Innervisions

A masterwork.

Great album. 5 stars all the way. 70's Stevie is outstanding. Killer musicianship, killer vocals. Funky as can be.

Even with my limited musical taste, I can say that this is a very good album. There are only 2 songs that really vibed with me but it’s not because the rest are awful. It’s maybe just because I am not used to the genre.

What to say about Steveland Morris? He's my number one favorite artist of all time. This is one of his absolutely best albums. No skips, classics only.

Very very good. The ballads hold this one back though. I know Stevie can do better and I hope I get to hear another project of his very soon.

Stevie stelt natuurlijk nooit echt teleur, en dit 50 jaar oude album klinkt fris alsof het gisteren gemaakt is. Voor een oppervlakkig luisteraar als ik dreigt wel het gevaar dat je allerlei maatschappijkritische thema's in de teksten niet oppikt. Dan is er een hoorspelletje nodig (zwarte man komt aan in de grote stad en wordt prompt in de cel gegooid) om je er bewust van te maken dat het over meer gaat dan enkel vrolijke muziek.

Het album van het swingende Higher Ground, met het kleine rauwe randje van zijn stem. Jammer dat de rest van de nummers daar wat bij verbleken. Het is mij allemaal wat te degelijk, soms zelfs echt te saai.

Op een eerder album wisselde Stevie wonderschone nummers af met epische gedrochten. Het uptempo en funky werk is ook nu weer heerlijk en er staat maar 1 trage ballad op. En dat geeft een bijzonder lekker swingend plaatje, dat muzikaal gewoon top in elkaar zit. Ik twijfel zelfs om hier de maximale score voor in te zetten. En misschien moeten we dat maar weer eens een keer doen.

A great album, but unless you're a paid up Wonderfan it's not five stars. Make no mistake, Livin for the City, Higher Ground, Don't You Worry, Mr Know It All are all five - but that's not the whole album. No fan of Stevie syrup and Golden Lady is that, All In Love is Fair similarly.

The 70’s were an absolutely prolific time for Stevie and Innervisions kicks off what, in my opinion, he threw best albums. I struggled with whether it was a 4 or a 5, but ultimately there are songs on this album I could do without, so 4.

Album #3 in possibly the greatest 5 album run in the history of popular music. Just glad it fell on a Friday so I can listen all weekend. 5.0

Been really liking the Stevie Wonder

It had a really calming vibe but tbh I wouldn't listen to it again it wasn't really my cup of tea

SO GOOD

Great Stevie Wonder album.

Funky. Understand the Stevie love more.

Most of it is very groovy with cool bass lines and synths. There is also some out of genre songs that’s has elements of ballads or bossanova.

awesomeee

This album is very good and, to me, Stevie's vocals are the highlight.

I enjoyed this. Higher Ground is a good tune

Wonderful!

Steviee

Just a complete and tremendous album. So extremely talented

Jesus Christ this guy is talented. I relistened to this album again over the weekend. Wonder doesn’t have the best voice but it is distinctive and the songs are just so great. He’s an amazing songwriter. This is the first five star album I’ve heard. Everyone wants to be a little like Stevie.

Really good music, uplifting and enjoyable

Fabulous as always!!

meeeeeh. there's so much going on here that I don't know what the hell is going on.

Didn't connect with this album at all. I can appreciate the political undercurrents and overtones but honestly it just didn't really resonate with me. The chorus of Too High walked so Jacob Collier (and Bill Wurtz) could run I get what Living For The City was trying to do but I don't think it stuck the landing Jesus Children of America was a flop Golden Lady and Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing were pretty good, and I wanted to like All In Love Is Fair but just couldn't I think my first 1* album of the project? And I thought I'd like it as I really like the best of Stevie. Slightly sad but there are many many more

Good album, my favourite of the tracks was Jesus Children Of America and He'd Misstra Know-It-All.

The musicianship on the album is undeniable. Some tracks of the upbeat tracks have some minor chords and that's an interesting effect. My only knock is that it sometimes skews a little light for my taste. The album has one foot in the past with Soul elements that remind one of classic motown, and one foot in the future with elements of smooth R&B. I personally prefer the former by a wide margin.

Absolute fire. Def a classic I will return to.

There's this Howard Hawks quote where he was like, a great movie is three good scenes and no bad ones. If you apply that logic to music, Innervisions would easily fit the definition of a great album. Higher Ground, Living for the City and Misstra Know It All are all peak Stevie, and there really aren't any bad songs on here.

Great album really enjoyed it

Wondrous , but not superstitious

It was pretty average for me. Don’t love Stevie wonder but this stuff was pretty good. Top Tracks: 1) Visions 2) Higher Ground 3) All In Love Is Fair

Kind of mid. Kells is clear of Stevie but shout out to him anyway

Ok

I mean, it's Stevie. The vocals, the funk guitar, the driving rhythms, there's nothing not to love. I particularly always love how much individual voice the bass has in every song. The one thing keeping thus from 5 stars is that the album doesn't play to me like its meant to be listened as one piece. Favorite song is of course living for the city, the music and the message.

Never really listened to Stevie wonder. Hard not to give this 5 stars.

Loved

Love it

Rigtig hyggealbum la´ baggrundsmusik til fredagsbaren.

Started not finished

Toe-tapping songs, funky synth grooves, serious social commentary, ànd amazing vocals. When you learn that he played all the instruments on 7 of the 9 songs...genius.

Stevie wonder was good.

Awesome album with some great songs. I own this on vinyl and listen frequently. This has some of Stevie's biggest bangers with Higher Ground and Living for the City. I also really enjoy He's Misstra Know It All and Golden Lady for deeper cuts.

