Graceland

Appreciate it’s a classic but I don’t particularly enjoy Paul Simon. An easy listen. He went to extreme lengths to record this in Africa due to the conflict so kudos for that

I knew a bit about the making of this album, but not the whole story, which was really interesting. Unfortunately, reading the story was a better experience than listening to the album. It's very 80s, with fadeouts on nearly every song. And the percussion - for a genre that's supposed to be built on the bass line and not the drum set, why is it so damn forward in the mix? For a collaboration it featured a bit too much Paul Simon, which feels weird to say, but nevertheless I think it's true. Points for creativity and for introducing the world to a different kind of music. Best track: You Can Call Me Al

I mostly avoided this album because I've never been a huge fan of "You Can Call Me Al". It's a fine record with some of the problems I have with that song being carried over here (some instruments sound dated as heck). Not really my favorite, but I can see people enjoying it. Favorite tracks: "Homeless", "Gumboots", "I Know What I Want"

Nok en artist jeg har hørt utrolig lite på, spesielt i solo formatet. Denne gikk litt i bakgrunn mens jeg jobba så fikk ikke 100% fokus. Ser noen av låtene har mange hundre millioner avspillinger på spotify uten at jeg kan si jeg kjenner dem igjen. Sorterer denne under World Music eller 80s pop? Synes africa viben er bra nok den altså og finner lite som er irriterende med denne plata, men kommer neppe til å høre på den igjen. Beste låt: Diamons on the Soles of Her Shoes

I like the idea of mixing all these styles together. The American folk music, the Zydeco accordion, the African chants. I don't like how Simon disregarded the cultural embargo against South Africa due to Apartheid just because he was searching for new inspiration. Also, the 80s-ness of the mix is hard to ignore for me, I absolutely hate the reverb on those snare hits and the bass sounds so farty which is a shame because the bass lines are cool. 2/5 - below average

just not my thing

good departure from the other 80s music that was popular at the time. i keep a few of these standbys on hand for moods, but otherwise the album has just the one hitter in it

Weird country pop

Never got the Graceland gene. Great he elevated (appropriated?) African musicians, but I just wanted more Fela Kuti or Sunny Ade. Simon too pop-observant for my tastes. Yeah, great voice. The best part of this is the outsiders' presence.

First impression: at this point I'm not expecting much from Simon, but this album art is exquisite. It feels like a medieval representation of Napoleon, and it's titled Graceland. I guess I need context. Onto the music. There's a nod towards that initial folk that deeply influenced Anglo cultures and their music, which helps explain the art. Coupling that with the production tricks of the '80s makes a barely listenable album for me. I understand the African influence, but it's so tame for me that it just blends into the '80s sound. Many years ago I'd heard You Can Call Me Al after a band on my radar covered the single and gave it away as a free download. Otherwise this would be a complete surprise, an album full of jangling guitar and the air of an arrogant king. I gave it another listen later on, because I feel like there's a lot of talent here I'm not appreciating. Re-listening to this makes me mad, so I'd rather just recognize the strings here are typically talented, but they're so annoyingly chipper that I can't enjoy it. 1.9/5

Fav: The Boy In the Bubble

my fav 'the boy in the bubble' without any doubt.

Sin más

Aunque curiosa, no me termina de conectar la fusión con la música africana Graceland

More less.

i think this is the music when u have a roadtrip or shi ionkno not rlly my stuff ig

This was new to me. Better than the last PS album we listened to, but not one I'll be rushing to put on again

Scrapes a 2

Graceland is what happens when a man who’s had a critical failure in his previous album, split from the actual lyricist and musician he was working with, and is currently going through a divorce goes to a foreign country to find himself. I was optimistic at first with the titular song, but everything after was lacking with surface level understanding of the music and countries he was basing his music. The lyrics drip with self-aggrandizement and the disconnect between the song subjects and the use of South African musicians for a unique sound during apartheid is a little sketchy for me. 11/1001

Mid

I respect the inspiration he got from visiting this culture and collaborating with them to bring their sound more mainstream, but overall this just wasn't my vibe and I won't find myself going back to anything here. Was a fine one time listen though. 2/5

Weird, folksy African vibes. Didn't like it much.

Pretty boring, self indulgent

I would like it a lot more without some of the backing vocals. Especially in I Know What I Know, those felt especially clashy. Of those weren’t there I’d like the whole album way more but as it stands it was just alright. Best song: The Boy In The Bubble Notable(s): I Know What I Know (dreaming of what could have been without some of the backing vocals)

I think I’m adding Paul Simon to my list of artists I’m just not going to like. I don’t like his voice. I find him creepy. There’s all the controversy about whether this is promoting African music or if it’s cultural appropriation and theft from the musicians involved. But mainly I just don’t like his music and never have. “You’re can call me Al” is famous and has a funny video. But even that’s a bit cheesy. I appreciate the songwriting and (stolen?) instrumentation but something about him gives me the creeps.

not sure i like his personal work

Meh, siento que por mucho tiemp la USA sacó música muy plana Aquí hubo un poco más de variedad de sonidos, pero nada impresionante

Es triste lo que me pasa con este disco. Entiendo su importancia y me parece innegable lo rico, diverso y creativo del proyecto, así como el talento de todos los implicados en crear ritmos y melodías que transportan a uno a las planicie de África. Pero con todo y con eso, se me ha hecho completamente cuesta arriba. Esa mezcla de música africana con folk, si bien está perfectamente integrada, se me hace muy complicada de escuchar. Estoy seguro de que es buen disco, pero no es para mí.

It's ok

didn't do much to me, but it's not necessarily bad

I don't remember much from this album and I don't want to go back to it to rate it accurately. I think that this statement in itself means it must be a 2.

God hygge, men heller ikke noget specielt. Lidt pop-folk amerikansk? Mindede mig lidt om REM. Det har heller aldrig rigtigt fanget mig.

Folk rock.

Todo bien con Paul pero no. 2/5

Ehhh... digo, el cuate es una leyenda, pero hay mucha producción que no me dejó disfrutar su poesía.

