Reviews (page 4 of 12)
A beginner introduction to a white Anglo Saxon person. Great band. Lasted longer than others, because of their style, soul, and band members who I believe still like each other. A very good start to an amazing group
Cloud 9 is almost like two totally different albums, which I guess is understandable considering how experimental the first few tracks were for the Temptations and Motown. The first few tracks are early examples of psychedelic soul, inspired by Sly and Family Stone’s song “Dance to the Music”. The Replacement’s answer has less of a dance vibe, with the guitar and precussion borrowing more heavily from psychedelic rock. Each of these early tracks is groovy, my favorite “Runaway Child, Running Wild” gaining the prestigious spot on my Favorites playlist. The later motown ballads on the album are good, for me they just not as fun and interesting as the earlier, experimental tunes. Though it is hard to not to enjoy the beautiful, soulful singing. Cloud 9 marked a turning point for the Temptations and many critics credit this experiment with saving Motown Records which was being left behind by the counter culture at the time. In fact, this album won Motown Records their first Grammy. This album is a great example of the continuity of music and the influence that musicians have on each other. It started from band members being inspired by a single song, progressed with their producer being forced out of his comfort zone, incorporating elements from several different genres. The result would take the TheTemptations in an entirely different direction, making them legends in the industry. It is also interesting to see how elements of psychedelic soul and psychedelic funk would ultimately help to establish disco and much of the pop music that followed. Listening to this record made me realize that I’ve never thoroughly explored the sounds of psychedelic soul, giving me a new project. Normally, this would be sufficient for me to give 5*, but the lack of internal consistency holds it back.
This is potentially amazing, but in order to fully enjoy it, I'd probably need a lavish dinner party, ice clinging in drinks. I'd be standing on the terrace, looking at the sunset. As it is, I'm sitting at my desk, working and listening with headphones. It doesn't quite work.
Un ritmo funky y muy buena energía en lo general, obviamente resalta la homónima Cloud Nine como un resumen excelente de lo que encontrarás a lo largo del disco. Definitivamente, The Temptations entró a mi radar de gustos musicales con tanto estilo como el mismo disco.
Great tunes.
ICONIC, I think they set the bar for this genre. I have never taken the time to listen to them. I quite like the mixing, and they sound great together. 4/5 Great album, great vibes
This was great!
A classic, fun and retro. Oldies as oldies get
Pretty good, I’d listen to it again
Really well rounded and accomplished for this style of music. Perhaps not as catchy as some soul hits, but more substance too them.
Can't go wrong with the Temptations
A significant album in the discography of The Temptations, "Cloud Nine" also demonstrates a generally shift away from traditional Mo Town music into more psychedelic soul and funk, pioneered by Sly and the Family Stone. The first side is joyful, bold and free, celebrating a break from their previous formula that brought such hits as "My Girl". Unfortunately, the second side plays it too safe, sticking to their previous sound without much to really write home about. Despite that, the first side is incredible even if it's only 3 songs. The 9 minute "Runaway Child, Running Wild" is the easy highlight here, combining a radio friendly funk single with an extended jam outro that sounds great all the way through. Overall, this album marks the beginning of a new phase for a band that was at risk of running their course. It's a shame this era is less well known as they made some great songs here.
I can listen to older R&B any day of the week, and The Temptations are an amazing example of why. Not their best album, but it's like pizza...even the not best is still incredible. Title track on this album seems to be the favorite, and it was a wonderful example of triumphing over adversity. Need more Motown on my list stat!
Loved this. You seen the band shifting and adapting to the times. Classic Temptations, but with a sound reflective of the moment.
Cloud Nine is one of those discoveries that will last. At its funkiest the temptations straight up deserve a five star rating. The track Runaway Child, Runaway Wild is a heavenly masterpiece. Only issue is the second half of the album being not as poignant as the first.
Digging the Motown sound
Enjoyed the variety and rhythm.
Deserves to be on the list. It was great/fantastic
Good. Groovy. Funky. Really no complaints.
Gillade verkligen detta, funkigt, härligt, bra vibes, Cloud nine är en jättebra låt. Också kul att jag upptäckte att Håkan Hellströms låt Augusti i helvetet var från deras låt Dont let him take your love away
excellent album - easy listening with the excellent harmonies, soul, & raw vocal talent you’d expect from the temptations. struggled between giving this a 4 or a 5. i think i’ll come back to this album, but ultimately i feel like none of the tracks hooked themself into my brain a la “my girl”, etc. maybe that’s not the fairest comparison, but leaving this album without any tunes stuck in my head makes me want to give it a 4. maybe that will change on subsequent relistens.
Really fun album, always love Motown groups. It was nice getting more familiar with the Temptations. Not every song hit me the same way and can't say I'm a fan of listening to a child cry which was off-putting but a great album to put on in the background.
yaaaaaayyyyy
id' get nasty to this
You can definitely hear the Sly and tHe family stone influence and it gave this talented vocal group a new lease of life. There's some really cool floor fillers on this album
First impression: Barrett Strong was a hell of a song writer. I love this slinky funky shit. Wikipedia says this was a response to the strength of power of Sly Stone's brand of psychedelic soul, and it does have a lot of that in it. It's a shame this is the music industry's response to copy a thing rather than someone making an expression of their own. Final impression: Maybe a bit sentimental, maybe cynical, but I still like the tunes.
Hell yeah brother
Classic Motown is always fun, and this was no exception. A good listen to boot.
OMFGGGGGGGG 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻 i have a natural bias towards them cause my dad loves them
Very good loved the vibe made me feel alive
This was 🔥
Hell yeah. Didn’t know the Temptations did grooves like that. Into it!
so warm, so lovely, makes me want to do stuff just for the sake of it, amazing
Enjoyed this mix of sounds on this album!
Could I replace 70% of the Britslop on this list with soul music from Detroit? Just a little bit psychedelic (I genuinely wouldn't have noticed without a little research) and all the way soul. I'm not a Motown expert, but it has never, ever let me down. How do you run a male vocal group centred on five-part harmonies without devolving into cheese? I have no idea, but this is that. The Temptations were cool as hell, the vocal performances are excellent and the whole album cooks through its 35-minute length. After a week of 1001 Albums giving me self-indulgent tripe from dudes who thought they could fill more than an hour with their ideas, Cloud Nine was like diving into a pool on a hot day. The backing band -- which I'm fairly sure is Motown's legendary Funk Brothers -- could play anything and I'd listen to it. This is the drum sound that everything should be held up to. Put these guys on stage at a middle school talent show and they'd make anybody in front of them look stellar -- and in this case, The Temptations don't really need help. Notably, this record has several extended instrumental sections where they just let the Brothers cook and it's an absolute joy ('Runaway Child, Running Wild' is 9:36 in length, more that a quarter of the runtime of this LP, and you might not notice -- it's just a full-on groove). I don't give out many 5's, and that continues here. This is a 4/5 album; it doesn't change how I look at music. It does reinforce every positive notion I have about Motown and everyone involved. Absolutely worth listening to before you shuffle off this mortal coil.