Just some good ol feel good music. Listen again: yes Purchase for my collection: yes Favourite Song: Higher Ground

This was better than I expected. I quite like what I’ve heard of him, but there are a few songs that are incredibly overplayed. This was better. Couple of big hits mixed with some quite nice soul/funk(?). There were a couple of tracks where I thought the music didnt suit his vocals (second track in particular), but overall quite canny. Think this might be a grower too so I’ll be back

Pure funk, no overlap with jazz or soul, just funk. The first song and higher ground are basically rock riffs but played on funk bass, enjoyed both. The genre and album as a whole isn't really my thing and I was tiring of it by the time it ended.

Ah this is a good album. Sure, many of the tracks last too long, but that is classic for the era. Visions, Higher Ground, and Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing are great. Quite surprised this is the first Stevie Wonder album - it is the first of three excellent albums, culminating in Songs in the Key of Life. Looking forward to more wonder.

Not listened to much Stevie but I found this to be fairly enjoyable. He's got a great voice and the Soul Funk sound blends well. Might listen to this again because I think it might grow on me. Highlights: Living For The City Higher Ground

Listened to this before. Not sure Stevie wonder if quite my thing but it's pretty enjoyable. Higher ground is a great track. Visions is good too 3.5

I had heard this once before. Great album. Best: Too High, Living for the City, Higher Ground, Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing.

Wow! All the bangers are here. A wonderful album showcasing Stevie at his best!

Este es un álbum épico. Living for the City y Higher Ground son temazos. El resto del disco no se queda atrás.

Plus mélancolique que je ne m’y attendais, mais quand même funky et groovy.

Nojaa

No

Really enjoyable album from top to bottom. Hits the nostalgia factor as I heard a bunch of these songs often while growing up.

Solid album, just couldn't get into more than a handful of songs. 2.5/5

Kind of unbelievable in terms of the top to bottom quality of the songs on this record, and the funky stylings, a bit of everything. Quite possibly the best Stevie record, which is saying something.

Well it's Stevie Wonder so of course its very good 4/5

Easy to over-analyze this one. A sonic gem. Stevie wonder at his musical, spiritual, and intellectual peak. Absolutely astonishing record. I could listen to Higher Ground all day every day. Some other brilliant cuts that I was unfamiliar with like Too High and Misstra Know It All make this a great listen. Will revisit many times I’m sure.

fundamental

I love Living in the City. The rest wore a bit thin. And how many times do I need to hear the words ‘Golden Lady’? My patience wore out.

This is a gorgeous album! Living for the City is an all-time favorite.

I feel very much the same about this album as I did "Talking Book," which is that when the songs hit — in this case, "Higher Ground" and "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing" — it's brilliant. But I have to admit, even on some the more acclaimed songs — "Too High" and "Living For The City," specifically — I was less enamored. I expect it was a different experience hearing these songs at the time of their release, but today, "Too High" struck me as a pedantic take on addiction, and "Living For The City" had a hint of that a well. The latter song is still excellent, and to be fair there are lots of pointed and evocative lyrics, but I guess I'm feeling caught in the middle. I either loved a tune or felt indifferent, and while Wonder didn't linger on musical ideas the same way he did on "Talking Book," there was a little of that going on here. I am amazed at the visual imagery in Wonder's lyrics — he does it quite a bit. But, I'm going with a 3-star — the two albums we've reviewed both rank closer to 3.5 in my book, so I'm balancing them out. I own both of these albums, but I don't spin them often, and I guess that says something. I love the tunes that speak to me, and the others sorta fade into the ether.

Yeah, I mean, it's Stevie in the '70s. My only complaint is his lyrics are a bit heavy-handed. But damn, those grooves are undeniable.

Nice record. Sounds great. Three stars.

A-ma-zing, truly a timeless album. Stevie wonder? More like, Stevie with the wonderful lyrics and melody in his works.

funky and groovy

Leuk. Gewoon een leukie. Mooie stem goeie instrumentals

Stevie is like a banger factory, no misses

Chill vibe

Funky juicy goodness

Not bad

Standout Track- Too High

Funky

Beautiful, funky, occasionally gritty. Particularly liked "all in love is fair". Only high expectations prevented a top rating.

BALLIN 10/10

It's not bad music, and I can see why he's popular, but I wouldn't actively listen to this.

Stevie is good

Besides Living for the City & Higher Ground, quite liked 'He's Misstra Know-It-All'. Can't quite give it a 4 but it's a solid 3.5 for me.

So god damn funky. So god damn good. Favorite track: Higher Ground

Pure perfection, not a note out of place, flawless vocals, wonderful lyrics. One of my all-time musical heros.

I like the funky and soulful sound of this album. Might revisit.

Easy "A" for me. My parents had this album on vinyl, so I have listened to it many, many times. It's got that 70s sound!

Flows well, stand out singles, some unknown bangers

Great album. When I took a history of rock class in college I wrote a paper about this and how it was made with it's technical innovations as well as just solid musicianship from Stevie. One of the music GOATs and 10/10 for me.

B Too High 2 Visions 3 Living For the City 3 Golden Lady 4 Higher Ground 3 Jesus Children of America 4 All In Love Is Fair 4 Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing 5 He's Misstra Know-It-All 4 On the first listen, I did not like this. The only tracks I knew beforehand were Living For the City, Higher Ground, and Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing. None of them sounded as good as I remembered. However, as I listened the first time, I had a negative gnat flying around me saying how bad Coloring Book was. This gnat's absolute negativity altered my mind and almost ruined Stevie Wonder for me. Luckily, woofmeow, I mean the gnat, wasn't present for my subsequent listens. #StevieOverEverything

en stark trea. den sista låten är nog den bästa. svag öppning på albumet med två dåliga låtar som etta och tvåa.

Really enjoyed this. A couple songs will be in the regular rotation

Beautiful album. Stevie makes complex, genius song writing catchy. One of the greatest of all time.

A total masterpiece. Encompassing the whole of humanity. Amazing vocals and keys playing thru our.

Loved it. I had forgotten how political Stevie Wonder's songs could be.

What a journey! Utterly brilliant. 5

YESSSS

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.

A real masterpiece and necessity in any collection.

Good album, not Stevie's best, but still a great listen!

