Reviews (page 4 of 14)
Ending my week with some Stevie Wonder is always a welcomed thing. This album was a lot of fun. Funky, groovy, and the only way Stevie can. While I don't think its better than "Songs in the Key of Life" (which I've already gotten) and it didn't do enough for me to give it a 5, it was still an enjoyable record to listen to. 4/5
A bit of a step down from other Stevie Wonder albums - definitely still a good album, but missing the star power of Songs in the Key of Life and Innervisions. Love Stevie's growly voice.
easy listening funk
This is my introduction to Stevie Wonder. I found it a little bit boring tbh, probably because I haven't really been listening to soul.
They Won't Go When I Go is terrific. The rest of the album is fine.
Hmm noh... kuvailee ehkä tunnelmaa parhaiten. Hieno soundi ja tuttua turvallista Wonderia mutta ei tarpeeksi säväyttävää itselle. Ehkä liian tasaista menoa, mutta toimii taustalla hyvin.
preciso escutar mais
Didn’t dig the last Stevie Winder album that popped up. Tried to leave expectations at the door when listening to this one. First half is just boring easy listening music. I know how talented he is, but this is just so uninspiring. Then “You Haven’t Done Nothing” starts and the funk vibe and cool bass got me bobbing my head a bit. But then back to elevator music. Sorry Stevie.
Stevie is overrated. There, I said it. Somebody had to.
An enjoyable listen, can't go wrong with Stevie Wonder. Not as good as Innervisions that we had a few months back but still very good.
Was not feeling this Stevie
I objectively liked everything about this album, but for reasons I can't find words for, I just couldn't get into it. I'd be curious to hear a mix with drums brought up just a hair more and see what difference that makes, cause my best guess is the groove was just barely not forward enough. Not a bad thing at all, and I'll be revisiting this album later.
Not usually my style, but big production, big arrangements
Hell yeah. This was a blast.
#902. If you put it on, I wouldn't complain. But I would never put it on, personally. 3/5: acceptable
Empezo muy bien pero decayó muchisimo. Heaven is 10 zillion light years away es un temazo.
beautiful album, beautiful lyrics
Excellent
This feels like a modern album buat a nostalgic classic one at the same time, it's ahead of its time i think. Never really listen to other stevie wonder but this sure are Stevie wonder song.
Beautiful music
I was surprised that I didn't enjoy the music very much.
Another Stevie album from his unbelievable run in the 70's. This one catches him in an unusual reflective mood. It only adds to the experience. I love this album and the entire era endlessly- it'll get a 5, yeh
Not a bad album. Musically it’s quite interesting, but it struggles lyrically at times. There’s not a huge hit in this album that I’m aware of, but there are several good songs. Notables include Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away, They Won’t Go When I Go, Smile Please, Too Shy To Say, Boogie On Reggae Woman, Creepin’.
This was fun, the only classic album I hadn’t heard before. Both sweetly mellow and to me-tapping funky- I will be coming back to this.
In the context of Stevie Wonder's historic run of four albums -- Talking Book (1972) and Innervisions (1973) in the preceding couple years before this one and Songs in the Key of Life (1976) released a couple years later -- I'd say that this is the weakest of an incredibly strong batch. Start with one of the other three first.
приятный! по воспоминаниям приятнее чем остальное что от него ставили, менее регги, плохое сведение, надоедливость
Loved this! Such a great groove album.
I like Stevie Wonder, but this slower, more introspective album isn't my favourite of his. Stevie is at his best when he's bouncing around on upbeat tunes.
loveee, totally my vibes
First funky half is better than the slower second half
It was just okay to me, again not my genre. I had a distracted listen so I should listen through again sometime.
Funky. Groovy. You Haven't Done Nothin' and It Ain't No Use stood out. 3.5/5
This was pretty ok. Might have been a tough sell for a monday morning album. I enjoyed the second half of the album more than the first.
Me encantó
Bueno
This has enough really good stuff to rate it a 4 I think. It's not my favorite SW album but very good.
I liked one song (heaven is a zillion lightyears..) enough to save it. There is definitely cohesion within the album but I see why this album of his specifically is not a favorite according to spotify.
practically everyone on here's got at least one musical opinion that would make me say "what the fuck are you talking about" so here's mine for many of you: i just can't do it with Stevie Wonder. i've tried! i've tried so many times, and it just slides right off me. the vocals are too smooth, instrumentals too cluttered, songwriting too simple. i'm rarely upset by his music, but i just don't feel it like so many others do. and so, like songs in the key of life and innervisions, which i'll return to for this project, i think this is a fine record, well played and well sung, clearly very deeply felt, that just doesn't excite me at all. was really hoping to be made a convert, and i guess there's still time, but i think he's just not my guy :((
Not Stevie’s best but a fun, solid album. A sort of preview for the greatness to come soon.
Really good. Standouts are Heaven, Boogie, Creepin', Nothin', and They Won't Go
This was interesting. It’s not my opinion that an album needs hits to be great, but when it’s Stevie Wonder, you kind of expect to encounter a few. Without them, this gave the impression of being an amazing compilation of B sides, “another side” of Stevie, and mostly a darker side. I enjoyed it a lot but also didn’t encounter that moment that made me say “wow I will listen to this album until the end of time.” But my opinion might change as I better understand Stevie in the context of the whole project.
Good Jazz
One of the lesser-known Stevie Wonder albums from his classic period, Fulfillingness is more proof that the music was just pouring out of Stevie Wonder in the 1970s. It's a pretty eclectic album, full of powerful funk grooves and some more dour ballads, all topped off with Stevie's signature jazz-influenced modulations and (usually) tasteful soloing. This one does noodle around more than the others though as the pure pop of the previous 2 albums - Talking Book and Innervisions - is forgone in exchange for a more "musical" album. Stevie would create the perfect hybrid of the 2 on Songs in the Key of Life, but this album is the perfect bridge between the 2 very distinct sounds that defined his career. Key Tracks: Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away, Boogie on Reggae Woman, You Haven't Done Nothin', Please Don't Go
Stevie Wonder is chill and funky. This album is smooth like butter. Top tracks: "Creepin'," "Smile Please," "You Haven't Done Nothin'," "Boogie On Reggae Woman"
—Smile Please…don’t tell me to smile, Steve! Easy listening but Wonder is better at easy than almost everybody —Heaven is 10 Zillion Light Years Away…I prefer Wonder funk over Wonder romantic/religious schmaltz but he earns this one —Too Shy to Say…schmaltz —Boogie on Reggae Woman…here we go. More of this, please —Creepin’…not exactly funky. but the slinky bass and subtle instrumentation prevents it from descending into cheesy territory —You Haven’t Done Nothin’…I’ve always been a sucker for clavinet and I’m pretty sure it’s Stevie’s fault. Jackson 5 on background vocals? Not fair —It Ain’t No Use…great production. Decent song —They Won’t Go When I Go…a haunting dirge —Bird of Beauty…the clavinet is back which means it’s awesome —Please Don’t Go…fun and funky closer
Stevie Wonder is frequently such a font of exuberance - even when telling off a president ("You Haven't Done Nothin'") - that him being bummed out, as he sounds on about half this album, could feel like a disappointment. And on first listen that was exactly how I felt - like I was being deprived of something. The second time through, with less entitlement, I heard the mournful sounds and rhythms on "They Won't Go When I Go" (which Hozier may or may not have pilfered for "Take Me to Church") and understood better what was going on. Not his best but justly regarded as worthy of his Seventies hot streak of great albums.
