Graceland

Lovely effort with all the awkward growing pains of cross-cultural collaborations.

it was great

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

With some africans

This is the kind of album that feels like it was over in 33 minutes. You think I just put this on, how can it be over already. Very cool album. Will always remind of 2nd grade because my teacher played you can call me al and dont worry be happy all the time.

I've given worse people decent scores so I can't really give this masterpiece anything less than 5. It's just.. wonderful. The atmospehres across the thing. Yeah a lot of the credit is not Paul Simon, so everyone on this gets the 5. Paul Simon was still a dick though, but not quite as bad as some others on this list.

Hmmm, I really like Paul Simon's lyrics and his tunes are great, I just don't really get on with the feel of this album, there are a few songs that are alright, but a lot of it just is there. I keep getting told by everyone that this is a classic etc etc, but I just don't love it. It's ok at best (beyond those few tracks). Part of wants to understand the hype, part of me wants to be contrary and hate it. Most of me is indifferent to a lot of it. It popularised the idea of world music which I find to be a bit of a naff term and made me sit through hours of music I wasn't too fond of on jools Holland. Meh.

I loved listening to it

To me this is weirdly a kind of anti-album. I know all the songs, love many of them, and appreciate the sound when it wanders into my life. But I almost never play the album, nor do I see it as one I’ll share with my kids one day (whereas I’ve already found moments where I’ve decided it’s time for them to bear Help! or Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots). It’s not just that I like other Paul Simon records more… it’s something about how when you put the 80s pop Africana sound at album scale, it becomes more grating. The accusations of appropriation become more salient, even though I’ve never known what to think about all that. So it’s a 4 for Paul and Ladysmith Black Mambazo and a loose affiliation of millionaires and billionaires, but not so much for Graceland.

all sounded the same lowk

Can’t fault this album really, well put together and with Paul’s fantastic bass work. A joy from start to finish

Wow I think this confirms I shouldn't read reviews on here, what a bunch of friggin idiots. What a classic and nothing Simon did here is wrong. He is a music lover. He loved their music. So he went to see them. They loved him. They made music together in collaboration that a majority of the whole world loved. He gave exposure of their music to the whole world, as well as their domestic plight which doubtless made a positive contribution to the end of apartheid. Beyond that it's a great mix of songs joyous and thoughtful. Groovy and heartwarming. A classic and probably his best.

4/5. Great all the way through. Loved the experimentation with different artists and styles.

Didn't think this was gonna be my vibe, but it was very much my vibe. I really liked it. And there is sooooo much lore behind it - the South African apartheid, the breakup of Simon & Garfunkel, his divorce from Carrie Fisher. Excited to dig into the history of the songs!

Holy wow that was great

It was a good funky album!

Gosto muito do Paul Simon, fez altas músicas que tocam no meu coração, mas esse álbum foi muito animadinho, não me tocou tanto. As mais filosóficas dele, que tu sente vontade de pegar uma berga, são as melhorinhas. Tava louco pra dar 5, mas vou com 4 por que o cara é bom mesmo.

Que álbum lokaço mano. Bem diferenciado, fora do padrão. Achei bacana, várias músicas com baixo bem gostosinho, sempre me chama a atenção. Músicas animadas, deve ser bom pra ouvir viajando. A "You Can Call Me Al" toca direto aqui nas festas e eu não sabia o nome. Quando começou a tocar já rolou um PTSD, mas é bem daóra a música. Várias músicas com feature indígena ou algo do tipo também, algumas esquisitas, outras daóra. Eu ia dar 3* mas acabei adicionando váárias músicas, achei o álbum muito daórinha, eu acho que merece 4*, me surpreendeu positivamente.

I think it's I great album. I know it since childhood. As a less experienced listener, I tend to focus on the "world music" side of it. Going back to it today makes me realize that the power of this album is the quality of the songs themselves. The moments where the songwriting isn't great and relay on the African production are quite weak. But most of the album is written very well. Under African skies is more beautiful than I remembered. Less strong tracks are homeless, gumboots and that was your mother. Almost all others are between good and great. If a younger me was reviewing this album, it would get I 5. But I'm rating it now, knowing there are better projects in Paul's catalog. A 3.5

An enigmatic album, very much a product of its own creation, and unlike anything that had come before it. It's not that Paul Simon invented these South African music systems, but he did write a tremendous album and collaborated with these incredible musicians, bringing an awareness and appreciation to an audience that would have otherwise remained ignorant. In the complicated balance between cultural appropriation and appreciation, I think it tips the scale in appreciation's favor. It also has some of his greatest post-Garfunkel songs: "You Can Call Me Al," "Diamonds on the Souls of Her Shoes," "Homeless," and of course, "Graceland."

I remember as a kid, this album was everywhere. Funny reading about how he stole the idea for the album, and fucked over some of the musicians, the cultural colonialism. Interesting stuff, and well the thing is the album is great! 4 Heard before? Some Owned: No 47/192 (24%) Will I get: I think so

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 sounds so festive and feels like with a sense of community. Inspirational!

Great album

The iconic road trip album. It’s damn near perfect

It was okay I am really not a Paul Simon fan

ALBUM #2 🤠 02/01/26 folk is deffo not my genre, the only songs i really liked here were: The Boy In the Bubble You Can Call Me Al its too american im sorry

It was good

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

Who am I to blow against the wind? :)

2/1/26. Didn't have much time or energy to listen fully but everyone knows Call Me Al and I think the style is unique. Took a few songs to acclimate but I enjoyed it. 7/10

I LOVE this album. I loved it when I first got the CD at age 16, and I love it now at 55. I don't skip any songs. Never did. How many albums can say that?

Only a fan of Paul in 60s and 70s

Reminded of how good it is!

