Surprise cover

Surprise

Released

Surprise is one of Paul Simon’s most underrated albums, one on which he engages and addresses the most fundamental human questions about life, aging, parenthood, death, and afterlife — you know, all the standard pop music tropes. And he does so not only with his characteristic tunefulness and lyrical cleverness, but also with the help of producer Brian Eno, who creates an array of colorful, innovative, and funky settings for Simon’s songs. This is not a match that anyone would have predicted, but it pays off handsomely.

Rick Anderson

Recommended by

Suggestions
Terraplane cover

Terraplane

Steve Earle & the Dukes
Whaler cover

Whaler

Sophie B. Hawkins
Help! cover

Help!

The Beatles
On Our Way cover

On Our Way

I See Hawks in L.A.
Autumn of the World cover

Autumn of the World

The Resonant Rogues
Americana cover

Americana

Ray Davies
Capernaum cover

Capernaum

The Tannahill Weavers