Fulfillingness' First Finale

The first time I listened to this I was riding in the front passenger seat on a road trip, tripping balls on mushrooms. It is, to date, one of my all-time favorite records.

10/10 how the fuck do you not like Stevie Wonder? the man has contributed some of the greatest albums on earth to humanity

Can't believe I overlooked this album for so long. The guy who say to listen to Wonder's albums chronically are correct over the ones who just say to listen to Innervisions or Songs in the Key of Life. This album is fantastic. Doesn't have any hits, but these songs are pure genius. It just sounds incredible, with unconventional recording techniques that somehow manage to excel with the theme and Wonder's style. It's still distinctively soul, but it's really atmospheric, and you can hear the decades of influence these songs would have on neo-soul from the late 90s to modern age. Not to mention the diversity of these tracks. We go from the echoey emotional "Too Shy To Say" to the funky "Boogie on Reggae Woman", and neither sound like anything else from its time, yet both are fantastic, and that transition does not sound out-of-place. And who the hell plays the harmonica in a funk song? Who does that? Stevie Wonder, and he's been doing that since the 60s. It's so high-pitched but I'll be damned it works. And then what comes after that? I wish I knew music theory to talk about these songs. All I know is that it's weird and highly unconventional but still identifiable and sounds really good, like the Beatles. There's something that sticks out to me about every song, whether cool or unusual and yet it's aesthetically pleasing. It's odd how this is probably considered the weakest of his classic era, but I still consider this is a perfect entry. The only complaint is the lack of star tracks to tie it all together, but the two lead singles come close. Favorites: Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away, Boogie On Reggae Woman, Creepin, They Won't Go When I Go, Bird of Beauty

a little sesame street for me

I love Stevie Wonder and I feel this album is underrated in his catalog. Goes down easy all while making some genuinely heartfelt and poignant statements. No small feat. I used to put "They won't go when I go" on mixtapes and we'd get high and listen to it in silence and it would give us chills. Stevie is the real deal.

Our second album from Stevie, and it's another great one! So many funky instrumentals here, with unusual rhythms and instrumental runs. "Boogie On Reggae Woman" is just otherworldly. As an album, not as grandiose or monumental as Song in the Key of Life, but really great nonetheless. I'll be returning to quite a few on here, they sound unlike anything I've heard before. Favorite tracks: Boogie On Reggae Woman, Bird of Beauty, You Haven't Done Nothin', Too Shy to Say, Please Don't Go. Album art: Absolutely fantastic art, wow. The piano key staircase, all the shadows and colors, this is really awesome. And I love the nod to the Grammys right there on Stevie's cheek, don't forget that this guy won like 300 Grammys in a span of about 10 years. 4/5

I think this the weakest of the albums from Stevie's "classic period", so it suffers a bit in being compared to them. Compared to most other albums from most other artists, it's outstanding, but compared to his body of work, it's doesn't hit the same highs. For 1001 Albums, I think the average person would understand Stevie Wonder's brilliance with Innervisions and Songs In the Key of Life, so having four albums represented seems like overkill. The big singles both work: Boogie on Reggae Woman is slinky and funky, while You Haven't Done Nothin does have a Superstition vibe to it. Heaven is 10 Zillion Years Away is also a standout. The slower tracks don't have the same immediacy - Creepin isn't bad, but Too Shy to Say is pretty dull excepting the steel guitar from Sneaky Pete Kleinow. Again, I like this album, but it's never going to be my Stevie Wonder album of choice.

Jazz people love to say how great Stevie Wonder is at harmonisation and songwriting. Alas, I am not a jazzman, nor – it seems – constitutionally able to get through one of these songs unbored. More like Stevie Natural Occurrence!

It's hard to listen to Stevie and not feel good. His voice is one of the best and the message in his music is so positive, even when it's a slower tune you still need to move along with it. Incredible artist, and this was great to peek into his lesser known stuff.