I like Paul Simon's solo album. It's got songs on it that are African in nature and it's a great listen if you want that kind of music. His back up band are really tight but it's sort of light and airy; nothing wrong with that, sometimes I like listening to that kind of music. It is quite uplifting.

Having seen this live there is something slightly flat about the recording that doesn't quite capture it properly 3.5*

Album No. 0141 on my list. Ah, I was looking forward to this one! "Graceland" by Paul Simon surely is one of the most iconic albums of the 1980s - an important milestone for both Simon's career and the liaison between (South) African music and western pop music. I had known most of the songs, but cannot recall listening to the album in its entirety. "Graceland" is still pretty great! Yes, the production definitely sounds like it came out in the 80s, but I still think that it sounds pretty good! I actually enjoy the collaboration with South African musicians and I think that the integration of their contributions is well done. The major strength of Paul Simon on "Graceland" is to integrate the skills and talents of his African collaborators while maintaining a signature sound. I like the topics that this album's lyrics deal with (for some reason the combination of American and African topics appeals to me), and there are some great hooks and licks on this. Cool stuff overall - despite all the discussions regarding the collaboration with South Africa and whether it is acceptable to use the contributions of black people as a white person (which I think it is indeed) - this album stood the test of time. I will add "The Boy In The Bubble", "Graceland", "I Know What I Know", "You Can Call Me Al" (obviously), and "Under African Skies" to my playlist. 5/5 stars!

Very nice. Feel like I want more energy tho, like this just makes me wanna listen to vampire weekend. EDIT: Upgraded this to 5 stars are listening to this again when the sun finally came out in the UK. Actually did not give it the credit it deserves, this is a phenomenal album in the right time and place. 8.5 / 10 Best track/s: Graceland, Crazy Love Part II, Diamonds on the Sole of Her Shoes, You Can Call Me Al

I went to Graceland and it was fine. But this album is great!

Not really my jam. I thought a lot of the African influence was neat, some good bass solos. I can see my mom liking this as a teenager.

Really like this album - if I tried to describe it the description would not be something I would expect to enjoy, but it just works

Less bad than I remember but I still think it’s a bombastic vanity project. Some tracks are great, others are fine, but I won’t revisit this on purpose.

Only listened to half the album. Oops.

Paul Simon is an artist I really ought to listen to more often; his work often has to fight for my attention against the louder rock and blues that dominates my collection. His music is intricate, precise, and occasionally delicate - always deeply considered. However, having been born in the 1960s, I’ve found his music has been a constant presence throughout my life. It may not always have been at the forefront, but it was always there on the radio and TV, quietly influencing me while competing with the louder trends of the 70s and 80s. Similarly, "Graceland" is an album that I find myself thoroughly enjoying every time I put it on. Simon’s wonderful voice is paired here with some slightly "odd" vocal melodies that offer a refreshing departure from his earlier solo work. The accompanying harmonies, of course, bring a completely different texture, with African influences shining through most brilliantly on the introductions to "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" and "Homeless". Underpinning it all are those infectious rhythms; the percussion and bass work, in particular, are standout elements that really make the record shine. The album wasn't without controversy upon its release, and as evidenced by some of the more recent commentary in the reviews on this site, that debate clearly persists. Personally, I’ve never agreed with the critics. At best, the "cultural appropriation" critiques are well-meant but misplaced; at worst, as seen in some vitriolic reviews, they are little more than nonsense. "Graceland" is an excellent album. While I’ve never quite subscribed to the "masterpiece" label, a term I tend to avoid in any case, it is a high-calibre piece of work. For me, "Crazy Love, Vol. II" is the weakest link; it’s a good song, but it feels slightly out of step with the rest. Similarly, while the final two tracks are very strong, they don't quite possess the same cohesion as the opening eight. Four stars. Side one 1 "The Boy in the Bubble" (5/5) 2 "Graceland" (5/5) 3 "I Know What I Know" (with General MD Shirinda and the Gaza Sisters) (4/5) 4 "Gumboots" (with the Boyoyo Boys) (4/5) 5 "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" (with Ladysmith Black Mambazo) (5/5) Side two 6 "You Can Call Me Al" (5/5) 7 "Under African Skies" (5/5) 8 "Homeless" (with Ladysmith Black Mambazo) (5/5) 9 "Crazy Love, Vol. II" (with Stimela) (3/5) 10 "That Was Your Mother" (with Good Rockin' Dopsie and the Twisters) (4/5) 11 "All Around the World or the Myth of Fingerprints" (with Los Lobos) (4/5) Sum 49 Average 4.45 229/1001 127/229 albums reviewed were new to me

Great music for dancing with your baby

I'm so very mixed here. On one hand, I love something about these bright sounds with burbling bass and plucked guitar that make me think of some of the world entries in this list (e.g., Songhoy Blues). On the other, there is something distinctively cheesy feeling about this all that makes me feel like it lacks a certain genuine nature. Like even the bass burble feels like a caricature in many cases (especially on You Can Call Me Al). But then You Can Call Me Al actually plays and I can't help but love this song. I could see where someone could love this record, but for me it is just fine. 3

So close to perfect congruency with Paul Simon on this list. We had a Paul Simon album as our 26th album and after this album we only have 27 albums remaining. Another great entry by Paul Simon. Very interesting to see how much he is influenced by African music being a white American.

Paul Simon albums are funny cause it's mostly just him talking with instruments playing behind him. This one was mostly nothing special for me although an easy listen. You Can Call Me Al will never not get me going though. And the last song was a big ol' bop.

This was just alright... He got pretty quirky and while some people can pull it off I don't feel like this does. Pretty meh 3.

There was a time when every review for all my favorite new releases mentioned Graceland so of course it is incredible. Songs added to my 1001 Bangers playlist: All of them

Every time I relisten to Graceland I become more of a mark for Graceland. Every bit of political criticism of the album is correct, but that doesn't ever make it less of a blast to listen through. Can't go ten seconds without making a sound I love.

