Reviews (page 9 of 14)
Classic - and another opportunity to use the CD player. Nice. Stand out track - Higher Ground. tWangy.
Innervisions It's pretty astonishing that this was released only 10 months after Talking Book. The two albums definitely have a kinship in my mind, almost like part 1 and part 2, Talking Book tending more personal and this one looking more externally. Either way they are both fantastic albums. I’ve always loved Too High, with it’s bubbling synth, simultaneously upbeat and subdued, emphasising the druggy subject. I never took to Visions much when I first got the album, but it’s grown a lot on me over the years, and now I think it’s great, a lovely latin inflected soul ballad. Living for the City, of course, is superb, maybe one of his best songs, with a superb groove and melody and subject matter. Golden Lady really feels like you are on a boat in the Caribbean, coasting along on the laidback breeze. It also sounds a bit like he sings Gordon Liddy, which would make sense with the Misstra Know It All being about Nixon, even if the song seems to be a love song. Higher Ground is equal to Superstition for Stevie-funk for me, absolute banger. Jesus Children is the sort of song that only Stevie can do, propulsive synth, a soulful and catchy melody with a dark edge. Brilliant. All in Love is Fair is probably my least favourite track on the album - it’s a good ballad but it doesn’t quite reach the standards of the rest of the album. Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing is superb, like You Are the Sunshine of My Life, one of those songs whose melody feels like it might be a latin jazz classic from the 50s, with a sense of instant familiarity. And He’s Misstra Know it all is a fantastic closer, with the lovely piano line, jazzy drums and flute and brilliantly memorable lyrics and melody. Easy 5. 😎😎😎😎😎 Playlist submission: Could be any track, but I’ll go Too High
The soaring Living for the City and the towering Higher Ground, and in amongst that some fantastic album tracks (e.g. Golden Lady), culminating in the incredible He's Misstra Know-It-All. Probably my favourite Stevie album.
My favorite Stevie album!
Contrary to some corners of critical opinion, I don't think Wonder has ever produced an album that is untouchable from front to back. However - Innervisions is closest to the mark. At its best, it's so chewy, daubed in soul and funk pigments yet retaining a quality that feels unique to Stevie Wonder. What is it? That he doubtless knew how to perform almost every instrument on every track? Does this singular approach manifest itself on wax? Whatever the answer is, this album would be a five if every track was as strong as 'Higher Ground' - a song with bones so good, so indestructible that even the dog-ass Red Hot Chili Peppers can't fuck it up.
It’s Stevie Wonder
Justin A. For the city
5 stelle. ora posso iniziare l’album
very catchy and fun
Great production. Doesn’t overstay it’s welcome.
Near-perfect album. Incredible singing and songwriting, and lovely piano, bass and drums throughout. I think it has a bit of a lull during Jesus Children and All in Love is Fair, but they're still good songs.
Funky groove to open, followed by a 60s spy song? Living For The City is good but the mid interupt will grow on me, already loved higher ground. Good sound overall, enjoyed it even though its not what I would normally pick. Nice and short, doesn't overstay itself.
Solid entry, but not quite as immersive as Key of Life
This was pretty good. Stevie wonder is a great performer and didn’t disappoint.
Groooooovvvvvyyyyyyyy
Good one
Stellar achievement
Okay to listen to, still a bit boring
I have nothing intelligent to say about this album that hasn’t been said a dozen times before. My second favorite album of his. Nearly perfect but I would still put Songs in the Key of Life over it.
Love a bit of Stevie
Funny
The man is certainly a wonder. I spent half this album just bewildered at the chord changes and progressive soul sound in tracks like Don't You Worry Bout a Thing. It's a rare talent to craft a pop song while still offering a unique flavor rooted in jazz, not to mention write powerful lyrics dealing with racial divide in the 70s that manage to resonate with all listeners. While this doesn't have the same legacy as SITKOL, there's no world where it wouldn't be 5 stars.
Innervisions, outer revisions: Wonder reimagines a better, funkier world through his soul-stirring musical decisions.
This is one of those albums where if you told me you didn't like it, I would probably discount any other musical opinion from you entirely. Really? You couldn't jam to this at all?
Amazing vocals, beautiful piano - blown away
It is a recognised album for a reason. A timeless contribution to music by an incredible artist. The album never falters and keeps you entertained throughout the listen
So funky it breaks the funk-o-meter!!
literally loved this album. it has a good range in terms of sad/happier songs, and the use of instruments is amazing
Absolutely no reason not to give this five stars. A fabulous album that shaped the sound of many things to come.
Excellent
Didn't really do anything for me unlike the other soul/R&B bands I have heard so far.
From a man who is unable to view the world through his eyes, he has such an observation of the world around him. This is such a raw album that I feel as though he is lying to the world, he is able to see the world much more than I could see, he sees the struggle of the African-American people that were struggling at that time in Detroit and in Southern States, and uses these fictional characters with beautiful depictions of how the Great Migration was felt during a time where The Black Bottom used to exist before the replacement of the I-375 freeway and the Lafayette Park Residential District.
Would have been great in the mood but currently I am most definitely not. 7/10 based out of mood for normal day. 3/10 today. Sorry Stevie, I'll give it another shot when I'm in a better mental state.
No me gustó para nadita, Stevie Wonder y la mayoría de la música de los 70s no es para mi.
Can’t really give it less than a 3, and while I appreciate the music, it just isn’t for me.
My favorite Stevie Wonder and one of my favorite albums of the 1970s.
I've come to realize that I'm not all that much of a Stevie Wonder fan, despite wanting to be, and while that's kind of disappointing, I *do* appreciate that this project helped me realize this. There's certainly nothing wrong with this album, and despite that this came in the middle of his rapid-fire album releases, it's got a nice and somewhat distinctive groove to it (and I had no idea that he got in a serious car accident just after it got released, nor that this experience made him even more spiritual). But I'm not sure if it's simply from already listening to three other Stevie Wonder albums in this collection already, or the heavy (and impressively early) synthesizer layer, or just something...missing...from his almost-funk sound, or something that just makes the album kind of bland to me. My favorites were probably the classic "Higher ground" (I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I kind of prefer the Red Hot Chili Peppers' cover version to the original), and the surprisingly stark "Living for the city". I also enjoyed the opening to "Don't you worry 'bout a thing", and I can totally see how Barbra Streisand made "All in love is fair" into her standard (although I'm not a big fan of either version).
Enjoyed this more than I expected to, but I'm still not a huge Stevie Wonder fan.
Excellent. Beautiful.
Plutôt cool, des fois un son un peu daté et lassant à la longue. Une chanson sur deux t’as l’impression que c’est “Superstition” qui se lance… “Visions” est très smooth, “Living for the City” marche bien. Je crois maintenant avoir fait le tour des Stevie Wonder historiques, donc c’est très bien mais pas fou non plus. Paye ta critique.
Masterpiece. Higher Ground and Living For The City are incredible songs 5/5
I thought this was really good. Solid 9.5 out of 10 for me
5 stars and 3 of my favorite all-time songs on this album!
Thanks to this project I finally found a starting place with Wonder's discography, and I appreciate that. I've only heard his singles over the years, so I recognized 2 of these songs. This is the first album from the project I listened to again and saved to my collection. Every song on it is excellent. I'll have to dig through his other albums soon, and we'll see if my rating changes.
It's Stevie so it's funkyyyyy Highlights: Living For The City, Higher Ground
Enjoyable enough lacked a real good single though
definitely enjoyed Insane that this was his 16th album and it’s this good
This album is extremely important and I can recognize how great it is, but didn’t quite catch my ear like a 5/5 album would, personally.
