this was fine, but def corny. 2.75/5
У него отличный голос. И музыка приятная в целом. Но чтоб прямо схватило - нет. Лучшая песня - Hearts And Bones.
Not for me. 1/5
Pre-listening thoughts: listen I know Paul Simon is supposedly an ass irl but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy the hell out of Graceland. So excited for this one. Post/during listening thoughts: this was very good. There’s something cheesy I can’t quite pinpoint about Paul Simon’s production that his singing voice and lyrics directly contradict, but it’s like eating apples and cheese together where you think it’s gonna be gross but it’s actually pretty yummy. Anyways I think this was a fun album with some great moments and while not quite as high of highs as Graceland, it was good all the way through. 8/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah Fav tracks: When Numbers Get Serious, Song About the Moon, Think Too Much (a) Least fav tracks: Cars are Cars (what was this??)
This was a really good album, I'm not very familiar with paul Simon so I enjoyed hearing some of his other work.
Can’t think of anywhere I would rather not be than a Paul Simon concert
ugly album cover, shitty album. "cars are cars, all over the world! cars are cars, all over the world. :)" SHUT THE FUCK UP Fav song: Hearts and Bones
Very slick. Very 80s. It's not bad, but I much prefer Graceland or his debut solo album. 3/5 #167
Pop music that reminds me of background music in an 80s movie. Nice voice and acoustics but some odd songs/lyrics. Not bad, but nothing incredible.
I don't get why people are saying the lyricism is the biggest plus. Like I enjoy Paul's lyricism, and I enjoy surreal, but the surreal imagery Paul cooks up here just feels forced; half the time I wonder if he's truly talking about something or pulling words out of his ass.
Paul Simon has made really good albums, Graceland I give a 5 and some of his older work is less my thing (too well-behaved) but still proper good songwriting. Why this specific album made it to the 1001 list is a mystery to me though. This so lame... Pauls' voice is very featureless (probably a pure sine wave) so it helps if the music gives a bit of oopmh. Unfortunately, everything about this album is lame and boring, vocals, instruments (the famous 80's organ) and lyrics. No standout songs, a few bad ones (Allergies, Cars) and it's generally just so pathologically inoffensive. 2* because I keep my 1* for crimes against humanity which this isn't.
I know some Paul Simon, not this album though. Let's GO! Track 1-Very 80's. Track 2 sounds like what I think of Paul Simon in my head. Beautiful. Just okay overall. The highs are pretty high but it's mostly middling in my opinion.
3.5
Great example of a marginal album by a great artist that doesn’t need to be on here
Good stuff, but this just isnt on the level of Graceland. Low 4
Sounds like outtakes from One Trick Pony. Not essential.
Generic 80's music is not Paul Simon's strength, although his talent does manage to shine through. I think Garfunkel would have elevated some of these. "The Late Great Johnny Ace" would have been unbelievable with him on it. During "Cars Are Cars", you can pinpoint the exact moment where Paul Simon ran out of ideas for this album.
Pretty good Paul Simon but I can't imagine that it is many people's favorite album of his. It's pretty standard fare for early 80's Paul. Some nice music and vocals but nothing that really blew me away. Nothing catchy that I found myself singing along or nodding my head to. I prefer his earlier work and the Graceland album that came out a few years after this one.
Ok
Boring boring boring
Pretty lame
6/10
good pre Graceland Album #albumsky #musicsky
Inte hans bästa, men bra.
I didn’t care for it but I listened to it again and liked it more. There is a song about Carrie Fisher.
Paul Simon isn't really my thing
Hmmm - weird songs like allergies....
Better than Graceland I guess.
Some interesting stuff here, which would probably sound even better with familiarity.
He has a nice voice and the album has a calm vibe to it, but the songs aren't anything special
Paul Simon is one of my all-time favorite recording artists and I was happy to see an album of his that I wasn’t familiar with (other than the songs that are on Negotiations and Love Songs) come up. But I found this album to be a very mixed bag. The title track is okay and “Train in the Distance” and "René and Georgette Magritte with Their Dog after the War" are both good songs, I might even describe the latter as a great song. But those are the three songs I already knew. The rest of the album veers between mediocre and downright embarrassing. Although it was nice to see that the album art continues Paul Simon’s almost unbroken streak of terrible album covers. Paul Simon is great but this album is completely skippable.
Not great
Certainly no Graceland!
some good songs in there, pleasant listening but not super striking, like the john lennon memorial
I like some of the actual music on this. Not the lyrics; not the singing. Allergies, song about the moon, and cars and cars are embarrassingly awful. The best song was The Late Great Johnny Ace. The rest were forgettable.
Solid album, the songs are brilliantly written.
