1001 Albums Generator
Graceland by Paul Simon

Graceland

Paul Simon

1986
3.72
Rating
30614
Votes
1
3%
2
11%
3
27%
4
32%
5
28%
Distribution
Genres: Rock, Folk, Pop Styles: Singer Songwriter, Folk Rock, Soft Rock, Pop Rock, African, Afrobeat

Reviews (page 9 of 15)

82/100. Graceland by Paul Simon is a great singer-songwriter record that stands out due to its unique influences. Drawing heavily from his trip to South Africa, the album blends folk and rock with vibrant African rhythms and instrumentation, giving it a distinct and refreshing sound. Simon’s songwriting is as strong as ever, and the fusion of styles makes this album feel both adventurous and deeply personal.

i love this album. it has such strong songs, and it’s such a good first half. the last part gets a little like yeah we get it. but i love it!

I can call this album great, fun, and important due to it's cross cultural significance ... and you can call me Al!

A fantastic album from the 1980’s. A classic from that time.

Inspirational zydeco and African rhythms and instrumentation. Always loved you can call me Al, under African skies has an amazing bass line. Homeless remind me of the lifesavers commercial. Ladysmith black mambazo for more African vocal harmonies. Vampire weekend for more pop instrumentation over African clave like crazy love vol 2

So fun, lots of international sounds and flair.

All day.

This is such a weird time capsule from the 80s. My dad had this tape. I remember listening to this riding around in his Chevy work van when I was 8-10 years old. I can't not love this even though, if I'd never heard it before, I'd probably give it a shit review.

Admittedly pretty iconic.

Just not a big Paul Simon guy. I saw him live at Outsidelands and he was awesome, just........ boring. I find everything about him and his music and this album just to be boring Best Song: You Can Call Me Al Rating: 5.0/10 3 Stars

Yeah…not a big Paul Simon fan it turns out.

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

This is a really interesting album and I mean that in the best possible way. The songs are very different with Pauls distinctive voice and the guitar as some of the only things that binds the album together. I cant stop listening to the album as a whole. The switch from an African choir singing in what I assume is their native tongue to an accordion is insane and yet it somehow works. And then suddenly "You can call me Al" comes on. How have I never heard the rest of this album when I've heard this song so many times before? Very good album throughout and an awesome experience to listen through it.

This album has a very interesting combination of influences and styles, such as african music and features (for this context) unusual sounds like the accordion. However the overall sounds is very reminiscent of the 80s, therefore not timeless like other works where Paul Simon was involved.

A classic

I knew some of these already. I enjoyed the album, although I found it quite mellow at times and wished it would get more lively! You can call me Al is still my favourite from here. 4

Ok wow, that was unexpected, I absolutely love this. Really interesting riffs and instrumental arrangements on almost every song, as well as fantastic lyrics and great vocals.

Generic sounds from the early 90s. Story telling, not singing. Kinda racist in some parts. I sometimes feel like on a folks festival. City Pop / Rock ?

Graceland is an album I'm pretty mixed as it has some things that i like about it but has others that i think could have been handled better. This album used quite a lot of elements of South African Street music which i find interesting and it is handled alright but not all too greatly which is a big reason as to why i prefer both Simon's self titled album and Hearts and Bones over this one. Some of the singles which did not use world elements were pretty good though with songs like You Can Call Me Al being pretty fun tracks. This isn't a bad album but in my opinion, it is a lot more rough than the other two Paul Simon albums i have listened to. Best Song: You Can Call Me Al Worst Song: Homeless Side note: Since i have done all of Paul Simon's solo albums, i might as well put my ranking of them here: 1. Hearts And Bones 2. Paul Simon 3. Graceland

4 - I was a bit disappointed. I felt it didnt really know how to start and stumbled a bit. Then once the bangers came it was good old paul simon.

This has long been a favourite album of mine. It's amazing to me how beautifully and tastefully Paul Simon blends African influences with his own folk style, creating some genuinely groundbreaking music - I'm not really familiar with any other album that sounds anything like this. The big hitters for me are a great testament to Simon's diverse skills as a songwriter. The titular Graceland is a driving piece of Americana, somewhat oddly out of place amongst the numerous other tracks with clear African influence. You Can Call Me Al is full of 80s bombast, but is just so irresistibly danceable. Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes is one of those beautiful unique blends that could simply never be recreated. Not every track is a hit for me, its not a perfect album, but its pretty darn good. 4.7/5

did not like too much

Deilige sørafrikanske vibber. Beste produksjonen

Nice to listen to. Can't say I was paying too much attention though. Lovely.

Thoroughly enjoyed the African influence, the story telling, and the big hitters like Diamond's On the Soles of Her Shoes and You Can Call Me Al. Concise and tight album, would listen again

What can I even say - this is one of my most adored albums of all time. It’s childhood, it’s nostalgia, and although there is far superior African music out there I think it does a pretty fantastic job (cultural appropriation/appreciation is a conversation for another time). Diamonds on the soles of her shoes has to be one of the greatest songs ever written (to compensate for his ordinary shoes I mean cmon!!!!). If Paul Simon has no fans I’m DEAD

Absolutely love this album - homeless and under African skies a pair of underrated gems.

Great album. 4.3/5

Zaskakująco przyjemny album. Wciągający, chwytliwy, z kilkoma naprawdę sympatycznymi utworami (tytułowe "Graceland", "I Know What I Know", "You Can Call Me Al" i chyba zwłaszcza "That Was Your Mother". Zaskoczyło mnie tak bogate czerpanie z kultury afrykańskiej na albumie nowojorskiego białego piosenkarza żydowskiego pochodzenia, w ogóle nie spodziewałem się takich aranżacji i wokali. Choć szczerze mówiąc akurat te utwory, które najmocniej czerpały z tego instrumentarium i wokali najmniej przypadły mi do gustu. To wciąż były w porządku utwory, ale mniej mnie interesowały. Skoro o tym mowa, album był dla mnie dosyć nierówny w kwestiach stylu i tempa utworów. Jeden kawałek mnie porywał, a następny dosyć nudził. Myślę, że gdyby wszystkie utwory były w stylu tych wymienionych przeze mnie powyżej, to mógłbym dać wyższą ocenę (zresztą wczoraj o tym myślałem, ale dałem sobie czas, żeby posłuchać tego dzisiaj po raz drugi i trzeci). Podobają mi się momenty, kiedy poszczególne piosenki wpadają w silny vibe lat 80-tych, z mocną perkusją i brzmieniem, który jakoś jednoznacznie kojarzy mi się z tym, co najfajniejsze w tym okresie. Nie przytoczę teraz z głowy konkretnych utworów tho. All in all całkiem spoko album, ale trochę zbyt nierówny stylistycznie i "fajnościowo", żebym do niego wrócił. 3,5/5

Two Graces in the row? What is it? A penance after Confession? Did I steal this joke? Yes. Did I write it in a Mr Peanutbutter voice? Also yes. But nobody can stop me. Also nobody can stop me from giving this album its' deserved 3. The story behind recording is far more intresting than what you can hear in music. Wide variety of artist Mr Graceland cooperated with resulted in very mixed final product or maybe he is the weakest link in all of that.

