Reviews (page 5 of 12)
Smooooooth. Temptations at their slightly poppier fully soulful. Band is tight. Vocals are strong and smooth. Production is huge.
I've never sat down and listened to anything similar to this It sounds beautiful but given that I relate to practically none of the lyrics, I don't see myself giving this any repeat listens. 3/5
Definitely a turning point for the Temptations, as the group seems to have evolved a bit from their signature Motown soul sound into more funk and psychedelia here. Of course, that soul isn't gone entirely as the second side of this album features it prominently. However, the first three tracks are very indicative of the aforementioned new direction with the title track "Cloud Nine" showcasing this right off of the bat. Honestly wouldn't have minded if the rest of the album had followed suit with side one, but it was still enjoyable nonetheless.
Some Temptations material I hadn't heard before! Mostly bops, one or two weird ones.
this was a funky album with some nice tracks, i enjoyed a fair few of the songs
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I generally found the sound to be really uplifting, but nuanced from song to song. My limited experience with soul prior to this hadn't really left an impression on me, I could often enjoy a song here and there, but overall felt that a lot of songs kind of blend together and sound the same. As an album, cloud nine tends to escape this context I came into the genre with, I found myself listening to this album more than twice to really explore how I feel about the sound and style of the music. Soul still has a lot of room for growth with me, but this album made its own impression well.
groovy
Very nice album. Enjoyed a lot
Sooooooul
Holy shit! I was expecting doo-wop and the opener just blows the doors off the hinges with some of the greatest psychedelic inspired soul I’ve they heard! Hell yeah!! Sly and The Family Stone influence here is undeniable. More of a return to form for the back half of the album but still solid material.
This was an unexpected treat for a Monday morning! This was the album that saw the Temptations add a psychedelic twist to the Motown funk sound, played with impeccable swagger. The highlight is the 9 minute epic Runaway Child, Running Wild which features Hammond organ and plenty of wah wah guitar riffs. Groovy!
Really groovy, feel good and fun. The music is flawless, nice guitar riffs, solid rhythm section, and great brass section!
A great listen from start to finish.
I gotta find a way to get you back Cloud nine I heard it through the grapevine
Good album. Love the Tempts
Really funky and enjoyable. Second half was worse than the first. 3.5 rounded up
It was a nice album. Now that I am older I can listen to the lyrics and appreciate this music on a deeper level. I like the beat, bop and harmony of voices.
Super funky grooves! I’m into it.
This was a good album guys I rate
A phenomenal album in a genre I’ve little experience with. The voice, the instruments, everything blended together to create an awesome listening experience. The first three tracks were stand out and I preferred the sound to the later parts of the album.
Opening track was such a banger man. A little let down we didn’t get more of that psych/hard groove but you know what this shit still slaps. I need your lovin’ is also a certified hood classic. The R&B/Soul albums on here hardly let me down.
Hell yes love motown, definitely music from my childhood. There's a bit of a stark contrast from Cloud Nine to the rest of this album, its definitely the funkiest track. Also some of the tracks (and Temptations in general) follow the theme of "Dont leave me I love you come back right now" type of lyricism. Fun album but definitely not their best.
Classic Motown sound! Enjoyable listen, but nothing especially new or revolutionary on this record. Solid R&B vocal leads and harmonies with an immaculate backing band.
Fun music
Favourites: cloud nine, runaway child running wild, hey girl, I need your lovin, I gotta find a way (to get you back), keep on tryin til I win your love. Pleasant and fun. 4/5
I like this record. But not quite as much as the other one I’ve heard on here.
Love their voices and really like their happy vibe
This is one of those cases where this is an absolutely foundational album for its genre, but to the modern ear can sound dated, as it did to me. Very happy to have heard it, but it personally didn’t resonate with me.
7/10
Classic soul. Loved it.
Interesting
Good album. The temptations are nostalgic for me
I recently developed an appreciation for The Temptations, and this is one of their good ones.
Groovy! Nice, smooth sounds. Compared to other soul or soul-adjacent music, it's been my favorite so far; I had heard Isaac Hayes and Curtis Mayfield before this, but enjoyed The Temptations much more. I think I just prefer my soulful, funky oldies albums a little more upbeat, so this worked for me.
good stuff
V good
4+
After a great, funk-like start I found it a bit stale in the middle. Where’s my momma part is a lol. Overall great vibe for a chill sunday afternoon, glad I listened to it.
Great fun stuff
Hell yeah. The track really makes a strong statement and it continues for much of the album. All the musicians are really well trained and they make a great band. The Motown tracks were less interesting that the funk tracks.
