Stand!

This was not a bad album, it was ok. Everyday People was familiar.

Everyday People is such a killer track, but I Want To Lift You Higher is really /the jam/ from this record for me. That intro with the descending lead guitar part... so good. The rest of this record is just alright but MAN does it have a good vibe.

Loved this album, was suck a good vibe and some great classic songs, gave a lot of good recommendations

Upbeat and jazzy to the top

Everyday People has been a commercials song for so long that it took listening to it four times to rewire my brain. the sha shas are musical perfection

Fine. 3

Legendary band, this album is a banger. Funky, but also very chill. Effortlessly cool but also technically great.

First track is one of the funkiest things I've lately. A huge track. Absolutely incredible. Track 2, wich I prefer not to name lol, is funky and cool but a bit less exiting. Track 3 is as good as the first. Love the playing and arrangement, every moment revealed new sounds. Vocals massive. Somebody's watching You is such a beautiful ballad. Love the participation by all on Vocals, the rithem guitar and brass arrangement. Lovely Track. 5 super funky. Everyday People is such a hit. It captures the sound of the project in only 2.5 super enjoyable minutes. Sex Machine is a very long instrumental piece the I enjoyed quit a bit. It's not the most original thing I've ever heard, but for moments you do get lost in the improvisation. And it's dynamic enough to make it valuable all the way through. Back to a shorter banger to finish it up beautifully. Second listen, the highlights remain high but lower moments got a bit lower. So it's a high 3.8 (probably deserved a 4)

2/24 Not a bad soul/funk album. Heard some of these songs before in movies and tv shows.

So this may not count as Krautrock. Me getting lost in thought, cruising along on a long-haul funk freight liner. Social commentary that, to this day, still too hot to handle.

Muss man nochmal reinkommen

I loved this record so much. Sly wrote such good songs. Just knew how to compose songs that would get stuck in your head. Stand! Everyday People sing a Simple Song are Perfect. The rest are just as good.

Great songs! Some a little longer than they needed to be, but really fun and full of iconic riffs.

Don't have this one, heard some. Not as good as the rest of the stuff I've heard from them, but still solid, groovy fun. 3.5 rounded down Heard before? Some Owned: No 48/213 (22%) Will I get: No

Funk at its finest. If any band ever truly embodied the hippie ideal, it was Sly and the Family Stone—an integrated lineup of Black and white, male and female musicians showing everyone how it’s done. Every time 'I Want to Take You Higher' plays, I get a stupid grin on my face and want to dance, which is a real problem because I absolutely cannot dance

Muy buena recomendación. Clásico de clásicos, me ha fascinado. Sin palabras

1001 vibes. A faixa I want to take your higher me confundiu pq ela tem um instrumento que parece muito um celular vibrando.

Regarded by some as groundbreaking. However this has dated a bit. Sly is not the most interesting aspect of this group, the instrumentation was always one to listen to. Sly's archer delivery and laboured vocals are not to be treasured sadly

Love Sly, but my general sense is that a greatest hits comp will do the trick. That said, loved how the weirdness and longer jams are starting to materialize on this one!

Some decent tracks, but I didn’t really feel it. It can appreciate what it is

I like somebodies watching you. The rest I thought was mid

The funk bible. Absolutely essential listening.

Excellent musicianship and production on this album. I thought that "Sex Machine" was going to be a cover of the James Brown song but I was wrong! Also contains the all-time classic "Everyday People", a two and a half minute gem.

FINALLY CAUGHT UP WITH DAILY CHECKING AGAIN!! omg owa owa guitars. stank face is present and alive for this one great!!

super funky, very fun to listen to on a friday. loved

Interesting album. Some good songs, some cheesy songs, some aggressive songs. Not quite sure what to make of it

Some awesome jams.

If a jam band had nothing but a wah pedal and an insanely good bass player, this would be the outcome

groovy - nice to work with this on in the background.

Funky soul

iskreno? blago naporno i nepodnošljivo... al naziv druge pjesme :O

3/5. Decent soul/funk album that's hurt by the band's proclivity to getting lost in the music and keeping a song (or part of a song) going on too long. The band is capable of putting out good music with good bones, and they're at their best when they keep it short. The best songs on the album are all south of 5m, and the hardest to get through are all lengthy. That isn't a shock, that's just the nature of music; the longer you stick around in the same progression/key/arrangement/whatever, the more you're in peril of losing your audience. But it's part of a good musician/producer to know when to cut and and when to keep on. This album lacks the latter. But you'll still enjoy good portions of this album if you like the genre.

I appreciated the listen and recognized the hit Everyday People. It was also interesting to read more about the significance of this album.

Der er et par kendte sange imellem, men generelt ikke et album, jeg har behov for at høre igen.

Sly Stone had a way of crafting some of the most uplifting protest music imaginable. If you don't listen to the lyrics, I would be surprised if most people even know just how deeply rooted in protest Stand! is. I took a class about Black protest music in university which largely overlooked Sly & The Family Stone, one of the many issues I had with that course. This album, released just before their legendary performance at Woodstock, is among the most influential Funk albums ever both musically and politically. Even if you don't care for the protest messaging, Stand! remains a force of pure funk and expands the genre in a way that certainly influenced George Clinton and other Funk greats to come the following decade. While it doesn't quite groove as hard as something like Maggot Brain, Stand!'s ability to put a smile on your face while challenging a predatory climate of racism and discrimination is unheard of. Everyday People belongs in every Civil Rights museum in America.

Stand, I Want To Take You Higher, Somebody’s Watching You, Sing A Simple Song, Everyday People, and You Can Make It If You Try. Not the track list of a greatest hits. All on this record. And then there's Don’t Call Me… and Sex Machine, those songs are the “filler”. Absolutely one of the greatest records of all time

Nah, I'm sitting for this one.

Groovy, baby.