I could call him Al, but I'll call this album pretty darn great.

segundo album desse mano aqui o.O FAVS (top 3): graceland, you can call me al, under african skies mençoes honrosas: the boy in the bubble, that was your mother, homeless ah, legalzinho nota final: 3.5/5

Not my favorite

Some really fun, catchy songs

This feels like a good baseline album and rating to start off this project with. Had never actually really listened to this outside of "You Can Call Me Al" and the title track. Paul Simon's songwriting strengths meld really well with the South African instrumentalists that he brought into the room, although I imagine his songwriting strengths meld really well with most musicianship out there, the instincts are just so incredible. Outside of the aforementioned great songs that still hold up, the two highlights (which will make pleasant new additions to my rotation) were "The Boy in the Bubble" and especially "Under African Skies". Wow Linda Ronstadt's voice huh. Very funny to love that song and then read about how that one was especially critiqued in the scope of the anti-apartheid boycotts. Beautiful song though.

The last minute of Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes is some of the most beautiful pop music you'll ever hear. The whole album is also some of the most beautiful pop music you'll ever hear. I've been trying to figure out what a "roly poly little bat faced girl" is since I was like 6 years old.

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🏄

A jolly vacation vibe overall 6.8/10

That was great!

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

not my vibe

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

Lovely as always

The album is alright. It's nice background music, but nothing more for me.

3.5/5 Good, but not for me. Clearly a direct ancestor of Vampire Weekend. Drum recordings are some of the worst I've ever heard put to vinyl

It was fine. Probably won't listen to this album again. Has some songs that are nostalgic that I was glad to listen to again.

A legendary album that's genuinely hard not to like. Instant mood improver.

Paul wants to be in an African tribe so bad but he just cant shake off the 80’s

Not my kind of music but a pretty awesome record.

in all honesty an incredible album that had me in smiles, i can't quite place an understanding in the negative views on it but everything i'm seeing come from it drives a good feeling out of me.

An album to transport you to better vibes via sweet African sounds

Toe tapping. Easy listening. Multi-hit.

4.5/5. Easily the best post Simon and Garfunkel Paul Simon album. Lyrically he’s at the top of his game here and his collaborations with south-African musicians give the instrumentation a great sense of personality.

Great album! Paul simon is such a gift and he has a way of just writing great songs

Great album. Probably Paul Simon's best solo album (my favorite) Highlights: "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" and "You Can Call Me Al"

Very fun album. I didn't know that You Can Call Me Al was from this record. Some tracks ran on too long. I love the clear inspiration from various cultures.

Fun album, a few good songs, but overall just average musical entertainment.

This album is one of the best ever

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

I've really taken a liking to Simon & Garfunkel since I got Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme in this generator, so I'm looking forward to listening to one of Paul Simon's most critically acclaimed solo albums. Having only heard Simon & Garfunkel before, and not having noticed that Graceland came out in 1986, I was dumbfounded when I started and heard all the 80's music elements in this. But there's an elegance to the mix of Paul Simon's impeccable songwriting, African music and 80's music elements.

up beat could dance and laugh to

this aint it

I wanted to hate, but You Can Call Me Al is seriously a bopper. The rest of it is fine.

Ugh... What's worse than Paul Simon? Easy, '80s Paul Simon blending African music and pop into his otherwise unremarkable sound and acting like he discovered something. The whole thing feels like smug pandering.

Didn't know what to think when the intro of track 1 started but quickly started really enjoying this album!

A great album to have in the background of a chill house party. Favourite would have to be "Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes". "I Know What I Know" doesn't do a lot for me, so I would go with that for least favourite right now.

Love the African-inspired vibes!

Sorryyyy er jo ganske fan

Paul Simon is an asshole and a plagiarist. Fuck him.

Not really for me but consistent in its quality. Would be a good soundtrack for going on an adventure with someone I love but idk when I'd throw this on otherwise.

Really enjoyed his curiosity of other styles of music!

After reading the wiki I think I feel both sides of the argument. It’s good that he worked with all these South African musicians and shined a lil light on that part of the world but also he made hugggge commercial successes by appropriating music that white western audiences were not comfortable with if it had come from a Black person. THATS MY TAKE!

A complicated album to review. Some magnificent instrumentation, especially in the rhythms and fretless bass playing. But Simon's twee storytelling and thin voice just doesn't mesh well overall and hinders more tracks than it compliments (You Can Call Me Al and Diamonds... being clear exceptions).

You Can Call Me Al, I Know What I Know, Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes. It was alright, it didn't stand out to me that much. Worth a relisten in the future since I feel like my opinion could change.

Wonderful pop album wth influences from all over the world.

This was okay. I will not re-listen to it. Most songs blended into each other 2/10

The Boy In The Bubble - like the drums in the opening, good grooves. i like it quite a bit so far. "these are the days of miracle and wonder, this is a long distance call. the way we look at a distant constellation that's dying in a corner of the sky." like that alot. Graceland - like it in the beginning, pretty interesting. i can't figure out what the fuck Graceland is, he just keeps talking about going there? I Know What I Know - idk who these folks drummer is but by god that person is good at drumming. it's just him picking up a girl, it's got vibes Gumboots - "and you don't feel you could love me, but I feel you could." love the saxophone in the back and the intricate keyboard(?) in the back with the jumpy beat. it's nice. this is a bop i might revisit. Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes - rich girl and poor boy song. talking alot about the diamonds on the soles of her shoes, she knows it. You Can Call Me Al - "if you'll be my bodyguard, you can call me Al". really liked this one. African Skies - talks about an african man walking under the african skies Homeless - being homeless under the african skies, did not expect the sudden african twist. like the chanting in the back. Crazy Love, Vol. II - "I don't want no part of this crazy love, I don't want no part." That Was Your Mother - sounded fun All Around The World or The Myth Of Fingerprints - GIVE THIS DRUMMER A FUCKING OVATION GDAMN.