Compositional greatness unmatched, but the delicate baroque palette means the songs simply don't jam, and that reduces his generational reach, which is when he's at his best. Very pretty though.

Released between two absolute 5 star crackers (Innervisions and Songs in the key of life). First few songs seem light weight sentimental ditties, and it takes a few songs before the funky grooviness starts. Then you realise that they’ve all got under your skin and you’re humming away to some lovely love songs. Subsequent listens double down on all this and before you know it your listening to a classic Stevie album. Just a pity it falls between such giant corkers!

When I die im donating my eyes to Stevie Wonder 🙏

Beautiful, happy music. I feel like music is rarely just purely happy, but Stevie Wonder always hits it right.

So talented and soulful. There are so many weaker copies of SW out there, it's refreshing to hear the real thing.

It’s slower than I prefer. Musically it’s there, the production is good.

I'm surprised I missed out on this one back in my wider music nerd phase, but I'm sad I did - this was extremely good. "They Won't Go When I Go" is an absolute classic.

I tend to score Stevie's albums on the strength of the iconic hits with their ground-breaking keyboard licks while holding my nose for the syrupy ballads. In this case "Boogie on Reggae Woman" is great, "You Haven't Done Nothin" borrows heavily from "Superstition" but there are too many over produced ballads.

Wonder’s run has spoiled me: this is great, just not as great as some of its siblings.

Pretty nice. Stevie never puts out mediocre music, that's for sure.

This is pop gospel for the masses. My husband doesn't like Stevie Wonder and he is wrong.

Excellent album. I'm not sure it's aged well though. The cheesy keyboards were probably amazing in 1974, but not so much now. If I were reviewing this in the '70s or even '80s, I might give it 5 stars, but... I hate to hold a trend or "fashion" against an album, but if yodeling was really popular for a few years, it's simply not going to age well, and I can't ignore it. A decent example is the last song, "Please Don't Go". It's a good song, but the "bass keyboard" hasn't aged well. Ever since the '70s, that line would have just been played on a bass guitar. It doesn't change that it's a good song, but production and implementation does matter. Still, 4 stars.

Fav: Too Shy To Say Least Fav: Boogie On Reggae Woman

Decent, but sounds like Innervisons B-sides in comparison. [EDIT: Mark, this is a prime example of one I return to because I'm sure there's more there if I just listen better; still didn't find it yet though.]

Good album. Stevie is so talented and at the top of his game at this point in the 70’s that even in second gear, as he is here, it sounds beautiful. It’s laid back and almost easy listening music but it consistently sounds warm, pleasant and interesting.

It was good but not great.

I used to (Stevie) WONDER what this album sounded like because I had never listened. Now I no longer (Stevie) wonder.

Overrated and repetitive

Mostly super boring.

Surprisingly not so good.

Absolutely brilliant!

This is highly regarded among Stevie fans. It didn’t change my mind that innervisions is his best album, but it’s Stevie. One of the handful of acts who deserve more than 2 albums here. Most need only one. But Stevie, man. Also extra point for the appearance of Michael sembello, who wrote 'maniac'. Michael plays guitar here. 21 stars.

Is it heretical to say that this is possibly one of the weaker albums during Stevie Wonder's classic run? But that is by the standard of STEVIE freaking WONDER in the middle of his imperial period! This still won Album of the Year at the Grammys and is better than 99.99% of releases by everybody else ever. The singles are bangers (although I have often mused on what 'You Haven't Done Nothing' would have been like with a real drummer). Deep cuts I liked best: the gospel 'Please Don't Go' and hymn-like 'They Won't Go When I Go'. 'They Won't Go' has a lot of cultural legs; covers by George Michael and Chance the Rapper (check out the performance at NPR Tiny Desk) amongst others, and Stevie movingly played it at Michael Jackson's memorial. Stevie Wonder is a genius and a treasure. Five stars, no notes.

Absolutely incredible.