- love too shy to say - love the highs/lows and the aggression of the piano - intro of boogie on reggae woman - sick synthesiser on the bassline, the HARMONICA SO LIT - shift between reggae and creepin' was seamless, yet contrasting - love the backing vocals on creepin' and love the scale down of notes on "you will always creep into my dreams" - collaborators on you haven't done nothin' is insane and its sound quality through earbuds IS CRAZY (he's raspy on this one) - they won't go when i go - haunting, the minor key, the layering of vocals
every songs were 10/10
this album is such deeply introspective and understated entry in his classic run and expansive sound of albums like Innervisions for something more spiritual, minimal, and emotionally raw. The album leans into moody arrangements and reflective themes - touching on faith, mortality, and political frustration while still delivering moments of groove and sharp commentary, especially on tracks like “Boogie On Reggae Woman” and “You Haven’t Done Nothin’.” Though it may lack the immediate impact of his more famous releases, its subtlety is its strength, rewarding listeners with a cohesive, late-night atmosphere that feels personal and honest, making it one of his most quietly powerful works. Its an underrated masterpiece that have been overlooked due to the albums around it.
Not a fan of Stevie Wonder
What can I say, not my cup of tea. On the other hand, it didn’t make me go “oh, wtf is this, it insults my ears and my brain”. So overall it’s mid, I guess.
funky
funky, soul, chill. this is what stevie wonder is. i wouldnt rather do anything than listen this album.
This album grew on me. Stevie’s vocals in Boogie on Raggae woman are unapologetically cool and effortless. Heaven is one of those powerful songs that could make anyone reconsider their faith to god. Listening to this album at the end of the day and really taking in the rhythms, lawlessness of Stevie’s voice and all the beautiful harmonising bumped it up
A bit disappointing to be honest. The stand out track is You Haven't Done Nothin', but the heavy clavinet usage makes it feel like Superstition-lite. This list is a constant reminder that even the greats produced plenty of mediocre stuff.
I much more enjoyed the tunes that turned up the funk. I wish there were more. Favorite track: Boogie On Reggae Woman
A good album, really enjoyed the track, they won’t go when I go
Funky jazz. Would listen again.
Some good Stevie, but Signed Sealed Delivered is still my favorite album of his
Great funky R&B album. I've always liked Stevie Wonder, but I've enjoyed digging into his albums.
Gorgeus. One of the better voices ever. The only lack is that this Guy made another álbum that its just better
Never thought I would be listening to an entire album by Stevie Wonder, but here we are. I liked a few songs, but a lot of it was cringe.
I recognize his contributions, but just not my cuppa
This era of Stevies music is most familiar to me, but somehow I've not really listened to this album. The tracks feel familiar and I'm not certain if this is because I've heard the tracks or if they're just so much "in his style". This is not music that gets me pumped up, but also something I don't mind listening to. Quality entertainment.
Gillar denna bättre än Talking Books. Första låtarna skapar en skön känsla med sitt 70-talssound. Ingen låt som sticker ut som som superbra eller minnesvärd (möjligtvis hiten Boggie On Reggae Woman). Behaglig skiva i sin helhet. Stark 3a.
Good but not his best
Glad I listened, wouldn’t return to it.
Nah, not for me. Bit simple/boring I think
The perfect sunny Sunday album. A great listen from beginning to end. Such a timeless sound and a great album to start my journey with.
My first time listening to an entire Stevie Wonder album. I can absolutely appreciate the talent and the impact this record had, even if it wasn’t entirely my cup of tea. I’m generally less drawn to classic R&B and soul, but that doesn’t make this album any less impressive. It reminded me that I can recognize greatness while still acknowledging that not every legendary record aligns with my own taste. There were moments that completely grabbed me—especially They Won’t Go When I Go, where the background vocals reminded me of Ray Charles. I also loved ending the album with the uplifting Bird of Beauty and Please Don’t Go. Those ended up being my favorite tracks and left me finishing the album on a high note.
This is a joke right? He sings like people who used to get made fun of on American Idol, he's got the unbearably sappy/dumb lyrics (please see Heaven is a Zillion Lightyears Away for a double whammy) and his only appeal is that he's blind. Somebody had to say it. If I used the fucking autotune iPod app from 2008 or whatever to stumble through horrible vocal runs and smiled behind dark sunglasses, would you let me on the list? Pretty please? A truly miserable experience and completely valueless as a record. Please repackage this with somebody else's face slapped on the front and say his name is Cobert "The Budgie" Trunkler. Something tells me it won't be as easy to wince through this warbling, sloppy, and cringe-inducing slab of pure high octane corn syrup. Emphasis on CORN(y). 0 HIGHLIGHTS: Cramped seats at a midseason Roller Hockey International game in 32 degree weather. Celsius in case any of "you" are in the room with us.
I’m on a great run atm. So many great albums being thrown my way and this one is another banger. Wasn’t the biggest fan when I listened the first time but a second listen has firmly made this a 5 star for me. I loved 6 of the 10 songs and liked the rest. Stevie does slow emotional songs really well but the funky songs are where this album shines. Boogie on Reggae woman was the highlight for me
no tengo igual mucho que decir pero pues bacano, estuvo bueno pero no súper especial a mi gusto pero si muy bueno
If this is his 4th best album we are in great shape for the next 3
I don't trust anyone who doesn't enjoy Stevie Wonder, and this is one of his best albums.
Not even in my top 3 Stevie and still a 5.
Until 6 months ago, I knew only two songs from this album, but when we got that George Michael album with They Won't Go When I Go, I listened to it about 10 times (and thought wow, George really got his songwriting groove back) before I discovered that it was Stevie's, upon which I listened to the original ten more times. (Now I'm collecting versions. Chance the Rapper's Tiny Desk version is sweet but he doesn't really have the pipes.) It was a true pleasure to hear (most of) a Stevie Wonder album for the first time. OK, it's not the funkiest thing he ever did but so what.
Not my favorite Stevie Wonder album but still amazing of course
Great stuff. I would never have listened to this ordinarily. Glad it was on here.
Prefer the funky to the slow and sleepy ones. Faves were Haven’t Done Nothin’ and Boogie.
3/18/26 - listened while driving. I liked it and it was a vibe. Some songs didn't hit me as much as others but seems like it would be good background music during Golden Hour or relaxing on the deck. Probably a 3.5 or so but will round down based on my rules. Top Song - Smile Please
I really enjoyed the album, although I wasn’t actively listening. It grooved well and went by quick, fun listen of an album I haven’t heard before.
7/10
100. special 100th beautiful
I enjoyed the more funky songs. I didn't enjoy the other ones so much but I'm happy to have listened to this album.
Stunningly average. He has a spectacular voice but the songwriting leaves a lot to be desired.
