Graceland [25th Anniversary Edition] - Paul Simon
Graceland [25th Anniversary Edition] Image
Metascore
98 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 9 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.4 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 38 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Summary: The 25th anniversary release of Paul Simon's Grammy-winning album includes demos, alternative versions of songs, live tracks from the Graceland world tour, and the documentary, "Under African Skies."

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Rolling Stone
    Jun 8, 2012
    100
    Reminds us that, for all of Simon's genius with tunes and lyrics, it's his rhythmic searching and sophistication that sets him apart.
  2. Drowned In Sound
    Jun 27, 2012
    100
    The album is the real star here, sounding as fresh, vital and universally accessible as ever 25 years down the line.
  3. The Independent (UK)
    Jun 8, 2012
    100
    The character of the base music here is overwhelming: complex, ebullient and life-affirming, and in yoking this intricate dance music to his sophisticated New Yorker sensibility, Simon created a transatlantic bridge that neither pandered to nor patronised either culture.
  4. Austin Chronicle
    Jul 26, 2012
    67
    The usual ephemeral padding--an extensive oral history rendered redundant by the documentary, a poster, and a replica of Simon's legal pad of lyrics--fills the linen-bound Graceland deluxe, which footnotes the remastered album with a 25-minute bonus CD of demos mostly heard on previous editions, though a 10-minute "The Story of 'Graceland'" audio deconstruction by Simon sums up the box in a song.

See all 9 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. bayziin
    10
    I grew up listening to this album and just this week decided to put it on my iPod for a closer listen. Simon's lyrics are fantastic, poetic even. The instrumentation blends genres flawlessly. I made an account on Metacritic just so that I could give this the best possible rating. While not "flawless" Graceland is about as damn close as you're going to get. It's worth a listen.… Expand
  2. CoronaAdvances
    8
    Graceland [25th Anniversary Edition] - Paul Simon , great album by Paul Simon. Great Musician. His sound is just the way I like, smooth, deep. Thank you Paul Simon… Expand
  3. StellarSpine
    5
    This is a great album, but a poor reissue. There are three commonly available versions of this record. The CD from 1987 sounds the best. Every time they rissue it, they increase the loudness and decrease the dynamic range. They have done nothing to remix the sound or provide a surround sound experience. The add-ons are nice but most have been available for a while. If you don't have Graceland, buy it, its a great record. But, don't buy this reissue, buy the original.… Collapse
  4. L0rdStyx
    2
    This album sucks. I don't even care that he won a Grammy. There's nothing else to be said. |
    |||||||||||||    ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||… Expand

See all 10 User Reviews

Current Music Releases

Full List »
  1. The Complete Columbia Album Collection - Johnny Cash
    Metascore: 99
  2. Rumours [35th Anniversary Deluxe Edition] - Fleetwood Mac
    Metascore: 99
  3. Live in Europe 1969: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 2 - Miles Davis Quintet
    Metascore: 92
  4. Jama Ko - Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba
    Metascore: 91
  5. Like a Rose - Ashley Monroe
    Metascore: 89
  6. Same Trailer Different Park - Kacey Musgraves
    Metascore: 89
  7. Your Turn - Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog
    Metascore: 88
  8. The Graceless Age - John Murry
    Metascore: 88
  9. Minute by Minute - The James Hunter Six
    Metascore: 88
  10. Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness [Deluxe Edition] - Smashing Pumpkins
    Metascore: 88
  11. Music For the Quiet Hour/The Drawbar Organ EPs - Shackleton
    Metascore: 87
  12. M B V - My Bloody Valentine
    Metascore: 87
  13. Beautiful Africa - Rokia Traoré
    Metascore: 87
  14. LSXX [Last Splash: 20th Anniversary Edition] - The Breeders
    Metascore: 87
  15. Random Access Memories - Daft Punk
    Metascore: 87
  16. Annie Up - Pistol Annies
    Metascore: 87
  17. Rage Against the Machine XX [20th Anniversary Edition] - Rage Against the Machine
    Metascore: 87
  18. Without a Net - Wayne Shorter
    Metascore: 86
  19. In Time - The Mavericks
    Metascore: 86
All Current Music »