Absolutely blown away by this one, the mix of impressive performances musically with heartfelt expression and emotion is incredible

I somehow hadn't heard this album before. "They won't go when I go" was an amazing track.

If Stevie Wonder has no fans, I am dead

This is such a fantastic fucking album, just so perfect to relax and vibe. Beautiful song writing and Stevie at his best

Genius!

Fulfillingness' First Finale- Stevie Wonder Released in 1974 July 22nd Nice feel Overall 8.5/10 Genre is soul and progessive comtep. 17th studio album from Stevie wonder Stevie wonder drummed, played keys, sang he produced the full album on his own. DAMN Michael sembello played guitar 42 min long- decent timing. Heaven is 10 zillion light years away is very good. Good fading out and keeps a strong back beat. Catchy beat You’ve haven’t done nothin has a great intro They won’t go when I go piano solo is really really good. Simple yet complex and interesting, song apexes and falls so interesting at the same time it flows so hard Bird of beauty is a nice change up with how the backbeat is and the woodwind instrument. Vocals on please dont go are fire

Just straight up fucking amazing

Fantastic album

Holy what a smooth album. Some terrific soul on here mixed with some nasty funk. The production is great, the musicianship is tight, and Wonder's voice acts like another instrument that pushes the song over the top. There's not much else to say. For an album that's considered one of his weakest of his "classic period", I've enjoyed it far more than others of that era. The lack of a true hit single or timeless Stevie Wonder hit adds to its allure - it's just a strong, steady, funky album through and through.

Love Stevie

Stevie really is a wonder, man.

Funkadelic

Absolutely loved this album. Listened to it front to back twice while walking through the woods. This is a wonderful album.

Classic Stevie. Funky, mellow, introspective. This album flew right by. Great listen.

As always, Stevie Wonder proves he’s in a league of his own. The production is stunning, he plays most of the instruments himself, his vocals are flawless, and every song feels perfectly crafted. Favourite tracks: Smile Please, Creepin', It Ain't No Use, Bird of Beauty, and especially They Won't Go When I Go - an absolutely tragic piece that sends shivers down my spine every time.

Pretty good album 5/5

Amazing soul record, Stevie only makes hits

This album is actually really great. I haven't ended up liking that much some of the songs here, but most of them are very impressive. So, even if I doubted whether to give it four or five stars, I think it well deserves five. The variety of sounds and layers on this album is amazing. I've enjoyed it a lot.

5/5 like every stevie wonder album

It is always a nice feeling to have a Stevie Wonder album to listen to, never a chore. What another fantastic album, his melodies, lyrics and interpretation are amazing and it shocked me that he even sang in Portuguese on one of the songs. I had Innervisions before, which I felt more developed butvIbpoved this one too! 5/5

Easy A! 5/ 5

This one bowled me over track after track! After feeling a little let down by Talking Book, I was wary, but the subtle brilliance of this album tore down my walls. It’s such an impeccably executed but easygoing set of tunes. It has been almost nothing but standout moments. Great melodies, grooves, instrumentals, solos, lyrics. Every track has given me something lovely to latch on to. Must-listen #238!

Jebote u ovoj prvoj polovici sedamdesetih je inspiracija baš mazila stevieja

he was really cooking with this one

Another excellent album from his best era. While I wish that there were a few more funky songs like "Boogie on Reggae Woman" or "You Haven't Done Nothin'," the lyrics are fantastic, especially on the spiritually plaintive "Heaven is a Zillion Light Years Away." The production is also stellar. He was absolutely hitting his stride during this period.

Another fantastic album from Stevie's golden era. It has everything you'd want, the gospel songs, funk jams, soulful ballads. Also, I'm a big Dylan fan, but absolutely no one plays the harmonica like Stevie Wonder. He makes that shrill instrument sound silky somehow. I especially loved Heaven is 10 Zillion Light Years Away, the Nixon takedown You Haven't Done Nothin, and the almost creepy with its rapture vibes, but super mesmerising, They Won't Go When I Go. A 4.5 for me but its Stevie Wonder, gotta round up

I apologize Mr.Wonder, I was unfamiliar with your game. Fantastic record, fun, heavy at moments, just lyrically on point. Musically nailing it, just a banger of a record.