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

James Taylor yesterday and Paul Simon today. It's 70's singer-songwriter week but I can't decide if that's a good thing or a bad thing. We know Jim Croce won't be on any lists any time soon. Personally, I would put at the very least You Don't Mess Around with Jim in the book but it was not my decision. In my opinion, Croce is superior to both James Taylor and Paul Simon. Paul Simon tickles the fancy of music critics because he incorporates African sounds into his music and that makes them feel like the music Simon writes is more important and open-minded. "Look at all the African artists Simon is bringing to the forefront!" Unfortunately, your average music listener could not tell you which African artists are featured on Graceland but they do know Chevy Chase was in the music video for You Can Call Me Al. Enough about my slight distaste for Paul Simon being the musical version of white guilt that only serves to inhabit and profit from those he is "helping," rather than highlighting their talent. I would think this is Paul Simon's best album and I say that having only listened to his debut album. I know he has another album in this book (which is insanity), so perhaps I'll change my mine once I hear that one. I think this album deserves a place in the book, despite my feelings about all of the other things around it outside of the music. There is not a bad song on here, though You Can Call Me Al feels like a pop song written to sell records. Of course, Paul Simon would never do that. Would I listen to this album again? I very well may, because it's a good album and if I am listening to Paul Simon then it contains much of his less haughty and annoying song writing.

Amo a Paul, este disco es súper verano

I love this one. Hits every time

Classic album, very nostalgic.

Chill album. Easy to listen to. Classic 80s vibes

Can't say I gave this one a fair listen. It was more background music. But I enjoyed the overall vibes and the songs I recognized.

Essential

I get it, we can call him Al.

Man Ive always loved “You Can Call Me Al” so much. Maybe too much. Perhaps it’s because it kept playing in an ad for a while last July, perhaps I’m just chronically white. But that song is just a super ear worm and is complete fun. I wasn’t aware that most all of this albums would be just as fun. It seriously impresses me that Paul Simon was in the midst of a failing marriage, lost partnership with Art, and off the heels of a solo album that apparently flopped. I’d love to be 40 and find this much fun and inspiration from the world in the midst of such personal turmoil. I think he does the South African sound well and weaves in its native collaborators really nicely. The title track is such a good rambling road trip song with a memorable set of chords under its pre-chorus. I was a little unsure about how this album would score for me as a whole, or if it would take a thematic turn, but when the first minute or so of “Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes” finished up, I was just smiling ear to ear. How incredibly fun. I shouldn’t be shocked, but this little hymn was just gliding around in my head for hours after. At this point, I knew that the vibrancy and easy fun of this record was here to stay. I love art thats this kind to the senses, it’s like a little musical vacation. Paul Simon was in his bag for this one

So many good songs on this album, Graceland and You Can Call Me Al especially are timeless classics. GOATed

You know what, Paul Simon is an amazing songwriter, adding the African singers was inspired (I'm going to to ignore the controversy over this, as it seems there is controversy over so many albums/musicians and, as usual, I'm simply rating the music itself), and You Can Call Me Al is the most catchy song I can think of. Rating: 5

Not that bad

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

My mum would play this a lot on car journeys so it is ingrained in my brain. Is Paul Simon a bit of a twat? Probably! Is this bordering on cultural appropriation? Quite likely, but it’s catchy and introduced some African artists to the wider world

Wonderful

4/5 Paul gives us some great songs here, full of life and character. Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes stands out with an amazing, groovy instrumental, fantastic vocals, and pointed lyricism, but the whole album is cohesive and easy on the ears. The Boy In the Bubble 3.5/5 Graceland 4/5 I Know What I Know 4.5/5 Gumboots 4/5 Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes 5/5 (FAV) You Can Call Me Al 4.5/5 Under African Skies 3.5/5 Homeless 4/5 Crazy Love, Vol.II 3.5/5 That Was Your Mother 2.5/5 (LEAST FAV) All Around the World or the Myth of Fingerprints 5/5

Пол Саймон — ½ того самого дуэта, где второй парень вечно напоминал грустного спаниеля — в какой-то момент решил стать Индианой Джонсом от музыки и отправился в Африку за сокровищами. Нашёл. Привёз. Только не золото и бриллианты, а целый чемодан… этнических мотивов. Саймон в своё время был очень большим популяризатором того, что сегодня принято называть World Music. Во многом именно благодаря ему мир узнал, что Африка — это не только слоны и носороги, но очень самобытные ритмы. Вот только сам альбом получился… как пресное блюдо в дорогом ресторане: вроде бы вкусно и ругать не за что, но и восторгаться тоже нечем. «Graceland» очень ровненький, гладенький, без всплесков и падений. Как кардиограмма покойника. Ни одной запоминающейся мелодии. Хотя этническую музыку можно записывать и продюсировать очень круто, послушать хотя бы тот же «Big Blue Ball» Питера Гэбриэла — там разве что черти в ступе не летают. А у Саймона как-то скучновато это всё получилось.

Good album. Favourite songs: The boy in the bubble, Graceland, Gumboots, Crazy love, vol.II 4 stars

Feels like its missing so many of the elements which made Simon and Garfunkel great, I like the influences from around the world, but overall I'm not too keen on this upbeat pop style. Favourite songs: Diamonds on the soles of her shoes, under African skies. Overall around 5/10

Een van mijn favoriete albums. Mooie melodieën, en nog mooiere liedjes.

ist super

Found out Paul Simon is 5'2, absolutely clearing the short king threshold. Bet you all feel bad for rating it so low now don't ya?