L’écoute de l’album ne sonnait pas comme un 2, plutôt un 3 ou 4, mais le plus gros bémol de l’album était pour moi Paul Simon lui même. Je ne vois pas comment je pourrais mettre une meilleure note que cela. Par contre, cet album m’a permis de m’intéresser aux groupes et musiciens qu’il a invité et je suis ravi de ces découvertes! Bref un album sympathique mais gâché par son « auteur ».

Pas ce que j'aime mais je dirais pas horrible

Maximal production, minimal enjoyment

nope

the cultural significance of this album is pretty much the only thing that makes this album worth a listen. other than that, this is pretty unremarkable and paul simon's music remains unstomachable to me.

Não gostei de nenhuma

not really my thing

Mixed feelings on this one - You Can Call Me Al is amazing and an instant classic. Graceland, Diamonds and Boy in the Bubble are very good; the collaborations are weak and some of the songs belong on the Lion King Soundtrack - not here. Paul’s voice is in fine form and I’m happy to get a taste of his genius here.

I couldn't escape this for more than a year. Now it's like deja vu.

My interest peaked whenever the African influences came up. Those were the highlights for me! As for the rest, it feels like I haven’t unlocked the right context to appreciate his music. Don’t get me wrong, there’s clearly a lot of talent on display, but I’d be lying if I said his songs moved me in the way I feel like they’re supposed to. Standouts: Gumboots • Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes • Homeless

Tråkigt

Den der afrikanske indflydelse er ikke lige min kop te, og når han samtidig selv lyder relativt uinspireret og halvkedelig på de fleste numre, så glider jeg ud hurtigere, end du kan sige Garfunkel. Det bliver lidt klovnet 2.3

I think I get why do people praise this album - it's refreshing and full of new sounds. Unfortunately, the overall texture and sound of this album annoyed me for some reason.

Hoy arrancamos más tarde de lo habitual pero arrancamos. Hoy, con Paul Simon, artista que también ha tocado en éste reto y del que sólo ubico muy por arriba por Simon & Garfunkel. Quizás es por la época en la que estamos en la que estas músicas suenan anacrónicas, quizás es porque es un artista que no me llama la atención, pero el disco no me pareció tan célebre como describe en la reseña. Algunas canciones me suenan de haberlas escuchado por la radio de niño, pero nada más. Hasta mañana, genchi.

Good music, would have loved to hear Hedi Bergs original version

really enjoyed the guitar of it all, i guess i need some more time with it!

A couple of good songs, some duff ones

Listened to on my Apple AirPods Max. You know, this album is quite a challenge for me to describe in terms of my feelings. There is certainly appreciation to be held in Paul Simon's songwriting, and in the exploration in fusing his American pop/folk ideas with South African musical ideas, but this album on the whole just sounds grating to my ears. Throughout the album, I was really turned off by the drums, which has this 80s trademark gated reverb thing going on that makes them sound stadium ready and fake as hell, totally at odds with this kinda "man with guitar" kinda music, even in it's expanded band sense like this album presents. I also didn't find myself connecting to a lot of the storytelling by Simon. There are moments, like the title track 'Graceland', in which a heartfelt tale of lost love and moving on is sung in a way where the lyrics and delivery come together for something great, but I so often found myself annoyed by both of those aspects. It's that singing by Paul combined with a lot of the instrumentation, whether it be the instrument itself (like the several accordion passages) or the engineering on the sound that makes the thing sound tacky and synthetic--it's all these forces coming together in ways that feel totally at odds with my ears. It isn't impossible for me to see how this album reached the heights of success that it did, but I just personally do not like much of what the album has to offer. Whether that be the vocal delivery or the clashing fusion of South African music with overwrought studio-pop sound, it's just not for me. The album art's nice, though.

146. no

Fine

Muy folk. Usa mucho coro como instrumento casi. Está bueno, pero it's not my cup of tea

Not my cup of tea

Pretentious as hell. Not awful, but not as impressive as it thinks it is. The worst part is that I typically like Simon? Oh well.

eh, not really for me honestly

No está mal parece un poco reggae

Not my type of album but great lyrics

I know it's a classic, but it's kind of boring for me. It does have one of my top 10 all-time favorite songs though (the song Graceland). I appreciate the album for what it is, but I would never intentionally sit down and just listen to the entire album.

One of those albums that seemed to be everywhere in the mid 80s. The music is cool. I just don’t think Paul’s weak voice fits the music. It’s jarring. 2

Not the biggest fan of American music. Had a couple good songs

Sounds like a response to Phil Collins at times, and a mess at others. Technically sound, but all over the place. I guess after 20 years of performing, Paul said “idc anymore”. ⭐️⭐️

Sophie - ehhhhhhhhh

Well. New Ick unlocked. 60’s/70’s singer songwriters entering the 80’s. The lore behind Paul Simon and his African influences is cool and all, but this shit does not land at all for me. Idk, maybe I’m a hater but his song writing does not jive with the production for me. Also his voice.. I can’t see him doing anything other than earthy folk music. You can call me Al is clearly the most palatable song here, but that can’t even save it for me. Sorry Paul.

Meh: it’s like sad Paul Simon was able to neuter the joy out of everything. And I would be okay if I never heard You Can Call Me Al again.

I say... something weird! She says... arbitrary crap! He says... hemisphere!

Pas trop ma came

Musicalmente es bueno, pero no es lo mío para nada. Me aburrió bastante.

It's not great. Inoffensive at best but not very good. I'm not really the biggest fan of Paul Simon on his own, and this album was kind of hard to sit through. I found myself zoning out a lot of the time. I think there's a reason that Call Me Al has over 150 million more streams than any of the other songs on this album.

dosta conutryish/religious vibez al je okej 5/10

A very polarising album. It didn’t really do much for me (although I have always liked You Can Call Me Al). It’s ok, but not one I’d revisit.

a really interesting blend of traditions, not my vibe though:(

Alle vores forældre delte deres første kys til You Can Call Me Al på et tilrøget værtshus et sted, og det ser rosenrødt ud i bakspejlet. Men i virkeligheden var det nok lidt tåkrummende, og lige nu er det mest den tåkrummende del der når mig. 2,6

Tja, jo, nej, måske og så skidt da Det er sgu Paul Simon! Jeg er egentlig overhovedet ikke til den der afrikanske indflydelse på dette album, og når han samtidig selv lyder relativt uinspireret og kedelig på de fleste numre, så glider jeg ud hurtigere, end du kan sige Garfunkel. 2.3

Lindo, alegre. Tiene sonidos como africanos, lo cual me sorprendió pq no me esperaba eso. Suena barbaro. No me voló la cabeza igualmente, es para escuchar un par de temas. Himno: You can call me Al

It has very folk vibes, but the beats are nice especially the second song on the album, but other than that , it just wasn't something i can see myself listening to again

flop

This album is about a racist man in the 1980s

I didn't get it at all, it's some kind of experimental music where sometimes the lyrics are just spoken rather than sing.

oh my god dude

Getting gospel church pop and it brings back memories of choir boy days that I didn't particularly love. Some redeeming qualities though.