Simply lovely! This was a fun surprise and I loved the groove.
1/2 Funky Soul Music + 1/2 Baby Making Music = Banger
Detta är mer min sylt, får kanske ett överbetyg men jag blir glad när jag lyssnar på det.
I really loved this album. Even the songs on this album that have sad topics are really upbeat and positive to the point where they sound joyous. That’s actually the best way to describe this album, it’s really just trying to be a great time. This would be an ideal album to put on when people are over and wanna have a festive atmosphere. Honestly for that alone it should a be a classic. The only negative I can say is that the cover is pretty boring and that there’s not a dramatic amount of variety in sounds. But that’s a pretty great problem to have when the only issues an album has is the cover and alittle variety. People used to really revere bands that had a good established sound that you don’t deviate from (ie. Kiss is basically the greatest example of fans loving one particular sound). Seriously though super fun enjoyable album.
7/10 This feels like a big transition album looking back to the Motown of old on the second side, but working with the fresh new sounds that Sly Stone was introducing on the first side. The grit and funk on Cloud Nine and Runaway Child is just fantastic, and the grooves just drive. I think as an album, its beneficial to look at this one as a record with two sides as they are very different to one another, but it was perhaps a bold choice to order the sides the way they did, as old school Temptations fans may not have got on board with side one, but for me it really works. The second half is more trad Motown sound, and they are very good at it, despite the fact that it doesn’t really break new ground in the way that the first half did. I was toe tapping, finger clicking and head bobbing my way through it all and, although it lulled a little in the later tracks, really came together again for the closer. Cloud Nine - This is a great tune, really leans into the psychedelic funk side of things and makes me think of Funkadelic, Sly Stone and that type of music that was starting to emerge at the time, rather than the more traditional Motown sound. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - A Motown classic. Not my favourite version, but the doo-wop swing on the vocal is great. It definitely has its own feel and sounds like they’re having a lot of fun. Runaway Child, Running Wild - Back to the more dirty funk side of things, this is just great. There’s plenty going on and it evolves through its runtime into so many different areas and pushes and pulls so nicely without ever loosing the thread of the groove, whether through the half with vocals, or the instrumental half. Love Is A Hurtin’ Thing - This takes us back to some more traditional Temptations fare. It’s still great, of course, just not quite as energetic and exciting as side one. Hey Girl - This is smooth. I love the way they’re able to rotate lead vocal duties between songs to give a different flavour across an album. Why Did She Have To Leave Me (Why Did She Have To Go) - This swings so nicely and is a proper finger clicker. The lead vocal on this is SO good. Love it. I Need Your Lovin’ - Another great track. A bit more low-key, but it just grooves. Great harmonies and the way the backing vocals intermingle with the lead is just lovely. Don’t Let Him Take Your Love From Me - There’s something very James Brown about this vocal. It’s perhaps one of the weaker songs on the album as it doesn’t do anything too interesting, but it’s by no means bad, just not as good as what came before. I Gotta Find A Way To Get You Back - Lovely grit to the vocal here, and it’s got a nice drive to it. It’s another good track, but not one of the top rankers. Gonna Keep On Tryin’ Till I Win Your Love - Closing the album in style. This is great. That strolling bass line is fantastic, the horns do some lovely little things and the vocals are just excellent, both lead and backing.
Quite the sound. And so many bops.
Vibes vibes vibes vibes VIBES VIBES VIBES VIBES VIBES VIBESVIBESVIBESVIBESVIBES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Side 1 is great. I'm really not sure if I like Funk, or if I just like The Temptations doing it. It was also nice hearing a cover of I Heard it Through the Grapevine that wasn't trying to sound like Marvin Gaye. 5/5 Side 2 is standard Motown soul. Nothing wrong with it, and The Temptations are definitely near or at the top of my list of favorite Motown acts, but as a genre, it's not something I listen to often. 3.5/5.
Phew
absolute banger
I didn’t know a single song on this album but it still cooks.
Solid record. As always The Tempations are a class act. Cloud Nine the track is a belter. Feel the record takes its foot off the gas towards the end
So smooth and gracious. Great Motown sounds. 4/5
Yeah it was good. Funky and soulful. Clearly quite an influential release by the band and I can hear why.
Favorite: Runaway Child, Running Wild
3.5
Cool
Started off great with the first three songs being very different from the typical. Rest of the album was more like the usual Temptations fare but also really good.
Good!
Slayed chris is here so no long review
finally a record that i was hoping to pull. Isley Brothers are my favorite, but Temptations are one of the most important Motown groups to ever exist. album 9 in 1969 shows just how much material and experience these guys have at that moment. breaking the crest of the 60's with a bold title of Cloud Nine. it starts with power and energy and never lets up. giving a great cross section of this time in America. this record is them on top of their game. i had more but it got erased. essentially this is a short but concise record that has a huge impact for what a drastic direction change this group was making. 4/5
Luistert lekker weg
Goes hard.
we grew up listening to the Temptations, I feel kind of bad saying I wasn't blown away by this record but what do I know - they are fundamental and essential listening for sure, just not my favorite album
Een gezellig potje klassieke soul uit de stal van Motown. Altijd leuk natuurlijk. De verleiding is groot om hier de volle punten aan te geven, maar daarvoor moet er eigenlijk wel iets op staan waarvan je echt uit je stoel opveert. En tja, dit album biedt constante kwaliteit, maar meer ook niet. En die cover van I heard it through the grapevine mist de energie die we van andere versies kennen.
We kregen al eerder het album met Papa was een Rollende Steen en dit biedt wederom een verzameling funky soulnummers. Lekker uptempo, het swingt, je wordt er vrolijk van. Toen twijfelde ik door wat langzamere meuk en het eigenlijk iets te lang uitgesponnen Papa aan de 4, die ik wel gaf. Nu heb ik er minder moeite mee. Lekker weer een vrolijke 4. Prima plaatje, dat ik best nog een keer op kan zetten (ook al doe ik dat waarschijnlijk niet, omdat het wel iets aan de gedateerde kant is).
