Reviews (page 6 of 12)
Stevie knows how to make you feel good but again, the ballads don’t do much for me.
First listen. This guy Wonder is quite good actually.
Good
👍
4.5
Light r&b + funk. Pretty enjoyable.
Stevie always killin it, even if it doesn’t quite reach the normal peaks.
Musically great, lyrically cheesy at times
bella voce e ritmi calzanti e divertiti
I liked it!
Not his best but still great
Smoothie. (Smooth Stevie)
Thought about a 5 here
Pretty good not his best 3.7/5
This is Stevie's *seventeenth* album!? Good golly. It starts off with a sudden burst of easy listening. Which is better than hard listening. Kind of like when one of your Sims turns on the radio and it blasts that Simlish pop. I liked it a lot more than I expected. Highlights: 'Creepin'', 'Bird of Beauty'
Favorite track: you haven't done anything other picks: smile please, boogie on reggae woman, creepin
Love Stevie
Great album. Struggled a little just with the mood it brings. Needs a broken heart to be appreciated properly.
The production is stunning. Stevie Wonder's voice is flawless. My only complaint is that some of the songs were a tad long. 4/5
11/22/24. Among Stevie's legendary run in the 70s, this one definitely has its unique sound and energy. It's not there with Innervisions and SITKOL in my opinion, but still a fantastic album.
Great fun, really enjoyable listen that flew along.
Classic Stevie Wonder. Contemplative and beautiful. A great lazy weekend morning record.
Yeah. That's how it's done'
Nice
Solid. Loved the harmonica and funk.
I can't help feeling that this is weaker for Stevie, merely brilliant in a run of masterpieces.
All good songs, nice vibe.
Although I have always enjoyed Stevie Wonder's music I have never listened to any of his albums. I appreciate that it was placed on this list. Great Album.
Realizing I like early Stevie more than later Stevie. This one still has some jams on it (boogie on reggae woman, you haven’t done nothin).
Gave this several listens expecting to get to a 5 eventually, and I’m close but just not enough killer songs in the end for my taste. Love Boogie On, You Haven’t Done Nothin, They Won’t Go, and Please Don’t Go. The rest are good but not songs I would go back to a ton. Story here is super interesting - first album back after his big accident. Also went down a rabbit hole watching YouTube videos on his TONTO synth, that thing is freaking massive.
Not as funky as some of his other work, but still very good.
Arrancamos la primera semana de noviembre con otro artista que suma a la categoría de "Músicos que ubico por sus hits pero que nunca escuché sus discos". El álbum arranca muy chill, tranquilo y luego de unas canciones se pone más arriba, groovero, pero siempre manteniendo un mood tranca. Disco con un sonido firme, de un tipo adelantado. Hasta mañana.
Stevie is a mf'in legend, just boss moves all around this thing
p good
It's stevie wonder. he's great. I'm less fond of his gospel and spiritual songs, but there's plenty of his upbeat soul on here.
It's Stevie Wonder, so of course it is extremely solid, with a lot of fun experimentation specifically on this album that laid the groundwork for Songs In the Key of Life. It can feel a tad safe when it wants to be, and that doesn't allow the album to surpass any other Wonder album that I've heard, but this is assuredly a good time.
Fulfillingness first finale, always seems to be the forgotten album in that stunning run of LP's in the early/mid seventies, and in truth, it's not quite as brilliant as those other records.
Geils Album! Es ged eim grad es super Gfühl bim lose. Au gueti Abwechslig dinne und wär sicher mega cool mal live z gsee. Stevie du besch en geile Siech und s Wunder vom hüttige Tag!
Au dir Nedi danke für de chlini ihblick i dis Lebe und Gratulation für die ersti höchstbewertig. De Stevie-Boy het mich mit dem Album ganz klar überrascht und überzoge, dass er ned nur funky-Hard sondern au funky-soft chan, und dass er ja doch no ganz viel meh z büüte het wie superstition. They won't go when I go het mi im allerhöchste Boge us de Pantoffle gfäggt. Was füre Melancholie und was für e Wonderbari (hehe) Stimm. Au bim rest vom Album hets Spass gmacht zum zuelose. Gits defür es 5 vo 5? Glaubs ned. Es 4.3 würdi geh. Es 4.328. Fulfillingness indeed, you funky fucker!
Steve the wonder hett abgliferet hanmer churz überleit obi doch mal söll id chirche gah und mir chli gospel inezieh sunday service mitem ye und em steve wär doch mal was
stevie wonder? more like stevie wonderkid wieder en artist woni scho lang en deep dive ih d'diskografie wott mache aber abgseh vo "songs in the key of life" noni gmacht han… chönt fairerwiis aber au dra ligge, dass de siech 23 studio albe released hed das spezifische album wo eus hüt serviert worde isch, isch dementsprechend neuland gsi für mich und siehe da: de stifu isch zueverlässiger als d‘SBB die funky, lüpfige, ja fascht scho rassige parts hend mi hüt meh abgholt als d'balladene, glaub ich gspürs s'wuchenend scho trotz all dene loblieder rundi mis gfühlte 4.5er rating uf es 4i ab und spar mer die volli punktzahl für "songs in the key of life" uf <3
I put this one on mid Def Leppard solo -- what a jarring transition that was going straight into the smooth jazzy guitar and buttery vocals of Smile Please. What a tasty little jam to kick this one off. Managed to delete me review, but the high points remain. Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away is a fantastic song and I remember it having a bass tone that reminded me of a song on Head Hunters. Boogie On Reggae Woman is also a jam -- once again, the bass wandering being a focal point. You Haven't Done Nothin' feels like a sibling track to Superstition -- same stanky hopping bass, but far less dancy. Other real standout was They Won't Go When I Go, which I recognized immediately, but didn't place until I researched it and realized this was covered by George Michaels on one of the albums we reviewed a few weeks ago. Stevie's version is epic and wonderful -- gave me goosebumps when it started playing. Bird of Beauty is kind of goofy, but in a very enjoyable way. Really enjoyed this one -- crazy the amount of music this man produced (this was his 17th album!). High 4 / 5.
