Reviews (page 5 of 9)
Not the best Marvin GAye album.
Awful.
Some choice grooves but not great.
My familiarity with Marvin Gaye's music is the What's Going On and the Let's Get It On records, and some of the Motown singles of the '60s. I Want You and Here My Dear are big records of his that I'm almost totally unfamiliar with, so I'm glad to get the chance to hear this. Unfortunately, you can tell pretty quickly something is wrong here. This is a relationship-falling-apart record. The grooves are immense and undeniable but, I mean... "And on top of that, you have scandalized my name What I can't understand is if you love me How could you turn me into the police? Didn't I love you good and try to take care of you?" Talk about airing your dirty laundry. These songs are SO personal and SO pointed, that you almost feel like you walked into a room where two people were having an heart-felt argument, and you want to say "Oh, excuse me" and shut the door and let them have their privacy. Thankfully, some of the songs, especially later on, aren't so specific (Sparrow, Time to Get It Together)... but they're also not particularly memorable. Anna's Song has this lazy groove over which it sounds like Gaye just made lyrics up on the spot. "Funky Space" sounds like it's over around 4 minutes and then goes on for ANOTHER 4 minutes.... I won't ramble on any further. It just feels unfocused and rambling to me. Gaye could sing the telephone book and it'd sound great. Maybe somewhere in here is a tight single-LP that'd get a higher rating from me, but with no hits or big hooks, and a bummer of a journey, this kind of fell flat for me. I'll try it again down the road some time though.
This album is too sexy for Wednesday at 8am. 4*
A quel moment dans la vie tu fais "Wouhh!" après t'être demandé "when did I stop lovin' you" ? :) Je ne me suis jamais vraiment intéressé à Marvin Gaye et cet album n'était probablement pas la bonne entrée en matière.
I'ts not my cup of tea. Even mwith nice harmonies here and there, I have the impression that thes osnga are a continuois moaning with sometimes multiples voices. Get a room! More seriously, I love "I heard it through the grapvines" from MG, but it seems he's the reason why we have now generatuon of R&B moaning too. So just personal taste. It's a 1 for me.
in 2 words : so boring !
Very sweet, not exactly my syle
I laughed a lot just by listening the intro and the following song since it is a hell of a cliché. If I understand correctly, the guy divorces and releases a 14-track emotional outlet. This isn’t exactly what I like the most from Marvin, but there’s some kind of emotion if you relate to Marvin’s romantic troubles and If you’re not already tired of hearing the word “love” every ten seconds. It’s vaguely suitable as a soundtrack for sex. Yes, there are few good grooves, but this album mainly left me with a sense of fatigue after so much sentimental outpouring
M'eh
Things that sound wrong: Barry White being chaste Prince being a suburban dad Johnny Cash singing about teenage angst John Lydon suggesting we respect authority NWA doing a blue lives matter promo Dolly Parton being a misogynist Marvin Gaye being sad and out of love
After hearing What's Going On, I figured other Marvin Gaye albums were on the list. What I was not expecting to get today was his divorce album. Here, My Dear was recorded to pay off his ex-wife Anna Gordy Gaye during their divorce proceedings. Because this predicament occupied his mind heavily during the sessions, Marvin ultimately decided to write the songs in a perverse dedication to her, airing out a lot of the dirty laundry between them. From the short chronology of their time together on "I Met a Little Girl" to the protective anger over their adoptive son Marvin Gaye III on the title track, to the million dollar divorce settlement on "When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You", to the admittance of paying his ex-wife's lawyer fees at the end of "Is That Enough", to the bitter reflection on the lavish lifestyle he provided her on "Anna's Song", Marvin goes all out with the details. In between are moments where he also reflects on himself at this point, including the complexity of volatile emotions running through him on "Anger", his cocaine and sex addiction on "Time to Get It Together", and his desire to be free evoking the image of the sparrow flying and singing its song. This album can be difficult to listen to, dependent on how privy one is to the information regarding Marvin and Anna's split, especially where we understandably could not get Anna's side from this record. At least from what Marvin provided, it's apparent he bled his heart out onto the paper to get this out. The fact that Here, My Dear still sounds amazing in its blend of soul and funk is a testament to Marvin as a song composer and producer, creating the kind of sonic jams to wallow in on the dancefloor. The tenor saxophone solo on the "instrumental" version of "When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You", the p-funk space fantasy of "A Funky Space Reincarnation" with the shuffling percussion, other groovy tracks such as "Anger" and "Falling in Love Again" all showcase how the personnel involved in the backbone of this record did a phenomenal job with what they were given while providing some variance in the styles. If this album is too much for you, I get it. Divorces are usually not easy to process, certainly not if one airs out all the details on an album. But Marvin went and made lemonade out of the lemons he was given in his dissolved marriage from Anna, and that's got to be a testament to his tenacity and creative passion.