Pretty funky start album and different to what I'd usually listen to. Particularly enjoyed the collab with 'The Gaza Sisters' Got a bit boring though and I can't really imagine myself coming back to it in a hurry. 2 stars.

I didn’t like this so much

its not bad its just not my style. i think its produced well and flows nicely

Just not great. Kinda spoken word off beat isn’t my vibe

Mid

I think Paul Simon is a great songwriter and maybe talent wise is a good singer but subjectively I don't care for his voice much. Also this album has a very 80s feel but it gets a little cloying after a while.

Folk isnt my favourite genre and I found this album to not be my favourite either. The only parts I really liked were the background vocals and the songs with South African musicians and the only song I really liked was 'You can call me Al'

Not so good

I spent my life avoiding Graceland, and now I feel vindicated; it's awful. I guess the main problem is Paul Simon himself, as he just doesn't seem to fit here at all. It's almost an embarrassment when he shows up in a track, especially when it's been flowing for half a minute or so before he turns in to taint it with his presence. He's not even singing on half of the songs, kind of mumble-speaking instead. There's a couple of brighter spots, but they don't last long enough to save the entirety. Without Paul Simon, this might be an unremarkable three star album, but it dips to a low two star album due to him ruining most of it.

Well, it has a lot of great musicians on it. At times they make a joyful sound. But this is the third Paul Simon album in a week. Enough. Why does he get so much representation?

Poor Paul never had a chance. Some interesting musical elements but I just do not care for him

Not really for me but I did like a couple of so gs

Really wanted to enjoy this more.

An inspiring story about how no matter where in the world you're from, you too could one day be part of a pretty crap album

These songs are dumb. I like Paul Simon but not this one

Mheu

Not really my thing

Overrated, mostly boring. Does everything with an African beat need to be included in this list? I guess the editor thought so.

Jamais écouté avant. Le mélange de pop 80's et de d'influences sud-africaines est très efficace, pas de doute là-dessus. Mention spéciale aux lignes de basse de Bakithi Kumalo. Mais aller enregistrer un album à Johannesburg en plein apartheid, avec des musiciens africains, et assumer ouvertement de ne pas vouloir en faire un objet politique, ça laisse un arrière-goût désagréable dans la bouche... Top : I Know What I Know Flop : Under African Skies

Holy Schmeep, this is the first one I could not fully get through. I am somewhat shocked how you could possibly make so many songs sound like nothing.

Paul Simon is a musical icon and as someone who grew up religious, middle class, and somewhat white, Paul Simon was a huge part of my childhood. That being said, most of Paul Simon’s portfolio from later in his life reeks of early midlife crisis. His solo career post Simon & Garfunkel had promise but Graceland was a difficult and confusing choice made by a man trying to find himself again in other people’s culture. And for what it’s worth, we all do it from time to time. Trying to reinvent ourselves in the shape of someone else? Much easier than finding internal creativity. I refuse to comment on the politics surrounding Paul Simon’s choices of making white people mbaqanga during apartheid simply because that would take me all day. Regardless, I find Graceland to be overall fine with a few hits and at least one big miss. Season: Early Fall Favorite Song: You Can Call Me Al

it was fun. nothing special imo

The contributions from the other musicians were great, Paul was a snooze.

Не мое, жанр совсем не зашёл

I was aware of this album, and I knew a couple of the songs, especially You can call me Al due to it's popularity on both radio and MTV. Its an okay song, not one I would seek out, but catchy enough to listen to once in a while. As for the rest of the album? What is all the fuss about? I really don't get the adulation. It's weird, Simon's voice is alright at times, and annoying at others. I guess I am in the minority on this one, but I just didn't care for it. I don't even think it is a 2, but it is better than a 1, so 2 it is.

For gods sake Paul, give Art a call! Boy in the bubble is spot on, no amount of explaining exonerates the classlessness of this work Apartheid aside, I find the work mixes and merges musical styles well but leaves an empty feeling, and an unease that feels like somebody trampled all over your mother's best linen. 2 for me

This is just not an album I would ever listen to. Good opening driving song, familiar, jangly nice. Graceland is such an Americana song. Third song gets us to the collaborative Paul Simon… don’t really like this. Now we’ve stepped into some sort of jug band dance and spoken word melody… saxophones… too much of a bayou jig. Here’s the soft bongos and groovy Paul Simon… horns and more upbeat… Of course into Call Me Al as a natural next song… I think you have to at least sort of like this song.. Yeah.. we’re getting a little country/African ramblingish here… almost a church croon going here. More African chanting collaboration… nope. Crazy Love is sort of back to that brightness of Call Me Al. That Was Your Mother brings us right back to the jig-band bayou… I just am not into this sound. Last song with Los Lobos… jig-band, driving drums… country twangs… again, no. Not offensive, but this album is not for me.

I’ve been meaning to get around to this album for a while. It started off really strong, but honestly, it fell apart at the end for me. I did dig the world in African influences, but I almost feel like it was too much there towards the middle and end. This is a really good album with some great tracks, but just fails to achieve greatness overall.

not my thing

I was willing to give this one a try. Not for me.

Coldplay left me well, cold

I'd heard a lot of good things about this album but this was just dull.

