Reviews (page 9 of 14)
boring, listened to 2/3 songs
I'm learning to appreciate soul more as I get older. I'm still not huge on the overly sappy lyrics, but the instrumentals are gorgeous and lush, and the vocals themselves are really pleasant to listen to.
Not for me
I mean ... C'mon, it's Stevie Wonder! None of my "favorites" were on this album, so it gets a 3, but it was still enjoyable.
ya know, I didn't give Stevie a lot of props. he's got that ear for sounds like a hawks has eyes for his kills.
When I die im donating my eyes to Stevie Wonder 🙏
Favorite track is Please Don’t Go
Not sure how I feel about this. Very big 70s electronic music sounding.
Enjoyed it, made my morning relaxing.
Another pleasant Stevie Wonder listen.
Always a fan of Stevie Wonder but this album just doesn’t hit as hard as others I love.
1 star
Not his best but still great
I definitely need more time with this album, but as a first listen, it's perfectly fine. Stevie just has so much talent.
Smoothie. (Smooth Stevie)
I just didn’t groove with a lot of the backend songs. I love some Stevie songs, but these can be dull. Some deserve a relisten, like It Ain’t No Use
Stevie is a talented dude. I probably should have listened more before reviewing, but it’s not his most memorable week after one listen.
At this point, unless it's one of Stevie's best albums ever, I know exactly what to expect on one of his albums. There'll be one or two really great songs, and then a bunch of fluff to just bump up the run time of the album. If you want to listen to Stevie Wonder, go listen to Innervisions or a best of album. This album is good; it's fine; it's a fun vibe. The first track is really good! But I don't think any of the other tracks really elevate the album. Some are better than others, for sure, but nothing that feels great. Favorite Song(s): Smile Please
Good album.
Feel good. Bra. Deilig.
Thought about a 5 here
Good funky album, a few bangers but nothing insane
Good stuff
Pretty meh, too much overemphasis on notes, not enough signed sealed delivered
First time really listening to Stevie Wonder outside of his big hits. I enjoy his voice and there were a few good songs on this album, but also a couple of stinkers (ie. Heaven is 10 Zillion Miles Away).
Pretty good not his best 3.7/5
A pleasant listening experience. Two songs were radio hits at the time. This slightly exceeded my expectations, but not enough to rate it as 4.
Loved this album. But then it is part of the rhythms and sounds of my late teens. Favorite songs were Boogie on Reggae Woman, and You Haven't Done Nothin'. Both had great and layered intros, and were excellent to the end.
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'
Claramentr las ideas de Stevie Wonder de este álbum serían perfeccionadas en el siguiente y es imposible no verlo así. En todo caso hay cosas interesantes
Si he criticado álbumes por ser muy planos y monótonos, este álbum tiene tantos matices y contrastes que no puedo sino darle 5. Pasa del "bugui" a una oración, luego a una canción re erótica y luego a una épica. Lo disfruté demasiado, y se nota que Stevie Wonder lo disfrutó más haciéndolo. Lo escucharía completo otra vez mañana. Tremendo.
I thought it was a bit slow for my tastes, but that's probably because I'm not super familiar with the genre.
Favorite track: you haven't done anything other picks: smile please, boogie on reggae woman, creepin
Love Stevie
Okay album
It's got some high highs but also some very middling songs which just take me off the experience. I guess I expected more upbeat funk stuff based on the songs I already heard from Stevie but this one turned out to be mellower than that, not the worst but still something I might not comeback to much besides Creepin and Please Don't Go
Mostly I think this is a well-executed album in a genre I don't get very much mileage from - however, "They Won't Go When I Go" is really fascinating and is going to stick with me. It's a stylistic departure for Wonder, dark and funereal, dissimilar from the other songs on this album. (YouTube has Wonder's performance of it from Michael Jackson's memorial service.)
Great album. Struggled a little just with the mood it brings. Needs a broken heart to be appreciated properly.
I LOVE STEVIE!!!!!!!
NIce Steve, Glad I listened, had not before. He is such a talent~
Good album, but I didn't like it as much as some of the other Stevie albums I've listened to so far.