Helt ok
Nossa, que swing. A voz dele é muito boa e eu gostei demais que When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You permeou o álbum. Além dessas eu gostei muito de Anger, Sparrow e Falling in Love Again. Esse é um álbum que eu quero ter como vinil.
You’d be hard pressed to find better r&b than Marvin Gaye
This is a solid Marvin Gaye album, perhaps his second best after What's Going on. Perhaps the best thing to come out of a divorce settlement, ever. I remember giving one of my exes What's Going On as a present once. I should have given her this CD when we broke up. Thematically, it's really a cinematic album, with the "When did you stop loving me" weaving in and out of the tracklist. Super soulful track too.
Marvin Gaye's music radiates an undeniable sensuality
Enjoyed this album.
Smooth. Listened to the full thing on a flight back home and it was just easy listening.
Marvin Gaye is the one guy who could make whining about his divorce for an hour sound good.
Sexy and sad, funky and soulful, the Marvin Gaye divorce album that I didn't even know existed until now.
- auch wieder sehr entspannt, wie das andere Album von ihm - ähnliche Bewertung, vielleicht eher einen Ticken drunter (hätte das andere Album eventuell etwas höher (3,25/5) bewertet und das hier dafür mit 2,75/5) 2,75/5
4-
pretty good. but didn't really hold my attention.
Not as memorable as I hoped it would be.
I need a few more listens to this to fully digest, but I was blown away, in a way I never had previously been with Gaye's music. Pure venom. Uncomfortably raw.
Let's Marvin Gaye and get it on. Beautiful album, loved all of it.
I loved this, so chill definitely would listen again, already knew a track on the album and enjoyed its reprise. I thoroughly enjoyed the track A funky space reincarnation.
King of R&B IMHO. To me its Thee Sacred Souls' grandfather who's retelling them how he met their grandmother. Fave Songs: - I Met A Little Girl (VERY QUESTIONABLE TITLE) - When Did You Stop Loving Me 💖 - Anger - Is That Enough (HES SO FUNNY?! And that bloody sax 🤰🏻) - Time To Get It Together - A Funky Space Reincarnation
Nice chill album but no stand out songs for me.
Overall, I’d rank it a 3/5. Funky fresh vibes, most songs told a story I felt was good. Standout song was you can leave but it’s going to cost you. Will be replaying that more!
Not my all time favorite Marvin Gaye songs, but I really have no complaints. His voice is great and it was a solidly “good” album.
Chill and laid back, with some plunky bass and tasteful sax. Pleasant all the way through. Standout track is “A Funky Space Reincarnation”
Enjoyable album but not my favorite mod his albums. Standouts for me are “A Funky Space Reincarnation" and "You Can Leave, But It's Going to Cost You”
In the immortal words of Tracy Morgan: EVERYBODY GETTIN PREGNANT TONIGHT
thank fuck for this album, truly has made my week
I like my Marvin more gritty. Give me "What's Going On" anytime!
Love love love Marvin Gaye, but this album didn't feel as memorable as others. It's clear this is a later, more exploratory one for him, which I can fully appreciate. But...eh, giving it a 3.
Some beautiful moments, never musically unpleasant, but limited by the monotony and formlessness of the songs. Also, here’s a weird fact for you. When Marvin Gaye and Anna Gordy started dating, he was 21 and she was 38 (or thereabouts). What the fuck!
Beautiful singer. Wrong about mountains needing love.
definitely some highlights but nowhere near the best from Marvin Gaye
A good album, I liked Is That Enough and Sparrow the most.
3.5
The music was good. The lyrics were boring. I don’t care about his love life.
