Surprise
by
Surprise Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 55 Ratings

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  • Summary: The singer-songwriter's first solo album in six years also marks his first collaboration with legendary producer and artist Brian Eno. (Finally, a worthy successor to Garfunkel!) Bill Frisell and Herbie Hancock guest.

Top Track

Father And Daughter
If you leap awake In the mirror of a bad dream And for a fraction of a second You can't remember where you are Just open your window And follow your... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Observer Music Monthly
    100
    It's a bravura performance on both men's part.... A thrilling return to form.
  2. AllMusic
    90
    Unlike such deservedly praised comeback albums from some of his peers -- such as Dylan's Love and Theft, the Rolling Stones' A Bigger Bang, Paul McCartney's Chaos and Creation in the Backyard -- Simon doesn't achieve his comeback by reconnecting with the sound and spirit of his classic work; he has achieved it by being as restless and ambitious as he was at his popular and creative peak, which makes Surprise all the more remarkable.
  3. Stylus Magazine
    83
    It’s almost as good as ['Hearts & Bones'], and likely to be as undervalued, but don’t worry: give it 20 years and its cadenced ruminations and instantly dated production will get some love from the usual suspects.
  4. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    This surprise is an entirely pleasant one. [27 May 2006, p.33]
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  5. Rolling Stone
    70
    Despite the album's shiny surface, Simon sounds like Simon.
  6. The New York Times
    70
    An ambitious and challenging work full of sonic experimentation and oblique lyrics.
  7. Blender
    50
    Simon wasn't born to sing over drum & bass. [Jun 2006, p.148]
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See all 23 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 42
  3. Negative: 2 out of 42
  1. TiagoA
    Oct 20, 2009
    10
    Beautiful record!!!
  2. DaleK
    May 23, 2006
    10
    This is a great album! Paul's phrasing is confident, assured, each note is perfect. The music is interesting, and the sound thru This is a great album! Paul's phrasing is confident, assured, each note is perfect. The music is interesting, and the sound thru headphones is spacey and pleasant. A CD that will make you happy.… Expand
  4. stevep
    Jun 20, 2006
    10
    Once again, Paul reinvents himself-A fresh new sound. This CD will get in your head and stay there-it is contagious. The lyrics and melodies Once again, Paul reinvents himself-A fresh new sound. This CD will get in your head and stay there-it is contagious. The lyrics and melodies are fantastic and the band showcasing Gadd on drums with Eno's landscapes will have you hooked.… Expand
  5. ScottA
    May 15, 2006
    9
    Dylan has been given credit throughout his career for reinventions of himself. I find Simon's work here to be much the same and with Dylan has been given credit throughout his career for reinventions of himself. I find Simon's work here to be much the same and with similarly startling results. So much of the writing here is genuinely moving. Wartime Prayers is remarkable in saying a great deal with few words. I have been a fan forever with a few exceptions. This one ranks up there with Graceland, Hearts and Bones, Still Crazy and Rhymin' Simon. Thanks Paul, we needed this.… Expand
  6. JeffS
    Jan 5, 2007
    9
    After the 3rd listen, its the best "new" sound I've heard in years. Wonderful poetry (not that I'm a bit poetry fan), good Simon After the 3rd listen, its the best "new" sound I've heard in years. Wonderful poetry (not that I'm a bit poetry fan), good Simon rythms, and I love the Eno background.… Expand
  7. Esteban
    Mar 24, 2012
    8
    Better than Graceland... there... I said it. It's very easy to write off artists from the sixties who still record these days. This isBetter than Graceland... there... I said it. It's very easy to write off artists from the sixties who still record these days. This is understandable given that it's 30 odd years since the last good Rolling Stones song and the best thing a Beatle has done since '69 has been Thomas the Tank Engine. What Simon has done here though should appeal to people who don't even read Mojo magazine. It is a wonderful record. 'How Can You Live in the Northeast' could have been written by Arcade Fire, 'Father and Daughter' is just beautiful. Well worth the purchase.… Expand
  8. CMiddleman
    Jun 10, 2006
    1
    good goddamn, this record is insipid

See all 42 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

69
#69 Most Discussed Album of 2006

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