I really enjoyed the upbeat funk songs but the rest didn't really click with me
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.
Surprisingly, it seems I just don't like Stevie Wonder...
Generally I like the piano and the bass with Stevie Wonder, but I don't like the electric piano that much. It brought a few surprises. I don't think I knew a single song on this album, at least never consciously listened to neither of the songs.
Never as impressed with Stevie Wonder’s albums as I want to be on the whole.
Not bad, considering I’ve never been a huge Stevie Wonder fan. It wasn’t a particularly memorable experience though. FAVORITE SONG: They Won’t Go When I Go
It's good, but it's just not my kind of music. Nice to listen to though. I can't imagine I'll be wandering back.
Great fun, really enjoyable listen that flew along.
I was blown away by this. It makes me excited to listen to the other Stevie albums. What a genius.
alegria vai cantar carnavaaaaal
A good reminder that I should listen more often to Stevie Wonder. What a musical genius. This isn't his best record, but plenty of great songs and lots of variety in musical styles.
Stevie is always a good listen.
I don’t think I liked it as much as the other Stevie Wonder albums. I thought it was a funny coincidence that “They Won’t Go Where I Go” was a cover on yesterday’s George Michael album - I liked the song both times. 3.5?
Very good but not quote the quality of songs from other albums of his golden period
Classic Stevie Wonder. Contemplative and beautiful. A great lazy weekend morning record.
Yeah. That's how it's done'
It's nice how this project teaches me a lot about the finer workings of my musical preferences. For instance, how low my Soul tolerance actually is. Yes, Stevie Wonder is an amazing artist you should absolutely have heard before you die. But all his 4 albums from "Talking Book" to "Songs in the Key of Life", indiscriminately thrown in here? They all needed to take spots in this list? This one? Fuck no.
Nice
No 2 from stevie. I’m not hearing any hits!
3.5
If I didn't know the artist as well, I'd have rated higher, but it was a bit of a disappointment for me compared to his other music.
Not bad, but mostly faded into the background. I did really like They Won't Go When I Go, but the rest just wasn't that memorable.
Kind of amazing how Stevie was pushing boundaries such a long time ago; he's playing with sounds and sonic ideas that I would not have associated with the early 1970s at all. It's outside my comfort zone but multiple listens have all been really enjoyed although I don't think I can pinpoint a particular track or tracks that have really stood out. Just a lovely load of vibes and a fabulous performer.
Eher ruhig, ggf. Gut für einen entspannten Abend, aber nicht so mein Geschmack
Solid. Loved the harmonica and funk.
This album sounds like an overpriced candle shop in the Rockies.
I can't help feeling that this is weaker for Stevie, merely brilliant in a run of masterpieces.
All good songs, nice vibe.
Will I listen to it again? Probably not. Did I really really like it? Yes.
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.
I bet if you analyzed this album, it’s flawless, but it’s just not hitting the way other SW albums do. Depending on the day I could get really into this or truly not enjoy it. Glad to have listened to it (several times) but won’t be in the regular rotation…. I don’t think? It’s a 3 or 4 but as I’m writing this is a 3. Feel like I’ll regret this.
Agree with other's takes that, while I also love Stevie, I didn't find much outside of 'Boogie on Reggae Woman' that really landed with me on this album. I listened through a few times even, thinking it might have been user error on my part. But still, no dice. I appreciate the artistry of 'They Won't Go' but don't really like it, for whatever reason. Normally, if an album doesn't connect with me I'd give it a 2, but in this case I'm having trouble finding any good reason for my dislike, so I don't feel as confident in my take. For that reason I'm gonna round up to 3 because Stevie is a legend, but I acknowledge this is more or less an act of cowardice.
I love stevie, but this is one of the lesser entertaining albums. Talking Book from 2 years before was far more interesting to me You Havent Done Nothin was super fun and sounded like the rest of stevies catalogue. They Wont Go When I Go was a great track with a haunting progression and Bach like melody. Please Dont Go felt like a standard tune as well.
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.