Ate my review, but this is fine. The Temptations are obviously great, and every song is above par, but nothing makes this explode. It's a neat mix of funk and motown, but ultimately kind of forgettable? Never mad to put it on, will almost never feel the need to.
Half of this felt like a 60-70s Blacksplotation soundtrack. It was good, just...funky
This feels really reminiscent of Isaac Hayes' Hot Buttered Soul. Ironically both released in the same year, I wouldn't be surprised if they were recorded in the same studio. The guitarwork, drums, and general instrumentals sound near identical. The guitar distortion sounds EXACTLY the same. That is not a bad thing, I love Hot Buttered Soul - and I like this too. Nothing here particularly stood out to me that is worthy of a mention, but I really enjoyed listening to this start to finish. The easy listening length time didn't hurt either. I feel like this record would be best enjoyed on vinyl, outside on a Sunday afternoon with a glass of wine, roast in the oven, and some friends. Favourite: Why Did She Have To Leave Me
Incredible vocals throughout this album, bass singers like this fella are always a treat. Instrumentals never missed the mark. Wasn't a great deal of variety in sound and styles. Pretty wild to have an almost 10-minute track, in an album of otherwise exclusively 2:30 to 3:30 minute songs. Favourites: Cloud Nine, Hey Girl, Runaway Child Running Wild
An interesting genre of black music, presumably made for a contemporary black audience, which is now probably only listened to by extremely elderly black people and white dorks (me).
Nice album by a great band.
Very danceable. I enjoyed listening to this a lot but wouldn't reach for this to listen to again, just because I'm not so into the genre
4/5 Unbeatable vocals, beautiful songs. Nothing more uplifting than the temps. Top 3 Songs: Love is a hurtin’ thing Runaway Child, Running Wild I heard it through the grapevine
Highlight Song/s: Why Did She Have To Leave and I Need Your Lovin' I am relatively new to Motown music, so it's been a little hard to get into. But It gets better and better every time I listen to a new Motown album. The second half is definitely a lot better than the first and it really does redeem the album. So soothing, Amazing vocals, Great basslines, good horn sections and really melodic. Good Album.
An easy four stars. This kind of music is a balm after some rough albums. How anyone could prefer The Beach Boys *Surf's Up* to this is beyond me, but diff strokes diff folks, as Sly says. Not five stars b'c it's not that peak early Temptations that we all adore - we ALL, damnit. But they're trying something new here, and it mostly works. In fact, listening adjacent to *Surf's Up* is appropriate, as in both cases you're seeing an established (and more musically conservative) group try new things, both musically and politically. The Temptations land it beautifully. By comparison, The Beach Boys are lost at sea.
Knew almost all the songs, but never listened to this album. This is why I'm part of this service. Thank you.
Quality songs, very cool.
Great! Didnt expect it to be as funky and finger snappy as it was
Cloud Nine" is the ninth studio album by American musical group the Temptations. Progressive soul and pyschedelic soul are the Wiki-listed genres. Yeah and this album is nearly split in half with those two genres. They recorded this album for the Gordy (Motown) label. The album marked a turning point in the group's career as it's to first to feature vocalist Dennis Edward's as a replacement for David Ruffin who was fired for drug use and it began their delve into psychedelic soul under the direction of producer Norman Whitfield who was convinced by member Otis Wilson they should follow the style of Sly & the Family Stone. The bandmembers, all vocalists, included Edwards (tenor/baritone), Wilson (2nd tenor), Eddie Kendricks (tenor/falsetto), Paul Williams (baritone) and Melvin Franklin (bass). The album polarized fans but proved successful reaching #4 in the US and #32 in the UK. Drums and a wah-wah guitar open "Cloud Nine." Forceful vocals with Edwards, Kendricks and Williams taking lead vocals. Driving guitar and beats. Mostly interpreted as a song about the best way to deal with the problems of being poor and Black was to ride Cloud Nine (do drugs). They're pretty good at this pyschedelic soul thing. An organ. More wah-wah guitars and hard-hitting drums with hi-hat are the instruments of choice in the first half of "Run Away Child, Running Wild." Doo-wop backing vocals in a song about a lost runaway. Midway through the song, it goes straight pyschedelic instrumental jam highlighted by a droning organ fade out. On side two, the group takes an about face and returns to their earlier soulful roots. "Love is a Hurtin' Thing is a short soulful ballad. Horns and an added flute. Congas are added to "I Need Your Lovin.'" Kendricks using his falsetto and great backing vocals. The band picks up the tempo in "I Got to Find a Way (To Get You Back)." A horn and string intro. Edward's on lead vocals. This is an album split into two parts with the first side their pyschedelic soul exploration with harder edge guitars and drums, longer jams and more serious lyrics and the second side staying the course with soulful and romantic ballads. Each great in their own respect. The backing band and instrumentation was excellent. And, of course, the vocals were outstanding. They would continue on the pyschedelic soul track. This album marks their transition into that realm and contrasts it with their straight soulful side. An very good album.
Well that was fun. Had no idea that this era of their work was so funky. Almost Clintonesque in parts
Breezy listening
Different than what I was expecting from The Temptations, but I like it.
The Temptations - Cloud Nine (A8, V7.5)
Very enjoyable listen. Are these as good as anything in this genre? I reckon they might be!
4,5 O álbum começa com uma pedrada e depois dela se rola ladeira ACIMA! Amei!
Solid album. Listening with headphones was a little harder because of the panning of instruments to a single ear (drums exclusively on the right, guitar exclusively on the left, etc.) but on speakers it won't be an issue. It is a good recording detail to seat you in the middle of the whole group, but it is jarring for the whole album to be set that way. Song standout for me was Runaway Child, Running Wild. A nine minute and thirty seven second track, pretty long in an era of singles and hit chases, while being a striking warning to not take what you have for granted by illustrating runaway regret. The usage of wailing was chilling and impactful, it'll leave a stronger impression than the majority of love songs on the album.
Very solid but no major standouts. Feel like I can't put less than a 4 though.
good stuff
7/10…motown / 60 soul
Not my favorite Temptations album but it's still the Temps
It's difficult to give Motown, let alone The Temptations, below a 4 or 5. They all interwove their huge range of voices so seamlessly. This is after they removed the talented but very abusive and troubled David Ruffin (he is mostly responsible for Tami Terrell's death, the young duet partner and friend to Marvin Gaye). 1969 was a huge transition year in many different ways, and it was musically for The Temptations as well. They start sprinkling in the funk/rock in this album and began to really think about what kind of message and music they want to put out there. I'm not super fond of the long "Runaway Child" but I can hear the seeds planted for some of my favorite Temptations, like "Ball of Confusion" and the masterpiece "Papa was a Rollin' Stone", so I appreciate the album as a stepping stone to those.