Stevie Wonder is the man. I love that this is the third album from him in ~4 months. Hopefully we get more. I will likely listen to more of him going forward regardless. This album had a different feel than his other 2 we have listened to. Sounds like they went more soulful with a bit more electronic/synthy sound. I would say this is my least favorite of the 3 we have listened to, but mostly cause it's different than what I expect out of Stevie Wonder. Still liked it a lot, and don't hate that he chose to go a different direction musically.
A little too slow and love songy for me compared to the last Stevie album to start. Boogie on Reggae Woman kicked things up though and had one of the most fun instrumental parts in it with the Moog bass synth I think it was. I want more people to use that same exact repeating part. This one was not nearly as good as Innervisions, but that is a very high bar. It still ripped but the style was not my favorite of Stevie's
The bass on Heaven is 10 Zillion Years Away is pretty sick with whatever effect it has on it. Had to look it up cuz it's also on Boogie On Reggae Woman and it's a moog bass. Sick I love it. Pretty enjoyable album on a chilly Monday morning. Not the best I've heard from him but still pretty damn good. Low 4. Also MOTHERUCKING HAIL!
Terrific! Excellent album.
Not my favorite Stevie album on this list, but undeniable quality. 3.5.
Stevie Wonder is THE MAN. Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list: 5/5
What a great morning listening to this
This might be my least favorite of Stevie’s classic Talking-Book-through-Songs-in-the-Key-of-Life album run. Being my least favorite of those four albums still puts it in my favorite 100 or so albums of all time. Good lord, the man just could not miss for an entire decade. Superhuman.
I’ve been meaning to check this out for a very long time. Another fantastic Stevie album from his iconic 1972 - 1976 period. It’s not quite as gorgeous as the preceding Innervisions or as ambitious and impressive as the following Songs in the Key of Life, but is still a fantastic record from one of our greatest songwriters during his most consistent and prolific era
Really enjoyed having a Stevie Wonder weekend. Lots of tracks here I'd never heard before.
Really enjoyed it
Nostalgic style for me as a Gen Xer. Sometimes dark but always interesting, unexpected, and creative harmonies. Great playing by the entire band on this album. I only recognized one song before listening to this album.
“Heaven is 10 Zillion Light Years Away” will lead me back to this album. But this is the least familiar, for me, of Stevie Wonder’s magisterial period that includes Talking Book, Innervisions, Fulfillingness, and Songs in the Key of Life. Great stretch.
Liked every song. Classic stevie.
They give out bronze medals for a reason. Stevie made his bones, at least to most of the current generation of white people with his big three records in the early seventies. This record is a masterpiece of soul, r&b, psychedelic, and funk. The vocal dubbing and overlay are impeccable. The two strong funk tunes don't get much better. You don't collect vinyl properly unless you own this record along with Innervisions and Songs in the Key of Life.
funky fresh fun, thank you Stevie
Not the best Stevie Wonder album but there's no such thing as a bad Stevie Wonder album
4 stars
Almost prime Stevie, coming after Innervisions except not nearly as loaded with big hitters. Songs range from fantastic, fair and forgettable. This should make for a patchy record but sound is so mellow and breezy throughout it makes for an overall pleasant listen and is often really delectable with the rising harmonies on Smile Please and woozy synths and even more dreamy harmonies on Creepin being the tastiest highlights . 4 stars.
Nice, well put together. Musically intelligent and accomplished, but sounds a bit manufactured. Enjoyable though, and will listen again.
Classic
Auch ein schönes Album.
songs less memorable or standout-y within in my mind than those on Innervisions (the first and only stevie wonder album I have randomly rolled as-of-writing) but its still enjoyable because its stevie wonder and stevie wonder is great
Stevie Wonder is a legend, one of the goats. While the music isn’t modern, it somehow feels as if it is. The production is fantastic. It isn’t dated any a little. They Won’t Go When I Go, is the highlight for me. 8.2/10
Love
Love this album, really felt good after listening to it.
Cool album - well funky!
01) Smile Please - 8,0 02) Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away - 7,5 03) Too Shy to Say - 7,0 04) Boogie On Reggae Woman - 8,5 05) Creepin - 7,5 06) You Haven't Done Nothin' - 8,5 07) It Ain't No Use - 8,5 08) They Won't Go When I Go - 7,0 09) Bird of Beauty - 8,0 10) Please Don't Go - 7,5 TOTAL: 7,80 (78/100) Current ranking: 134/321 Stevie Wonder always somehow manages to make an album so enjoyable to listen to. Honestly, I didn't know a single song from the album, yet every song sounds like it could have been a hit in 1974.
Loved it, perfect jazzy Friday vibes!
Ja de laatste die nog in deze lijst voorbij moest komen van zn 3 beste
lekker albumpie weer hoor 3e keer Stevie
goat goat goat
A bit more ballad heavy than anything I've received from Wonder on this list, but man does he do a ballad well. I also really like a few of the weirder choices on here (specifically the strange vocals on "Bird Of Beauty"). I'd just find it hard to meet anyone who couldn't really find a lot to enjoy about this. Favorite tracks: "Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away", "Bird Of Beauty", "Boogie On Reggae Woman"
I said it before Stevie Wonder has won the game. I personally vibed with Sir Duke more but this is still a masterclass of how it is fuckin done!!