Not a fan of the spoken word parts, but at least they're short. Overall very good though. Love the synth on Living For The City. I always found the chorus of Golden Lady a bit weak, but the rest of the song is really lovely.

Very good, probably better in context.

socially conscious lyrics with a background of solid funk/rock. great album.

Meh. I'm beginning to think I'm not a SW fan.

There seems to be a "coming to truth" moment where more discussion about how this album is MUCH better than the go-to masterpiece that is 'Songs'. I'm fully riding behind this narrative. And it doesn't make ANY kind of sense why this album isn't unanimously rated 5s across the board.

I’m never going to dislike a Stevie Wonder album but I’m yet to love one either

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.

Pretty meh the whole way through. Too one-note and simplistic.

Very beautiful album, impressed with "don't you worry 'bout a thing". In love with the synths and funky pianos

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.

Pretty good.Stevie wonder is great,this album isn’t his best but it’s still a great listen.Higher ground is obviously the best song.

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.

I love a bit of Stevie. This isn't his best, but it is a real nice, funky time. He obviously has great soul and presence, and a WONDERful voice. I really love the ballads most on this album, I think they're reeeal nice. 3.5 rounded down.

Нейтрален для меня. Временами были интересные мотивы, но они быстро переходили в скучные. 3.

Never heard a Stevie Wonder album. From the very first song, this album is so funky and soulful. Amazing.

Some good famous tracks, but the rest really wasn't up to much.

I’m had to wait until track 5 (Higher Ground) before I started to enjoy this, then found the rest of the album absolutely fine! Not my thing, but quite a pleasant Sunday morning listen.

Nope! Didn't do it for me at all 1

Not his best but definitely a good album and I especially like higher ground.

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

Funky

I love a bunch of Stevie Wonder songs. There's a lot I don't really like though. There aren't many SW albums I'd play all the way. Innervisions happens to her one of these few I do enjoy in it's entirety. Living For The City and Higher Ground are two of my favorite Stevie songs, a bunch of others I really dig, and a few I don't love but I won't skip either. I've been playing this album consistently for about 30 years now. Easy to call it a must listen 5 star.

Not bad

5stars glad I’m listening to the entire album.

This might be one of the best-produced and mixed albums ever. This is a soul masterpiece with Wonder's songwriting shining throughout the album. There are several songs that bring up important issues in the society in which Wonder grew up. The best song on the album is definitely Living for the City and it is a prime example of how Wonder criticizes injustices that black people face in daily life. When the interlude begins, you get thrown into and get to hear how unjust life is/was for black people in the US. Some other key tracks are Too High, which features a funky synth bass and a fun harmonica solo, Golden Lady, which has a Jamerson-esque bassline and the rest of the instrumentation supports the song really well, Higher Ground, one of, if not, the funkiest song ever created. The fact that Wonder played most of the instruments on this album just goes to show how good of a musician Wonder is. Standout Tracks: Too High, Living for the City, Golden Lady, Higher Ground, Jesus Children of America, He's Misstra Know-It-All

meh, it's alright. Higher Ground 9/10

I definitely like my Stevie more funky than souly, so if we just pretend that Innervisions starts when the drums kick in on 'Living for the City', I am all for the 5/5 rating. 'Higher Ground' is one of the all time songs, and Stevie was, what 22 years old when he wrote this record? Incredible.

Little Stevie Wonder really grew up on this one. Mature, funky, soulful and a small wonder both instrumentally (of course, performed almost exclusively by Stevie himself) and compositional.

From Stevie Wonder's peak period, "Innervisions" is generally hailed as a masterpiece for a reason. To think Wonder wrote, produced, and played most of the instruments for the album, making it even more impressive. A work of amazing fusion of genre, style, theme, and sound, it is hard to sit still while listening. There is so much going on in this album musically and lyrically, it is difficult not to consider it a classic work of popular music, one of the greatest.

This is such a great album, couldn't rate any less than 5 stars. From beginning to end it's just great compositions all round

5/5

Viihdyin, helppo kolmonen

Ihan huippu. Viikonloppua vasten budjettiväsäilyjen äärellä toimi ja levy meni ihan siivillä. Kuten työtkin.

This is great music!! Embarrassed I had never listened to Stevie Wonder before

sweet album cover, classic

Solid 4-4.5

Fantastic jazz instrumentals and top notch lyrics from Stevie makes this one of the best soul albums ever.

I'd list my favorites on here but it would make this too long. Widely see one of Wonder's best albums you can see why. The political commentary under catchy hooks and great insrumentals almost hide the intent of the album. Almost. It's funk, it's latin, it's R&B, this album is pure gold.

Stevie Wonder is phenomenal!

Excellent album from Stevie Wonder at the beginning of his most creative period.

Fantastic!

Too good.

Minus some slower dragging numbers, it fires on most cylinders.

A nice and easy to listen to motown record Stand out songs: - Living For the City - He's Misstra Know-It-All

It's genuinely just not my thing, sorry. Felt a lot like listening to elevator music. The whole album just went by.

Living for the City, Higher Ground, & Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing are up there with the best of Stevie Wonder. I also really like All in Love is Fair. Didn't even remember that was a Stevie Wonder song; it always sounded like a hit from a Broadway musical to me. I could listen to any of this music on the radio & enjoy it all, but it's not my favorite genre.

A lot of the tracks felt more riff/vibe based, was expecting catchier tunes. Would probably grow on me with repeat listenings, but didn't immediately grab me.

After reading about how many consider this to be the magnum opus of Stevie's career, I definitely had some anticipation going into listening to this. What we got here is a silky smooth, perfectly mixed blend of soul, funk, and jazz, all capped off by some incredible vocal chops from Stevie himself. He glides his voice through songs like Too High along with some jazzy rhodes playing, really projects with some great storytelling in Living For the City, croons on tracks like All In Love Is Fair, and just turns into groovy machine of funk in songs like Higher Ground. It's a tremendously fun record to listen to as you appreciate an artist at the height of their talents, and Stevie's charisma all over this album makes you want to just let it replay.

