Fulfillingness' First Finale

Medio largo por mas que tenga 10 canciones, algunas son un poco densas

After the sprawling cosmic reach of Innervisions, Stevie Wonder turns inward on Fulfillingness’ First Finale, and the result is quieter, but no less visionary. It’s not an album of revolution — it’s a reckoning. Wonder trades in the wide-angle social commentary for something more intimate, meditative, and, at times, deeply mournful. Musically, it’s a study in restraint. Synths — mostly from the TONTO system — still anchor the soundscape, but here they hum like candlelight rather than blaze like sunbeams. Drum machines share space with live percussion, layered subtly to create rhythms that breathe, like the aching shuffle of “Creepin’” or the deeply pocketed funk of “Boogie On Reggae Woman.” His clavinet work is still razor-sharp, but it now whispers where it once shouted. Vocally, Stevie is at his most textural and expressive — crooning, sighing, preaching, and pleading. On “They Won’t Go When I Go,” his voice moves like a ghost in a cathedral, carrying grief and grace in equal measure. He doesn’t just sing sorrow — he lets it settle in your bones. In the arc of his “classic period,” Fulfillingness’ First Finale is both a bridge and a breath. It connects the bold experimentalism of Innervisions with the grand, orchestral soul of Songs in the Key of Life. But it’s also its own emotional world — stripped down but spiritually saturated, full of silence and space, like a room recently left by someone who mattered. And here’s the thing: I’m not even much of a funk listener. But this album isn’t about genre — it’s about atmosphere, soul, and control. Even when the grooves hit, they don’t demand the body — they hypnotize the mind. It’s the sound of an artist finding solace in minimalism, and somehow making the quiet echo louder than the storm.

Enjoyed

A very cruisy and listenable music that unfortunately really feels like it is just going through the motions, compared to other soul albums on this list it is just fairly mediocre, when comparing to previous stevie wonder albums it’s disappointing.

Stevie Wonder has a consistent quality that is impossible to deny, and on that metric I don’t think I could rate any of his output as bad. I’d say though on the basis of my enjoyment of this album compared to his other records, this is on the weaker side.

Opens with essential smooth jazz. Enjoy the way he isnt afraid of putting a guitar on a jazz or soul track. Brings a distinct style and vibe to the whole thing that doesnt sound like other music of this genre. Liked it more than his other stuff so far 7/10

A fantastic first side with some big hits on it and a lot of variety in its style. Side B really doesn't hold my attention, worse still some of the tracks here are straight up skips. Side A is absolutely phenomenal though and if this were a standalone album on its own it would be an easy 4 or 5. Stevie's the master of easy listening but the wheel sort of fall off in the second half. Highlights: Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away, Too Shy to Say, Boogie On Reggae Woman, Creepin'

Stiwi wonda

It’s a decent album. I wish I had a stronger connection to Stevie Wonder’s music because every single album I’ve listened to just feels like the music is simply there. It’s not that it’s bad; I see the talent behind it, but unfortunately for me, there’s a lack of connection.

First listen. Stevie is at his best when he's pissed at the world, and he absolutely isn't here. Total lack of funk - he has a beautiful voice obviously but I've never been too into the prog soul stuff. Something about this just feel sterile compared to the rawness of Innervisions before or the sincerity of Songs after. Ok I pulled up the credits and the answer is he DOESNT PLAY ENOUGH MOOG BASS THATS WHAT IT IS. Maybe that's why I like Boogie on Reggae Woman so much. Probably will stick with going back to Innervisions. 7/10

Hey, this guy’s pretty good!

Ouvi mais

Jazzy and calm but not really thought evoking, still good though. I’m not a Christian or religious so the god stuff doesn’t resonate for me but i like the song. I like his voice and how happy the music is, none of them are stuff i would usually listen to but I've not skipped a single song they’re all good to listen to. 3 stars

Not the power house but still very solid and an enjoyable listen.

It was fine, didn't really stick out. 2.7

Muy linda música, muy al estilo de Stevie, pero se nota como que en algunas canciones aún falta esa cohesión sonora que le caracteriza, al menos por aquello de lo que es más reconocido. Se le escucha divagando en diversos estilos. Hasta una canción completa en tonos sombríos. Raro. Pero buen disco.

Pleasant enough album. SWs voice is beautiful throughout and some interesting music. Nothing jumps out as very special though.

War super

Boogie on reggae woman was sick, the others were ok.

Good album, very nice sound, some songs more abstract than I expected but all worked together quite well.

Quite a nice album, first full Wonder album I listened to through the whole way. Not bad

i bet this record deserves more than 3 stars but honestly the only track that really got me going was mercy mercy me by marvin gaye which came up in the queue after the stevie album finished

It's just not my kinda thing.

Fine, if standard Stevie Wonder fare

Funky Wonder imo

This album is like a cozy warm nap. It's just full of life and the songs sound great for a 70s recording. The melodies and instrumentals are really good and catchy. The music seems ahead of its time. Standouts for me were "Heaven is 10 Zillion Light Years Away," "You Haven't Done Nothin'" Yeah, really solid! This one's like a 3.5/5 for me.

It's ok. Birds of paradise fave song.

First song pretty good. Second song too much God. Some disco stuff. Ok overall.

It’s just some sorta good stuff I guess but I don’t know just didn’t really stand out to me. 3 stars

Not my favorite Stevie record but it does have They Won’t Go When I Go, which is my number one Sad Stevie song. Heaven Is Ten Zillion Light Years Away is my other favorite. My love of that song was one of the reasons for my divorce.