Discovering Stevie’s classic album period has been a highlight of this musical journey. This one did not disappoint. Solid funk. Smooth ballads (although at times too smooth). Great musicianship. Solid listen.
-this is amazing. I will try not to compare it to the other Stevie Wonder albums I’ve gotten on here so far. But my mom used to play some of these songs in the car when I was little and I’m hearing them for the first time again in years. The synths are immaculate. 4.5 stars -Favorites are Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away, Boogie On Reggae Woman, and You Haven’t Done Nothin’
Höchste Stevie Qualität
I don't think I recognize any of the songs on this album by title. The opener starts off sounding a lot like elevator Muzak, but there are suddenly some harmonic moves that are unexpected. The arrangement/orchestration is fairly complex. In the context of Stevie Wonder albums, this is middle-of-the-road. In the context of the 1001 albums? I'd say it's 4 stars, even if there aren't any recognizable songs on it.
Any Stevie Wonder album from the 70s is worth a listen. Favorite: You Haven't Done Nothin.
Groovy album, 10 Zillion is a banger
Really enjoyable beginning to end. Only one or two songs I could take or leave.
Really groovy, entertaining throughout.
the middle child.
Stevie makes good music.
Such
Not my favorite Stevie album but still Stevie so still good. His style is just so identifiable. No one sounds like him. The middle tubes on this album were my favorite. Overall a bit slow and soulful but I enjoyed it
I am a Stevie Wonder fan. This album does not disappoint. It is a combination of love songs and social commentary. The social issues he sings about are still relevant 50 years later. The music is just as powerful as the words. I especially love when he adds the harmonica. Would give this a 4.5
This is by far my fav Stevie wonder album
Recently, I haven’t been enjoying music as much as I am used to. This album reminded me why I love music as much as I do. So thanks, Stevie Wonder.
great variety on this album love the funkiness of bougie on... and you haven't done nothin
8/10. Very good overall. Only 2 songs made the list though.
Always in for Stevie Wonder in his golden age.
It's unbelievable that Stevie Wonder had released his 17th album in 1974, he was only born in 1950! Incredible output and at such high quality This one I found a little heavy on the ballads to be a 5*. It's a really beautiful and pleasant set of songs though. A lot of these showcase his vocals more than other abilities, but we also have some more funky elements. I love the horns on You Haven't Done Nothin for example.
Hard not to like Stevie, especially in this era. This isn't the strongest of his albums from this time, but it's still pretty great.
Stevie just puts out such soul and beauty in music. Another key mid 70's album for him
Another solid album by Stevie. His voice is so powerful and some songs just hit so deeply with their meaningful lyrics. It’s no wonder 50 years later his music is still relevant. I wasn’t familiar with his music much before but each album gives me a new level of respect for him.
Really nice easy listening
Even the slow songs were pretty good, creepin’ was a low point but I liked most of these
终于又是soul了，爽！
Brushing with his own first finale in a near-fatal crash, Wonder emerged from the wreckage with the introspective inspiration necessary for a fulfilling album worthy of its ambitious title.
This was quite good with several classics.
I should listen to more Stevie Wonder
Pretty good.
Another Baller album. This is a streak!!!!
Very soothing album.
Fantastically festive, fun feels
decent, great vibes, good lyricism, a bit god-y but still quite meaningful
Favorite Track: You Haven't Done Nothin
tender titan, striking iron
Really impressive electronic/synth work for the time. Pretty stand R&B in the first half, but A couple absolute bangers second
Two from Stevie in the first three weeks or so. More great stuff here - I may have peaked early with Songs in the Key of Life, but with this allegedly being the "worst" of his classic period I'm looking forward to the others.
LOVED !!!! Love stevie wonder me Brightened up a rainy day Favs: Boogie on a reggae woman, heaven is 10 zillion light years away, you haven’t done nothing and please don’t go
4/5 - I really enjoyed, was so fun to sing along to, each time the harmonica came out I was happy to be alive etc. etc.
Really good and funky with some surprises, as one might expect. 4
Not quite as good as his big 3 but still incredibly good
If you profess to 'love Stevie Wonder' but aren't familiar with this album, do you realll 'love Stevie Wonder' ... I wonder? Welp, I thought I loved SW, but then I'd never listened to this or even heard of this album. Obv my Stevie Wonder cred is bogus. Totally bogus. But I do like his music and the previous albums that I'd listened to were spot on great and in retrospect I think I'd rated them too low. This one, not as good as the others, but in an effort to counter balance the previous, I'm going to rate this high.
Amazing production for that time, arrangements are nearly impeccable, and it all perfectly fits to Stevie Wonder's kind of singing and playing. Still not my thing. I can listen to him now and then, but that's it.
I enjoy Stevie Wonder but didn’t enjoy every one of these songs. And I don’t even have that good a reason.. that being said, still going 4/5 as he’s a great artist and really like the funky tracks
This album makes me smile and you should smile too while listening to it, cause Stevie told you so :)
I had never heard any of these songs before but really enjoyed most of them right off. SW has a great groove to his music and an earnestness to his lyrics that I appreciate.
First audition for me. So nice to go hear one from the classic period of Stevie Wonder. Two years before Songs in the key of life. Incredibly consistent quality right through.
7,6
Another beautiful album by Stevie. Not really my thing but how can you not love him.
So far this to me has been Stevie Wonder’s most accessible record - it’s gorgeously played and sung and it’s does thread that weird overly sugary place that he tends to thread in. Loved it end to end.
I was quite impressed the lyrics and vocals of this album, which were successful of delivering a variety of different messages and themes. The melodies were really enjoyable to listen to, complemented by the fun instrumentals. I definitely enjoyed this more than I expected.