# 545 : Hearts And Bones by Paul Simon: Hearts and Bones – Paul Simon’s Midlife Musical Meander Paul Simon is a legend. Hearts and Bones is… not. It’s the sound of a brilliant songwriter taking a leisurely stroll through the middle of the road, occasionally stopping to muse about odd topics like love, memory, and thinking too much—literally. There’s nothing offensively bad here, but also nothing that grabs you by the ears and demands attention. It’s like watching a master chef make toast. Sure, it’s technically fine, but you know he’s capable of so much more. The melodies are pleasant, the lyrics are quirky, and the whole thing feels like a polite shrug. This album won’t ruin your day, but it won’t make it either. It’s the kind of record that makes you question whether the “1,001 albums you must hear before you die” list might’ve been padded a bit. Verdict: A soft pass. Respect the artist, skip the album. If you have to listen to this album, watch out for: Think Too Much (a) Listened: 13/08/2025
Porch swing music Paul Simon is not very good at math this album feel like a warm embrace
80s simoncore Giving lion king Phil Collins Tropical undertones Paul used all his throwaway lyrics for this album Not enough cocaine Think too much A Not sure why this album is on this list Goofy ahh 80s album Trying too hard to be poetic and grand Johnny Ace Where's Garfunkel?
I enjoyed listening to this album, but it wasn't any sort of giant revelation.
I don't really get why this album is on the list. Seems pretty mediocre. Rather bland/boring compositions under typical Simon lyrical and vocal efforts without much new or interesting to engage you. It's pleasant enough, but nothing special. It doesn't stand out at all to me. The only song that really made an impact was Cars Are Cars, but that was for negative reasons (it was pretty bad). Simon has some decent stuff, but I didn't find much of it on this album. I wouldn't say the album was awful, I just found the whole thing to be forgettable. It's no better than fine. Overall: 2.1/5
At times beautiful at times confusing. I guess that’s Paul Simon. I’d be mad that this album contributed to he and Garfunkel never playing together again but I was born in 99 so that actually didn’t impact me all four stars
A nice and fun little palette cleanser after the atrocity that was Electric by The Cult
It's fine.
Pretty good album, an interesting mix, I quite like Paul Simon's vocals on all of them, although some of the songs are a little bit duller than I would have liked. Overall a good listen though.
As a kid, I really liked Call ame Al which came out a few years after this, but that was my first introduction to a Simon. I would describe this as uneven,, sometimes great and terrible moments live next to each other on the same song. Liked both versions of Think Too Much and Cars are Cars stuck in my head even if it was dumb. If you wanted to listen to a folky middle-aged singer songwriter in 1983, I'm not sure why you'd turn to this when Dylan has come out with Infidels. That's not perfect either but it's far less infuriating than Hearts and Bones.
Not an album I was familiar with but a catchy gem.
Strikes as a transition album from There Goes Rhymin' Simon / Still Crazy After All These Years to Graceland.
Ok yeah, the Car song is dorky as shit but the verses at least have a good message. It’s just got a very 80s chorus. The rest of the album is good solid Paul Simon.
Surprisingly mellow and nice.
"Hearts and Bones" and "Rene & Georgette Magritte" are old favorites. "The Late Great Johnny Ace" may be becoming a favorite--and cool to hear Marin Alsop on the recording after I just saw her conduct the CSO last month. The rest were OK. Cars are cars, man.
I don't think I want to say much about this album. The dominant feeling when listening to it was boredom. It was almost annoying. 2/5
I love Paul Simon but it started off with Allergies.... WHY is this a song. It's bad. The songs Hearts and Bones, Think Too Much, and Song about the Moon were perfectly fine. Cars and Cars bumps this down to a 2.
I grew up listening to Paul Simon; he never disappoints. Never will.
Ah Paul never fails. Not his best album but nevertheless a fine listen
He really mailed this one in. There was a time when he made really great music. Sadly, it's passed.
Simon without the Garfunkel.
Eu detesto a produção, mas tem umas jóias no meio
3.5/5
I knew from the Simon and Garfunkel that I’ve heard, and also from listening to Graceland, that I would probably enjoy this album. I couldn’t have expected just how lovely this is though. It seems like everybody knows Graceland as Paul Simon’s best record, but I’d consider this to be on par. His guitar playing sounds so effortless, but I can assure you that it’s definitely not easy. And his voice is exceptionally soft and calming. There is nothing here that I dislike.
This is an extremely dull album, that veers between annoying songs ("Allergies", "Cars are Cars") and others that are simply instantly forgettable. I guess Paul Simon's voice gets a star, so two stars seems fair.
He can write some catchy pop songs, but kind of boring. And the other reviewers are right about how stupid the lyrics can be. Cars are Cars is simply the dumbest.
Perhaps not his best, but the man is a genius.
Big fan of Paul Simon and this has a little early 80's vibe to it.