Yo, did he start Boogie on Reggae woman with "i like to see you boogie"? I'm a little biased i think because when i was a baby learning what music was, Stevie Wonder was one of the main features. But to me, listening to this album, his composition is up there with Beethoven and Tchaikovsky, lyrics on par with the Psalms and Rumi, performance maybe just under people like Ella and Mike. The greatest to ever do it. And no matter how much praise he gets, it's not enough. This isn't even his best album, these aren't even his biggest songs, i hadn't even listened to this one before but I'm amazed.

Great album. Still figuring out the raging system but I added multiple songs to the playlist and I listened 3 rkmes

Banger

I mean it’s Stevie. He’s one of the best musicians of our age.

Album is a 10/10

sorry jacob this is better than songs in the key of life too

I'm learning that Stevie Wonder albums often take me a couple listens to really lock in, and then even if I didn't love the while things, I usually can't deny the guy's got all the rizz. He can write hooks, but it seems more often he wanders around inside the music to explore an idea that is also a feeling, which is perhaps why every tune pushes against itself with weird minor or discordant elements. But if you're able to give him your attention, you'll at least go on a ride, and you may even resonate with his vulnerability and passion. And then other times he's just really fun. "Boogie Woman" and "You Haven't Done Nothingl'" are easy favorites, but I also liked " Heaven" and "Too Shy to Say."

Favorite Track: They Won’t Go When I Go

Stevie Wonder didn’t just make music, he rewrote the DNA of soul. It feels like he traded his sight for the ability to see deeper into sound and emotion than anyone else ever has. His classic run of albums is untouchable, every one of them a 5/5 listen. The harmonies, the soaring vocals, the compositions that feel both intricate and effortless… there’s nothing to pick apart. Stevie is the gold standard of timeless artistry. And sure, the hairstyle might get him compared to the Predator. See Exhibit A: https://images7.memedroid.com/images/UPLOADED429/5c380f525f234.jpeg but let’s be real, the Predator wishes it had Stevie’s catalog. Classic Stevie Wonder is perfection, plain and simple. 9.5/10.

This album is just gorgeous start to finish. Warm, soulful, and ridiculously beautiful. Every track feels alive and heartfelt.

Love his voice, it makes slightly lame concepts like "Boogie on reggae woman" really come to life.

Come on, there's very little better than 70's Stevie Wonder. FFF was released in the middle of a slew of near perfect records. Every song is interesting in its own way, theres a huge amount of diversity, but Wonder maintains some thread throughout them all that ties them all together. The harmony is constistently sophisticated without sacrificing soulful feeling, and, of course, everything grooves very hard. This is the sort of album you can enjoy listening to over and over again, catching something new each time.

Some of my favourite sounds. The transition from too shy to say into boogie on reggae woman is wild.

Stevie Wonder får en femma bara för sången. Fan vad bra det här är vid rätt tillfälle! Mjukt, runt och helt otroligt svängigt när det passar. Ska in i skivsamlingen!

To think that this was his warm-up for Songs in the Key of Life.....I love music!! I love you Stevie Wonder!!!

I'm not really used to reviewing music. I think I listen to it in a much more passive way than most people, so I don't know if I'll have much to say. Definitely nothing of interest to say. Now that's out of the way, this album was beautiful. I'm sure at some point I've heard Stevie Wonder's work, given the legend that he is, but this is my first time really listening to him and I think I'm already hooked. From start to finish this was one of the most perfect listening experiences I've ever had. I have no idea if this website is randomized or the albums are always in the same order, but I can't imagine a better start.

groovy

🐐

I knew Stevie Wonder was good, but I didn’t know he was THIS good! I think from now on I’ll totally be sitting down and listening to more Stevie Wonder.