Pretty cool classic vibe

Incredible. And this was his 16th album. Insane talent. Great album. I was unaware of its greatness. Higher Ground has always been a standout but all the songs are equally great.

Smack dab in the middle of an impeccable run, a lot going on but not a note out of place. Pretty sure he plays every instrument on these albums too. Insane amount of talent, plenty groovy. Easy “put it on and listen” 5 star record.

Good album. Starts off slow but picks up by the 3rd song. Did not care for "Too High" and "Visions" at all. Arguably three best songs are also the three that probably received the most airplay" "Living for the City", "Higher Ground" and "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing." Most impressive: Stevie Wonder reportedly played all the instruments. Also, was surprised to read that this was his 17th album.

"Higher Ground" "Living for the City"

Great album. Living in the city is a song to make you laugh, cry, groove, and lament the black experience all at the same time.

what a great album; still great today in all respects.

a delightful album. stevie wonder mixes soul and funk in such a beautiful way. i can think of no better example than the classic opening to "higher ground". beautiful and catchy. but like you'd expect from an artist like stevie wonder, there's even a pinch of latin in the opening of "don't you worry 'bout a thing"! his voice is truly beautiful. wonder is great with a variety of songs, but with the soft, emotional songs, there is something special when he holds a note. "all in love is fair" destroyed me when i first heard it. legitimately, leave me here to die. my perception of wonder, as a millennial, is that he's an apolitical musician with a focus on soulful, romantic songs. that assessment isn't fair anymore. i knew of the song "living for the city" but only the single version. sure, wonder isn't shoving his comments on society in your face, but he doesn't need to. the full version speaks for itself, and its story is forceful. also, to be fair, it just a good song, musically. i admire the ability to create a good song with a powerful purpose and great lyrics! a good example of his songwriting prowess.

I wasn't familiar with most of the songs on this album, so I was surprised to find Stevie Wonder in somewhat of an experimental, progressive form here! This album strikes a very lovely balance between funk and soul and maintains that all throughout. This not quite a 4 for me, but I really want to give this more than a 3. So rounding it on up! This is just an incredibly well done album from start to finish.

i think this was a repeat😅

"Higher Ground" is one of Stevie's best, and "Living for the City" is classic as well. Rounding up from 3.5.

Of the Stevie Wonder albums we've listened to thus far, this is my favorite. He definetly found his own groove here. Living for The City & Higer Ground are classics, and the rest was quite enjoyable. I can also see how this particular album must've inspired modern R&B/pop artists. 4 stars.

Favorite album from my favorite artist.

Not a single dud on the entire album. Definitely worth revisiting. Best tracks are Too High and Living for the city

I did enjoy this album. Nothing really stuck out to me however.

Funky and soulful. Stevie is a great singer with a nose for the catchy verse. I was surprised to enjoy so many songs on this album. Great for casual listening!

A Wonder-ful experience. 4.5/5

Can we get Ground Higher ? Too High... Mocny bop

Actively listened to this one, and it's one of my favorites. The best album I've listened to so far.

sometimes art from the past just seems more naive than today’s, i mean mostly the lyrics, maybe it was just a better world

-STEVIE WONDERRRRR -very excited about this -GOD i forgot how nice stevie wonders voice is -first two songs are pretty average to me, redeeming quality is his voice -LOOOOVE living for the city -AND YOU CAN BET HE. BARELY MAKES A DOLLAR -golden lady is cuuuuute -HIGHER GROUND another favorite of mine -don’t you worry about a thingggg also love that one -overall i love stevie wonder and this album is an easy four stars for me

A funkylicious bonanza to groove and bop to, some really beefy twang of the bass and sharp snaps of the cymbal gives the old ear holes a nice night out.

Best singer oat

Unbelievably sick. Stevie is the king.

yeah what else could you want. instant easy 5, i’ll take stevie any day

Tää on hyvä! Ollut dj-työkaluna jo pidempään! Pyöristyy neloseen. 4/5

Ikisuosikkeja taas. En tiedä, miten Stevie saa siirappisetkin biisit skulaaman niin hyvin. Tässä ehkä Visions on hieman väsähtänyt ajan saatossa, mutta muuten täyttä timangia. Too High ja Higher Ground törkeän kovia.

Ai jai, sieltä taas mestari iskee! 4/5

I'm familiar with his biggest hits, but I've never done a deep dive into his albums. This was a really great album and I'm looking forward to checking out more of his work. Also I didn't know that "Higher Ground" By RHCP was a cover song until now. I was wondering what they meant by "Stevie says" in the other song, but never made the connection. Very cool!

Got some hits, overall good album 3.6

5/5, Classic Stevie, one of my favorite albums. So glad I got to relisten to it. He's Misstra Know It All and Higher Ground are on multiple playlists of mine.

Not just one, but several classic Stevie Wonder tracks.

Toujours d’la bonne vibe, moins ambitieux que Songs in the Key of Life mais très solide tout de même. EDIT DU FUTUR: JE SUIS D'ACCORD AVEC MA CRITIQUE ORIGINALE, MAIS ÇA MÉRITE QUAND MÊME UN 5, ÇA SURPASSE GRAND NOMBRE D'ALBUMS SUR CETTE LISTE

A perfect 70s funk album - amazing songwriting, stellar vocals and impressive variety! Easily some of the best Stevie Wonder I've listened to!

This was a great album. Stevie has some great hits but the songs I hadn't heard before were also very enjoyable.

Yes! Stevie is so smooth vocally, great groove to this album. And a good mix of mega hits with some stuff I hadn’t heard before and it was all great.

I remember when this album came out and how revolutionary it was. Some of the tracks are beginning to sound a bit dated now, but "Too High" and "Higher Ground" are still relevant. The stand out track, of course, is "Living for the City" which even by today's standards is stupendous in its scope, and unfortunately, is more relevant than ever.