As much as I respect Paul Simon as a songwriter, I felt this album was too mellow and corny for me. Some of the experimental sounds sprinkled seemed a little forced and none of the tracks stood out to me. From a lyrical aspect, there's more to appreciate (aside from Cars are Cars), but the music didn't hook me in enough.
First listen, although if someone said that I had heard it 10 times before, I wouldn’t be surprised. There is nothing really bad about this album, it’s just instantly forgettable and some of the lyrics sound forced. Johnny Ace is probably the pick of the bunch. I don’t know why this is in the book. I could have died without hearing this. As it is, I will probably forget I have heard this before I die.
Too boring for me, a bit hokey. Not my style
Uhhh… sorry. Happy for you tho, Paul.
i forgor what this album sounded like 2 minutes after i finished listening which isn’t a good sign
All the songs sound the same but it's nice background music.
Got this randomly from a record store mystery CD grab bag. I enjoyed it. Still do.
Very '80s Paul Simon - what else can I say?
Divertido aunque olvidable. Las letras son más que interesantes? Mhh? Nota: 2.7
Me gusto ! Del 1al 10 es un 7 para mi ,para iniciar el dia esta bueno
I was expecting pretty meh but ended up getting into most of the songs by the end. It does seem a step down from his best but in isolation I think it’s a solid album. He used some different effects I’ve never heard him use in his songs which was fun. It did seem like a dick move to cut out Garfunkel though Rating: 3.9
Paul Simon is one of those artists who probably never released a single bad song. Need I say more? 5 stars.
Ce n'est pas mon préféré de Paul Simon mais ça reste du Paul Simon.
Enfin du Paul Simon! J'attendais ça (ou du Dylan). J'avais écouté 2 ou 3x cet album je connaissais plus Graceland et Still Crazy. Mais vraiment une belle (re)découverte. Les Think too much et Hearts And Bones groovent vraiment. Les 80's auront eu ça de bon! Je trouve souvent que les 80s souffrent de la comparaison avec les 70s. Cars are cars et Allergies ont un thème funny mais sont un peu moins intéressantes niveau musical.
Si je donne pas 5 étoiles, Félix. Blague à part je comprends pourquoi il l’aime autant! Clairement un master de la melodie, capable d’écrire des chansons d’amour et des balades comme des chansons loufoques. Commencer une album en parlant d’allergies, c’est 5 étoiles automatiques. Très agréable d’écoute et donne envie d’écouter plus de Paul, un signe de succès
I don't have much context on this album but I don't think it should be on this list.
Cars Are Cars is the sleeper hit. Most everything else is just meh
What is special about this? I think my love of Paul Simon begins and ends with Graceland, Rhythm of the Saints, and the stuff he did with his stoner buddy. Great lyrics here, but that's expected with Paul Simon. This shit is boring and too much 80's soundtrack cheese. 3
It’s a fine album by Paul Simon. He has so many other better choices than this middle of the road release.
Mixed bag. Some great - especially the title track. Some lost in the era, with chord and time changes. Some doesn't work at all. His backlist is an exercise in how variable his output was. 3.5 *
Meh. Started good, fell off quick
Ok. My PS exposure has mostly been Graceland and S&G. This was what I expected it to be. 3/5
thought this was really good
Who would've thought that Garfunkel was the dynamic one.
I would consider this the beginning of sharp decline in quality of Paul Simon albums.
Not his best
Oh boy. I think this is on the list to prove that even storied artists can crap out a clunker. The man had literally no ideas - he sings about his allergies, he sings about how cars are cars wherever you go, and he sings about how easy it is to write a song, just gaslighting us with his complete lack of effort. The music sounds ok but the song ideas and lyrics are so bad that they doom the whole project.
Not his best work.
Literally the most boring shit ever
aw that was really lovely. easy to listen to without being “easy listening”…i can see myself crying to ‘train in the distance’ at some point (compliment). but idk if you need to listen to this before you die. fav tracks: train in the distance
i actually really enjoyed that. (i say "actually" like it's a surprise I’d like a paul simon album as if i haven't been in paul simon lockdown mode for the last two weeks.) there were a lot of beautiful songs on here that had his signature poignant lyrics and guitar playing while having a little flair of other cultural/genre influences to make it feel new (Allergies, Think Too Much, Hearts and Bones), or at least had one or the other. But there were also two songs are frankly quite stupid and seem to have neither of those redeemable qualities, and it interrupted the flow and tone that the other songs had established (When Numbers Get Serious, Cars Are Cars). I honestly think if it weren't for those two songs then this album would be almost perfect. Also when he said "New Mexico" in "Hearts and Bones" it made me realize he has a very specific pronunciation of "Mexico" (also see: Only Living Boy In New York). anyway that's not that relevant I just like the paul simon dialect that seems to exist across his discography. Fav tracks: Allergies, Think Too Much (a), Train in the Distance, Rene and Georgette Magritte with Their Dog After the War
Disappointing and rather boring really, I expected more. It feels like a bunch of pop songs the local British Legion pub would have the one man band play in the background while everyone is getting pissed up. The acoustic tracks are much better, but they can't save it a this point.