Without listening to them too much, it seems like the Temptations dabble in a few different subgenres, and all of them are enjoyable to listen. I can't pick any specific standout songs on the album but I just bopped back in forth in my office chair throughout. Easy 3.5/5, will say 4 because I never wondered how much time was left.
This was a bop. Cloud 9 was especially good but all of these jams were fun and made me want to dance.
Look, you can't have a Motown record with the classic, "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and give it a bad rating. I'd round up from a 4.5 to a 5 for this one because it's a great record, but unfortunately there is that weird child having a break down in "Runaway Child, Running Wild". So I'm rounding down to account for that.
Very enjoyable. Nice tone and vocal techniques! He effortlessly hits G5 in “I gotta find a way”. From how the vocalists sing, I won’t be able to guess it was released in 1969 at all. Music wise, it has some variety around a theme. Love some layered percussion too. And I truly appreciate shorter albums now. If I skip the 8.5 minute song, it will hit differently.
Love this era and band and sound and style. It grows on you the more you listen and there’s depth and emotion and a passion for the musicality of it throughout. Going with a 4 because while it’s a very solid album I try to save 5’s for something that blew me away or is so stacked with hits you can’t ignore them.
17/05/2025 Yeah it was a decent album.
Good fun , very Friday vibes
I like the song about the guy pleading with the woman that he has feelings for dang they got a 10 minute song on this, i didn't know their game as someone who often listens with one headphone off, this mixing fucks me up BUT THATS MY FAULT I KNOW
Awesome
Other than the generic love lyrics in like all of the songs, this was really good vocally and musically, bass was really nice throughout as well as the drums and the psychedelically aspect of the guitar on runaway child (despite it being one of the weaker songs on here for me). I wasn’t a fan of their rendition of grapevine as well, much worse than Marvin Gaye’s one but I think that mostly comes down to it being a much shorter version with less care put into it. Other than that I like all of the songs but my favourite was the first one by far. Overall 7/10.
Really nice upbeat album. High quality and only 35 mins, can’t go wrong
This bangs so hard.
Good rock n roll
True pioneers and a strong sample of genius
Had no idea The Temptations were doing Superfly / Shaft type soul music , predating the stuff I knew. Half is more straight forward pop vocal stuff but great production all around and a breeze to listen to
Enjoyable listen. Good stuff.
# Album Name: The temptations # Artist: Cloud Nine # Rating: 4/5 # Comments: Great vocals and bass lines. Pretty good listen overall. First half of the album is quite strong. The 2nd half dragged. Probably dropped in quality a tad. Id give this a low 4. # Top Tunes: Cloud 9 / runaway child # Would I listen to it again? Only parts
schon ein paar feine Sachen dabei
A lovely album. I liked every single track - though some more than others. It's certainly going into my regular rotation. I particularly enjoyed Runaway Child, Running Wild.
Awesome! Why can't things sound like this anymore? The ambience and room sound are so good. Classic mix of love songs and some relevant and topical lyrics.
funky
Fantastic album, mix of well known songs and smooth grooves
I had fun listening to this one. Great voices and cool energy.
Cool sounds, motown + early funk, The Temptations branching out
I prefer their other album on the list, but this is still good
The lyrics to a lot of these songs are weirdly depressing! Wonderful, I like it a lot! 4.5/5 (or 4/5) because I didn't like all of it and it feels a bit disjointed as a whole album.
I love Motown!!!
bery bery nice. paar woni gspeicheret han aber au die woni ned han ez gsi. so als album experience und vibe esch sehr sehr nice gsi. perfekt gsi för en sunntig obe zum lose während em choche
Incredible vocal talent, love the guy singing in the lowest register possible. The dynamic of funk and Motown soul is refreshing. The songs are all about love, but still remain fresh. 4 by the skin of its teeth, and for its crowd pleasing tendencies.
Clean, slick, smooth.
Funky, soulful, fun! Motown harmonies! Enjoyable listen!
It’s a nice album that is great music for having on in the house while doing chores or hosting friends. It’s not something I would pig on to listen to just by myself typically. The Temptations are a icon of the Motown scene and they don’t disappoint here.
Coming off a string of 1 star albums, I'm feeling generous to this today.
Pretty cool. Didn't know the sly and family influence til I read the wiki, but its obvious. The motown house band's psychedelia goes well with their rock solid funk, and the percussion works either way. Billy Joel was right about it all being rock and roll in the end if nothing else. Love the traded vocals, especially with really good tenor and bass to do silly parts. The guy who replaced ruffin does good with the raspy lead stuff. Socially conscious and all, but pretty dark about it, title track feels just like Nas almost 30 years later - life's a bitch and then you die, thats why we get high - on cloud 9.
Nice Motown Funk
The combination of elements from traditional soul and psychedelic rock make for an album that sounds very stereotypically 1960s. Who doesn’t love the combination of fuzzy organ and guitar?
Very good LP. A bit of a transitional record, with the psychedelic leanings. Great vocals, as ever. Solid, with some superb songs, including the title track.
Songs added to likes song playlist: Love Is A Hurtin' Thing I Gotta Find A Way Hey Girl Why Did She Have To Leave ME
Actually really enjoyed this album
The Temptations have such a cool unique sound. I really dug this and I'd play it again for sure. 4/5
An album by the Temptations is not gonna be bad, that’s kind of a rule. I listened to this one cooking dinner for my love and it fit. I think I liked this one more than the other one I listened to.
Had a fun dance party
I WANT MUH MOMMMAAAAA Heard Through the Grapevine is classic Hey Girl=My Girl 2.0? Old School Motown Funk, Gotta love how it gets ya dancin'!
Have I not listened to the temptations before? This was good. Fun hearing a 3 minute Grapevine after CCR.
Psychedelic, funky soul/R&B. A unique sound combination that rocks and has great harmonies. Not their most famous songs, but well worth listening to. A very high 4 for me.