Yet another that came and went without leaving a big impression. It was fine, but doubt I will revisit

Perfect blend of soul and strong social stances. Beautiful album that is a call to action that wants to make people dance. Band is very tight and it's clear to hear in today's soul/funk music that they had a massive influence on modern music. One of the first albums taking on civil rights issues directly and looking to combat hate with making people want to dance.

Came for the psychedelia, stayed for the bass lines.

This is just great! I'd heard about about the Family, but never got farther than a single or two. I thought it was light pop/soul w a bit of funky bass now and again. So wrong! This is a fantastic album all the way through. "Sex Machine" is a banger! The singing is great, soulful and varied with really good harmonies. Musically, they're tight as hell. Bass and drums locked and thumping. Then add in a bit of fills and noodle-y bits. Makes it delicious. I've already listened to this a few times, put some songs on playlists, and will be back for more! I can hear how they've influenced some other bands that I like, Fishbone, Follow for Now, Arrested Development and more. I don't hand out many 5s and I debated it for a second, but I think it's worth it!

Not usually my thing (psychedelic/funk/soul) but this album was a really fun listen. Feels fresh, with some genuinely good tracks in there. Track 2 is something else, haha

Aight

Fucked with it, a classic rock type vibe.

This was ok. Sex machine was great, but outside of that I found myself to be a bit bored.

groovy - nice to work with this on in the background.

Really liked the middle of the album and last song.

Really interesting

Intense grooves that move the body

Controversial song or what

I wanted to like this more because I adore Everyday People and other Sly songs, but ultimately Stand! and I Want to Take You Higher are the only other tracks on this album I'll revisit.

Most of it was bad, but Sex Machine was absolutely disgusting holy moly mamma mia khalifa

This was, however, not good enough to be enjoyable with a headache. It wouldve been a 2, had I not had a headache

Groovy, but some songs feel like mindless jams with no meaningful development. 3.5

Groovy. Would have been better to leave out the parts where they were too drugged up to play tight though.

Not my favourite soul album but quite good

Now I know where the 'different strokes for different folks' came from.

This was a very good vibes album. Some song names I’m expected to not say out loud though.

The funk albums are the ones that are the biggest surprise. This one keeps on going and doesn't divert from the path.

Gezellige funk. Besteedde Don Leo laatst geen aandacht aan deze knakker? Hoe dan ook, de familie Stone gaat er lekker tegenaan en het is geen straf ernaar te luisteren. Ik kon er verder niks bijzonders aan ontdekken maar vrolijk word je er wel van.

Sly en de Stones geven mij nu meer het gevoel dat ze leuke muziek willen maken dan op het latere album dat we al gehad hebben. Ik ervaarde bij dat album de funk niet. Dat blijken ze een paar jaar eerder wel te hebben. Het swingt soms als of het nog voor de jaren '60 gemaakt is. Niet dat ze hun eigen decennium verborgen houden. Zoals misschien het beste te horen is bij Don't call me Nigger, Whitey. Dat nummer lijkt muzikaal wel de basis te zijn voor digitale groepen van een paar decennia later, zoals Lo Fidelity Allstars. Het nummer toont natuurlijk ook duidelijk dat ze graag een boodschap overbrengen. Maar dat had de albumtitel ook al wel verklapt. Naast de funk, is de creativiteit ook niet te ontkennen. In die zin, zijn dit wel de albums die zich nog weten te onderscheiden van de 870 die we inmiddels voorgeschoteld hebben gekregen. Af en toe stoort het me ook wel weer. Zoals met de hit van dit album. zonde dat die boven is blijven drijven. "IIIIIIIIIII-IIIIIIII (zucht) am everyday people" biedt een vrij saaie basis, wat dan doorbroken moet worden de opzettelijk kinderlijk gebrachte coupletten. Misschien ook omdat ik het al veel te vaak heb moeten horen, maar dan wil ik het album toch even graag afzetten. Daarna volgt Sex Machine, waarin ze aan stukje scratchen. Fijn vind ik dat soort speelse elementen vaak niet, maar wederom kan ik niet ontkennen dat ze hier vooruitlopen. Een aantal sterren vind ik maar lastig. Laat ik er 3,5 noteren.

Als je niet van de Beatles houdt (ik kijk verder niet specifiek een zure broeder aan), dan is er blijkbaar genoeg in de 60s gemaakt, dat misschien een stuk beter te pruimen is. Gisteren kregen we al bluesrock'n jazz, vandaag een vrolijk funky plaatje van Sly en zijn familie Steen. Net als het latere album dat we al eerder hebben mogen beluisteren, is ook hier de vrolijkheid (en het drugsgebruik) goed te horen. En dat terwijl hij wel degelijk ook een boodschap weet te verkondigen in zijn muziek. Niet alles is even goed, want een nummer als "Somebody's watching you" klinkt meer als een Capt Beefheart of Zappa nummer. Een soort maffe parodie, al is het vast niet zo bedoeld. Verder is het redelijk vermakelijk, al vind ik het niet zo vermakelijk als het andere album, dat ik een 4 gaf. Ik vind dit meer een 3,5, die ik voor het contrast dit keer naar beneden afrond.

Funky!! Fun and good - a high 3

It’s not really my type of music and therefore I would normally give this a 1 or a 2 max. It’s really well produced, tho. It sounds funky and cool. So 2.5 stars

average album for me, nothing really stood out. Favorite track was the title track, Stand!

This is happy music… mostly. It always makes me feel good to hear these guys.

Not a bad listen, but not for me.

Fine

I was expecting better. Everyday People is a banger but the rest didn't do much for me

Funk en soul ben ik beide niet zo bekend mee. Kon het gitaarwerk wel waarderen en het leek me best dansbaar, maar met name de zang klonk ook erg gedateerd. Highlight: Sex Machine (13 min jamsessie?)