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)".

pretty good!

Like it 3/5

My favourite album of all time, perfect blend of pop and African inspired rhythms. 5

I do appreciate the ambition and originality in this album. And the bangers really are top drawer. Don't love all the tracks when they go a bit too far into African music territory for my taste. But it's a great journey of a record. I really need to listen to more of Paul Simons work beyond this.

This album hits me on two levels, as not only is it a truly great album, it is also one that holds significant nostalgia in terms of my childhood. Firstly i know there are criticisms of Paul Simon’s appropriation of African music for songs on this album, but it was always clear where the inspiration was from and without i would never have known about Ladysmith Black Manbazo, let alone seen them live. Opening with The Boy in the Bubble and Graceland feels a brave move, but there is no letting up on this album. I have always loved I Know What I Know, with its humour infused lyrics and general catchiness. Gumboots and Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes showcase the music that inspired this album and i remember how fresh these sounded amongst the synth crap that dominated 80s music. You can call me Al is another one of those songs where it is hard not to picture the video in your head. Yes Chevy Chase maybe a dick but it is an iconic video. It’s hard to know what to focus on the lyrics are great, the brass section, but i think for me it’s the bass that just about nicks it.

Obviously this album being on the generator allows me to recount the story of how I used to think Chevy Chase was Paul Simon when I was a child. Anyway, this is a weird album for me to try to review. I genuinely enjoyed having it on while I was pottering in the kitchen. Bringing in the musicians from South Africa to play on it has created such a unique sound that there is no doubt you’re listening to “Graceland”. It’s full of interesting guitar lines and rhythms, and I will never not enjoy the opportunity to listen to Ladysmith Black Mambazo. All of that said, the only tracks that made me stop to pay attention were the title track and “You Can Call Me Al”. But they sit in a mix of songs that otherwise were enjoyable. If I could give this 3.5* I would, because I’ve faltered between giving it a 3* or 4* marking for what feels like hours. But I don’t think it’s a 3* album compared to others.

It's another album my parents played to death during my youth and which I probably haven't listened to once as an adult. Paul Simon has such a soft, lovely voice and he writes great lyrics - it's a killer combination. Especially on this album which, depending on your viewpoint, is infused with the sounds of South Africa / stolen from apartheid Africans. I haf no idea that Simon was a bit of an arse who stole the whole idea for this album from someone else (Heidi Berg) who he was supposed to be producing an album for. Major tut. I listened to this while reading a message board post from 2011 where Paul Simon stans argued with each other about how much of this album can be credited to him and it was genuinely fascinating. Parasocial relationships with artists are nothing new. Back to the music... Ladysmith Black Mambazo have just the most beautiful voices - there are some great songs on this album that are so well known, but Homeless just is so lovely and tragic and gorgeous. I really enjoyed revisiting this album, and regardless of it's complicated back story, it's so understandable how this became the huge hit it was. 4/5

great album. "pretentiousness" always has been more of a value judgment than an actual technical flaw with an album. not cultural appropriation by the way, no idea where that came from.

Hmm

Good solid album, great songwriting split between a 3 and a 4. Worth another listen

160626 23:50 3.5

The fuck is this dude on about?

Love. This is truly a solid album, and I’m honestly sad I hadn’t heard it before this challenge. There’s something really special about music that bends genres, and I personally love afro-pop. The joyful sound paired with well-written lyrics really hits for me.

he really loves african guitar man.

Love the varied instrumentation, world music, and of course Simon is a gifted lyricist. I was vaguely familiar with this album but first time listening in its entirety. It's quite enjoyable.

Perfectly pleasant

Undoubtedly, one of my favorite albums of all time.

It brought home all the South African struggles and contributed to the positive change there.

Wonderful album, have had it on repeat for a few days since I had it on the list. Great songwriting and really warm feeling classic 80s production. I love the sound of an African choir - I know this album has got some heat in recent years but I think this was done with good intentions and dues paid to those who inspired it.

Already one of my absolute favorites, don’t even NEED to listen but I will anyway

Just a perfect album. Simon’s writing feels effortless, there’s this undertone of Zydeco without the insufferable nature of actual Zydeco, and the bass is just all over the goddamn place in the best way. The only problem this album has is that some of the saddest lyrics are undercut by a bass line just going nuts.

~ I need this on vinyl ASAP ~ This made me deep dive on Apartheid and South African artists!

some good tunes. better than i thought

What a gift from god to provide us with ears to be able to listen to this masterpiece.

Look, it is not bad, but if I'd rather listen to South African artists than Paul Simon's cheap imitation.

很轻盈很有生命力的好听，但还是觉得没有主唱人声就好了，欣赏不了沙哑男声

Some fantastic tracks

5 - mastapiece

Tento album mi je celkom sympatický.

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

it was cute! i wish i could 2.5 it

A delightful album! Simon does a fantastic job of using the inspiration he took from South Africa and letting the tracks be naturally joyful and free-spirited, and letting the plethora of features guide each track to stand out on its' own. While Simon's lyrical writing is great, there were a lot of times I wished he stayed out of the way for longer and let the African and Bayou inspired instrumentals show off more, like in Gumboots. There are a lot of pleasant gifts in this album such as the a cappella moments and bubbly instrumentals within each track, with a standout tune being the unexpectedly uptempo That Was Your Mother. I'm not a big fan of Paul Simon's vocals and feel like there's a few moments that don't hit the mark, but I left this album feeling cheerful and light-hearted. The bass player fucking RIPS, and every sax solo was 👨‍🍳👌.

Ikke helt min stil

Nop nop nop

Heard before. Only wanted to skip 2 songs!