Not my type of music, but as a South African it was nice to hear that touch if it, maybe more of the type of music my dad would like tho

all sounded the same lowk

3 eme et (enfin) dernier album de Paul Simon. J'avais trouvé les 2 précédents terriblement ennuyeux (notés 1/5). Cet album est un peu plus intéressant que les 2 autres (inspiration world plutôt que folk), mais rien ne me donne envie d'y revenir. => 2/5

It was okay I am really not a Paul Simon fan

segunda canción y lo deje de escuchar. no es de mis gusto.

Only listened to half the album. Oops.

2.5 - Not bad

1. Graceland - Paul Simon: 5.5/10 - maybe it’s not my vibe, but I thought it was a cute album.. I thought the musical composition was interesting, I like how you could hear different types of cultures musically referenced throughout. I also got a very surfy and yeehaw vibe listening to it and a weird happy coming of age film aura🏄

Ok to listen to, doesn’t really hit my taste. Random banger with you can call me al. Rest is feels a bit boring and not very memorable

The boy in the bubble: Hopeful rock made with some unconventional instruments, feels very southern US. not bad. Graceland: The usual southern US yankee song about a breakup finding new family in the "graceland". okay I know what I know: Another southern song, the choir in the background sounds like something you'd hear in a tribe, I don't really get this one. Gumboots: nothing interesting Diamonds on the soles of her shoes: a big genre change, the song is more like a tropical pop like today's George Ezra. You can call me Al: pretty good, 80s pop with some rock, okay Under African skies: nothing interesting, it's a duet homeless: there's a black afro-american choir as the main singers. Sounds a lot like the Day-o song. As I'm listening to the album more and more I'm discovering that this album is mixing the southern US yankee songs with songs that sound african. Crazy love vol. II: nothing interesting, western rock pop. That was your mother: meh All around the world or the myth of fingerprints: again, meh

возможно альбом и не плохой, но явно не в моем вкусе, слишком ярковыраженное катнтри

It’s yachty, it’s fun and breathable but not for me.

this aint it

Mais um álbum sem sal de Paul Simon. As músicas são bem produzidas, e o baixista é muito bom, então ganha alguns pontos com isso. O problema são as músicas em si, que tem uma falta de personalidade grande. Melhor do álbum: "Graceland". Pior do álbum: "Gumboots (with Boyoyo Boys)".

this is the kind of music cady heron's parents were listening to

it was cute! i wish i could 2.5 it

Ikke helt min stil

Nop nop nop

meh alright not his classic stuff nothing id really listen to again x

fun vibe, definitely enjoyed a few songs but nothing I would really listen to again.

Just not my cup of tea. Paul Simon is fine for a little diddy (Me and Julio), but a full album was tough to get through for me. Homeless specifically was like what the hell is going on.

Just super bland. If this album were a spice, it’d be flour.

nao eh ofensivo e nem ruim, mas meu deus do céu como é CHATO!!!!!!! quando eu pensei "putz nem eh tão chato" começou o acapella. vai tomar no CU tá ali na BEIRADA da apropriação cultural. pelo menos o mano chamou uns artistas africanos pra contribuírem.

At first, I thought i wouldn't like it but ended up grooving to it.

I just didn't really care for this kind of music. Which is disappointing because I know how legendary he is and I'm a big fan of Simon & Garfunkel.

I definitely still prefer Still Crazy After All These Years, but this is also the first time I have listened to Graceland all the way through. I've heard most of the album on it's own but have never sat down and gone through it from start to finish. I don't think Paul Simon's voice really does anything to complement the sound of the album at all and just feels very flat. Underwhelming for what this album has always been chalked up to be.

Just not for me.

Definitely interesting sounding with the use of African musicians adding a unique flavor compared to most western music. Doesn't really grab me though and a lot of songs feel like they don't go anywhere. I love You Can Call Me Al though and I think it's the zenith of what this album is trying to do in terms of combining kinda softer pop rock, Simon's odd and infectious delivery, and the African sounds.

Not a massive fan of the folksy style and instrument use, however nicely mixed and can appreciate the musicality. Graceland still an enjoyable song but no other standouts.

Really not my thing, sorry Paul

I did not like this album. I can appreciate it lyrically, but sonically the album feels disjointed. Which made for a disappointing listen. Two stars. (Favorite track: You Can Call Me Al.)

Not my favorite it just didn't speak to me

This is not a good album. At least the songs have an energy to them that makes the album easier to get through. I liked the accordion in the track "The Boy in the Bubble".

Где гарфункел

I don’t like him for this.

I guess I like early Paul Simon

Vraiment bof, pas mon style du tout

Dans la jungle, terrible jungle, Simon a sorti Graceland. J'ai eu envie, de tout arrêter, t'es un putain d'anglais ! Dans la jungle, terrible jungle, Simon s'est approprié. Et j'ai trouvé, ça assez mauvais, on est pas dans un Disney !

I’d always heard about this record featuring African sounds quite prominently however I didn’t realise how little he does with them. Like it’s just standard Paul Simon songs with some bongos.

This album has a ton of sentimental meaning to a lot of people I know. I have several friends who grew up with this record being regularly played by their parents and have lots of memories tied into it. My parents were not really big music people so I don’t share that experience. I heard this album much later in my life and was somewhat mystified by its beloved status. It’s definitely better than Hearts and Bones but I don’t really enjoy it. I dislike the production. The drums sound really terrible. This also was the beginning of so much terrible global fusion music.

I feel like he gets cancelled for this record if he released it in 2018.

He succeeded in making music that has no soul.