A stong funk and soul stew right here... i love the relativey quiter moments like Somebody's Watching you because the melodies are sharper. The rest is okay but doesnt hit me as hard.

Holy fucking shit

I only knew Sly & The Family Stone by name, so this album was a great discovery for me. With an amazingly diverse register, they mix so many styles together that it's hard to know what you're listening to exactly - is it soul, funk, disco, blues, psychedelic rock ?... I don't think I've ever heard such an organic melting pot of influence ; but thanks to incredible guitars, it never feels artificial or disjointed. Themes and lyrics are quite varied too, with a fun mix of sexy vibes, drug-fueled trance and political statements. The combination of moaning guitars and vocoder effects is insane, and blends perfectly with the groovy rythms. Some tracks are a bit too disco for my taste (like Somebody's Watching You), but apart from that I really enjoyed it. I was going for a 3* at first, but Sex Machine absolutely blew my mind, so I can't give it less than a 4*. I'm pretty sure I will play it again. 8/10

I don't love it all, but how groovy! the funk foundations

Jamais entendu parler de cette famille mais quelle belle surprise ! On ressent un vrai mélange de plusieurs influences et ça donne un objet sonore étonnant de modernité, un peu classique aujourd'hui, mais qu'est ce que ça devait être en 1969 !! Le morceau "Sex Machine" de 13 min est vraiment très sympa Peut être que je réécouterai cet album et ça lui donnerait une bonne raison d'avoir un 4 étoiles

Soul, blues, sometimes drifting into rock, all carried by a really grounded groove. This is classic territory for the genre. There’s honestly not much more to add. This still comes from that era where people went to the front with songs. Feels kind of lost now.

I enjoyed it but overall thought it was just okay

1.5/5 Just not my type of music.

By the way people talk, and from all the reviews and commentary I've ever read, I had always thought that Sly & The Family Stone was a straight funk band. A la The Ohio Players, or Parliament, or Funkadelic. However, they are much more rock oriented than my assumptions led me to believe. It's definitely funk rock, but they have that influence nonetheless. It can even be psychedelic-ish at times. None of this is a bad thing of course, and it's a brilliant album. The social commentary is very pointed, the music is well composed, the funky jams are grooving... this album is the whole package, and it isn't hard to see why it is so hardly regarded. I can see where it was groundbreaking on many levels in 1969.

From a band whose name I know, who has a couple songs I can sing along with, but have never listened to a whole album to an album I'll be adding to my personal collection and doing a deeper dive on.

I did not love this album. It reminded me a bit of the Grateful Dead and their extended songs. I can totally inagine this at Woodstock but it is not speaking to me. Rate 3 stars

4.8

this one is charged but great

An essential soul-funk album, aside from the 13-minute “Sex Machine”. Why is there always one like this on every late-60s/early 70s album? Well, TV hadn’t reached its peak so people needed something to do. Anyway, what a monster album. So many grooves with staying power.

I respect Sly and the Family Stone. Im not a fan of soul music. It’s very repetitive sounding. The verse, pre chorus, chorus, bridge rock n roll format is not what they go by. So the songs feel like they’re repeating themselves.

Hat mich quasi gar nicht abgeholt. Leider teilweise ziemlich nervig, vor allem der 14min-Song.

Für mich deren bestes Album, auch wenn die großen sozialkritischen Songs erst später kamen und dir Texte hier eher Easy Listening sind (wobei sich die Richtung hier und da schon andeutet). Dafür ist das Teil hier eine verdammte Hit-Machine. Wenn von 8 Songs 5 Stück zu den All-Time-Greatest gehören, dann gibt's da wenig zu debattieren. Sogar der obligatorische Jam-Track macht mir mittlerweile sehr viel Freude.

Geht gut rein und hat Spaß gemacht.

Mir hat das so gut gefallen, dass ich es direkt zweimal gehört habe. Schon wieder hat mich der Funk komplett abgeholt. Zudem sind die Songs sehr catchy. Richtig kurzweiliges Album.

Wow

Högsta högst men många låtar känns lite yxigt gjorda. Skulle behöva en producent som Quincy Jones. Märkligt att Sly själv var producent innan han startade bandet.

Lite för kokainigt för mig

Wow that's a lot of iconic pop in one place. The level of creative originality is incredible. This band and this album particularly set the stage for basically all funk that followed. 5⭐️

Some good stuff on here. Not sure I want to check out the rest of the catalogue but I enjoyed it.

Some decent cuts

My favorite so far! So glad to have found this gem :))

Good album, with some fun funk jams. Most of it isn't entirely my speed, and I feel cheated by being so burnt out on the chorus of Everyday People because of its commercial use.

Album felt long Favorite song was Sex Machine Was very soul funky but isn’t my style

So many classics on here. I want to Take you Higher and Sing a Simple Song especially are big favorites of mine. Flow of album is not the best. Sly’s style is so unique ( songwriting, vocals, wild harmonica) and the band is great.

So many iconic songs, so funky. Sick band and sly is awesome.

I enjoyed this but I felt it wasn’t super memorable

Boundary pushing for the time I can definitely see why this album is significant Soulful and good grooves I liked There’s a Riot Goin On more 3.5 stars

8 - GOOD

Not half bad

Häftig funk, några låtar riktigt bra

The sound of this has become so much part of modern music that it's hard to exactly discern its influence. It must have been mind-blowing at the time though. The songs, the sound, the playing. Raw in all the right places. Awesome.

Classic funk

Fairly enjoyable

fun listen reflective of late 60s to early 70s

Two all time great songs in "Stand!" And "Everyday People" but a lot of filler too. Two songs really hold it back, "Don't Call Me N...., Whitey" and"Sex Machine." Both songs go on way too long. But, overall, the messages are more relevant than ever. Sly was a great bandleader and these calls for peace, love, and justice are timeless.

Good vibes, liked most of the album, but the 13-minute instumental was too long for my taste. "Everyday people" was great.