Pleasant, professional but forgettable.
Not a bad Simon album but like both of their solo stuff it just doesn't feel the same without their "other half". Not a fan of the lyrics either, some songs feel thought provoking and serious while others feel completely brain dead and satirical. Not bad Not great
Although I normally do not enjoy this kind of music, I found myself liking the sounds and instrumentals of each song. Each song had an individual sound that was different to the last and didn't get boring like this type of music usually does.
There's probably about 6 or 7 Paul Simon albums I'd think about including on this list before this one. It's a fun listen but not really an essential one. There are some fun upbeat songs I really enjoy here, such as Cars are Cars. However, there are a few too many acoustic songs on here that just feel unfinished to me. This entire album has that feel of not living up to its full potential, and the backstory behind this one explains how so.
Significantly better than the whiny American folk rock (a mostly crap genre to be fair) he pushed earlier in his career. The bombastic eighties instrumentals and production actually fit his voice quite well, and the songwriting is inventive and unpredictable, even if it does drag at times (predictably during the folky sections). 3.0/5.0: Good
i hated this album the first time through and came in prepared to absolutely trash it. i put it on again this morning to remind myself what things i wanted to mention in my review and while skipping through i was surprised the amount of variation on the album. generally speaking i think the songs are still pretty terrible but some of the instrumentation is actually really good.
ehh, it is not *MY* cuppa tea. I am certainly not listening to this again
ah yes, the songwriting genius that is Paul Simon brings us classics such as.. "Cars are cars, all over the world You can drive 'em on the left, drive 'em on the right Susceptible to theft in the middle of the night" maybe if there were 10,001 albums on this list, I'd consider including it.
Def not his debut but still good
Paul Simon has been given a gift of making everything he creates sound so effortless. It's crazy how I think this is one of his weaker efforts that we've heard on this list so far (fourth or fifth album of his/S&G by now?), and I still got SO much out of many moments throughout the 55 minutes of runtime here. The title track is so placid and serene which is CRAZY considering it's clearly about his failed relationship with Carrie Fisher and also possibly about the fallout with Art Garfunkel? That'll be a big theme on this whole album. Those little tropical mallet hits at 4:10? Such a beautiful touch. Not too be too much of a downer, songs like "When Numbers Get Serious" or "Cars Are Cars" are moments of reprieve, covering still-serious matters of the heart, just with some fun jingles and one-liners. "Renee and Georgette Magritte with Their Dog After the War" is so touching, so vivid, and just so sweet. It gets at the heart of love going beyond time and location, how it endures through the hard times to find beautiful moments like them finding the cabinet with all their personally significant trinkets and moments. "The Late Great Johnny Ace" is an endearing tribute to both Johnny Ace and John Lennon. Simon weaves these impactful moments together and sticks the landing with the decision to end the song with an "Eleanor Rigby" style string section. The only thing this album has wowrking against it is that I'm not sure how the track sequencing feels to my ears. All the acoustic versions are fine, but some of the 'full' song versions are already sonically mellow and dont differentiate themselves a ton from alternate versions. I also think this project meanders a bit for moments. I was gonna give this album a strong 3/5 but damnit I just can't go that low. Paul Simon is an incredible singer/songwriter who once again masters the art of injecting his personality into these songs while also telling colorful stories. There are songs about partnerships completely falling apart on here, songs about one's brain not being able to shutup - and he makes all of these sound so easy on the ears, sometimes fun even! It is perhaps my biggest positive discovery to find how much I like everything I've heard from him thus far. 4/5
The titular song is decent. Smooth and calming. Nothing really eye-opening I'd say. 2,5/5
Nja
Solid Paul Simon.
This is just okay by Paul Simon standards. I would argue that Simon is over-represented on this list. And of all the albums I’ve listened to so far, this is the first of his I would cut.
Ooh... sexy! I've lowk never heard of this album OR Paul Simon. But this is delicious so far. This is music I'd listen to in Hawaii. It's a little bit Jack Johnson. It's very '80s which I guess is appropriate. Quick little multiplication lesson in When Numbers Get Serious. Very pretty and easy listening.
Nothing super special. I loved the songs Think too much, relatable af.
Songs about allergies, cars, and the moon. I feel like he just gave up on lyricism here. 2/5
6.5/10 This was musically nice, very eclectic, good vibes. But the songwriting was up and down, some of it very goofy. Enjoyed the Nile Rodgers stuff, and how sone of those tracks are clearly key influences for Vampire Weekend. Best: Think Too Much (A)
no fucking way this man thought opening up an album with “allergies” was a good idea. making that song wasn’t a good idea. my life is worse for knowing this exists
it's a fine album...