Day 216 Highlights Boogie on Reggae Woman You haven’t done nothin’
Prequel to the masterpiece
Rösten är ren soul musiken likaså. Oerhört lättlyssnat men det saknar bett. En fyra
An easy and enjoyable listen from start to finish. Truly a great album.
It's not his best but still damn good
He's probably the best musician ever.
He really didn’t miss for that whole five album run. You Haven’t Done Nothin’ is kinda just Superstition again. Favorites were Heaven Is 10 Zillion Lightyears Away, Boogie On Reggae Woman, and It Ain’t No Use. I still don’t buy him being blind.
ок
Everything I've come to like about 70s music. Solid grooves and just an easy relaxing listen
Not as good as songs in the key of life but a great album all the same
4 músicas desse álbum eu amei, o ritmo o estilo, da vontade de ficar desenhado ou jogar algum jogo relaxante, teve uma que fiquei desconfiado pela letra, pretendo pesquisar depois
Inte för mig
We're Stevie respecters around here. I've only ever listened to Songs in the Key of Life before, so I'm excited to get another record under my belt here. Expecting more of what I know he can do. Smile Please - The growls and the diddy-bongs are quite charming. Lovely little tune. Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away - Jesus. Perfectly decent gospel number. Too Shy To Say - Beautiful tune on this one. Quite like the arrangment of just the piano and slide guitar. Gorgeous. Boogie On Reggae Woman - Not sure I fully vibe with this one. Funky for sure, but not a lot of movement and it ended when something actually ear-catching was finally going on. Creepin' - Really interesting mood with this one. Major key and relatively happy sounding, but this slithery organ line and the slightly uncomfortable chord progressions really stay true to the title. You Haven't Done Nothin' - Yes to this one. Just a full on Stevie rocker. It Ain't No Use - Another one that I feel stays in its own pocket for a bit too long. Groovy baseline, but I want more things to happen with this material. They Won't Go When I Go - Heard this one before, and of course the George Michael version. Absolutely stunning. Bird of Beauty - Definitely still riding the high of the last song. Love the elevator samba going on around here. Totally about it. Please Don't Go - Decent enough track to close it out. Not much to say on this one, but it's pleasant enough while it's on. Certainly a pretty good album. High highs and the worst it gets is middling. Feel like I would say that I like Songs in the Key of Life more, but I'll for sure turn to this if I want a more bite-size Stevie. Because holy shit, They Won't Go When I Go. Will definitely be seeing this on my shelf soon.
Mycket bra! Bästa tycker jag är You haven't done Nothin'. Väldigt bra låt. Jag gillar detta mycket och tycker det håller än.
Favourite Songs: Boogie On Reggae Woman Creepin' You Haven't Done Nothin'
Not the best Stevie album. It gets a lower rating because I'm comparing it to his other albums rather than every album on the list. 3.5
It's Stevie. Not sure anything else needs to be said.
Highlights: Boogie On Reggae Woman, You Haven’t Done Nothing, Please Don’t Go and Smile Please. 4.0
Expensive hotel lobby music
Pas le meilleur album de Stevie Wonder mais j'ai vraiment passé un super moment en sa compagnie. Album plaisant du début à la fin. Note : 4 À réécouter : Oui
Pas le meilleur album de Stevie mais des sonorités très intéressantes 😉
below what i'd expect from Stevie Wonder
wow this album was just the perfect music for a considerably warm day in march; i felt like i was on a tropical island or something, and i was just walking through the streets of musty toronto! i really liked smile please, boogie on reggae woman and creepin. 10/10
Cooles Album, sehr guter Klang und tolle Texte :)
ganz gut, aber das andere war besser.
Even though hes blind, he just wont miss
simply amazing from top to bottom
Solid, but not my style
MDS É O STEVE WONDER!!!! FAVS (top 3): too shy to say, creepin, it aint no use mençoes honrosas: smile please, boogie on reggae woman, they wont go when i go gente muito bom ele arrasa mesmo de mais as musicas com otimos vocais E instrumentos imagina ser assim nota final: 4/5
instantly resonates with a sound i always seem to be looking for, got to dive more into stevie, such great musicianship, loved the sound pallete and the dark minimalistic vibe, every tune has its great moment, just a pleasure to listen to, two seventies records in a row; completely different vibe, both bangers tho
Vad ska man säga, han är the one and only i sitt slag. Sjukt att lyckas hitta det albumet jag lyssnat absolut minst (inget alls) på av Stevie. Ett väldigt average Stevie Wonder album som har det mesta i Stevie Wonder-väg man vill ha, fortfarande jättebra men inte något speciellt om man jämför med hand övriga. Så förstår på ett sätt varför det inte är megapoppis, men ändå underskattat måste jag säga. 7/10 (Stevie är 10/10)
Not much to say that I haven't on the other Stevie albums. Just an amazing soul album that is peak Stevie. I know I rated one of the other Stevie albums on the list a 3, but I should go back to that one and see if I should bump it up to a 4. Feel like everything should be a 4 except for Songs in the Key of Life which is the obvious 5. A little slower of an album here, and I'm not huge on Boogie on Reggae Woman, but yeah. Great album.
I was really disappointed by this album. I listened to “Songs in the Key of Life” a couple of weeks ago and it quickly became one of my favorite albums. This album has a couple of good songs, but most of it is easy listening music that you hear playing at the grocery store. Not for me.
Actually amzaing
A bit "nicer" than some of the other early 70s albums, i.e. duller.
I was excited to hear this as I am a fan of a lot of Stevie’s other work. I found that only the middle section of the album was what I was hoping for, the rest felt a tad lacklustre and, at times, preachy. I guess anyone will start to run out of ideas after 17 albums…shame.
Sorry Stevie. Not your best.
Not a Stevie I knew but perfect kitchen boogy music.
O cegueta sabe muito da música
Tão bom que nem vi a hora passar
It was nice. I liked how relaxing it felt in tone. Man it's fine as hell. Might be more too and I just can't grasp it...
Maybe a little more soul and a little less funk than I was hoping for, but it's still Stevie and it still sounds excellent
Once again, this is just Stevie Wonder at the top of his game. Solid 5 Stars.