This is funky, angry, and a bit weird. Track 2 is a hell of a title. I thought Sex Machine was starting to drag on a bit, when I looked it had only been going for 3 minutes, and was a 13 minute song. Overall a good listen.

This one probably needs a few more listens. Sure it's funky, but it didn't really stick with me. It must be a classic for a reason, I just haven't figured it out yet. Key tracks: Stand! Everyday People

not for me (doesnt have to be)

It's fine. perfectly whelming.

────୨ৎ──── 𝜗ৎ initial thoughts 𝜗ৎ thoroughly enjoyed this album- heavy rock-infused funk with soul vocals and psychedelic touches. the deep driving bass, complex vocal layers and experimental effects are styles that i absolutely vibe with. from a short talk with my mum, i’ve learnt that this record was released in response to the civil rights movement, vietnam war protests and other countercultural shifts shaping the albums themes of unity, empowerment and much needed social change. 𝜗ৎ stand! 𝜗ৎ ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ the opening song is confident and self-asserting. the message about finding inner strength and standing firm in beliefs is completely relatable to me. musically, the combination of a gospel-esque chorus with a catchy funk jam outro really itches a part of my brain where i just want to loop that particular part of the song over and over again. 𝜗ৎ don’t call me n*****, whitney 𝜗ৎ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ very confrontational title, near-six-minute funk statement. the and delivery are designed to provoke thought and challenge racial slurs by flipping them back and forth in a nearly hypnotic groove. this song is a very bold reputation of racism; challenging both racial epithets and the power that they hold. sonically it’s sparse yet intense- distorted instrumentation and voice effects that express modern funk explorations. 𝜗ৎ i want to take you higher 𝜗ৎ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ an explosive party anthem- who doesn’t like a party? it’s less of a literal message and more of an invitation- to groove, to feel, to unite through music. my mum told me that this song was performed at woodstock, which got her and her brothers into their music. after some research, this song was a defining moment of the festival- makes sense as to why my mum came to love their sound. 𝜗ৎ somebody’s watching you 𝜗ৎ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ now. this track carries a subtle eerie vibe- an upbeat funk rhythm undercut by paranoia in the lyrics. it’s more of a commentary on self-consciousness or societal surveillance. balancing fun with slight introspection. this is emphasised through the overly sweet vocals with underlying tension. a very interesting listen. 𝜗ৎ sing a simple song 𝜗ৎ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ from what i know, this song is heavily sampled and has become musically famous (temptations-2pac, they don’t care about us-michael jackson). however despite the title, the rhythms and arrangements are complex, featuring layered vocals, syncopated funk grooves, and powerful instrumental interplay. 𝜗ৎ everyday people 𝜗ৎ ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ now i know and love this song. a family favourite track whenever we all get together. this track is a celebration of equality, diversity and shared humanity- highlighted by the phrase “different strokes for different folks”. Very melodic and uplifting- a message of unity in an era of division 𝜗ৎ sex machine 𝜗ৎ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ totally vibe with the improv energy throughout the song. loose jam and with heavy instrumental skills- almost 14 minutes of bluesy-funk grooves filled with solos, laughter and expressive play. 𝜗ৎ you can make it if you try 𝜗ৎ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ as the last track, the closer sends out an optimistic message over a playful backdrop, encouraging listeners that persistence and belief can help them to succeed. the lingering emotions of endurance are hopeful and uplifting- especially in 2026. yikes. 𝜗ৎ final thoughts 𝜗ৎ ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ overall there are heavy themes of unity and equality, political and social commentary, danceable human music. the album implores the listeners to look past differences- social, racial or cultural. it questions the present complex societal issues through simple, memorable hooks- making the heavy message accessible. its grooves makes this album a unifying force on dance floors and festivals- showing that serious ideas and pure joy can coexist in the same music. i can tell that this album has defined a new way of making socially conscious music that doesn’t feel preachy. instead inviting listeners to feel, move and think at the same time. ────୨ৎ────

A druggy and funky album, I think in that order. Everyday People is a banger of course. DCMN,W is a shocking opener to listen to. Sex Machine is far out.

Ok, but nothing that grabs me.

Solid 4

Ich fand Stand! ziemlich langweilig. Die Songs plätschern vor sich hin, vieles klingt gleich, und der lange Jam „Sex Machine“ hat mich eher ermüdet als mitgerissen. Mir fehlt der Biss, der Groove zündet einfach nicht. Für mich kein Album, das ich nochmal hören möchte.

The funk and soul elements on this album are mmmmmmm so tasty, but it has absolute MISSES on the album too. Fascinating product from the 70’s it’s a cool album.

I love what this album stands for, and there are some really cool funk and soul elements. Just the rest of it is blah; the vocals get really tired after a while, and the psychedelic rock elements are just alright.

Funky! Not my usual style of music so was fun to listen to and change it up

A case where the streaming service almost ruined the experience for me, but on reflection actually a really good album, the original album only has 8 songs and looking at only them the album is really groovy and a fun listening experience. Spotify adds An extra 5 songs. Try and do the original track listing and it’ll be a much better experience

We talked about Sly and the Family Stone in my History of Rock class and it was an interesting section so I am excited to listen. The first two tracks have been very cool and quite psychedelic. I am enjoying it so far. Honestly, this album has been incredible. I am only about halfway through I think, but each track has been such a unique blend of soul, funk, and psychedelic guitar. I am loving the Motown representation on this list. Absolutely incredible album and definitely 5 stars.

*chef's kiss*

Felt cultural important; however it was just alright for me.

It was an interesting album but not enough to be memorable

I need more Sly & The Family Stone in my life, they are absolutely excellent. Becoming one of my favorites

I enjoyed their next album a decent bit more. It was fine, I’m surprised how often I get bored with funk music. Rating: 3.2

Dare I say it, we're on a roll now. Sir Sly brings the FUNK Influence 5. Hits 4. Quality 4. Intangibles 4. Oh I can dig it, baby 4.

sadly, i did not love this one as much as there's a riot going on. There are some of their best tracks like everyday people and I want to take you higher but I think as an album it's less interesting. Not bad by any means was just hoping for another classic from these guys.