Soothing record, killer mixing & mastering The vocals becomes a bit monotone after a while

1/5 its not that itd put me to sleep but like if i was sleeping and someone played this id wake up fr. its bad. i dont like the lyrics. its giving stuck on a roadtrip with your uncle who hates you. and his friends too.

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.

Lekker album. Twee echte bangers en de rest is ook gewoon solid

Never really got this album. A Few decent tracks.

I thought it was a good album for listening on a roadtrip. "You can call me Al" is a classic of my childhood family roadtrips. It's upbeat, but a bit too folksy for me. Also the African influences felt a bit questionable at times

Understandably controversial and unfortunately really nostalgic for me (summer 05 baby!). Musically, I find it pleasing, but not overly so. Favorite songs: Boy in the Bubble, Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes; you can call me Al.

I was kind of expecting this to be some revelation despite knowing who Paul Simon is. I know what his music sounds like, yet somehow I expected an album this highly regarded to be some sort of departure. Regardless, the sound is good and the African influences are nice to see.

Litt folk, litt Afrika, litt Tavern, litt cunt

Torn between 3 and 4 for this. an immediate pleasure on the first few listens, but eventually all but the strongest 4 or 5 songs lose their luster. Still a lot to like here though

There are nice elements in this album(specially the backing vocals) , but the reverb at some points is too much for my liking. Maybe it would've been revelating to listen when it was released, but as it is right now it's just a palate cleanser

You can call me unimpressed

the album blends Simon’s introspective songwriting with South African musical influences, resulting in a hybrid of styles that was as controversial as it was lauded. As someone who isn’t a devoted fan of the album but appreciates its significance, I have mixed feelings about it. While it’s undeniable that Graceland showcases incredible artistry and cultural exchange, there are aspects of the record that leave me less than enamoured One of the most remarkable aspects of Graceland is its innovative blending of musical styles. Simon worked with South African musicians. Tracks like “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes” and “Homeless” showcase this collaboration beautifully, with rich harmonies and intricate rhythms that feel vibrant and alive. For someone like me, who enjoys punk rock and rawer musical forms, the polished and layered production here was intriguing, if not immediately gripping. Paul Simon has always been a master lyricist, and Graceland is no exception. The title track, for instance, weaves a personal narrative of loss and redemption while also evoking a sense of travel and discovery. The imagery in songs like “The Boy in the Bubble” is vivid and thought-provoking, touching on themes of technological advancement and global interconnectedness. Even if the music didn’t always connect with me on a visceral level, I found myself drawn to the storytelling and wordplay. For all its high points, Graceland isn’t a consistently engaging listen for me. Some tracks, like “All Around the World or the Myth of Fingerprints,” feel like filler compared to the album’s stronger moments. The pacing of the album also felt uneven; the energetic tracks and slower, introspective pieces didn’t always flow seamlessly. This inconsistency made it hard for me to fully immerse myself in the album as a whole While the polished production is part of what makes Graceland stand out, it also detracts from the raw emotionality that I personally connect with in music. The intricate layers and studio sheen can feel overwhelming at times, making the album feel more like a technical showcase than an emotional journey While the album's blending of South African rhythms with Western pop is musically innovative, and Simon’s lyrical craftsmanship shines. Some tracks don’t hold my attention, and the overproduction feels too polished for my taste, lacking the rawness I prefer in music. Though important, it’s not an album I’ll revisit often.

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.

I did not realize how many songs exactly on here were 'classics', incredibly experimental at times, enjoyed but want to sit with longer.

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.

My Grandmother got me a Simon and Garfunkel CD for my bday when I turned 11, and I loved it. This album definitively made me think of her and how great she was, amazing listen start to finish.

I enjoyed this album so much from start to finish! What a way to kick off this project.

Fun folk pop with a lot of accordion. Favorites: you can call me Al, diamonds on the soles of her shoes, under African skies, all around the world.

Was ein geiles Album! So viele Erinnerungen an Autofahrten, wo die Songs liefen und Abende mit der Familie. 5 Sterne

Ja, ganz okay. Gerade so 4 Sterne.

Paul Simon has always intrigued me as a songwriter and singer. Simon and Garfunkel have become one of my go-to listens over the past year or so. Interested to dive into the solo career of a guy who my mostly lasting memory of is a clip of him in a turkey outfit on SNL. What the sweet Jesus is this. Holy hell this RULES. A beautiful Paul Simon song accompanied by an uhh accordion and driving bass is a weird experience. It’s such an odd juxtaposition. It’s pretty fun though. P Simon talking turnaround jumpshots as well. It was a warm summers evening ON A TRAIN BOUND FOR NOWHERE. Man. Makes me want to listen to the gambler. Or make a gambler remix with my immense ability to jockey a disc. I think Living Colour covered it interpolated this. That’s cool. Seriously though, the lyrics are fantastic, and the song shows amazing restraint. The quietude in the face of what could break into an embarrassing impression of a spiritual revival is heartwarming. The features are coming on strong now. The Gaza Sisters and of course the good doctor, General MD Shiranda. Decent song. More fantastic lyrics and delivery. Absolutely loving the vocal performances here. There’s a slight reggae vibe here and the accordion is not my favourite at this juncture but I have to say the song is pretty good. Oh whoa. Sweet background vocals. Or Vo-Kills as I’ve seen on the back of the most cringeworthy of metal records. Uh this song fades for me. Gets a little cringeworthy itself. Cool bass tone, but way too beach-y. Oh this is the hit. What move is this in? All of them? I hate the instruments here. The horns are so lame but god damn I love Paul Simon’s lyrics/vocals. But yeah, other than that and the bass solo, this one sucks. Hmm. No. Not as good either. Come on Paul we were on an early 5 star watch alert. Ladysmith Black Mombazo feature. Big news for Mombazo heads. This is fine. Interesting departure. Fat Charlie the Archangel is up there for lyric of the week. Fun song. Great lyrics. Ugh. This one is cringe. Marci Gras music. Nooo Paul. This is death. Why has he abandoned the quiet and beautiful tones? It’s like some dumbass pop producer was coaching him to act like Huey Lewis and the News. He sounds so uncomfortable. New York White guy gets gifted Daishiki by black friend and makes an album about Africa. Sounds about right. Listen, I love this guy. He’s great. The lyrics are fun and thought provoking and the delivery is typically so gentle and interesting. A true bastion of folk adjacent rock for the mainstream pleb like myself who uses the phrase “bastion of folk adjacent rock.” Maybe I coined that phrase. Read it and weep music reviewers. Anyway, an album that was completely exhilarating to start became a little trite and poppy leaving me somewhere in the middle. Keep the Paul Simon coming but let’s keep it closer to the Sound of Silence and further away from the soundtrack for Jerry Maguire or whatever. 3-3.5 HIGHLIGHTS: The Boy in the Bubble, Graceland, Crazy Love Vol. II

I love this album without reservation. Everything I would say about another album (it's too of the era, etc) is negated by my memory of being a 10 year old driving in my Dad's Jeep with the top down singing along to all these songs playing on the tape deck.