Much like Innervisions, I’m somewhere above a 5. Hell, I’m probably at a 10. (Innervisions is also a 10, by the way. Songs in the Key of Life is somewhere off the number scale; another star, if you will.) Until today, the only track I’d ever heard from this album was “They Won’t Go When I Go” – maybe I’d heard a few other tracks in passing over the years, but I only ever added that one to my playlist. I still think it’s the tour de force of the album, and one of my favorite tracks of all time, but the entire package here is a real delight. I gotta tell you, it’s great to hear “new” Stevie Wonder music to my ears. It does take a little bit to get into this album’s more spiritual / grounded vibe, but once you accept that this isn’t generally gonna have the big showstopping numbers like Innervisions or Songs in the Key of Life does (though “You Haven’t Done Nothing” is practically just Superstition 2), its sense of intimacy feels uniquely qualified from all the Stevie Wonder albums on the list. In a way, Stevie’s speaking to his own soul here, & we’re just along for the ride. It’s a ride that’s definitely worth taking. “Smile Please” is just really uplifting, especially in a time where it feels especially hard to find the strength to smile through… well, all of this shit. It’s no “Love’s In Need of Love Today”, but it’s still a great opener. “Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away” is Stevie’s gospel side coming through in an even more potent way than “Have A Talk With God” did 2 years later, and I’d argue it’s an even better track. Something about his delivery on “we’ve got so far to come” just feels great. It’s probably my second favorite track on the album. “Too Shy to Say” is a good one, but I do think it’s the weakest track here. It just feels more like it was written for a movie than it does Stevie talking to his soul, and that disconnect makes it stick out from the rest of the package. I still like it, but it needed a little more of a wistful bite to it, and it’s a bite Stevie definitely gets later in the album. “Boogie On Reggae Woman” is just a good love track, & Stevie’s ever so slightly horny side peeking out with this track is a surprise. Perhaps a little long for what it is, but the funky production is what makes it, especially with the harmonica solo near the end. I enjoyed it. “Creepin’” feels like a Michael McDonald track, in a really good way. It’s got that wistful bite I was hoping “Too Shy to Say” would have, yet delivered in a way that still feels like it’s romantically driven towards Stevie’s soul. Minnie Riperton’s backing vocals really glide with Stevie’s, and their harmonies along with the synth work just make the track feel smooth as silk. “You Haven’t Done Nothing” is… well, like I said, it’s Superstition 2, & apparently, a track directed towards Richard Nixon. It does feel like a track more so directed at the people who only make promises & never do actual action, and it’s one that feels especially relevant in a world where online activism gets more engagement than real community activism. The Jackson 5 do a great job with their backing vocals, and while I wish they would’ve had something of their own to say (though I can’t imagine a 16-year-old MJ would have that much wisdom in his words), the entire track works. I really liked it. “It Ain’t No Use” once again has the extra wistful bite that I wish “Too Shy to Say” had, and it’s driven by an amicable breakup (or at least, an attempt at one). The backing bass & choir really add to the atmosphere, and Stevie’s ad-libs for the entire outro just made me enter a zen state that I haven’t gone into in a while. It’s a really nice track, especially once Stevie gets a bit more grit in his voice. “They Won’t Go When I Go” is fantastic. If any musician on the planet can brag about their faith & so boldly & confidently claim that he’ll be looking down at them from Heaven, it’s Stevie Wonder. His conviction & delivery makes the track, and it’s impossible not to feel the bubbling righteous anger that comes out of him. George Michael’s cover is great, but Stevie’s version is incredible, & it’s one of my favorite tracks of all time. “Bird of Beauty” is a really energetic lift back up, and the Brazilian rhythms that drive the track feel like a direct foreshadowing of what would come by “Another Star”. Structurally, it feels close to “Golden Lady” from Innervisions, though without the same consistent lift at the end. It’s just a track about finding a natural high from simply seeing the beauty the world has to offer, and while that’s ironic coming from a blind man, it’s still advice worth taking. It’s a fun track. “Please Don’t Go” really works as an album closer; obviously, I might’ve ended on “They Won’t Go When I Go”, but just look at the titles of each track. It thematically fits really well for the man who was so confident about the world he’d leave behind to feel shattered at the prospect of someone leaving that world. That wistful bite I keep talking about really hits an apex here, and just makes “Too Shy to Say” really feel like the weak link. The way Stevie glides, lifts & elevates on the piano, the passion in his vocal runs, the way the choir compliments him, & the funk of the bass & shaker percussion all come together in a more gospel-y driven way to end the album. It’s a great closer. It really is a fantastic package, and I’m glad that this album got its due on the list. I might’ve listened to it in full someday, but that might’ve been a lot longer, & I was already overdue to hear the rest of it, based on the strength of “They Won’t Go When I Go”. Stevie Wonder is the GOAT, and I’m glad he took us on this trip through his soul. This is an easy 10. Save for a singular weak link, it’s just as good as Innervisions, and I can’t wait to get Talking Book down the line for our 4th & final Stevie album on the list. Stellar, stellar stuff.
7/10 It would sound great on a record
It's agreed that this isn't quite as good as the other albums in his amazing run of five. But being not quite as good as Innervisions or Talking Book means it's still better than at least 90% of the albums on this list. By the way, "You Haven't Done Nothing" was written about Nixon. Still relevant.
I’m not a huge Stevie fan and I’m unfamiliar with most of his catalog except Innervisions which was on this list, but I associate the sound of this album with his later work. The difference in these two records in both quality and style is so great that if his voice wasn’t familiar I would have attributed it to someone else entirely. While Innervisions epitomized funk jazz soul, very little of that is in evidence here. FFF is more a gospelized pop album of the sort that would eventually give us I Just Called To Say I Love You and other tripe. His approach to his instrument even seems to be different. In that album he approached the keys as the cornerstone to the song and managed to play a funky bass line, rhythm chords, and melody lines all at once in a flurry of notes. Accordingly it required less accompaniment since it cover so much ground. In this album, the keys are primarily used to play very simple chord based lines that need more added to the production to fill out the space. He’s like a keyboard player for a lounge singer here. All around a less successful outing than Innervisions and pretty disappointing.
Another album from Stevie’s “Golden Period.” There are plenty of excellent songs here, but this album does quite have the magic of Talking Book or SITKOL. However, few men have achieved the funkiness of the first 30 seconds of “You Haven’t Done Nothin’,” so for that alone it’s an easy 3.5. Shit, I’ll round it up to 4 for Stevie.
Classic
Low key parfait pour mettre une petit vibe en travaillant. Quelques tracks shine vraiment fort : heaven is 10 zillion light years away
Fullfillingness' First Finale is one of the lesser-known chapters in Stevie Wonder's legendary 70s run at Tamla, sandwiched between the super-conscious Innervisions and the embarrassment of sonic riches we call Songs in the Key of Life. it's interesting that it's fallen to the wayside (relatively speaking), considering it hit #1 on the Billboard 200 and produced two top-10 singles! if anything, I view this as proof of Wonder's mastery of the art of pop songwriting; even his lesser successes from this period are extremely successful! there's one big reason I'm assuming that FFF (pronounced "triple F") hasn't attracted as much attention over the decades: foreshadowing the more tender emotional core of Key of Life, this is the most mellow set of tracks I've heard from Wonder so far. lots of these songs lean heavily introspective and romantic, and there's no one stand-out that makes me think, "okay, this is the big single" (even though there were two)! there's some moments of higher energy, particularly the #1 hit "You Haven't Done Nothin'", a sequel of sorts to Wonder's other famous anti-Nixon song, "He's Misstra Know-It-All" (except this one features the Jackson 5 going "Doo-da-wop!"). there's still no shortage of harmonic progressions to send shivers down one's spine, or hair-raising melodies to match, but there's a subtlety and sparseness at play. be sure not to mistake it for a lack of something! decent 8/10.
Very soothing
Enjoyed it! Not as great as some other Stevie albums
I really want to give this 5 stars and maybe on a second listen I will. Compared to the other big Stevie Wonder albums of the 1970s, I actually wasn't familiar with any of these songs before today. I need to give it a better listen, but still great.
