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 it’s a great album

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.

An eye-opening record. Beyond amazing.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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

You can't go wrong with Stevie Wonder. His unique vocals and heartfelt performances are fantastic.

Behold, one of the most likeable figures in the music world! Stevie Wonder is fantastic, and his music pretty much never fails to deliver. Innervisions has a versatile yet consistently high-quality setlist, with great high-energy blues-rock tracks like Living For The City, Higher Ground, Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing... I could go on. There aren't any bad tracks on here, though a couple are slightly forgettable because of a lack of any obvious musical hooks to keep the listener engaged. But the stronger tracks are interesting, exciting, soulful, and sung from the heart. According to my research, Innervisions is also a creative and musical milestone in Stevie Wonder's career. This album is the end of a transitional phase from mostly 60s-style ballads (and the "Little Stevie Wonder" persona) to a mature, musically complex, and self-performed style. And that self-performed element is a big one. Stevie Wonder plays nearly all the instruments on nearly all the songs here, and this sets the agenda for the albums to follow. Great singing. Great horns. Great guitar and bass. Great jazz-rock-jam drumming. 5/5 Key tracks: Living For The City, Higher Ground, Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing, He's Misstra Know-It-All, Too High

A Motown classic. Stevie Wonder at his finest.

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.

Easy 5 stars. Maybe not as perfect as “Songs in the Key of Life” but pretty damn close.

Stevie Wonder had a couple of big hits before and one album which really put him into the conversation of the best current Soul artists but it was THIS album which made him one of the best Soul artists of all time! It is full of incredible and forward thinking production, beautiful arrangements, incredible songwriting and just magical performances that makes this one of the essential listens for everyone. It is pure magic to the ears and it's even crazier when you realize that this isn't even considered his best album. (It's my favourite but most point ot Songs in the Key of Life) The Psychedelic Soul and Funk mix of 'Too High' gets the album started with a groovy and beautiful song full of incredible instrumental performances but also gets some of the conceptual ideas started. The song is hypnotic and enjoyable with many great moments and it delivers the whole way. A perfect song to start such an incredible album with. 'Visions' replaces the Funk with Folk and a surprising amount of Folk. This song is just Progressive and Psychedelic Folk with a very Soul-like vocal performance and while that sounds like a strange combination, Stevie pulls it off in the best way possible. It is a beautiful and yeah psychdedelic experience full of beautiful lyrics and ideas that some might even call philosophical. Do I need to say much more? This is perfect even when the placement of the song could've been improved as it is a very hard cut from the Funk, it still is just wonderful. The albums most forward thinking song is without a doubt 'Living for the City'. It mixes the Funk and Soul like we were used to and it even adds a little Rock into the song and how can you forget the crazy vocal performance that Stevie offers but that isn't necessarily why this song is so good and viewed as so influental. It is the "weird" second half that adds some Spoken Word & Radio Recordings mix that isn't just there as a nice add-on but actually as a conceptual continuation of what the song itself spoke about. It is there to get more people to understand what he wanted to achieve with the song and he absolutely delivered. The "actual" song returns and closes the song properly but still, this idea was a big thing in the way he implemented it. The slightly Smooth Soul 'Golden Lady' is an absolutely beautiful ending to the albums first half. It flows through the verses and the pre-chorus and the chorus itself is just the cherry on top. It is an absolutely stunning piece of Soul music and easily one of the albums best songs and also one of the best songs in Stevie Wonder's whole career. The second half is started with 'Higher Ground' which is a very groovy return to the strong Funk sound with the very, well, funky guitar and bass which absolutely drive the song. Stevie is absolutely killing it with these vocals and the whole way that the song is structured is just incredible. It not only flows but I feel like it flows so fast that you feel on some very strong substances that go far outside of LSD. This song makes me want to get so much energy out like I haven't moved in days. Perfect, it's a perfect song! 'Jesus Children of America' is one of the albums "worst" songs which crazy because it still is an absolutely incredible song with great Gospel vocals and some really well made bass and the whole song is just beautiful. It just fails to really take the edge that most songs here did. Incredible song and better than 90% of music ever but it isn't more, at least for me. Christians might go really crazy for this but I don't. I just really like it. The Smooth Soul returns on 'All in Love Is Fair' which is just a beautiful performance all the way through. I am just stunned by how emotional he sings on this song and it also speaks to me more with the topic. It is just so beautiful and incredibly performed that I am again thinking that this is a perfect song. The emotional and smooth sound is replaced with the Salsa inspired Latin Soul song 'Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing'. This track just wants to make you dance and groove until you're out of breath. The details with the maraca, the bongos and what else there's on here just gives this a very tropical feeling that adds even more to the dancy and warm song. Absolutely amazing song from start to finish! The album finishes with 'He's Misstra Know-It-All'. A very Pop Soul finale to the album that isn't overly energetic or overly relaxed. It's a beautiful mix of both that makes it a perfect closing track because no matter which sonic paths that the album took you prefer, you will enjoy this song from start to finish. And it again, is a perfect song like most the album is. favourites: Higher Ground, Living for the City, Golden Lady, Too High, Visions, Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing, He's Misstra Know-It-All, All in Love Is Fair least favourites: Jesus Children of America (still incredible) Rating: decent 10 https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes

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.

