Innervisions

I was lucky enough to see Stevie Wonder live at the time that these songs and those from Talking Book were most what got played. It was one of the best concerts I ever saw.

The perfect blend of funk and soul. The beats are incredible and Stevie’s voice is one of a kind. Fav tracks: “Higher Ground” “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing” “Too High”

Innervisions is such a well-crafted record. It feels like a snapshot of American life in the mid-1970s and a feeling of hope. But, well, Richard Nixon isn't the only American president that "He's Misstra Know-It-All" could apply to. The album shifted forward R&B and soul (and pop crossovers) with its sounds and we are richer for it.

It's Stevie! At the top of his funk game, bringing slick catchy grooves and buttery, yet emotionally charged vocals together in perfect harmony. Living For the City, Higher Ground, AND All In Love is Fair on the same album blows my mind. He's an incredible artist and he's unparalleled at constructing hit songs without it feeling formulaic or manufactured. It's just beautiful, compelling artistic expression in every song.

it’s Stevie it’s a great album

I didn't know it was possible, but this album is Grammy bait

Overall, I think it’s a great album. My favorite track had to be Living For The City - extremely groovy and had a great story that brings up issues that people are still experiencing today, many years after release of the album itself. Not sure where Stevie draws his inspiration from, but you can hear and even feel elements from this album in pop R&B of the 2000s which is what I grew up with and to be able draw these connections is a testament to how influential this album is.

An eye-opening record. Beyond amazing.

I always wanted to like him more than I did. Just never quite worked for me.

Beside the occasional killer baseline, this confirms that Stevie Wonder is not for me.

It used to bug me to no end when I’d be out at a bar or a party and the band would say “we’re gonna do a Red Hot Chili Peppers song!” and then kick into “Higher Ground”. Show some respect, you clods.

I think Stevie is incredible for so many reasons, but for reasons I cannot explain, I've never been wildly into his music. I like quite a few of his songs, to be sure. But overall, I've never really reached for his stuff.

It was funk and soul. It was alright but I don't have a need to revisit

I only really liked Higher Ground. I'm mostly a fan of his hit songs. I've been judging my albums on whether I'd go back to listen to it again. This isn't a bad album by any means. It's just not something I would replay.

The fadeout on He's Misstra Know-It-All is comically long

duh

A Motown classic. Stevie Wonder at his finest.

i always admired Stevie Wonder but only really knew his 80s / more commercial stuff. This album is fantastic. the funk, the soul, the rhythm, his voice. The fun they are clearly having making it. This is an album that makes me smile when listening to it. The first track sounds like something from Jamiroquai, who were obviously 20+ years later, and no doubt inspired by this sound. 5 stars from me.

Mixing the wild playfulness of a crayola-wielding infant with cosmic level compositional chops and the oversized emotional sweep becoming of a generational figurehead, this is one of those rarest of things: a 70s masterpiece that doesn't have "I couldn't have happened without the 60s" written all over its face.

First song ~ Too High ~ draws you in with its jazzy drum beats and soothing synth sounds, Preparing u for an experience. Transitions into each song are beautiful, almost like a page off of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. Nine amazing songs leaving you want more. Don’t be greedy.

Absolutely fearless album, that goes into whatever genre or mood it likes, when it likes. The artistry is unmatched in Stevie's discography and in spite of the record's ambition, it still works perfectly as an album. Top tier Stevie and just a top album in general.

This was the first time I've listened to this album. I picked up on a lot of samples and references to it by 90s hip-hop artists. It starts with a sample from one of my all-time most listened to and loved songs: "All Night" by the Alkaholiks. The chorus of "Living for the City" was repeated in Wu-Tang's "The City." In that line someone comments, "New York City, skyscrapers and everythang" which was repeated in the track "All the Critics in New York" by Westside Connection. I also had forgotten that the RHCP song "Higher Ground" was actually a cover. So in addition to pointing to how pervasive the 70s were in 90s music, my lack of awareness of this album's influence also points to a generational and cultural disconnect between me and the artists who created that music. There is a lot of depth to this album and I'll need to listen to it again to fully appreciate it. I was taking in the sound and music and less the lyrics, and I understand that these are laden with social commentary of life as a Black man in mid century America, personal experiences with drug addiction, and so on. Plus there is clear significance in the title Innervisions that can't be appreciated without hearing the lyrics and getting to some of the deeper layers of the music.

Not quite what I expected. A little more rock and funk influenced, including in instrumentation. Highlighted Stevie's voice and has some great tracks like Jesus Children of America and He's Misstra Know it All.

Good album, last track was the weakest but overall, enjoyed it

Pure talent.

one of the greatest albums of all times. The songs are a bit too long but this is an amazing mix of black music traditions than sounds fresh as if it was recorded today. In fact, you can hear the influence of this album in many of the current music.