Absolutely brilliant. Sheer class
Not really a fan of the beats in the first song. Too much funk for my enjoyment, but the vocals are great. As for the rest of the album, it was beautifully soulful, lyrical, and melodious. Loved it. 4.5/5
Gut zu hören und ein paar bekannte Songs 4/5
7/1-
Meh
God, I love Stevie Wonder. I only knew two of these songs before listening to this as part of this project. I had no idea that Stevie was ever a "one man band" or even that he could play the drums. This is a beautiful album, filled with sonic experimentation. I love that it's described as progressive soul and I love that it's considered one of his finest, one of the greatest albums ever, and highly influential in its genre. It's always so cool to me when somebody's singular creative genius is recognized as such, and Stevie's one of the best ever to do it.
A strong album that got both a lot of airplay and critical acclaim. I could listen to this one again, it brings back memories.
Enjoyed it, but it just doesn't connect nearly as strongly with me as Songs in the Key of Life.
I feel bad for not liking Stevie Wonder’s music. I liked the second song, sorta! He seems nice. Sorry, Stevie. xo
Another classic that brings me back to hearing on LP in the 80s-90s that my parents would play. Too high is imprinted on my brain. Higher ground and Don't you worry bout a Thing are straight up bangers.
This was ok. there were moments I found myself get into it and then others where it blended into the background. Higher Ground, Living for the City are highlights but wouldn't go out of my way to listen again. Would give 2.5 stars if I could.
Very well-produced and well-performed, but it feels like more than half the album is ballads. Just makes the whole thing feel like a downer, despite there being a couple great, high-energy songs.
Some of the songs on this album just lack a bit of energy but Stevie Wonder is a legend and Higher Ground and Living For The City are two all time classics.
Absolutely amazing
CLASSIC. Living for the City especially but the rest of the album holds up better than I remember too.
Brilliant album with so many well known single releases.
It’s a really good album. “Higher Ground” is the one I know from the Chili Peppers.
This is a good album, but falls short for me of Stevie Wonder's absolute classics on this list of Songs in the Key of Life and Talking Book. This is a high 3, nearly pushing to 4
Добрый, мелодичный, солнечный, позитивный. Спасает от Московской зимы
Ganska skön.
I feel like if I had listened to this in the years shortly after it came out, I would have given it 4 or 5 stars, but it hasn't aged well. I'm sure there are people that don't want to admit that. They may have ranted and raved about this album, and now... Well, it's not bad, but music didn't keep going down this path. For that matter, Stevie didn't either. And some of it's the production. As I've said on another of Stevie's album reviews, there are places where there's a synthesizer where nowadays, a guitar would have probably been used. To some extent, if the tune is good and played well, you might think that's all that matters, but if you use a kazoo or pan flute where a piano would work, I'm probably going to pick the piano every time, and the song will be better for it.
Crazy good funk and soul and R&B really fun
Absolute classic. Simply insane that Stevie himself performed all of the instruments on a majority of these tracks.
Fantastic. Stevie lives up to the hype. Every song had me nodding my head along to the beat, and every lyric had a meaning, serious or not—overall, it's a perfection combination of funk and artistry. Super impressive vocals and all the instrumentation was spot on. The only song I would skip is the one with the hard-r in it—don't exactly want that playing in the car. Favorite Song: He's Misstra Know-It-All
not really my vibe with the voice, like dont you worry bout a thing
Love me some Stevie. Good bops on here. Overall, album a little slow. Easy listening.
It’s pretty ok for what it is. I got tired of it after awhile, but overall it’s solid.
Wow! Loved this album. Stevie Wonder is a legend
First Stevie wonder! Living for the city 🔥 One of my fav and most respected artists out there … def a project I will revisit over and over “Innervisions” by Stevie Wonder is an outstanding album that masterfully blends soul, funk, and R&B with innovative use of synthesizers and complex arrangements. Stevie’s expressive vocals and thought-provoking lyrics tackle significant social issues like racism, drug abuse, and urban struggles. Standout tracks like “Living for the City,” “Higher Ground,” and “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing” showcase his ability to craft songs that are both musically engaging and deeply meaningful. Overall, “Innervisions” offers a compelling and influential listening experience that highlights Stevie Wonder’s artistic genius and maturity.
3- Stars (7/15)
So perfectly paced it borders on miraculous.
Decent, but as background or so.
Heeft zijn achternaam niet gestolen. Heerlijk album. Heerlijke grooves. Heerlijke basslines. 4.4
Bought this on CD from Fopp many moons ago after seeing the great man live in Manchester, it’s a 5 easy
Can't go wrong with classic Stevie. This was so good I listened to it twice. Five stars.
A masterpiece! It ranks, in my opinion, among the best albums ever made.
wonder, wonderboy! wonderful...yliarvostettu prouktio.. kuulostaa diungdiungdiung tyyliselstä.ur Billboard Top LPs & Tapes -listalla ja ykkönen Billboard Soul LPs -listalla ja sijoittui lopulta sijalle neljä lehden Top Pop Albums -listalla vuonna 1974. Se voitti 16. Grammy Awards -tilaisuudessa vuoden albumin ja Best Engineered Non -palkinnon. -Classical Recording, kun taas "Living for the City" voitti parhaan R&B-kappaleen. Sisäinen näkö on leveä. hulluja akolaadeja.. akrjalan kunkkuusaa kalvalan kantaa kuulee ja kuolaa kankansaa.. hiii huu hii huu. hiii huu hii huu. hiii huu hii huu. hiii huu hii huu. hiii huu hii huu. hiii huu hii huu. too high
Didn’t particular take much from or entirely enjoy this able. Two songs I did quite enjoy and are ones I would go back to again however as I whole I don’t think I would return to listen to this album again.
This was incredible. Stevie Wonder is the man.
Come on... it's Stevie Wonder. Higher Ground is worth the price of admission, but there's other goodies here too.
So far, this is definitely my favorite Stevie Wonder album. The lyrics are very socially conscious, with strong political messages throughout. What really stood out to me was how Stevie Wonder played almost every instrument on the album. His production work was also pretty groundbreaking, with all the layering, multitracking, and other techniques he used. Overall, the sound is really polished and the album flows really well.
Takes a bit of time to really get going, but it has a good funky sound once it does. “Higher Ground” is an absolute banger, and in general side 2 is better than side 1. Some songs, especially the slower ones, sound dated. Not as good as Songs in the Key of Life, but still enjoyable.
grandpappy of funk
Genius
Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing should be required listening as an audio anti-depressant.
Stellar album. A little self-indulgent at times; I prefer when Stevie is lost in a groove more than when he's doing vocal runs. Fav Track: Golden Lady
Stevie Wonder always makes me smile.
Modulation. Excellent album an easy back to fronter.
Stevie Wonder is the fucking MAN, modern day Beethoven. I feel blessed to even share the Earth the same time with. Super funky, jazzy, and enough great hits to please anybody. The ballads get a bit weird tho
I only truly developed music as a proper hobby maybe a year ago, but I’m pretty confident in saying that Stevie is one of the most talented musicians in history, and innervisions is one of his true masterpieces. From beginning to end this album is an absolute treat to enjoy, and I look forward to hearing it many more times in my life.
i was a little worried because the first track or two didn't really click for me, but after that, this was a great album! funky and energetic. a lot to enjoy.
i really enjoyed this one! it's not my favorite of his but has some great tracks and good vibes. the opener, too high, sounds like a cross between afrojack's lyrics and bill wurtz's music, but the album gets a bit more normal from there while still keeping the funky, jazzy sound throughout. favorites: visions, living for the city, higher ground, all in love is fair, don't you worry 'bout a thing
p304. 1973. 4 stars. Now we're talking. Stevie's best album, packed with great tunes and sharp lyrics, and it doesn't outstay its welcome. 1 point docked for the dated synths and occasional lapse into 70s wankage on a couple of tracks.
Better than I expected, and although it's not really in my lane, I've added to my list of albums to revisit.
This is an album that I’ve skipped over previously going from Talking Book to Songs in the Key of Life, but it really is a quiet masterpiece with many standout moments. Living for the City hits hard with a story of a naive young black man moving to New York and ending up on the wrong side of the law, complete with dialogue and sound effects. There are brighter songs too, with Don’t You Worry Bout a Thing being an absolute joy from start to finish.