Mixed feelings about this album. On one hand, the history behind it makes Paul Simon seem like a real piece of garbage. Basically Heidi Berg was like "I love Afrikans music and want to make an album that uses South African music and influences, this tape is kinda what i'm going for." Paul then listens to the tape and is like "LUL GOOD IDEA THANKS FOR THAT I"LL TAKE IT FROM HERE, NERD!" Real dick move. This was also made during the height of Apartheid, the period of extreme racial segregation in South Africa. Huh...sounds familiar....I wonder if any other countries did something like this? Only this time the world grouped up and tried to completely boycott all things South Africa until they stopped. There were also economic sanctions. Queue Paul Simon going to South Africa to make his stolen idea for an album a reality. Many people were upset. In hindsight, boycotting all cultural and artistic elements of South Africa was completely idiotic. The black citizens were suffering and it should have been encouraged to work with the indigenous population rather than also boycotting local black artists. It does feel a bit like appropriation, and I think he gets away with it specifically due to the complete global boycott of South Africa. We Are The World just came out, which was Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie's charity event to raise money for the famine in Ethiopia which was HUGE and included basically every famous singer ever and raised the today equivalent of $230 million. So Africa was hot and it was the perfect time to rebel and go to Africa to record an Africa-influenced album and also shine the light on some of the horrible stuff still going on there. So that is why this album is important. I totally get the "appropriation" angle, and agree to an extent; but there wasn't going to be a South African artist emerging to represent their culture at this time specifically because of the world's complete boycott of all things South Africa. But it's irrelevant. The FACT is that Paul Simon made it and DID bring a incredible amount of awareness and appreciation to African music....and he ALSO profited greatly off 1) Stealing another persons idea verbatim and 2) Taking the music of another culture and selling it under his own name. But if we hate Paul Simon for this, then there's a long list of other artists we also have to hate for doing the same thing.....The Beatles for example for appropriating Indian culture and music into some of their later albums. It's kinda what the industry does. So we can take it for what it is and use it to transition into supporting more authentic artists. Listen to a Ladysmith Black Mambazo album or two after this. Shaka Zulu or Zibuyinhlazane, which has the song Homeless without Paul Simon. With all that soapbox stuff over with......god Paul Simon sucks. I'm just not a fan of his style at all. I do like the African elements and the music in general......but I just do not enjoy his personal style of lyricism and singing. Ignoring the history and drama behind this album, I think there is a number of artists that could have done a better job. I have to give it a 3 for bringing the normie worlds attention to music in Africa, but it doesn't deserve any more because he stole the idea for this album from someone else.

Well this was a sorta fun trip to Jesusland land of Jesus ig?

I feel like I should've liked this, but I find Paul Simon sort of annoying for some indescribable way

Ever since I started this challenge and mentioned it to others, they'd ask if I got to this album yet. Because of that and my love for S+G through this challenge I was really excited for this album. I fear the hype is overblown with nostalgia glasses. Paul Simon sounds great, but my enjoyment stopped there. I'm not a big fan of the production choices I was shocked this is so beloved!

Not my cup of tea tbh...

Not really my thing. I knew You Can Call Me Al. The African stuff doesn't do anything for me.

I am not a Paul Simon fan, and this didn't win me over.

i don’t like HATE any of these albums but they are really just ok. fav song: you can call me al (and then i gave up hence the 2)

This sort of blew my mind the first time I heard it, but it's really quite a pale imitation of what it's trying to be, and the main songs don't hit like I thought.

Funfact fra Villiam, d e han eine i simon and garfunkle Beste sang: The boy in the bubble

A lot of this is going to come from my research into this that I do before I listen to the album. I was maybe 5 or 6 when this album came out. I definitely remember “You Can Call me Al” but as for the controversy of the album I was not fully aware of but now looking back on it not only should Paul Simon be reevaluated for being a terrible sex pest (see my review for Paul Simon / Paul Simon for more information) he should be ashamed of breaking the UN backed cultural boycott of South Africa. For those not in the know and the review for this does not go into detail. Much like what we are seeing with Israel South Africa was an apartheid state and there was a United Nations backed cultural boycott of South Africa. Basically band from around the world were refusing to play in South Africa to not play in a terrible place. In some way playing there lent credence to the apartheid regime and one could say that if you did you agreed with the South African policy. There are a lot of bands now that are starting to contemplate doing the same to Israel (look into Massive Attacks statements for more information if you want). A modern, non musical, analogy the Riyadh Comedy Festival where comedians were paid enormous amounts of money to basically white wash the terrible human rights situation in Saudi Arabia. Enough of all of that though. Except it’s also not like he could not be aware of what was going on he was 45 at the time so should have been plugged into HUGE world affairs issues. And for giggles his wife was 20 and in seven years she would marry him. The album is OK and for someone who broke a UN boycott to go make it you would assume that there would be quite a bit more songs about apartheid South Africa by my count there were only 3, and it’s not like you have to go to apartheid South Africa to make an anti-apartheid song Peter Gabriel showed everyone how to do so 6 years before this album came out with Biko. One would assume that the prolific and sexy pesty Paul Simon could come up with a full album since he was in apartheid South Africa writing this album.

no

Странный альбом, наполненный странными звуками. С одной стороны, попсовенький фолк-рок, с другой - африканские народные мотивы. Не понимаю что я чувствую по этому поводу. Второй раз бы не слушал, не зацепило.

Great musician, not really my thing.

It made me think of country music a bit? not really my style. I was also in a mood which it didnt make me feel better

La verdad es que pareciera que la única razón por la que música africana entra en esta lista es si un gringo decide buscarse a sí mismo en ese continente. Por lo demás, leyendo otras reseñas, este disco parece estar aquí más por nostalgia que por verdadera calidad.

Production might be good. It might've been influential in making the South African mbaqanga sound global. But it's so so boring.

I didn't listen to this album when it first came out, but the people in my circle in the mid 90s were obsessed with it and WAY overlistened to it. And it was never my thing. So I low-key hate it due to overexposure to something I didn't really want to hear in the first place. Besides that I find it to be really monotonous.

Cultural appropriation and boycott-breaking aside, I would gladly spend the rest of the day listening to Youssou N'Dour, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Linda Ronstadt and Los Lobos without Paul Simon's irritating voice and silly ditties.

(47/100)

Nice rhythms and a few familiar songs, but this album doesn't resonate with me.

uhhh no thanks brother. 2/5

Soft-spoken with some underlying tribal influence. Okay, but not great.

Eu não sei se bateu, legal, mas não é muito minha vibe

Wasn't really a fan of that. Just felt like a very sanitised, white 80s interpretation of African music. Super tightly mixed drums with lots of reverb and fretless bass aren't my favourite either. I did like all the featured artists! Homeless was probably the best song on the album, partially because it didn't have that damned band on it.

Didn’t like it then - don’t like it now. Give me a “neighborhood concert” in Central Park over this every day of the week.

Me aburre de sobremanera este músico, aunque tiene muy buenos arreglos, toca admitir.