Absolutely love the groove of the high hat in one ear and the bongos and tambourine in the other on Runaway child. Keys, horns and guitar popping in and out. I loved the funky grooves on the title track also. Those two alone get this over a 3 for me. Most of the rest is good quality music, but arguably more or less just the generic Motown sound. Very enjoyable listen, the passion and soul really comes through the music. 3.75/5
Just good soul-driven music with solid grooves that makes you forget about life for awhile. Runaway Child ironically seems a bit out of place here due to its length and jam vibe when compared to the rest of the tracks. But it doesn’t take away from the overall enjoyment.
A total vibe with maybe a few low points, but what’s not to love about this record?
That’s just damn good music. When you put this on, if your head doesn’t start bobbing and your foot start tapping, then you have no soul. Bass guitar was the highlight for me. I want to isolate that and have it as the soundtrack of my life.
The perfect palate cleanser after that I Am A Bird Now shite. Also, Mavs going to the finals. LETS GOOO!!! 4/5
I’m not super familiar with the temptations but I enjoyed the album. Reminded me a lot of the Jackson 5.
Love the temptations
4.5
Very good. A fun album.
I'm starting to think that psychadelic soul might be my favorite genre of all time. Great album.
This is not the sunny sound of 60s soul. This is gritty. Very different listen. Likely a new sound for me as a 52 year old white man, I never listened to the darker side of 60's Motown as they rarely played it on the stations my dad listened to. Give this a listen.
Ritmazo.
Some classic Motown here.
really good stuff
7 / 10 Mezcla de sonido Funky - Psicodelico y Motown. Tiene algunas canciones que sorprenden muy buenas.
Some grooves here. If a sunny day at the park were an album, this would be it.
1. Cloud Nine - Super groovy, like kind of the song you see at the beginning sequence of a film introducing the main character n shit. The bass and drums of this song bang so much. The low register and high register voices in some parts do get a little bit goofy, but overall a very nice track. (added) 2. I Heard it Through the Grapevine - Cool guitar intro, not really digging the vocals that much, lost it's Motown growl from the first track. A pretty classic example of the Soul genre, especially with the antiphony between back ups and main vocals. I like the keys riff. 3. Runaway Child, Running Wild - Grooviest intro I ever did see, the guitar tones are pretty sweet. 10 minute track is a bit dodgy, but has a really strong start. Keep featuring different effects, amps and pedals, but they kinda stop doing that once they settle into the track. Kind of wished they kept their initial vibe that they started the song with, but I really do like the instrumental of this track. Don't know why that kid is crying though. (added) 4. Love is a Hurtin' Thing - Mixed feelings with the vocals, crossing between Bill Withers and Mickey Mouse. The strings sound nice, a good song for a sunny day. Quite short in comparison to the other tracks. 5. Hey Girl - Cool chord progressions, can't really see myself putting this on regularly but thats alright. Can't really say much else about the track. 6. Why Did She Have To Leave Me - These tracks are progressively getting more and more the same. I dig the mixing of this track a lot more, the drums are also really strong in this song. The vocalist is staying a lot more consistent on this track in comparison to the others, really like the raspy soulful timbre. (added) 7. I Need Your Lovin' - Angelic voice on this one, cool harmonies from the backing as well; feels like an old fashioned Bruno Mars in some areas. The groove is quite mellow, acoustic guitar was a good choice for this track, really fitting well into it's genre. 8. Don't Let Him Take Your Love From Me - The bass on this track is awesome. Really strong song, the vocalist is going off. Really catchy chorus and what not, I rate it. (added) 9. I Gotta Find a Way - The track feels like it's sticking to the same tune the whole way through, which isn't bad but sort of gets old, which is odd since tracks like Runaway child is three times long, but manages to keep it fresh. 10. Gonna Keep On Tryin' Till I Win Your Love - Don't really feel like the lyrics mesh very well with the compositional style, really clean bass lines though. Not a lot else to say about the song, the band sounds really tight, but there aren't really any outstanding moments within the track. Rating: 7.5/10
Fun instrumentals and vocals
Different versions of the songs I have heard.
I always enjoy some funky soul. The first 3 songs are a great update to the Temptations sound. "Grapevine" funks so hard. "Runaway Child" is an extended jam that swells and ebbs to let everyone play around with the theme. The next few songs were less compelling for me, but had some great bass lines (both instrumental and vocal).