Really solid funky album! 3.5/5

Lovely album. The funky soulful psychedelic genius of Sly takes us on a journey especially evident on the 13+ minute track on side B. Wonderful stuff.

I really wasn't feeling this, had the ingredients for a good funk record but I didn't enjoy any of the songs here

You see, sometimes when I get an album on this list that I really love, I go into the album having no idea as to how much I'd really love it. That Tori Amos album from yesterday was like the perfect example of this. I was stunned at just how great that album was. But then you get albums where my love of the album is very unsurprising. Case in point, Stand! Yeah, this album's fantastic. I adored There's A Riot Goin' On, so of course Stand! is going to be right up my alley too, right? Uh, yeah. I will say that I do have an immediately noticeable preference for There's a Riot, but Stand! is still great in a mix of shared attributes and its own unique characteristics that make it stand out (no pun intended) on its own. Stand! is a noticeably more jovial album than Riot. That album was a bit darker and... murkier in its production and general atmosphere. Still funky, no doubt, but more subdued in a way that I thought was really cool. Stand! has more of that traditional funk/soul energy, though that doesn't mean that this thing is less thoughtful than Riot. I mean, you don't even have to listen to the album's second song to know that it has a bite to it. The album balances that commentary with more uplifting tracks like the wonderful "Everyday People" and "I Want to Take You Higher" to create a whirlwind of emotion that I am here for. The Family Stone's performances here are just as excellent as ever, with the 13-minute instrumental track "Sex Machine" being a great display of the band's talent. But of course, it was Sly Stone's vision and songwriting that made these two albums as great as they are. Sadly, in the time since my first listen of There's a Riot Goin' On, Sly Stone has passed away, though he lived a long enough and fulfilling enough life to feel like his death wasn't particularly tragic. It's sad, for sure, but he pretty much did everything he wanted to do. He cemented his legacy a long time ago, no small thanks to albums like Stand!, and will be remembered for a long time. Amazing album. Light 5/5. And that's two in a row for the first time since last June!

Nothing about it stood out to me

This album grew on me the more I listened to it and recognized some of the tracks like “You can make it if you try” and “Everyday people.”

Perfectly executed blend of funk, psychedelic rock, and soul... tons of groove without ever feeling showy or too extroverted. A treat from the list. Love the jams too

It is good but I did not connect. Thought it would be more soul.

This is brilliant. Somehow I'd managed to hear their music without ever listening to the album. This is so funky, so creative and so approachable.

Loved the energy and the opening song.

So uhhhh.. What was up with that one song? Best Song: Everyday People Rating: 5.5/10 Stars: 3

Wow, finally getting into Sly, too little too late I suppose. I'm pretty unfamiliar with funk as a whole outside of some song-based examples but finally hearing a whole record in the style like this is great.

without listening to this again, i'm confident it'll earn the 5-star rating. i love a lot of sly, and this album is just stunningly good. "stand!" was reportedly sly trying to make a poppier sound, something anyone could easily dance to. he accomplishes this, and he also keeps his social commentary in the forefront "don't call me n*****, whitey" keeps that social commentary blazing hotter in the forefront "i want to take you higher" still has one of the filthiest bass lines in rock and soul music "somebody's watching you" has that infections electric piano ringing in my ears while that urgent, scratchy guitar line runs under the piano "everyday people" is a brilliant pop song, full of fun and ideas. and it lead to a great reimagining by arrested development. "sex machine" provides some breathing room, a moment of little to no vocals where the band can just play for a minute. "you can make it if you try" ends with another piece of classic soul. just a great record from beginning to end.

Great

This is a good funk album

Own It. Love it!

When it funks it really funks but there is some filler here and there.

De første låtene, eller de med vokal - var litt slitsomme. Likte de ikke særlig godt. Sex machine derimot, var fantastisk. Veldig gode vibes. På andre lytt likte jeg de bedre. Chill

Boom lakalakalaka

7.2

Echt gezellig, leuke verrassing.

I liked it, but I felt like it went on for way too long.

good variety of different sounds?

Love the hits, but I guess I just had to be there for the rest

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnkkkkkkkkk. Just such great music and so uplifting. The concepts that they touch on, from social justice to social spirit, it's simply a joy to listen to Sly and his crew. Forever a legend in music and fostering the true representation of FUNK.

When Sly Stone passed away last year I took it upon myself to listen to his greatest hits, since I was unfamiliar with his music. Seeing the track list of this album made me realize I should've just listen to this instead since a bunch of songs on this album are on the greatest hits. The songs in between the hits were a bit of a mixed bag, but it doesn't take away from the overall experience. Easy 4/5

I like this one more than the previous Sly. Some nice jams and grooves and the songs, while still repetitive, are better. Still a 3.5, but bumping this time.

Yea I like it. Always been a fan of psychedelic music and this is no exception. It's groovy, its weird, its overall just a fun listen. The vocals and the bass work are what stood out to me in particular. Notable tracks for me are the title track, Sex Machine, and Everyday People. 7.1/10

The grooves, my god, the GROOVES. The high points on this album are absolutely fantastic. The guitar, bass and drums create the most engaging funky vibes that I can only imagine went down a storm in the 60s & 70s. I loved this album - amazing energy, insane grooves and big soul.

funky and upbeat. Fun to listen to dang hard R

Great instrumentals. Corny at times, but that doesn't mean it's not great. 4.0/5.0: Great

good instrumentals but a bit annoyingly repetitive.

it’s so good to be alive

I enjoyed the instrumental parts on the album, nice variety and no rushing. Just sitting in the groove. Favourite track was the 13+ minute instrumental track "Sex Machine". I could have done without the doubling up of tracks that were single versions. Solid album, 3/5 stars, would potentially listen again.