Es ist nichts hängen geblieben.
I like when this project introduces me to an album I hadn't heard of before. That's the case with this one and it was perfectly ok.
I don't know.. It did not fascinate me.
I liked this more than I expected, I'm pleasently surprised that Paul Simon managed to write something that sounded more modern and had more introspection than a lot of the stuff he made with Garfunkel. That said it's still not really my style but it's alright Standouts Allergies Think Too Much (a) 3/5
Enjoyable. 3.5 stars
3 meh borderline 2.5
Hearts and bones is great, the rest is average at best
I love Paul Simon, but I'd be lying if I said this album wasn't a little boring.
Nice music to calm down (from vacations :) I like the calm atmosphere, no showing off, pleasant melodies with nice acoustic parts.
2.8 "Cars are cars" really doing its best to drag the rating of this album to the ground.
(mostly) pretty good! a lil boring at times tho
Thought it was a pretty bland album until paul thoughtfully declared "cars are cars" like damn Socrates, save some pussy for the rest of us. Jk this album sucked
It’s an okay album. Has all the sound and feel of his other albums, just lacks some definitive songs. 3/5 Might listen again
Pretty good, nothing too special but held my attention.
It's unoffensive background music for me
“Paul Simon rambles over soothing pop instrumentals” the album. Sometimes it works, sometimes it really doesn’t.
Favoriten Hearts and bones The Late great jonny ace
Paul Simon a le génie des paroles... quoique la pièce Allergies m'ait fait douter cette fois, au départ. Cet album m'a semblé suffisamment proche de Graceland sur le plan musical pour que je me demande pourquoi on devait écouter les deux dans le palmarès.
There's nothing particularly offensive about Paul Simon's work. It rides the line from mellow to kind of dorky to just really soft, adult contemporary. The lyrics can vary from weird to less weird to sappy to okay. Overall, I feel like it's the same general vibe throughout all his solo work, and it really just depends on the day, the mood and the particular song whether I hear it out or skip on to something else.
It’s no Graceland, but I like Paul Simon’s sound.
Simon just screams Dad rock and I can’t take it. He’s fine but I can’t get into him. If you just fusion everything together what are you left with? 5.2/10
Another great Paul Simon album. By this point I know what to expect - quirky little distractions all gentle and mild with subtle influences from far and wide. Never an obvious choice made. This one loses a star for the heavy reliance on very cheap, dated synthesised sounds, but it’s still charming as heck. He’s a total one off.
This is harmless but weak for a songwriter of his caliber
Enjoyed this more expected! Musically more often than lyrically - one or two big duds didn’t mean this was terrible on the whole
This is music’s answer to Look Who’s Talking Too John thought two of the songs were actually adds on Spotify.
Paul Simon phoning it in
That guitar solo on Allergies was a trip! This album was great, Paul Simon is great.
Hey its not Garfunkel. I don't know any of either of these guys stuff outside of when they worked together but I got to know some of paul Simon today. I had a good time. Saved a few songs. But I fell off in the second half and didn't care too much for its later parts. Just good pop acoustic and songwriter type stuff. Worth a listen
3.5/5
a v funny first encounter on this list with simon and/or garfunkel. even my copy of the book seems confused as to why its here, with its closing statement not being a reflection on the album but instead being like "it didnt do very well but then he made graceland so it was okay" FHJJKFHSJKSFHSF. in any case this is nice! simon's a predictably sturdy songwriter, but the main distinguishing factor is surely the very chintzy and sometimes eccentric production...it being the "best fit" is probably well-contested but i have a soft spot for this kinda thing. still, i feel like i lack the tools to fully interface w/ this atm...i need to refresh myself on his more traditional material first!
Will always give Paul Simon 5 stars. A poet and a wordsmith. A gentle soul.
Excellent overall despite the stupid fucking cars song. Bumped it up to a 4 after recovering from the PTSD brought on by the stupid fucking cars song.
Not as good as Graceland
An interesting foray for Simon and is heavily influenced by the time period in which the album was released. Not my jam.
Paul Simon is fine. Graceland is beautiful and great. This one was silly and I’ll never listen again.
This is a solid album. Def not the best Paul Simon album, but this was good. There were some silly lyrics here and at times lazy (I'm looking at YOU "Cars Are Cars.") Also I feel like "oohs" and "aahs" sometimes get used as filler. "Allergies" SLAPS. It was a fun listen. Most likely an actual 3.5. The guitar solos here were surprisingly GOOD. Liked Songs: "Allergies" , "When Numbers Get Serious" , "Song About the Moon" , "Train in the Distance" (both the regular AND acoustic demo), " The Late Great Johnny Ace"
liked songs: Allergies, the end bit of Train in the Distance Some of these songs are decent, and others are... I don't know, corny? Paul Simon is really hit or miss for me. Mostly miss. I hate Cars are Cars. 2
Chill jó hangzású fun lemez
Couldn't wait for it to be over, yet it felt like it never got going.