Such a lush and full album. Every moment is milked for all it is worth. Stevie Wonder is a fantastic vocalist, and even though some of his performances here aren't perfect, this album shows how good he can sound. Some truly funky tracks and some more spiritual, and some more somber and lovelorn. You Haven't Done Nothin stuck out to me for those fantastic instrumentals, great build up in that one too. Just a really well rounded record. Not absolutely astounding, but pretty great.
Slow, chill, and (very arguably) a near-perfect rendition of 70s soul. Stevie Wonder is one of the most likeable musicians of all time, and his music is no different. I'm impressed by how much is consistently going on, sonically, at any given moment – and at the same time, how cohesive and smooth it sounds. And, heck, Stevie's voice is so soft, effortless, and beautiful. An absolutely perfect genre-vocal match-up. The creativity with chords, melodies, and lyrics is also pretty darn great. Another nifty musical element here is the spontaneity of the backing vocals, which drop in and out of the music effortlessly. And they sound great. I guess the main thing knocking this album down is that it doesn't pose much of an adventure to the listener. All of the tracks are at a medium tempo, a medium range, with a fairly consistent texture. And while I appreciate the consistency, more variety (either in instrumentation or in mood) is called for. If my soul ascended from my body during Fulfillingness's First Finale (it didn't), it would've only been a few inches above my chair, and it wouldn't have varied in altitude after that. You Haven't Done Nothin' gets the closest to the high-energy funk I usually expect from Stevie Wonder, and it's also my favourite track on the album. 4/5 Key tracks: Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away, Boogie On Reggae Woman, You Haven't Done Nothin', They Won't Go When I Go
primeiro trabalho completo que consumi do stevie e a impressão foi ótima. o sentimento que mais prevaleceu é o de curiosidade à respeito do que mais ele colocou na mesa, sinto que o caminho vai ser bom. PORTUGUÊS MENCIONADO?
Stevie Wonder's output could do no wrong in the first half of the 1970s. His incredible run from Talking Book, Music of My Mind, Innervisions, Fulfillingness' First Finale, and Songs In The Key Of Life is so stratospherically great as a subset of an artist's work, I struggle to think of many other 3-4 album runs of any artist that was comparably strong. The Bowie Trilogy comes to mind; Beatles from Rubber Soul to Abbey Road, maybe (obviously a lot of flaws in that period). Paul Simon famously thanked Stevie Wonder at the Grammys in 1976 for NOT releasing an album so that he might win. To call Stevie Wonder a musical genius is not hyperbole. No brags, just facts. So when I get to pick out my favorites among these spectacular albums, it seems ridiculous to say I love this one the least of this group of Stevie Wonder's output. Comparatively, it's a little slow in spots. I guess I prefer Stevie Wonder up front and making my heart beat a little faster. It's really something that an (amateur) critic like myself can make any disparaging remarks at all. Stevie's a genius, and this is a great album. It's just not his GREATEST album.
Overall a good album. There wasn't really one standout besides "Boogie On Reggae Woman." Enjoyed it all, it has a very chill, nice feel/groove to it. 3.5/5
Good album 👍
I liked this more than I thought I would! I only knew one song but I think the whole album could grow on me (even if not 100% my cup of tea). There is some seriously good musicianship and the songs sound fresh even 50 years later. No bad songs on the album (and there are some SW songs I really don't like like Cherie Amour). A chilled, quite poppy album, nothing offensive or overly cheesy here.
Another really good album by Stevie, and my only issue being some songs being religious. That just is not for me
Not my favourite of Stevie Wonder’s classic album run but still great.
Stevie Wonder is a magical creature sent to earth as a gift to humans to spread joy and soul and funk. I hadn't heard this album so it was a gift to me. As part of his golden period it has the same incredibly high level throughout. It's only missing a stand out track to elevate it a touch but I'm confident I'll be spending all free time for the next few days listening to more Stevie
goated
What a lovely listen
Нашего кротяру всегда приятно слушать!!
This was very surprising and eye-opening. I don't like many singles from Stevie, but this album was quite wonderful.
Now that is a good one. Didn't know this album until now. the only song I knew was You Haven't Done Nothin'. But wow, what an underrated album, don't know why this one isn't more popular. 4.1*
Pretty good record! I enjoyed it a lot and was not expecting that.
Not his strongest album, but still pretty great,
jjjjjjjjjjjjaaaaaaaaa vad nice!!!!!! jättehärligt bara. Så många delar som var så mitt i prick. Gillade absolut de mer svängiga låtarna men fastande mest för they won't go when i go faktiskt. Wowwww den träffade verkligen mig. säg till dem stevie
Ojoj väldigt bra album, Stevie Wonder e ett geni Bästa låtar: You haven’t Done Nothing’, Theo won’t go when i go
Great album. Stevie's vocals are excellent. There was a really nice mix of upbeat funk tracks and soul ballads. Music/arrangements were interesting and ecclectic. ****
Can totally see how this work influenced so many artists later. The clavinet and other electric keyboard work with atmospheric intros and outros remind me so much of Thundercat’s Drunk and how many tracks lead into each other.
Better than Innervisions.
Mint
Eat shit, Nixon!
Really good. Had never heard any of these songs, but he rocked it
Excellent and warm
This guy just makes nice music, plain and simple. Easy to listen to, full of passion and soul, fun and funky.
enjoyed this better than Songs in the Key of Life, prob cause it was shorter
Can’t ever fault Stevie. I didn’t love it all the way through, but the vibe was definitely top top
Nice sounds
The 4th Stevie Wonder album I’ve listened to in this project, and the music is top notch once again
Nice
Love Stevie but not a 5 for me -8/10
Album cover is cool. Not as good as Songs in the Key of Life but still good. High 4
7/10 - It was pretty good, not as good as the other Stevie Wonder album. There was some nice pieces but no stand out ones.