Not really my jam, but a pretty good album nonetheless. Really funky, with touches of soul. It's well balanced between chill titles and more entertaining ones. Living for the City is the highlight of this album.
Stevie hit it out of the park again with Innervision. Never heard this in its entirety before but was familiar with seven out of nine songs because they got radio playback in the early / mid 70s. Living For The City, Golden Lady, and Higher Ground are the meat of the album, but it’s all good. Didn’t realize I was a Wonder fan. Strong (4.5*s)
This album was a lot better than his previous appearance in the list. Some recognizable songs but I wouldn't consider myself a fan. I do think he's a decent songwriter, he made some good choices adding the synth and leaning more on funk and groove, but he always feels formulaic to me. There's something corny or a bit too simple for me to really love his inner visions. "Living for the City" and "Higher Ground" were the strongest. I'll give him 2.25.
A little more funk from the wonder boy here playing around with the synth. "Higher Ground" I knew and was too track. Was Stevie on the can while singing the 2nd half of "Life in the City?" I liked this album better than the others by Wonder on the list but please, no more...2.1.
I enjoyed it more than the prior Stevie Wonder albums. I'm not sure if that is saying a lot or a little. It's a very approachable album that has the right mix of Stevie's juice for it to work. I wouldn't consider myself a big Stevie Wonder fan but after some representation on this list I can see how he is a huge cultural icon. He is a solid songwriter and does a lot of the right things to keep a solid fan base satisfied. 2.70 stars
It's interesting how my opinion changes on multiple listens and sad I don't have the time to do this for many albums at this stage in my project. I didn't like this on first listen, as I felt it was a let down after the previous Stevie Wonder album, but after I let go of that on my second listen I found it okay. Rating: 3
No words Genius 5*
Stevie has some spectacular songs, and then some stuff that seems really good and does not appeal to me. This album is an example. Worthy of this list, despite my mixed response to the artist.
fnunky
OK, this one absolutely belongs on the list. Stevie is one of the best musicians that the human race has ever created, and this album is one of those pieces of evidence of that. 5/5
Nice is the word that I think of when listening to Stevie Wonder. His upbeat stuff is nice and jaunty, his slower stuff is nice and soulful ... but nice is just that. Nice. Not amazing. Not brilliant. Not great, or even good -just, nice.
To be fair, you could just play the bass lines from this album and it would still be pretty awesome. Classic Stevie, real grooves and great piano work. Loved it.
One of the best of all time
Great Work by Mr.Wonder
This is a great Stevie Wonder album and a great reference for the new soul music of the time.
Absolutel genius
3.8
I agree. Stevie is the man! I love Stevie and would put him at the pinnacle of my musical heroes, so I’m biased, but this is a solid album in all ways, even more impressive as the start of his ‘genius period’ after his start as child prodigy (which so many never successfully escape from). I must say I prefer Funky Stevie to maudlin Stevie, but Funky Stevie carries so much weight that maudlin Stevie can get a pass.
So beautiful. I first listened to it this album over twenty years ago and have to admit I wasn’t initially that impressed. But over the years I fell in love with this album and can see its influence on so many artists and albums. Stevie at his finest. Hard to believe how young he was and how he was able to completely reinvent himself and soul music at the same time.
Hard to argue against anything in particular, but I feel like the album is inconsistently great
One of the best albums ever. Each song is better than the previous song. It's almost embarrassing how good this album gets. Golden Lady, Higher Ground, He's Misstra Know It All. It's 5 stars every day.
This confirms one thing for me: I do not ever want to listen to a Stevie Wonder album again. Some tracks seem like they might be okay ... but then become just the same wishy-washy nonsense. The only track that delivers full grooviness is Higher Ground - so, an extra star for that. So smooth it slips right through, never really catching my attention.
If this album was a mountain then 'Higher Ground' would be aptly named as it would be the summit. Such a groovy tune! 'Visions' and 'Living in The City' would be half way up, good tunes held back by some bad lyrics. Everything else sits at the base, just not my thing. He's a great musician, there's a lot of good music and he probably plays most of it but I don't like many of his songs, most of the lyrics are terrible! I love 'Higher Ground' though, and the Chilli Peppers version too, so that adds an extra star.
A consistent but unremarkable listen for me
Boring. Intriguingly dissonant at the start, then moderately funky, then tapers off into sleepy ballads and ditties.
#386. This album hits in spots, but it doesn't maintain it through the whole album. Definitely a few skippable tracks. 3/5: decent Song added to playlist: Higher Ground I've created a playlist on Spotify that consists of the best and/or my favorite song from each of the albums in this book. This list can be found here if you are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MAXDGLWlwLkFLb8veGfkA?si=FqkQQPgZTFWG0jAUJXLFZA&utm_source=copy-link
I absolutely love this CD. The trilogy of early 70s Stevie Wonder CDs (this + Talking Book + Songs in the Key of Life) are all straight-up magic. They're immediately recognizable as Stevie with his unique sound, consistently high-quality, and loaded with hits. But this is probably the most complete of the three, more polished than Talking Book and not as bloated as Songs in the Key of Life. Stevie's key trick is in melding jazz-like or classic Tinpan Alley songwriting techniques with the complex rhythms of mostly groove-based soul and funk. Sometimes it's alternating songs in each style, but on the best tracks he marries both. The lead track, "Too High" is a great example - he's got that great ascending-riff groove for the rhythm that he just hangs on a while, and he mixes in a short descending line in the bass over those jazz harmonies on the chorus. Top it off with the bouncy, jazzy vocal riff ("doo-doo-doo" bit) and you've got a song that feels like a real journey with all the ups and downs. I'm not sure if this is supposed to be an Easter egg or not, but he also has a harmonica solo, which to me sounds like a joking allusion to his 60s years as Lil' Stevie (it's a pretty good musical joke). Honestly there's too many good things to say about this CD for one little writeup. Stevie's a brilliant songwriter, he's a damn good singer, pretty much A-level at this stage in his career, and he fills it out with a wild diversity of harmony and sound. The CD is brilliantly paced - it's almost exactly the right length, the intensity peaks right in the middle with "Higher Ground", and it perfectly alternates more exciting and more relaxed tracks. Some of the transitions, like "Visions" into "Living For The City", are flawlessly executed in a way that, like the best concept albums, makes the CD itself feel like a single cohesive unit. I'm just going to list a bunch more things I really like about the CD: -The way he throws his voice to appear to be a different character on the 2nd half of "Living For The City", while also sharpening the contrast with his duet partner/backing vocalist, yet still hits every damn note -Wonder's note on "All is Fair in Love" at 1:13-1:18 -The first time he opens up on the chorus of "Don't You Worry Bout a Thing" -The bongos starting with the solo on "Golden Lady" -The modulation up in the fade out on "Golden Lady" -Really "Golden Lady" the whole song
Visions is a beautiful song. It was my first time hearing this and I was wowed. Too High - nice intro track. I liked this one. Living for the City - great sound with great commentary on urban and racial issues Golden Lady - I thought it started a little slow but the tempo picked up at the refrain. This ends up being a very pretty and enjoyable love song. Higher Ground - this has always been one of my favorite Stevie Wonder songs and still is. Wow, such a great beat! Jesus Children of America - decent sounding song All in Love is Fair - this track really highlights the power of Stevie’s voice. Overall pretty song as well. Don’t You Worry Bout a Thing - another one I was familiar with. Fun song He’s Mista Know It All - this was the weakest track and my least favorite. Almost every track on this album is a winner. This is a great album and Stevie Wonder is a master artisan. 5
A young Stevie sound. Most of the songs I haven't heard or I have forgotten them. Thankfully, one of my favorite tune from him (Higher Ground) was included in this album. Overall, not bad listening.
Ei kuulkaas toiminut itselle tämä sitten ollenkaan. Jostain syystä silti toinen tähti.
Stevie’s got his funk back! A vast improvement on the previous offering of his.
This album is better than the last one we reviewed but I still struggled with it Again, funky songs good, everything else, poor!