I think Mr Wonder has definitely gained an advantage by popping up immediately after the abominable Rufus Wainwright. The two are like chalk and cheese. This is an album of good songs sung well. No channel hopping which annoyed me on one of his other albums and even his use of harmonica was constrained. No standards. But then none of his utter shite either (there's a reason that there is no post 1976 Stevie Wonder albums on this list). Thisis the first time I've heard the original They Won't Go When I Go. I love the George Michael version and loved this version too.
Bastantes onomatopeyas. Un poco olvidable, me gustó más el otro álbum. OK "They wont go when I go" I hear you. Thats what I am talking about! Definitivamente no mi estilo y no seré tan buena esta vez. No es malo, solo meh.
Duhh
Buenísimo
We were listening to this album last night and my partner said, “How can anyone hate Stevie Wonder’s music?” Sure, his music might not deeply resonate with everyone, but he makes objectively beautiful music. Until this project, Wonder had always been background music for me, but after some deeper listens of some of his albums, I’ve become a fan. All that said, my personal Wonder preference are his funkier tunes such as “Boogie on Reggae Woman” or “You haven’t done Nothing” (cool Jackson 5 cameo on the last one). Personal preference, but apparently, I’m not alone as these were the two hits from this record. Getting back to my first point, that isn’t to say I dislike his more soulful tunes, that shit is beautiful. Once I realized that Fullfilingness’ First Finale was a soul record, I was better able to settle into the warmer material on the record. This is a record that requires a willingness to just float along. For me, this requires a specific mood and place. FFF is not Wonder’s most innovative album, he seems to be playing things safely. However, its popularity did demonstrate to him and others that there was still a place for slower, more soulful material in pop music. Bold with respect to commercial risk, if not musical innovation. Maybe I need to spend more time with it, but this wasn’t my favorite Wonder album. However, getting back to my first point, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t a great record. Also, I’ll always give him bonus points because his albums are mostly the work of one man.
Not too bad
Favorite Track: Please Don't Go
This isn't typically the kind of music I listen to, but I was surprised to hear how modern this album sounds. Some of these songs feel like they could've been released today, and its clear how much Stevie Wonder has influenced so many current artists. Anyways, I'm glad I got to hear this, but we'll see how much I revisit it. Favorites: Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away, They Won't Go When I Go, Please Don't Go
I mean, it's prime Stevie. What do you need, a roadmap? Maybe not as strong as some other records of this period in his career, but still funky and soulful. I maybe wish it was a little more fun. Also lol at this being his 17th album at the age of 24.
Liked it
Just two stars for this one. Stevie has a great voice and some great hits, but not on this album. I felt this album was lacking. A product of its’ time and not particularly memorable.
This one popping up is like seeing an old friend, it just makes you smile. A half dozen listens in and Stevie's brilliance continues to amaze me. His Moog bass on Boogie On is next level badassery. For the month of February I've had 8 previous listens and 20 not heard before albums. Lots of really great music. I'm probably enjoying this project more than I should. And I'm sure my wife has tuned out my ramblings about 700 albums ago. But that's fine, this is my trip. But anyway, Stevie is one of the best artists on here and one of the few that actually deserves the records he has on the list. 4 albums of all killer and no filler is no easy feat. Musical genius.
Nice to hear something of Stevie's other than "Superstition" or "Sir Duke."
Stevie is always good for what ails you. I only knew his hits, not the full albums. Lovely to get the chance through this project to delve into some of his discography. This album has a couple of his greats and a couple discoveries, and also features some of that distinctive 1970s orchestral arrangement that I don’t love, which settles it into 4 territory for me.
I'll be honest, if I was listening to this in the middle of summer, rather than a wet and dreary afternoon in February, I'd probably have given it another star.
This didn’t hit me quite as hard as I remembered on first pass. I’ve spent more time with Songs in the Key of Life, and it’s hard not to mentally compare anything to a record that feels like a greatest hits collection. But this album isn’t about obvious bangers. It’s deeper and more introspective. The harmonic movement is sophisticated, the melodic ideas are thoughtful and sometimes less immediately accessible, and the grooves serve the emotional weight of the songs rather than dominating them. It’s a record that asks to be sat with. The craftsmanship is undeniable—vocally, harmonically, and rhythmically—and the more you lean in, the more it reveals. Maybe not as instantly explosive as some of Stevie’s other work, but every bit as rich. A five.
OK.
Listened previously. Expectations: High - Verdict: Great - Stevie's golden run is pretty incredible. This has some absolutely wonderful songs on it. Heaven Is 10 Zillion Lightyears Away is brilliant, Boogie On Reggae Woman is excellent, and there are other great moments scattered throughout. Not the best of that run but a monumental album in its own right.
*1974. *Nice soul, pop music. Very listenable - soothing and pleasant. *Nothing exciting here though. RATING - 6.5/10
A surprising ly mild entry from Stevie's Imperial Period. Solid songs and production, but outshined by his other period work
Don't think I have every listened to a complete SW album - this one is particularly laid back and chill with a few recognisable single releases
Love Stevie, but not this one
Listen to this album and Smile Please.
Absolute banger
Thoughts before listening: I love Stevie's 70s music with Songs in the Key of Life being a recent obsession. I don't know what's on this album, but I'm expecting more of the same poppy, soulful funk. Review: Ok so this has "Boogie on Reggae Woman" on it. I mainly know that song because if Phish's cover, but it's an all time great. I don't recognize the rest of this album, but it mainly sticks to the same 70s funk and soul Stevie's known for. I can understand why Songs in the Key of Life, Innervisions, and Talking Book get most of the attention, but this is still a very enjoyable album. 4-stars
I'll say right off the bat that this Stevie Wonder album is not as strong as the others one I've heard. This being said, his vocals are always on point. The music is always phenomenal. Lyrically, always so strong and meaningful. There just wasn't much of that excitement I usually get listening to Stevie Wonder with these tracks. This album made me smile, but most of the songs didn't really stick out to (or stick with me) in the moment. You Haven't Done Nothin' is the exception to this. I wish that there were just a couple more tracks like that one sprinkled in to break up some of the more soft tracks. The synth is also just a bit off to me on a couple tracks. Overall, I thought that this was a fun listen, but, with the exception of one track, I don't picture myself revisiting it. I hope to get another Stevie Wonder album because putting anything of his below a 4 breaks my heart!
Not my jam. None of the songs have stuck with me
To shy to say was a great love song with very interesting chord progressions. The whole album can be said to be an ode to piano. Really enjoyable listen.
Sehr schöne Musik, Wusste nicht mal das es Stevie ist
Another solid album from Stevie. Sometimes I do question why multiple albums from an artist show up on this list if they aren’t different in style, sound, or instrumentation in any way.
