Round of 64: (30) The Hotelier - Goodness vs. (35) Paul Simon - Graceland Bracket • Page 2

AMEN

 

Voted for Goodness. Dug my revisit of Graceland more than I remember enjoying that album previously, but Goodness is such an emotional wallop. I think I might actually prefer it to Home at this point. Also, "End of Reel" is the best Hotelier song.

 

100% agreed.

 

I don’t think I knew you weren’t a Paul believer.

 

I've never delved very deep with his solo stuff, in part because I didn't ever click with Graceland.

 

I’m actually kinda surprised given how much of a lyrics guy you are in your reviews. Hard to top:

“The Mississippi Delta was shining like a National guitar. I am following the River down the highway through the cradle of the Civil War”

or

“He looks around and he sees angels in the architecture, spinning in infinity and he says ‘Amen, hallelujah!’”

 

Goodness is incredible but I mean, come on haha

 

I can’t believe this is so close. Only here!

 

good

 

I love how paul simon’s lyrics are like these erudite extractions from the everyday all soaked in humor, even silliness sometimes, but poignantly, and with an ear to the beyond.

A song like The Boy In The Bubble where he finds life affirming footing in the too-familiar scene of terrorist bombing.

 

Yeah the fact that "angels in the architecture" is in the same song as "why am I so soft in the middle when the rest of my life is so hard?" really shows how quickly he can pivot from wit/humor to poetry in the same lyric

 

Never been able to get into The Hotelier. Probably gonna give them another shot just for the sake of the poll/discussion but went with Graceland regardless

 

Goodness for me

 

Goodness is GOAT.

 

Crazy how much you can hear the roots of Vampire Weekend in Graceland. I do think it's a record I have to be in the mood for, and I also think Goodness is the best Hotelier record, so my vote goes to Goodness.

 

The current 50/50 split has me more stressed than I should be on a Tuesday night. Really thought my boy Paul had this.

 

I think Paul Simon - Graceland is better. This album is more atmospheric.

 

Goodness for me. Like Graceland fine, but Goodness just keeps getting better with age.

Also I don't know that I agree it's overrated around these parts. I mean Ian Cohen called it the best album of the decade.

 

Graceland easily for me after finally listening to both albums for the first time.

 

Both fantastic albums but it’s easily Graceland.

 

Just changed it with my vote it seems, first time seeing my vote having a visible impact (for this moment hahah), sorry!

 

I dont even know if I’d go Graceland over most of the other albums left. You Can Call Me Al obviously rules but I never clicked with the rest

 

I'm honestly surprised that Graceland is giving one of the most beloved emo bands of their generation a legitimate run for their money on this site of all places. I never see anyone talk about Paul Simon here. Not a bad thing, obviously, I just would have predicted this one being a blowout.

 

it isn’t that surprising to me. there isn’t a big thread or whatever for Paul here but it has a legacy as a classic album. the clash just similarly beat turnstile.

 

Graceland is an all-timer for me and so is Goodness, tbh. But also, I’m not blind to how Paul Simon’s musicianship and lyricism are well-beyond the scope of everything the Hotelier has ever put out. I have a feeling most people who voted Goodness haven’t given Graceland a fair listen bc it’s “older”, meanwhile it would be called a masterpiece even if it released today in 2022.