Loved this. Super funky. I thought Steve was a product of the 80s, but who knew he was doing his best stuff in the early 70s? I’m now a fan.
While it’s wall to wall hits, I can only now compare his albums to Songs in the Key of Life, and while this is good isn’t as good good as that, it’s just not funky enough. And as this is the 4th Wonder album we’ve now had, I can’t be arsed to write anything more. Message ends.
Steve's clawed his way back after that last offering. More funk thank god and less creeping about in people's dreams. Love a bit of mistra know it all.
His voice is so good
Stevie Wonder es lo más grande que hay.
Stevie Wonder was always a favorite artist of mine, and he always seems to kill it.
Incredible album. The songs have a habit of starting off so insanely funky, they just grab your attention immediately.
Oh my god. I clearly know Stevie Wonder like everyone else on this planet, and I know a handful of the classics, but I wasn't prepared for this epic record. Just totally jazz-kicked me in the teeth from the get-go. Favourite tracks: the whole thing is a work of art.
Its exceptionally good isn't it. I've not really jelled with Mr Wonder yet, but this album changed my opinion
Started out ok. First few songs had some decent music, but not really anything great. Then it really started to pick up. Higher Ground was fun, Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing was solid. He's Misstra Know-It-All was a great way to end it. But the high point was All In Love Is Fair. Incredible piano music along with Stevie's incredible voice. Best song: All In Love Is Fair
stevie wonder ist stevie wonder.
Ein rotes Tuch für mich, aber die Platte war nicht so schlimm wie erwartet.
It’s hard not to make a comment about Stevie being a visionary without a tingle of guilty pleasure. Musically he was. This album was a beautiful transition from his early R&B days with the Wrecking Crew at Motown to the disco flare ‘70s R&B . Living For the City is a groovy bop that leaves you with a touch of swagger in your walk while making a social point that still finds relevance today, while High Ground is a classic (with an equally good RHCP cover decades later). Jesus Children of America shares that same vibe of social consciousness and musical progression. Side note: I never knew how powerful his live performance was until I saw him in Summer of Soul. This album I imagine was phenomenal live.
This is Stevie’s answer to Marvin Gaye if I got the timeline right. Some great tracks including: Living For The City, Higher Ground, Don’t You Worry About a Thing. I like some of the lesser known tracks like Too High and Misstra Know-It-All. The slow songs were huge drags though. Pass on those. The great ones almost make up enough to make this 5-star but not quite.
godin buen jazz
Great album! My favorites are higher ground, he's misstra know it all, and I absolutely loved Living for the city
I'm inching now towards the finish of the list, I now have more than 1001 albums rated, so this is the final Stevie album in here... well, I don't wanna seem like an uncultured swine seeing the incredible high regard everyone holds him on in here, but he is just not for me, my previous rates attest it. I can hear the talent and the soul, of course, but like, this one for example sounds like parody at various times, maybe I just don't have enough context, I know... well for the closing half of the album, this is going out with 4 stars. Hope to someday meet Stevie again with a renewed perspective.
Nicht meine Richtung
4.5☆/5 10.17.2024
Some great tracks!
I hate Morrisey, but I can’t help but love this album.
Good
Classic. Gets you moving.
Classic
Me gustó pero no lo escucharía de nuevo, higher ground y living for the city es lo mejorcito
Stevie continues to amaze me. His albums are so obviously significant and influential for decades to come on all music genres. Of course I recognize a lot of these songs but even the new ones were just so intellectual and unique yet interesting. Love him.
Question: If this is the peak of peak-Stevie, and Stevie Wonder is near or at the peak of all-time musicians, by transitive property does that put this album near or even at the peak of all recorded music? I believe it does. Highlights: everything, although gun to my head "Living For The City" is one of my favourite cuts by anyone anywhere. Too much greatness to succumb to any detailed description. Flawless / timeless / genius: a top 10 all-time album. 10/10 5 stars.
still midway
was not into it.
Stevie Wonder as always is great even if I feel that some of the tracks have too much going on which detracts from his voice.
It's really hard to go wrong with Stevie Wonder, his music is just so soothing and comforting.
esse álbum é muito bom, do início ao fim
Too high - DECENT Visions - ROUGH Living for the city - LIKE THAT Golden Lady - DECENT Higher Ground - STAMP Jesus Children of American - weird but DECENT All Love is Fair - ROUGH Don’t you worry bout a thing - ROUGH He’s misstra know it all - ROUGH
Eh, except for Higher Ground
Already knew
What a great album. It deserves several listens. I actually was not initially into it due to the first track. I don’t know what it was, might just not have been in the mood. But I dropped it and didn’t get back to it for a few weeks and man was I missing out. Living for the city tells a great story and I love a song that does that. Also don’t you worry about a thing!? I used to sing that as a kid and never realized who it was. Thanks Mr. Wonder.
**Album Review: "Innervisions" by Stevie Wonder** Released in 1973, *Innervisions* marks a monumental moment in Stevie Wonder’s career, solidifying his legacy as one of the most innovative and socially conscious artists of the 20th century. The album, produced and mostly written by Wonder himself, embodies a fusion of soul, jazz, funk, and progressive rock. It is a rich reflection of both personal and societal struggles, with Wonder taking bold steps musically and lyrically to address pressing social issues. This review will examine the album in detail, analyzing its lyrical content, musical complexity, production qualities, overarching themes, and long-lasting influence. We will also discuss its strengths and potential areas of criticism. ### Lyrical Analysis **Themes of Social Consciousness** Stevie Wonder's *Innervisions* is deeply political and personal, directly addressing issues of racism, poverty, drug addiction, and spiritual awakening. At a time when American society was reeling from the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War, Wonder used this album to confront the inequalities and harsh realities of the world. The album’s opening track, “Too High,” uses metaphoric lyrics to address the issue of drug abuse. Wonder, while adopting a jazzy, upbeat arrangement, illustrates the dangers of drug addiction, particularly in the inner city. The line "Though my mind is blown, I’m high and alone" evokes the isolating effects of substance abuse, bringing to light a pressing issue often neglected by mainstream media. In “Living for the City,” Wonder paints a harrowing portrait of systemic racism and poverty. The song chronicles the life of a young Black man from Mississippi who, despite his aspirations, falls victim to the cruel systems that oppress African Americans. The track uses evocative imagery such as “His sister’s black, but she is sho’ nuff pretty” to emphasize the pride and beauty of Black identity while confronting the oppressive environment that crushes the protagonist's dreams. This storytelling aligns with the rise of the Black Power movement, reflecting the struggles and injustices that many African Americans faced in urban environments. **Spirituality and Personal Reflection** Contrasting the social commentary, tracks like “Visions” and “Higher Ground” delve into Wonder’s personal reflections on spirituality and human potential. “Visions” is one of the most introspective songs on the album, blending dreamy, folk-influenced guitar with lyrics that ponder the possibility of a utopia free from war and racial conflict. Wonder sings, “Have I lived to see the milk and honey land? / Where hate's a dream and love forever stands?” expressing his yearning for a better world while acknowledging the painful reality of its unlikelihood. “Higher Ground,” with its funky groove and energetic beat, tackles the concept of reincarnation and personal redemption. Written in the wake of Wonder’s near-fatal car accident, the song is both an anthem of resilience and spiritual growth, as Wonder seeks to rise above worldly suffering and reach a higher plane of existence. ### Musical Complexity and Composition **Fusion of Genres** *Innervisions* stands out for its intricate blending of musical styles. Stevie Wonder was already a multi-instrumentalist prodigy, but on this album, his talent for arranging and composing is truly spotlighted. Wonder performs nearly all the instruments on the album himself, showcasing his mastery of the synthesizer, particularly the TONTO (The Original New Timbral Orchestra), which allowed him to explore a vast array of sounds and textures. “Too High,” for example, incorporates elements of jazz, funk, and even some psychedelic sounds. Its funky basslines and dynamic vocal harmonies juxtapose the serious subject matter of the song, giving it a lighthearted yet deeply meaningful feel. Similarly, “Golden Lady” features lush melodies and complex chord progressions that blend jazz and soul in a way that feels effortless. Wonder’s use of extended harmonies and chromatic movement exemplifies his sophisticated compositional skills, pushing the boundaries of what popular soul music was capable of at the time. **Innovative Use