Solid, not incredible. This was gonna be a 3 but the last song brought it up
Spooky
Ah, so this is the Stevie Wonder album that's sandwiched between "Innervisions" and "Songs in the Key of Life". This one must've slipped under the cracks for me. Early on, this didn't sound like any Stevie Wonder album I had listened to. Further through (specifically at "Boogie On Reggae Woman") it started to grow on me. This album seems to be more somber and personal compared to the others, but there are still the familiar chords and clavinet that Wonder is known to feature in his work (Heavy shades of "Superstition" in "You Haven't Done Nothin'"). From a production and personnel standpoint, I was surprised by some of the names involved in the work for this album. For vocals specifically, you've got talent such as Paul Anka, Deniece Williams, The Persuasions and even the Jackson 5. Heck, even Michael Sembello of later "Maniac" fame plays the guitar throughout. Tonally, a different Stevie Wonder album for sure. I still enjoyed this more than I expected to, which speaks to the talent of Stevie Wonder who was already a giant in the music industry around this time.
Favourite tracks: boogie ok reggae woman; you haven't done nothin
Now I may be blind, but I recognise a great album when I see one
I was blind to the knowledge about a lot of these tracks, compared to his more famous ones but it was still an enjoyable listen you should look out for
Stevie’s voice is vocal sunshine. I enjoyed this one. Fave Track: Smile Please Rating: 4
Not the best Stevie album. But that still makes it a great album
What a funny blip in the catalog: it won the Grammy for best album, but it's also the most forgettable (in my opinion, obviously) of the Big Four run from Talking Book to Songs in the Key of Life. It's still this brilliant work, but it's somehow dulled by the perfectness of everything around it.
Solid Stevie album that was a first for me. I was actually not familiar with any of the songs either, though they were undeniably classic Stevie. I don’t hear much on this one that makes it stand out amongst his top records like Innervisions and SITKOL, but it’s very good beginning to end.
good album, not his best since it's a little slow for my taste
4 - Not as good as the other three of his albums I've listened to, but there's definitely still some good tracks on here.
Romantic
# Playlist track - Bird Of Beauty # Notes - Super trippy and fun. - +1 star for the phrases in Portuguese in "Bird of Beauty"
Fulfillingness' First Finale I’m not that au fait with this album compared to Talking Book, Innervisions and Songs in the Key of Life. I’m not sure why, I guess along with Music of My Mind this gets a bit overlooked in his classic run. Smile Please is a lovely opener, it feels a bit more downbeat and melancholy than Innervisions or SITKOL but I like the pulsing keyboards and unhurried vibe. Heaven is 10 Zillion Years Lights Years Away also has a similar melancholy feel, despite its gospel style upbeat chorus. You’ll both know way better than me but it feels like a lot of descending into minor chords in the verses? Anyway, great track. Too Shy to Say steps perilously close to those later career vaguely dull Stevie ballads. It just about manages to stay the right side of that, but it’s not one of my highlights. Sneaky Pete Kleinow from the Flying Burrito Bros the other day is on it though. Boogie on Reggae Woman is a great bit of R’n’B/Funk/Pop, love the keyboards, piano and the appearance of the harmonica in the outro. Creepin’ is a superior version of Too Shy to Say, the female voices work really well. Despite being more than a little Superstition-adjacent You Haven’t Done Nothin’ is a bit of a banger. Didn’t realise the Jackson 5 were on it. It Ain’t No Use has its moments, but it never quite seems to go anywhere for me. They Won’t Go When I Go is an interesting one. The piano feels both slightly Debussy and slightly Rachmaninov-esque and I like the clarinet a lot. Real grower as I only really noticed it on the third listen. Bird of Beauty I like a lot, echoes of Sunshine of My Life and I love the burbling keyboards and backing vocals on the chorus Please Don’t Go is one of those seemingly effortless Stevie soul/r’n’b/pop songs, laid back but always moving forward, melodic and musically interesting. Great track. Overall I can see how it gets a bit overlooked as it clearly isn’t quite at the same focused level as the ‘big’ albums before and after. It’s still a great listen though, the slight downbeat feeling working well with the warmth of the sound - it sounds closer to Talking Book than the others in that sense. And it has some superb songs on it. It would be a highlight of anyone else’s career, but judged against those other classics I think it probably has to be a 4, albeit a high one. ⭐⭐⭐⭐️
New type of music got used to it
Stevie is great as always. Boogie on Reggae Woman might be one of my favorite songs of all time
Super fun, super funky, I loved the harmonies and enjoyed this album a lot
Really enjoyed this. Funky, good melodies. Never really listened to Stevie Wonder before and that was a mistake I'm happy to rectify now.
The first thing that came to mind was a the music equivalent of a warm blanket. Velvety vocals, slick piano riffs, ripping harmonicas; it has it all. The gospel under/overtones can get a tad preachy, but otherwise a stellar album
A Stevie Wonder album can only be charming and cannot disappoint. I enjoyed it, but not as much as I thought I would have. It’s still an impressive record.
Not as funky as I would've liked it to be, but fucking good album regardless
Not his best IMO but still a very good record. No weak tracks and continues to showcase Stevie’s evolving but clearly identifiable sound.
Its Stevie Wonder ofcourse its good [3]
Some 10 star funk but the love songs tend to blur together for me...
You Haven't Done Nothing is Superstition Part 2 and I will hear no one argue differently. That's not a bad thing, necessarily, but the similarities in the song structures/sound are very obvious to me. So this is a pretty good album and Stevie Wonder has set such a high standard this would be the best album for a lot of artists. Sandwiched between Innervisions and Songs in the Key of Life, it suffers from the malady of not being Innervisions or Songs in the Key of Life. It's a really good album and it takes nothing away from Stevie this album probably should not have been in this book. Not because it's bad, but this album defines what I believe the difference in albums I must hear before I die and albums I must hear if I like other albums by an artist on the list of albums I must hear before I die. Like Innervisions? Listen to this one. Haven't heard Innervisions? You don't have to hear this one.
