Hearts And Bones

Enjoyed it, but probably won't listen again.

Folk. Bastante bueno.

Closes real strong but its quite uneven and that car song is lame af

Hard to say what I thought about that, I didn't super love every song but kind of wanted to. Bit disappointing

Far from his greatest, but still some classic Paul Simon

I generally love Paul Simon, but found this album a bit of a downer and very soft. Would've liked more upbeat and poppy songs

So so, nowhere near as good as Graceland and Rhythm.

The hits are good, but the rest are worse than forgettable.

It’s not the same since Art left. This is a weird album. I legit don’t know if it’s one of the best or one of the worst albums I’ve heard so far.

It’s good music. He loves cars.

I can't help but compare this to the pinnacle releases of Simon and Garfunkel and for me it falls short. Very good but not the top of his solo catalog either.

I enjoy this. You can tell it was slated to be a S&G album but was transitioned after Garfunkel left the project. I miss his harmonies, but, it’s interesting to see the trace elements of S&G in there.

Not necessarily his best album but still decent.

Pleasant on the ears, some funny lyrics (eg. "cars are cars")

The song "Hearts and Bones" is soooo romantic. Very crunchy-granola-meets-simon&garfunkel. Some of the songs are a little gimmicky, the math one and the one abt the brain come to mind. but the love songs are SO tender and sweet. well done

A little less world music than Graceland, but I enjoy it slightly more. Still not a huge fan, but some great guitar work on here. Favorite tracks: "Think Too Much (a)", "Train In the Distance"

Ok, this is cooler than I expected. Some cool 80s pub rock vibes almost like aussie bands in places. There's no way Simon is playing some of these solos. there is a lot of American folky bullshit on here kinda like simon & garfunkel (expected I guess) and it's annoying, and there's a reggae tune and i HATE reggae, but I think it gets a 3/5 just for that first solo and not being anywhere near as shit as his earlier stuff.

A very questionable pick on this list. Nothing overtly wrong but considering all the snubs on the list, this album has no business being here. Very boring and not nearly to the level of Simon and Garfunkel or even some of his other solo work

I don’t know. I don’t want to be harsh but I just didn’t find any of it memorable or remarkable.

lame

Allergies opens up the album with super infectious groove that gets under your skin and makes you move. Unfortunately l, the rest of the album does not deliver.

Sorry, Paul Simon.

Ah c’est Simon de Simon et garfunkel ! Un peu chiant et pauvre. Les paroles sont cons aussi The late great : bonne guitare Les dernières chansons en acoustique sont pas mal 5/10

Y'know, Peter Gabriel was really good at making Peter Gabriel-sounding albums so all the people like Paul Simon didn't have to.

It continues the smooth, almost yacht-rock vibe of Simon’s “Still Crazy” era, mixes it with state-of-the-art 80s production and feels pretty squishy in the end. “Think Too Much” and “Cars Are Cars” are both cringe, though I did enjoy what I think were snippets of an electric word processor(?) in the former. I can imagine this playing softly overhead above the salad bar at the local Sizzler. Not enough here to really bring me back as a time-traveling visitor from 2026.

I know I didnt love Graceland but at least it had impact. As consequential as those 80s Dylan LPs where Joker man is the only song I remember, and not in a good way.

I think that Paul Simon is absolutely a talented artist. Especially as a songwriter. His genre of music isn't my fav though.

I know Paul Simon is a great songwriter but this album just felt overly soft and wimpy. Got old kind of fast

You know, you can always choose *not* to release music when your writing well has run dry. One sign this might be the case is when you're forced to *open* an album - you know, the entry point to your latest creative endeavor - with a song about allergies.

Glimmers of what would be Graceland but just not there yet

Heard of the guy I think, didn't enjoy anything off the album though.

Not as bad as I was expecting after the first couple songs. Stuck between 2 and 3.

Not my favorite of his, bit too breezy

Cars are cars?? Some of these sound like Weird Al parodies of Paul Simon. Not close to the best PS album.

Musical equivalent of a tropical-scented wet wipe. Soft, tepid, bit of an exotic touch (particularly in the bears). Some silly lyrics, even the supposed highlight songs are just bit forgettable. Scouse voiceover in the absurd cars are cars gives an extra point. 2/5.

Wtf are these kids song? Cars are cars all over the world? Allergies?

Just very very boring

Anything with Paul Simon in it always has touches of magic but this was a frustrating and (in places) daft listen. Reminded me of listening to a late-period Belle and Sebastian album where the quality fluctuates wildly from track to track.

Definitely not for me. And much worse than earlier stuff.