I think I enjoyed this :)
Clound Nine I do like The Temptations psychedelic soul period, after David Ruffin left. Like everyone I love their earlier ‘classic’ stuff but I was interested to hear this in full as I only know Clould Nine and Run Away Child, Running Wild. I love the excellent Cloud Nine, a brilliant bit of psychedelic pop soul. Running Away Child, Running Wild is also great, in that similar vein as Cloud Nine, Papa was a Rollin’ Stone, Psychedelic Shack, Ball of Confusion. Quite a simple electric piano riff, great bass and drums and nice guitar accents. Along with Sly and the Family Stone this really laid the groundwork for Funk and the Parliament-Funkadelic albums in the 70s. I think George Clinton worked at Motown so I’m pretty sure would have been around the Temptations and would likely have played on some of their songs. I’m Not as keen on their version of I Heard it Through the Grapevine, obviously Marvin’s is the definitive version but I don’t think the riff on piano works, and they style in which they’ve done it makes it sound quite lounge. The second side is almost like a completely different album. I was expecting more 9 minutes psych soul jams, but it’s 7 tracks in the traditional style of the Temptations and Motown. Even if they may not be top tier Motown tracks they are still all superior examples of the type of throwaway pop music Motown seemed to casually toss off at the time. Excellent playing, (particularly bass and particularly bass on I Need Your Lovin’), great vocal group harmonies, sympathetic production make an extremely enjoyable listening experience, especially on my final listen through this rainy Sunday morning. The last 4 tracks from I Need Your Lovin’ to Gonna Keep Trying till I Win your Love I particularly enjoyed. Again even though they aren’t top tier Motown they give you those little dopamine hits of joy in a way not much else can. Overall it’s kind of tricky to rate as it seems like two psychedelic soul freak outs, a weird demo seeming version of I Heard I Through The Grapevine and then half a record of classic Temptation style tracks. The first side is clearly very influential and Cloud Nine is a truly great track, and then the second side is very enjoyable vocal soul. Three feels a bit low, it’s not quite a 4, but I’ll go 4 for Cloud Nine, the playing and the vocals. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
вроде фанк (ладно, прог соул говорит вики) но хорошо легло на море и солнце, с удовольствием послушала
8/10. Started off strong. Runaway Child, Runnin Wild was a top notch 5⭐️. Added two others as well. But as the album went on it did feel like the same song over and over eventually.
Ай как старички копчёные прокачали, я пока мыл санузел натанцевался вдоволь
I like the genre, and The Temptations was a hugely successful funk and R&B act in its heyday. While I liked the album, I did not love it...
Not my favorite version of Heard It Through the Grapevine, but a pretty funky album from start to finish.
Enjoyed this. Something of a departure from the singles which is what an album should attempt to offer.
This was good but didn't hit as hard as "All Directions" for me. I'm shocked that I had never heard their version of "Through The Grapevine" - I just had the Slits version the other day - I wonder how many more takes on that song are represented in this collection.
Good. 4/5
Funky. I dig it
Thoughts before listening: I certainly know the Temptations, but I’ve never seen this album cover be though. This is a 60s Motown soul group that has some massive songs. Looks like this album has at least one of those songs with “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” which will be nice to hear. Review: These are the types of albums I like discovering through this project. I knew the Temptations transitioned from being Motown hitmakers in the 60s to a more psychedelic funk sound in the 70s, but I had never really dug in other than the Psychedelic Shack album I once picked up on a whim in a record store budget bin. The first three songs on this album have an incredible sound that is quite different from what the Temptations had released prior to this album. All three of these songs are going on the playlist, and I especially enjoy the 9 minute "Runaway Child, Running Wild". The second half is more traditional 60s soul sound that the Temptations are known for. This is an enjoyable listen, but nothing is standing out. 4-star album.
Really really great mix of styles here for the Temptations. I think I've been spoiled by other versions of Heard it through the Grapevine because I didn't think this one was all that good. The other tracks had way better performances all around. Favorites were Runaway Child Running Wild, Love Is A Hurtin' Thing, Why Did She Have To Leave Me, and Gonna Keep On tryin Til I Win Your Love
Wasn’t a huge fan of their version of I Heard It Through The Grapevine, but everything else here is fantastic. Put horns in all music. Didn’t realize I really like The Temptations until now.
sabrosito
I almost gave this one a five because of the second track daaaamn is it groovy
Groovy, def from a dif era
Not what I was expecting Really good with an edge to the songs that I was not ready for. Thought it would be twee easy lounge room songs
Loved them when I was a kid. Love this now!
Hoeveel uitvoeringen van I Heard it through the grapevine zijn er Temptations altijd wel goed Kende dit album ook nie lekker kalme start van de dag en mooie liedjes
It was so fun
A fine example of '60s soul, though a touch on the repetitive side. A couple tracks got mighty funky though.