I enjoyed this album. “Boogie on Reggae Woman and You Ain’t Done Nuthin” are jams. 1001 album worthy: yes - 88/161

Lovely melodys. I like it when you stop thinking about scoring and it’s just the music. Not big on ballads like, Too Shy to Say, Creepin or It Ain’t No Use. When it’s good it’s very good though. Strong 3

Okey, not.my type

Try as I might (and I did try) I just never got behind him. A lot of friends were gaga but he was always a bit soft for my taste.

Happy vibes! Fav song: Heaven is 10 Zillion Light Years Away. Also like: Smile Please, and Boogie on Reggae Woman.

Not my favorite album of his. it sounds like he's experimenting a little on this one - which I'm all for - but it lack the quintessential Stevie Wonder-ness in my opinion. That last track (Please Don't Go) was the Stevie-est of all of them. I really dug that one.

Much softer and reflective sound than some of Wonder's other 70s albums. Still a solid listen, but missing a hook song to tie the whole album together. Feels almost like a compilation of cutting-room floor songs from his other albums of the decade. Still good, but not great. Top tracks: Creepin', It Ain't No Use, They Won't Go When I Go

Catching up with Stevie Wonder and Fulfillingness First Finale. A mix of jazzy, funky, gospel-ly, soul music. Not his best I think.

Echt nett.

Good enough album but not the best I’ve heard from Stevie Wonder. It’s lacking that mega stand out track, everything is kinda samey.

It’s an extremely relaxed, funky record. Lots of zany keys and soulful ballads. It’s that dreaded thing though where, for me, it fades into the background and becomes just a nice “vibe.” It's definitely adding something to my day, but I won’t be rushing back for repeat listens.

Not my cup of coffee

Reading up on the album, this was dude's 17th album? TF? I knew Stevie was influential, but damn, pump the brakes. This had a range of sounds, from funk, to some songs being more melancholic. I think Stevie's voice shines most in funk. Anything sung seriously gets overshadowed by his really bright voice. Overall a pleasant listen.

Not my favorite work from Stevie. It felt like listening to wallpaper

Sweet, soulful pablum. Well done, but so not my thing.

really just not my jam

Not my favourite Stevie Wonder album but even at his worst he’s pretty good so I enjoyed it

Not as good as his other albums, but still impressive.

Happy music but not really my style

Some good, some ok, some bad Average Not the best from Stevie 3/5

Good!

Solid project definitely some value here. Ahead of its time and ambitious, I just didn't particularly love any songs, they're all just pretty interesting and/or sonically pleasing. 3.5

Not really my thing, but still good.

Decent but not his best.

Some good tunes here.

love stevie to death but this one was a little boring for me

Beautiful, won’t return to it

First line of the album talks about how he can see. He fooled us all. I don’t like when he sings about goD.

Groovy, Stevie!!

I wanted to like this more than I actually did. When Stevie is laying down the funky grooves, he's a master, and I am all in. When he settles into his — what do I call it? — safe zone(?), the compositions and vocal melodies start sounding too similar to each other to excite me. It took me days to get through this, which didn't help, but I gave it a full listen through today. It's certainly better than a 3, a 3.5 in my book, but I think I needed one (or two) more groovy numbers to get me higher.

Yeah, I mean, this is mid-70s Stevie Wonder, so I feel like I'm grading a bit on a curve. This one's a bit tepid compared to his other greats, but the groovy tunes are among his best songs. Still, I don't think we need four back-to-back Stevie albums on this list. Give us Talking Book and Songs in the Key of Life and we're good.

It was okay. I just don’t think I’m a Stevie Wonder person.

pretty great album, didn't stick in my head as much as other stevie album.

Sometimes nice and funky. Overall not super excited

Freakkyy boy Stevie wonder Doesn’t reach the same heights as his older stuff, but still ok

Too slow for me

3.5/5

17th album...wow

You Haven't Done Nothin' was a high point but overall too mellow for me.

Fun and groovy but kinda mid

Knowing that Songs in the Key of Life followed it, I expected a little more

Pleasant sounding album. Boogie On Reggae Woman is really cool The weird melody in You Haven't Done Nothin' is great, too, though it is very similar to the one in Superstition, which came out two years earlier. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, I guess. Overall album was enjoyed!

Love the funk. Boogie on reggae woman has the classic funk undertones with that synth underneath. Stevies voice is also glorious and fits what is needed. That said, I don't think it is the best of Stevie Wonders albums.

yeah it was fine. Seems like a lot of this guys songs sound the same but it was ok.

***10 zillion Listened to most of it, all new wasn’t familiar with a single one on here. Need to read more about the context but was pretty good, really cool melody / chord shifts. Idk honestly I feel like was probably groundbreaking in 1974 but production sounds a little chintzy to my today ears. But synth / whatever on reggae lady song was cool. Definitely makes me realize how much frank ocean is just a retread / pastiche of this sound - especially channel orange as in sweet life. Also one of the songs sounds like blonde - self control.

Definitely an experience to listen to a Stevie Wonder record (for the first time!) A very passionate album with funk and a bit of a gospel touch. He sings his ass off. I enjoyed a few songs but it is like the songs are either a hit or a miss (to me). Great insight and throwback to the times back then.

Bit biased cause I love Stevie but a great, meaningful album. Not perfect but still amazing.

