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So Beautiful or So What - Paul Simon
So Beautiful or So What Image
Metascore
85 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 27 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.8 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 25 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Summary: The veteran singer-songwriter releases his 12th studio album, the first in five years.
  • Record Label: Hear Music
  • Genre(s): Singer/Songwriter, Adult Contemporary, Pop/Rock, Contemporary Pop/Rock, Soft Rock
  • More Details and Credits »

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. The Telegraph (UK)
    Jun 15, 2011
    100
    This album is a musical gumbo: a rich, surprising and ultimately satisfying stew of Simon's folk, rock and pop influences from all over the world.
  2. Expert Witness (MSN Music)
    Apr 13, 2011
    100
    The music is the mild, irregular folk-rock he's explored for decades, graced with global colors that sound as natural as that guitar.
  3. musicOMH.com
    Jun 14, 2011
    60
    Sometimes Simon suffers from a sort of elder statesman's churlishness or cynicism (like a musical version of Grumpy Old Men), which is not entirely appealing, and some of the songs seem a little under-developed. There is, however, enough here to suggests that new Paul Simon albums should be bigger events.

See all 27 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. JohnL
    10
    I'm blown away. I loved the last album, "Surprise", and was concerned as to how he'd possibly follow it up. I needn't have worried. This is equally as stunning in a different manner. It's an album that is as subtle as is it is sublime. I'm going to be catching him live, two nights in a row & I hope we get to hear lots of songs from this album. I doubt I'll hear anything as stunning this year, if not this decade.… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  2. zimmertosser69
    5
    So what is correct term. Nothing new here and the one hit off the entire Cd is a rehash from 20 years ago Graceland CD. Whats all the high scores about? Should we treat Rock and Roll Hall of Famers differently or judge them based on each effort. This is a c- at best. Just ask my friend Julio down at the school yard.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. gimmedatsammich
    3
    Gotta say, I was seriously disappointed by this album. It seems Paul has become more of a poet than a singer. The only song in "So Beautiful or So What" that was even remotely catchy was "Getting Ready for Christmas." The rest just seemed like poems set to dreadfully boring musical accompaniments. I know this sounds very harsh, but this album is laughable compared to the masterpiece that was "Graceland" (my favorite record of all time.) You could actually sing along to the tracks in "Graceland". Not so in SBOSW. The only thing this album is good for is for putting you to sleep.… Expand
    • 1 of 2 users said yes

See all 10 User Reviews

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