This was awesome. The only aspect I didn't like was the strange phrasing used in "heard it through the grapevine". I liked the longer psychedelic tracks as well as the more classic motown sound towards the end of the album. It would have been cool to hear this when it first dropped since it contains such a departure from their previous sound
OVERALL: I never looked at the lyrics or even paid much attention to them, because that's not the point of the album. It's supposed to be fun and nice to listen to. Pretty standard for a soul album, but the production is usually pretty good, especially on the last few tracks. It's also surprisingly short, only taking 30-40 minutes, and around 1/4 of that is spent on Runaway Child, Running Wild. It's barely a 4, but some songs like I Gotta Find A Way and Why Did She Have To Leave Me bring it up from a 7/10 to a 7.25/10. Pretty solid, despite being kinda generic. If you're enjoyment is centered around lyrics, you probably won't like it, but if you're focused on sound than you'll probably love this. Good example of an above average / "I guess it's pretty good" album. SONG AVG: 8.01 PERSONAL RATING: 7.25/10 Cloud Nine: Pretty nice, but the vocals sound a bit awkward. Really nice intrumental. I feel like every thing I like about the vocals are instantly cancelled out by the vocals five seconds later. The production is really good, though. 7/10 I Heard It Through The Grapevine: This isn't Marvin Gaye, and it's considerably worse. Still pretty good, great vocals, but I simply prefer the production of the Gaye version more. The production is pretty mid tbh. Also uses a fade out outro. 5/10 Runaway Child, Running Wild: I feel like the Curtis Mayfield song was inspired by this. Pretty good overall, the only complaint I have is that it goes on for way too long (almost 10 minutes). Very nice and funky instrumental, and the vocals are pretty nice as well. The child screaming is weird though. I don't really like the thing that happens at 5:42 and at other parts, but it works well when other stuff is happening. The intro has weird backing vocals and the loud noise thing, but is fine otherwise. There isn't enough stuff happening to justify it being over 10 minutes, but when stuff is happening it's usually really good. 8.75/10 Love Is A Hurtin' Thing: Basically perfect production and absolutely incredible vocals. Way too short. I guess the lyrics are not impressive at all, but it sounds way too good for that to matter. This should be way longer than two and a half minutes, very good. Also uses a fade out outro. 9.5/10 Hey Girl: The intro sounds like a commercial. Kinda like the last song but a bit worse. The outro is pretty good, and the production is very good, but it feels too much like a background song in a restaurant. 8/10 Why Did She Have To Leave Me (Why Did She Have To Go): This feels like peak soul. Great vocals, incredible instrumental, but the most stereotypical soul lyrics of all time. Pretty much perfect is every way other than the lyrics, my only complaint is that the piano is out of place and it uses a fade out outro. 9.84/10 I Need Your Lovin': Pretty good. Hey Girl but slightly better. 8.15/10 Don't Let Him Take Your Love From Me: Really good production, mid vocals. The production is way too good for this song, carries so incredibly hard. 7.25/10 I Gotta Find A Way (To Get You Back): Wait, this is the second to last song? Perfect production and really nice vocals, very energetic. Incredibly fun and enjoyable to listen to. I'm probably being too lenient with this rating but who cares. 10/10 Gonna Keep On Tryin' Till I Win Your Love: Kinda mid. The instrumental can be pretty good, but it's usually nothing special. Still sounds good. The vocals are pretty standard. 7/10
Great psychedelic soul album! Soulful and funky. It was a ground breaking album and paved the way for a variety of future Motown artists. Wasn’t a fan of their version of “Heard It Through The Grapevine”. “Hey Girl” is a nice one.
Lekkere soul en funk plaat! Sowieso kende ik The Temptations wel en ik vind hun stemmen al echt fantastisch, maar ik kende dit album niet! Maar ff he, wat is deze versie van Heard it through the grapevine?? Dit is echt vrij dramatisch zeg.. Kan natuurlijk niet tippen aan de Gaye versie die we allemaal kennen. Het is wel echt anders dan de Gaye versie, veel funkier. Sowieso is dit hele album echt een funk blauwdruk. Komt uit 1969 he? Besef dat even! Dat er toen al zo hard gefunkt kon worden! Eerste helft van het album is iets sterker dan de 2e helft, maar het album luistert heerlijk weg en is eigenlijk precies lang genoeg dat ik me niet ga irriteren ofzo. Ik heb hier echt van genoten, sowieso een lekker soul of funk album dan heb je me al bijna! FAVO: Cloud nine, Run away child, running wild, Hey Girl, Gonna keep on trying till I win your love
Solid as heck.
I think I'm in a bit of a minority as I actually prefer this style of 'The Temptations', as it has moved to a raw, harder sound - really picking up on the funk explosion that was really taking off about this time. Don't get me wrong, the early Temptations stuff (e.g. My Girl) was still good and I am a big admirer.
late 60s groovy dance music. perfect for late-night clubbing and romantic get-togethers. with a new producer, the band departed from classic soul to something more colorful and crazy. songs of love and social awareness. the album is very nice to listen to, but i feel like some songs sound samey. even as the self-proclaimed funk addict, sometimes these songs just feel too similar or go for much longer than i'd like. there's plenty of gold in here though, especially with those wah-wah guitar solos and bongo drums.
Funky
Like how the drums are recorded. Not every song captures but magically talented group
Good soul/funk album.
Strong side A, weaker side B. Solid all around.
First half was funky dynamite. Second half unfortunately dragged it down a bit with subpar motion soul.
So schön - das erinnered mi a mini früeh Chindheit und macht mich glücklich.
ui dasch glaub geeeeile scheiss. oyeah mega früene funk time. jo cloud nine seeehr geil. wiso hend alli grapevine auno ufgnoh? marvin version unschöagbar. die isch cool aber najaaa. jo nai höred uf nai marv untouchable running child running wild isch seeehr geil. sehr papa was a rolling stone. sehr lang aber s groovt. harmonisch irgendwenn chli eisiitig sie hämmeder de eint akkord. bass cool. hasses dass d funk brothers amel nöd einzeln gnennt werded. de bass isch sooo geil. glaaub ehner nöd jamerson? love is a hurtin thing tönt mega noch jamerson noch dem wo gspielt wird. und de bass tönt identisch wie im letste track. vo dem her vlt doch er. oh mein gott ich lieb de bass. string arrangement super. hey görl au wieder guete song. aber seehr schmalzig etz die letste zwei. jo etz nöd hammer findi. tönt schön noch motown und so aber jäöö.
Sounds like these guys have a hell of a great time singing at a random bar near the sea. I would like to be at that bar. Stand-out: Don't Let Him Take Your Love From Me
Groovy, funky, ideaal voor dit lenteweer! Kende geen enkel nummer (behalve de covers), maar wijs album! 3.5
Absolutely love the soul/funk sound from this time. The Temptations in any of their classic lineups are, well classic. Put the 2 together and you have just excellent music. If this don’t make you just feel good then I feel sorry for you. 5 Star.
me gustó, gran banda aunque tienen mejores
The opening title track honestly blew me away and I was sat for a whole album of the same. So I was a little disappointed after one listen, but a second listen with fresh ears and tempered expectations helped. How could you not be in a good mood after listening to The Temptations?