Sound listen.
2 sterne
Solid
Pode me dar um tiro, se quiser, mas eu prefiro esse disco ao Graceland. O segundo lado dele é brilhante. A voz do Simon flutua deliciosamente sobre os instrumentais suaves. Muito agradável de ouvir, easy listening total. Gostoso e amigável. A ultima faixa é especialmente linda, um tributo maravilhoso. 4/5
Overly mellow to the point of being boring. There are also a couple weird songs in the bunch, like Cars Are Cars.
it's nothing special. cars are cars is surprisingly dumb but even more surprisingly catchy
Enjoyable narrative songs. At work.
Bad day good music
This was fine. Inoffensive, but not really attention-holding. Pleasant-sounding but not particularly interesting. There was good variety on the album and it's a little long but not obscenely so
Allergies and 'cats are cars' were pretty amusing. The album is really quiet and subtle. I enjoyed it despite struggling to hear it all (while working). For some reason while listening to this album I kept picturing Patrick Bateman trying to tell me why it was a good listen.
Poetic. Heartfelt. Experimental. Some great lines and some filler. I understand what he was going for but not worth killing the collab with mr Garfunkel
- Allergies feels like a spoken word performance given by a local high school theater improv troupe. - Hearts and Bones is hearts and boring - "Two times two is twenty-two, four times four is forty-four" in When Numbers Get Serious ??? - Train in the Distance please end my misery - CARS ARE CARS i'm fr gonna KMS what the hell This album is ass, can i give it less than a 1 star
Maybe he needs Garfunkel after all. Maybe the lyrics make up for it but the sound is quite bland and often annoying. Allergies and Cars are Cars are absolute earsores. But hearts and bones and Rene and Georgette are quite good but really the only good ones. Overall weak album for me. 3/10
This is not an album I’d have on repeat, but there are some good songs that I enjoyed. Good mixture of funky tunes and good singing by Paul Simon. My favorite was think too much(b). 8/10
There are moments and songs on this album I would love to give 5 stars. The title track is one of those, and being the second song it set my expectations incredibly high. Ultimately those moments are too sporadic and the album as a whole can have too much going on musically at times. That’s not to say there aren’t many great moments though. All the stripped back acoustic versions are less adventurous but the guitar playing, Paul Simon’s writing, and vocal ability are enough to carry them.
Can't bear another Paul Simon album sorry
Maybe if you have heard one Paul Simon album you have heard them all. The only thing that really stood out was the line about finding out about the death of John Lennon - just got me thinking really.
Never really thought it about before, but I guess cars are cars. Thanks for the info Paul. Profound.
Farts and stones
It was alright. We expected to perhaps recognise some of the songs on here but didn't. None of them really stood out either.
Bit of a flaccid effort. Think Too Much, indeed. Unusually, the bit I enjoyed the most was probably the extra, unreleased, acoustic demo tracks, tacked onto the end of the edition I listened to. Warmer and more direct.
Hyggeligt, lidt god akustisk guitar, god sangskrivning
I think we have the measure of Paul Simon now. I've heard enough of his wry observations on life and particular brand of jaunty 80s pop that it's becoming a bit uncanny valley. It's just a bit too overproduced, the drums are too echoey, sounds a bit AI. I think assessing this album on its merits, it's alright. If you're throwing a middle class barbecue for the 50s-60s crowd I think it would get a lot of appreciative nods. It would be best if I don't hear him for a while though as I think I could grow to hate him. 2.5.
Other than Rene and Georgette Magritte with Their Dog after the War, the rest were fairly new to me. It is still twee - the song Allergies hits the metaphors a little too hard - but he can just about get away with it, the cheeky little scamp. I definitely preferred Graceland, and absolutely any of his work with Art Garfunkel. His songwriting comes across as a little empty and stretching, but the music is good.
I quite enjoyed this. It's very safe and very nice though, which I guess is no suprise from Paul Simon. Didn't know any of the tracks here but it was recognisably him. In all honesty I probably won't be back but I did enjoy this. Gotta be a 3
Paul simon is completely unique in his ability to write compelling and brilliant lyrics and couple them with truly unique and interesting music. I'm biased as I already think paul simon is the goat songwriter
I am a huge fan of Paul Simon and think he has a place as one of the greats of modern music. So I was initially surprised and excited to listen to an album of his I didn't already know. Excitement turned to disappointment and some confusion. There were flashes of songwriting brilliance but it was difficult to find behind the strong 80's sound which I have a hard time getting behind. There are 4+ other Paul Simon albums I would rank higher than this (maybe they are on here too?) but unfortunately this one failed to deliver.