When the music is as fun and varied as Innervisions, its hard not to enjoy it. Stevie Wonder's voice sounds unbelievably smooth here. Effortlessly singing and matching the piano cuts, he's able to invite you in to his world without making you feel overwhelmed by his personal "innervision." Good musicians are supposed to bring you to their ecosystem, great musicians make you want to stay.

Personal Enjoyability (out of 40): 31 Consistency of Quality (out of 25): 19 Keeps Interest (out of 25): 20 Album Flow (out of 10): 8 Overall 78/100 ★★★★ Quick Review: No two songs sound the same but the quality is consistent throughout. Living for the City has always been a great song but is even more so in context of the album. Side Two of the record is on of the best that I've reviewed so far.

A real classic. Not personally a music genre I love, but I can appreciate the skill and talent that went into this.

Pretty great Stevie Wonder tracks. Some new ones for me. Pretty varied songs, liked the new ones. Solid 4!

This album was just okay to me. It started off kinda strong, as I enjoyed Too High and Living For The City a bit! Unfortunately as the album went one, I just didn't find much for me here. Higher Ground is a good song, but other than that, I just don't have much to say. I do think this is a good album, just not for me.

For the most part I thought this was a good album. It could have used a little more funk than soul as it got a little slow at times. But first full album I've listened to from Stevie and felt it was solid. I was already familiar with Living for the City and Higher Ground, but the rest of the album were a first time listen. I wonder how many people were surprised to know Higher Ground was not a RHCP song? I also wonder if Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five "stole" a little from the Living for the City song where they get arrested by the NYPD? Good listen and also enjoyed quite a few songs. All in Love is Fair, especially the piano, Don't Worry About a Thing, Jesus Children in America and He's Misstra Know-It-All. Again, was hoping for a little more up tempo and more funk but enjoyed overall. Didn't quite bring the excitement level where I thought, so I'm going to leave in the middle of the road. 3

Not my favorite SW album but not my least favorite either. Still Iconic as fuck. Still a couple of really good tracks including a cover of RHCP's Higher Ground! Wow! 3

3 So, Stevie Wonder definitely has songs I like, but I think this album and Fulfillingness' First Finale have cemented for me that I’m just not the world’s biggest fan of his. I know that’s probably sacrilege, but I really haven’t been blown away by anything I’ve heard on either album. That’s not to say anything about them is bad, but my general impression of each has been “that was fine”. There are highs and lows, with the lows on this one for me being the first two songs right out of the gate (those and the Jesus song) - I really didn’t feel like this album started picking up steam until Living for the City. From there, I generally found everything pretty enjoyable, with Higher Ground being a highlight, but I gotta say (prepare yourself for further sacrilege), I prefer the Chili Peppers version - and yes, this is as someone who just dunked on this era of theirs twelve albums ago. There’s just so much more energy to their version that I think benefits the tune greatly, but admittedly I say that as someone with a natural disposition to punk music, so do with that what you will. After a bit of a lull with the aforementioned Jesus tune and All in Love is Fair, the Latin-inspired Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing jumped out to me as a jarringly different, but fun tune, and it’s culmination into He’s Misstra Know-It-All was something I felt satisfying enough for the album’s conclusion. Don’t feel like I have a ton else to say. Has fun, funky moments, but nothing I can confidently say I loved. Think Stevie is just going to be one of those guys I opt for individual songs over albums if I choose to listen.

Innervisions nos muestra una espectacular colección de canciones de R&B, soul y rock ‘n roll. El genio de Wonder se desprende de cada track del álbum, especialmente en “Leaving for the City” y “Higher Ground”. Un real indispensable del Motown y un muy buen punto de partida en la discografía de Stevie.

So I skimmed this faster than I should have, but I think I need to give it a five, which is nuts. It's such an iconic Stevie sound, with insane energy and such a Groove to it. Need to play this again.

People keep on learnin'

Pure genius.

16ème album de la légende Stevie. Album très accompli. Des belles de soul et blues. Une voix pas si folle selon moi, mais le son est superbe. Gros coup de coeur pour Higher ground. Note méritée et non volée.

Were you to distil my musical dna into 50 albums, this would be one of them. I prefer this album to songs in the key of life. Livin for the city is an astounding song with incredible production. From the hard funk of Higher ground to the pop sensibility of golden lady. The hard brutal politics of mistra know it all. For me the standout is Jesus children of America. The response and call in it is so so cool. It’s really the state of black music, 1973-1983. It’s all killer, no filler. 10 stars.

His 16th album. I had no idea he was so prolific, or had a record deal at age 12, and they say here is was at the height of his powers - from his “classical period” this is one of his best, most perfect works (3 consecutive Grammy best album awards in the 70’s - and he not only defined the sound of the 70s, he is a joyful voice for so many feelings, moments and places - thats a legacy and influence). Thai album, I learned, is considered “his the most consistent, most coherent and most perfect of all Stevie Wonder albums“ . And yes, I found it spectacular for so many reasons. His beautiful warm and delicate voice. Motown is so soulful enjoyable happy and upbeat. And then the emotion evoked, when understanding it an important political / social document on post 60’s disappointment - the promise that didn't materialise. Succinctly summarised here ( I am neither expert nor succinct enough to do better): https://somethingelsereviews.com/2015/08/06/stevie-wonder-innervisions/ So onwards... MY IMPRESSIONS Simply put its a beautiful album. Very cohesive in sound. Agreed. Fascinating wonderfully and elevating . He does tender, beautiful, intelligent and strong simultaneously. Moving if you actually sit , pause, and listen to understand what he is singing about. Standout tracks for me?(so hard to choose) Higher Ground. Summary Does it belong on a 1001 list? (1-5) 5 yes. Personal Enjoyment (1-5) 5 Will I listen again? Yes Final score. On easy 5. What a standout talent and impact for all of us... not to mention so many other albums spanning decades, the “other” version of Happy Birthday and its significance to many Americans. Entertainer, and true leader and culture shaper.

