"I Don't Believe" is practically an album unto itself: He starts off by using the title to declare a lack of faith in anything like intelligent design, then, after gazing adoringly at his family, decides he really can't believe love could be impermanent.  Full text...

Six years after his last studio release, the diminutive songwriter delivers new classics such as "How Can You Live in the Northeast?" and "Outrageous," tracks that closely examine everyday life, while Eno's subtle touches include arranging appearances from guest musicians such as Herbie Hancock and Bill Frisell which make that life beautifully rendered.  Full text...

While lacking that landmark's global adventurism, Surprise packs a few surprises of its own, most notably in the verve of Simon's lucid melodies and the emotional and technical purity of his vocals, especially the upper range, where you'd expect some corrosion after 64 years.  Full text...

Eno’s influence is obvious all over Surprise, in the swampy textures and echoing, ambient tones which give the 11 songs a soundwash not normally associated with Simon.  Full text...

The real surprise is how vital Paul Simon sounds—still crazy, and still fighting for peace and sanity, after all these years.  Full text...

This is a worthy addition to the Simon catalog.  Full text...

Surprise plays like a sister record to You're the One, with one key difference: production help from Brian Eno, who pioneered ambient rock in the Seventies before twiddling knobs for U2 and Talking Heads.  Full text...

Surprise is truth in advertising and finds the '60s icon venturing down some interesting back alleys in the twilight of his career.   Full text...

'Surprise' falls shy of a masterpiece, but it is consistently engaging and offers some of Simon`s most creative songs in two decades.  Full text...

That, after all, is the spirit of Paul Simon's America.  Full text...

On Surprise, Simon neglects his strengths, and the record's Plastic Eno Band mud paint can't bring them back.  Full text...