of Synthesizers** One of the defining features of *Innervisions* is its pioneering use of the synthesizer. Wonder, along with his engineers Robert Margouleff and Malcolm Cecil, employed the synthesizer in ways that had rarely been heard before in mainstream music. Tracks like “Living for the City” and “Higher Ground” make heavy use of synthesized bass and keyboard sounds, which lend a futuristic, otherworldly feel to the music. In "Living for the City," the synthesizers create a gritty, urban soundscape that enhances the song’s narrative. The use of sound effects—like street noise and the protagonist's interactions with the police—adds to the dramatic tension. This sonic experimentation, combined with a traditional soul foundation, created an immersive experience that was innovative for its time. In many ways, *Innervisions* was a precursor to the electronic music and hip-hop production techniques that would rise in the coming decades. **Funk and Groove** Rhythmically, the album is steeped in funk, particularly in tracks like “Higher Ground” and “Jesus Children of America.” The grooves are tight, propulsive, and infectious, driven by Wonder’s impeccable sense of timing and groove. "Higher Ground" features syncopated rhythms, deep clavinet riffs, and a punchy bassline that adds depth and intensity to the song’s urgent message. Wonder’s ability to balance complex rhythms with smooth vocal lines is remarkable, making these songs both danceable and thought-provoking. ### Production and Arrangement **Stevie Wonder's Creative Control** By the early 1970s, Wonder had achieved unprecedented creative control at Motown, a label historically known for tightly controlling its artists. With *Innervisions*, Wonder took full advantage of his freedom, producing the album himself. This creative independence allowed him to experiment with new sounds, take bold risks, and create a cohesive album that flowed seamlessly from track to track. The production is meticulously crafted, from the layering of instruments to the placement of vocals. Wonder’s vocals are often multitracked, creating rich harmonies and call-and-response patterns that add emotional depth to the songs. His attention to detail is particularly evident in the transitions between songs; for example, the shift from the upbeat funk of “Higher Ground” to the slow, introspective ballad “Jesus Children of America” is smooth yet emotionally impactful. **Use of Realism in Sound Design** "Living for the City" stands out for its innovative use of sound effects and narrative structure. The song includes a middle section where we hear street noises, a bus driving, and a conversation between the protagonist and the police. This was groundbreaking for its time, adding a level of realism and immersion that was rare in popular music. It was not just a song, but a sonic depiction of urban life, giving the listener a first-hand account of the struggles Wonder sought to highlight. ### Themes and Concepts **Social and Political Commentary** At its core, *Innervisions* is a socially conscious album. Songs like “Living for the City” and “Higher Ground” tackle systemic issues such as racism, poverty, and spiritual growth. Wonder doesn’t shy away from harsh realities, making *Innervisions* an album that feels just as relevant today as it did in 1973. His lyrics are direct, yet poetic, allowing listeners to engage with these heavy topics on both an emotional and intellectual level. “Jesus Children of America” critiques religious hypocrisy, highlighting the disparity between spiritual preaching and real-world actions. Wonder’s plea for genuine love and spirituality in the song resonates with themes of social justice, making the track a call to action for listeners to live with authenticity and compassion. **Personal Reflection** While much of the album addresses societal issues, there’s also a strong sense of personal reflection. Wonder had recently survived a near-fatal car accident prior to the release of *Innervisions*, and this experience undoubtedly influenced tracks like “Higher Ground” and “Visions.” The introspective nature of these songs allows for a delicate balance between external critique and internal contemplation. ### Influence and Legacy *Innervisions* had an enormous impact on both the music industry and broader culture. It was one of the first albums to fully integrate synthesizers into soul music, paving the way for future genres like electro-funk, hip-hop, and electronic dance music. Wonder’s experimentation with new sounds and textures opened the door for artists like Prince, Michael Jackson, and countless others who would push the boundaries of pop and R&B in the decades to come. The album’s lyrical themes also resonated with a wide audience, influencing a generation of socially conscious musicians. Artists like Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, and Gil Scott-Heron were contemporaries who similarly used their music to speak out against injustice, but Wonder’s ability to blend these messages with mainstream appeal gave him a unique voice in the conversation. The critical and commercial success of *Innervisions* helped establish the viability of socially conscious music in the mainstream, a legacy that continues today with artists like Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, and D’Angelo. ### Pros and Cons of *Innervisions* **Pros:** - **Lyrical Depth**: Wonder's socially conscious lyrics are thought-provoking, addressing complex issues like racism, drug addiction, and spirituality with clarity and passion. - **Musical Innovation**: The use of synthesizers was revolutionary, making the album sound ahead of its time and influencing future genres. - **Production Quality**: The meticulous production is rich in detail, from sound design to vocal layering, creating a cohesive and immersive experience. - **Versatility**: Wonder seamlessly blends genres such as soul, jazz, funk, and rock, showcasing his versatility as a musician and composer. **Cons:** - **Complexity for Casual Listeners**: Some tracks may be too intricate or experimental for listeners expecting straightforward pop or soul. - **Darker Themes**: The album’s heavy focus on social and political issues, while essential to its message, can feel overwhelming or emotionally taxing at times. ### Conclusion *Innervisions* is a masterpiece that balances social commentary with personal introspection, all while pushing the boundaries of music production. Stevie Wonder’s ability to craft songs that are both accessible and deeply meaningful is unmatched, making *Innervisions* a timeless album. While its complexity may not appeal to all listeners, the album’s innovation and lyrical depth make it a landmark achievement in music history. Its legacy continues to influence artists today, solidifying Stevie Wonder’s position as one of the greatest artists of all time.
This album is 5 out of 5 enjoyable from start to finish.
Groovy
Would rate 2.5 stars, higher ground was great and the rest was outrageously mid (misstra know it all was mid+)
Great album that I have heard a bunch of times. Not quite as good as "Songs in the Key of Life" in my opinion but still a great listen. I'm sure that I will listen to this many more times.
Its a solid one for sure. Not my absolute favorite Stevie album, but not a disappointing one by any means.
Stevie Wonder is so hard for me to rate. Every album has at least one or two top-tier all-time faves (like Higher Ground). But to get to them you have to nap through some real challenges. Incredible magical talent that often uses those talents in boring ways.
So far, this is definitely my favorite Stevie Wonder album. The lyrics are very socially conscious, with strong political messages throughout. What really stood out to me was how Stevie Wonder played almost every instrument on the album. His production work was also pretty groundbreaking, with all the layering, multitracking, and other techniques he used. Overall, the sound is really polished and the album flows really well.
First of all: Stevie is an automatic 5 stars! Innervisions is one of Stevie's albums that I've heard the least from this golden period between 68-85 but it's still a masterpiece (and one that I'll listen to more frequently from now on). I really like the psychedelic vibe of some of the tracks, which gives the album a unique sound, but without losing the funky & soul style characteristic of Stevie's albums. The difference between Innervisions and the other albums from this period released by Stevie in the first half of the 70s is that here we have an obvious high point between the songs and it is called Higher Ground. This song completely differs from the others as it is a tremendous Funk & Soul hit. One moment you're listening to the fresh breeze of Innervisions' tracks and suddenly you take a break to riff on Higher Ground and then return to normal programming. As much as it may seem like it was randomly placed in the middle of the album, the song doesn't interfere at all (quite the opposite) with the vibe of the album, much less its maximum rating of 5 stars.
A very good album, high threes.
A masterpiece of perfection. Every song flows deliciously. The perfect length of an album where its not too short or too long. Each song is unique in its sound while all staying grounded to a specific style. Stevie Wonder is one of the greatest musicians of all time. So glad I grew up listening to this album as it still is an absolute banger to this day. Eternal perfection. 10/10
I never knew he did pretty much all of the instrumentation and production himself, which is incredible. A great album, you could easily tell someone this was a modern release and they'd believe it.