Not really up there among the best Stevie Wonder albums, but still it is well crafted, and blends easy listening with funky grooves as only Stevie Wonder can…

6.5/10 A classic Stevie album, solid start to finish but no particular stand-outs for me. The music is fun and production funky and crisp but some of the lyrics were a little questionable/too preachy for my taste. Listens: 1

Not my fav Stevie wonder album but still some highlights

Okay. Got me through a tough run. Probably will not listen again.

Not a lot of memorable hits but even mediocre Stevie is great

Por alguna extraña razón, su nombre ya reproduce en mi mente su movimiento pendular eterno y ya son puntos negativos a la hora de decir que me gusta.

That was just okay. Which feels wrong for stevie, but its inbetween two of the most prolific perfect albums of all time, so he gets a pass.

Undoutelutely Stevie has distinctive style and soul-bolstering presence in his performance. Unfortunately for me, I checked out of much interest in him after the video for 'Ebony and Ivory' - me as a kid rolling my eyes - though Paul McCartney was probably more to blame for how corny it was. What can I say, I dragged my feet queuing up this record, trepidating eye-rolling fatigue. Yes, very nice... but imagine my surreal amazement hearing the opening cascade of morose piano chords on 'They won't go when I go'. I'm such a dumbass I never realized George Michael was covering the one soul-down-in-the-depths song from Stevie Wonder anyone had ever heard. I mean the GM song always made me stop and ponder where he found that kind of low down sorrow, though he sure gave the frowns an attitude adjustment with his vocals. But this is not a George Michael review, so yeah, 'Fulfillingness' was nice.

I listened to this album with Patrick while making a pizza. Good, but not spectacular. Good pizza making music

It was fine. No real bops

point3.

Even Stevie Wonder can have an off day.

Like a bit of Stevie

Good, but surprisingly forgettable.

Stevie Wonder has always been capable of such magic. But his lyrics tend towards sentimentality and he spends way too much time on easy-listening ballads and soft sounds. I love Innervisions despite these tendencies. Because when he brought the energy up and banged on his Clavinet, he produced music as great as anyone. This album, unfortunately, doubles down on the sentimentalism and easy listening. It's a few amazing moments in a sea of soft sounds. But it is Stevie Wonder, so 3 stars minimum.

7/10

Meh

Kinda mediocre for Stevie, but that's still really good. 7/10

it was fine

Альбом твердий середняк,не більше не менше,хітів немає,пару пісень навіть прикольні,всі ніші просто нормальні, але є і проходняк

Very quiet album, some songs sound like modern gospels. Easy Listening.

Sorry Stevie not one of your best for me

3 - very chill album from him, I think I liked sounds in the key of life a bit more, but it’s generally not my type of melodic music

Love "They won't go when I go" though

Good listen, don't have too many specific notes but vibey throughout

I liked this album - classic Stevie wonder but I’d put some of his other albums above this one

Medium filling

Stevie wonder has such a beautiful quality to his voice. Love him

Stevie’s got talent coming out of his ears. His singing and playing (both on the keys and harp) are peerless. He probably doesn’t get enough credit for his “protest” songs, even though I really can’t stand that term. The uptempo songs on this record are fantastic. Unfortunately the ballads get samey and boring, which is a criticism I also have with the other classic Stevie records. There’s nothing objectionable on this album, and there are moments of greatness. On my scale, that makes it a

The album is actually pretty slow for me. I always struggle with slower songs. But the upbeat songs like “boogie on reggae woman” are great, those were by far my favorite tracks on the album. Even the songs I don’t love have great production and sounds. Overall this album is jammed pack with funk, r/b, and soul. But sadly half the album was alittle too slow for me personally. (Small side note: GREAT album cover!)

Wasn't really into the crooning songs, but the jammier songs were great.

Not as great as songs in the key of my life

Somehow this album doesn't do it for me. I think the Key of Life is a much better album. Many of the songs were duds. The highlights were "You Haven't Done Nothin'" and the Top Ten "Boogie on Reggae Woman" which are 4 star worthy. The rest were 2 stars it gets a composite 3 star.

Second or third time I’ve had a Stevie Wonder album and like before i cannot say I like his music at all but as an outstanding musical legend he has my appreciation. I listened to this album whilst queuing and going through a car wash. It passed the time and made for a relaxing 30 mins or so complementing the ever changing shapes of the soap suds as they descended my windscreen. 2.5 but pushing towards 3/5 27/1/25

Good album. 3.7-4 No high energy like superstition but it is good vibes and funky.

A lot less funky than one expected. A good listen, but it's all pretty tame. Not really for me.

I'm just not the biggest fan of his music. Something about his voice which impressive doesn't work for me.

not premium stevie wonder

3.5

Neat album that's a mix of upbeat, somber, & laid back. I wouldn't listen to it again on my own, but I like a few of the songs. Rating: ✦✦✦✧✧ Playlist Additions: Too Shy To Say - Shower Playlist Creepin' & They Wont Go When I Go - Experimental Playlist

Don’t remember much about it. Sounded pleasant

First listen. Some nice songs on here

"You Haven't Done Nothin" slaps hard. More of this please. That's the Stevie I expected.

A few good songs. But mostly everything just sounds like a holoday gap commercial to me. Not into stevie but i respect him. Boogie on reggae woman is good but I like ot better when it's covered by others. Please dont go was good. For me, this is way too much rudimentary keyboard for me.

alright album

Good music. Nice to have some soul after all that Brit rock.

Nice vibe

Overall, too mellow. Good record though. 17th album, my god. Two good bangers. 70’s chill music for sure.