;Groupe inconnu. Je n'ai pas accroché. J'ai pas apprécié la voix trafiquée sur certains morceaux. Les morceaux sont inutilement longs, même s'ils sont parfois agrémentés de chorus. Pas désagréable mais plutôt ennuyeux. Pas de seconde écoute envisagée. =>2/5

Really enjoyed this little beauty 🔥

A very enjoyable album but just didn't feel compelled to listen again. Good without being outStanding.

Craig: okay, not as good as I expected Courtney: good, some tracks stronger than others

Interesting take they have here adding Harmonica to the funkyness on some tunes. Everyday people is a classic.

Funky fun.

A lot of fun, a little dated, and the 13-minute Sex Machine jam holds this back from being higher rated for me.

Was expecting a bit more funk. Less political. Not bad, just not as expected, from my assumptions.

Pretty good

Really peak, but not my style

Funky.

Guys, no niestety, ale bardzo odpadłem. Starałem się zacząć ten album kilka razy, ale kilka razy poddawałem się i wracałem do Radiohead. Nawet nie mam wymówki, bo słuchałem w pociągu i w trakcie nocy, i naprawdę było postarane z mojej strony. Nie mówię, że złe, ale ani ja do tego nie popiszę, ani nic. my soul wasn't clapping.

na początku cierpiałem (i hate fun & that’s 3/4s of funk), ale sex machine jest tak zajebiste, że wymazało z mojego mózgu wspomnienia poprzednich utworów oraz pewnie jeszcze kilka innych rzeczy których już nigdy nie odzyskam. trudno. na pewno nie były mi potrzebne. kojarzy mi się z indie filmami o typkach co nie wiedzą co ze sobą zrobić i łażą po mieście i gadają z różnymi osobami na każdy możliwy temat i w sumie nic poza tym się nie dzieje. przyszłości nie będzie, ale na razie o tym nie myślę kind of energy. (fbi zajebało mlk jra w '68, to by się zgadzało.)

Nic szczególnego jak na dwa pierwsze utwory, ale dobrze się przy tym pracuje. Jasiek, to prawda, że Sex Machine cudowne. Zapomniałem, że w pracy jestem XD

cant lie didnt listen

Oh to hear this live - I can just tell this music shines when you can feel it in person… Funky, groovy, and good - I don’t listen to enough funk/soul but boy do I like it! I see why this record has such an impact on culture, it’s got something special in it.

An equally deep and enjoyable album.

R.I.P. Sly Stone. Favorite track: Everyday People

Some good songs and some I'm thinking holy shit we're still on the same song....

It's hard to hear this with fresh ears given how insanely influential it is, but the groove is undeniable. Not what I reach for, but I respect the technique and the stature.

song 2 is something else

3.5

I expected more.

Oh my God that's some funky shit

I think I was expecting a little more from this. The hits are cool, but it didn't really hold up as a strong album for me.

I've never listened to this band before and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Apart from a couple of duds, this is a masterpiece.

It's always a joyous little romp to listen to Sly & The Family. Do yourself a favor and watch any of their live shows on your preferred streaming channel. It's guaranteed to get you moving!

Very funky, psychedelic rock album. They played most of these songs at Woodstock at like 3am and I could totally see that. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this album. The 13-minute instrumental called "Sex Machine" really sold me

It's good it's good

Legend of the game. Lots of voice effect. Movement music.

Stand! - 5/10: I like the music/instruments/beat (whatever you call it). Don't Call Me Nigger, Whitey - 3/10: I just didn't really like it. I Want to Take You Higher - 5/10: I like the vocals and saxophone. Somebody's Watching You - 7/10: I really like the vocals and the instruments/beat. Sing a Simple Song - 5/10: Just not my favorite. Everyday People - 5/10: I like the instruments/beat. Sex Machine - 5/10: I like the instruments/beat, but I'm not a huge fan of "instrumental" songs. You Can Make It If You Try - 4/10: Just not my favorite. Overall Score: 39/100 Overall Rating: 5/10: I liked a few songs, but it just isn't my favorite. I like the lead singer's voice on most of the tracks and the instruments/beats as well. I don't see myself listening to it again, though.

This album is very powerful, with lyrics that give a clear message of empowerment, acceptance, and encouragement. It’s paired with fun, funky, and groovy music that makes it really enjoyable to listen to. I had a great time with it and liked how meaningful and energetic it felt at the same time. It’s uplifting, strong, and easy to appreciate.

Overall: 8/10 Man, this is funky as hell. Sly had a lot to say about the world and I'm so glad he used music to say it. His band had a lot of talented musicians and he had a good ear for funky pop music. I can't wait to explore this one further. Fav Song: Everyday People

This didn't funk me up nearly as much as those two Funkadelic albums in three days a few months back. I may never recover from that cataclintonsm. I wasn't sold on this album until it hit me with the combination of Sing a Simple Song - Every Day People - Sex Machine. That is about as strong a three song stretch as you are ever likely to come across (including Thriller).

This one didn't really capture me. I gave it three stars cos I do like a lot of Sly's stuff and Everyday People is an actual classic!

Total classic and Hallmark of SF soul and funk

We watched the documentary on Sly & The Family Stone, and I thoroughly enjoyed it - even without being super familiar with all their songs and albums. It was a great watch for a music lover. Funky riffs, smooth grooves, a defining sound for the 60's in to the 70s.

My mom, having grown up in the east bay in late 60s and early 70s, passed down her love for (and vinyl records of) bands like Tower of Power, Jefferson Airplane, Santana, Janis Joplin, and Sly Stone. This was the first Sly record I listened to, and can remember the joy and awe I felt listening to his singular talents on display. A true masterpiece. She was unaware of questlove’s incredible documentary on him, and it was such a pleasure to watch it alongside her last year. Side note: Little Sister is basically Sly and The Family Stone without Sly — they have some incredible music, especially their disco-forward tunes.