Stevie and the Fender Rhodes, what a sound. Like George's slide guitar work, it is unique, as soon as you hear it you know it's Stevie. Too High is a very mid seventies Stevie sound, delightful. As is Visions, a beautiful lyric and the tune the very definition of nostalgia, the ache in the theme and the music. Then he brings all that together in Living for the City, a low key undercurrent sustained by a straining vocal line, you can feel the power and the anger of the man. Three tracks in and I'm blown away Dimery death freaks. The refrain, as he la de das his way into the next chapter, sure enough. Fuck me no one writes like this anymore, no one. And Kanye is a genius apparently, not a whole lot of sampling to create the vibe going on here, just brilliant song writing and musicianship. The slow build to Golden Lady points to another direction, how many paths can this guy go down in one album? And that gorgeous tune slides into Higher Ground, say what? Ok that's enough, you get the mortician's drift, as the formaldehyde is arraigned before your soon to be corpse, ask them to keep you compos mentis long enough to hear this astonishing record before they turn you add you into Lenin's Tomb..

The first I heard of Little Stevie Wonder was Hey Harmonica Man in 1964. But it was the funky Uptight (1965) & the glorious I Was Made To Love Her (1967) that made me a big fan. His version of Blowin’ In The Wind (1966)was Bob with a beat, & his cover of The Beatles’ We Can Work It Out (1970)is to this day one of the great cover versions. At the same time, in the late 60’s, he had dropped the “Little” & had a string of hit singles that started with For Once In My life (1968), which he had not written & had already been recorded by Tony Bennett & would soon be covered by Sinatra. My Cherie Amour(1969) followed, then another non-original, Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday (1969). These were all big hits, but were the kinds of songs that were soon being performed in RSL clubs by passing tenors. I should know, I worked in an RSL Club every weekend from mid-1973 till the end of 1975. These tunes were butchered regularly. So by the 70’s, Stevie had mastered a lot of styles. And this was nowhere more obvious than on his 1972 l.p., Talking Book. It contained the biggest RSL club crossover of the 70’s - the self-penned You Are The Sunshine Of My Life. I heard that song performed so many times. Yet for the same album he writes & performs one of the landmark funk tracks of the 70’s - Superstition. And, as usual, plays most of the instruments himself. He was at the top of his game when he recorded the tracks for Innervisions. I ate the album up when it was released. He wrote, arranged & produced all 9 songs, played all the instruments on 3 of them, & most of the instruments on the others. And his songwriting goes to another level. He Deals with drug abuse in the funky opening track Too High. He had embraced synthesisers and you get them from the opening verse. The final track, He’s Misstra Know-It All is a blistering attack on Richard Nixon. And, in between, you get 2 of his greatest songs : Side 1 Track 3 - Living For The City - it was one of the first songs to deal with systemic racism & also to use street sounds, sirens & spoken dialogue. He played all the instruments and it is 7&1/2 minutes of blues/soul greatness. Which was covered soon after by both Ray Charles & Ike & Tina Turner. And the opening track on Side 2 & one of the finalists in the Funkiest-Song-Of-All-Time Competition : Higher Ground. Unbelievably funky. Funky white Boys Red Hot Chili Peppers were right into it. Still the most successful cover they ever recorded (1989). So around the time I bought the album, I was getting drunk one night with my cousin Michael, We ended up back at his house in Guilford. It was a late night and I remember him going on & on about how great Stevie Wonder’s version of You Are The Sunshine Of My life was & playing it over & over. He was a fan of the club-style Stevie song. He wasn’t interested in the funky Stevie. And that was okay. I don’t have many cousins. So I’ve always enjoyed any quality time I’ve had with Michael. It was all good. I told him there was a song he’d like on the new album - All In Love is Fair was the lush ballad that would make it to the clubs. Pretty sure I heard it from the stage of Chester Hill RSL before I finished my stint there. And it had Bab’s imprimatur - Streisand released it as a single in 1974. And 30 years later I saw a performance of it one night in a talent show at Newtown High School of Performing Arts. Heartwarming to see another generation embrace Wonder’s talent. Stevie Wonder is one of the greatest - without a doubt. And the genius of these compositions is there for all to see.

Stevie Wonder is one of the all time great singer/songwriter/musicians/producers/harmonica players, and this is one of his great albums from the height (and midpoint) of his imperial phase, which Slate described as "the Greatest Creative Run in the History of Popular Music". The songwriting, singing, playing and production are all of the highest quality, resulting in a warm, inviting, complex, funky, and above all, deeply human record. This album contains a lot of examples of the genius of Stevie's songwriting. His songs are harmonically complex, rich and deep, full of surprises and moments that push against musical cliché (although he doesn't always avoid that in the lyrics, the ballads can tend towards the sentimental), but it all sounds so effortless and intuitive. I could happily listen to him sing the phone book. When I saw him in concert in 2008 in a massive arena, he started singing his first song, and I burst into tears. I love his singing so much. This is an absolute classic, and a record I would recommend to anyone as an album you should own and listen to regularly. I always hear something fresh when I listen to this record, but it is also familiar and inviting, and you can dance to it, too. This is as close to a perfect album as you will ever find.

An exceptional amount going on with this, between the music, the lyrics, and the pioneering forays into cutting edge synthesizer technology.

Cabulosamente bom na verdade, eu estou em 1/3 do álbum e já estou achando brabo. Golden Lady é bem boa. Muito bom mesmo, não esperava que Stevie Wonder fosse tão bom assim. Provavelmente 9/10

Absolutely gorgeous record with so much variety and emotion, possibly my favourite Stevie release (though SITKOL is obviously incredible as well)

Is every Stevie album a classic?