Ok, not really my thing but pleasant background sound

A bit hit and miss.

Decent Stevie album

very technically good but i may be in a bit too energetic a mood as i wasn’t gelling with anything up until boogie on reggae woman

Boring

Songs i know Songs i like Some interesting concepts in this album, mainly regarding Stevie being coy about putting a finite distance on the location of heaven. 10 zillion light years is a made up number so I'd love to see your working out if I'm honest lad. You could have just says a zillion as they're still illegitimate mathematical terms. You saying if we got some fancy gravity drive we could actually warp there? Get a grip lad you can't even get on the 14c to the big asda without someome helping you. In terms of the actual album though, gets better as it goes on. It ain't no use and they won't go when I go are stand outs. Lifts it from a 2 into 3 territory. Also some interesting album artwork. Low 3.

Il y a des artistes qui ont la chance de sortir un chef-d'oeuvre dans leur carrière. Et puis il y a Stevie Wonder, le mec, qui entre 1972 et 1976, n'a pas sorti un, mais une série de chefs-d'oeuvre absolus, une suite de disques si parfaits qu'on se demande encore aujourd'hui comment un seul être humain a pu atteindre un tel état de grâce. Cette période, qu'on appelle sa "période classique", est un monument de l'histoire de la musique. Et c'est là tout le problème de "Fulfillingness' First Finale" car lui n'est pas un chef-d'oeuvre ni un grand disque mais c'est un bon disque. Et un "bon" disque de Stevie Wonder de 1974, croyez-moi, ça reste meilleur que 95% de la production musicale de n'importe quelle autre année. Il faut tout de même lui reconnaître ses immenses qualités. C'est un album qui explose les étiquettes et le réduire à de la "black music" serait une insulte. Stevie, à cette époque, est un musicien total. Il brasse les influences avec une aisance déconcertante. On y trouve des rythmes latinos, du reggae ("Boogie On Reggae Woman"), de la samba funky ("Bird of Beauty"), de la soul, du gospel... C'est un véritable tour du monde musical, un témoignage de sa curiosité et de son génie à synthétiser des sons venus de partout pour en faire quelque chose d'unique. C'est aussi, un album où il pousse plus loin son exploration des sons électroniques. Le synthétiseur Moog, l'ARP, le Clavinet... Ces instruments, qui pouvaient sonner froids et mécaniques chez d'autres, deviennent sous ses doigts des outils pour créer des textures chaudes, organiques, presque vivantes. Des morceaux comme le magnifique "Creepin'" sont des merveilles de production, des paysages sonores oniriques et enveloppants. Alors, qu'est-ce qui cloche ? Pourquoi ce disque est-il considéré comme un ton en dessous des autres ? Pour les raisons simples qu'il est moins cohérent, moins percutant que d'autres. "Fulfillingness' First Finale" est plus introspectif, plus personnel, plus apaisé. C'est un disque plus doux, plus romantique et forcément, il perd un peu en énergie ce qu'il gagne en tendresse. Le seul véritable coup de gueule de l'album, c'est "You Haven't Done Nothin'", une charge anti-Nixon d'une efficacité redoutable, avec les Jackson 5 aux choeurs s'il vous plaît. Mais le reste de l'album est sur un tempo plus lent, plus méditatif. Le 3 sur 5 est donc une note sévère, mais juste si on le juge à la discographie de Stevie Wonder. C'est le paradoxe du génie : on finit par le juger selon les standards impossibles qu'il a lui-même fixés. Pour n'importe qui d'autre, ce serait l'album d'une vie. Pour Stevie Wonder, c'est "juste" un très bon disque de transition. Un disque à découvrir absolument, pour la beauté de ses mélodies et la richesse de ses textures.

Just ok, for Stevie Wonder.

Not quite Innervisions but typically 70s Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder number 4!!! And in 4th place I'm sorry to report. :( Just really like his funky stuff SO MUCH MORE than the love ballads. This album is a little less thoughtful than the ones that come after. "Boogie On" and the "You Haven't Done Nothin'" are SO GOOD it makes up for a lot.

Solid SW album. 3.5

Lite ping-pong inleder albumet - först den tråkiga 'Smile Please', sen den mysiga 'Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away', efter det den tråååkiga 'Too Shy to Say', vilken snabbt går över i coola 'Boogie On Reggae Woman'. 'Creepin'', efter det, är något mellanting, en nätserve. 'You Haven't Done Nothin'' är en smash som Nixon på andra sidan inte hinner med - han avgår från presidentposten två dagar efter singeln släpps. 'It Ain't No Use' är tråkig, men inte lika tråkig som de två tidigare tråkiga låtarna. MEN, sen plockar han fram något nytt ur verktygslådan. Som Truls maskerade skruv i OS - den där han låter bollen gå under bordet och sedan viftar fram och tillbaka med armen för att motståndaren inte ska veta vilket håll skruven går åt - kommer bombastiska 'They Won't Go When I Go', med ett piano som låter klassiskt. Efter detta är det ju bara att defilera med 'Bird of Beauty' och 'Please Don't Go'. Stevie Wonder vinner 3/5 set. Inte illa för en blind. Bästa låt: Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away

I can't get excited by this album- Stevie is a genius but surely there are better representatives of his genius in his catalogue?

good background music

I'm learning to appreciate soul more as I get older. I'm still not huge on the overly sappy lyrics, but the instrumentals are gorgeous and lush, and the vocals themselves are really pleasant to listen to.