The music was great, but the lyrics. . .I really didn't think someone of Simon's caliber could write such dumb songs. There's some good ones here, too, but damn.

So he opens the album with a song about allergies? What am I listening to, Weird Al? This album really doesn't do anything for me.

Well they can’t all be winners. This album is noticeably weaker than the other two Paul Simon albums on the list. Probably not one I would go back to. Cars Are Cars is a stupid song. Favorite songs were Think Too Much (a) and The Late Great Johnny Ace.

Imagine you've done Bridge Over Troubled Water and Sound of Silence with this Paul guy, and you start working on a new album but he decides it's too personal and cuts you out. You're gutted. You two had the top album of all time when it came out. Then you get over it and play this 'personal album' that needed to be a solo work. And you hear god damn Cars Are Cars. I want a side by side of Paul Simon doing this stuff and Garfunkel just walking across America without talking to anyone.

it's definitely music fave track: allergies

I can understand someone who loves Paul Simon being really into this album, as it's kinda him just doing little explorations. But I found it disjointed and feeling unfinished. Lyrically, it's 50/50 songs taking themselves too seriously (rene and margarite, Jonny ace) or not seriously at all (allergies, cars are cars). 2.5 rounded down bc I can't imagine choosing to listen to it again.

bit boring

Boring. Where’s the hook? Any hook? When do I get to hear You Can Call Me Al?

By the early 80s, Paul Simon had firmly set his sights on the destination that would become Graceland, and the pit stop before that later album fully tapped into the sound and aesthetic of southern Africa, he had to meet it halfway with his former folk pop sensibilities. This album is the result of that. It's by and large a transitional piece in Simon's discography, one that would take him to pop superstardom in the mid to late 80s but, as a standalone piece of music, is generally unexceptional. The more upbeat numbers are serviceable pieces of 80s pop, but the slow ballads are just completely listless and sap any and all warmth or energy out of this album. I find this album kind of confused; I can only compare it to standing on a bridge in the dead center with one foot on either side while you stand there stumped, unsure of whether to turn back or cross to the other side. All it does is bore the people watching you out of their mind unfortunately.

Moderate to poor

Good album. I enjoy listening to Paul Simon.

bit boring

No me gustó, un poco raro, tiene sus chipasos buenos en las canciones, pero no fue de mi gusto

Track one starts with a reminder that the 80s tried to ruin everything you loved. Rene and Georgette Magritte with Their Dog after the War is a top 10 Paul Simon song but the whiplash in quality between that song and the next (Cars Are Cars) is astounding. totally a 1 album but with a 10/10 song on it saves it.

Boring

I am consistently unimpressed with his song writing. It's novel, but too frequently it comes across as lazy or like another hour of workshopping some of the word choice would've significantly improved the song.

Pari ihan mukavaakin biisiä mutta taas jää todella kädenlämpöiseksi

Taas tätä, eikä parempaan suuntaan ole menty.

Taas vaihteeks pääsee nautiskeleen Paulia ihan Simona. Ei jaksa kauheesti innostua. Helppoo kuunneltavaa, mut ei sit muuta.

Vähän kehnompaa Paul Simonia kyllä tämä. Ei ollut itseasiassa yksikään biisi entuudestaan tuttu, vaikka artistia toki paljon olenkin kuullut. Muutama ihan ok biisi, mutta kokonaisuus kyllä aika hajuton ja mauton.

not the most powerful music in Simon's discography, kind of a quirky random assortment. I'm glad I listened and I'm glad songs about thinking too much exist. was thinking light 3 but there aren't any songs I recall loving so I'm thinking strong 2

Enjoyable in the way I’ll enjoy all Paul Simon but far from his best and fairly unmemorable. RYM: N Saved a song: N

Plz never play Allergies for me again. Otherwise, standard Paul Simon album with no hits.

#941. Oof. This is not very good. 2/5: stop

Ok

math dont add up

Starts ok and the drifts badly

Not a huge fan. The songs are weird and pointless.