Tsja, ik heb er niet zoveel mee. Voelt een beetje als een rijke amerikaan die in de jaren 80 naar Afrika is gegaan en het licht denkt te hebben gezien.

This album is like the extended family having a get together because your cousin is back from her gap year in London and has a photo slideshow to show. Oh wow, you saw the London Eye AND Big Ben? And you got in a black cab? You wish your uncle would offer to top up your glass of wine, but apparently we aren't allowed to interrupt this show. At least your grandparents seem to be enjoying it.

Some excellent classics (one mostly) but the rest feels dated and hasnt aged all that gracefully. Village party vibes on some of these.

- It sounds good - im so fucking bored

Paul Simon, as part of Simon & Garfunkel and right through into his solo career, is the genius behind some of my favourite music. You Can Call Me Al is an irresistable slab of 80s pop which hits all the nostalgia buttons. But, and there is a big but, I've never really found Graceland that interesting as an album - I don't really see what all the fuss is about, even less so 40-odd years on. It's too slick to sound authentic, and too pretentious to sound fun - obligatory chart-friendly moments aside. Not his best album by a long chalk, celebrated though it may be.

good. just good. 5/10

Not really a Paul Simone (solo) fan.

This was somewhat tolerable. I don’t understand why I had to listen to it though.

While I have immense respect for Paul Simon as an artist, the songs on this album (for the most part) don't really move the needle for me. Favorite track: Call Me Al

hora da neneca

There are so many strange production choices going on here I have to assume it is some sort of deliberate thing. I can't imagine mixing down those weak tinkly guitar or bass tracks and thinking "yep this is the one going on that people are going to hear". Another thing that I couldn't get past when listening is how many of they lyrics are stating who said something. "He said" "I said" "You said" "She said" I know it's just a personal issue of mine that I can't stand song lyrics with "You said".

Somewhat charming - feels very 80s and even though I wasn't alive for much of the 80s, it is a little nostalgic. I don't like the farty bass tone that appears on some of the songs. It's funny that they come right out the gate with "The Boy in the Bubble" with the bass at its fartiest. Sounds like something from a cartoon. I don't think I'm likely to revisit this one, but it's not terrible.

I've never liked Paul Simon and this listen did not change my mind. Maybe it was overexposure to Call Me Al in my formative years. Just got so tired of that song and his voice.

Aside from "You Can Call Me Al," I knew this album mostly by reputation, because it was so huge, and then, later, the blowback Simon got for it. I'm not sure what it says about him that the best parts are the ones with South African musicians. Otherwise I think this is kind of repetitive, though the bass work is top-notch.

Not even gonna touch the whole "cultural appropriation/apartheid boycott" stuff. But I'm also not gonna lie - I always found myself really vibing with the songs until paul shows up with his annoying little voice and stupid little lyrics. Like I LOVE certain specific elements, the sax in Gumboots, the tin whistle solo and the bass!! in You Can Call Me Al, the accordion in the first and last track? Not to mention the backing vocals from Ladysmith Black Mambazo?? But the rest of it is so blah- I don't see myself revisiting these songs anytime soon. I can't really reconcile my irrational dislike for Paul Simon with my appreciation of literally everything else, so I'm just gonna put this at a solid 2. Favs: None really :(. Maybe Homeless?

not terrible

The earlier work of Simon and Garfunkel is much better than solo Paul Simon. This album has a couple of good songs, but is mostly forgettable.

Was not in the mood for whatever the hell this was today.

I know this is a revered album, but I was never able to connect with it. Was it the "world music" infusion that makes people so into it? I always thought Western musicians toying with "world music" only presents it as inferior to American / British.

Didn't like it, but I think it's just personal taste

Didn’t love this. It’s a weird album to my ears. The mix of world music and carnivalesque rock just didn’t do it for me. I’m sure there’s a point to it, but I didn’t enjoy it enough to go back and dig into it. I do like one or two of the songs on their own.

Yllättävästi oli paljon afrikkalaissaundeja. Mikäs siinä.

Overrated

Всякий разный фолк, околофолк, кантри и прочее. Как-то не заинтересовал.

I liked it a lot years ago, but time has not be favorable to it in my opinion. Has this sound simply become less and less unique? I feel like Graceland's massive legacy will heavily decline in the next few years.

Rolig, litt for kjedelig for min smak

I do not love this album nearly as much as most others do. I find the production horrendously dated and most of the tracks cheesy as hell. 2/5

Cultural appropriation 💀 .... but yeah it just didnt sound good to me 🤷‍♀️

averaged

a worse "remain in light".

Was excited to listen to but was underwhelmed. Probably 2.5

Love the bass playing but not a folk music fan

Are we sure that Garfunkel did not write the early Simon & Garfunkel songs…?

It was ok - nothing special.

Apparently Garfunkel was load-bearing. 2.5

Meh, me gustó hallelujah porque me recordó a Shrek pero no más, no me cierra el estilo del tipo la verdad.

No me gustó mucho, taba raro

In spite of doing some heavy lifting, not even the highlight that is You Can Call Me Al can really help me move past how indifferent I felt to a majority of this album. I’m not a prude when it comes to the appropriation aspects of this album but to me it did feel hollow and like Simon was a bit vain to take this angle for the purposes of his own reinvention. Whether his intentions of popularizing African music in states/the west as a whole were genuine or not, it did not matter when I just feel bored by most of this.

Han er kedelig

Folksy music. It was ok.

Не так плохо, как многие пишут, но и восхищаться нечем.

Great South African Rhythms, great songs with 4 world wide no1 hit singles. A gateway to African music for those who didn’t already know. Something of a reinvention for Paul Simon.

I liked it until I didn’t. It was around the song homeless that I stopped enjoying it and wished the album to be over, and seeing how many songs were left, I didn’t take it as a good sign. Overall, it started fun but if an album makes me want it to be over, it’s not getting rated well.

I am so sorry but it was a disappointement.

𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥 is often held up as a groundbreaking album, but to me, it mostly sounds like a smooth, safe ’80s pop record with occasional touches of South African rhythm and harmony. The much-praised “world music” elements are there, but they rarely lead — Paul Simon stays firmly in the spotlight, and the album never feels like a true musical exchange. Still, I do get the sense that Simon wanted to shine a light on the South African musicians he worked with. Groups like Ladysmith Black Mambazo clearly gained more visibility through this project, and that matters — even if the way it’s done feels more like cultural framing than collaboration. The music itself feels tame, a bit lifeless at times, and nowhere near as bold as its reputation suggests. For an album so often described as revolutionary, it left me surprisingly unmoved.

Not really my kind of music.

Nothing about this album particularly stands out to me. The African elements are interesting in theory but Paul Simon doesn’t really do anything with them.

It's not as good as Simon's work with Garfunkel by far. This week has been a stinker by comparison to the last one. The worst song on "Graceland" is "I Know What I Know". Its vocals drive me up the wall. The lovely a cappella song "Homeless" features Ladysmith Black Mambazo, whose album I quite liked. 2 stars for "Graceland".

I went on vacation and I brought you back this appropriated genre. (35 known/78 new)

I didn't like this when it came out in the 80's, when I was a teenager, and I still don't like it now. It's listenable at best. The most alarming aspect is it feels like he has just absolutely rinsed a long list of artists and passed it off as his own work. And people go crazy for it, like it helped end apartheid. Fuck off with that shit.

Not my vibe honestly

3,5 Já tinha ouvido sobre esse álbum antes e a grande maioria me disse que era uma obra prima... e deve ser para alguns gostos. Não gosto muito das musicas de Simon & Garfunkel e confesso que não tinha escuta os projetos solo de nenhum dos dois até então, nem tinha muito interesse também. Então, sei lá, eu estou aqui colocando na categoria das experiências interessantes, mas nem de longe na categoria das experiências arrebatadoras

He loves to rhyme. Doesn't really do much for me though

Not really my vibe 2/5

White people love this shit. Especially barefoot white people. Don’t like the spoken rhythm lyrics.

I applaud Paul. It’s not often you listen to an album with only one good song (you can call me Al). None of this comes together in a satisfying way. Would also like to add that Simon’s take on zydeco is embarrassing.

Not Paul Simon's best work. Much like Bob Dylan, he has a habit of talk-singing through these rambling stories with uninteresting instrumentation. It wasn't all uninteresting in the case of Graceland; sometimes it was actively annoying, like when it crossed over into polka territory with tracks like "Gumboots" and "That Was Your Mother". There were a couple decent songs--"You Can Call Me Al" is a classic and "Crazy Love, Vol. II" was pretty okay. As a result of those two songs, I can't give this a 1 star rating, but only barely.

Inoffensive but boring IMO, nothing special. Not as good as the Simon and Garfunkle records I had before (gave those a 3). Basically what an entire album of songs that sound exactly like Rusted Roots' Send Me On My Way would sound like (so listening to this album, it's obvious what RRs influence was). Fine song, but I don't need an entire album of Send Me On My Way.

- Huge respect to the African artists Simon worked with. And "You Can Call Me Al" is fun to dance to. But god...Simon just seems like an insufferable twat. - Apparently there were concerns of cultural appropriation and musical imperialism...how could there not be? It is hard to listen to some of these when you recognize that there is a white American at the center directing everyone else.

milquetoast world music

The Boy in the Bubble and Graceland was good. I really like Simon & Garfunkle but this solo album didn't move me other than the first two songs. I won't probably listen to again though I can see how the album could be enjoyable to those that like Americana more.

The world music style gets exhausting after a while. Hits are still classics

enjoyable and chill but probs wouldn’t listen again

Jag gav den nästan en etta men det var bara för att jag försökte lyssna på det när jag pluggade och blev irriterad. Not for me.

His 7th album. African inspired sounds. African backing vocals and choirs. Homeless has good lyrics and a good sounding choir. You Can Call Me Al is the signature track and a great single. Overall, disappointed. Heard so much about this album but I wasn't into it at all apart from one good song.

Meh

Poor

A fairly okay album. It was nice to hear You Can Call Me Al, a song I've heard plenty as a kid but never knew the name of. The African inspirations can be heard in the background vocals and percussion, and unfortunately that is the most entertaining part. The vocals were drab and did not fit the tone of the music, especially Gumboots. I was bored while listening to the album, little hooked me, nothing was added to my "Liked Songs."

The most beige music I’ve ever heard. All the most boring middle aged people you know hear “you can call me Al” and all collectively say “ooh I love Paul Simon”. Leave it out, he’s absolutely dreary.

Clean, sometimes interesting, the album feels wrong.

daora mas n e minha pira

Like kje You Can Call Me Al

Quirky, goofy, upbeat. I know Paul Simon has his following, but it's not necessarily for me. A lot of it sounds cheesy, but it's not unbearable to listen to. Just something about the acoustics that doesn't align with me, but it's okay I guess.

4/10

You Can Call Me Al is a classic, but the rest of the album was very hit or miss for me. I also don’t like that he was involved with South Africa during apartheid or that Chevy Chase was part of a music video, but that doesn’t affect the music, just my opinion of Paul Simon.

Eh, I generally enjoy one or two songs but I just feel iffy about the whole composition of the album considering where Simon got his inspiration from and the political climate at the time. Not awful but not memorable. The two stars is more for the talent of the featured South African artists.

I did not like it

Meh. Ehmm... Some of it is ok. Pleasant enough, not particularly diverting. I guess because I've listened to more of the real thing since rather than a watered down version for western audiences. The guitar work, the bass work, the vocal harmonies are all great. The main problem with this record is Paul Simon and the lack of tunes. Also, um why randomly including Los Lobos? So basically, Duck Rock but not very good.

Before listening, nostalgia was telling me 4 or 5 star album. With fresh ears I struggled to get through it in one sitting. Some good songs, not a strong album. Hasn’t aged well.

Not for me

Shouldn’t have broken the boycott, bitch!

When you're having a mid-off and your opponent is this album

The African-inspired production was refreshing. However, nothing caught my attention. 2 out of 5.

Eh

Dwie Grace pod rząd? Co to, pokuta po spowiedzi? "You can call me Al" to banger ze świetnym hookiem. 2

2 Paul Simon albums in 4 days seems like a crazy coincidence. This one feels very different to his self titled album which was basically default soft rock. My main critique was that it felt like it was missing something. Well apparently by 14 years later he had found some direction. Unfortunately, I'm not sure I like the direction it takes. It feels like music for Christians on mission trip to Africa. Like there's cultural appropriation going on but it's still very much music for white people.