It is closer to a 3.5, but it sounds so cool for Motown, having that psychedelic swirl. So I will go 4 stars
very cool aound. they don’t produce albums like this anymore. Rich bass lines and well crafted songs.
Another 4.5 I wish there was a way to do half stars. I enjoyed the songs but for some reason it wasn't gripping me as I expected it to. This might be another relisten down the line tbh
I WANT MY MAMAAAAA I WANT MY MAMAAAAA traumatizing but overall good tunes Easy listening and finding myself unknowingly bopping
late 60s soul is tbh kind of a blind spot for me, i have stronger impressions of the periods before and after. this record is an A side of really overtly post-psych motown updates (including a very strange heard it through the grapevine cover that i like a lot tbh), and B side of music that is not nearly as obviously out there but still a delight and i can definitely believe it indicates an uptick in ambition, or at least recording technology. honestly maybe remembered for slightly misleading reasons but im sure its hard to go wrong with temptations harmonies and motown melodies even on relatively forgotten records, this is pure delight in ways that dont need to be explained rly. aaaaaaaaaah! the temptations!!!
Really dug this funky album. Just so cool. Favourite tracks were Cloud Nine, Why Did She Have to Leave Me and I Gotta Find a Way. This genre/era is fast becoming a favourite.
More like cloud 4
Good funk and soul here. Didn't move me like some of the other Temps albums did, but still a very worthy listen. Best thing for me about this was getting to the "recommended songs" and discovering Skull Snaps! Great to groove to.
pretty good album, I liked it
Everybody playing and singing on this album is supremely talented, knew that going in. But I was surprised at how much I enjoyed listening to most of these songs top to bottom.
So funky, so soulful. The Temps were some of the best who ever did it. A vocal group where each guy had a special voice and new exactly where they fit in. And this is that special album where they're trying to tackle current issues. Which still hits even if we aren't in that same space. Dennis Edwards replaces David Ruffin, which is just such a sad situation. Ruffin was the voice for a time, but Edwards also brings a lot to the table. A little gruffer but all soul still. And the backing band totally crushes here. Hits all the right notes.
- groovy - really good bass - little bit repetetive - really nice soul music
I liked it alot. Wish it was longer
I haven't had a ton of exposure to Motown and I honestly don't understand why that is because this album is so good. I know who The Temptations are, of course, but have only listened to a couple of their biggest hits. The main ding for this album is that it's too short. Just as I was really getting into a groove, it was suddenly over.
This is pretty good, pleasant all the way through. The funky numbers work more for me than the ballads but it's all listenable.
Come on… who doesn’t like The Temptations? Seriously, let’s see a show of hands! I dare ya!
Much more of a Stax guy than a Motown guy but there are just some great cuts here.
7.5/10
A good pairing for Valentine’s Day. Love songs that aren’t cheesy. Heartfelt and soulful. I like the temptations a lot.
Contains all my favorite Temptations tracks, so it has to be my favorite of theirs. The definition of soulful. Dennis Edward’s voice rocks. Standout track is: “Don’t Let Him Take Your Loge From Me”
Ah what a gem. Glad I put this on when I started cleaning the bathrooms…dance party!
Not my fave, but still a sucker for Motown sound.
I've really struggled with this one. I love it – there's a load of great songs and sounds. But is it a 5? I'm going to say no. I've listened a lot, and love it, but I don't love it 5*s. There are many superb songs. Of course "Cloud Nine", "Runaway Child" etc. But also songs from the second side, e.g. "Why Did She Have To Leave Me" and "I Gotta Find a Way (To Get You Back)".
This is really good and sounds more like James Brown than the temptations.
Funk smooth and easy to vibe with
Fantastic album and got me nicely in the Friday mood. Not a bad track on the album.
Beautiful start to my weekend
Couple of very cool psych-soul tracks and then a bunch of more safe songs.
Some very fun songs done only how The Temptations can do it.
Rating: 8.5/10 So damn funky and soulful.
Lovely melodies and good vibes
really enjoyed this album, will listen again, vocals gorgeous and rhythm so fun.
Not something I would have ever listened to without this list. A strong set of funk-Motown crossover. Favourite tracks are Cloud Nine and Runaway Child Running Wild.
4 sterne
Not much to say about this one, just a sweet blend of funk and soul. Low 4.
Solid tracks, especially in the first half. Not much else to say. 7/10
I listened to it in the background so i didn't pay great attention but the album itself and the resulting spotify radio was amazing
Fun enough, although there's no real stand out songs, no My Girl or Get Ready. The Heard It Through The Grapevine cover is a interesting change, but pales in comparison to the original or even to The Slits version. Better than Clarence Clearwater's version though.
I need to listen to more soul this is good!! The vocals are amazing all the way through. I think 'Runaway Child, Running Wild' is my favourite. Very easy to listen to, and very mood boosting.
Didn’t listen to any Temptations beyond “My Girl”. I see now that was a mistake. Great songs with some great R&B funk production. Will definitely keep this in rotation.
This music is pure joy. It might not be the musically brilliant but that shouldn’t take anything away from how uplifting and joyous this album is. It constantly made me feel upbeat, put a smile on my face, and was enjoyable to listen to. It’s fun. It’s soulful. It’s hard not to like. It’s not great funk or Motown, but it’s worth listening to.
Constant surprises. Shifts from song to song in style and energy. Amazing.
This one’s got funk, soul, and just the right amount of edge. It’s got that Sly and the Family Stone vibe but with cleaner grooves. The vocals hit hard, and the rhythms keep it moving. It’s fresh, bold, and full of energy.
Album was fairly decent, not the best they did
Cooler Soul wo die Hüfte in Schwingungen kommt. Auch gut wenn man das Album durchhört und automatisch Youtube weitere Songs der Band abspielt und man es nicht mitkriegt, völlig gefangen im spitzenmäßigen Soul-Sound 4 Sterne
Really great stuff on here, I had never heard some of these tracks. Love Cloud 9, overall a 4 for me.
Full of lovely tunes for relaxing and getting in the groove
Catchy AND snappy. My favourite kind of album.
Wow, I really enjoyed this. So funky and full of soul.
I love the temptations!
don’t often get my head nodding in the first hook it’s a good sign for the rest. very good but annoyingly short, an extra couple of tracks may have ended up as padding though.