Pas vraiment mon truc

Absolute banger of an album. Not a bad collaboration for a South African group and Jewish kid from the northeast.

The introduction to African music that the world needed in the 80s. Still being massively influential 20+ years after his first album just shows how much of a genius Paul Simon is.

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

BuT iT's CuLtUrAL aPpRoPriATiOn!!!!!111 Does anyone fucking think on here? Does anyone know what they're talking about? Does anyone know anything about music? There's a certain type of idiot on here (and in life) that hears something like Graceland and sprints, whistle in mouth, to declare Paul Simon guilty of "cultural appropriation." These are the people who were hall monitors in high school and continue to look for infractions anywhere and everywhere in life. According to these assholes, Paul Simon didn't collaborate with musicians in South Africa, he only extracted their music and their culture. And they constantly ignore (or don't want to bother to look) that the music that's on this album shined a light on artists like Barney Rachabane, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Hugh Masekela and Clifton Chenier. They don't want to take a minute to understand that this album brought these artists some notoriety and that these artists were appreciative. They don't want to admit, by these artists accounts, that the album was a joy to make. And these assholes just never want to acknowledge the most obvious point, that music has always been a conversation across cultures. Genres exist because cultures collide...rock music exists because of Black Americans. Elvis didn't appear out of thin air fully formed, he was drawing from Black gospel, blues and R&B. The Beatles were borrowing Chuck Berry riffs, girl group harmonies, basslines from Motown, American R&B, Indian sitars and the list goes on and on. Jazz is a mix of african rhythms, european brass band instruments, carribean influences and blues scales. Country is a blend of scottish and irish ballads, Black blues structures, mexican influences on Western swing and African banjo classics. Hip Hip was built on sampling funk, disco, rock and whatever else they could find. But the "cultural appropriation" assholes never worry about nuance. As long as they can plant their flag on some moral hill, they'll ignore everything else. They'll ignore the musicians that wanted to work with Paul Simon, the breaking of a cultural boycott in an effort to collaborate on music and the positive feedback from everyone involved. These "cultural appropriation" assholes have one argument, and it's this: Paul Simon shouldn't have made one of the best and most innovative albums of the 80s because it violates my sensitivities. In doing so, these "cultural appropriation" assholes flatten the South African musicians into props for a moral lecture. And in thinking they're somehow protecting them, it reduces them to passive objects rather than creative artists who wanted to collaborate with Simon and brought the world some fucking awesome music. The "cultural appropriation" assholes just ignore that music isn't pure and it's not supposed to be. Humans borrow from each other and cultures mix and to ignore it is to willfully ignore the way culture actually works. They want rigid boundaries when it suits them and they want rigid boundaries in art when art doesn't obey boundaries. So fuck the cultural appropriation warriors, this album absolutely slaps. If you want to downgrade it for farty bass lines and lyrics you don't like, that's fine. But if you want to get on your high horse and write a review about "cultural appropriation" while ignoring all the music you've 5 starred on this site and think you're some sort of a fucking genius you might want to sit this one out.

meh

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

i really liked this album

yea

VERY different, really enjoyed it

This feels like a traveling album. Like something that'd be in the secret life of Walter mitty in his Montague. This was a bubbly happy go lucky listen. The background vocals add to the feeling

enjoyable listen, but didn't stand out to me

Cultural appropriation or groundbreaking collaboration? This record certainly brought a lot of controversy at a time when apartheid was in the world's lens, mostly thanks to the efforts of artists to use their influence to draw attention to South Africa and refusing to play there. At the time the album was released, I sided with the views of Billy Bragg and Paul Weller; I was outraged. Over time, this album grew on me, and I think I understand what Simon was trying to do. I'm less outraged and more grateful that he helped artists like Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Ray Phiri, and Bakithi Kumalo touch the world with their music. 40 years later, a similar controversy is in the spotlight. This time, the focus is on comedians playing comedy festivals in Saudi Arabia. Art is vital for human development, communicating complex ideas, and making sense of life's experiences. It can express emotions, challenge perceptions, provide pleasure, promote social connection, teach values, and help us understand ourselves and the world. It's easier to hate than to empathize. This album definitely belongs on this list.

Musical innovative and global exposure or cultural appropriation and apolitical stance? Have to say I have struggled with it. As a fan of Simon I have probably been underplaying Graceland over the years, compared to the albums he did before it. I am not sure if that is because of the above controversy or a feeling of something like middle age spread? Maybe it was the Chevy Chase and white trainers video. I always kinda liked the music, and love the African artist’s contribution, it did make me go and pick up some of their albums. Today listening, it’s a great album, I am now older so the middle age feeling has lessened, political vs apolitical- everything has a political angle, so that still is a debate, albeit more a historical one now. Musically 5 Star

the songs were long asf lol 😂 but I enjoy listening to it as background music !

Masterpiece. Enough said.

Wasn't expecting to like this, but I liked the cohesiveness and some classics- good listen

Graceland was a perfectly fine album, I enjoyed most of the tracks. I like Simon & Garfunkel so I figured I’d enjoy this album but it was a lot different in sound than them as a group. Nothing particularly jumped out at me but I did like it.

A very soothing listen.

very folk-y song, i hear some synth action going on, i didnt know the synth was even invented back then, lots of instruments and also surprisingly prominent bass, vocals sound as if i'm listening to the lion king or something

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.

Paul took it to the limit the "USA for Africa" idea, recording the full album embedded with african spirits in the air (and music)

So mucho peace, so mucho calm. A music from another era. Beutiful

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

Made an impression. Africa/Mada early 2000s like sounds.

I never thought i will like an album from the 80s , unique shi

7.5/10

isso aqui ter uma nota alta é um atestado de como o usuário médio desse site é um animalzinho sem gosto concordo que tá na beirada da apropriação cultural, mas porra, que trem chato, dodói, sem graça, cansativo vsf paul simon

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.