I mean ... C'mon, it's Stevie Wonder! None of my "favorites" were on this album, so it gets a 3, but it was still enjoyable.

ya know, I didn't give Stevie a lot of props. he's got that ear for sounds like a hawks has eyes for his kills.

Favorite track is Please Don’t Go

Not sure how I feel about this. Very big 70s electronic music sounding.

Enjoyed it, made my morning relaxing.

Another pleasant Stevie Wonder listen.

Always a fan of Stevie Wonder but this album just doesn’t hit as hard as others I love.

I definitely need more time with this album, but as a first listen, it's perfectly fine. Stevie just has so much talent.

I just didn’t groove with a lot of the backend songs. I love some Stevie songs, but these can be dull. Some deserve a relisten, like It Ain’t No Use

Stevie is a talented dude. I probably should have listened more before reviewing, but it’s not his most memorable week after one listen.

At this point, unless it's one of Stevie's best albums ever, I know exactly what to expect on one of his albums. There'll be one or two really great songs, and then a bunch of fluff to just bump up the run time of the album. If you want to listen to Stevie Wonder, go listen to Innervisions or a best of album. This album is good; it's fine; it's a fun vibe. The first track is really good! But I don't think any of the other tracks really elevate the album. Some are better than others, for sure, but nothing that feels great. Favorite Song(s): Smile Please

Good album.

Feel good. Bra. Deilig.

Good funky album, a few bangers but nothing insane

Good stuff

First time really listening to Stevie Wonder outside of his big hits. I enjoy his voice and there were a few good songs on this album, but also a couple of stinkers (ie. Heaven is 10 Zillion Miles Away).

A pleasant listening experience. Two songs were radio hits at the time. This slightly exceeded my expectations, but not enough to rate it as 4.

Claramentr las ideas de Stevie Wonder de este álbum serían perfeccionadas en el siguiente y es imposible no verlo así. En todo caso hay cosas interesantes

I thought it was a bit slow for my tastes, but that's probably because I'm not super familiar with the genre.

Okay album

It's got some high highs but also some very middling songs which just take me off the experience. I guess I expected more upbeat funk stuff based on the songs I already heard from Stevie but this one turned out to be mellower than that, not the worst but still something I might not comeback to much besides Creepin and Please Don't Go

Mostly I think this is a well-executed album in a genre I don't get very much mileage from - however, "They Won't Go When I Go" is really fascinating and is going to stick with me. It's a stylistic departure for Wonder, dark and funereal, dissimilar from the other songs on this album. (YouTube has Wonder's performance of it from Michael Jackson's memorial service.)

NIce Steve, Glad I listened, had not before. He is such a talent~

Good album, but I didn't like it as much as some of the other Stevie albums I've listened to so far.

I really enjoyed the upbeat funk songs but the rest didn't really click with me

Generally I like the piano and the bass with Stevie Wonder, but I don't like the electric piano that much. It brought a few surprises. I don't think I knew a single song on this album, at least never consciously listened to neither of the songs.

Never as impressed with Stevie Wonder’s albums as I want to be on the whole.

Not bad, considering I’ve never been a huge Stevie Wonder fan. It wasn’t a particularly memorable experience though. FAVORITE SONG: They Won’t Go When I Go

I don’t think I liked it as much as the other Stevie Wonder albums. I thought it was a funny coincidence that “They Won’t Go Where I Go” was a cover on yesterday’s George Michael album - I liked the song both times. 3.5?

Very good but not quote the quality of songs from other albums of his golden period

3.5

If I didn't know the artist as well, I'd have rated higher, but it was a bit of a disappointment for me compared to his other music.

Not bad, but mostly faded into the background. I did really like They Won't Go When I Go, but the rest just wasn't that memorable.

Kind of amazing how Stevie was pushing boundaries such a long time ago; he's playing with sounds and sonic ideas that I would not have associated with the early 1970s at all. It's outside my comfort zone but multiple listens have all been really enjoyed although I don't think I can pinpoint a particular track or tracks that have really stood out. Just a lovely load of vibes and a fabulous performer.

Eher ruhig, ggf. Gut für einen entspannten Abend, aber nicht so mein Geschmack

This album sounds like an overpriced candle shop in the Rockies.

I bet if you analyzed this album, it’s flawless, but it’s just not hitting the way other SW albums do. Depending on the day I could get really into this or truly not enjoy it. Glad to have listened to it (several times) but won’t be in the regular rotation…. I don’t think? It’s a 3 or 4 but as I’m writing this is a 3. Feel like I’ll regret this.

Agree with other's takes that, while I also love Stevie, I didn't find much outside of 'Boogie on Reggae Woman' that really landed with me on this album. I listened through a few times even, thinking it might have been user error on my part. But still, no dice. I appreciate the artistry of 'They Won't Go' but don't really like it, for whatever reason. Normally, if an album doesn't connect with me I'd give it a 2, but in this case I'm having trouble finding any good reason for my dislike, so I don't feel as confident in my take. For that reason I'm gonna round up to 3 because Stevie is a legend, but I acknowledge this is more or less an act of cowardice.

I love stevie, but this is one of the lesser entertaining albums. Talking Book from 2 years before was far more interesting to me You Havent Done Nothin was super fun and sounded like the rest of stevies catalogue. They Wont Go When I Go was a great track with a haunting progression and Bach like melody. Please Dont Go felt like a standard tune as well.

Comfortably the least interesting of the 3 Stevie Wonder albums we have done. Suffers from being between two great albums.