He’s got the voice but not my favorite batch of his songs
He came on this bitch mad as hell!
Proverbs 21:19 - "It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman." It's Marvin Gaye, so of course it's going to be a sold piece of work, but that doesn't excuse the subject matter here. Holy fuck man, get a grip. Or as you so politely put it, "Time to Get it Together" - when did that happen? Clearly not here. Imagine getting this cut over a 55 year old woman when you're 38. Jesus Christ. We got black Marcus Aurelius over here; or if you're a subscriber to Nation of Islam, just Marcus Aurelius. Aside from the subject matter annoying me here, there's really not a whole lot of substance until the latter half of the album. The first 7 songs blended into the next, not in the way I particularly enjoy, more of the "every song sounds the same" aspect. There's some great saxophone work here, as there always is on a Marvin Gaye's, but that doesn't really save this record from mediocrity. It's a sweet listen, don't get me wrong here, and one that I could listen to casually if I wanted to relax - but my gripe here is there isn't substance for me to latch onto and really call this a standout record.
You know how people still make that joke about getting a speeding ticket while listening to Metal/EDM/etc? I wonder if anyone's ever gotten themselves forced into a HR meeting because they got too saucy listening to Marvin Gaye Yeah, I got the memo for this one pretty quickly but still had a really good time with it nonetheless. Despite being over an hour long and treading very similar ground through its runtime I was never bored. That being said I was a little on edge given the subject and that cover art. With how lovesick he is I had to double check that Marble Marvin over there didn't creep out of Spotify and start lighting a few scented candles or some shit
An album that you listen to while fucking if Barry White (PBUH) is too silly for you. Marvin Gaye makes quality music but this album isn’t really a greatest hits, and personally I found it outstayed it’s welcome a little at 73 minutes long. There’s really only so many songs in a row you can hear about getting busy before it starts blending together.
6/10
"The marriage between Marvin and Anna was reportedly turbulent, including two public spats. In order to bring some stability to their home life, Anna and Marvin adopted a boy" proving time and again that if your relationship is going south that having a kid will fix everything. Anyway this album is about Gaye's divorce and from the length of the album he was clearly working some thing out on this. And unlike a lot of divorced men, the product is groovy as fuck. However, after reading the personal life article (yes, there is an entirely separate page for this) on Wikipedia, clearly there was A LOT that Mr Gaye desperately needed to speak to a therapist about. This album did not perform well commercially which is probably best explained by the scenario of some guy who has been fuckin to Marvin Gaye goes and buys this album, puts it on when he's putting the moves on some (un)lucky lady and gets distracted when listening to Is That Enough and hearing all the lyrics about alimony and getting distracted. Just a thought. The album is thematically consistent, but at times the bitterness in the album can be a bit grating. I have mixed feelings about the length, I think it definitely meanders in places but comes back together on Side D. Overall, a good album but not the first thing I would want to pull out of a Marvin Gaye mystery box. Highlight: When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You, Is That Enough, Anna's Song, You Can Leave, But It's Going To Cost You, Falling in Love Again
I'd give the album cover five stars. And it's quite a parting gift to an ex-wife (double album, no less). But every song has essentially the same tempo.
Tough listen, many songs were overly drawn out, hopefully this album was cathartic for him in this rough time of his life.
Hard to make a double album about a failed relationship sound so listenable. Imagine having to put this record out when it's your sister getting the shiv.
what's going on?
Is there any contractually or financially obligated albums out there that are really good? Marvin Gaye is one of the best but this was subpar, only his amazing vocals are saving this. 3*
After reading the background of this album, I could definitely feel the emotion in the songs and in his voice. I get that it was super personal for him but for outsiders to the situation, it's one note and incredible depressing.
Marvin Gaye is excellent. This is not his best but it’s still a nice time, if a little lengthy.
p418. 1978. 3 stars (just). Possibly the greatest breakup album ever, just in time for Valentine's Day 2025 ;) Not his best work, but it's still pretty damn fine, and shows up wannabees like D'Angelo and Craig David for the pretenders they are. Great vocals, fabulous late 70s slick production, let down by too much filler (it's a double album) and a lack of stand out tracks.
Groovy but a Bit boring and repetitive
2 stars for not being completely unlistenable to. But there is nothing here worth revisiting. Ever.