Lot's of Stevie songs I had never heard before and all were good. All in Love is Fair sounds like it should have been a theme song to a James Bond movie.
iconic
I can't give Little Stevie less than five stars. I just can't do it.
nice
Listened Before? N Another good one from SW. I enjoyed it, but not as much as some of his others. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Higher Ground
Wildly acclaimed and wonderfully performed, "Innervisions" is a landmark moment in the middle of Stevie Wonder's golden streak. It's widely known as the pivot on which Wonder swung into more introspective, socially conscious songwriting. The bouncy, simmering opener "Too High" addresses the darkness of drug addiction, and then "Visions" is a stark plea over equally stark accompaniment for a better world. "Jesus Children of America" sees Wonder turning to the subject of faith atop a fairly gritty funk groove, lifted by some wholesome gospel vocals. Contrary to what I'd read about it before listening, though, "Innervisions" shouldn't be seen as all politics and polemics. Wonder hasn’t sacrificed his art of performance, or creating an emotionally affecting song. "Higher Ground", the lead single, rattles along with a glorious bouncy strut. "Golden Lady" impresses with its spiral staircase of ascending key changes, and the Latin-flavoured "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing" helps make "Innervisions" even more of a party. Best of all, though, are the songs which seamlessly bridge the gap between head and feet. "Living for the City" and "He's Misstra Know-It-All" are my two favourite songs on the record because they absolutely nail this balance. "Living for the City", released as a single but lasting seven-and-a-half minutes here, is a perfectly captured descent into the underbelly of city life, and "He's Misstra Know-It-All" should belong on any list of songs with hooks that could run and run for ten minutes before tiring. Finally, there's so much to say about Wonder's maturation as a songwriter here that it's easy to overlook the staggering technical aspects of "Innervisions". I didn't know until reading a breakdown of the album that Wonder plays every instrument in "Higher Ground", "Jesus Children of America" and "Living for the City". Incredible stuff. On the whole, while "Innervisions" isn't my absolute favourite album of Wonder's - "Visions" and "All In Love is Fair" hold it back from the full five-stars, feeling a little too sparse - it's another in a long line of essentials from an outstanding artist.
it's very good. very very good. but not quite the 'peak' of what could be. 8.5
So good, so so good. What else is there to say? Not Stevie's best, that (imo) goes to Songs in the Key of Life, but you can really hear the sounds that inhabit that album being shaped here. Every song in Innervisions is good, some even catch your brain and hook themselves there. 9/10 Album.
Started off a little slow but gets going on track 3 Living for the City. I felt Songs in the Key of Life started slow and picked up a couple songs in as well. Higher Ground is an all timer from Stevie’s catalog.
This doesn't quite reach the heights of the two other Stevie Wonder albums I've reviewed so far, but it's still a good album with a couple real standout tracks in Higher Ground and Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing.
I like it. It something that I had heard in other places
As soon as I heard the opening farty synth bass note I knew we were destined for good things
"Living For The City" is just such a perfect song. Sounding light (with those keyboard), but the lyrics tell of the dark struggle to survive. And the break in the middle is just so... damn, that's good. "Higher Ground"... it's so weird that the cover by RHCP is where so many people hear this song first. I thought "Too High" had a weird ending, like he didn't know how to end the song. And "Jesus Children of America," where he sings about TM? Yeah, I could have done without that. I felt "Golden Lady" was a bit repetitive. They could have cut a little bit of time out of that one. Maybe the same for "He's Misstra Know It All," but that one didn't bother me as much. The keyboards are so 70s, I loved it. Great album to walk to. Top tracks: "Visions," "Living For The City," "All In Love Is Fair," "Don't You Worry About A Thing"
This is definitely a more mature Stevie Wonder (at age 23) than on some of his earlier (15) albums. My goodness. Not my favorite album of his but still very good. Too High is a cool, clever opener. Visons is a nice softie. Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing is a fun uptempo song. He's Misstra-Know-it-All is probably my third favorite song on the album. Not sure how political it is, but it's got a great tempo and is well-composed. But my two favorites are his two masterpieces on this album - Living for the City (perhaps the best political song he ever wrote) and Higher Ground (a great spiritual song with a wicked beat). Not quite a 5. But a damn solid 4.
"Too high" "Golden lady" "higher Ground" and "don't you worry bout a thing" were my favorites. I loved the upbeat feel of everything, the rhythms and grooved locked in really well and felt very comfortable. Stevie wonder's singing is gorgeous and works amazing for the album. 7/10
TRACK BY TRACK 1. Too High - I have never listened to Stevie Wonder before. Jazz is outside of my comfort zone. This is my first time actively putting on his music. Of course, I knew his name and of his legendary status. Immediate thoughts: not the voice I was expecting. I dig the descending 'doodoodoo's. Bit repetitive for me but I would put it on as background music. 2. Visions - I wish the song ended at 4:12 when he says "an ending...". I like the song. I'm still not a jazz fanatic. 3. Living For The City - Nice transition from the previous song... 1 minute in: okay maybe I'm grooving... The political skit halfway through is unexpected. Sounds like an end-of-album type of track. 4. Golden Lady - Catchy. Is that a key change at the end? I like it. Might be my favorite so far. 5. Higher Ground - 6. Jesus Children Of America - 7. All In Love Is Fair - I realized I stopped paying attention towards the end of this song so I'll be revisiting the last three songs on this record. Sorry. I was playing Roblox. 8. Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing - Wow, sounds like a drastic change. I dig it. This is definitely more my style. Loses my attention as the song goes on, though. 9. He's Misstra Know-It-All - This sounds like it would be a well known song. Update: Wikipedia confirms it was released as a single. Tee-hee. REVISIT 5. Higher Ground - So, this was the lead single. Let me listen and actually pay attention this time. Update: I don't really dig it that much. Would groove to it as background music. 6. Jesus Children Of America - This is forgettable too. I stopped paying attention again. 7. All In Love Is Fair - I like this one more than the last two. Glad I revisited. FINAL THOUGHTS I would have never listened to this had it not been for this challenge. I don't know if I'll keep doing track by tracks every single day as it's quite time consuming. But I'm excited to hear more music and educate myself on classic and popular albums. 7/10 - Enjoyable listening experience
Solid album. I specifically liked 3 tracks: Living For the City, Higher Ground, Don't You Worry Bout A Thing. But I enjoyed the whole thing, as is often the case with Stevie Wonder.
There were things about this I liked about this more than I liked about Songs In The Key of Life, bit overall it didn't hook me the same way outside of the classic singles. Still great album.
This might have been the first Stevie album I personally 'owned,' besides Motown greatest hits collections my mom had on CD, or the occasional, irresistible single (e.g. I Was Made to Love Her.) It's still insanely consistent across a spare 44 minutes. The hits (Living for the City, Golden Lady, Don't You Worry About a Thang, ETC) far outnumber the few lulls. While this might not be a sprawling masterpiece like Songs in the Key of Life, it's an insane run of memorable hits that make the whole thing a classic.
It’s better then I expected but still not a Stevie fan
Too High is a jazzy jam to open the album. Loving the deep whomping sound of the Moog-bass and its interplay with the drums. TiL that Stevie Wonder played drums. Visions is great -- makes me think of a much jazzier / soulful Nick Drake. Living For The City is a sprawling soulful stomp where Stevie puts a little more grit than otherwise into his vocals. Can hear a common theme between the synths here and those of Thundercat today. Impressive solo number. Golden Lady is just a great song. While I do love RHCP's deep throated slap-bass version of Higher Ground, the ultra-funky production on Stevie's original is prime. Also, also his vocals are amazing. Pretty crazy that this is a completely solo track. Stevie is a damned talented individual. This was a tight and concise album with very jazzy/soulful arrangements that were made all the more impressive by the fact that Stevie did a lot of individual heavy lifting here. Where he did get support (e.g., Visions) the album is elevated. Great listen. High 4 / 5.