MMMMM I love me some stevie, I love it so much I wrote a poem: My My Stevie, how your songs fill me with joy when you sing with synths and piano I do become so coy thank you stevie for your musical bravado
It's okay. A couple of incredible tracks
Is it another Stevie Wonder album - yep……is it good - yep…..is it his best - probably not
This gets 4 stars based purely on Boogie On Reggae Woman
It doesn't have any of the hits, but it's great Stevie.
yessss :) 4/5
Stevie Wonder fue el absoluto dueño de los 70. 5 obras maestras desde Music of my mind hasta Songs in the Key of life (dejaremos fuera los valiosos aunque claramente inferiores Where I´m coming from y The secret life of plants). Este es el cuarto de la serie y aunque no tiene el nivel de excelencia de Talking book o Songs in the key of life presenta un conjunto de temas absolutamente fabuloso donde demuestra su maestría compositiva y el dominio de los sintetizadores y de su inseparable armónica. Lo compuso y publicó después del accidente de tráfico que le dejó en coma y le da un marcado toque religioso y espiritual como se refleja en They Don't Go When I Go (maravilloso el piano) o Heaven Is Ten Million Light Years Away, ambas deliciosas. Los temas más famosos son merecidamente You hace done nothing (con coros de los Jackson 5) y Boogie on reggae woman. Contiene también otras excelentes canciones como Smile please (melodía y estilo similares al clásico You´re the sunshine...), Creepin, Bird of beauty (a ritmo de soul-bossa nova con Stevie animándose a cantar en portugués) Too shy to say (con una estupenda base de piano acompañada de una steel guitar), It ain´t no use (de las mejores del álbum) o el estupendo final con Please don't go. En ese año 74 aún le sobró tiempo para producir Perfect Angel de la gran Minnie Riperton que incluia el tremendo Loving you, una de las primeras canciones números uno en el Billboard que carecían de percusión. Las otras fueron nada menos que Yesterday y Eleanor Rigby... También para escribir el fenomenal Tell Me Something Good de Rufus con Chaka Khan. Y Aretha publicó Let me in your life con una excepcional version de Until you come back to me, tambien compuesta por Stevie Wonder. Otros grandes discos de 1974 fueron (atención a la variada paleta sonora) los de Gram Parsons, Kraftwerk, Gene Clark, Supertramp, Genesis, Brian Eno, Bob Marley, Big Star, Neil Young, Tangerine Dream o los imprescindibes directos de Van Morrison y Bob Dylan. También los de New York Dolls, Tom Waits, Mike Olfield, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Steely Dan, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, ELO y King Crimson.
Stewie Wonder will always get a thumbs up from me. I love this stuff.
Buen disco que pasó desapercibido entre sus dos más conocidos lps para mi. Gran Stevie Wonder
Enjoyed the sound
Stevie is so reliably good that even his lesser-known stuff is worth listening to from front to back. Nothing here beats his biggest hits, but he just makes such good music that anything you hear from him is gold - or at least close to it. Standouts are Heaven is 10 Zillion Light Years Away, Boogie On Reggae Woman, They Won't Go When I Go, and Please Don't Go.
this has a rly consistent sound while still keeping all the tracks varied. super funky and smooth. did not expect to like it this much.
Never really listened to Stevie Wonder much, but this album was pretty nice.
This was an absolute pleasure and pleasant mellow listen this afternoon. Great album.
Loved this one more than Innervisions. There was a wide array of styles and themes that just fit my mood and the vibe for the day.
Great album, but short of a 5 for me. “Boogie on Reggae Woman” and “You Ain’t Done Nothing” are both great tracks showing a fun and political side of Stevie Wonder respectively. Full of funk, soul, and passion, it still pales in comparison to Songs in the Key of Life which we will hear soon enough.
Had some nice riffs and beats
Didn’t love the first three songs which were on the cheesy side. From Boogie on Reggae Woman through to Bird of Beauty is some of Stevie’s best stuff though. Particularly enjoyed You Haven’t Done Nothing and They Wong Go When I Go
Of the 5 albums in Stevie's Perfect Run, this is the one I'm least familiar with. The other 4 all have a few songs I was hooked on for a time, whereas I never found that song on Fulfillingness. There are a lot of good songs on this record; Heaven is 10 Zillion Light Years Away, It Ain't No Use, Creepin', and Boogie On Reggae Woman are standouts for me. However, it also has some of the weakest pacing of any Stevie album I've heard. Despite being the shortest of the Perfect Run, it feels so slow in some places. They Won't Go When I Go is a strong example of that. I don't hate this record, but it's definitely the weak link in an otherwise immaculate run for Stevie in the 70s. Still, a poor 70s Stevie album is better than most music, and despite my negativity, I would easily listen again and again.
Good stevie wonder bops
Stevie altijd goed
Wonderful. A bit too conceptual/70s jazz to be my favorite. But it’s undeniably beautifully crafted. 4/5
First Stevie Wonder album. A lot of different styles meshed together really well here. Listened a few times and it flowed easily.
Listening to this shortly after Innervisions, I definitely preferred that album but this one is still great. Bonus points for the cuica playing during Bird of Beauty.
I enjoyed listening to this and it reminds me that I need to do a deeper dive into Stevie Wonder.