I think everyone knows Paul Simon, but I wasn’t extremely familiar with this album. This turned out to be another album I liked more than I expected. It made for good background music, lots of poppy toe tapping moments.

I know I'll probably be out of step on this one, but I find Mr. Simon to be a bit pretentious. Also, the production on this album is so mid 80s that I was cringing the entire time I was listening to it. Boy in the Bubble is a good song, that's probably my favorite on the album. Random thoughts - the zydeco song was good, I did enjoy that too. Why hasn't any DJ taken the "I'm going to Graceland" sample and spliced in "bass-land" instead? Seriously Z-Trip get on that now. And while you're at it, take the accordion/bass from Boy In the Bubble and do something with that.

I loathe Simon and Garfunkel. I don’t mind Paul Simon and I liked this album well enough.

First in my 1001 journey. Didn’t expect to enjoy a mainstream 80’s album made by a legacy folk artist going solo… boy was a wrong. Some of the tracks don’t quite hit, but Paul seemed to have a lot of fun making this album. Highlights are definitely his lyricism and the African music elements. 3.5/5

++: The Boy in the Bubble, Graceland, I Know What I Know, Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes, Homeless, That Was Your Mother +: Gumboots, You Can Call Me Al, Under African Skies, Crazy Love, Vol.II, All Around the World or the Myth of Fingerprints 8,5/10

I believe this is the best solo album made after 1970 by any 60s icon named Paul. When it came out, my girlfriend’s dad played the cassette on repeat on a long road trip we took together. The songs are well written and interesting, and also safe for the whole family.

Banger 4/5

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

Good, but not someone I would listen to outside of his bigger hits.

I liked the beats and riffs very catchy. But does suffer from the poetry rambling.im finding that context matters so much in an album. Knowing the history of this albums creation def makes it better

Maybe it's because of my familiarity with the album from my later youth. Although this mix of African music, world music and pop usually gets on my nerves, I quite enjoyed listening to the album. Even if I won't listen to it that often, it has brought me closer to African rhythms. 4/5

High quality listen. 3.5

call me paul simon the way i do art

Classic from start to finish. Groundbreaking

Love this one. One of the best but still prefer There Goes Rhyming

An uplifting, groovy record and a fascinating experiment. A breath of fresh air in Simon's musical catalogue.

Still as fresh as it was the day it dropped. Still grateful for putting me on the path to discovering the “Indestructible Beat of Soweto” album

Probably the perfect example of what the '80s had the worst to offer. Production is horrible; I only hope they were experimenting with digital, which might be the only acceptable excuse for this completely flat sound. For the rest, blatant cultural appropriation by a middle-aged folk singer who doesn't know if he should try to put an effort into singing some tunes or just do some white man slam. Lyrics are dull as hell, nothing to save here, just move along, folks.

I own thos album. Its pretty great.

I’m me of the best albums of all time. Easily top 10.

The Good: An album by Elvis! The Bad: Wait… it’s not by Elvis… The Ugly: Then why call it Graceland? Ahhhh, the comments I am reading about cultural appropriation… People should get a fucking life and appreciating all that has been “stolen” over the ages to get us where we are today. When this album came out you had the musical community trying to help out others; Feed The World, I Won’t Play Sun City et al Artist were voicing opinions and trying to create awareness. Little Paul was in a creative rut, heard something that inspired him to create new music, and boy what a record did he make. Would the record not have been conceived without him hearing mbaqanga? Maybe. Does it matter? No. I doubt that the South African artist he took on tour with him worried about global attention to their art, and more importantly, to their plight for freedom. Going to dish out 4*

Really just o.k. all around. I actually much prefer his Hearts and Bones album to this. This album reads as derivative and soulless, like he was creatively bankrupt then decided to adapt the music of South African and African American artists to refresh his sound and capitalize on the apartheid press. I'm sure this wasn't intentional, however the result is an album that, while sounding good, doesn't represent Paul Simon. 2.7/5 -> 3/5

Interesting

Pretty good, lots of different musical styles incorporated. Some of it works really well, some of it...is a bit over the top. The musicianship is top-notch, especially the bass work which is phenomenal. Overall a quite interesting listen.

A respectful nod or cultural appropriation?

1001: I had taken a several month break from the journey before this album, so my context and comparisons have been reset a bit. I'm not sure if it was just that I wasn't fully awake, or what but I was struggling to follow the stories of these songs. They sound nice enough, but following the lyrics is a bit tough today. I swear in "I know what I know" they are honking along to geese. I'm glad "you can call me Al" is on here because that is the song I kept hearing in the tracks before and couldn't put a name to it. I kept thinking it was some animated movie soundtrack song. Overall this was a nice album even if it is a bit of a chaotic mess of culture and nonsense. Not sure if ever pick it up and say I want to hear this today, but it isn't objectionable. 3/5

Interesting - was on the verge of really enjoying this one the whole way through, but never quite got there.

Really happy when this showed up yesterday.

8/10. Some of this feels like slumming it, and Simon’s weird apartheid-evasiveness diminishes some of the staying power of this otherwise-very good record.

Immeasurably influential

This is my favorite album of all time, 5 stars isn't enough, unique and fun. Great Job Paul Simon.

Wow, this was not the vide I was expecting when I saw Paul Simon. I did really enjoy the different feel and the african styles. Some songs weren't my favorite (Crazy Love springs to mind), but for the most part very enjoyable.

fucking hell nicholas adams is here, bog off

This album was everywhere and caused a stir back in the day so I see why it’s on the list. But apart from 2 or 3 tracks, it doesn’t move me the way I had expected.