Perfectly pleasant....but not earth shattering
Smooth and cheesy
Sounds like Marvin Gaye to me.
Marvin Gaye - Here, My Dear Even though the album is long, it does compensate back the amount of quality that the album has to offer. It's sad that Mr. Gaye passed away as an early age, because his music alone had showed the genius behind his creative mind. But for now we get to appreciate the ideas that Marvin was able to do while he was still alive. And this is one of them, such an underrated and great album, it's one of those few longer ones that are actually consistent all throughout. Overall, this is pretty good! 1.- Here, My Dear = 7/10 2.- I Met A Little Girl = 9/10 3.- When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You = 10/10 4.- Anger = 8/10 5.- Is That Enough = 9/10 6.- Everybody Needs Love = 8/10 7.- Time To Get It Together = 8/10 8.- Sparrow = 9/10 9.- Anna's Song = 8/10 10.- When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You - Instrumental = 9/10 11.- A Funky Space Reincarnation = 10/10 12.- You Can Leave, But It's Going To Cost You = 8/10 13.- Falling In Love Again = 10/10 14.- When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You - Reprise = 8/10 FINAL SCORE: 8.6/10
Have to disagree with everyone saying it's too long. The grooves make it go by quickly to me. The dirty laundry in the lyrics is mildly funny though.
Para nada mi estilo pero muy bueno. Muchos elementos adelantados a su época. Debería escucharlo otra vez. Nota: 3.1
Can’t believe I’ve never heard anything from this album. Beautiful emotional moving. Loved it
Great voice 11 songs and 3 versions of when did I stop. Nice
i didn’t finish it because i got bored. eh.
This music is nothing but creepy!!!!!
I couldn’t get through this one. Just something about talking about a “little girl” in a sexy way and complaining that your woman is cheating on you and clearly he’s a lothario, I’m over it.
i met a little girl / everyone needs love, i like those songs
Gaye's got a great voice and some of these beats really are fucking amazing. Like I really liked Everybody Needs Love but.....these lyrics are so boring and so repetitive and just really weak. At times, the music also sounds like it's from Sesame Street (looking at you "Anger")
When Gaye sings 'Cry cry cry, do you cry about me / Do you every think about the kind of love we had?,' it's so devastatingly beautiful that alone it makes this album an invaluable listen. But it's the raw one-sidedness, the self-serving but somehow generous storytelling, the free-associative honesty and concreteness, having to do not only with flowers, bluebirds, and sparrows but attorneys, child support, and millions of moola, boasting lyrics like 'This is a joke / I need a smoke,' that take this record to a unique place aesthetically. It rambles, but the music doesn't ever tire, and tho you may not be left a fan of Marvin Gaye the person, so deeply rooted is his egoism at times, your appreciation for the singer/writer can only grow. And you gotta relish: 'Let's touch each other / let's feel each other's ass.'
When did you stop loving me is class
The context and central idea of this album is far more interesting to me than the end results. Musically it's not bad, but only one song managed to impress me: "A Funky Space Reincarnation". The rest all blur together, though I can appreciate some of the sentiments expressed. Not sure I needed to listen to it.
the goat
This was aight. Felt shorter than it was, but also kinda samey and self similar. This rating feels right for now, could go up perhaps.
way too long, and if I know anything about this list it can't be his best work either
Rating: 7/10 Has some incredible songs, but the vast majority of this is pretty boring and way too long. Choice cuts: Anger, Is That Enough, Time To Get It Together
Marvin is one smooooth mofo! Extremely listenable 4.1
Decent Marvin Gaye
decent sound, respect his music and body of work. Good soul.
Definitely an album that grows its genius over multiple listens. First go through, it feels like everything is the same. All one note and nothing much else. But each listen pulls back a layer of this incredibly funky yet heartbreaking album. The lyrics really shine and the horn playing is just perfectly placed every song. This may sometimes feel too long, but I quickly remember how good the rest of the album is, so I don't mind the light slog
Not really my cup of tea.
He is a real-life Waymond even in the face of adversity.
This album is both a really bizarre look into Marvin Gaye's personal life, and full of really solid tracks. "When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You" is simultaneously a scathing rip on his ex and a damn fine bop.