I'm reminded once again (this is my 2nd Wonder album from the list) how good a musician Stevie Wonder is. Some stunning songs on this album including one of my favourites, Higher Ground. Unfortunately there are a few I like a bit less because too poppy for me (Don't you worry about a thing) or tooo smooooth and romcom outro-like. But that's being picky, this album absolutely needs to be on the list esp. given how well it aged.

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.

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.

Music of My Mind Talking Book this album Fulfillingness' First Finale Songs in the KoL Should all be on this list - so far this seems to be the case.. (3rd SW album generated until now)

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

Awesome, living for the city, higher ground

Amazing

A pretty much flawless masterpiece.

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.

idk yet

Awesome.

Smooth

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.

All of the Stevie wonder singles that I’ve herd before tend to be the best of their time so I hope it’s the same in an album context… Well I wasn’t a massive fan of too high to be honest I get it’s appeal but it wasn’t really my kinda thing. Visions was beautiful and so tender definitely a massive step up in quality from the first song. Living for the city was the first song on the album that felt like a Stevie wonder song in the way that I know of him. It’s an amazing song though a proper groovy 7 minute opus with an awesomely tense bridge that is a true representation of how harsh the racism was at the time. The slamming piano starts off golden lady which eventually forms a funky piano groove it’s another great track. There’s a vortex of funk throughout higher ground an amazing track with brilliant lyrics to start off side two. Jesus children of American is also insanely funky but with a slightly deeper groove, towards the end of the track Stevie sounds like he’s fighting with those amazing backing singers. All in love is fair sounds like the climax of the album a brilliant dramatic sounding piano ballad with bohemian rhapsody esque piano playing. Don’t you worry bout a thing isn’t one of my favourites but there’s bits that I like for example the rather messy intro of Stevie speaking Spanish and the percussion on this is class. The album’s closer he’s misstra know it all is a brilliant closer certainly one of the more upbeat numbers on the album! I know the first track wasn’t to my tastes but the rest of it really was so I'll have to give it a 4.5/5 rounding up to a 5 as literally everything else was perfect!!!

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.

Classic! Banger after banger

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.

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

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!!

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

Stevies nästbästa.

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.

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

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

One of Stevie Wonders masterpieces. Brilliant album.

Perfect sunny day album

Sounds amazing. 10/10

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.

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.

A Stevie Opus Belfarcha

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

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

10/10. This was really good.

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

Here is a collection of songs that were crafted by a master and performed perfectly. Stevie Wonder is clearly a singular talent as a singer, musician, songwriter and performer. What a voice! Drawing from gospel and soul, bringing the funk and the spirit, Stevie tells stories that resonate just as true and important today as they were fifty years ago when he wrote them.

Good

The second of five albums from Stevie Wonder’s classic period, and an extraordinary piece work. These songs are incredibly polished and mature for someone so young.

unreal as always

Never listened to it and now glad that I did. Might be one of the best albums I've ever heard. 5/5

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

Very emotional album with exceptional melodies.

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

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.

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.

Love it! Nice to hum along

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

10/10 masterful

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!

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

Wat een fijn album, niet verwacht

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

"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.

Brilliant

Brilliant.

From Wiki - "Some reviewers were less enthusiastic. Jon Tiven from Circus argued that there was a lack of memorable material on the album: "Just when Stevie had some momentum going, he went and put together a concept album of homogeneous music and rather typical lyrics. Unlike his last two albums, there are no real low spots on this album, which I suppose is an improvement, but there are no songs on Innervisions which are truly outstanding either. There's no 'Superstition,' no 'I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever).' By constructing a solid ground from which to work, Stevie has lowered the ceiling, and put a damper on his talents." No truly oustanding songs? Bet Jon feels silly now. Stevie was 22-23yo when he made this - astonishing!

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

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.

Maravilhoso!

Probably his best album. Automatic 5 stars.

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.

“The fuckin’ crowded city!”

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

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

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

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😊