Stevie Wonder at his best. Not a weak track. Very smooth album.

Sounds amazing. 10/10

10/10. This was really good.

10/10 masterful

“The fuckin’ crowded city!”

Excellent and classic

Could be a perfect album! Funk, soul, pop. Politics, love and humour. From Stevie’s golden period of colossal 70s LPs.

Alguns dels millors discos de la década són d'ell. Una visió profunda de la música, juntament amb un missatge poderós

Brilliant.

Love it! Nice to hum along

Maravilhoso!

Love me some Stevie Wonder! Not much to save except exceptionally talented in so many ways. Loved the spectrum of all the songs. Could be my top 2 favorite Wonder albums😊

This albummm

I mean, wow. It's Stevie Wonder. What else is there to say? Fave track on here is hard to pick because this album is delightfully relentless with banger after banger. Absolutely loved it, really brightened up my day. But if I had to pick a fave it would be Don't you worry bout a thing. It's got longevity for a reason just like all of his work. So danceable, refreshing, and undeniably bursting with talent.

Stevie at his height I think three of the albums from the early/mid 70's "Talking Book" "Innervisions" and "Songs In The Key Of Life" are Stevie's best and most creative work. you can hear his musical progression through these and I think "Songs" is his Opus Magnum. But This is a close second with Talking Book. The most revelatory thing is that the genius played most of the instruments on most of the tracks. "He's Mistra Know It All" "Living For The City" "Too High" all favourites but to be fair there isn't a bad song on this album. Already in my collection and justifiably on this list.

The first thing upon listening to "Innervisions" is that it starts out very serious with "Too High"(drugs), "Visions"(why are things so bad) and " Living for the City" (inequality) but turns out extremely varied also including two love ballads, songs of hope and a latin-influence song. There is an earlier 70's funk sound to some songs while other tend towards more straught-forward pop. Stevie performed all the instruments on 7 of 9 songs. I can only think of Prince as a comparable. To me what makes this album standout is the use and mix of all the synthesizers, the Moog bass and all other instruments. The use of the Hohner clavinet (wah wah sound) in "Higher Ground" is worth getting this album alone. Outstanding vocal range and background vocals. No dead weight or bad songs on this record. Outstanding.

I like this. "Visions" is beautiful. Higher Ground is a super hit, I've heard it before. And Stevie Wonder is a genius, can't make bad music. Five star.

A brilliant commentary on racism, spirituality, love, and introspection combined with Stevie Wonder’s musical genius. A moving experience with each listen.

Dabbling into subject matters such as racial injustice, drug abuse, hypocritical leaders, empowerment and, of course, love, Innervisions stands as perhaps Stevie Wonder's answer to What's Goin' On; equally as immersive and innovative musically, Innervisions captures Stevie in the turning point of his career as he completes the transformation from prodigy to prolific genius. An incredible chapter in his incomprehensible 70s era.

Good

I'm shocked again by the newness of Stevie Wonder. Some of it's thanks to my naïveté, but plenty is due to the enduring influence and complexity of Innervisions. That he was able to put out another great album just a year later is amazing, but this collection contains the better songs by far. What a journey I went on, with the music often mismatched emotionally but always excellent.

Rating: 9/10 Best songs: Too high, Visions, Living for the city, Golden lady, Higher ground, Don’t you worry about a thing

idk yet

Smooth

I have so much love for this album!!! Even down to the cover art which is a stunning 70s DELIGHT. Pure talent, innovation, passion, and artistry is conveyed in this masterpiece. It's devastating and exploding with joy all at once. Packed with soul and important messages. Ugh I just love it so much!! Epic 5 star perfection, thank you so much Stevie for bringing us this album. What a legend.

Stevie's finest album. Has long been a favourite of mine. A true musical genius, plus possessor of possibly the finest vocal cords ever gifted to a human.

One of Stevie Wonders masterpieces. Brilliant album.

"New york City, skyscrapers and everthing" if I could have given this album a 6 I would have. Probably one of the best albums of all time and Stevie's masterpiece. The songs and the lyrics tell a story of america that is both joyous and dark. From mishra know it all to living for the city the story of injustice is told. But there's more to it love songs party songs. This is not just story of oppression but joy and hope as well. Dont you worry about a thing.

Putting this album on is like instant sunshine. Great songs (pretty much every song is a winner) are married with a funky backing (love the synth/keyboard sound), immaculate arrangements topped with Stevie Wonder's creamy sublime vocals.

This was WONDERFUL. Stands the test of time - Stevie is a legend. Every song is a catchy party starter. Loved it!

Such a great album especially for someone who does not gravitate towards that music at all. It was enjoyable the entire way through

Amazing album. Loved his vocals and the lyrics.