80/100.
Reminds me of a few Facebook posts I made in my early teens: “…is still missed her”, “…is wondering what he did wrong.”, and “…is trying to find the will to move on.” I look back on these and I cringe because of the immaturity. Then you have Marvin who creates an entire album about a messy divorce. Only he is talented as hell and makes this a funky masterpiece. Is That Enough is objectively fucking hilarious, complaining about owing his ex alimony and having to pay lawyer bills. Nothing was off limits to this dude, and I respect his unabashed exploitation of a failed marriage to create some musical magic. The sax solos are prime, and his voice is sublime. The length does leave you asking, how much complaining can we really handle, Marvin?
It seems like when a musician is down bad they either make a banger of an album or something hella boring and sad. Unfortunately this is the latter.
A bit on the long side but still funky
Easy Listening music, very smooth.
Yes
I can see why some old women would love this guy. But I found the songs so similar I got bored and I didn’t even finish the albums, oops. But I was jamming along every now and then. They were all just songs about love and heartbreak
The musical equivalent of going to the pub expecting to have a good time with friends and instead you end up listening to one of your mates go on about his messy divorce all night.
I think there is enough good Marvin Gaye on the 1001. This is .. OK, but just a bit nasty.
Anonymous songs, but consistent.
I guess you gotta be in the mood for this one. Out of the gate I found it whiney, corny, boring and ridiculously slow. I felt he mailed it in to meet a contract obligation. It does not stand up well today. Were any of these songs hits? Only two tracks had significant listen counts - "When Did You Stop Loving Me..." (which was not an enjoyable track for me, it wandered, had weird horn backing and sounded like a rough draft) and "Is That Enough" (which was just better than average and at nearly 8 mins was waaaay too long). "Time To Get It Together" was the only song I enjoyed. If this is a must listen album I must have missed the message or couldn't find the groove that made it an essential T1001 album. Not impressed.
This was a new album for me and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I enjoyed it! I also thought the background was pretty interesting as well - brought many of the songs to life more than they might otherwise have been.
Not offensive
ganz cute
I could have sworn that there were only two Marvin Gaye albums on the list, so seeing a third album of his pop up for me today was quite the shock. However, I loved What’s Going On and Let’s Get It On, so I’m assuming that I’m going to love this album too. Well, this was a pretty complex album. Granted, divorce and love are complex as well, so it’s pretty fitting. I didn’t enjoy this album as much as I did the other Marvin Gaye albums I’ve reviewed, but I still thought Here, My Dear was really good. The things that I loved about Marvin Gaye’s other albums were all present on this one as well: great vocals, poetic songwriting, and beautiful arrangements. I know this album is mostly about Gaye’s divorce, but some of the lyrics are a touch cheesy, and a few songs feel really out of place on this album as well. And to top it all off, at a runtime of over 70 minutes, this album was a lot to get through as a whole. Despite all of that though, I still had a really good experience listening to it. The lyrics went through all the stages of grief, and I loved it when Gaye’s songwriting was in the anger stage. He came across as snide and bitter, but I loved it, because whom amongst us hasn’t been bitter after a breakup? The arrangements were great too, and I really loved the Rhodes piano playing, especially on “Time To Get It Together” and “Anna’s Song.” This was a good album, but it was my least favorite of Gaye’s works that are on this list, and I’d be much quicker to relisten to his other two albums than this one.
It’s so long and not very memorable
The songs are so fucking lame. The band is good though.
Bonkers, but ultimately too long. Worth a spot in the book for the back story alone
- So, his first wife sued him, and his lawyer managed to convince him that half of the profits from this album would go towards paying off alimony - Then, it wasn't successful on release, at which point, Gaye got depressed and his relationship with his second wife was breaking down, it's no surpise that Marvin Gaye abandoned this album - It has some dank sounds though, Anger was such a strong intro - Is That Enough is getting me in all the right places too - So, his first wife sued him, and his lawyer managed to convince him that half of the profits from this album would go towards paying off alimony - Then, it wasn't successful on release, at which point, Gaye got depressed and his relationship with his second wife was breaking down, it's no surpise that Marvin Gaye abandoned this album - It has some dank sounds though, Anger was such a strong intro - Is That Enough is getting me in all the right places too Turn on screen reader support
DivorceCore
Eerst Todd, nu Marvin. Het lijkt het thema te zijn momenteel: Albums die te lang doorgaan. In kleine porties is zo'n Marvin Gaye met z'n zoetsappige geneuzel natuurlijk best wel leuk, maar dit album kabbelt te lang voort. Pornosax, janken over de liefde, zoetsappige oehs en aahs, Marvin die ontzettend kan genieten van z'n eigen zang, een bak galm. Een uur en bijna 20 minuten lang. Het is niet slecht, het is niet verschrikkelijk, maar het is wel te lang allemaal. Als dit 40 minuten was had ik de drie sterren aangeklikt, maar in deze vorm blijven er maar 2 sterren over. Doseren blijft een kunst.
