"Sounds of Silence" is the second studio album by Simon & Garfunkel, released on January 17, 1966. The album's title is a slight modification of the title of the band's first major hit, "The Sound of Silence", which originally appeared on the duo's debut album "Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.” and was later reissued as a single, topping the Billboard charts.
After "The Sound of Silence" began to gather momentum on the charts, Simon & Garfunkel rushed back to the studio in late 1965 to record a set of new tracks that would accompany that song. The result became their second studio album. It was a masterful piece, showcasing the pair's wonderful vocal harmonies and thoughtful lyrics.
The album includes several of Simon & Garfunkel's most well-known songs, apart from the title track, such as "I Am a Rock", which also charted in the U.S. It demonstrated a shift in the pair's sound, from their debut’s folk roots to a more eclectic mix of styles and saw leader and songwriter, Paul Simon, exploring themes of post-adolescent alienation and doubt.
Commercially and critically successful, "Sounds of Silence" had significant impact, establishing Simon & Garfunkel as one of the standout music duos in the 1960s. It propelled folk rock to a new height of popularity and respectability, becoming an integral part of the countercultural movement of the time. This album proved to be one of the first folk-rock blockbuster hits, paving the way for many artists who followed in their wake.
