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
Streaming Video Soul cover

Streaming Video Soul

Eclectica, Tracy Silverman
The Resurrection of Rust cover

The Resurrection of Rust

Elvis Costello, Rusty
Glory Bound cover

Glory Bound

The Grahams
Grace cover

Grace

Jeff Buckley
Everyone Is Here cover

Everyone Is Here

Finn Brothers
Outsiders cover

Outsiders

The Magic Numbers
Deserters cover

Deserters

Oysterband
Heartmind cover

Heartmind

Cass McCombs