Ik ben te zuur en te wit. Het wil er voor de tweede dag op rij niet in bij me. De wat rustigere nummers vind ik wel leuk, 'Everyday People' en 'Somebody's Watching You'. De rest van het album vind ik teveel een zichzelf iets teveel waarderende bombastische Northsea Jazz act. Het is me allemaal wat te langerekt, op de grootste hit na dus. Ik wil dit graag leuk vinden maar het lukt me niet. Ik dacht dat het misschien een fase is waar ik momenteel in zit, maar als ik kijk naar m'n rating van een ander album van ze blijkt dat het dat toch niet is. Wat ik bij dat album schreef gaat ook hier grotendeels op, inclusief het feit dat Spotify er een bonusversie van een uur in wil fietsen. Geinig. 2 sterren.

When I saw this, I thought, “why did Rocky’s brother’s album make this list?” That is one of the dumbest things I’ve ever thought. I’m glad it wasn’t that and was this fun, funky album.

Solid album. Funky, Jammy, and an all around good listen. Other than a drum solo that lingered a bit too long, this album is fantastic. 4.5⭐️

This is cool...I didn't know Sly Stone got THIS psychedelic. 'Sex Machine' got a little nuts. Fun listen overall.

OK, lots of the same sounds through out buy a 3

Listens: 2 Standout Tracks: Don't Call Me Nigger, Whitey, Everyday People, Sex Machine Absolutely no complaints about this album. Love the funky beats on Sex Machine. The second track (I am really not going to get in the habit of dropping the N-bomb more than once) being just the two statements over and over for four stanzas, with a single stanza woven in with just four lines of... well its not exactly political; I can't really say much of what it's supposed to mean is... its still great, the scatting the false build up. All great. And the you've got the classic Everyday People which is instantly recognizable from radio play, TV, movies and all other forms of media.

This is music to cheer up a sad day. Grooves for days, Larry Graham's bass playing is just out of this world and the band is so tight.

It was a nice album, the sound and melodies reminded me a lot of those 80s albums, it was very upbeat and I loved some songs that it offered, lots of genres shown in an album, never expected to like it a lot but I did.

A great combination of RnB, Funk and Soul.

Great classic album .

groovy

4.0 stars This is what I can only assume funk was like back in it's heyday. I probably would have given this album a higher score but a few of the singles have been overcommercialized to death, so...shouldn't hold that against the band but it did impact my enjoyment of the album. Favorite songs: Sex Machine & I Want To Take You Higher

What a brilliant, what a powerful, what a life-affirming record, what a soulful perfomance. Also, there are amazing openers and then there is another category, in which the title track falls... How to classify it? "Transcendental first songs"? Yeah, sounds about right. And what's even more remarkble is that the rest of the album lives up to the promise made within the first minutes.

Not a big soul person usually so this was fun!

Overall for me this album is too much in one tone. The voice is more droning than expressive to my ear. Not a fave.

Started listening but never really heard it. So non descript it didn’t really register for me.

3* = I value this and would like to hear some tracks again

Слай це клас, дуже, як зараз заведено казати, вайбова музика. В мене є їхній концертний альбом на вінілі, де майже всі хіті зі Stand! зіграні ще з більшою енергією. Тому власне давно люблю і поважаю.

Super groovy I was into it!

Not exactly my vibe - psych/funk/soul with long instrumental breaks and very 60s melodies. I see why it might have been particularly important for it’s time given it’s social content, so historically I understand the inclusion of it but I didn’t find much that interested me musically or melodically.

lowk didnt listen but ima rate it a 5

I rated this a while ago, with something bigger, but it didn't go through. It's good!

Any album that features, Stand!, I Want to Take You Higher, Sing a Simple Song, Everyday People, and You Can Make It If You Try on it is a instant 5. This album is nearly a greatest hits in and of itself.

Was fine for background, probably won't listen again

muy divertido

Funk/soul album my one of the founding bands with a really unique sound. I first downloaded this album after watching the Summer of Soul documentary which had video of Sly & The Family Stone on stage in Harlem. The whole band brought such a presence and some of the artists looked like superheroes.

6/10 groovy

It was ok. Really nice background music while baking bread in the kitchen.

I realised I’ve always had Sly and KC mixed up. Such a good vibe, and not what I was expecting so pleasantly surprised. Their OG “everyday people” is superior to arrested development cover. Would listen again

Funky. A great prelude to 70s disco. 7/10. I would listen again.

Es war kein gutes Jahr 2025 für Sly Stone, aber das Album ist grandios. Bisher kannte ich nur einige Lieder, so wars schön mal etwas tiefer reinzugehen!

Funky!

By all means, I should love Sly but I just don’t. Every album has a few great tracks, surrounded by a lot of mediocrity, and this one is no exception. That said, I do agree it’s an album everyone should hear at least once.

Everyone knows James Brown is the Sex Machine. But this record has the funk. Just not my favorite.

Some fun funk songs. not sure if i'd listen again.

I liked this one better than the other Sly on the list but it's still not really my thing.

Speaks about inequality and racism. Overall, a really good album. Revolutionary in the world of soul and funk music. Pioneer in defining the soul and funk genres. Lots of horns and organ in the music.

Wow I’m actually surprised I’ve never heard of this. Gives me punk Stevie wonder vibes lol. There were a few hits that took my breath away. Next time I want to study funk drums I’m going to come back to this album

Yet another perfectly enjoyable album whilst it was on, but another one that I can't see myself being in any hurry to put on again. The cool, funky, varied guitar licks and the ever-important, defiantly optimistic social commentary really should dictate otherwise, so this is perhaps just a case of not being in the right mood for it to fully envelop me today. [that day came just over a month later on 23rd February. A mate encouraged me to relisten and it worked a lot better for me in a different headspace. Duly upgraded to 4 stars.]