Absolute fire

God this is terrible. I wonder if people listen to similar solo artists defected from their bands and say, "ugh this sounds like a Paul Simon album"

Dude definitely needs Garfunkel

This is the kind of music my parents like- and that's OK, I love my parents! 😀 Favorite song: "You Can Call Me Al"

It was kinda nice Will I listen to again: 1%

Very popular album when it was released. I enjoyed it.

I've heard of this album, at least, but I've never listened to it. Paul Simon is a likeable guy. I like his voice and the general vibe of these songs. Highlight: Oh, this has 'You Can Call Me Al'! That's one of the first songs I downloaded when I first got my own computer some 20 years ago :D 'Homeless' has Zulu in it, which is cool. There are clicks!

I know song but this might be my first time with a complete listen.

Still really enjoy this album. Every songs a banger

You're not African m8. Some belters on here though.

I'm glad I revisited this album.. Though I've always rated it as a four, I think this list ends I really got into the textures of the albums. Still not quite the all out fiver of it's reputation for me but getting closer (9.5)

My favourite Paul Simon album. I really like the African influences on here. 4.5 stars

Lots of great songs here including "The Boy in the Bubble", "I Know What I Know", and "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes". I do think it loses a little steam near the end which keeps it from a 5, but it's still a great listen. 4.5 stars.

Generally very good. A rich, buzzing tapestry of South African folk, freewheeling Paul Simon wisp and the pharpiest 80s bass. Boy In The Bubble, Graceland and You Can Call Me Al the main highlights and true songs of miracle and wonder.

Beautiful and unique

Molto bello pure lui.

1/5 veldig irriterende

I love this album so much. It came out when I was 15. I knew of Simon and Garfunkel cause of my parents and I remember the video of You Can Call Me Al with Chevy Chase. This album was, I guess my first introduction to any type of world music and what an awesome way to discover it. No hesitation in awarding this a 5 even though there are a few tracks that don’t quite hit that number, it’s the sum of the parts.

Really good, every song was at least good, most were class plus it had ladysmith black mamboza

Absolutely an album you need to hear before you die, but you don't have to like it. Which I don't. I don't quite hate it the way some people do, and Paul Simon is obviously talented, but this shit is so fucking twee coming from a 45 year old man. A something of a developmentally-arrested manchild myself, I can relate to Not Growing Up, but something here leaves a bad taste in my mouth in much the same way K records albums do. I liked the self-titled album, so why not this? I mean, it contextualizes You Can Call Me Al in a way that I hadn't heard before that somehow makes me respect it less? Maybe it's how much it informed Vampire Weekend, a band I also think is talented but annoying. Also, the intro to Northern Exposure. It's hooky and catchy and I bet it would've found purchase in my brain if it had been associated with some Proustian element that makes me look back on it with fondness. Contextuality, the theme of this album. Anyway, this is the first time I've listened all the way through and probably the last.

Great album. I like the African musicians in the mix so fuck you to the culture appropriation police- stop the lame criticism

You Can Call Me Al is a banger (great video too) but the rest of the record is just odd, not digging the Afrobeat crossover

I feel like you can call me Al will haunt me for the rest of my days

Is it 4-stars because it’s a banger or because all the other albums recently have been mid? I’ll never know.

I was really excited for Graceland, obviously it’s an iconic album but I’ve never heard it. It is easily the biggest disappointment in my project so far out of almost 400 albums. I guess in 1986 no one in a North America had ever heard anything from Africa. But just throwing in African sounds hasn’t aged well, it’s borderline offensive. 3.7/10

Personal favourite sice it was published. Should be on top of the 1001 - List!

Cet album est génial ! Clairement un classique, et il est aussi bon que tout le monde le dit. Écoute-le tout de suite et tu vas en tomber amoureux !

If you'll be my bodyguard...

Älskade den för 40 år sen. Och den håller än. Hans flow är typ definitionen av cool! 5

Sure, I get it. Super clean production and mixing. I can go one way or the other with Paul Simon, really cool album.

I can't think of anything I'd change and I enjoyed it despite going in with a mindset of "let's get this 80s bank manager music out the way". It won me over, I'll go back for more even, got to be a 5

Growing up in the 80s, this album was everywhere. From the video starting Chevy Chase to the cassette in every Toyota Tercel, I'd know all of these songs whether I liked them or not. Luckily, I think it's not JUST nostalgia that brings me back to this album fairly regularly. The songs are smart and catchy with a bit of swarmy yuppie ideology sneaking in (it was the height of Wall Street era after all). But most importantly it introduced so many to sounds from other places that had not appeared in pop music previously. For that alone, this is an essential listen.

A true classic! With African flavor. I've loved this album for years and it's a delightful surprise to have it pop on my listening queue today.

oooooh i'm going to graceland.

Can't say I've ever listened to Paul Simon more than Call me Al, glad I did. I enjoyed this album a lot. A rare male voice that I really liked. The accordion was a nice touch, gave it a polka-y vibe. The lyrics were fun and light. Dug the African chants That's a ten

Pretty decent. I would want to be on a beach somewhere to listen to this again. Chill and warming

I was meh about this

If nothing else, this album is versatile. Every song sounds as if it's performed by a different artist. Nothing blew me away, but there wasn't much that was unbearable noise either. Favorite Track: "You Can Call Me Al".

funky road side song, cool to listen to, not your taste but you do kinda like it

You can call me Al and some other songs...

I was waiting for this to appear on this list at some point! A classic, feel good album. I’m sure there’s probably some important message in amongst this that’s historically important or something like that. But I just think it’s fun to listen to, musically.

I know Paul Simon, only song I know is Call me Al. But other than that not much else. Interested to see what this sounds like. 2 Tracks through and it's pretty interesting. Very funky.

Pros Nice use of medieval sounding instruments African influences are cool "The boy in the Bubble" is probably my favorite song "You can call me Al" is also very good Cons Rest of the album is decent, but not great Slower songs are a bit boring Not as good as I expected it to be

Couple good songs. mostly comes across as white guy trying to make world music

pretty good. self titled track is near perfect. "that was your mother" was a bit dookie.

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?

Not for me but cool production

Fantastic from start to finish.

4 - love Paul Simon

Pretty unique album that blends a lot of different international sounds into one stage, but doesn’t have the punch that some of the upper echilon bums have. 7/10

Wild album considering its age. Still enjoyable to listen to. Eclectic!