As heartbreaking as a story told only from one side can be.
It's fine. I like What's Going On more.
Boring & Samey
Pretty wild learning about the story of this album basically being a shot at his wife who he was going with a divorce with at the time. The music is still really high quality and the topic you can tell is still really raw. The singing is superb as always. Closer to the end of his catalog, definitely worth a listen as it's still top notch on the soulful/funk instrumentation, soaring vocals and great meditations. Here, My Dear, Sparrow, Is That Enough, Everybody Needs Love and Falling in Love Again are my standouts but even if you're passively listening it's good vibes music.
A lot of good songs I can appreciate , for some reason I can’t quite get through this as an album without zoning out however the vibe and sound is highly enjoyable .
This album sounds so sweet and nice yet it still manages to communicate all the heartbreak and bitterness of a dissolving relationship, it's rare when it can feel like a nice but discomforting time and I think I really like it for this reason. I guess I will have to check more Marvin Gaye in the future
Really enjoyed this
Absolutely superb. Voice of an angel. Love love love ❤️
A disappointment compared to other albums by Marvin Gaye. One reason is that "Here, My Dear" is too long. It could've been 45 minutes long and it might've had a better rating. The songs on this album just don't stand out at all. At least they're nice tunes but they're boring. 2 stars for "Here, My Dear".
Album is a vibe. Kept expecting a Kanye West beat to drop though
That Divorce really got to him damn... but how he said once; "I work the best while depressed" and it shows. Bro is just so smooth with it all the time, its impressive how he floats over it in complete harmony. (4.0/5.0)
Not only did Robin Thicke copy the style of Blurred Lines from Gaye, he also copied the idea of making an album complaining about his divorce. Can't say I've listened to Thicke's, but I imagine Gaye's is better.
TMI the album
This is both boring and annoying. 2 stars or D-.
Very interesting album. Uncomfortable to listen to in parts but the guy knew what he was doing and the music is of a high standard, for my money.
It was fine, nothing stood out other than the big hit.
Sex in space!
What the hell is this album cover. A collage of Rodin's Kiss, some made-up neoclassical building with a terrible art deco eagle, and Marvin Gaye as that one burgher of Calais, with badly-drawn robes instead of rags. Really bad font contrast too. Also I thought the music was meh. I forgot I was listening to it.
I listened to this and then an hour later thought ‘oh I haven’t checked my album for today’… I love Marvin but this was far from his best work. Good sound but utterly forgettable.
B- Here, My Dear 3 I Met A Little Girl 3 When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You 3 Anger 3 Is That Enough 3 Everybody Needs Love 3 Time To Get It Together 4 Sparrow 3 Anna's Song 3 When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You (Instrumental) 3 A Funky Space Reincarnation 3 You Can Leave, But It's Going To Cost You 3 Falling In Love Again 3 When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You (Reprise) 3 Marvin Gaye’s music will always be vibey, but it can be a bit boring sometimes.
Gorgeous what can I say. Especially loved Anne’s song and sparrow.