I'm somewhat of a Stevie agnostic; I recognize his immense talent and influence, and I do love some of his music, but he'll likely never be an all-time favorite. This record in particular is just a bit too smooth for my tastes. 3/5

Pretty good. Certainly hits more than a few emotional chords.

can never complain about a bit of stevie w

A fine album. 3 stars. Not great. just Wonder doing his thing.

I guess it’s fine for what it is. Doesn’t do much for me.

I think I would have been more appreciative of this back when it came out but it lacks whatever quality that would make me want to seek any of this out today. Still, it was an enjoyable listen and a pretty solid 3.

Achh stevie, S album isch chli a mir verbigange bim lose. Mag mich a nüd erinnere. Heisst aber au es isch nöd nervig gsi. Plus: Cover & album name gfalled mir sehr guet Sorry stevie, album‘s no wonder.

I appreciate the talent, particularly from a legend such as Stevie Wonder, but the album wasn't my particular cup of tea. If it was an album which whet my taste more, it would earn the full five stars. Favorite Song: "Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away"

A forest is of course the most recognisable track, but a good moody second album. Love the story that The Final Sound is so short because the tape ran out.

Good

Enjoyed it

Happy to listen to a Stevie Wonder album of course. I wasn't familiar with this - which is a bonus. But I don't think it is quite as good as Innervisions

I don’t know if I fully “get” Stevie Wonder. There’s certainly individual songs I like. But the two albums this challenge has served me are just ok. Nothing that I’d choose to revisit. 3/5

Exemplariskt producerad. Ljudbilden är varm och vacker. Man hör att musikerna är otroligt skickliga och i vissa låtar blir det lite lekfullt. Balladerna är väl lite trötta, men några av låtarna drar verkligen igång ett riktigt sväng. Kan absolut tänka mig att lyssna en gång till.

This album like previous Stevie Wonder albums doesn't produce any emotion in me. Don't hate it just totally inconsequential.

Some good stuff, but the slow soulful songs aren't for me.

Good production but a lot of boring long shit

Some bangers some less than

Pretty good. 3.5?

Reminds me of my mom

Some good songs and some electric organ songs. Mixed bag, more funk please.

This isn’t one of his best from the 70’s. The two hits aren’t up there with others from this era and the rest of the tracks are kinda meandering and bleh. 2.5 rounded up to 3 because even the “not as great as others” hits are pretty good.

Cool sounds

3☆/5 09.20.2024

Can see why this is on the list. Funky soul classic with some stand out tunes

Couple good tracks but kinda boring.

I was a bit disappointed by Fulfillingness' First Finale because you can rightly expect great things from Stevie Wonder and quite a bit of this doesn't deliver, it's solid to good but doesn't really get to the heights he's capable of. The back end of the album is really good though, the last four tracks are so much better than those that preceded it, It Ain't No Use and Please Don't Go are the best of those and get me up to a high 3. I've also mentioned this a few times but the work rate from artists in the 60s and 70s was mad :D this was his 17th album in 12 years.

God, the man can really write some drivel, can't he? Agree with Phil that the second half is better than the first, but he's gone for quantity over quality with 17 albums in 12 years. Think it probably would've been a 2, but for They Won't Go When I Go which is a wonderful ballad. 3/5.

good vibes but a little too samey

Easy listening but not my cup of tea

Love me some Stevie. Hadn’t heard any of these songs before so it’s a nice addition.

Great sounds and singles but overall a step down from the record before it, Innervisions, and to me the songwriting is inconsistent. This was like his 15th or 17th album in less than 10 years as a recording artist, a pace few artists could keep without possibly running low on things to say, and I think he would have benefitted from a little more time off to recharge the batteries before he made this one.

Another Stevie Wonder "classic" in this collection! A great title and album cover, and very mellow hits, all a great combination for Stevie Wonder fans (which I don't really count myself in, although I'll admit I simply haven't listened to him much). "Smile please" is a great start to the album, "Boogie on reggae woman" has a nice mellow funk to it, "You haven't done nothin'" is easily the best song on the album (and strangely relevant to today despite being about Nixon), and I like it that George Michael did a cover of the somber "They won't go when I go" . I'm not sure, though, this is as strong as the other Wonder album I've heard in this collection, "Talking Book", but I did like the occasional combination of country styling and heavy (and early) synth sounds.

I've never gotten into Stevie Wonder--he never hits the right groove for me, though Superstition comes closest. So this album didn't do it either but didn't suck. Sorry Little Stevie Wonder!

Just ok

Well that one just flew right by me. Not bad but so inoffensive it's barely there

It's so inoffensive that if you tell me Stevie Wonder used to beat people up in bars, I wouldn't believe you.

It never really gets going

It's fine. As with the last Stevie Wonder album I got, I enjoyed the funk songs better than the slower ballads. I unexpectedly really enjoyed "They Won't Go When I Go"... The instrumentals in it were lovely!

Yeah, not bad. Inoffensive easy listen, but didn't blow my socks off.

This was really high quality but not my favorite genre. 3.5/5

Seguro tiene mejores. Este se me va a olvidar en una hora.

It's OK... honestly I was expecting more given the name but it was not remarkable

good

Good vibes. Good music. Nothing stood out.