Okay so not much to say on this one. Do I like it? Are the criticisms labelled at Paul Simon now and at the time important in ranking this album? I like some of the songs a lot ('You Can Call Me Al', 'Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes'), and I think that if you were given this on cassette for Christmas when you were 8 years old on the year it came out, you would treasure it forever and it'd be one of your favourite albums. Seems absurd to come back to this and give it the same mark as Pantera, but it's not really for me. A subjective 3 (an objective 4, and a music critic's 5)

Appropriation in the same way that a Korean taco steals from two cultures to make a splendid blend. Paul approaches and borrows respectfully from African music. While I may not know enough about this to make a bold claim, I can say that I am amazed by the beauty of the blend and leave feeling an appreciation of African music, and for that reason it has to hold some value. That aside, this is sonically beautiful, and production forward heaven. Paul’s voice is one, the blend of synth and drum beats with mild guitar just present a magical recording. The music is peaceful and delightful. Just pure beauty. This deserves a good soundsystem or premium open backs to digest and appreciate.

Kinda boring, sorry Paul

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

It’s been a week or so since I got a no-brainer 5 star album on this list, and with Graceland that dry spell is decidedly over. I love this album so much. I wouldn’t argue with anyone who calls it the best album of the 80’s, it’s certainly in my top 5 from that decade. I can’t add anything that hasn’t already been said about it: it’s worth the hype and lives up to all the acclaim it’s received. It has one of the great first halves or so ever. The run of The Boy In The Bubble to You Can Call Me Al is ridiculous. The songs that close the album are strong too. It’s a perfect album with a great backstory from an artist who for all his stardom somehow still feels underrated.

longtime You Can Call Me Al lover first-time all the way through Graceland streamer. Timeless but simultaneously nostalgic. Loved it all

Overall: 8/10 For some reason I never had much interest in Paul Simon. I've always liked You Can Call Me Al, especially with it's Chevy Chase starting music video, but none of his other songs got any attention from me. Now that I've listened to a full album, I'm a bit more intrigued! I love the use of world music (exclusively Africa?) and Paul has a pretty good voice. It at least made me interested in hearing more! I also have to point out the incredible bass playing of Bakithi Kumalo, easily my favourite part of the whole album. Fav Song: You Can Call Me Al Least Fav Song: Homeless

Paul Simon is one of the great singer/songwriters. Combining his folk background with the African backing leads to this glorious masterpiece. Is it tricky politically - yes. Is it cultural appropriation? I'm not so sure, it's more of a beautiful fusion. "You Can Call Me Al" is played to death but there aren't many more beautiful openings than : "the Mississippi Delta was shining like a national guitar"

Fantastic album. Maybe I'm biased as a Southern African but this incorporation of African artists/sounds to Simon's great songwriting is really amazing. He didn't just go to Africa and superficially take some interesting sounds, he really embraced the local music fully. Not really a bad track as well, very consistent.

More electric guitars, Call me Al, listen to rhythm of the saints

Fantastic record! Have to admit I never listened it in its entirety (just song by song) but I'm glad I did. Cool album!

Idk I liked the vision of some of the songs, but others I thought were kind of weird. When he wasn't being experimental for no reason it was super nice Fav Songs: You Can Call Me Al, Graceland, Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes

Heard this album a lot as a kid. Love this album, a seamless blend of a lot of African rhythm and genres and Paul Simons western music. A joy to listen to throughout.

Paul is in a career rut. He comes out of left field with a collaboration with African artists. Two singles that move the charts. But his voice. His lyrics. Sing-talking babble gets into my bones and makes me squirm. It's no wonder I saw him and Dylan on a tour together. This album introduced me to Ladysmith Black Mombazo as a kid, so I'm grateful for that. And an ex of mine was obsessed with "Graceland" so I drove her to Tennessee to see the cultural phenomenon that is Elvis' home. That was also a thing that happened. I bet it was a dream come true for Los Lobos to have the chance to work with the legend, Paul Simon. But Los Lobos is better without Paul Simon. This whole album repeats that formula. Take talented artists in their own right and have them alternately make space for and have to get out of the way of a mumble-talk-singing Simon slinging his obtuse lyrics around the recording studio so the Americans buying the CDs can call it art.

I’ve been in the hospital due to a serious work accident, going through some of the toughest times of my life, and this album has been the perfect spirit-lifter. Paul Simon himself was facing rough times before creating this album, and it feels like he came back to the music with a clean slate. His journey to South Africa to work with local artists brought such a culturally rich sound to this album. It’s like an 80’s pop rock album with art pop aesthetics, but so much more. It has folk elements and upbeat traditional African rhythms throughout. The lively, danceable tempo brings a strong sense of unity and openness, which made this album a great end to a stressful day. It’s lighthearted and uplifting, and the joy in the music helped lift my spirits and keep me going with a positive attitude. Music really does have a powerful impact.

Finally got around to listening to this on the record player. Interesting blend between African and pop music, especially in Homeless. Some extremely catchy tunes like You Can Call Me Al and Graceland. Great lyrics that feel like a friend telling me about the small dramas and stories of their life. Top album.

I think you’d have to tie me up and gag me to stop me singing along with You Can Call Me Al. If that was the only good song on the album, I think I’d still have to give it a 4. However, every track is decent, several are great, and despite the variety of styles and genres, it does not feel disjointed; each song feels part of a greater whole.

Superb. It’s got a good case for being my favourite so far. Although so do a few others. Simpsons: Yes

Good vibes, would listen to again.

Listening to this when the temperature is in the negatives is weird but still enjoyable. Can’t wait to but this album on in the summer when it’s sweltering and I have an ice cold shandy in hand

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.

I'm relatively familiar with this album, the songwriting is so good, something about the production of it sounds so "80s" to me. I'm not quite sure what it is, because it's pretty eclectic, and I guess the 80s-ness of it isn't necessarily a bad thing. Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes is so damn good, such a cool combination of genres. I think overall my biggest problem with this album is that everything sounds really major, it all is almost too happy sounding in my opinion, I think that's what contributes to it sounding really 80s to me.

My mum would like this album.

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

I made it through three and a half songs before sending it back. Off to a terrible start with some sort of accordion static noise, it never got better. It made me think that Vampire Weekend listened to Graceland and thought 'we could do this so much better'.