This is somehow number 3 from Paul Simon for me on this list in addition to a handful of Simon and Garfunkel albums. Surely that's too much. I mean Paul Simon was a (mostly) great songwriter but I don't feel like having a measurable percentage of this list feature his music is really called for. And the Simon and Garfunkel records are all better than anything he did solo anyway, the list should have stuck to those. That said I haven't heard most of this album. Dude wtf? it starts off with a song about allergies that includes a really great guitar part from Al Di Meola? How did that come about? _______________________ Paul Simon: Hey Al, want to play a solo on my new record? Al Di Meola: I don't know Paul, what's the song about? PS: Oh, you know, allergies and stuff. ADM: Is this like for a Benadryl ad? PS: No. Just a normal song on my album that's gonna have a totally normal cover photo. ADM: That sounds weird Paul. Will I be on the rest of the record? PS: No, just the allergy song. ADM: I'm confused about this. PS: Aren't we all? ADM: Yeah I guess I'll do it. But I'm only doing one take. PS: Ok thanks. Want to go get some lunch? ADM: No. PS: Oh. Ok. _________________________ There are two notable things about this record - the aforementioned Al Di Meola feature, and the fact that Cars Are Cars is probably one of the worst songs ever written to make it on a major release album. Other than those two things, this album is super dull and boring. 2/5

Simon certainly has a unique sound, especially at this time. Enjoyable. High 2s.

Insanely dull 1980s pop-rock with apropos production. It feels like this album picks up where Steely Dan left off when the seventies ended. The one exception is the car song which reminds me of Bruce Springsteen since it's yet another song about a damn car with a sax honking for no reason.

Paul simon has really done some fine contributions to music history. This wasnt one of them.

Not a huge Paul Simon fan. Read how this was supposed to be a Simon & Garfunkel album, but then they had a falling out, and Garfunkel was scrubbed from the album. I think he dodged a bullet. This album is kind of terrible. Lyrics are dumb on several songs, and the music sounds so incredibly dated.

I listened to this a week ago, and completely forgot to log it or what I found of it. That sums it up, I think.

Enjoyed Allergies, but didn't love the rest

Ehhhh, idk why this is on here but it sounds like Graceland but it aint. 1980s mediocre from Paul Simon and I would rather listen to other stuff. It's alright but not 3 stars alright.

MEh

Final Paul Simon album. I didn't like Graceland all that much, though I can admit on a baseline level that it was a competent listen with a pleasing, mellow-tempered sound. It is kind of the definitive album for the racially-oblivious boomers who were content to relinquish everything their ancestors fought and bled for to resentful foreigners, however. A poisonous message relayed once again by a delegate of God's chosen. Anyways, enough politisperging. Let's get into it. Yeah, another folky Paul Simon album. I got little out of this - much less than his usual offerings. Folk just isn't my style, particularly the stripped back stuff like this. The songwriting isn't strong enough to carry the muted, minimal approach of the album, though I can admit that it did have some decent moments. I generally like the rumbling, warm bass on many of the songs, and some of the chord progressions and vocal performances were decent, too. Nothing about this album really hooked me or held my attention, but the competence fortunately elevates this album above being something which irritates me. Overall this was a fine, if unengaging listen. Book time. Released after his previous album bombed and was "...critically lambasted." Originally intended to be a Simon & Garfunkel album after the two reunited for a tour in the early 80s, but their relationship deteriorated once again and only the Simon songs were salvaged for this album. "Hearts And Bones is at its best when it shows Simon's age." "Conversely, the record slips when it dates not Simon but itself...", whatever that may mean. The book gives "Allergies" as an example of such self-love, being engulfed by the blown-out drums. The album bombed, selling even less than the preceding album. Wikipedia says this album was received modestly by the critics and that the chart performances weren't as bad as the book lets on. It didn't make it on any of the year-end charts, but it peaked at around the 30s all across the West and Europe. Let's get down to the brass tax. Paul Simon has had his fair share of successes, but I don't think he's anywhere near prominent enough to have his solo career be equal to that of his work with Simon & Garfunkel. Of his three included albums, this is definitely the weak link, so I think it can do with being snubbed. In place of this album, I humbly submit Hats by The Blue Nile for inclusion on the list.

Not a big Paul Simon fan, this album ok…

It’s Paul Simon. It’s fine. A little boring. Easy to listen to

My spouse, a huge Paul Simon fan, was baffled by the inclusion of this album on the list. And after listening to it, I am too! There are no major hits on this album, a few major clunkers, and some straight up weird tracks. In doing research, this album was originally conceived as (and partially recorded as) a new Simon and Garfunkel album after their Central Park Concert and tour, but that was abandoned when Simon offended Garfunkel. Interesting story, but not a good enough reason to be included on the list. My spouse is convinced that literally every Paul Simon album should be on this list if this one is.

Easy listening but I like his other albums

Was that a goat in the marimba song?

Sharts and Groans. Still Crazy After All These Years scorned in favour of this? Bad 80s production values and a real iffy songlist - Allergies and Cars Are Cars in particular. An album that flunked so Graceland could soar.