Comfortably the least interesting of the 3 Stevie Wonder albums we have done. Suffers from being between two great albums.
I'm somewhat of a Stevie agnostic; I recognize his immense talent and influence, and I do love some of his music, but he'll likely never be an all-time favorite. This record in particular is just a bit too smooth for my tastes. 3/5
Pretty good. Certainly hits more than a few emotional chords.
can never complain about a bit of stevie w
94% Best: Smile Please; Boogie On Reggae Woman; Creepin'; You Haven't Done Nothin'; It Ain't No Use Must-Hear? Definitely
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.
A fine album. 3 stars. Not great. just Wonder doing his thing.
I guess it’s fine for what it is. Doesn’t do much for me.
Stevie is a mf'in legend, just boss moves all around this thing
p good
FFF is an album that has always eluded me in some way. It's unlike anything else from the Classic Period, and that is undoubtedly due to Stevie's near death experience/coma less than a year before it was released. It's a dark, sometimes bleak album; Stevie, who was like, 23? 24? when he wrote and recorded this was confronting his mortality, his abilities, and the world he returned to in the wake his accident. When Stevie asks "Can I play?" twice in the outro to "Boogie on Reggae Woman" - a song that I don't believe features any other musicians - it's not just him taking a solo; it's him proving to himself that he's still got it. But the shape of the whole album still mystifies me, even as compelling as it is. The haunting, funereal "They Won't Go When I Go" is conspicuously placed on the second side of the album, a centerpiece of reckoning amid songs that are tonally disparate in comparison. The drum machine - maybe the only one I can think of Stevie using - on "You Haven't Done Nothin'" is conspicuous in its machine-like chug. Altogether, this feels like the Classic Stevie album I still have the most to learn from, and that is a rare thing for an artist so celebrated.
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.
I think I would have been more appreciative of this back when it came out but it lacks whatever quality that would make me want to seek any of this out today. Still, it was an enjoyable listen and a pretty solid 3.
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!
Achh stevie, S album isch chli a mir verbigange bim lose. Mag mich a nüd erinnere. Heisst aber au es isch nöd nervig gsi. Plus: Cover & album name gfalled mir sehr guet Sorry stevie, album‘s no wonder.
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
One of my favorites of all time. Can feel its spirit.
I appreciate the talent, particularly from a legend such as Stevie Wonder, but the album wasn't my particular cup of tea. If it was an album which whet my taste more, it would earn the full five stars. Favorite Track : "Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away"
For how legendary Stevie Wonder is, I've never sat through an album of his before. All I can say is wow, what an album. These songs are layered with musical nuance, great singing, and deeply emotional moments. Smile Please opens the album on a high note and Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away sounds like very moving gospel. There aren't really amy low points here, with my other favorites being Too Shy to Say, Creepin', and Bird of Beauty. Loved it.
What a great morning listening to this
A forest is of course the most recognisable track, but a good moody second album. Love the story that The Final Sound is so short because the tape ran out.
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.
Good
stevie wonder's music is consistently good; his jazzy, carefree ballads and dance tunes can make anyone feel good after a rough day. he's a true virtuoso of sorts when it comes to composing; i often find myself grooving along with the tracks and being blown away by his mesmerizing hooks and accompaniments... it should come to nobody's surprise that even if someone can't physically see anything, let alone an instrument or a sheet of music, they can still understand music on such a deep level.
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.
Somehow I resisted the temptation to skip songs but not sure how. Stevie Wonder does have some funky songs to get your toes tapping. None were on this album. Not saying these songs were terrible, I just found most of them a bit boring.
This is pretty poor. The songs with the funk are so much better than the slow ones. I assume his other albums are better than this! No Wonder
The first Stevie Wonder Russian Roulette fail of this list (3rd album we’ve had). Worst one we’ve had so far. Dull no funk songs prevailed making it not a great listen at all. It’s not a patch on ‘Songs in the key of life’ which followed this. So he came to his senses it would appear.
Steve's starting to sound like a sex pest. I can imagine this being very popular in the swinging 70s but his warbling is starting to grate. No stand out tunes but a steady grind.