156/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑

I think what I've learned by listening to this is that I like Stevie Wonder just fine, but I particularly enjoy his funky stuff. 'You Haven't Done Nothin' gives me a lot of 'Superstition' vibes, the bass line is very similar I feel, and it just grabs me in a different way than the rest Standouts You Haven't Done Nothin' 3/5

I was looking forward to this as I love a bit of Stevie Wonder but I only know the big hits. I didn't recognise any songs on this album and there's probably a reason for that. Most of the songs are fine but unexciting. Boogie on Reggae Woman and Please Don't Go are better than that, and were the only songs I'd like to hear again. You Haven't Done Nothin' would be up there too, but the base line is so similar to Superstition that I can't help thinking I'd rather be listening to that instead.

When Stevie gets the musical energy going, he is unstoppable. Boogie On Reggae Woman and You Haven’t Done Nuthin’ are top notch tunes. For much of the rest of the album, Stevie slows down the pace, softens the mood, and gets intimate. I lose interest during these songs, which is too bad. If his focus were on the energy throughout, this album could have been a home run.

This was a good listen. "Heaven is 10 Zillion Light Years Away" was the standout track for me.

Good album but wildly overshadowed by Innervisions and Songs in the Key of Life.

3.5 Some nice tunes. Not my favourite of his so far.

Decent for Stevie

Awesome, not sure if it’s Stevie’s best. But Stevie’s worst is still pretty damn good.

It's Stevie Wonder, so it is as expected. Well written soul/pop/funk. But it is not his best. Allot of songs blend into the background for me but i wouldn't mind re-listening this album.

It’s a decent album. I wish I had a stronger connection to Stevie Wonder’s music because every single album I’ve listened to just feels like the music is simply there. It’s not that it’s bad; I see the talent behind it, but unfortunately for me, there’s a lack of connection.

Previously rated: Innervisions (4/5) Songs in the Key of Life (4/5) ************************************ This one takes a while to get going, starting off kind of flat until Boogie On Reggae Woman which sounds kind of like Superstition from a couple of years earlier. That one and Bird of Beauty were probably the best, but the album as a whole didn't grab me like the other two.

Great album by a great artist. I had never heard this one but I did enjoy it very much

Innervisions was a bit better. Wow, Stevie Wonder was quite the artist - I will never not find his album run impressive. What a silly title though. Can't wait for Songs in the Key of Life. This album largely passed me by - nothing stood out, but it was pretty joyous to listen to. A 'pop it on in the background, enjoy it' kind of album.

God found this a bit much for a dreary Tuesday morning. It's just good solid music isn't it. Wouldn't find myself jumping to listen all the time but I appreciate it

It was good but it was mostly the same stuff throughout. Not bad but nothing extra special for me.

OOhhh.... 70's Stevie Wonder Funnily enough of all of the albums in the amazing stretch from Music of My Mind to Songs in The Key of Life this record is always the one I 'forget' about. and yet... it's still really really good. The man wrote and recorded 5 records (six if you count SITKOL as the double album it is) in 4 years. He wrote and produced every single thing on them. And on top of that the motherfucker played the majority of the instruments on most of the songs too. Nothin better than Stevie. This record was recorded in 1973 as Stevie had already begun writing additional material that would eventually become Songs in The Key of Life. In a way Fulfillingness became an afterthought once his sights were set on Songs. Every time I listen to 70's Stevie Wonder I think of two juxtaposing things: Little Stevie from the 60's; and 80's Stevie from the Cosby Show. How that little boy became the man that wrote and recorded all of this classic material is beyond me. And how he so quickly turned from the African heritage and underground funk and soul right back to "I Just Called to Say I Love You" and "Part Time Lover". Yet this record is exactly that; a recording of a man in his 20's who had grown up in the church, blind, fatherless (his mother had left his Dad when he was 4), married and now divorced who had become an international star in his teens (his first single was released when he was 11 years old). When Stevland Judkins ( 'lil Stevie's birth name) wrote and recorded this album he wasn't even 25 years old. Six of the songs on this album are ALL Stevie, save the backing vocals (mostly him) and the occasional accompaniment instruments. Heaven is 10 Zillion Light Years Away and Boogie On Reggae Woman sound like 20 people, not just one. Even the "throwaway songs" are more than listenable, quite good actually. The man is a virtuoso: the Moog Bass on Boogie, the piano intro on They Won't Go, the syncopated drums on Bird of Beauty. And all of this was AFTER Superstition, Higher Ground, Livin' For The City..... with Sir Duke, Love's In Need of Love Today and the rest of Songs' to come. I remember Stevie once saying in an interview that he doesn't need to see because he feels. When you listen to 70's Stevie you realize he did not mean with his fingertips, he meant with his soul.

pleasant musik

Right before Stevie went on a crazy run and you can hear the gears start turning in that direction on here (3.5/5)

I liked this. I've never heard of this album before, wasn't familiar with most Stevie Wonder except for the hits. But I thought there were some pretty songs.

Wasn't feeling it at first, but the longer it goes on, the more it hits it out of the park The ballads stop it being special

Good.

not my fav album from Stevie wonder but amazing none the less 7/10

okay mid-70s funky stuff, nothing wild & groovy though

very nice

Some great tunes between a bunch of slow, boring ballads.

Surprised I didn’t like this a lot more!

Love Stevie but this isn't his most memorable

It’s Stevie Wonder so I thought it would be better than this. It was just a bit boring. Sorry Stevie.

Hadn't listened to much Stevie Wonder before this list and though I appreciate his talent, his great voice and enjoyable songs, I can't say I'm a fan. His offerings on this list so far have been classics, but I don't think, Fulfillingness' First Finale, is as strong as, Innervisions or Songs In The Key Of Life. A solid record, but it lost my interest towards the end.