A side of Stevie I don't believe I've heard before. Fave tracks Too High, He's Misstra Know-It-All

Oh this is great! My fave of the Stevie Wonder albums we've had so far. Not nearly as much cloying sweetness. I gotta say I found "Too high" to be amusingly disconcerting! I've always thought of Stevie Wonder as being one of those amazingly wholesome family friendly entertainer types - quite a revelation to hear him singing about being stoned out of his gourd! 😆 Fave tracks - As well as "Too High", the ones I recognized and loved are "Higher Ground" and "He's Misstra Know-It-All", although that latter I think I know more from covers? "Living for the City" is great too...

Like the richest, silky smoothest hot chocolate. A good mix of the big hits you know and smooth jams you don't. A wonderfully laid back affair.

It was better then the other one I had previously. It had two songs which I really liked. But it’s not really my type of music.

Great listen this, real good summer vibez. Played Steveland.

Nettes Album vom Wunderkind der 70er Jahre. Gute Songs, aber auch solche die in den 70ern hätten bleiben können ;)

Mais um disco dele, mais soul e funk. Beleza, mas eu não tenho necessidade de aprofundar minha experiência musical, mesmo reconhecendo a importância cultural e artística.

Each song seemed to build on the last one. Some incredible stuff.

Classic

Very good album with the best songs being GREAT songs. I’d give it a 9/10.

GENIUS

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.

Stevie bringing it and bringing me in

Classic 10/10

Too much filler to justify the lofty ratings

Perfect, unusual album, unexpected sound!

I’m gonna stop the debate right now. This dude can see!

This was fine. Not the same energy as other albums by him and more of a swooning/swaying sound to the whole thing. Still decent but not Stevie at his finest, in my opinion.

Yeeessss let's go. Great album 4/5

Incredibly impressive and formidable, but ultimately maybe a bit less than the sum of its parts? It's still very good

Good production, some great songs. Overall, a pretty enjoyable album.

All of the pieces of Stevie's wonder (see what I did there) are in place, and it all falls perfectly into place on the track 'Higher Ground'. The infectious energy, spatial mixing, and lip biting funk is just about as near perfection as a song gets. The subdued tone of the remainder of the album, is a stark contrast. The closing tracks of 'Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing' and (to a lesser extent) 'He's Misstra Know-It-All', work to reprieve that energy with their steadily building structures. A good album to be sure, but more one I'd pick songs from, then appreciate for its entirety.

it really hurts to give stevie anything less than a five. and it was so close to being a five too. i just think certain tracks dragged on a lil too long and overall, there was very little coherence between them. other than that tho ABSOLUTELY FIRE THIS MAN FUCKIN B R E A T H E S MUSIC

don't you worry bout a thing

(Don't read this until you've heard Living For The City for the first time. Trust me on this one.) A funky, soulful, groovy album with some excellent tracks that just slap. Living For The City blew me away though - How it opened about someone growing up in Mississippi, born to a poor family who did everything they could to raise and support him, but making the decision to move to the big city due to the discrimination he faced in Mississippi. It was just a really groovy song, and that synthesizer sounds amazing today, let alone nearly fifty years ago! It was the kind of thing that made me want to dance... At about four minutes in, I thought the song was playing its outro, implying the protagonist's next big step into his new life in the big city, ending on an open-ended note with him hailing the bus for New York City. That's not at all what happened. The song trailed off, with just the synths playing, the spoken dialogue and background noise telling the story about how he got framed for something, arrested, sentenced and incarcerated, his life ruined by racism and injustice. He's left as a homeless man roaming the streets of the city, and the song ends on a message, a moral, to make the world a better place. It's a real gut-punch and a reality check, and I think the worst part is the knowledge that there are still people experiencing this today. Progress has certainly been made, but these injustices and inequalities still exist. It's a wake up call, and a reminder that life isn't fair to everyone. "This place is cruel, nowhere could be much colder. If we don't change, the world will soon be over." How can a song be so groovy and danceable, yet so dark and powerful? The rest of the album is very good too, that groovy, funky sound that's just undeniably Stevie Wonder. It's a great album throughout, but Living For The City certainly takes the cake. To me this album is on par with Songs In The Key Of Life. I'm kicking myself to only now experiencing the legend that is Stevie Wonder, but what a journey it is getting to experience these things for the first time. Favourite: Living For The City

Good first album to listen to, just got this on vinyl. Still think the chilli peppers version of higher ground is better. I forgot how dramatic some of these songs are, has all R&B. 9/10

8/10

top

Not for me

Always a joy to listen to Stevie Wonder.

It's really good! Not quite as good as songs in the key of life so I guess I'll give it a 4 instead of a 5.

Heard it before without ever really listening. Stevie in his absolute prime.

Still relevant today, despite having tracks that reflect political and social society, Innervisions remains a pleasant listen to. Challenging at times, perhaps, but more than simply a necessary listen.

This is almost as perfect an album as you'll ever hear. I'm a bit jealous of anyone who is hearing it for the first time, because it's such a sublime experience. For an album that's 50 years old, it has barely aged a day. It's everything we expect of a Stevie Wonder album - smooth, groovy, elegantly arranged, eminently entertaining. The lyrics are earnest, thoughtful and spiritual, very much of their time but with a message that's relevant today in many ways. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing, Living For The City, All In Love Is Fair, Jesus Children Of America, He's Misstra Know-It-All, Higher Ground, Golden Lady, Too High, Visions

This album still sounds relevant today His lyrics hit home, and the music…fantastic Still have this in my collection

An obvious five star choice for this list.

catchy yay

Diverse album with lots of different styles Some of his best vocals Always puts me in a good mood

One of the best albums ever made from a truly talented, soulful and empathetic artist. This album is all Stevie Wonder, every arrangement and every texture. It's simply the pinnacle of his career. A perfect record.

this man can sing also did not know higher ground was a stevie wonder song good stuff

This is one of my favorite albums of all-time. Perfection from front to back. Stevie could do no wrong during this era, and this is proof. His grooves hit as hard as his social commentary. Hard to believe he was only 23 when he dropped this -- harder still to believe it was already his 16th album.