See i expected really great things from this, I like some of Paul Simon's music and I have heard great things about him. This was so dull. It felt like 2 hours. It felt a bit too classically 80s, like it was trying too hard to sound like an 80s album

Nice voice

Too much Simon on the list, whether solo or with his buddy. Boring man with boring music that even he apparently doesn't like. I don't have to either.

I really think I just dont like 80s music

Dull and uneventful. I like Simon as a part of a duo, but I don’t care for this at all

ну уе ваще...шось нц ваще ахахаха

Lyrically this album screams, "I have absolutely know idea what to write about" ... Allergies man, yeah know? Dang, cars... are... Like, cars. Kinda dull, never gets off the ground for me

2.5 stars. His voice is nice to listen to but the style of music (pop/doo-wop/rock) is not my taste at all. Prefer most anything else he put out.

What a shit album considering some of the music this dude has put out. He has some awesome offerings but this is certainly not one of them. Listen to ‘cars are cars’ if you need evidence. Shit.

Funny how you can think you like an artist because of one of their other albums (Graceland), then you feel really let down when you listen to something else from their catalogue (Heart and Bones).

Fucking '80s toms, AS SOON AS I HEARD THEM BA DA DUMDumDumDUMBS. They're so annoying. The overall '80s production isn't on the worst, but it's obvious immediately and can find itself tedious. Musically often tolerable, sometimes on the beautiful side, but it's also trying to annoy me. To some extent I can appreciate the way this project was produced. I'm not liking the additional reissue acoustic demos on the listen, it ended perfectly at the 40 minute mark with that studio composition. I appreciate the songwriting as an art, but not the ideas or the means to express them. Cars? Allergies? The vocals don't make up for the cheesy uncle energy here. 2.4/5

Surprisingly dull, and what on earth was that song about cars?

To je pre mňa len zbytočná výplň medzi Simon & Garfunkel a Graceland.

I doubt even Paul simon would claim this is essential listening 2*

Load of nonsense and rubbish

Nah

i’m sorry paul i love you but this shit was so mid

His musicality swings between fun and boring. Lands on boring most of the time–I'm all folked out at the moment, tbh

I enjoyed parts of it, but it just kinda dragged on for me. I do really love some Paul Simon songs but unfortunately none of the ones on this album stood out.

I found the first song to be novel and interesting. Afterwards I started to drift.

Allergies is hilarious - 'Where do allergies go when it’s after a show and they want to get something to eat?' plus Al Di Meola's only in the 80s fusion solo tacked on. I do not understand how this album can be something one must listen to before one dies. I would have been just fine never having heard it.

Whew. About half of it is middling solo Simon. Half of it is unlistenable. Nothing remotely as good as “Duncan” or “Late in the Evening.”

If this produced no hits why does anyone have to listen to it? I really don't remember this album at all.

Boring

I listened to this album two and a half times an the way through, and while I liked what I heard the music just slid off me. Nothing stuck. Nothing made an impression.

Hot take: Paul Simon is a middling artist, and we should have more Art Garfunkel music in the world. I know that's not actually relevant to this album, but it's just so stunningly mediocre it makes me sad to think to think about how much Art is than Paul.

2 bit sad but nothing too amazing

this was a much weaker album than Graceland. why is it on here? some ok lyrics, then some big misses. I mean "Cars are Cars"???

esta mucho mejor que el otro que escuché de él pero hpta que hombre para escribir música aburrida, uf es demasiado increiblementw aburrida la música de este man, que pereza

I normally love Paul Simon. This is handily the worst album of his that I've listened to. It almost sounds like self-parody at times.

Tough time getting into this album, it was OK

What in the WORLD are these lyrics? "When the shadows are deep and the light is alien And gravity leaps like a knife off the pavement" ?? Every other verse reeks of fake-deep poetic sounding nonsense. I couldn't even start my review without getting that off my chest. Art Garfunkel, you are a saint for reigning that shit in. Paul Simon plays well, sings well, and it's not a bad listen by any means on the surface, I just find it completely non-engaging. There's some points in the project where he introduces fresh life: the sax in Train in the Distance, the almost island vibes in When Numbers Get Serious, or the absolutely sick (and completely out of place?) guitar solos in Allergies. But on the whole, it's a whole lot of melancholy middle aged white guy plucking at an acoustic guitar seemingly singing about nothing.