Overall, I didn’t hate it, but I’m probably not going to give it another listen. Some decent singer-songwriter music that leans just a bit too far into cheesy 80s vibes for me. And then there’s Cars are Cars; I’ve never heard a song that simultaneously makes me doubt someone songwriting and mechanic abilities.
Quaint
It was fine
Solid, but not great. This album is very easy to listen to but has no songs that would compel me to listen to it over much of his other work, with the possible exception of the title track.
Probably my least favorite Paul Simon album
Pre-Graceland. Liked the song about John Lennon. Would be a 2.5 but have to give a 3.
Simon and Garfunkel is one of my favorite groups, this wasn't quite at that level, but I enjoyed it
I think the record overall is fine. It's no Graceland, but it is a stronger album than One Trick Pony. Standouts for me are the title track, "René and Georgette Magritte with Their Dog after the War", and "The Late Great Johnny Ace".
It’s Paul Simon so of course it’s half-decent, but this isn’t even an essential album in his own discography, let alone in all of recorded music history. 2.5 / 3
## In-Depth Review of Paul Simon’s *Hearts and Bones* **Hearts and Bones** (1983) stands as one of Paul Simon’s most personal, intricate, and, paradoxically, underappreciated works. Although a commercial disappointment upon release, the album has since been recognized for its lyrical depth, musical innovation, and emotional honesty, marking a pivotal moment in Simon’s career. This review will examine the album’s lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, followed by a balanced assessment of its strengths and weaknesses. --- ## Lyrics **Autobiographical Precision and Poetic Innovation** The lyrics on *Hearts and Bones* are among the most introspective and sophisticated of Simon’s career. The title track, inspired by Simon’s tumultuous relationship with Carrie Fisher, is a masterclass in autobiographical songwriting. Simon’s approach was to begin with a factual statement-“One and one-half wandering Jews”-as a way to avoid cliché and ground the song in reality[1]. This line, both humorous and poignant, sets the stage for a nuanced exploration of love’s fragility and endurance. Throughout the album, Simon experiments with blending conversational, vernacular language with enriched, poetic imagery. He repeats lines that aren’t the title, a device he would later refine on *Graceland*[1]. For example, in “Hearts and Bones,” the recurring phrase “the arc of a love affair” encapsulates the song’s essence, while lines like “decades gliding by like Indians” emerge as spontaneous, evocative images[1]. Other tracks, such as “Train in the Distance,” reflect on romantic discord and the illusions that sustain relationships, while “The Late Great Johnny Ace” meditates on loss, referencing both the murder of John Lennon and the mythology of pop music[4]. The lyrics throughout are narrative yet poetic, weaving together disparate images that touch on love, loss, and the human experience[3]. **Emotional Honesty and Universality** Simon’s lyrics on this album are deeply personal but resonate universally. Songs like “Hearts and Bones” and “Train in the Distance” explore the dissolution of relationships, nostalgia, and the passage of time, inviting listeners to reflect on their own experiences[5]. Even the lighter moments, such as the two versions of “Think Too Much,” reveal Simon’s self-awareness and humor in confronting his own tendencies[2]. --- ## Music **Stylistic Diversity and Musical Craftsmanship** Musically, *Hearts and Bones* showcases Simon’s versatility. The album moves between genres, incorporating elements of jazz fusion, doo-wop, rock & roll, and contemporary pop[4]. Simon’s own acoustic guitar work is exquisite, and the musicianship throughout is impeccable, featuring contributions from luminaries such as Jeff Porcaro, Richard Tee, Eric Gale, Steve Gadd, Al Di Meola, and Airto Moreira[2]. The title track is particularly notable for its use of shifting time signatures: verses in 7/4 create a sense of unease and tension, while the chorus resolves into 4/4, mirroring the emotional journey of the lyrics[5]. This rhythmic complexity is matched by intricate arrangements-warm guitars, melodic bass, rich keyboard textures, and inventive percussion beds[2]. “Rene and Georgette Magritte with Their Dog After the War” exemplifies Simon’s new direction, blending minimalist influences (Philip Glass contributed the orchestral coda to “The Late Great Johnny Ace”) with lush, melodic pop[2][4]. The album’s sound is heartfelt and unique, foreshadowing the polyrhythms and sonic experimentation of *Graceland*[2]. --- ## Production **Inventive and Intimate Soundscapes** Simon himself was reportedly dissatisfied with the production, believing he had written good songs but made bad records out of them[2]. However, many critics and fans disagree, citing the album’s inventive and intimate production as a strength. The sound is warm and detailed, with subtle polyrhythms and careful layering of instruments[2]. Notably, the album features collaborations with dance music producer Nile Rodgers and minimalist composer Philip Glass, adding contemporary and avant-garde touches to Simon’s established palette[4]. The rhythm sections are tender and supportive, never overwhelming the songs’ emotional core. **Production Highlights** - Al Di Meola’s guitar solo on “Allergies” is fast, furious, and fluid, providing a jolt of energy. - The orchestral coda on “The Late Great Johnny Ace” adds a haunting, plaintive