Enjoyable songs! I like it
Need to listen again
Absolutely wild range from Stevie on this one. A genre bender with a diverse assortment of subject matter on the lyrical side. Favorite tracks: Too Shy To Say, They Won’t Go When I Go
4.0
molto tipico stevie wonder, ma senza quel quid in più 3/4 ma sai che forse...
7/10 More contemplative and downtempo than full of bangers Excellent vibes Really good musically, keyboard lines great Voice perfect obvs Couple of hints of gospel Best: Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away
furðuleg nokk er ég hrifnari af þessu en hans frægari verkum. kannski eru það moþerfokking sterarnir.
This was a wonderful listen. Very classic and a joy from start to finish.
4.5
Great!
Calm. Nice. It's ideal for the evening for a glass of whiskey.
I was surprised to learn that this album, having been released in 1974, was Stevie Wonder's 17th studio album release. I was clearly unaware of the fact that he had a career since the early 60's. That fact blew my mind even further when I put it together with the fact that he is still very much alive and making music. Just how old was he when he broke into the industry? How old is he now? Anyway. This was a good time. Without having heard most of his discography, I can't say I'm sure it's his best. But I assume it isn't (this wasn't the album with "Superstition," after all). What is here, though, is a collection of great grooves, deep lyrics (in some cases), and meaningful, soulful songs from a generational talent. He even touches on religious themes in the gospel-inspired "Heaven is 10 Zillion Light Years Away." The quieter, more reflective pieces ("Too Shy to Say," "They Won't Go When I Go") are great breaks in the action and help pace the album. This is a great album but it just didn't hit that hard for me. There are some great grooves, yes, but you can feel that he hasn't quite hit his full potential here. There are some flashes of his eventual brilliance (I swear I heard a lick that sounded a lot like "Superstition" at one point), but he just doesn't hit it yet. But hey, it's Stevie. I'm not complaining. 4 stars. Standout tracks: Boogie On Reggae Woman, Creepin', You Haven't Done Nothin', It Ain't No Use, Bird of Beauty, Please Don't Go
High 7 super solid he just has much better stuff ngl
Actually enjoyed this more that songs in the key of life
9/10
4.5
It was quite good. I enjoyed it.
very chill, i enjoyed it, most of it.
👍🏻
Never listened to this one before.
Stevie evokes a nostalgic soul sound, though this record dates to 1974, and places him directly in line with the “soul” era. The specific use of choral backups can’t help but remind me of the Elvis quote, “rock and roll is just a blend of gospel, and rhythm & blues.” I hear gospel, and I hear 70s contemporary rock arrangement, and I hear the classic sound Stevie is known for with songs like “you haven’t done nothin” and “please don’t go”
Not Stevie's best but any Stevie is good Stevie.
Great mid golden period Wonder.
I have not heard this album yet but I have listened to Stevie Wonder before. I knew I would like it so I felt good about listening. My favorite tracks were: You haven’t done nothin’, and Please don’t go. I think I prefer Songs in the key of life more but it was still a good album. Will listen again!
Very fun to daydream about what it would have been like to witness Stevie's evolution in real time. I really enjoyed this album. Plenty of classic Stevie but some really interesting and significant moments. Really enjoyed "Heaven Is 10 Zillion Lightyears Away" and "They Won't Go When I Go". Just super different. I can see why Stevie is such an artists artist. Ooh and I'm such a sucker for transitions like the one from "Too Shy To Say" into "Boogie On Reggae Woman" 👌 Bonus: "Fulfillingness' First Finale" such a batshit mouthful lol. Bravo Steven
Still working my way through this album (Gotta listen to these a few times), but it's definitely Stevie at his best.
Heads up - Stevie is one of my guys and I’m likely to rate all his albums on this list VERY highly. Honestly, this should be more of a 4.5, but I do admit this is probably the “weakest” album of his classic period. Still better than 90% of other music, but judging it against his other work. I still love it and listen to it all the time.
It's great, but at times a little slow
Preternaturally amazing.
Good Record! From all the Stevie Wonder Album this is one of the weaker ones but for me still in a 3.5-4.0 star category. This blind mf didnt miss
Sadly overlooked by me previously and glad this is on the list. Truly great album without the standout hits of Innervisions or Songs in the key of life. Best track they don't go where I go.
Stevie Wonder has a golden voice and interesting songs. I'd never listened to this album and found some new gems on there.
Awesome
Love Stevie, but didn’t love this. Still perfectly executed, just not to my taste.
Fantastic! I did not know a single song off of this album, but it was great!! Could be a 5 someday ...
The first Stevie Wonder album I knew well was Songs in the Key of Life. This one immediately preceded that one, so I didn't know it. I find Stevie's voice really soothing and smooth, so I generally like his music, as I did here. Highlight songs were: Creepin' and You Haven't Done Nothin' (which I knew). I didn't really care for "They Won't Go When I Go"
Pretty nice and soothing, it was nice to listen to
Lovely. I prefer Songs in the Key of life but this is pretty great too.
Sort of a peculiar album tucked between one of his finest (Innervisions) and his magnum opus (Songs in the Key of Life). This could be an album of b-sides for the former. It’s possible that, with hindsight, because it is flanked by two such powerhouses, the songs here might feel a little less impactful that those on its brethren. 3.5/5
Stevie Wonder always makes me happy, it's beautiful and as always beautiful thought provoking lyrics
What a joy!