First Listen; 2.5; About 90 albums in, I would say this is the most boring one so far. Nothing really stood out too much or felt like it had any weight behind it. Obviously music can be quiet, delicate, and emotional, but this just felt kinda mushy, for lack of a better term. I actually enjoyed the bonus tracks with the acoustic guitar demos of the songs. It was really interesting how much more they stood out to me. Favorite Track: Train in the Distance

1.5/5

Hearts and Bones took a couple of listens today, mainly because I wanted to be sure I wasn’t missing something. I love plenty of Paul Simon’s work, but this one just wouldn’t click. For an album that’s clearly personal and carefully put together, it feels oddly flat — like it never really gets going or arrives anywhere meaningful. In the end, it comes across as pretty unremarkable, especially when you set it against the colour, energy and stylistic leaps of Graceland. Tracks like Cars Are Cars and Allergies feel limp and uninspired, lacking the melodic spark or rhythmic interest that Simon is usually so good at delivering. Favourite track: None really stand out. There are a few pleasant moments, but nothing that makes you stop and think “that’s special.” Least favourite track: Allergies – wet, dull and instantly forgettable. Album artwork: A cool, understated cover — arguably more interesting than the music inside.

Not his greatest album and the one before Graceland.

do not like his speak-singing style

Cars Are Cars lost this album a whole star.

Лучшая песня: Allergies Худшая: René and Georgette Magritte with Their Dog after the War Первая песня приятно удивила, думал, что и дальше будет бодро, но не - заунывная чисто американская херня из 80-ых. Видимо, нужно вслушиваться в тексты и познавать истину о том, что Cars are cars и прочая, но музыка в целом никакая.

Не совсем понимаю логику, по которой альбомы попадают в топ. Почему именно этот, шестой альбом сольный Саймона попал в список, а не творчество дуэта? Или в будущем нас ждут ещё и 5 предыдущих + альбомы, выпущенные в коллаборации? По этому же альбому - стандартное звучание, ощущение, что им вдохновлялся Гарри Стайлз при написании 2 и 3 своих альбомов

This is only mildly interesting, because it was supposed to be another album with Garfunkel. You can see why he left the project, if not for personal reasons. The songs are uninspired and boring, Simon's lyrics are awkward and sometimes even ridiculously bad. Inoffensive background music, hardly good enough so anyone should have heard it.

Er det her en joke? Hvor er Graceland? Ok numre men meget 80’er agtigt overproduceret

"On no! We only have 1000 albums for our book and we ran out of Elvis Costello albums to add. What should we do???? Hmmm... should we add another album to an under represented genre like metal, post-punk, or emo? Oh I know, let's add another solo album to someone who already has 5 other albums on this list. I think my friend liked this one when it was released. I bet it doesn't sound dated and lame." Allergies and Cars Are Cars are some of the lamest songs I have ever heard. Overall this album is just forgettable. High 2.

Sadly this just isn't fun or irritating. Just mediocre.

I’ve got no real beef with Paul Simon, but I feel I could’ve died quite happily without ever listening to his sixth solo studio album

Him yelling "I CANT BREATHE!" in the first song brought back memories of George Floyd that made me too distracted to enjoy the rest of the album.

Best Track - "Hearts & Bones"

Not my vibe

Gear: Moondrop Variations Artwork: 📉📺📸 Production: 🎧😘🤌 Music: 📄⁉️💩 Rating: 🫀🦴/5

this was…ehhh

This feels super basic to me. Mid mid mid

Before Listening: I don’t know if I’ve heard any of Paul Simon’s solo music so this should be good! After Listening: I lied! I knew Train in the Distance. Outside of that and the late Great Johnny Ace, I felt pretty disappointed throughout. I must not be smart enough to “get” it.

The Paul Simon hater has logged on

As a big Paul Simon fan, I must say this album is fucking terrible. It sounds like a parody of a Paul Simon album, I mean cars are cars? When numbers get serious? Maybe this was intentional, he was responding to criticism of how his good stuff can get silly or sentimental or maybe he was mad at his record label? If it wasn’t for his track record this would be a 1

I find Paul Simon’s music very simple and boring.

When it’s Paul just being Paul it’s fine. When it leans into early 80s studio sounds it’s not good. No one told Paul power synth rock was a bad idea? Classic Simon sounds mixed with tepid boomer rock. I could have died without hearing this.

The songs didn't stand out as much as some of his other albums. A bit meh.

Cars ARE Cars!

There are some nice songs here and some truly awful ones. Taken as a whole, this is mid at best. 2.5/5

wish this had garfunkel on it... ah I love Simon but this isn't his best work. It's lacking on a lot of fronts. Hearts and Bones is a lovely tune. Carrs are cars is a joke?

I can never get into Simon's singing style. I don't understand how he is as famous as he is.

Chill as well

Some nice tracks on here, and if I played on repeat could like more

Paul Simon, but without any of the good songs.

omg so boring...