finish. - Airto Moreira’s percussion and Steve Gadd’s drumming bring subtle rhythmic complexity throughout[2]. --- ## Themes **Love, Loss, and the Passage of Time** The central theme of *Hearts and Bones* is the complexity of human relationships-particularly romantic ones-and the emotional turbulence of love, loss, and reconciliation[5]. The title track, rooted in Simon’s relationship with Carrie Fisher, explores the intertwining of two lives and the pain of separation[5]. The recurring motif of “hearts and bones” symbolizes both emotional vulnerability and physical resilience[3]. Other songs address the illusions that sustain relationships (“Train in the Distance”), the mythology of pop culture and mortality (“The Late Great Johnny Ace”), and the search for meaning in middle age[4]. The album is suffused with nostalgia, regret, and a mature understanding of life’s impermanence. **Duality and Reflection** Simon’s lyrics often juxtapose idealism with harsh reality, as in the line: “And the sound of the rain on the roof/And the eyes of the people who are crying”[3]. This duality-hope and sorrow, connection and isolation-runs throughout the album, making it emotionally resonant and thematically rich. --- ## Influence **Critical Reappraisal and Lasting Legacy** Although *Hearts and Bones* was a commercial disappointment-the lowest-charting new studio album of Simon’s career-it has since been recognized as one of his most ambitious and best works[4]. The album’s personal vision and stylistic experimentation paved the way for *Graceland*, where Simon would further develop the lyrical and musical innovations introduced here[1][4]. The album’s influence is evident in Simon’s later work, particularly in his use of enriched language, repetition, and rhythmic experimentation[1]. “Hearts and Bones” has become a staple of Simon’s live shows and is frequently cited by fans and critics as one of his finest songs[5]. Its exploration of universal themes ensures its continued relevance and impact[3][5]. --- ## Pros and Cons | Pros | Cons | |----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Lyrically profound, blending autobiography with universal themes | Commercial failure at the time of release | | Musically diverse, with innovative time signatures and arrangements | Some tracks are perceived as weaker, creating a sense of inconsistency[1] | | Impeccable musicianship from a roster of legendary session players | Simon himself was dissatisfied with the production, though this is debated[2] | | Inventive and intimate production, foreshadowing *Graceland* | The album’s introspective tone may feel somber or inaccessible to some listeners | | Emotional honesty and vulnerability, rare in mainstream pop | Lacks the immediate catchiness of Simon’s biggest hits | | Standout tracks (“Hearts and Bones,” “Train in the Distance,” “Rene and Georgette Magritte”)| Some experimental elements may alienate fans of Simon’s earlier, more straightforward style | | Thematic cohesion and mature reflection on love, loss, and time | The album’s reputation suffered due to its initial commercial performance | --- ## Conclusion *Hearts and Bones* is a masterful, deeply personal album that captures Paul Simon at a crossroads-artistically, emotionally, and thematically. Its introspective lyrics, innovative music, and inventive production make it a standout in Simon’s discography, even if its initial reception was lukewarm. The album’s exploration of love, loss, and the passage of time is both specific and universal, ensuring its continued relevance and influence. While not every track reaches the heights of the title song or “Rene and Georgette Magritte with Their Dog After the War,” the album as a whole is a testament to Simon’s artistry and willingness to take risks. Its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, and its legacy has only grown with time, marking it as a hidden gem that rewards repeated listening and careful attention.
This is not interesting at all. He should gebe stopped at the end of the 70s.
The Car one was insane but his impression of john lennon was funny
It's fine I guess. Kind of a fun Bob Dylan-esque album.
I hate this album. I am actually angry that I listened to it. I like Paul Simon, and previously regarded him as a savant. But this is pure trash! This album actually sounds like it emerged as a joke, or a dare (“you can’t write, record, and produce an album in under 5 hours”), or as a threat from his accountant (“You’re broke! Put out an album, STAT!”). The first song is about his allergies. I shit you not. It sounds like it was written by a pre-teen. And there’s an intensely earnest instrumental section and a guitar solo that are completely at odds with the lyric. Then there’s the song about writing a song that sounds like it was made up on the spot. Several other songs are total dogshit. The title song is very good, and I’m told it’s about his failed marriage to Carrie Fisher. It’s endearing and thoughtful, but it cannot save this album. The only mitigation for this monstrosity is that it is the album before Graceland (which is brilliant) and, if you see it as warm up finger exercises for that album (the characters and storylines are similar), then maybe it’s ok that he put this utterly awful collection when he really should not have. Why it’s in the 1001 list is really beyond me though.
Paul Simon is one of my favorite musician/songwriters. This is not his best effort. Well written and produced but oddly not very interesting.
Good one.
What an odd and random Paul Simon album to pick?