Great diversity across entire runtime, loved the different styles shown through the features, incredible lyricism from an incredible songwriter

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

80er, teils Country Style, gute Laune, .. You can call me Al (..if you be my bodyguard).. Afrikanische Einflüsse, Gospel, Chor

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.

Legendary. Classic. Rythmic. Tribal.

This is very grandpa music to be honest. I like it but it's the type of thing I would imagine an irishman skipping down a cobblestone road to. Even that's not the right vibe but it's just not really my cup of tea. I like it but I'm probably not going to add many songs to my playlist. I am still enjoying it though. There's honestly not much music that I won't enjoy when I'm in the mood for it and open to listening to anything. Wait what?? Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes hello?? I'm really rocking with this! Paul Simon I was unfamiliar with your game!! This is Simon from Simon & Garfunkel?? What?? Okay never mind maybe I will really like this. Wait I know You Can Call Me Al it was a TikTok song this is cute. Simon I will never speak ill of your name again. This is so good. Homeless?? This is sooo good. Actually I'm a big fan of whatever this guys got going on. I actually really enjoyed that. Favourite: Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes Least favourite: That Was Your Mother

Linda Ronstadt elevates Under African Skies; it's the first song that perked my ears up while listening to this album. Unfortunately the lyric "Joseph's face was black as night" opens the song, a lazy racial metaphor particularly egregious on an album where Simon extracts from African styles. Violating a boycott of South Africa during apartheid is a clear-as-day abhorrent maneuver. The most upvoted review on here is incredibly racist in its dismissiveness of such an objectionable choice. Fuck Paul Simon.

Several really good songs with a few lesser ones. 4 stars or B+.

Really enjoyed this album. There are some excellent songs on here. Graceland being my particular favourite. Paul Simon certainly has some ability as a songwriter. Interesting history to the album as well.

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.

4.5/5 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/paul-simon/graceland/

Wasn't feeling this one at first, but it grew on me a lot by the end. I think my appreciation for Vampire Weekend helped me out here.

Great album.

Review - Stone cold classic, can't complain with this rec. His career was already long by this point but he still has a great voice and his songwriting hadn't faded at all. A completely different style to his early work but still very him. Rating - 9/10 Need to hear? YES

i rly liked the african instruments used, i loved this album and it was great

summer album def was good at the start and the end the African refs were rlly good to just kinda random lol

YESSSSSS

Just not for me.

Every time I listen to a Paul Simon record I always find something new to enjoy. Every listen reveals a new song to enjoy or a catchy tune that ends up getting stuck in your head. Will be listening to this one for a while. That being said, is it as good as his eponymous debut? Don’t know… the hits on Graceland are better, but the vibe of Paul Simon is much more my speed… much to consider….

I liked the African collaboration. Call Me Al in the middle of it through me off. A solid album but not something I would come back to regularly

A top tier classic for me.

Diamonds in the soles of it's grooves

Ok first album

Seems fitting to go from Elvis to Graceland! As I’ve said before, my dad was a big Paul Simon fan and so I grew up listening to this and the nostalgia for it is still strong. Musically it’s still really strong too, packed with hits and hooks, it’s easy to hear why this became as popular as it did, even if there were some question marks about it politically.

Automatic 5 star! The themes, the collaboration with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the vibrant lively, bouncy atmosphere.

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.

I forgot how much I love this album. Now that I’ve been to Africa I especially love this music. Fun videos too. Paul Simon is so talented.

It's Graceland isn't it?

Really beautiful songwriting with a lot of African tribal accompaniment. 5/5

Não gostei muito do álbum, pois não é o meu estilo de música mas valeu apena ouvir!!🫶

I'm on day 3 of this project, and I'm having to change my expectations. So far I'm listening to nearly ubiquitous music -- Bobs Marley & Dylan, now Paul Simon. Music I've heard nearly my entire life without ever needing to seek it out. Taking the time now to purposely listen to full albums by these artists who've always existed in the atmosphere, is this a useful experiment? I don't know, probably. Is it worth whatever this is going to do to my Spotify algorithm? I'm not sure. I see the genius in Graceland. There's good music here, but I have to shake off a lot of context to get to that point, and I think I have to work too hard at that to really enjoy it. I realize I have given this record a chance before. I'm not sure I have any desire to listen to it again. It feels like 1986, and surely so perfectly capturing an era is meritorious (honestly, you can learn everything you need to know about the mid-80s by starting at the Graceland Wikipedia page and reading all the linked articles), but it's capturing a particularly slick essence of the time to which I have a bit of an aversion. There are some songs I might revisit, but, if I'm looking for African vibes, I'll probably listen to some African music. I guess if I'm ever in the mood for mid-80s cocaine vibes, I might reach for this, but I'd rather listen to Talking Heads.

Cinematic experience!!

Love Paul boy

Normalde dinlemediğim bi tarzdı ama dinlerken sıkılmadım

A pretty funky vibe I wasn’t expecting it but I like it

Yep

i like diamonds on the sole of her shoes

Love it. The bass. The melodies. The African vibes. 5 outa 5

- mukava pehmeä soundi tällä levyllä - you can call me al on sarjassamme biisi jonka nimeä kukaan ei tiedä mutta jonka kaikki on kuullu - kasari kuuluu tällä levyllä vahvasti, hyvällä tavalla - on tää paree ku simon & garfunkelin levyt mitä on tullu vastaan

Lovely sound, actually knew one of the songs!

I really enjoyed the African/Americana

Good god, this album. So many flawless songs. Simon's lyrics and delivery are stunning throughout. And the music is so warm and alive and FUN. I see this as an album mostly about self-pity and shame but trying again anyway. Something that resonates more every year. This is a top-ten album for me, and it's a true delight to have an excuse to listen to it on repeat today.