Good for a Sunday morning while making breakfast!
A good listen, catchy and groovy
I can get around this, funky, jazzy and full of soul. This album is more my pace, had it lingering in the background whilst doing housework and didn’t feel the need to skip anything.
Very good album. I like the Motown stuff. Their version of “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” is very different (but really good) than the others I am accustomed to (Marvin Gaye and Gladys Night and the Pips as well as CCR)
strong title track, then sat through a 10 minute song without even realizing, track 5 and currently 5 for 5. very good, very cohesive, can see how this is a classic. will be adding to library and maybe on vinyl. fav was probably title track, very easy listen too not really any skips
Pretty good actually, I liked it. Funky, and the title song was the best of them.
7.5/10 Pretty good this. A mixture of pure soul and some more experimental psychedelic stuff Excellent production, good vocals Some of it reminded me of Isaac Hayes in his pomp Best: Runaway Child, Running Wild
Good. Not always super interested in Motown though.
I must have really been in the mood for this one tonight
I have never heard this side of the Temptations, but I liked it a lot.
Classic Funk/Soul. Really enjoyed it. Contains both fun and beautiful songs. I'm assuming this is the OG of funk sound.
Best: I Gotta Find A Way (To Get You Back) Worst: I Need Your Lovin' Liked songs: 90%, 9/10 Low 4, 80/100 The definition of just a funky, fun album. The pacing is phenomenonal and the album never drags at all. There's really not a whole lot to say about it for me other than just how fun of a listen it is, which is really the best compliment I think you can give a funk record. Can't give it any higher than low to mid 80s just because there's not a song that particularly grabs me. Still a really fun record.
pretty groovy
achei a capa mto linda pqp soulzinho DELÍCIA! um toque de psicodelia ainda, cê tá doido. bão demais. as letra tbm fortíssima.
I will always love the Temptations. This seems to be a bit more politically introspective than some of their earlier stuff I've hear. I like it! Also has some real funk to it - especially in comparison to earlier stuff like My Girl. The funkier the song, the better, in my opinion. Highs and Lows: Runaway Child, Running wild is an excellently fun song. I'm not often a fan of a 9 minute song, but it kept me hooked with that beat the whole way. Love is a Hurtin´Thing is a dip in fun and sound, sadly. Hey Girl is like My Girl, but worse.
This is some good music. The Temptations were cooler than you. I give it a four.
Here's the roller coaster ride I just went on: Track 1: what the?? This is the Temptations? I guess I've never properly given them a chance, cuz this is crazy interesting! Track 2: a decent cover of a great song. Works for me. Track 3: this is blowing my mind! I guess I totally had the wrong idea about this band. This might be heading toward 5 stars. I need to go read the Wikipedia page... Then as I read while still listening, the music reverted to the more typical Temptationd stuff, just as the Wikipedia page said it would. I'm disappointed that it became so much less daring.
oh yeah whats up
James Jamerson's bass work on this album makes it worth listening to.
Classic funk album, nice groove, great singers, a bit boring on side b, but I think it's normal for records from that period. Just overall good album.
A pleasant surprise with that psychedelic soul groove and clear Sly influence. I wanted a few more tracks to stick as keepers, but it earns a 4 to encourage more listening.
I found it interesting that the endings of all the songs were fadeouts. I think I will keep my eye out for how other artists might end their songs. The vocals were beautiful. They have a good way of keeping you entertained at many sections even when certain loops are very simple at repetitive. An example of this is in Runaway Child, Running Wild where the bass is the same all throughout the song, but you might never notice.
Short, sweet, solid album.
An interesting transitional album, including some psychedelic tinged numbers like Cloud as well as the more traditional Temptations sound i.e. Gonna Keep on Tryin A solid effort overall
Great funky 60s record. My only complaints are that the second half isn't as good as the first half and that they pan some of the instruments too hard to one ear which makes it a little harder to listen to with good headphones on.
This was a rad album! I wasn't expecting it to be so psychedelic. That was a fun twist. The first half of this album is really wild. The songs are harder and more psych, the lyrics are about social issues. I was all in for the first half. The second half is more of your standard Temptations. Songs about love and heartbreak and it's a little more traditional sounding. Still good, but that first half really got me. I love how the bass drives every song. Its truly playing that driving rhythm section and letting everything lay on top of it. The keys are really fun and cool, while the guitar has fun licks and rides throughout. This was really fun!
I found it odd to have The Temptations so close together, but this and 'All Directions' really does show their versatility. I mean, it's all the same sphere of music, but you can tell them apart easily. Kind of dated, but classic.
Uuuu jako sam uzbuđena oko ovog, ajmo! Koja fina peglica, jako volim ovu kombinaciju soula i psihodelije, vjerojatno najdraži dio tih kasnih 60ih i ranih 70ih. Volim ja i njihove kasnije albume, ali brijem da mi ovaj najdraži, definitivno njihova dobra faza. Najdraže pjesme - prve tri! Moram priznati jedino da mi sporija sredina albuma ne leži toliko kao ostatak i samo zbog toga će biti 4/5 ili 8.5/10.
7.5/10 Prijatan album koji mi vise nekako ide za pustiti u pozadini, iako me na trenutke privukao blize zvucnicima. The Temptationse nisam bas puno proucavao ali navodno ovaj album oznacava neki njihov novi smjer psihodelije koji ce se tek cuti u naredna dva albuma. Ovdje ju ne cujem, samo ugodan upbeat soul, odlicne vokalne sposobnosti svih clanova i zaljubljivu muziku punu nježnih lyricsa. Nije lose. I Need Your Lovin' i I Gotta Find A Way su mi bas super, ali cuje se da su sve stvari sa istog albuma, ili barem iz istih godina. Ljubav i zelja za nekim je ovdje prakticki jedina tema koja se provlaci kroz svaku pjesmu (kao sto i naziv albuma sugerira), ali nije mi uopce corny i ima taman prstohvat zdrave patetike u lyricsima. Respect.
Makes hard times sound soooo smooth.
Iconic couple of songs, and the rest was okay. 3.5
I enjoyed the listen.
I listened to nearly half of it!
Loved most of the songs on this album. A few skips, hence the 4.
Enjoyed most of it, runaway child was kinda bad. Otherwise pretty great album.
3.75
good vibes
Funky, soulful. Puts me in a good mood Everytime.
It’s sweet and fun.
Second half of the album particularly good, maybe even 4.5
Classic soul/northern soul music. Standouts: Cloud Nine, Heard It Through The Grapevine and Love Is A Hurtin' Thing.