Funky acid trip. Favourite Track(s): Everyday People, Sex Machine Least Favourite Track(s): I Want to Take You Higher

not for me

Didn't like it

I like this 1 waaaaayayayayayayayay better than the other sly. Pairs well with sparkling red in beacon. FOUR!

A bit all over the place but mostly in a funky vein. Song #2 reminds me of the old Richard Pryor/Chevy Chase SNL Sketch. No subtext there, and none needed.

Fantastic work! So much of this album slaps.

Great album, 60's sound. More like music history for me, but I really enjoyed the title track, Stand! Need to listen again to give it another chance

bit weird but i would listen

Groovy grimy funk.

First time I've listened to an entire album from these lads, having been aware of a few songs, and it's pretty excellent. Stand! opens up with more traditional soul, albeit with a psychedelic tinge, then I Want To Take You Higher, You Can Make It If You Try and the evergreen Everyday People are optimistic uplifting tracks, whilst Sex Machine is 13 minutes of instrumental funk. I could have probably done without "Don't Call Me Nigger, Whitey" particularly positioned at Track 2, but there we are. Seems like as a piece of work this may be approaching Best of Genre status, although I believe "There's a Riot Going on" is even more acclaimed, though a lot darker. No doubt that's to come.

Some great tunes but the long jammy ones drag a bit for me

I can hear funky echoes of this album running through many other politically conscious and pluralistic slabs of wax. The singles still have some punch, whereas the total album experience falls flat for me. I'm sure there's a joke about stand-out tracks to be made — and you can make it if you try, but it'll only work if it's for the everyday people.

Probably a must-hear for a music-based look back to the civil rights movement. Unless you're a racist.

so ahead of its time!!!

This album feels like attending a wedding in a new culture in it just make you wanna move your body so bad you can’t stop it also it tastes like coffee when you need it most

The funk is within me.

This was ok but not really my thing.

No sure I'll go back and listen again

Perfect album!

This is a wildly diverse record. 'Everyday People' is an all-time hopecore classic. 'Somebody's Watching You' sounds like Zappa. 'Don't Call Me N***** Whitney' is some revolutionary shit. I think the effect of the album is a bit diffuse because of the variety herein but I also think you could relisten to this on the regular and catch something new. Killer grooves, fascinating guitar work ('Sex Machine' -- seriously), spectacular vocals. Would be a great one on vinyl. 5/5. Cool as hell.

Gillade albumet på det stora hela. Gillade mest låten Stand och Everyday people.

1/3. This just bounced right off me, not sure if I just wasn’t in the right mood, but nothing grabbed me. The title track has a good message and there are moments in Sex Machine that sound interesting, but nothing for me otherwise.

221225 10:55 3.5 / highlight: stand!

funky, easy listen. 3.5

This put me to sleep

Not much to get into here

I love Stand! the song a lot, the rest is a good time

I'm glad this pointed me in the direction of Sly and the Family Stone. I enjoy their funky sound, but I much more prefer the sound of the successors they influenced, rather than them specifically. I greatly appreciate the talent they held and the diversity they preached, but I think their sound might be a bit too dated for me.

Like a greatest hits album, incredibly good. Sly was a genius

Not for me but learned where some songs originated

Straight up a vintage club music

fire

Stand! is a strong pop record, all killer, no filler. It is direct and alive. The songs move fast and carry real joy, but there is urgency in them too. The music celebrates freedom without making a speech out of it. Sly and the Family Stone blend funk, soul, rock, gospel, and psychedelia into one sound that feels clear and singular. The hit songs—“Sing a Simple Song,” “I Want to Take You Higher,” “Stand!,” and “Everyday People”—are simple and sharp, built to last. When the band stretches out, the grooves take you for a wild ride. Listening to the album takes you back to the late ’60s, when the world felt unsettled and alive at the same time. The record holds that feeling well, without excess, and lets the music do the work.

Fun

Such a foundational funk album with songs that stand the test of time.

Such a good album. As I expected it would be

iskreno mid, dosadno

Long in the middle. Not for me.

I actually really enjoyed this album! I didn't think it would really be my thing but I had a great time listening

Yeah this got off to a crawling start and never really found its feet did it… Sing a Simple Song however is an absolute banger and I did love some of the funk instrumentals so extra marks for that

3/5 + powerful performances, feels very alive and all Instruments sound great + No filler, great highlights - boring artwork - the old songwriting conventions makes this feel mucher longer - while i can appreciate tracks like Sex Machine from a craftmanship perspective, it's nothing i want to listen to again Fav: Stand!, Everyday People, Sing A Simple Song Least Fav: Sex Machine

Love it! The combination of funk with a sixties wildness is great.

I didn’t mind it but it didn’t really have any stand out tracks for me. It may grow over time but I’m not sure I can be bothered when there are so many other things to listen to…

On the whole, was a consistent funk album, but it really is lacking in some top notch songs to really sustain attention. Found it just dissolved into the background after a while which is unusual for a genre that tries to keep your head and body moving. Consistently average in the end.

I was not prepared for that rollercoaster of lyrics. Almost did a spit-take with my driving cereal.

(92/100)

Amazing funk and soul album, albeit a bit repetitive at times, but overall still kept me engaged, even throughout the longer tracks.

It has some fantastic and iconic songs, but I think it is just "meh" as an album. The lesser songs drag things down. I was set to rate this a 3 until I got to "Everyday People". From there on, it hits a better stride. But still not great. 3.7

Gospel and funk marriage

Cool album. Leuk om af en toe te luisteren maar wordt geen standaard

Yeah, I dunno. I like these guys well enough when I hear them but would never think to put them on.

nd meins 1/10

funky

Good psychedelic funk lp.

70