How can this album not give you anything but wonderous joy?

Just wonderful. The invention and joy on this beautiful thing 😍

Brilliant

one of the great

Stevie Wonder is a musical genius and this is a perfect album.

Insane to think that at this point Stevie Wonder was 11 years into his recording career, but only 23 years old. This album is an amazing work from an amazing artist, what else can I say?

trop heureuse de passer à Stevie Wonder après l'enfer Yank Crime, je décide de mettre 5, ça tombe bien l'album est super

Terrific songs and a video that captures it time perfectly. So many highlights of his career on this album.

Great album showing Wonder’s range. Collected 3 songs on my playlist.

I knew Stevie was funky but not this funky. The musicality and song writing is next level genius.

4.6 + Part of Wonder's five-string master opus of albums from the early 70s. Every song on here is great.

This is an album that is of the highest significance. Although less harmonious than the rest of the album, I credit Living for the City for helping me as a child to be sensitive that life was less fair for others than it was for me, and to realize how scary that must be. I think it is one of the most important songs of the 1970's. I personally have a very small collection of vinyls that I retain and this is one of them. All in Love is Fair is the lowest point for me, but it's still extremely good. Near perfect album.

Cool uses of ambient sound and spoken bits on several tracks. I didn't realize "Don't you worry bout a thing" was a Stevie track I thought Incognito did that themselves. Fantastic album.

Probably his best album. Automatic 5 stars.

One of my faves of all time. Stevie, what a legend.

I had no idea. Incredible vocals. Emotion. Wow.

Great

Might be premature, but new favourite Stevie album? August 10, 2022

Wat een fijn album, niet verwacht

Perfect sunny day album

It's Stevie. Living For the City and Higher Ground are enough to earn the five stars.

A Stevie Opus Belfarcha

Just a genuinely fun album - plus I love his Higher Ground

Incredibly soulful and impressive. The passion and heatedness of the message he is trying to convey perfectly pairs with the funky music.

Stevies nästbästa.

I’m not sure how I’ve managed to live my entire life never listening to an entire Stevie Wonder album, but that was the sad state of affairs until today. I absolutely love Innervisions. It’s soulful, sometimes jazzy style and fabulous synths were an instant love match. “Living For The City” was already one of my favorite Stevie songs. And I went in to this loving “Higher Ground,” “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing,” and “All In Love Is Fair.” So I already knew half the album. But the context the album provides elevates these great tracks further. So nice spending some quality time with Stevie Wonder. This album easily exceeded my high expectations.

Freaking finally! I've been waiting for this one. These songs are gorgeous, deep, and timeless. They help me celebrate the good times and help get me through the bad. Love it love it love it.

I am familiar with most of these tracks from compilation albums from Stevie. It is well worth the time to experience an album as originally intended. Love it!!

In 1973, this must have been light-years ahead of its time. Really an amazing album. 5/5.

One of my MANY favorite Stevie Wonder albums! I absolutely love every Stevie album from his 70s output. I think Golden Lady is my favorite from this album. I'd give this album a MILLION stars if I could!

Super chill, not as intense as Songs In The Key Of Life. 'Jesus children of America' is pretty badass. nice key changes. ;'don't you worry about a thing' sounds like sex and the city theme song ripped off the first bit

oh yes baby 🤭🤘🏼 → 1. golden lady 2. don’t you worry ‘bout a thing 3. he’s misstra know-it-all

C’est toujours spécial avec Stevie. Ça groove à mort, c’est harmoniquement très riche, les arrangement sont superbes, les mélodies aussi et les textes sont toujours en quète d’un monde meilleur, sans argne.

sorry my last review of Stevie Wonder (Fulfillingness’ First Finale) was pretty cringey I was fucking tired and while I really do love that album, I didn’t know how to put that love into words so what I said didn’t really make sense anyway, when I got this album, I listened to it a good 4-5 times in a row it’s criminally short but at least the songs have so much layer to them that upon each re-listen, I found myself noticing more and more genius subtleties behind the production anyway, I don’t know what else to say the Stevie Wonder trilogy (from this album to Songs in the Key of Life) is fucking incredible :)

Stevie is one of the most talented people in the world. He is a genius at writing and performing music. To create this entire masterpiece at 23 incredible. I’m in awe of how good Stevie Wonder is.

Classic! Banger after banger

Awesome.

Very emotional album with exceptional melodies.

I liked this album a lot. I don't really know what else to say about it. It makes me excited to listen to more Stevie Wonder. My favourite songs were probably Visions and Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing.

My spotify tells me I like 6 of the 9 tracks already, so I think this goes into the echelon. True genius at the peak of his powers.

Awesome, living for the city, higher ground

unreal as always