Nice Fav songs: Why did she have to leave me Don't let him take your love from me :D
Was very nice and sexy and also you are all pedophiles
A bit more funky than I'm used to from The Temptations as they move into the 70s. I like it a lot.
Such a good group. Not my favourite version of I Heard It Through The Grapevine, but it fits their style. I was not expecting to hear a grown man cry for his mommy. Maybe they should have let a child do that.
I liked this. It totally sounded like the Temptations, and the production on it is really funky. Standout track for me was Cloud Nine. Marvin Gaye’s ‘Grapevine’ is preferable to me, though.
pretty good album, enjoyed it
Each song feels bubbly and fresh, despite its age and no idea is overdone in the short runtime
I really enjoyed this album. Sent me on a journey through more of their stuff and artists like them
The Temptations! Out with the more soulful Motown from the likes of the four tops or the miracles and IN with this slice of dirty political funk and soul 🤘🏽
Liked the music, listening with headphones I was a bit dissapointed with the mix as every track had the same vocal drum instrument pans so it became a little predictable sonically
I would guess that this is not the only Temptations album that will be on this list. If that’s the case, then I’m plenty happy to start with this one that is more “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” than it is “My Girl.” Fun, funky, and showing off not only the depth of their sound, but of Motown Records as well. Their take on “I Heard it through the Grapevine” is fantastic. Enjoyed the whole thing as much as I enjoyed having the whole weekend to listen.
Some nice easy listening music here. Not a lot of funk and flash but a lot class.
A good album, I liked Runaway Child, Running Wild and I Need Your Lovin' the best.
Some serious feel good tunes on this jawn - damn near a fiver (not gonna just be throwing those out)
First soul album I've heard in full, pretty good, but not my favourite. 7/10 Fav song : Runaway Child, Running Wild
Finally something that is more up to my alley. The vocal harmonies here? Exquisite. The production? Great for its time. I’ve heard of more complex music in my life but the passion, the attitude, the delivery? More than makes up for it. Also, soul singers made 10 minute songs before those progressive rockers ever did!
Really fun. Great sound.
Gillade denna snäppet mer än All directions, även om den saknar superhits.
Motown! Not the classic versions/songs that I remember from the radio. But still has that sound that can lift spirits.
Classic motow
Wish I had the time to listen more to it!
Aight
Very solid album, very funky. Enjoyed every song but nothing complete wowed me. An amazing group.
Favorite Tracks: Runaway Child, Running Wild Cloud Nine I Heard It Through The Grapevine
2/22/24
Produced incredibly. Stunning vocals. Track 2- beautiful pop ballad Track 3- great emotions. Musical break very good Very smooth listening experience. Track 5- mmmm Side two so far, very poppy and sweet 8- fucking funky bass Thank you for the recommendation.
Helt udemærket soul album. Klart flere lyt værd
good shit, soul time
9/10 songs saved
Fantastic album. Love the soul roots. Need to buy the vinyl !
Good ole music! Enjoyed it...some of the songs are redone...ie Marvin Gaye.... Heard it through the Grapevine!...I like his version better. Nice easy listening....good album.
Good
Liked it more than I thought I would.
Really enjoyed running to this one. Groovy as hell. Haven't heard a ton of 9 minute motown songs.
Oldie goodie
A fine psych soul release led by perfect singles.
Vibe
I heard it through the grapevine. Iconic. For the quality of the song and its placement in the 80s California Raisins commercial.
I wonder if they were the NWA of the 60's
Motowns finest
Silky smooth.
Chill af to say it in simple terms. Never heard of this album or the band before being given this album to listen to. But it sounds instantly familiar and sounds like I have grown up with it. Very disappointed this isn't talked about that much online. They have sold tens of millions of albums across the world. Seems like one of those groups who have been left out of this modern age of music discourse. This age of music discourse is very meme-able with the same albums being brought up over and over again and people being pretentious. And "Cloud Nine" doesn't fit into those molds being made by the community. Is it a masterpiece? No, I wouldn't say so; it's missing the special touch or oomph factor even though it doesn't have any bad tracks. But it is still at this point a hidden gem. I hate using that word but I feel that it is necessary for this description.
I should listen again
The Temptations were the classic Motown sound! This album showcased their incredible talent and has all the vibes!
Best R&B from Mo'town.
They sure can sing. Pretty groovy. Favorite track was I heard it through the grapevine.
Tracks 1 and 3 are insanely good... absolute gold. The rest of the album is quite good. Too romantic for my taste, but vocals and instruments are on point. Bass is fucking fire throughout. Turns out its James Jamerson.
Never heard this version of heard it through the grapevine
Amazing harmonies/melodies, enjoyed most the album.