4.25
Stevie was on a quite a roll during this time. I didn’t think this was his best album of this era,which was Songs in the Key of Life, but this was by anyone else’s standards at the time excellent
In amongst the (deserved) adoration for Innervisions and Songs In The Key Of Life, this album sometimes seems a bit overlooked. This one is a bit more melancholic, more subdued in character than the other two albums, but in regards to songwriting is not much less than the other two. This is Stevie Wonder at his (1970's) prime
Stevie Wonder has a beautiful voice. Most of what I had heard from him had been fairly peppy songs, so this album with its melancholy feel was quite different (but still enjoyable).
great and groovy
Every time one listens to Stevie one wonders why one doesn't listen more often. Sweet and soulful. Honest and engaging. Lovely and layered with such interesting textures. Meditative ("You Haven't Done Nothing"), even mournful ("They Won't Go") tunes mix in with lightly swinging and uplifting ones ("Bird of Beauty," "Please Don't Go"). “It Ain’t No Use” is great., too and the sneaky-good, unhurried funk of "Reggae Woman" seems more infectious on every listen. Overall, this feels slightly slighter than Talking Book and Innvervisions and a full notch below Key of Life, which is prolly down to the lack of a full big-ticket blockbuster-y track – a "Superstition" or "Higher Ground." Still, there's a lot here that's close and it's a delight to listen to.
Stevie plays the not-hits
Boogie on Reggae Woman; Boogie on Classic Stevie.
This was a really nice, calming listen.
I was ambivalent during the first round, got warmer during the second time around, and third did the trick for me! Favourites: they won’t go when I go (such a beautiful downer this one), you haven’t done nothing, and of course boogie on a reggae woman (funky harmonica solo 🤯)
Stevie Wonderful
Not as many hits as some of his other albums but still Stevie Wonder. Big fan of his soulfulness and beautiful voice.
I'm already biased about Steve Wonder since I heard him so much growing up. I vaguely knew this album already but never consciously listed to it straight through like this. I found myself absentmindedly singing along to most of the songs. Not my favorite album of his (obviously Songs in the Key of Life is) but still really enjoyed it and it brought me back to childhood. Also made me a little sad because my dad loved Stevie and he's the reason I know so much of his discography.
Such a fresh and beautiful album. The first couple songs, "Smile Please" and "Heaven is Ten Zillion Light Years Away" made me smile and bob my head. I also like funky Stevie Wonder. The songs, "Boogies on Reggae Woman" and "You Haven't Done Nothin'" are fun to listen to. Stevie Wonder is a wonderful vocalist and definitely hit the right mix of pop music and personal lyrics.
I'm not the most familiar with Wonder, but enjoy a couple of his bangers. Some of this was a little slow for me, but overall definitely an enjoyable listening experience. Some very creative production and sounds. Closing track really brought the rating up for me.
Not my fav Stevie Wonder
Really liked this album a lot. The songs varied and Stevie’s voice is so good.
All of his songs are very good top to bottom, so it’s close to a 5.
So at first I was kinda lukewarm about this. To be honest I've never really listened to Stevie apart from "Isn't She Lovely" and "Superstition" and his two Christmas songs (which are both incredible). Also this is really embarrassing but I didn't know he was blind til today just found out about that. Didn't love the first track felt really plastic but then after that the album really deepened (in my opinion). The second track deals feeling that sense of brokenness in the world (which is very relatable) and was pretty profound. After that there's a nice mix of deep meaningful tracks, some about love, some about the world, and overall it was a really solid album. He has a very nice voice (take notes Bob Dylan).
Not only does Stevie Wonder have an amazing voice, he is also an incredible musician. This album shows off both of those talents. Songs like Boogie On Reggae Woman, You Haven't Done Nothin', and Please Don't Go really set the standard for this record. Not too long of an album so you aren't committing yourself for too long. Some of the songs didn't stand out but not every song can. Definitely will be coming back to this one and Stevie.
What an incredible streak this man had.
Buen álbum.
A lot of fun, easily a four. I enjoyed it just as much as "Songs in the Key of Life", which is saying something.
Just a solid record. I guess so far I mostly like the funk records.
good background music
Ah, Stevie Wonder. I was quite a fan of his as a kid, so much so, I even named my hermit crab after him. I may have fallen out of his music as my taste changed but after listening to Fulfillingness' First Finale, It was very good. Everything, from Stevie's singing to the music which had some electronic elements that i was not expecting was handled very well. I guess i should never underestimate the artists i used to listen to. Best Song: You Haven't Done Nothin' Worst Song: Smile Please
Muy buena voz. Todo un precursor de un gran estilo. Nunca lo había escuchado en profundidad y me parece un muy buen disco con una voz con sentimiento
Can’t believe Stevie wonder has so many albums! I liked it but I’d be interested to compare it to others to see why this is the one that was picked.
Stevie doing Stevie things for the 17th time. 'You Haven't Done Nothin'' is super funky and 'They Won't Go When I Go' incredibly beautiful.
well look who tied LZ on the 'most albums featured so far' scoreboard.
Amazing full sound, a few tracks that were powerful and moving. Heaven is a Zillion Miles Away was my favorite.
I loved the bits where it sounded like "Supersitious" without being as overplayed as "Superstitious." I even liked the soppier love songs.
o homem é o mais brabo, como que pode. cantou até em português, coisa linda <3
I like this better than I did in the day, but it falls off after “Criminal”.
Ça met de la bonne humeur dans les chaumières
comme d’hab
almost perfect
Agradable, aunque tampoco me ha atrapado.
Beautiful and fun
The slickest of production. Funky, soulful, jammy, innovative. Stevie Wonder is like no other. The music alone is just simply fun to listen to, but then add the buttery smooth vocals of Wonder, and it's just a slice of heaven.
I actually enjoyed this album quite a bit. I liked the variety difference in the tracks, before I listened to it, I thought that they would all maybe sound kind of the same.
No hits on here, but every song is solid.
this album fucks
Me ha gustado. Muy "relax".
* Smile Please: groovy, love the growls * Heaven: reflection on racism, belief in god * Too Shy to Say: beautiful piano
Mellow and nice makes you wanna fall in love (fucked up)