Really enjoyed it
Everybody has a favourite Stevie Wonder album, right? The only mistake this album has for me is that it's not Talking Book.
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.
I’m sorry, I just don’t like Stevie Wonder songs.
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
Enjoyed it
Happy to listen to a Stevie Wonder album of course. I wasn't familiar with this - which is a bonus. But I don't think it is quite as good as Innervisions
Day 6 - Fulfillingness' First Finale I was surprised to see this Stevie album on this list, and I didn't know any songs before listening. But it was a great album! I loveeee his voice so much and most of the beats were really fun to jam to. The album flows so easily. 'You Haven't Done Nothin'' reminds me of 'Superstition'. 5/5! Standout songs: Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away, Too Shy to Say, Boogie on Reggae Woman, and Creepin'
I don’t know if I fully “get” Stevie Wonder. There’s certainly individual songs I like. But the two albums this challenge has served me are just ok. Nothing that I’d choose to revisit. 3/5
Not the best Stevie Wonder album but there's no such thing as a bad Stevie Wonder album
Exemplariskt producerad. Ljudbilden är varm och vacker. Man hör att musikerna är otroligt skickliga och i vissa låtar blir det lite lekfullt. Balladerna är väl lite trötta, men några av låtarna drar verkligen igång ett riktigt sväng. Kan absolut tänka mig att lyssna en gång till.
This is beautiful, the sound of the 70's for me. Wonder's vocals are silky and soulful and my favorite part is how the background singers so perfectly complement and add depth in interesting ways to every track.
This album like previous Stevie Wonder albums doesn't produce any emotion in me. Don't hate it just totally inconsequential.
One of his very best. 4.5 stars. Rounding up to 5.
Absolute Stevie banger! (10) ★★★★★
My second favourite Stevie Wonder album. Nice listen for sure!
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.
Some good stuff, but the slow soulful songs aren't for me.
Nice, well put together. Musically intelligent and accomplished, but sounds a bit manufactured. Enjoyable though, and will listen again.
Untouchable brilliance! His best album.
Good production but a lot of boring long shit
Classic
Great
Auch ein schönes Album.
Not bad, but not really my thing? I'd probably listen to most type of jazz before really enjoying this 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
Some bangers some less than
Pretty good. 3.5?
Favourite songs: You Haven't Done Nothin', Heaven is 10 Zillion Light Years Away, Boggie On Reggae Woman, Please Don't Go Least favourite songs: They Won't Go When I Go 5/5
Love
This album is packed with amazing songs. Stevie Wonder’s voice never sounded better to me. My favorite is "Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away". I think it has such an optimistic viewpoint and is uplifting with a strong statement of faith. Beautiful. https://tinyurl.com/47btbp65
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.
It was good but not great.
Loved it, perfect jazzy Friday vibes!
Reminds me of my mom
Eh not a Stevie fan
Another stupendous soulful, hopeful collection from Stevie. This guy really wrote some of the best songs of all time. Most of the tracks on this album are not that, but definitely a 5 star collection of rythmn and blues for sure.
Smooth
Some good songs and some electric organ songs. Mixed bag, more funk please.
Had to give this one a relisten because it was so good. I think this is the second 5 star album rated on this list that I hadn't heard before. This album rules
Pure genius.
Not my favorite
Exquisite.
Ja de laatste die nog in deze lijst voorbij moest komen van zn 3 beste
lekker albumpie weer hoor 3e keer Stevie
Not a fan
This isn’t one of his best from the 70’s. The two hits aren’t up there with others from this era and the rest of the tracks are kinda meandering and bleh. 2.5 rounded up to 3 because even the “not as great as others” hits are pretty good.
As much as I’d like to be a fan, I think Stevie just isn’t for me.
Cool sounds
I still thought it was incredibly fun, albeit having more serious themes than other Stevie Wonder albums. In particular, They Won’t Go When I Go and closing on such a high energy bop like Please Don’t Go were highlights for me. And You Haven’t Done Nothin is probably the most jam-worthy critique of a president I’ve listened to. Stevie’s voice is smooth like butter. His expertise of the piano is so apparent in what he does. Everything is intentional, and it’s so groovy.