Herrlicher Motown-Sound. Soulig und entspannend
None of their big hits, but classic Temptations.
Beautiful soul Melodies, amazing harmonies. Possibly an over looked classic.
Lots of classics. Took me back.
What a great album! We found new love for The Temptations - this one is early funk in the making.
Enjoyed listening to this one
Funky!
“cloud nine” and “runaway child, running wild” were definitely the highlights of the album for me. truly impressed me with their honest lyricism and experimental sound. and while i enjoyed the rest of the album, i wished it took more risks. the love songs were beautiful and filled with gorgeous harmonies but kinda blended together in the end
cloud eight
Very danceable, into this one.
Lots of psychedelia, interesting stuff!
This is the Temptations' eighth studio album. This group of songs was influenced by the psychedelic soul that Sly and the Family Stone had made popular. These songs were a noticeable step from their previous efforts, which focused on romantic ballads. The change was successful, and this album won a Grammy. The Temptation already had a successful career, and this collection of great tracks accelerated their success.
Love these harmonies.
I haven't heard a lot of these songs before. They are pretty good, I'd listen to them if I was in the right mood.
Like the title track, Cloud Nine. Also, Runaway Child, Running Wild with wah wah and fuzz guitars. I love the bass tone on I Need Your Lovin'. It's a really clean-sounding, funky Motown soul record.
some good old songs .
Funky, groovy.
Rad!
Great percussion. Fun jam band elements that were unexpected.
good, but also not in a good mood today
i already like this one better than the last.
loved the funky vibe
Solid, fun album. A bit funkier than I expected. I particularly enjoyed the title track. I will listen again, and I now have a greater appreciation for The Temptations.
Easy listening
Mit Kopfhören nervt das LMR-Signal. Orchester voll L, Schlagzeug voll R, Klavier voll R, Sänger M. Im Auto klingt es abgestimmter Stimmen brilliant.
4.0.
Loved how this album mixes the funky psychedelic sound they began developing on Side 1, but then returns to their classic style on Side 2. They may not be stylistically aligned, but it shows the versatility of the group and the broad vocal talents and excellent songwriting. Didn’t realize this was the first album without David Ruffin, but Dennis Edwards is a respectable replacement and carries the group through this fantastic album. It’s not a perfect outing, but it’s definitely a strong contender for the best album in their catalog.
starts out so strong through the first three tracks, and then just kind of... keeps going
Straight up good vibes. Love it.
Dude what!?
In almost 35 minutes The Temptations lead us into a powerful sound of the late 60s and early 70s in pure funky rock.
Temptations first foray into the funk-psychedelic soul and excelling. This album also told the world and David Ruffin that they can not only do well with out him but can reach new musical heights. This is one of 2 temptations albums that I own and for good measure. Psych-soul is one of my favorite genres. Cloud 9 is great but Runaway Child should have gone on forever and I would have been okay with that. None of the other tracks really lean into the psych-soul angle and I wish they did but the remainder of the album is a pleasant listen and what you'd expect of a Temptations album.
Temptations are always a great experience. Love. Thus album has iconic hits but a few misses so 4 stars.
The times said to change and the Temptations got the memo. While it still sounds like your classic Temptations album, they’ve updated their style without sacrificing anything that made them special originally. Every track is enjoyable even if they do start to blend together. I don’t care, I’m having fun. 4/5
Silky, cool, delicious Motown music.
I enjoyed this quite a bit. The random lesser known tunes were interesting and fun with good energy and emotive vocals. I gave it a second listen and was just as impressed. This album aged really well.
Good
Blast of the past
Funky
Good stuff
interesting how this is somewhat similar to All Directions, the first half is more adventurous, but Heard it Through the Grapevine is not as impactful as other performers' versions. I think the second half is more standard Temptations and more solid than All Directions too tame second half. I will give it a low 4
Good
Great album, fun music. All the songs are good but not all 10/10s. Lots of awesome ones though
I liked this one quite a bit, though I much preferred the groovier funkier early tunes to the ones on the second half.
I’ve always been a fan of The Temptations and I really enjoyed this. There were a couple of clunkers, and that long version of Runaway Child, Running Wild wasn’t great. But overall? A 4.
Album 236 of 1001 The Temptations - Cloud Nine Rating : 4 / 5 Favorite Tracks: Runaway Child, Running Wild A tale of two cities, for sure. Side 1 gives us this taste of a newer Temptations with their "psychedelic soul" sound. Side 2 gives us the more traditional sound with their romantic ballads and mid-tempo tunes. I have always been a fan of the old sound but Side 1 was really, really good and is the reason it gets the rating it does. Side 2 is pretty good, too. Quality album.