I liked it but it’s definitely not his best work

Utterly forgettable. No clue why its on this list.

Just never really landed

I would describe myself as an "extremely casual Paul Simon fan." There is some of his music I really enjoy, but most of his catalog - including this album - I am completely unfamiliar with. My mother had just a couple of cassettes in her car when I was a kid, and I remember hearing them on repeat on trips. One was a Juice Newton cassette and the other was Paul Simon's Still Crazy After All These Years. Hearing his music reminds me of that time. Coincidentally, this album was released during the actual time I'm remembering. Some of this (particularly "When Numbers Get Serious") strongly reminds me of what Talking Heads were doing around this time. I know I've seen/read the title of "Rene and Georgette Magritte with their Dog After the War" and possibly heard it, but it doesn't sound familiar to me. And I've never heard the rest. I liked "The Late Great Johnny Ace." I'd give this a 2.5 probably. Rounded down because of "Cars Are Cars."

It feels stuck between S&G and a solo album. It's got a few lyrically serious songs, and a few silly fun songs, but there's no separation between them musically. They all sound like bright little songs. I might like some of these songs in isolation, but the format is not doing them any favors.

First track. Love the guitar solo. The rest of the song is “eh”. This album was ok. Not my favorite of Paul Simon by a long shot.

His sixth solo album. Rock / Folk / Pop. This is a pretty mellow and, to be honest, dull album. I like Paul Simon's vocals and there is a catchy melody here or there. Overall though the album doesn't really do anything. It's actually quite boring. Where's Art to put some fire into Simon's belly !? Ha. Cars Are Cara...ummm, what to even say on that song..

Hot take. Paul Simon is one of the most overrated artists of all time. I just don’t get it.

Nope

It had it's moments but I'm not super into it.

Further proving that I don’t mess with Paul Simon. It’s fine, it’s just not that interesting! I have to assume these were bangers for their time but my family and I have missed these entirely. Also cars is terrible.

This was so okay. I'm going to stick to Graceland and Simon & garfunkel. Feeling a strong 2/5 on this.

Pas trop aimé, un peu mou

Bof bof quand meme

This sounded like mayonnaise. 2 stars because the guitar on track one ripped

Too much Paul on the list, this one in particular. Hearts and Bones didn't capture my heart or rattle my bones. Not sure which side of his brain Simon was using to write this album. He overthought much of the songs but (a) was better than (b). With tracks like "Cars Are Cars," maybe should have got a lobotomy after. I think he even tried using a sheep as an instrument in there. Maybe it would have been better if there wasn't a fall out between the band mates. Does this get on the list for the shoutout to the great Johnny Ace?1.72 stars. P.S. no more P.S. please list.

Paul Simon is one of the best at weaving some somber emotional vocals between some soft backing tracks. For better or for worse, he certainly has a style/schtick that resonates with some people I can appreciate the occasional jaunty tune or touching ballad with some nice guitar picking but it gets played out pretty quickly. A couple PS (or S&G) songs now and then are great, but its tough for me to spend any extended time with Paul Simon (solo or duo). Hearts and Bones was another middle of the pack album overall. I don't think I'll ever revisit any of this other than maybe Cars Are Cars as a joke for my toddler-aged children. Like past reviews I appreciate the artist and even enjoy his work in small doses but its going to remain on the shelf for the most part beyond the occasional sampling of a couple of his greatest hits . 2.09 stars

2.5 stars. Weak Paul Simon is still decent at times.

According to Apple Music there are 5 essential Paul Simon albums. I don’t necessarily agree with their picks but I agree with the fact this is not one of them. A few innocuous easy listeners but some real cringers too

Blah. 2.5 stars.

This always comes quite high in the ranking of Paul's best albums. I think its ok. Some good songs but not really consistent. I would say its a good late night album.

Meh. If folk-pop is a thing, it's probably this. But without the typical poignant lyrics you'd typically find with folk music

It’s typical solo Paul Simon. Boring and a bit uninspired.

Boring

Basically, and without too much analysis, this album shouldn't be on the list. Heard before ❌️ Listened this time ✅️ in part Revisit ❌️ Nondescript ★★☆☆☆ (3/10)

too boring

Not his best... Weird choice of album to be on this list. But not a bad listen.

No wonder he went to Africa for the next one. "Cars are Cars" might be one of the worst songs I have ever heard.

There are so many great Paul Simon albums, why is this one here? So bland.

Would have been better with Garfunkel

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

Not for me. Bad 80s Paul Simon.