Fun, easy listen. Stevie's got a Wonderful voice and a beautiful way around music.

An exceptional album from Stevie’s classic period. It’s a testament to Stevie’s prolificness that this, his 17th studio album is considered “classic Stevie.” No skips, and despite its title “Please Don’t Go,” the album closer, is one of the most joyous, smile-inducing songs I’ve ever heard.

This is cool as hell. I never listened to Stevie Wonder outside the big hits before this project and so far 2/2 are great. They Won’t Go When I Go was my favorite track. It’s so unlike the rest.

This is an album I’m very familiar with, as I had a bit of a Stevie Wonder obsession not too long ago. FFF may not be his greatest album, but for anyone else, it would be. FFF came near the end of a 5-album run untouched by any other artist. This album should be on the list just for Boogie on Reggae Woman and You Haven’t Done Nothin,’ with the latter being aimed at Richard Nixon. The rest of the songs are more personal, with several being about Wonder’s relationship with God. They Won’t Go When I Go is a haunting song about how Wonder will leave this earth and go to heaven, while those who aren’t right with God will be taking a short trip to hell. Mostly, the album is about love and no one writes love songs like Stevie. This album is a must listen.

You really never see people talking about this album the same way they do Innervisions, Songs In the Key of Life etc. Stevie was on a different level at this stage of his career, top tier stuff.

actual peak

another banger from stevie

Perfect album

Stevie Wonder at his best. Pretty much a perfect album.

Genuinely fantastic album. The entire album was fantastic, but They Won't Go When I Go might actually be one of the most powerful and beautiful songs I've ever heard.

Colorful and funky

One of my top 3 Stevie albums. Just a cool funk/ soul albums

Now THIS is some soul music I can get behind. I wish I could tell all the pretentious music nerds that Songs in the Key of Life and Innervisions aren't his only albums. What a gift to the world.

5 stars

Incredible album

Such an underrated Stevie album. One of my favourites

chill, calm, full of life, kinda groovy, nostalgic, beautiful voice, perfect for an evening Aperol, dim lights inside of a mansion beloved one

This album starts out like a freshly brewed cup of fair trade Colombian brew coffee on a warm Sunday morning. It uplifts you to the point that when you realise you need to vacuum your house, you’ve got a wholesome energy so you don’t even mind vacuuming, in fact you dance and smile as you do it because everything feels right in the world. As the day winds down into a calming sunset, you at peace because you know you couldn’t have asked for a better Sunday.

it would be a stretch to call any stevie record """dark""" ofc but there is a more subdued, cloudy mood to this album than any of the others of his peak period, which are usually some kind of exuberant. this is most easily attributable i suppose to stevie recovering from a brief car accident-induced coma, a brush with death that recontextualizes the continual, stubborn idealism of his music to even greater heights. something v moving here even in the more lowkey sound with how often stevie affirms the beauty and order he sees in the world, even in the emotionally bleaker places. and ofc, lots of amazing songs with all of stevie's usual strengths of the period...the dense and warm arrangements with the intimate feeling that he plays almost everything, combined with the gorgeous melodies and structures that seem to have both their contents and presentation felt out with nothing but godlike heartfelt instinct. i got rained on while walking to this album and it felt like a wonderful compliment tbh...grey and overcast and Cleansing. i wanna single out you havent done nothin, not because its the best song on the record (the minnie riperton-featuring sensual masterwork Creepin is prob my fave), but because considering its kind of a rewrite of higher ground, which was kind of a rewrite of superstition, it rly shows off the records unique strengths via direct comparison...the darker clouds give i this Edge and Teeth that eclipses its predecessors...those are probably still the better songs on the whole, but they could have been on other stevie albums and made sense, this one could Only be here

Masterpiece. The production is perfect, everything sounds clear and crisp. Stevie Wonder drops nothing but absolute bangers here. Legendary

I loved the album and all of the songs it was a great album will tell my friends