Meandering lyrics combine with instrumental tracks tuned too loud to make an album I don't really like. I do understand why someone would like this album though. Favorite track: Graceland Least favorite track: Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes

mixed feelings; some songs are fun, many songs overstay their welcome (which, despite being only a 43 minute long album, is more common than you’d think) but i think in the correct setting i could fuck with it. i just don’t dig the lyricism here at all, which usually doesn’t impact my listening experience, but i don’t resonate with any of it… i do the opposite of resonate actually lmao. i was going to rate it 3 early on but realistically it’s now a 2.5, and i will subtract that .5 since i reached a point where i wanted it to just end.

You can call me unimpressed

This was admittedly disappointing for me. It could have been the fact that I don't identify with this era of pop rock music at all, but I did not find much compelling about this music at all in a lasting way nor a political way, which I sorta hoped for given the origin of its guest stars. Make no mistake, the performances are tight overall (except for that fretless bass on the first track for some reason) and the production is solid, but it's so... bog standard sounding for me, I just don't get much from it. It's pleasant, inoffensive, but ultimately milquetoast music. Also Paul Simon's delivery annoys me quite a lot admittedly. Favorite tracks: Graceland, Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes, You Can Call Me Al, African Skies maybe 4/10

This did not sway my opinion on paul simon. infact it made it worse.

5/10 I wanna completely put aside the messy background of this record and talk about the actual outcome of the music. Using other people’s culture in your art is not explicitly black or white, while some instances can be exploitative cultural appropriation, others can be really beautiful, inspired, and respectful. Paul Simon’s collaborations with African (mainly South African) artists and their music certainly feels respectful, their contributions to the sound of this album are excellent, and I don’t really think I can say this isn’t the way to go when working with other cultures to create your art. My main issue is with Paul himself, where in the beautiful blend of influences from South African music, we have at its core, a pretty weak American Pop Rock album. Paul’s writing on this LP doesn’t feel like it really goes far enough to warrant an album of this nature, while there’s no songs that really come off as offensive, I can’t say I would go out of my way to listen to this album if it was stripped of any of its influences and it was a plain American Pop Rock album. It ends up feeling inconsequential, like the people on this album were just a means to an end, and while I don’t expect Paul or any artist to change the world with their lyrics, it did feel kinda weird to completely avoid any mention of what his collaborators were going through in their country. I can’t help but pin this against an album like Remain in Light by the Talking Heads where the African influences feel fundamental to the album, not only musically with their blends of Post-Punk and Afrobeat and Afro-Funk, but lyrically by those genres as well. Brian Eno and David Byrne were inspired enough to push themselves out of a deep respect for these cultures, going out of their way to urge their audiences to look into the cultures and writings from the countries they were influenced by. Paul just doesn’t seem to want to go far enough, and it kinda shows in his attitudes regarding the criticism thrown at him by anti-apartheid movements at the time. It’s nice while it’s on but there’s very few songs that really wanna bring me back to it. No “Go white boy go” for you Paul.

Fucking awful 4 tracks in and it’s just so boring. Every song sounds the same it’s so bland and boring i honestly feel like shooting myself, 2 stars just because it’s not the worst thing i’ve ever heard just painfully boring

Ok

Dude definitely needs Garfunkel

I was meh about this

1001 Albums #15 I don't know why but something about the production on this or his voice ticks me off Can't place it I can see why it would appeal to people but found it kind of boring and not very memorable?

honestly not much of a fan. just not my type of music but i can see why some people like it. 2/5

2.5

The music was fine. His voice and lyrics less so. Less Paul Simon the better.

Yuppies…. 🙄🤢🙄🤢🙄🤢 Paul Simon sure does talk a lot just to say absolutely nothing.

Did not enjoy, felt like all of the worst things about 80s pop music rolled into one album

2.5 dnf

i can't even spell out what i didn't like about this album. it's sounds well crafted. it doesn't get through to me...

5/10 The vocals are surprisingly poor. Highlight: You can call me Al

So this album is sonically and historically interesting and I'm glad Paul Simon did the bare minimum for these musicians (as well as rightfully taking a stand against apartheid) but this really is the kind of album that for me and my own taste in rock it's just so not it for me. Trying to put all these cool and interesting African music aspects into an 80s pop rock shaped whole whose production could make a lot of these sound flatter than they otherwise should is a shame because in concept I like the idea of this and in the songs like "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" really does come together but in others like the title track it really doesn't come together because they feel uneven in the inclusion of country pop melodies which never click with me and feel like they take away from the rest of the sounds in the album. There's also that some songs try to play more to Simon's musical wheelhouse while the others give more center stage to the African musicians, it's an uneven feel and generally I wound up wanting more from the African music side than I did anywhere near Paul Simon's brand of pop rock. So yeah, interesting album but not the kind I enjoy or would play again in full beyond like three songs

if you, like me, enjoyed the contributions of the South African artists on this album but hated whenever Paul Simon opened his mouth, i would recommend "The Indestructible Beat of Soweto," a compilation record from the same year that gives you a taste of what the township jive scene sounded like without the tedious poetic musings of some guy from New Jersey.

Good album, just not my thing.

I think I was expecting more from this but I just felt like it didn’t quite deliver. I’d probably listen to a couple of songs again but I think it wouldn’t bother me if I didn’t listen to most of the songs on this album again.

I had to listen to this one a few too many times to feel comfortable enough to rate it, which is usually a bad sign. Overall pretty forgettable. Sounds like they put a fart filter over the Bass guitar. Favorites were I Know What I Know and Homeless

Not entirely sure how I feel about this folk-pop. It could be a 2 or a 3. Too folky for me. This seems an unserious record.

Man. This ain’t it.

Putting the dubious nature of this album's creation aside, the best tracks on this are some of the better 80s worldbeat (not even close to Talking Heads tho.) Ultimately, I like the stuff that this album influenced more than this album itself (Vampire Weekend.)

Pleasant

hmmmm no