Absolutely phenomenal looking forward to listening to this with my girlfriend.
maybe not the most toxic album on the list (sandwiched for me between kid rock and pantera after all) but definitely the most divorced
i did not enjoy the vast majority of this, but i did find it funny after learning the back story of it
lost my MIND laughing at the like, "peace and love; lets go to groovy mars and feel each other up groovily and smoke a space joint" song. otherwise, fine and enjoyable as someone who doesn't really clock lyrics
Well the Lore for this album really is something it was described as one of his final master works but I'm really not sure, I found it tolerable as background music except for every once in a while when I'd catch some really bitter lyricism
too long of an album just to sing about a break up man
What surprised me is how funky and groovy it is. Never thought a look-back on a bad marriage could sound this funky. Marvin Gaye, with his syrupy vocals, is never morose or depressed. He believes he has been wronged but he forgives. He lets his music wash over the bitterness over him. Found it very enjoyable on the first listen. Then it became a bit tedious. But still definitely worth listening. Favorites: I met a little girl, Is That Enough, Anna's Song, A Funky Space Reincarnation.
Nothing I'll ever seek out again, but it had a nice vibe to it.
Not my fav of his albums, but still a good listen.
Marvin has a very distinctive sound. While I enjoy that sound for a song or three, it is a lot for an hour plus.
Apart from being longggg (as is the case with 95% of this list) this was pretty enjoyable. Silky smooth as always
This is both sexy and also a really maudlin and vindictive divorce album, it's like so messy that it's kind of awesome? Would be a 4 just for how unapologetically messy it is but I think I like earlier Marvin Gaye records more and also some of the songs just drag on and on. Worth listening to though, the backstory behind this record is crazy as hell
Voz poderosa, só que não reconheci nenhuma música.
frankly, sounds incredible, considering it was contractually obligated and all a little boring but weirdly relaxing as background music
So far all I hear is the worst of Philly Soul: elevator music backing some dude who is whining about how his "woman done me wrong." There's something so sappy in the vocals you can totally understand why she found someone better. It's very hard to stay awake through one side of this album so I've started skipping. Each song is the same as the last. I believe that What's Going On is highly overrated, basically one good song repeated. This doesn't even have one good song. It belongs on a lesser-known list:1001 different ways to go to sleep.
I sure hope he felt better after all that. Seems he left all the subtext in his other pants cuz this is just straightforward bitchin.
I can really understand why an album like this makes this list. It's certainly very interesting and so vastly different form Let's Get It On. The ultimate sex album and the ultimate divorce album, what a combo. I'd like to give it 5 stars because it just makes sense, but it's not really for me and I don't really care to revisit it any time soon. Fave: A Funky Space Reincarnation because it's from a time when Pluto was still a planet. "Send you over to the Plutotarium to be Plutotized" Oh Yeah!
My third Marvin Gaye from the list, and only a couple of days after "Let's Get It On". I've apparently listened to this before, but must have put it on as background music as I didn't have any particular memories of it. I was pretty captivated first play through - none of the preachy stuff that put me off "What's Going On" and not as relentlessly horny as "Let's Get In On" - a mood that intrigued me but was hard to pin down, melancholy, wistful, with, yes, a splash of horniness. Then I read the backstory and it clicked into place! Kinda mad that he coulda phoned in a bunch of standards and covers, or otherwise skimped on the effort, and instead fully artistically engaged with the idea of a divorce album. I'm glad critical appraisal caught up! Fave tracks - the reoccurring "When Did You Stop Loving Me" really ties the album together. "Is That Enough" is probably my pick for stand out track. "A Funky Space Reincarnation" is fun, too!
Very much background music here. Pretty dull.
2.75
1. dear - 1 2. girl - 1 3. loving - 1.5 4. anger - 1 5. enough - 1 6. love - 1 7. time - 1 8. zparrouu - 1 9. anna - 1 10. loving you - 1.5 11. zpace - 1 12. cozt - 1 13. again - 1 14. loving - 1.5
This list already included his best works with "What's Going On" and "Let's Get It On". This album has some of the same signature sounds as those before it, but unlike those other albums, it doesn't really add anything that sounds out in his overall catalog. Gaye's smooth buttery vocals, croon-y ballads, occasional funky groovy vibes, and all are great, but it's nothing fresh.
was not in the right headspace to receive this lmao so i will be listening again but a vibe nonetheless
funky space reincarnation 👽
Not liking this as much as Let's Get it On. Feels like it's retreading the same ground but with sad lyrics this time. Maybe that's versatile but I'd much rather listen to the former of these two.