All good fun. Tbh, I didn't get much time to listen properly, but it's obviously very good.

It was alright, better towards the end of the album but overall an Alright listen.

Very good album! Has a lot of variety and Simon is trying a lot of things!

the up beat notes were good, however, the album was not for me.

Im 50/50 on this one here. Simon is a great writer and vocalist but half of this feels like white guy kumbaya. Like hes using funk slap bass and traditional drums and it all feels out of place. It just doesnt fit in my head. Oil and water type. You can call me al and Graceland are the standouts. Shout out to the boomwhacker on al. What a weird instrument that i never would have thought id see beyond the 2nd grade. It has it in some respects and its wildly off base in others. Thats the short and long of it.

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.

Ts was fun, put ts of to listen to it, but its great. Between 4/5 for me, so might change on a relisten

- The appropriation and entering apartheid SA is problematic, especially given that the album isn’t meant to be a political FU to apartheid - it’s just supposed to “bring this music to light” - so that feels weak, at best. The possible plagiarism is also concerning. - Why would anyone use that bass sound? - I like a handful of songs on here despite the annoying bass, lol, and repeated listens helped me like the album more. - That said, the chorus of Graceland really irritates me - the verses are nice, but it’s ruined by the chorus. Honestly, this is how I feel about a bunch of the songs on the album - super busy with instrumental/vocal elements that I find chaotic and/or annoying (e.g.,The screeching vocals on I Know What I Know and horns on Gumboots and The Boy In The Bubble, the sudden oomba oomba in Under African Skies that’s not sung by a South African, but Linda Ronstadt, lol, the honkey tonk guitar on the final song, the entire That Was Your Mother). Also, what’s with the weird fade out ending on Gumboots?

Fantastic.

Unique sound, oozing with creativity

Mágico, alegre, bailable y diferente… con raíces musicales de muchos lados, pero coherente 🩷

Super album

Thus, 1,000 musical cliches were born.

im not american, i dont understand these reviews they seem so weird to me, what do you mean by cultural appropriation? if anything this feels like cultural appreciation. absolutely loving it, my favorite is diamonds on the soles of her shoes - simply beautiful

Liked Boy in the Bubble and Crazy Love well enough but it felt a little forced when Simon leaned more heavily into the African influences

Like proto-Vampire Weekend with a Chevy Chase jump scare.

Sucks. White American dad folk music.

Ground breaking seminal album for Paul Simon. An Amazing album top to bottom. Could loose the silly pop songs = which keeps it out of the top 25 all time albums. Listened to it for years

I first listened to this album on a road trip with Sarah and Katie Watson as we were coming back from Leavenworth in December 2025. It was much more upbeat and understandable that the previous album we just listened to by Bruce Springsteen. This album is upbeat and has a variety of collaborations with harmonies from Ladysmith Black Mambazo providing a good variety which kept me interested. Anytime accordion is included in a major album is a win for all the polka enthusiasts. Some songs actually sounded like a polka tune.

Really not my thing, sorry Paul

This album is almost legendary, and it deserves that status

Imagine being on your death bed surrounded by friends and family. You have made peace with the reality of your eminent death. You had a full life. A good life. You are comforting all the sad faces around you with a smile it's a special smile the kind that appears on your face when you have resigned yourself to the inevitable when all of a sudden you hear a car parking in front of your home another visitor you think as you hear the opening riffs of Back In Black... You get a second wind and ask your sad faced nephew what was that glorious sound that was coming from his car just now and demand that he plays it right now, so of course he does and as AC DC's magnum opus is blasting you wonder how it's possible that you never heard this glorious noise until now at the very end of your life and you hang on as no way you are dying without hearing the entire album. Some 42 minutes later as Rock and Roll Aint Noise Pollution nears its end you feel great relief that you got to hear such sonic perfection before you died and feel a tinge of sadness as you know that you won't be hearing it again at least not on this planet, you tell your nephew AGAIN! PLAY IT AGAIN... and he does and you smile the kind of smile that a man only gets to wear a few times in life as you take your last gasp.

First half is a certified banger but the back half keeps this from a 5 star rating.

i couldnt get into it thef rist song jsut really wasnt for me. It maybe couldve been amazing but i couldnt see it to the end

Peak world music dps de talking heads

This reminds of getting ready in high school. Not normally my kind of music but this is pretty good. Not sure if it’s better than the Black Album.

Cet album est un régal. Il n'y a rien à jeter. Paul simon est une pointure. Je le savais déjà mais cette écoute me le rappelle !

2 stars I hadn’t listened to Graceland but knew it by reputation. I had a feeling I knew what it would be like and it wasn’t too far off. There were moments that were better than I would expect but for the most part cheesy adult contemporary and not anything I’d spend time on for any other reason.

This is such a okay album. Totally washed over me and inoffensive in quite an offensive way.

So funky i loved it 5/5

I enjoyed, but would I listen again idk

The first song was interesting but I don’t like his singing. Second song is giving dad music Third song also dad music

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.)

Upbeat fun

Great album.

So unique, so singular. There’s a lot of themes of travelling distances in search of something, particularly the ‘going to graceland’, which I interpret to mean he’s trying to connect with the American country, the Earth, Africa, our selves we have lost to the dull complexity of civilization. It’s memorable but I think not quite powerful enough to really hit me like Bridge Over Troubled Water did. Really commendable for its vast, worldly influences. I think they are good, I don’t think it’s wrong to pull from different cultures, and I think more people should

Hard not to love this album!

2 and a half

Effortless

Perfectly fine. But I think it's overrated

Graceland never fails to lift my mood. Uppa Paul Simon

Almost 30 years later, this still holds up. Lots of great songs presented in a very ground breaking and cool way.