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"
3☆/5 09.20.2024
I think You Haven't Done Nothin' is Stevie Wonder's best song but the rest of the album doesn't interest me at all, so my rating is 2 stars or D+.
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!!
pretty nice would smash to
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.
Can see why this is on the list. Funky soul classic with some stand out tunes
-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
Not really feeling this album today. I'm probably going with a 2 so far. There's some tracks that I thought were alright, Bird of Beauty and You Haven't Done Nothin' but most of this album wasn't memorable for me.
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.
- oye Stevie por que siempre sonríes si eres ciego? - sonrio porque aunque sea ciego al menos no soy negro
Really groovy, entertaining throughout.
Couple good tracks but kinda boring.
the middle child.
Stevie makes good music.
Sorry, just not that good. Recording quality is poor and the music is meh.
Wow! I like Stevie Wonder...but that was awful!
Excellent album. I'm not sure it's aged well though. The cheesy keyboards were probably amazing in 1974, but not so much now. If I were reviewing this in the '70s or even '80s, I might give it 5 stars, but... I hate to hold a trend or "fashion" against an album, but if yodeling was really popular for a few years, it's simply not going to age well, and I can't ignore it. A decent example is the last song, "Please Don't Go". It's a good song, but the "bass keyboard" hasn't aged well. Ever since the '70s, that line would have just been played on a bass guitar. It doesn't change that it's a good song, but production and implementation does matter. Still, 4 stars.
I was a bit disappointed by Fulfillingness' First Finale because you can rightly expect great things from Stevie Wonder and quite a bit of this doesn't deliver, it's solid to good but doesn't really get to the heights he's capable of. The back end of the album is really good though, the last four tracks are so much better than those that preceded it, It Ain't No Use and Please Don't Go are the best of those and get me up to a high 3. I've also mentioned this a few times but the work rate from artists in the 60s and 70s was mad :D this was his 17th album in 12 years.
God, the man can really write some drivel, can't he? Agree with Phil that the second half is better than the first, but he's gone for quantity over quality with 17 albums in 12 years. Think it probably would've been a 2, but for They Won't Go When I Go which is a wonderful ballad. 3/5.
good vibes but a little too samey
Never really listened to Stevie Wonder. This is a great Sunday morning album
Easy listening but not my cup of tea
Brilliant. 10/10.
Didn't listen but cmon
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
Very good album of his falling just short of great. Probably the least of his albums during this period and could have been left off the list in favor of the others. Having said that, its Stevie and its jazzy, inventive, and a joy to listen to over and over. It ironically seems more introspective than Innervisions which is more socially critical. Particularly like Boogie on Reggae Woman. Creepin seems to have become a jazz standard. You Haven't Done Nothing seems to channel Superstition but in a good way. When I Go is a bit of a depressing dirge. 4.6
Love me some Stevie. Hadn’t heard any of these songs before so it’s a nice addition.
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 sounds and singles but overall a step down from the record before it, Innervisions, and to me the songwriting is inconsistent. This was like his 15th or 17th album in less than 10 years as a recording artist, a pace few artists could keep without possibly running low on things to say, and I think he would have benefitted from a little more time off to recharge the batteries before he made this one.
Another Stevie Wonder "classic" in this collection! A great title and album cover, and very mellow hits, all a great combination for Stevie Wonder fans (which I don't really count myself in, although I'll admit I simply haven't listened to him much). "Smile please" is a great start to the album, "Boogie on reggae woman" has a nice mellow funk to it, "You haven't done nothin'" is easily the best song on the album (and strangely relevant to today despite being about Nixon), and I like it that George Michael did a cover of the somber "They won't go when I go" . I'm not sure, though, this is as strong as the other Wonder album I've heard in this collection, "Talking Book", but I did like the occasional combination of country styling and heavy (and early) synth sounds.