How do you follow Innervisions? I mean, you can't, right? And how do you stay relevant and keep making important music on album 17?? That's insane. So, I can forgive FFF for being a little thin in the songwriting department. Stevie's vocals and Clav playing are still unassailable, but his drumming betrays him on a good number of songs. Imagine a Jim Gordon or Pretty Purdie on a track like "Heaven Is 10 Zillion..." instead of Stevie's stiff shuffle. That would be an entirely different story. Still, there's enough cool sonic stuff and ambitious jazzy changes to make it worth your time. Even middling Stevie Wonder is better than the mean. And we even get the great James Jamerson on "Too Shy to Say." Can't be mad at that. top track: "You Haven't Done Nothin'"
Soulful but plodding, fairly boring overall. Needs more jammin' on tha one. Not my favorite Stevie. 3/3.5 ⭐️
not bad I like the instrumentals I just don't think I would listen to these songs
I quite like a few definitely not a bad album
lwokey love this
Debería escucharlo un poco más. Justo cuando sonaba "They Won't Go When I Go", estaba caminando con mucha gente alrededor que, al igual que yo, iba a trabajar. Me sentí ganado. Pero después, con "Bird of Beauty", volvió a ser el tipo de Stevie Wonder que me gusta.
I get it. He is just so fucking good. His voice is great and he is so much fun to listen to.
Stevie was at the top and this album is one of the tops, so tops of the tops.
I thought this was pretty good, but I don’t think it stands out compared to some of his best work. There were some grooves and interesting instrumentals, but overall it’s probably an album of his that I would overlook if I’m trying to listen to some Stevie Wonder.
Stevie Wonder was undoubtedly one of the greatest musicians of all time. The way he could write a hit, and elevate it to the next level with discrete theory -- insane. Of the four albums on this list, I think this one definitely comes in last place. But even still, it's a 4. What a treat. Fave tracks: - Smile Please - Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away - Boogie On Reggae Woman - Creepin' - You Haven't Done Nothin' - It Ain't No Use - Bird Of Beauty
Equal parts sincere and funky
"I got Music on My Mind, I got Talking Book, I got Fufinity, Fulfillity, fuck it, you know, the GOOD one!" - Eddie Murphy, Delirious
You can never go wrong with 70s Stevie. That was a cozy warm blanket
I feel like there are better Stevie Wonder albums.
Its good stevie No bad stevie Still stevie but
Do not enjoy
Not for me. Very funky and smooth.
La verdad que el gocie es muy bueno pero no me genera nada
Starting this 1001 albums thing, I was specifically looking forward to Stevie Wonder's so-called "classic period," none of which I'm really familiar with beyond some of the most popular singles. So here's the first one. There's no filler here, and every track feels like a whole different idea. It sounds fantastic and there's a lot to the sound that feel new to me, even though I can see how it was imitated by people for the next 15 years. I can't avoid saying embarrassingly obvious stuff like "Holy shit, Stevie Wonder can sing!" My high points: Side two. All of it, but maybe especially "You Haven't Done Nothin'" and "Please Don't Go." 4.5. but choosing to round down and will see if I second guess that.
really nice
se disfruta estando en un trance con lo que llamamos drogas ykw
Muy bien para pasar una tarde de descanso.
Fun album to drink coctails to. Very groovy, amazing voice
Un álbum mid, es disfrutable aunque no tenga algún momento muy guau, me gustó pero no lo volveria a escuchar
Thought I wasn’t gonna like it. Turns out I did
As much as I love Stevie and his style, this album was ok but not really my thing.
heaven is 10 zillion lightyears away
the vocalizing around halfway through they wont go when I go sounds like that one high schooler that's on the college team in pitch perfect and gets their team disqualified for it favorite song: you haven't done nothing
So it’s not Songs In The Key of Life but like, still bloody great
I really like this album! It’s different from other songs I’ve heard from him. I enjoyed the piano and harmonica on this album a lot. Fav tracks: Boogie on Reggae Woman, Creepin’, You Haven’t done Nothing, Please Don’t Go.
Smile Please: Bum bum bum baby bummmmm... I like it! Reggae vibes. Drags a little tho Heaven is a zillion miles away: I like the title lol love an unnecessarily long title. somehow I was caught off guard by the religious overtones despite the name. Love the background yells Too Shy to Say: a sweet love song; also drags a bit to me Boogie on reggae woman: naughty! Then *harmonica interlude* one of the album singles apparently- that tracks Creepin' was moody and dark, I liked it! You Haven't Done Nothin' is a criticism of Nixon's administration apparently, and honestly a banger. Also- the Jackson 5 doing the doo de wop! It ain't no use: doomed love with a bye bye bye chorus... not really my jam but does what it sets out to do They won't go when I go: big funeral dirge vibes. Cool sound but not my fave Bird of beauty outside my wheelhouse lol Ending with "Please Don't Go" is nice creative choice
He’s got a lovely voice and he’s a lovely man and he’s done loads for music and it is good! It’s definitely good! Just maybe not for me. (Please don’t disown me my entire family)
The ballads on this one are a liiiiiil bit boring (sacrilegious I know), but then when Stevie’s firing on all cylinders with the upbeat pop stuff there’s really no one better. I prefer other albums of his but this is solid
Not coming back to this
Soulful
I don't want to be a hater, and I have friends who really love Stevie Wonder. I see the talent, obviously. But it's just kinda boring to me, idk. I guess this sort of funk just isn't really my thing.
FUCK STEVIE DOES NOT MISS THIS ALBUM IS AMAZING. I love how well controlled the production is whilst still remaining lush and free-flowing. I mean this in the sense that it's cohesive but so dynamic in the styles of music Stevie covers. Will come back to this again!!!!
Of the three Stevie Wonder albums I've listened to so far, this is my least favorite, relatively speaking. Not to say it was bad album, just not as good as the others. I liked "Boogie On Reggae Woman" and "You Haven't Done Nothin'" but the other songs didn't stand out.
Loved it - Stevie is the definition of easy listening. Not a style of music I would normally listen to but glad I did. Couple of tracks didn’t work for me which kept it from being a 5.
Super interessante, quase um 4/5.
I’m always impressed with how timeless every Stevie Wonder album sounds, and this is no exception. The musicianship, melodies, and song structures are god tier. I particularly enjoyed “Boogie On Reggae Woman,” which would be a banger in any era.
Stevie Wonder's 17th studio album, released in 1974. Stevie Wonder is an artist I've never really sat down and gone through the discography of or even chunks of. I've heard a few songs here and there as the man's music is still beloved to this day. But he is on the list. (A phrase I feel like I'm always repeating about music/books/movies/shows/games/etc.) Reading some of the day critiques and from today retrospectives, it's very highly praised. Seems the album is about a more personal reflection that came off the back of another album (Innervisions) that was a socially consiousness critique of the time. Perhaps there's a fuller picture of this album's messages that would be better served by listening to that first but that's not really what this "One Album A Day" thing is about. After listening to this feel like some of the critiques and retrospectives were exaggerating a litttle. The songs are all good but not many of them have a message. I'd say a good half are just good songs that are intended to be bops. And there's nothing wrong with that but to use one example to represent the whole: "Fulfillingness' First Finale, in contrast, projected a more reflective, personal, and somber tone." I wouldn't describe the whole album like this. There's some sombre and/or reflective songs featured on this album but it's not indicative of the whole album to say that. There's some grooves for the moves too. 'They Won't Go When I Go' is probably the most moving (as in emotionally) as the song was created after the car accident in 1973 that left Stevie Wonder comatose. Overall I liked the album however none of these songs made it into any of my playlists. None quite hit the desire to hear again. That doesn't take away from the craft of this album. It is well made and does display in part why Stevie Wonder is such a legend.