I want to love Paul Simon, but something about the upbeat sound of the album just leaves me at a remove, I can’t seem yo get past the jingly-jangly sound. I know it’s supposed to be a phenomenal album

The energetic accordion had me hooked right off the bat. Googling what the heck kind of genre is this, and discovered a whole lot of interesting world beats in the process. This is such a cool collaboration of an American folk singer with South African musicians, musical stylings, and instrumentation and keeps the energy going.

Has some nice songs but the lyrical style gets wearing and the African appropriation is cringe

Absolutely iconic

If Ezra Koenig’s parents had bought any other album this year, Rock history might’ve played out very differently. Whatever would Pitchfork do?

This is ok but I've pretty much have decided that I don't need to have any Paul Simon solo albums in my collection.

Not my favorite it just didn't speak to me

Paul Simon is the musician Randy Newman wishes he was.

I use some of these songs on yoga Playlist. I liked listening to the album all the way through. Mellow easy listening

Eh, it was fine but honestly I think it's kind of overrated.

The whole album felt like each track was leading up to You Can Call Me Al, then just wound down.

Paul Simon is my Bob Dylan

Great, now call me Al will be stuck in my head all week!

With how classic "You Can Call Me Al" is, I was figuring to find a lot more to sink my teeth into on this album. There was a cohesive strand running through, and I found the experimentation to be quite intriguing, but ultimately I was left disappointed more than anything. On a scale of 1-5, with the mid-point being absolute balanced neither exceptional nor useless, I found it to be a safe 2.5/5.

A good album that didn’t particularly resonate with me

Enjoying it! Lots of songs that I know from probably Radio 2 days as a gardener, but some unknown tracks on there too.

Good album. Probably couldn’t be made today.

one of the best albums of all time

I was vibing a bit a first and then I wasn't. The whole thing is weird, but not a weird that I particularly enjoy.

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".

13th album with group. After a relisten, I’ve decided that I hate Paul Simon. Art Garfunkel has long been overhated. Good Songs - Nothing. Bad Songs - The Boy in the Bubble, Graceland, I Know What I Know, Gumboots, Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes, Under African Skies, Homeless, Crazy Love, Vol. II, That was Your Mother, and All Around the World or the Myth of Fingerprints.

groovy

dnf

Exelent use of sounds and voices from Africa.

Где гарфункел

Cool African-inspired rhythms; interesting lyrics; it's one of those background, easy-listening albums; could be a bit boring at times

I feel like it wasn’t Paul Simon’s best. A lot of the songs were nice, but never hit that head-bobbing hook that his other tracks will. I mean, I’m inflating the score because “You Can Call Me Al” is one of the greatest songs of all time and I feel comfortable with that, but I think this will be my lowest Paul Simon rating.

Dzisiaj oficjalnie zakonczylam staz, zaczyna sie weekend, jest piatek godzina 13 i jest finito, gumboots calkowicie pasuje do takiego moodu az chce sie usmiechac, i know what i know daje ten sam klimacik i w sumie jak tak slucham to wszytkie daja bardzo pozytywny 80’s vibe takiej imprezy collage girls, ogolnie nie jest zly ale mnie nudzi, kazda piosenka brzmi bardzo podbnie ma podobny vibe i po prostu czuje ze zadna do mnie nie przemawia na tyle zeby dodac ja do polubionych utworow

Vissa mer catchy låtar som ”The boy in the bubble” och ”You can call me al”. Snygga features på resterande låtar och fångar upp en stor del av kulturen från tredje världen. Dock inte riktigt min smak, men uppskattar innovationen

stick to folk bro please. i don't even think this is cultural appropriation, its just fucking boring.

good album just not my taste

7,5/10

It’s very catchy, some songs more than others but, that guitar makes me want to drive for a very long time in the daytime when the weather is just right and the sun feels good in the breeze.

So far, I've liked the song "I know what I know" the most. But I also really enjoyed the musicals and I think the drums(?) in the song "... diamonds on the sole of her shoes." Also really liked "Under African Skies." that definitely has to be my favourite from this album. It's beautiful. Currently listening to homeless. The vocals are ethereal and angelic. This one is good too.

A classic. A masterpiece.

Beautiful, incredible album, just perfect.

Easy listening classic, very relaxing

An album that got better as it went along. The synth bass tones in the beginning really didn’t work for me, but the rhythms in the second half of the album redeemed it.

S'ok. Not my thing, but tunes from when I was a teen so some recollections there

Hated it

the boy in the bubble- 5 graceland- 5 i know what i know- 5 gumboots- 6 or 7 diamonds on the soles of her shoes- 5 you can call me al- never knew the name of this song. 5 or 6 under african skies- 5 homeless- 5 crazy love vol ii- 5 that was your mother- 5 all around the world or the myth of fingerprints- 5

I don’t like him for this.

Это хорошая музыка. Особенно хороши аккордеоны и африканские мотивы. Этот альбом мог бы быть лучше, если бы в нём не было следов типичной музыки 80х. Лучшая песня: The Boy In the Bubble

One of the all time greats.

Not as good as Still Crazy After All These Years.

Brilliant masterpiece by one of the greatest singer/songwriters of all time.

This is a 5 star album.

I guess I like early Paul Simon

This is #day486 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… how do you tell the difference between terrible and mediocre? Well, you listen to your second Paul Simon album because it walks a fine line. And then, you realize there's the third one that you'd have to hear eventually. I've read that around this period he was going through some personal and creative decline… and honestly, I think he should've stuck to the decline. As if three Simon & Garfunkel records aren't enough to hear before you die. Fortunately, there are no Garfunkel solo albums on this list. This is a 1 out of 5. Looking forward to day #487.

Honestly, not bad. I liked the different instruments throughout. Not the most compelling album, but it was still a fun listen!

Dodododo