I'm doing fine on cloud nine... Just love the Temptations psychedelic soul era. This is the beginnings of that era, it's starting to cook but it's not quite done yet. Still a great album.
Not a huge fan of Motown, but I liked what I heard here. And the funk stuff is pretty good too. I might have to round this one up a half-star, maybe I'm just in a really good moon.
It’s a fun album and a nice shelter from all the rock picks I’ve been getting. Love the soul and funk on this. Some great bass lines on it, especially runaway child. The harmonies on here add to the album as well. Love them on gotta find a way, and why did she have to leave. Cloud nine is a great opener and bursts with energy. Runaway could’ve been a bit shorter, it does drag a bit but it’s still great. The final track is a bit creepy and I don’t like the lyrics at all. Grapevine and love is a hurtin thing aren’t rememberable as well. Overall, it’s a good album. Strong 3 to a light 4.
Top shelf, sounds super fresh
Wow! Most people only know the hits but this album has it all: R&B, soul, psychedelic. So good!
Good stuff
The first 3 tracks have that 70's funk / psychedelic sound, but the rest of the album is 60's style crooning. Runaway Child, Running Wild is the standout track for me.
Very similar to Otis Redding (he was the next suggested song after this album) 4.5 out of 5 I’m loving soul funk.
Would listen again, but wouldn't seek it out as an album
Great Motown. However, not the best version of "I heard it through the Grapevine"\
Can never go wrong with The Temptations. So groovy and funky. Vocal harmonies that I never tire of.
Funky vibes, really chill and nice.
Classic jams here
4/5
All time favorite
Funky, lively and just a delight.
After listening to that, I have the temptation to listen to other albums by them.
A perfectly assembled collection of vocalists to create a really engaging psych-soul album
Not bad, not a huge fan of the 9 minute song in the middle though, but other than that, a good album
First three songs are pretty groovy, bit samey after that but good listen
I actually liked it quite a bit
Great soul/funk
Good album. I had only had heard a few of the songs. It flows well.
There are some bangers, but I was expecting to like it more in general
Yeah, I enjoyed this one. My image of The Temptations is similar to my image of a lot of other Soul & R&B acts of the time, singles acts rather than album ones. This may have changed my perspective a bit. The songs are still totally crafted around the sound of a single, but the album is so packed with singles ready songs that I couldn’t pick which ones were designed to be the singles. I had to look it up. And that’s the way I think pop albums should be crafted. It’s one of the reasons Rumours is so fucking good. All of the songs could have been singles, to the extent that most of the deep cuts have become classics in their own right. That’s not quite the case with Cloud 9, but I still thoroughly enjoyed all the songs on the album
Motown babey, though no notable favorites for me 4.1
Wonderful album, even if it is a bit all over the place! Opens with a gritty but maybe optimistic song? Then a version of Grapevine released the year after Gaye that is just a bit... Why? Then so many mopey heartbroken songs that have NO RIGHT being as good as they are considering the subject matter Nice to hear an album that is just wonderful outside of the context of its era of release and how much it altered the trajectory of the band /was innovative (which imo is harder to realise decades after the fact and especially on a first listen) Highlights: Cloud Nine, Runaway Child, Love Is A Hurtin Thing, Hey Girl, Don't Let Him (certified reluctant banger)
7/10, nice 60s motown vibes, but some of the songs can get a little too experimental and result in being grating. fav: cloud nine
This is indeed The Temptations. Starts strong, just about stops before too long.
Really great perspective on a band that I thought was limited to doo-wop songs. Had no idea they went psychedelic and funky. Definitely worth a listen.
Pretty cool record. I liked the second half a bit more then the first one but they are both very strong!
Best song - Cloud Nine
Groovy, lots of lovin’ to be had
Fun, easy listening
Loved the experimental songs here. They’re complimented but pretty standard temptations cuts which aren’t bad, but don’t live up to the strong start. 3.5/5
This was my introduction to psychedelic soul, and I liked it very much. I'll watch everything from "The Temptations" and hope to see more of them on the 1001 list.
I dig it 4/5
amazing soundstage
Not what I normally listen to but I really enjoyed it
A little uneven but ultimately a good album
Funky !
First rock inspired track is amazing. One of the better renditions of though the grapevine. Afterwards, it’s good, but becomes more traditional soul/r&b. Ok, it’s great. Instrumentation is on point, Melodie’s are fantastic.
The Temptations have an impressive number of good albums and timeless songs. This wouldn't be the album I'd expect to see on this list, but it's solid. Rating 4.4.