Haven't listened to this album all the way through before. I know Higher ground and Dont you Worry bout a thing and they are jams. overall 3.5 stars for me
Exactly what I would expect from Stevie Wonder. Is this version of Higher Ground the original or a cover? Either way it's good. Had this on in the background while cooking dinner which I highly recommend.
Funk filled Tuesday morning I love it. This album had me bopping in my chair the whole time with the walking bass and steady drums to go along. Stevie has the perfect voice to go along with this style of music as well. Living for the City was the best song on this album. Such awesome instrumentals with a pretty intense skit in the middle of it. Higher Ground is such a good song. Love this original and the cover by RHCP is also great. I am an absolute sucker for some good old fashioned funk and jazz. Especially because it throws some variety into this list.
Really loving the chill, funkiness of this so far. Higher Ground is a classic. Still think Chili Peppers version is one of the best covers of all time. Don't You Worry Bout a Thing is a jam. Didn't realize it was a Stevie song. Def feel like I know cover versions more. Just shows how much influence he has. Lovely listen.
I liked he's misstra know it all
So good
Stevie wonder was a good listen
Excellent!
I've heard all of these songs many times but I've ever listened to the album in it's entirety in one sitting and I'm glad I did
Not my style. I like it and could see listening at home on a quiet rainy day or at the park in the sun sitting in the grass, but not to jam to in the car.
You can't go wrong with Stevie Wonder. His unique vocals and heartfelt performances are fantastic.
not my favourite stevie album but still one of his best imo. too high and golden lady are my favourites
Quite good
Love Stevie wonder
Not his best album
thank you for higher ground, which made my chili peppers gain a lot of popularity mr stevie! but this is already his FOURTH album on this list, he's not that amazing of a musician. definitely a good one but overrated imo. probably a 3 but bumping it down out of protest. also i kind of went with the consensus on all the other ratings, i feel dirty for it. my complaints about his singing remain true throughout the whole discography, its so over the top..
Chill album, quite enjoyed it being on in the background
Killer voice and good instrumentals, also funky. A couple songs are duds though but no ones perfect
Definitely glad I'm listening to this with my headphones, because I would definitely miss the layered stereo sound without them. The instrumentation is amazing, and probably way ahead of it's time. It's a little too much for me though, a little too many sounds, and wubwub synth is a bit overdone. Wasn't digging the first two songs, then Living for the City came on, and found myself starting to enjoy it, until the skit in the middle pulled me right back out. Golden Lady was a little repetitive. Higher Ground is definitely a step up from the rest of the album so far. Followed by what I think is the low point of the album in Jesus Children of America. Though All in Love is Fair is also a bit on the bland side. Another skit, this time to start Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing, which I think would be much stronger without it. My favourite part of this song was definitely the bridge. This song would have also been stronger, if it were about a minute shorter, and removed some of the repetition from the end. Final track, and comes with a much different sound. Gone is the heavy synth, and replaced with what sounds a fairly standard piano, and drum machines. I wonder if I'm missing a reference with the Misstra vs Mister. I was about to write the song off entirely, then about 3 minutes in we get some hard hitting vocals, and it pulled me in to the finale. It should have ended a minute earlier, and not just did that slow fade out, though. I understand the influence this album has had, but I wonder if it was chosen based on the strength of Higher Ground which stands out against the rest of the album as the strongest song, and definitely the one we've all heard the most.
Overall vibe of the album, "It's cool, but it's nothing special" There's nothing that really stood out for me. It's funky, it's soulful, but I don't find it, "fun"? I can't really describe it, but I honestly just thought most songs were boring. Until we got about 3:00 minutes into "He's Misstra Know-It-All" and Stevie hits you with this ground shaking voice "tremor", I'll call it. That was cool af. I don't hate the album, I just don't like the album. 2/5
Lovely album.
I found this a rather dull album. One or two standout tracks though - Don't You Worry... being one of them.
Blind album, know the artist. Stevie always sounds great, but this album fell more flat than I thought. Higher ground is a great track though!
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
Absolutely glorious
Again, need to listen to it more to really appreciate. 6/10
A solid 4. Not really my kind of music, but I can appreciate it for what it is.
splendida scoperta. tutti belli
I really want to like this, but it sounds so dated.
this was okay. I mean he’s such an icon and there were classics on here but it didn’t make me want to get up and dance, you know?
For me, personally, this album was good but nothing that really grabbed me at all. I think it's definitely one of those "for fans of the genre" things, because I can't get excited about it, personally, but I could see how R&B fans or whatever would return to it and really love it. I did recognize a few songs, and It's great to hear the full context, but it's not an album I see myself revisiting - though it is obviously not a bad album at all.
I wasn’t sure about this but it was a great piece of work full of texture.
frekar gott, er ekki mikið fyrir undrið. mjög góð lög inn á milli og svo flatneskju rogb þar á milli. 3,5.
I was disappointed last night when I put in my star rating for Agaetis Byrjun without writing anything. I had planned to have fun with like the diaristic aspect of doing this, and I felt like I had suuuuch a long and comical history of trying and mostly failing to all the way Like Sigur Ros, from being a teenager trying to like Cool Music in the early 2000s, into my later teens and early adulthood when my friends from liberal arts college were always wanting to eat acid and lie on the ground. But I didn’t. Oh well! Now, Stevie Wonder, Innervisions: my history with this is very simple. I didn’t grow up listening to Stevie Wonder. I knew maybe two or three songs from just, like, being alive. I first listened to Innervisions in high school bc of some other Greatest Albums list, probably Rolling Stone, idk. I was like, ‘wow, this is great. Whoa this is so groovy. Man this kicks ass.’ and my feelings have in no way changed or evolved, although I have a greater appreciation for its context in history and in the life slash career of Stevie. But overall, still, and forever: It’s great! Whoa this is so groovy. Man this kicks ass!
It was pretty nice and sweet. I liked the rhythms, and it was varied enough to not be boring
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.
Another great album by Stevie Wonder, on the same niveau as Songs in the Key of Life. Great balance of soft songs and funky ones. It's a very well produced and performed album.
A couple of great tracks. Not really an album I would have looked for. Glad I’ve sampled and would Likely be a repeat for me.
Having never heard this album before, I’m not sure why I was expecting to like it more than “Songs In The Key Of Life.” It’s been a while since I listened to that album, but I can’t definitively say I preferred this one. It’s still very good, though.
Stevie is undeniably very talented and this was fine to listen to. But it’s just not really for me
Eeeeehhhh
of course mystra knows it all, she's the god of magic
Soulful, funky and smooth. Higher Ground is the best song for me, but they're all pretty enjoyable. Innervisions didn't quite do enough to grab me to get 5 stars though.
Amazing funk bass lines fav songs - Higher Ground Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Amazing album
Discazo. Melodía, ritmo y todo lo que se puede pedir. Tiene hits, tiene lo necesario y más.
To funky.
It's got be a 5, some of the tracks are all-time classics
I really don't like the first two songs on this but the rest is great, so that lets it down slightly but I reckon this is his best album. 4.5*
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
Slow start to the album but finished strong. I only added one new song to my mega playlist
This album was OK. I thought the songs with the "skits" would have been better without the "skits." Also, the jibberish Spanish was weird.
I didn't get a whole lot out of this one - most of it just didn't click with me, including the only song I recognized, "Higher Ground." But I did like "Living for the City," and it picks up a bit near the end with "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing" and "He's Misstra Know-It-All."