I feel like it's a me issue that I just can't connect to Stevie's albums. This is pleasant. At no point did I want to turn it off but it never really grabbed me. The legend of SW makes me feel like I should be blown away by his music, it just isn't happening.

I was really hoping I'd like this, but I didn't. Great songwriting and musicianship, but I just couldn't get into it. Liked songs added: - Boogie On Reggae Woman

Solid work. I wanted a few more hits but the funky soul is nice to chew on.

This one was just okay for me.

Hard to dislike Stevie. An enjoyable album but he's at his best with more upbeat songs, which this album doesn't have enough of. Boogie On and You Haven't Done Nothin' are great and funky, but everything else is a bit too slow. 6.5/10 (3.25/5)

Certainly a good album, but I am not as overwhelmed by this as some of his other albums. Stand out tracks are no. 4,6 and 9. The other songs are generally too slow for my taste

We liked it. Very smooth and quite cool.

This one was just steady good vibes, I would note not a political as his other albums so far, but I liked it!

It’s the first Stevie Wonder album on here that I’m not gushing over. I barely know any songs on this album. You Haven’t Done Nothin’ is a banger and it’s crazy to think of MJ singing backup to that song. A little too introspective and heartfelt. Give me some funk.

It's a good album that really shows his style. I just have to be in the right mood to listen to it.

Stand out tracks - Enjoyed boogie on woman. Nice piano and harmonica. You aint done nothing and they wont go when i go.

Skemmtileg, góð bakgrunnstónlist

Perfectly pleasant, but nothing more.

A really good album. A few songs were plagued by some preachy bits, and "They Won't Go When I Go" would have been a much stronger close, but generally not bad. 3/5.

Felt a lot mellower then Talking Book. I'd probably put on Talking Book before listening to this again.

Not really for me. Didn't like this as much as Talking Book. Wonder can sing, but I just don't care about it.

It's Stevie Wonder, even if it's not his best record.

Schönes Album, Grundstück seiner späteren Erfolge

Decent album

This is a good album. I like to see wonder a lot but I’m not a huge fan of disco funk. 3.5/5.

I think this album is fine, and it has some very nice-to-listen-to parts, but it didn't really grab me, and I already forget most of it. I think he's made better music that I've connected with more.

This feels like the true stevie wonder deep cuts album. I'm not sure how many of these were radio hits but none tend to appear in the greatest hits comps I've listened to of Stevie's. That being said, it's got that beautiful Jazz, Pop and R&B blend that you'd expect from him. Smile Again and 10 zillion are great. Too shy to say is a great love song. Boogie on a reggae woman is a nice uptempo fusion of reggae and funk. I think it does taper off in the second half once. "You Haven't Done Nothing" is amazing. "Creepin" comes around but enjoy Bird of Beauty and the closer "Please Don't Go."

My first Stevie Wonder album, a good listen for sure. I much prefered the more funk based songs, as opposed to the occasional ballad. Its ALMOST, a four, but I think a 3 is fine for now. Looking forward to more from this lad. Fav songs: - Smile Please - Heaven is 10 Zillion Light Years Away - You Haven't Done Nothin

As with most Stevie albums (in my opinion anyway) - it’s not all killer -but when it goes, it goes hard. ‘You haven’t done nothin’ is my favourite.

3.1/5. listened 2x catchup on 5/14/24. good easy listeneing.

Just quite dull I'm afraid. After being really blown away by Innervisions, this felt like a different artist entirely; it's hard to believe the albums are only a year apart. Still a great voice and I enjoyed Creepin', but not one for me really.

Decent

I think I’ve said this before but Stevie is just a bit too smooth for me that I find him kind of boring. It’s nice but nothing I’m ever in the mood for.

This is fine but outside of "you haven't done nothing" none of these songs really grab me. He definitely has better albums. Interesting to find out that the Jackson 5 did some of the background vocals.

Son 17ème album. Bon, mais vraiment moins hype qu'Innervisions.

Favourite: It Ain’t No Use

Nice tunes but nowhere near his best.

I really like Stevie Wonder. I think this is a very good album. For some reason though, it just didn’t particularly move me today. It probably would have on another day.

This was fun enough, but didn't stand out much. Songs in the Key of Life absolutely blew me away in comparison...

The slow tracks are not my favourites, the funky tracks are!

Solid Stevie album. Not my favorite but good.

Låter väldigt mycket som Stevie Wonder. Lite samma hela skivan. Ingen låt sticker ut direkt. Är det verkligen hans bästa? Pendlar mellan bra eller trist. Kommer jag lyssna igen. Tveksamt. En blek 3a.

helt ok. inte så bra som jag trodde det skulle vara. hade högre förhoppningar. men detta är alltså hans sjuttonde album...

Man gillar ju Stevie och det här var stabilt utan att ha några låtar som sticker ut särskilt mycket.

Can't believe I never listened to this one until now. Already very familiar with Reggae Woman & Haven't Done Nothin and those are arguably still the best songs on the album, but there's good stuff going on throughout.

Fine, but not my jam. 2.5.

Pretty crazy for 1974, but not my fav

far from the best stevie album. lots of sappy songs. still a couple of slaps though, he can't miss.

Not his best collection of songs. Too many slow ones for me but I do like Boogie on Reggae Woman.

Solid album. Standout songs: Heaven is 10 zillion light years away Boogie on reggae woman Birds of Beauty