Motown is difficult to rate sometimes. There are a few really great songs, a few okay songs, but most Motown is just really solid. As usual, giving this 4 stars.
Pretty, pretty, pretty good
Not my usual jam, but was pleasant to listen
Pretty good album. I like The Temptations, so I had fun with the album.
Psychedelic soul
Easy listen groovy and funky
A very funky, enjoyable neo soul album. It sounds more 70s but it was still made in the 1960s, it must've sounded so fresh at the time. I loved it!
Really great listen. Standouts: I Heard it Through the Grapevine, Cloud Nine. 4/5
very easy listening
Nice album ...
Good songs on here were incredibly good and ahead of their time, though a few were just fine
I'm a fan of this genre, but the album itself doesn't quite hit that 5 star mark for me. Standouts include Cloud Nine, I Need Your Loving, and Gotta Keep On Trying Till I Win Your Love.
Great classic Motown sound.
Not bad … Fav tracks: Cloud Nine, Runaway Child Running Wild, Love is a Hurting Thing, Why Did She Have To Leave Me (Why Did She Have To Go)
yes
Very good introduction to funk album. Favourite song was Cloud Nine. Definitely will listen to again
Smooth, clean, good, not too long 4/5
Pretty sure this was their first album that got away from a more doo wop sound and ventured into expression of social consciousness. Hard to keep 40 some odd albums straight but this has to be one of their best. I also have to admit that I love the Temps and ain't too proud to beg for more.
Sweet thang
Great album. Not their best but still great
That Motown sound is just incredible
Yeah it was good
Didn't know Heard it Through the Grapevine was a cover Runaway child running wild was a bit of a jam eh? Might be the most soothing singing voice and drums on I need your loving I really like the amount of singers there are. Brings a different element to each song Great mix of slow love songs and upbeat songs to get your feet tapping
Loved the groove and clearly full of hits from their time
one thing that i wasn’t expecting from this album was a 9 minute song but i’m so glad it was here. a couple standouts and no bad songs
This is an incredible album from The Temptations. I was expecting more “My Girl” type music but the album was very diverse in genre. It was like the barber shop meets psychedelic jazz (??) Evette song was unique and complimented each other beautifully. The album wasn’t too long either which is a plus.
Enjoyed it.
Timeless
I hate this version of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine." Otherwise excellent, half funk, half traditional Motown soul.
4.25
Excellent album
Pillar to post this is a whole vibe. I wanted to get up and straight up boogie. Even when the message presented wasn’t a positive one the music still flowed through me. A wonderful piece of R&B/soul music.
Quite enjoyed the Grapevine cover despite itself. Probably a 3.5 overall so I’ll round up to a 4.
Slaps, but sometimes they needed to just let the instrumental shred The open to Cloud 9 is great
Now THIS is why I joined this gig! This is exactly the kind of music I was hoping to find a way into and what an album! Sounded great even on a shitty Bluetooth speaker! Will defo be listening to and buying again!!
Pretty pretty good
Helt ait ganske standard ella fitzgerald stil
A collection of great soul classics. You miss a bit the highlights and innovation from our times since there are so many versions of these songs.
ima cook breakfast to dis
didn't think I would get into it but a lot of the songs ended up being a lot of fun, great vocals as expected
Interesting to hear the lyrics from that era. Times have changed so much and yet many of the issues are exactly the same
Good
Quite the vibe. 4
• I enjoyed the album and I found that it got better for me as it went along • I really enjoyed the harmonies throughout • There were quite a few songs that I liked and would listen to again • Favourite song: Hey Girl
Motown grows its hair, drops acid, gets heady. It’s pop music at its funkiest and funk music at its poppiest, if that makes any sense.
Fun stuff, pretty different from the other Temptations album I had, but still very solid. Will have to come back to this.
Funky (at least to start)
Bangers
Gott stöff, eins og við var að búast. Hlið A er tilraunakenndari og ef öll platan væri eins myndi ég líklega henda í fullt hús. Hlið B er fjári góð samt líka.
I was surprised that a 9+ min Temptation song exists! Very Groovy and easy to listen.
BL: I love the temptations, I have many singles of theirs that I love listening to, but never listened to a full album. Let’s give it a listen. AL: very good. Exactly what I’d expect from the temptations, all wrapped up in a neat package. Some lovely grooves, some good lyrics and the vocals are just buttery and as sublime as always. Never Dissapointed with the temptations FT: “I Heard it Through the Grapevine”, “Runaway Child, Running Wild”, “I Gotta Find a Way” 4/5
Solid motown classic. Cloud Nine is a great track, I Heard it Through the Grapevine, and the rest of this album really define the motown sound.