This is my second Stevie Wonder album. The other one was Songs in the Key of Life. I really like this, especially songs like "Boogie On Reggae Woman" The question with artists like Stevie Wonder is do you judge them by their standards or by the standards of his contemporaries. If I was going purely based on the run this album is in the middle of, then maybe it is not as highly rated as the other two around it. If you rate him based on his contemporaries then this is head and shoulders above so many others. Stevie, even on an off day is just so damn good as a singer/songwriter. In the end I'm going with 5 stars because even though I like the other albums. I still love this and it is a cracking album.
Not as many “big ones” on here as some of his albums but still a pretty solid effort from one the masters!
Good! Fine! Stevie Wonder!
It was fine but like.....why is it here
Got to love Stevie!
Another great Stevie album, full of amazing grooves, excellent lyrics, and the type of music that makes you want to throw your ass 5/5, fav song: Boogie on Reggae Woman
It's fine but so not my vibe
Gorgeous and comforting sound. Not his best but still so good
Not quite peak, a bit more knotty and chordal than some of his 70s stuff. But it's still amazing.
Lekker, maar het album deed me niet super veel
OH HELL YEA STEVIE WONDER
Saved every song
8.5/10
Ihan hauska harmiton svengaava 🌼 Ei ehkä ihan mun kuppi teetä mut kiva kuitenkin! Vähän Johnny Winter vibaa jossain ja Please Don't Go ois hyvä aamusvengibiisi!
Another one from his classic period! Exactly what you expect. This is soul food for the soul.
Beautiful music from a soulful, jazzy man. Very young, very upbeat but also sad
This was my first eye-opener on this list. I don't know much about Stevie Wonder and I won't pretend to know that I do. However it is clear to me that once he got to a certain point of popularity "they" must have told him to stay in a particular lane because this seems far removed from the vibe of a guy I knew growing up.
The Moog on Boogie On Reggae Woman alone earns this album a high rating. Great listen.
Heard
really nice. calm yet upbeat. the kind of song when you want to stay laidback but keep a positive mind.
i like it but i don’t love it
TO JEST TAKIE DOBRE, JEGO PŁYTY MOGĘ W CIEMNO BRAC
Love Stevie. This did not disappoint.
Enjoyed!
good vibe music i really enjoyed the intro wish more songs took that approach but i can see exactly what Stevie was going for especially for the time it was made very fun good percussion mixed with beautiful chords, some with hard bass and nice ear candy
Great
I am a Stevie wonder Stan love him
Yup
This is my first Stevie Wonder record and I had an excellent time with it. As soon as the buttery smooth 'Smile Please' kicked off the album, I was immediately charmed by the warmth and the soulful voice of Wonder. The production on here is sublime, with the harmonies of backing singers helping to create such a rich and dense sound throughout the entirety of the runtime. There's not a bad song here and everything feels varied. Wonder can turn down the pace with a slow jam like 'Too Shy To Say' before bringing you immediately bring you back to to life with the funky Moog-driven 'Boogie On Reggae Woman'. Wonders tackles a number of important topics here, from attacking then-president Richard Nixon on 'You Haven't Done Nothin' ' and reflecting on his own mortality on the haunting' They Won't Go When I Go'. If this is considered the weakest Stevie inclusion in the book, then I am absolutely buzzing to see what else this immensely talented man has to offer.
They won´t go qhen I go es excelente. Lindo álbum. Su voz de por si es espectacular y sube siempre el puntaje.
Stevie Wonder. Great vocals, lovely flow, and simply a smooth listen. The man's got range and talent. Honestly probably won't stick for me very long, but I respect his work with soul music.
Can’t really see what all of the fuss is about. Found it pretty bland and unmemorable and not the sort of thing I’d be putting on an home for my general listening pleasure.
Doesn't feel quite as inspired as his other exceptional albums, but even "lesser" Stevie Wonder is miles above some artist's best work. Not nearly the bangers on this record, but a few great tracks I've never heard from him.
Solid album; not his best work but if you love soul and funk it's always good
What a feel good album! I was really busy with work while I listened to this so I didn't write anything down and then it was the weekend and I've completely forgotten about anything I could possible write in terms of critique or praise. I remember liking it but I'm not sure if I'll revisit it much.
Love me some Stevie. This is great. Cool R&B, some psych stuff, good pop and blues. Classic.
Supremely soulful and lovely to listen to, some real grooves and highlights on here. Delightful
Really enjoyed the album. None of stevies biggest hits but still some great tracks. 5
amazing
Bon, c'est pas quelque chose qui me parle. Je comprends que beaucoup puissent l'adorer, mais c'est tout simplement pas mon truc. Je n'ai rien de négatif à dire, mais j'ai du mal à trouver quelque chose qui me parle.
As always with Stevie, some tracks are 5+ stars, and the slow ballads are really bad.
Erliche Reaktion: oh Gott, wie viele Stevie Wonder Alben sind hier wohl drin. Komme ich nicht rein
Stevie hat's einfach raus. Hätte ich lieber Sonntag morgens hören sollen.
Een leuke Stevie Wonder-plaat, als altijd energiek, lyrisch, uitgelaten. Met af en toe een stemmig, gedragen uitstapje. Het soort kwaliteit dat je in een boek als dit eigenlijk zou mogen verwachten, kortom. Het swingt, het is origineel, en compenseert iets van alle over het paard getilde bagger die we plaat op plaat te verstouwen krijgen van de samenstellersnobs.
Als Stevie los gaat, gaat ie lós. Als hij niet los gaat, is hij ook echt heel saai. Dat laatste horen we vandaag. Dit is het minst interessante album dat we van hem voorgeschoteld kregen. Had achterwege mogen blijven.
Dit album zit precies tussen geweldenaars Innervision en Songs in the Key of Life. Dus ik verwacht vooraf dat het met de kwaliteit dan wel goed zit. Het is te hopen dat het vooral uptempo is en niet teveel trage ballads bevat. Als ik het zo luister, dan zit het er een beetje tussenin. Het is niet een heel hoog tempo, maar meer relaxed, zonder dan weer tenenkrommend traag te worden. Ik zet het zonder problemen op en ik kan zelfs genieten van het dik aangezette geluid van de orgel en de snaren, zoals bij "You havent done nothin'". Het heeft misschien niet het absolute topniveau van eerdergenoemde albums, dus als ik dan een cijfer moet geven, zou het ergens tussen de 3 en de 4 uitkomen. Maar de kwaliteit druipt er wel veel meer vanaf dan veel vergeetbare 3en, dus dan moet ik toch tot de conclusie komen dat een 4 gerechtvaardigd is.
had one of the most metaphysical boners while listening to this
теплый, обволакивающий звук. ощущения, что тебя накрыли тяжелым мягким одеялом
The first song was so happy and with these lyrics so full of hope. I am amazed of the second song. I LOVE ITTTT. I have to say it again: these lyrics are incredible, they are so peacefull. WHAAT, Too shy to say it its soooo good. This song its like a chill walkout on the countryside when youre in love with somebody and have to think it without anyone around you. Kinda like a frank ocean song If he did music back in the 70`s. Boogie on reggae woman, danzable song, I imagine this in a party of the time. Creepin is also good, Im loving it. I totally understand why You Havent done anything its the one with most streams. BUT I dont get why It Aint no use is the least stream, this song is beautyfull. Hello? The piano? wow. NO ONE CAN KEEP ME FROM MY DESTINY. WOW. There is too much in life for you to feel. Man Im loving everything of this peace of art. I like this song to be the last one. Please dont go its so good too.