I really like Visions, although I don't really have a vivid mental vision. But the melancholy vibe of it is my favorite. I like the riff on Higher Ground. Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing: "I got my shakers moving"
What is there to say about Stevie Wonder that hasn’t already been said? I said a lot in my previous Stevie review (“Fulfillingness' First Finale”), so I’ll keep it a little more brief here. This reminded me a lot of that album. Very similar vibes, and a similar time in his career. I think I’d rank this one above the first, purely for the grooves. The first one had more ballads which, while beautiful and incredibly well written and produced, weren’t really my thing. This keeps the energy (and the tempo) up and provides some really fun moments. “Livin’ for the City” probably stands out to me as my favorite track, despite its length. Stevie Wonder’s way of so effortlessly making these profound statements out of what otherwise feel like obvious statements and observations is intriguing, and does make you wonder (no pun intended) how he does it. That knack for simple poetry is on full display this track and in “Higher Ground,” the album’s two best tracks. Overall it’s an easy four stars. What’s not to like about Stevie? Standout Tracks: Too High, Living for the City, Higher Ground, Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing
Wow Stevie Wonder does not miss. The first track is unbelievably modern for a 50+ year old track
I really liked the style of this. As someone who likes music, I don’t know why I’ve never really listened to Stevie Wonder before. For most the album, I was pleasantly entertained by the songs, until ‘Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing’, which felt so fresh and unique, despite being around 50 years old. And then I had to listen to the entire album again with a different perspective and loved it.
This is Innervisions by Stevie Wonder. Nearly every song is a complete banger. There are a couple of slower more pensive songs and they actually really highlight his skills as a songwriter such as Visions and All In Love Is Fair. That's an interesting thing, when an artist is so proficient and overwhlemingly good at crafting hooks and playing instruments that their skills as a songwriter is barely even acknowledged. This is absolutely a case of that, as Stevie could be spoken of more in terms of his songwriting. He's just so damn funky tho.
amazing! so groovy and soulful! perfect album to dance around the living room
I like this one even better than Songs in the Key of Life!
really really good
Steve
As if I haven't heard enough funk already, being apart of the school's band council!
Favourite songs: Higher Ground, Living for the City, Too High Least favourite songs: Visions 4/5
A great time
You can't go wrong with Stevie Wonder, you just can't. While it's certainly more consistent than 'Talking Book', I still think its predecessor has those higher highs when it comes to individual songs. Thematically speaking, songs like 'Jesus Children of America' and Living For the City' push the envelope in terms of Stevie's poignant social observations. Musically, you're getting that unique fusion of funk, like on the incredible 'Higher Ground', and slower soulful piano-driven cuts, like on my personal favorite closer 'He's Misstra Know-It-All'. On this album, Stevie once again demonstrates that he's more than capable of making soul music that captures everything the genre's history has led up to while simultaneously polishing and propelling the sound forward and closer to its full potential - filling this record to the brim with ambitious song structures and effective genre fusions.
Super funky, super fun. Stevie sure has an incredible voice.
Groovy.
Solid record. I always seem to enjoy Stevie Wonder.
Yeah he could probably see and read this review with 20/20 vision
Incredible
LP
Imagine how good he’d be if he could see
masterpiece - one of my 'go tos' and should be in everyone's music catalog
Brilliant work from a musical genius
I appreciate this album. A couple of great songs. Not a go to for me though.
Some gnarly grooves accompany his best songwriting, an eye toward the future in terms of instrumentation and hooks galore. And only 22 years old. This is what happens when you give a musical savant a new set of toys. He doesn't just knock down the door - the entire building is blown up. A classic.
I think I've heard this album before. Two great songs, the rest are pretty so-so.
I quite enjoyed this. Just a couple of highlights for me, but enjoyable.
It starts off a little underwhelming but by the time I got to Higher Ground, Jesus Children of America and All in Love is fair I was hooked. Amazing that he played almost all the musical instruments on the album.
Stevie Wonder is good, but most of this album didn't really resonate with me.
Really enjoyed this. Had heard it before, but particularly enjoyed the funkier original version of "Higher Ground"...but have to admit that I like the RHCP version better.
Aight
Stevie Wonder is an incredibly inspiring and prolific artist, I love his challenging yet memorable songwriting, soulful vocals, and mind blowing work on the keys. While his drumming on Innervisions is a bit distracting for me—an unusual critique as it's the only album where it stands out negatively—I recognize that this is a minor quibble in the context of his multi-instrumental brilliance. When it comes to the songs overall I like Fullfilingness’ First Finale or Songs in the Key of Life better, they would be on my must listen albums list before this one. That being said there’s some bangers on here, personal favorites being “Visions,” “Golden lady,” “Higher ground” and “All in Love is Fair.” After listening to this album I also enjoyed revisiting some of his catalog again and even went back to some of his 60’s albums that I’m not as familiar with, Down To Earth is a stand out from that era for me. Despite my reservations about the drumming, Innervisions remains an undeniable classic, deserving a solid 4.5 rating.
Nice! I have this one on vinyl. Living for the City, Golden Lady, Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing, and Higher Ground are obvious great ones, but I love the mellow haunt of Visions.
Listened twice through, but no time for a proper write up. Great blend of jazz, funk, samba, and soul, expertly sung and performed.
Everything I've ever seen of Stevie Wonder, his music and appearances, seem infused with a certain I-don't-know-what, like even if he's singing about something negative, he has this irrepressible spirit and energy that just shines through, this creativity and impishness. So I was really listening forward (hat tip to JB) to hearing this album. There is a good amount of variety on here, genre-wise, but everything is a consistent high quality in all aspects, and Stevie just makes it look easy. Top tracks: Too High, Living For The Citayyy, Higher Ground, Golden Lady.
Stevie Wonder is a musical freak of nature. This album is great. I was thrown for a loop when I started the first song (which I really dig). Royksopp, an electronic dance group from Norway, are one of my favorite electronic artists. Listen to the baseline in their song 'Vision One' on their album Junior and see if you hear what I hear on Stevie's song 'Too High'. This album really showcases so much of what Stevie does, which is some of everything. His singing seems to fit well with any type of style. Jazz, Funk, Latin, Folk music all present. His singing sounds effortless while singing difficult things. He is a true example of 'they just don't make em like they use to'. Higher Ground jams, I liked Living for the City (always loved that standout synthesized line after the chorus, it's like a second chorus of its own), Golden Lady and Too High.
Much more enjoyable than anticipated.
Some nice songs
I have to say I was impressed by this as a Stevie Wonder album. It felt more grounded somehow than his previous records I've heard. Still, the occasional Jesus talk bugs me a bit. But it had an overall even quality to it, which I really liked. The only real complaint I have is that it lacked some song that stood out a bit more as a hit, but other than that it was a good album!
We've had quite a few Stevie Wonder albums, and they range from cheesy to funky. I think this one was really funky, good vibes through out. "Higher ground" is a real killer but the other tracks have a nice groove too. Specially enjoyed the samba rhythm of "Don't you worry 'bout a thing". Will come back to this one again for some nice easy listening in the future. 4 star.
Stevie Wonder is awesome
Another great record from Stevie. Too High is such a crazy weird song to open any of his records but is a fun funky jam. Living for the City is maybe one of his most epic cuts. Higher Ground is an classic single. He's Mistra Know it All is such a fun end of heartwarming film send off to the record. Don't you Worry About a Thing is so sultry. A great listening experience from one of the best out there.
Stevie Wonder does it again and this time with Innervisions. This album is just really great. The instrumentals are great and all but the main thing that steals the show is Stevie's voice. His voice has so much range, is like heaven to the ears and also tried tons of unique things. I also did think that part in Living For The City where it was basically an audiolog from a crime taking place alongside that one n-bomb really caught me off guard since i really was not expecting that from an album like this. I think this album beats out Fulfillingness' First Finale due to this one just being far more unique and interesting but they are both great albums. Best Song: Living For The City Worst Song: All In Love Is Fair Side note: I also think that its crazy that this was his 16th album and he wasn't even 25 yet.
Det är Stevie. Det är funky och groovy. Det är föredömligt långt 44 min men det blir ändå lite för mycket funk för mig. En låt i taget funkar. Ett helt album lite för mycket funk. Det finns riktiga guldkorn. Som t ex Living For The City, Higher Ground och Dont You Worry Bout A Thing.