I've never gotten into Stevie Wonder--he never hits the right groove for me, though Superstition comes closest. So this album didn't do it either but didn't suck. Sorry Little Stevie Wonder!
great variety on this album love the funkiness of bougie on... and you haven't done nothin
Just ok
8/10. Very good overall. Only 2 songs made the list though.
Well that one just flew right by me. Not bad but so inoffensive it's barely there
It's so inoffensive that if you tell me Stevie Wonder used to beat people up in bars, I wouldn't believe you.
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.
Kind of confused on this one. An odd arrangement of Stevie Songs. I get lost on the God songs being included here, and the funky soulful ones don’t deliver as big of a punch. Minimal repetitive lyrics don’t add to the draw.
Really nice easy listening
Even the slow songs were pretty good, creepin’ was a low point but I liked most of these
This is #day22 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... how about an album from 50 years ago? I must admit that before today, I only knew Stevie Wonder mostly because of "I Just Called To Say I Love You," which is kind of corny, as I assume his legacy and influence stretch far beyond that song. So, this is another first-timer for me, and my first Stevie Wonder album, too. What can I say? Well, it's kind of fine... But it's not the record I'd want to revisit soon, or ever. I'm not seeking feel-good music either. Besides, something tells me more of his works will be on this list down the road, so... This is a 3 out of 5 this time. Looking forward to #day23.
Långt ifrån hans bästa låtar.
It never really gets going
Not my style overall. I’ve heard better songs from Stevie Wonder. Really unique type of vocal runs though. Would not add any songs from this album to my library.
They said no hits came from this album but I’ve at least heard a few on the radio before. Pleasant surprise. Stevie is always great.
Not my tast
It's fine. As with the last Stevie Wonder album I got, I enjoyed the funk songs better than the slower ballads. I unexpectedly really enjoyed "They Won't Go When I Go"... The instrumentals in it were lovely!
don’t hurt em now 😮💨✋
Pre-listening thoughts: LETS GO STEVIE WONDER W!!!! I actually know zero songs on here but I have not heard Stevie Wonder miss so far so! Also can I say how refreshing it is to open this page to some pretty/non unsettling album art for once oh my god. Post/during listening thoughts: good lord I love Stevie Wonder. His voice is just butter over the smooth golden base of his music. He is also the master of smooth key changes and you know how I love a good key change. People were complaining about there being multiple Stevie albums when all you “need” to hear is Songs in the Key of Life. Hard disagree. I think all 3 are necessary and Stevie is one of very few artists that deserve every album pick on this list. 10/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: yes Stevie Wonder is magical Fav tracks: once again literally all of them I mean there’s no skips! Least fav tracks: none
Not my fave Stevie record, but a Stevie record nonetheless and therefore timeless and worth endless re-listens. This guy is one of the best to ever write and play. Each phrase, hell each note, holds more interpretation and spontaneity than any entire pop album coming out these days. You know that every time he performs one of his tunes, it is gonna be different. Quintessential "in the moment." Can't fake groove and feel. It just has to be there, and this album has it everywhere. "You Haven't Done Nothin'" is just as relevant now as it ever was.
终于又是soul了，爽！
Yeah, not bad. Inoffensive easy listen, but didn't blow my socks off.
It's no secret that Stevie is in a league of his own when it comes to songwriting. And while this album doesn't produce any mainstream hits, its sum total is nearly equal to the quality of SITKOL or Innervisions. The very fact that an artists' 17th studio album is of this caliber says everything you need to know.
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 really high quality but not my favorite genre. 3.5/5
This was quite good with several classics.
I should listen to more Stevie Wonder
Seguro tiene mejores. Este se me va a olvidar en una hora.
Stevie Wonder is one of the best of all time. I’m not really familiar with this album so I’m glad this list encouraged me to listen. It might not be as amazing as some of his other work around this time, but I can’t give anything Stevie made in the 70s less than a 5.
Pretty good.
Another Baller album. This is a streak!!!!