Interesting stories behind this album. PS had had a couple of bad albums before it, and was supposed to produce an album for a singer songwriter called Heidi Berg. She gave him a tape of South African music that she wanted her album to sound a bit like. PS then took the tape and made an album based on it himself with SA musicians, breaking the cultural boycott against apartheid in the process. Obviously a hugely significant album and there are some really nice tracks on it, but it ends up sounding a little middle of the road to me and also has this vibe of something fairly insipid and white leaning heavily on the contribution coming from another culture for all the innovation. Net positive tho, it's a good album.

First time with this Paul Simon album. ‘Call me Al’ is probably his biggest song and I’m sure I’ve heard a couple of the other tracks as well. This probably deserves 5 stars from me but there’s something about Simon that rubs me wrong.. great voice, great songwriting.

Well ... I wasn't excited about listening to this, but it was a good listen, better than I thought it would be. And I love reading the reviews. Everything from 5 star, best album ever, to If I could give it a minus, I would - hated it. And appropriation is mentioned often. People, if we don't share ideas and learn things from each other ... how we gonna grow? Sit back and listen to it, geez!

Super qualitity audio, nice songs

Paul Simon 😊🌸

🎺🎺🎺

Graceland rules.

Diamonds on the Souls of Her Shoes is really good. The album seems to have been influenced strongly by African artists (obviously such as Under African Skies, but in other songs like Homeless too). Overall, it kind of reminds me a bit of Johnny Clegg at times. Overall, I like it. Not sure I'd listen again. Clegg does it better.

Recognized a couple tracks but a bit too hokey for me (2.5/5)

I really like the instrumentation on this, very chill. Very good overall

This one surprised me, I didn’t think I would like it but I actually enjoyed it.

It’s sweet, a nice listen

Truly great. 10 out of 5 stars.

Culturally important and very good? Yes. Utterly transcendent? Nah. But still incredibly solid. Unexpected bangers: I Know what I Know, Under African Skies, That Was Your Mother.

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...

Such good vibes throughout.

I loved it. First couple of songs are such bops. Good rhythms, interesting collabs, and chill lyrics. I enjoyed the upbeat songs in particular, with a good use of the accordion. The slower songs were good, too.

Just a very good album, with a nice mixture of vibes and styles

One of the best albums ever!

good vibes on this one

Pre-listening thoughts: so I’ve heard a few songs from this album before and from what I heard I think I’ll enjoy it but we shall see Post/during listening thoughts: Paul Simon just like rambles lol. Love this a lot but the way the rhythm of the lyrics is just a suggestion cracks me up a little. So I did some further digging into the background of this album and it’s got quite the story attached to it. Simon being accused of stealing from African artists, being accused of breaking the cultural boycott of South Africa during Apartheid, and being accused of cultural appropriation. Whew! I love the music on this record but to credit Paul Simon for being the genius behind it feels wrong, whether he stole directly from the artists in the studio or not. African music is the genius behind this, and if the rumors are true, the specific bands he collaborated with deserve a lot more credit than what they get today. This album definitely has some genius though. It’s lively and folky and rhythmic in very fun ways. A unique record. 7.5/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: I would say yes? The context alone is worth knowing about I think Fav tracks: The Boy in the Bubble, Gumboots, Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes, You Can Call Me Al, All Around the World Least fav tracks: That Was Your Mother

een classic, veel nummers herkend waarvan ik niet wist dat ze op dit album stonden. Maar niet een genre die ik snel zelf op zou zetten, daarom toch 4 sterren

An American album with a World sound. Was hooked years ago on the original familiarity of the music. The South African musicians elevated what already were fantastic songs.

I really liked this album. It's not my favorite album in the world but I love Paul Simon's voice, the beats are fun, and the instrumentation and scores are creative. I think it is more like a 3.75 Liked Songs: The Boy in the Bubble, Graceland, You Can Call Me Al, Under African Skies, That Was Your Mother

liked songs: Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes, You Can Call Me Al, Homeless disliked songs: I Know What I Know (this is one of the most annoying songs I've heard in a long time), That Was Your Mother I really don't like Paul Simon's lyric choices. The album is very well produced and mixed. 2.5

"No we're not getting Bob Dylan at the store! We have Bob Dylan at home."

Classic. I’m glad it holds up. Chevy Chase is the worst, though.

Wait, why did I actually really like this.

8/10. There are various interesting styles in this album. It's a fun listen!!! :)

Just two days ago I got Paul Simon's self titled solo album. Graceland is more adventurous, and there are more worldbeat influences, especially African music. The songwriting is excellent and it is very good album production wise as well. It sounds a tad too 80s for my taste but nevertheless it was very enjoyable.

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

Paul Simon all time favorite!

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

great and varied album with some standout, memorable tracks. Folk rock with african influences? resulted in an interesting and fun listen.

Some good some boring. Typical Simon.

It’s a solid 4 from me.

I know I'm supposed to rave over Paul Simon's genius, and there is some very original material here but overall I just did not enjoy listening to it. A lot of it was a little cheesy and the spoken word lyrics were a turn off.

All time favorite

what to say. masterpiece. reminds me of visiting colleges with my mom in '86, we played it nonstop in the car - I still listen to this album, who doesn't haha

It really takes me back but doesn't feel like it's stuck in the past. I love his voice and storytelling.

This album hasn't aged a day. The sound seems to exist out of space and time. It checks all the boxes you want in an album. The songs. The playing. The craft. Unique. Singular. Endlessly singable.

Call Me Al is unlistenable but it was ok overall.

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.

Ok album overall. Paul Simon just doesn't do anything for me. You can Call me Al is awesome just because Chevy Chase was in the music video. Go listen to Justin Townes cover of Graceland.

I really like this music! Probably one of my favs, but I think it's cus of the style.

The crossover component of this album is nice but a lot of the songs had a similar hokey feel to them

Don't think this one needs words... it remains outstanding after all of these years!

Дон Симон переживает за судьбинушку Африканскую... п.с. а у Гомункула сольники будут ? а то он пока отстаёт от братишки

Not for me

Good album, just not my thing.

Super enjoyable album

You Can Call Me Al was my first love but the older I get, the more I feel Graceland in my soul.

3 out of 5. It's alright, I liked the African influence this album has, but nothing else for me to write home about.