Enjoyed this. Lyrical themes are a bit repetitive but I think that's a motown issue not a Temptations issue.
It's quite a leap from My Girl to psychedelic soul. Obviously there was a middle act to help with the transition. But still. Grapevine's got a great groove going off, something that even Marvin couldn't achieve. The soul is still there; the soul is always there. Plus it's cool to hear the familiar Motown house sound bass pumping along, holding it all together. If you wants the Temps to do anything, then psychedelic soul it probably is. Country soul may have worked. But Cloud Nine is a product of its time. It still stands up well.
Non avevo mai nemmeno sentito parlare del soul psichedelico figurarci averlo ascoltato. Mi ha completamente spiazzato come suono, una rivisitazione molto interessante di un genere classico. Non ha avuto un effetto enorme su di me, ma potrei veramente ascoltare quest'album all'infinito, molto bello.
Feel good album - typical Motown.
A good albumn, sounded like the Temptations. Simple sounds and excellent harmonies and instrumentation. 3.5/5
Groovy. Whenever that bassy voice came in, my knees shuddered, and I'm a married straight dude. Weird cover of "Heard It Through The Grapevine"
4/5
I’m on it.
This was a really solid album but it definitely is not their best work in my opinion. They are a great group so it is still really good but I prefer some of their earlier albums and a few of their 70's albums over it. I think my favorite song on this album is the title track as well as "I Need Your Lovin'" and "Why Did She Have To Leave Me". The rest of the songs are all solid but this albums to me is nothing to write home about. 7.5/10
Fair, nothing special but pleasant to listen to
The Cloud Nine cover and name are perfectly accurate but also not: Buttery smooth music gains a certain amount of bumpiness in sequence. That makes for a crystallized teardrop of a sound, which succeeds largely on listenability. The covers have me thinking about the songs in new ways, even if they aren't as bombastic as some of the other tunes seem to demand.
Feelsgood
Good vocals are always expected if it's The Temptations, but the funkiness was something that's great and a little unexpected.
Classic songs from The Temptations
Motown classic! Production, rhythm, grooves. 4 stars. Best version of the Grapevine song I know.
Top quality sixties soul - not really my thing, but undeniably good stuff.
The more psychedelic tracks are really cool! I could take a whole album of that funk prog psych rock thing but I feel like they were a bit afraid to really lean in
i enjoyed this! never thought the temptations could go this deep on an album, feels like they were still a bit tied to their formula in places but they definitely did something new
Worth it for Cloud Nine & Run Away Child, Running Wild, the latter of which I was only familiar with the edited single version. This 10 minute version is fantastic. In between the two is not the greatest version of Grapevine - give me Marvin Gaye , Creedence, The Slits or even Gladys Knight ( the first version released but not the best) any day. But their voices are so good they almost get away with it. And it’s their voices that make Side 2 of the album worth listening to, not the songs as such. They were a great vocal group.
Norman Whitfield and the Temptations convince Berry Gordy to try something new, and kick off psychedelic soul. And set the precedent that Motown can do something other than polished 2 minute pop songs. So, this inadvertently gives us a whole genre that takes off int he 70s, plus opens the door for Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder to blow the roof off. Side 1 is terrific with the title track, a psychedelic reading of Heard It Through the Grapevine and the 9-minute freakout of Runaway Child, Running Wild. Side 2 is much more conventional, but still a great listen.
Rad, funky Motown. I like it.
Wonderful album. Side 1, the first half, is gritty and urban and not what I would expect from the Temptations, and its entirely successful. The title track is a perfect example, telling the story of impoverished urban life a young manand the escape into his own imagination. Next up an inspired version of Heard it Through the Grapevine and the epic 9 minute track; Runaway Child, Running Wild, another gritt=y tale of life on the streets. Side 1 is near pefect. Side 2 returns to to more typical Temptations fare and the songs are always strong and beautifully conceived but definitely classic Motown pop. This combination makes for a wonderful album. 4 stars
Although not my typical genre to listen to, this album was very well done. Uplifting.
Such a classic 70s vibe, I love it.
Very groovy. Good mood listening. A lot of songs about love. Listened once in the morning and once in the evening. Nice album.
Fun, funky and smooth. I had a blast listening to this album
This is the second album I’ve had this week with "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" on it, something is in the water. Also, loving a Temptations album that doesn't have "My Girl" on it, my god that song is SO played out! Very enjoyable listen, loved grooving to it. Only downside is the 9 minute track, it just kept rambling on and didn’t fit in with the concision and brevity of the other tracks.
At the height of its powers, Motown makes it look easy.