No
I was just properly introduced to this record by a friend in recent weeks, and even just listened to it last week. I couldn’t be happier with now knowing this record. It doesn’t have the bright cheeriness that “Songs in the Key of Life” offers, but the vibes are certainly still very positive, with a few being upbeat. “Heaven is One Zillion Light Years Away” is my absolute jam, and I’m atheist. Stevie has such a raw talent for creating music that is universal. The songs on this one are modest in tone, yet uplifting, and I think the engineering has a lot to do with that. Another quality work from the legend.
Fav song- Bird of Beauty
I have not heard this one before. The other should be wider album that I'm familiar with as a great favorite of me and my girlfriends. I think this will be joining it.
Also Shite
To quote my mother "fucking stevie wonder"
Stevie lost me when he demanded my smile. Oh Stevie, how the times have changed.
It's OK... honestly I was expecting more given the name but it was not remarkable
Ok, but boring
Very soothing album.
Fantastically festive, fun feels
decent, great vibes, good lyricism, a bit god-y but still quite meaningful
good
Good vibes. Good music. Nothing stood out.
Favorite Track: You Haven't Done Nothin
tender titan, striking iron
all right, but quite boring overall, as background music - ok, but nothing to focus on
156/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
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.
I think what I've learned by listening to this is that I like Stevie Wonder just fine, but I particularly enjoy his funky stuff. 'You Haven't Done Nothin' gives me a lot of 'Superstition' vibes, the bass line is very similar I feel, and it just grabs me in a different way than the rest Standouts You Haven't Done Nothin' 3/5
How have I not ever listened to this before? It‘s an amazing record.
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.
I was looking forward to this as I love a bit of Stevie Wonder but I only know the big hits. I didn't recognise any songs on this album and there's probably a reason for that. Most of the songs are fine but unexciting. Boogie on Reggae Woman and Please Don't Go are better than that, and were the only songs I'd like to hear again. You Haven't Done Nothin' would be up there too, but the base line is so similar to Superstition that I can't help thinking I'd rather be listening to that instead.
Thank god after this album they decided to plug Stevie wonder back in and fully charge him. What a pile of dreary shite! 2.1
Really good and funky with some surprises, as one might expect. 4
Not quite as good as his big 3 but still incredibly good
A stunning tour de force. Some of my favorite Stevie Wonder songs and a couple I was not as familiar with but loved. What can we say about the music of this man whose voice carries love, compassion, sorrow, kindness and the full range of human emotion in words of poetry. A master.
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.
The hits are the tolerable part of Stevie Wonder albums. They’re also often the faster, more energetic songs. But those are lacking on “Fulfillingness’ First Finale.” As a result, I was not fulfilled. That doesn’t mean I want a second finale.
When Stevie gets the musical energy going, he is unstoppable. Boogie On Reggae Woman and You Haven’t Done Nuthin’ are top notch tunes. For much of the rest of the album, Stevie slows down the pace, softens the mood, and gets intimate. I lose interest during these songs, which is too bad. If his focus were on the energy throughout, this album could have been a home run.
The tone of the bass is sooo good.
This was a good listen. "Heaven is 10 Zillion Light Years Away" was the standout track for me.
I'll have to listen to this more for sure, but I loved this. It was joyful and exuberant and it made me smile, which was nice after an otherwise mediocre week of albums for me. Looking forward to revisiting this one and listening to more Stevie Wonder!
If I had to summarize what Stevie Wonder is in a single word, it would be "Joy", because that's what he brings us. Once again, the 70s. Just like Bowie, everything Stevie released at that time was a masterpiece. I wanted to highlight the song Bird Of Beauty where Stevie sings in Portuguese (Brazil Mentioned!). Anyway, it is truly an honor to live on the same planet as this genius! Every time Stevie appears, it will be 5 stars automatically!
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 :)
Good album but wildly overshadowed by Innervisions and Songs in the Key of Life.
3.5 Some nice tunes. Not my favourite of his so far.
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.
In between two heavy hitters but still a perfect album in itself
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.
Decent for Stevie
7,6
Wonder is wonderful, as always.
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.
Other than catching Stevie Wonder's songs on the radio, I had never really listened to him. I know he is very famous and very good, but this album really surprised me, it was was varied and interesting and his voice is amazing.