In 1987, Simon took Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo (all also on the list) to Zimbabwe where they played for 45,000 people. I guess I sort of remember the controversy, but Simon worked to showcase the black musicians of South Africa and to celebrate their music. It was a collaboration not a wholesale appropriation. I get not supporting the apartheid government but I have a hard time understanding how someone who earnestly sought out this music that caught his ear and then worked with the people who made the music to broaden the world’s knowledge and enjoyment of it could be doing a bad thing. The fact that he was a target of anti-apartheid groups kind of just boggles my mind. There is a joy to this music and its performance and the collaborative experience that went into making it. It is a great album. I think the love expressed by this music is just as important as any overtly political statement he could have made.

I get why people love it (and it’s definitely his best album), but just not my jam.

Hands down one of the best albums I’ve ever heard. Twelve year old me picked this up because of “Call Me Al.” And 5 seconds into “Boy in the Bubble,” I learned that there are more styles of music than what my local radio stations would have me believe. This definitively opened my mind to the music of the world and is an album I come back to any time I want to feel happy. I can understand some of the criticisms he received for violating the cultural boycott of South Africa. But to me this album played a tremendous benefit in introducing African style music to a wider audience. It would be absurd to say he or any of the artists who participated in creating this supported apartheid.

Brilliant! This is what happens when everything aligns. Thank goodness for that car trip south!

Great or the greatest album of all time?

About as close to a perfect album as you can get. I've been listening to this for close to 40 years and it's still amazing.

2.9 3x while i was working kept this playing.. a little soft

Great album!

Love this album!

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

This album is held back significantly by just how awful the bass sounds. The other instruments sound a little dated but fine for the time, but that bass is another level of bad. His lyrics are really good and I like his voice and how he often drags lines onto the next musical phrase. Favorite songs were Graceland, Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes, and You Can Call Me Al.

could be epic poem

"Graceland" y "You can call me Al" están por encima del resto. Solo por esas canciones merece la pena el disco.

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.

this album makes me feel like im on a beach drinking cocktails

Arguably favorite album of all time

The trombones on this album sound a lot like the ridiculous trombone-based rhythm game Trombone Champ to me, especially on the first tracks, which kind of changed the tone of this for me. Couldn't stop picturing the Trombone Champ avatars tooting along. That aside, just a very strange album stylistically and I had a hard time deciding on a rating.

This is a near perfect album. Simon builds songs from deceptive simplicity with wonderfully intricate layers of talent from the many contributing artists. A work of cultural appropriation or rainbow synthesis of worlds meeting? Both, neither. It’s beautiful even if cynical, like the hopes of a well worn heart. It could be terrible, it could be embarrassing - David Brent dancing at Notting Hill Carnival - but instead it’s glorious.

Man. This ain’t it.

Wonderful composition of world music with Paul Simon's gentle voice.

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.)

Graceland is likely to be considered Paul Simon's most impactful album. Domniating charts and radio in the late 1980s, it brought world music, especially Afro-Pop, to the masses of the U.S. The guest list alone such as Ladysmith Black Mombazo and Los Lobos, makes this an incredible collaborative effort in welding together musical styles into somethign both new and familar. The song list is packed with chart toppers as well, especially the title track, You Can Call Me Al, The Boy in the Bubble, and Diamonds on the Soles of their Boots. This is Simon's Magnus Opus, his masterpiece. Its fine craftmanship makes it one of the greatest albums of all time.

Graceland Hardly a spoiler but this is a 5. The classic 80s parents album, and I remember really liking it when they played it on car journeys, bouncing bass and synths and echoey drums I guess are particularly attractive to a child's ears. I also remember loving the video and the ubiquity of Call Me Al, and that song is still such a pure nostalgic hit of childhood. I then remember buying this on CD, I think at Uni, and realising what a great album it is, and it’s only got better over the subsequent years. As has my appreciation for Paul Simon. I absolutely love his songwriting, up there with Macca for melody of course, but he’s such a good lyricist and I love how he lets phrases run across different lines giving a slightly offbeat feel. I also don’t think he’s done a truly bad solo album, even something weakly regarded like Hearts and Bones, which is clearly not as strong as others, has at least one or two great songs and loads of interesting stuff. His initial run of Paul Simon, There Goes Rhymin’ Simon and Still Crazy is superb and his last 2 or 3 albums are well worth investigating, I listened to Stranger to Stranger a lot when that came out. ‘These are the days of miracle and wonder’, I’ve always loved that line. Graceland is one of my favourite songs of all time, the non secular spiritualism and sense of pilgrimage is beautifully conveyed lyrically and musically, a sense of optimism and a sense of ageing and time passing at the same time. Love I Know What I Know, great opening line and chorus. Gumboots, great, love the accordion and drums. Diamonds on the Sole of Her Shoes, what a song, tender and sad, brilliant. You Can Call Me Al - ‘far away my willy blew up’, what a mondegreen. Can’t help but do air slap bass at the second breakdown. Under African Skies, superb and lovely, a great melody, excellent harmony vocals and brilliant lyrical imagery. Homeless, just great. Crazy Love, again excellent, great melody, less African influenced but fits the whole theme. The accordion returns on That Was Your Mother, and while it’s cajun rather than African it fits brilliantly on the album. All Around the World is a corker, a great uptempo rocker. Who is the former talk show host? It’s really interesting understanding more about the genesis, recording and production. Obviously there was understandably a lot of controversy and accusations of cultural appropriation, and I can see why people would feel strongly negative about the whole thing, but it seems to me about him finding inspiration and making his own songs out of it, which is how music has evolved, and ultimately I’d think it’s better to get together and make music across cultural and racial divides. Anyway, I love this album, and every song on it. I can’t quite express how it makes me feel, musically and emotionally, I just love it. It’s quite disparate, but also thematically linked it seems, by a sense of loss and rediscovery, of getting older but also finding joy and happiness and sadness. 🌍🌍🌍🌍🌍 Playlist submission: Graceland

Very good album to listen to. 4/5

solid 4.

Amazing Paul Simon at his best songwriting. Although he stole a bunch of the music from the South African musicians he worked with during recording. The songwriting is exceptional

9/10! This album was incredible. I’m already a huge Simon & Garfunkel fan, so hearing Paul Simon’s solo work was really interesting. The African theme of this album is super beautiful and I loved every minute of it.

A remarkable album full of a lot of great tracks. I can see myself coming back to this album again. Interesting to hear the African influence on the tracks. Glad I took the time to listen.

Great record!

Classic!!

Cool Afro vibes

I've heard it so many times that it's charm has worn off.

Pleasant