This is a nice listen 4/5
Good vibes!
Favourite songs: Cloud Nine, I Gotta Find a Way (To Get You Back), Why Did She Have to Leave Me (Why Did She Have to Go), Gonna Keep On Tryin' Till I Win Your Love, Heard It The Grapevine Least favourite songs: "Runaway Child, Running Wild" 4/5
That was a blast.
Super fun listen. Fantastic Motown that makes me want someone special in my life. Fun music
I was somewhat already familiar with the Tempations, as I my grandma listened to them all the time when I was growing up. Though, I didn’t really have any interest in music at that time, so none of it really stuck with me outside of their big hits (i.e. Get Ready, My Girl, etc.). So it was interesting sitting down and exploring a full record of theirs after all this time. I wasn’t crazy about the 9-minute track on here, but other than that, it’s a solid record. It has some fun funk tracks that stood out to me and overall has a nice and warm sound to it. Favorite track: I Gotta Find A Way
This was pretty good. I'd probably listen to this more. 4/5
Just some good AF music.
Great music, but not my favorite
I knew The Temptations only by the song “papa was a rolling stone” but was never tempted to further explore their discography or the genre. I’m happy that this was today’s album as it finally set me to get to know the music a bit more. Feels natural for me to listen to this, very enjoyable. The vocal range and the trumpets in some songs really captivate me. Only negative for me is the stereo mix putting the backing vocals solely in my left ear consistently. 3.69*
Loved it!!
Solid album, no skips. 7.5/10
Great music, wonderful vibe.
What a great album intro! I wasn't all too familiar with The Temptations- I know some of their hits (and love those) but I never checked them out beyond that. I'm glad I got to do that today! So grooooovy Favorite track: 'Why Did She Have To Leave Me'
Very nice
Psychedelic soul? That’s all you had to say!
One thing I like about this list is how is does try to gather examples of the best artists in a genre. The Temptations have a remarkable R&B sound that isn't like anything else. I liked the album overall, but some of the songs got just a little long in the tooth. Still a good listen by the time it was done.
9/30/24. Very much enjoyed this album! I liked how it keeps the classic Temptations sound, but the sound pushes to be louder and more on the edge. Almost like a funk, soulful band instead of stricly the MoTown sound. Big fan of this one.
Favorite Track: Cloud Nine
Great music
Goood
Great chill party music
Bass line of the first song (Cloud Nine) says it all -a great album! Heard It Through The Grapevine is a classic. Their sound, the production puts a big dancing boot in my ear and just keeps stomping.
-The voices go very well together -Really good soul beat -First half was more enjoyable than the second half
Funky and soulful, this album from the Temptations doesn’t disappoint. All the musicians involved sound phenomenal and you get what you expect from the Motown sound. This was the Temptations adapting to the funkier world going on around them which they pull off naturally.
I'm tempted to rate this one in the middle, but I think I'll give it a 4.
Great instrumentation and arraignment. Great musicianship. Funkier than the first Temptations album I rated. I liked 'Hey Girl' and 'Cloud 9' the best. A lot of great melodies throughout the album. Very cool cover art too
Particularly enjoyed the version of heard it through the grapevine
First time listening to a full Temptations album. I loved this one. Some of the songs are perhaps not too memorable, and I wouldn't seek them out, but I liked the album as a whole. I especially loved the funky and more upbeat songs Favorites: "Cloud Nine", "Runaway Child, Running Wild"
A little self-indulgent. Nice tho.
4.0
The first side of this album was a 5, but the second was just a 4
great tunes and great album art. winner!
I dug it, for the most part. Maybe not a love love love, but it hit a good groove for me.
Obviously Cloud 9 is the big hit but the whole album is really good. I like their cover of I Heard It Through the Grapevine and Runaway Child, Running Wild is amazing.
Super clean and easy listen.
Nueva semana en éste reto, con una banda/conjunto vocal que (sospecho) sólo ubico de nombre. Disco con un muy buen groove, con canciones que podrían estar en el soundtrack de una película de Tarantino. Los temas llevan a un trance en forma delicada con voces envidiables. Cerramos acá.
Meget mere eklektisk end jeg forventede fra Motown. Meget sjældent jeg hører noget derfra, jeg ikke kan lide!
What a cool, funky sound. So uniquely Temptations in their sound and just a great listen. Four stars.
Enjoyable, good harmonising
I like the very story heavy approach, it feels like the album is a movie that combines a bunch of vignettes. It is also very catchy, so two birds one stone.
Really loved the first half of this. 2nd was decent but a bit more croony. Love their vocals especially lead singer. Thought after curtis Mayfield this may be left wanting. But no really liked it. 7.5/10
Landmark record that really marked the beginning of their psychedelic phase. Really set them apart in a R&B genere with little artistic experimentation to this point.
Motown legends bring their A-game here, with wonderful vocal melodies that keep your eyebrows raised.
A dash of psychedelia tempts these Motown soul staples toward a higher ground.
BEST SONGS: - Love is a Hurtin' thing - I Need your Lovin'
Oh man I love psychedelic soul--hard for me to stop moving my foot and hard for me to stop attending to every vocal line and drum hit. Exploring gets you lost sometimes, but you find really really cool shit sometimes. This ain't your momma's grapevine.
Such great songs. Surprised about how low the production values are.
Groovy.
What a treat to listen to this with fresh ears and put aside the triteness that "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and other Tempations' songs have become.
Groovy, Funky, Crispy, and Soulful. I could do without the part where the "kid" is crying for his mama, but other than that really good. Not bad for a DEI band. (jokes).
I listened to the album while driving and Motown always hits when driving in the sun, but I found that the album wasn’t hitting as hard as I thought it would. The title track and I Heard It Through The Grapevine were kind of disappointing, but I found the second half of the album was way better which was unexpected. However, by the time the second half of the album was on, it was pouring rain and I was concentrating on not crashing my car which kinda killed the vibe the album was giving off. Overall I really liked the album, but I probably should give it a second listen while sitting in the sun or something.
Instrumentally and vocally gorgeous. Marvin Gaye’s version of Grapevine is far superior though. The title track blows the rest out of the water.
Very good album. Funk and Motown soul. Good mix of styles but some of felt a bit like filler. Worth listening to. 3.6
Ok
Liked this one about the same amount as the previous temptations album. Saw a comment in the global reviews that said usually genre spanning groups mix genres within individual songs, but the temptations don’t do that. They have Motown songs and they have funk songs on albums, but no blends. Thought that was accurate. Liked the funk better than the Motown but overall solid
Its not my style