Huge disappointment. Too 80s sounding, no heart in the songwriting

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.

easy listening, no strong feelings either way — tho largely unmemorable. however I never trust a man with two first names, sorry paul

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.

#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.

Kind of forgettable, some good songs on here though. Doesn't measure up to other Paul Simon albums. 5/10

I love vampire weekend! Just listen to Graceland and you'll be good

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.

Far from the heights of Graceland. Unfortunately unremarkable.

Fine I guess

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

4/10

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.

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

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.

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

Paul Simon isn't really my thing

He has a nice voice and the album has a calm vibe to it, but the songs aren't anything special

Not great

Certainly no Graceland!

# 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

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 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

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.

He really mailed this one in. There was a time when he made really great music. Sadly, it's passed.

Eu detesto a produção, mas tem umas jóias no meio

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.

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.

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

I don't have much context on this album but I don't think it should be on this list.

It’s a fine album by Paul Simon. He has so many other better choices than this middle of the road release.

Meh. Started good, fell off quick

I would consider this the beginning of sharp decline in quality of Paul Simon albums.

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.

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.

The titular song is decent. Smooth and calming. Nothing really eye-opening I'd say. 2,5/5

Nja

Songs about allergies, cars, and the moon. I feel like he just gave up on lyricism here. 2/5

Es ist nichts hängen geblieben.

Hearts and bones is great, the rest is average at best

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.

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

This is harmless but weak for a songwriter of his caliber

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

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

2 sterne

Overly mellow to the point of being boring. There are also a couple weird songs in the bunch, like Cars Are Cars.

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

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.

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.

This is not interesting at all. He should gebe stopped at the end of the 70s.

No idea why this is on here

Lovely but kind of boring

I dig Paul Simon but this album is not good. I'm having a hard time understanding why it's even on the list. "Cars are Cars" is one of the dumbest songs I've ever heard. The title track is okay, though; so, I'll grant it 2 stars. Could almost have been 1.

It was ok but a bit boring. It leans quite heavily into pop but it's just a little too low energy and emotionless for me.

I loved the co cents on Graceland but aside fro.that he's just a guy with a guitar

Did not move me.

Fine

Paul Simon has been involved in making some great music, but this album is not that.

It has a soothing quality throughout with the exception of "Cars are Cars", which was an agitating disrupter of a tune. Apart from that song the rest of the album was monotone lacking instrumental and vocal dynamism. I can't think of an occasion when I would be compelled to listen to it again.

Nope

I love Paul Simon and had not heard this album before or any of the songs, so I went in excited. I was disappointed. There are so many other good Paul Simon albums that I don't understand why this was included. It was bland. Cars Are Cars is a terrible song.

Bored soz king

Es gibt auf jeden schlimmeres aber es ist echt vertragbar

I like Graceland a lot better, but this album is good as well.

The lyricism on this album is a choice

Boring. Nothing necessarily terrible. Just not worth listening to. Been a slog of about 6 weeks.

this was famously a simon and garfunkel reunion album until paul erased art's bits and claimed it for himself. hard to tell who came out on top there; maybe garf saw the writing on the subway wall. but there's a few high points: the magritte song is lovely and it's always great to hear nile rodgers pop up. cars are cars is stupid as hell.

not to be a complete hater or anything but yikes, this was not good. this was the most boring-ass, milquetoast album that felt like it was trying oh so hard to be wEiRd and qUiRkY!!!!!!!!! that it just comes off like an secret middle school in-joke for someone else that you've figured out because it's so simple but it's so stupid that you're annoyed about it. nope, just me? well ok but like, what the fuck are some of these songs.... allergies? when numbers get serious? song about the moon? cars are cars????? bruh you're like thomas kinkade on vacation because these are the most insipid C-sides i've ever experienced so yeah, dull music, weird-but-not-in-a-good-way lyrics, and mostly just paul flailing in search of a point to any of this for nearly an hour. yawn. favorites: hearts and bones, rene and georgette magritte with their dog after the war

Ni idea de este disco, no había visto la portada en mi vida y creo que no había oído ninguna canción nunca. Hay mucho de lo que luego fue su mirada a África, o eso me parece. Se deja oír, creo que "René and Georgette Magritte with Their Dog after the War" la he escuchado no hace mucho por algo.