Silky and warm, languid.
Vibes are impeccable, album is so cohesive, I’m really into this.
I will say, this may have been my favorite album by Stevie so far. I liked it more than Songs in the Key of Life and Innervisions as it seemed much more down to Earth and polished....even though it was done before Songs of Key of Life. It didn't seem to have as much experimentation or other little gimmicks, it was just smooth and thoughtful all the way through. They Won't Go When I Go is such a great song and is completely underrated. After his car accident, I think this song is a good reflection on how a near death experience can change someone. Bird of Beauty is also a great song. I love the sample of......what sounds like a straw being pushed in and out of a plastic cup lid. I have no other way of explaining that sound of whatever it is. The album one album of the year and a slew of awards, so i'm not sure how underrated it is today, but there's none of his huge singles on there, so I can see how it could get overlooked today, but it's pretty great.
fantastic as always
Probably my least favorite Stevie Wonder project so far which is to say that any artist would dream of making this album
Never listened to this one before but have heard a couple of the songs. Nice record
Great first start! Funky and relaxing
Listened while driving to and from my daughter's soccer class. I mean what else is there to say, it's Stevie Wonder of course it's going to be great. It doesn't have many of his all time classics but it's consistently good all the way through.
There are some really good songs on this album, but at the same time I have realised that I am not a big Stevie Wonder fan. I cannot fault his songwriting and singing though, so on that alone he gets an above average score. It is not something I will personally listen to again but it is a solid album. 3.5 stars
I am really tired but I found that to be pretty boring. Not sure I enjoy his voice too. Some songs were kinda good tho if I zoned out.
Boogie on reggae woman was one of my favorite songs in high school, though I didn’t know what it was called or what Stevie was saying. Still slaps.
Stevie Wonder is obsessed with sinning and saying goodbye to some ladies. Boogie on Reggae Woman is a jam. Heaven is 10 Zillion Light years away is a catchy song but it’s about God or Jesus, I think.
Honestly can tell why I’m not as familiar with this album as say Songs in the Key of Life or Innervisions. “Boogie on Reggae Woman” is a banger, and I liked “Creepin’” but “You Haven’t Done Nothin’” sounds like a “Superstition” outtake. I liked “Please Don’t Go” but something about the cymbals was like nails on chalkboard
Honestly can tell why I’m not as familiar with this album as say Songs in the Key of Life or Innervisions. “Boogie on Reggae Woman” is a banger, and I liked “Creepin’” but “You Haven’t Done Nothin’” sounds like a “Superstition” outtake. I liked “Please Don’t Go” but something about the cymbals was like nails on chalkboard
Funky. Some interesting instrumental inventions (see Bookie on Reggae Woman). Singing by Stevie is the core.
Third time lucky? Nope. Still just don't like SW's voice, songs, or sound. All the talent in the world but none of the taste. The components are good - smooth funk & jazzy RnB, high spec 70s production - but it just ends up as cheesy pap. His nasal melisma is unbearable. The bass and keyboard parts redeem it a bit at least on the high tempo tracks where he's ripping off herbie hancock but the slow ones are just awful: sappy and dull.
I know he’s a great artist but I just can’t get into his music. I wasn’t a fan of this album
Just amazing. How can you not like Stevie Wonder?!
Best Song: Boogie On Reggae Woman. Something about the way he articulates things in this song is absolutely perfect. Worst Song: They Won't Go When I Go. Stevie Wonder is capable of such fun, upbeat music, that I always find myself disappointed when he does these slow, hymnal songs. Overall: Not his best, not his worst, and in the end it's still Stevie Wonder. I wouldn't be disappointed to hear someone put this album on, but I would wonder why they didn't choose one of his better offerings.
Another record that I only know from the singles, since I never had a copy and wasn't ever really into Stevie Wonder at the time. It was great to hear "Boogie On Reggae Woman" again for the first time in a while. I love that funky bassline, it sounds kind of like an electronic tuba. And "You Haven't Done Nothin'" sadly still hits pretty hard today. A great funk track. Some of this was more mellow than what I usually like, but hey, if you have to have mellow music, it might as well be this, right? There's not an off note in any of it; the arrangements and harmonies all work well and are all varied enough for the record to be interesting as a whole. I have a friend who saw Stevie Wonder in England last year, and she said it was a great show. So good to see he's still at it.
Strong 4
This is a much more chill groove than previous Stevie offerings we’ve been assigned. Still, though… it’s Stevie, and he’s a genius. Period.
Having really enjoyed Songs in the Key of Life I had quite high expectations for this, but it didn’t really meet them. It’s a good enough listen, but didn’t hold my attention in the same way that album did.
This initially left me somewhat cold, but it won me over more after a second listen. Perhaps I was comparing it too much to ‘Songs in the Key of Life’, and honestly I do think it's quite a bit weaker. One reason for that is that this album is pretty ballad-heavy, and I’m generally more a fan of Stevie’s funkier numbers. The ballads and softer tracks weren’t bad though, just not as much to my taste. ‘Smile Please’, ‘Boogie On Reggae Woman’, ‘You Haven't Done Nothin’’ and ‘Please Don't Go’ were my highlights. Close to 4 stars but not quite.
8.5/10
окееей я чула пісню they won't go when I go тільки у виконанні Джорджа Майкла, не знала що оригінал Стіві Вандера. це хороший альбом в плані луріксів, але виконання та сама музика мене не зацепили
Unlike many of the artists with multiple albums on this list, I did not find myself saying Jesus Christ how many fucking albums can Neil Young possibly have on this list. Instead I found myself going holy shit even if this is slightly lesser than Innervisions it is still a 5 star album.
4/5 album for me 7/10 album for sawyer 7.75 Luke
Part of a string of brilliant albums by Stevie Wonder. You could buy these on vinyl for under $5 back in the 90s, and I've never stopped listening to my copy. Every song is beautiful, catchy, and technically flawless. I give this one 4 stars as his other albums from the era are even better.
Smooth easy listening
***a good, easy listening album
Неплохой соул-альбом. Слушать в наушниках под спокойное настроение.
Excellent!
Far from his best
i liked this more than talking book. some really groovy and soulful stuff in here. it just hits better. really enjoyed Smile Please, Boogie on Reggae Woman, It Ain't No USe and Please Don't Go. 7/10
Groovy, nostalgic, light
Pretty good
I shouldn't have looked up why he's a piece of shit before listening. Genuinely tarnished my view of the music
This was amazing! This was so so good! Stevie is great and I could listen to him all day! Always interesting and great!! Actual rating...4.75 Liked Songs: "Smile Please" , "Heaven is 10 Zillion Light Years Away" , "Too Shy To Say" , "Boogie On Reggae Woman" , "Creepin' " , "You Haven't Done Nothin' " , "It Ain't No Use" , "Bird Of Beauty" , "Please Don't Go"