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

Golden Lady is not too bad. I think I liked some other song too but I can't remember which one

also pretty nice 3

Couldn’t be as good as songs in the key of life but it still is a classic. I was gonna go high four, but the last three songs brought it back for me.

Funny we get this after Blood Sex Sugar Magik, considering the Chili Peppers do a cover of “Higher Ground.” I don’t know how many 5-star albums Mr. Wonder has to his name, but that’s not really my business. I just rate them when I hear them. 5/5.

What a treat! A timeless album, with so much to love, so much to dig into. Some classic Stevie moments… that unending positivity faces off social issues, hardship, family. Higher Ground is such an insanely good sound. Whoever is on those keyboard parts is LOCKED. I think I come back to this album as often as Songs in the Key of Life— it’s a little more digestible, the hits are there, the insane musicality is there, you’ve got Golden Lady, Living for the City— insane post section. Stevie seems to have no limits on these records. It’s a better world that we have this record. 5/5

There is a lot of love for this album, and it is a well-written, and rather experimental, album. With that said, I just could not get into it like I have with other SW releases.

Great

Stevie hoort hier. Hij maakt die Wonders. Het is een vibe

Ja die man is toch puur genieten hoor

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

Another unassailable classic by the soul genius. Topical themes of racism and injustice, yet still ringing true today, right along with themes of goodness, love, and beauty. I love how well-rounded Stevie is as a songwriter, not afraid to explore themes that might be unpopular on all sides of the fence. Effortlessly smooth.

Perfect album, a great mix of soul and funk. Every song is wonderful. This might be the second best Stevie Wonder album just behind “Songs In The Key Of Life”.

It has a few good moments, but it's not as good as his later stuff

A classic!

Sheer perfection.

Top 3: Higher Ground All in love is fair Don’t you worry bout a thing

3.5

Stevie. Stevie! You can't keep producing these bangers! It should be illegal to hog this much talent and skill! Literally enjoyed everything Stevie Wonder I've ever listened to, though he does have a ton of albums I haven't gotten to yet, mind you. Anyways, great work.

Beautiful music. Catchy, funky, unique sound. Higher Ground is a classic. Golden Lady is a standout.

3+

Oh hell yes. Living For The City is one of the most compelling songs ever written. Higher Ground is great. The whole thing stem to stern is impeccable.

¿Cuánto le debe Jamiroquai a Stevie Wonder? Muy buen disco con dos canciones excelentes "Higher ground" (hay versión de Red Hot Chili Peppers muy buena) y "Golden Lady".

Not for me

This is some of Stevie wonders best work. The funky synthesizer sounds were ahead of its time and he was so good an experience ring while sounding proficient. The positivity and joy that exudes from his music makes it some of the most enjoyable to listen to. This isn’t as good as songs in the key of life but this is probably number two in his albums. Overall it is splendid and worth listening to many times over. 8.4/10

Another really cool Stevie Wonder album. I love the striking cover and this album hits a lot of sounds while still feeling very cohesive.

All day.

Pretty fantastic.. living in the city and higher ground are amazing listens. Incredible musical ability.

Couple of absolute bangers brought the rest of the album up.

Obviously some great stuff on here

I enjoyed this - it was fun to listen to while doing the morning down stay with the dogs.

A great album

Apart from the classic that is Higher Ground to me this album is the sound of an artist testing the waters, trying to grow but not there yet. Too many false starts but enjoyable to see Stevie Wonder exploring his sound

classic blind guy

Great!

hmm yea i can hear it real good (fav tracks: higher ground, jesus children of america, don't you worry about a thing)

I love good funk and this is great funk.

Ottimo albumo, con qualche canzone famosa.

Stevie Wonder and his career is a no-brainer when it comes to things people experience. Being born blind, his formative years being right into the Civil Rights era, Stevie Wonder was required to listen to the messaging of that day. In a way, his perspective, while not getting the visuals, is one where able to do a lot of what people do not do, and that is really, comprehensively, listen to what is happening and being said. Stevie Wonder's album Innervisions is all of the fun we expect from Stevie, and includes moments of being brought back to earth. This trapeze artist sense of balance capturing the excitement of happiness and acknowledging the anxiety of risk, makes this album more than just music. Stevie Wonder, having honed his ability to communicate at literally in the most cerebral ways, not only performs but writes a great album.

Great album, great cover

Fun listen

Ich mag es sehr gerne, weil Stevie Wonder einfach gut ist!!! Abwechslungsreich, Verzaubernd etc. Jeder Song hat was gutes an sich

Ich mochte das Album echt echt gerne und fand auch, dass es bis jetzt das beste Album war. Viele Songs kannte man natürlich schon. Das einzige was ich vielleicht nicht sooooooo perfekt fand war, dass machen Songs echt lange gehen und ich persönlich mag das nicht so gerne aber wie gesagt war es ein wirklich sehr gutes Album.

Bereits gehört. Stevie Wonder ist einfach eins der Besten Musiker aller Zeiten. Aber es gibt bessere Albums von ihm auch wenn Innervisions stark ist.

I have never listened to any Stevie Wonder album other than Songs in the Key of Life, but this was an incredible album and I regret not having heard it before. A very well-done album that absolutely deserves a place on this list. Almost every song could be a single.

Groovy

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.

Must admit, I'm a very late comer to Stevie Wonder's music. I only started really listening to his music in the past year but am slowly starting to digest thru his catalogue. This was the first album i got to. This album is great masterly crafted - some really great songs.

Perfect

I think I have to go w/ 5/5 on this. The strength of the songs, arrangements, and the fact that Stevie plays just about every instrument on the album pushes into the 5 range.

favs: "Living for the City", "Jesus Children of America", "Higher Ground", "Visions" least fav: "Golden Lady" ig

Stevie Wonder had started his own path with Where I'm coming from and Music of My Mind. Talking Book refined his new freedom. Innervisions through Songs in the Key of Life is when he really set sail, realizing his potential. Great stuff.