Pleasantly boring

Floated by. Nice sounding. Hard to get excited about songs describing allergies and cars being cars all over the world. Think there are other albums that could be here

Good lyrics, not great music style

Overall: 4/10 I really enjoyed Graceland when it appeared in the generator a while back. This album is like if you took every good element out of Graceland and replaced it with super 80s synths and drums. I can see why he was starting to fall out of love with music around this time. Mediocre, bland, boring, and all the worst things that Paul Simon can be. Fav Song: Hearts and Bones Least Fav Song: Cars Are Cars

2 Stars (5/15)

The backing vocals and instruments were actually enjoyable, I would have liked this more without the vocals and lyrics. Allergies, Cars are cars and Rene and Georgette Magritte with their dog after the war are mental track names. At times it felt like he was farting out thoughts he’d doodled in a diary. Train in the distance and the dog song were good 2.5/5

When he asked what is the point of this story I couldn’t help but agree, this was as dull as dishwater. Cars are cars up there as worst song on this generator so far. You’re better than this Paul

Ben al geen fan van het duo. Dat is me al veel te saai. Maar als je het dan nog eens uitkleedt naar één persoon, dan wordt het tergend. 1,5 ster.

Probably should have kept Garfunkel around. This feels like a skeleton...all bones and no heart.

Wanted to like this, I generally like Paul Simon. But really? I feel like most of these songs are just things he say (Cars, Allergies) and went with it. Annoying sounding on top of the weak lyrics...

Not my jam, but respect..

Esto es algo que solo entienden los gringos

This is certainly a Paul Simon album.

Three tracks in and I feel almost nothing about any of it. Why is this here? Really irritating when fascinating one off albums by newer people are excluded or deleted in favour of unexceptional records from massive artists with multiple other entries. And those other entries all have a few fantastic tracks to go to bat for them, whereas this has none. He wants to write a song about the moon. Write a song about a face. Was Wes Streeting and his satellite dish face conceived to this song?

It's kind of amazing that Paul Simon had a career outside of Graceland and Simon and Garfunkel and Eddie Brickell. But here it is, somehow this album is proof.

It's fine, I guess. Don’t pay attention too much, don’t think too much, and it feels very Paul Simon-y and fades into the background. And then you wonder if you were thinking too little, because is it repeating that “Think Too Much” song? No wait, just trying to cleverly reprise the song in a different style, while naming the first one (b) and the second one (a). Maybe Simon thought too much about how clever he thought that was. I’m not gonna think too much, and just settle on the conclusion that this was one Paul Simon album too many for the list.

Un album vraiment étrange. Il y a des morceaux quand même bon (Ex : la chanson éponyme), mais en même temps il y en a d'autres qui sont tellement ordinaires avec des paroles complètement stupides (Allergies, Cars are cars). C'est probablement le moins bon de tous les projets que j'ai entendu à date de Simon en solo ou avec Garfunkel. Beaucoup trop éparpillé, on dirait que ça a été fait à l'arrache pour respecter un échéancier. 4/10

Seemed like a muted version of a Simon and Garfunkel album. It was ok, but I don't need to listen to it again.

I don't know what the original idea for this project was, I just know that it didn't really work for me. When "Hearts And Bones" doesn't sound like a children's album, it sounds like an album for seniors. I have nothing against it, especially since the production is still impeccable. But the lyrics seem too silly to be taken seriously, and this project is a mess. This "album project" doesn't seem to do justice to Paul Simon's reputation as an artist.

Not his best work

I love Paul Simon. But this was almost unlistenable. It felt very much like a commercial, especially cars are cars.

Kakspual.

Not as into this one. More meandery songs

This is kind of a dreary album, almost like half of it is missing... It could use a little Garfunkle, I think. Favorite track: "Song About the Moon"

Everyone knows that the solo careers of Simon & (maybe) Garfunkel were underwhelming. This album by Simon proves that. I can understand why people might like it though. "Hearts and Bones" was almost a Simon & Garfunkel album but it wasn't. That was one of music's greatest disappointments. (Thanks, Paul) 2 stars for "Hearts and Bones".

Tämän artistin ongelma on tavoitteellinen mauttomuus, jonka tavoitteellisuus ei tee siitä sulatettavampaa. Kuinka moni kykenisi Cars Are Carsin hirveyteen? Ja samalla Simon kirjoittaa halutessaan suvereeneja balladeja. Song About the Moonin huumori puree, jopa.

non mi ha colpito..

Simon's songwriting is so good all of his albums could probably be on here. But I'm guessing he already has a few and this one could go off the list. I liked it, but wouldn't consider it a must listen.

Boring

Overrated little art project from a wee lad with large ego.

Not for me

perfectly pleasant if unremarkable set of songs, nicely played, well sung. I am not at all convinced that it is strong enough or special enough to be on this list.

I’ve heard some Paul Simon but this isn’t his best

bleh

Dull.

poor

As exciting, attractive and memorable as oatmeal raisin cookies