i really really liked this i think my only issue is there were very few standout tracks they all sort of embodied the same formula (other than that one psychedelic song i really loved). but what can you say its marvin gaye of course its good
General impression: soulful and very interesting Detailed review: I really loved reading about the making of this album while I listened to it. How many other albums have been created primarily to pay alimony to a divorced spouse? Just the idea of - “well, I’m making this for you because I’ve been ordered by a court to, and I’m bitter about it, but I might as well use this time to get out all the feelings I’ve ever had about our relationship and breakup” - it’s pretty wild. It also means that the songs are often meandering and pathetic, but still, it’s never boring. “Anger” was intense and passionate. “Sparrow” was absolutely gorgeous. And “A Funky Space Reincarnation” is fun just to witness the paradigm shift Star Wars was having on all different art forms. Okay, so this album doesn’t have very many hits to play back. But the story behind it, the lush, beautiful, layered soul and R&B, and the uniqueness of its concept and recording make it a fascinating document. Deeper thoughts (context): I’m excited to listen to What’s Going On? and other Gaye albums, because he’s an interesting artist who led an interesting life. Score: 3.9 Number of albums left to review: 958 Number of albums from the list I’d consider “must-listens”: 25 (including this one) Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 18
PURE LOVE
Over 300 albums in and I see that Marvin Gaye is recorded as the only controversial artist I have by the 1001 Gods. 5 stars for What’s Going On but only 1 for Let’s Get It On. Retrospectively I think I was a bit harsh with Let’s Get It On having appeared early on before I got a fair and constant marking system clear in my head. More so now that this album appeared today. Compared to Let’s Get It On this album would go into negative rating territory if there was such a thing. I don’t doubt at all the talent Marvin Gaye had but this album to me is same old same old and sent me to sleep. The only good thing about it is that it reminded me to listen again to What’s Going On and wonder why I gave that 5 stars. And I also wonder by giving this a 1 Marvin will no longer be controversial to me. In my head he never was but I don’t argue with the 1001 Gods. 1/5 6/11/24
I enjoy the sound of this album, but it is rather gratuitous as an artistic statement. Once again a potentially really good album suffers from being way to long and over-stuffed. It's still better than a lot of other albums on here!
It's so boring I cannot be bothered. I am also very far removed from the headspace in which this kind of music could be appropriate. The US election results have shown that this ridiculous country has decided to show the rest of the world its entire ass and re-elect a racist clown that has promised fascism. But, honestly, when a country that was founded on genocide and built on the backs of slaves shows that a leopard doesn't change its spots, is anyone *really* that surprised? So we'll get what we deserve when the Christian Taliban and Supreme Court drag this country back to the stone ages. As a black man, that terrifies me, but the straight white people in this country couldn't give a flying fuck about anyone but themselves. Always remember: There is no hate like Christian love.
And now, exactly 300 days after my first Marvin Gaye album, I finally get another one! It's not the one people really really like, but Marvin Gaye is Marvin Gaye. I'm never upset to listen to his music. Although, I have to be honest... Let's Get It On is better. In fact, because the one I haven't gotten is one of the most critically acclaimed albums ever, I might as well just say now that this is the weakest album of his on the list. It's not bad, don't get me wrong. I think this is a good album. Marvin's singing is excellent as always, as is the instrumental sound. There are also some great songs on here. However, I have problems with the album. Firstly, it's a bit long. That's not a huge issue, but it's certainly noticeable. Secondly, the writing is a bit repetitive. This album was written about Marvin's divorce with his wife, and practically every song is about something pertaining to his marriage or divorce. While I do feel that the songs do pretty well with tackling different aspects of this topic, you can definitely feel that this album was written about one thing and one thing only. Overall, I definitely liked this album. This style of music just appeals to me in nearly every context. Despite this album's issues, Here, My Dear still manages to be a strong showing of music from an all-time great. Low 4/5.
Hmmm, like the MG sound but some of the sentiments are rather outdated and maybe even uncomfortable to the modern ear.
Well, it doesn't touch What's Going On. But it's still pretty good. The instrumentals and production are great, and I like pretty much all the songs. The problem for me is just how overwhelmingly & tangibly bitter the album is. Kinda brings down the whole album experience. 3.5/5
Will not be revisiting anytime soon…
Lots of emotion in this album. The opening is a little maudlin but the rest is really Marvin with his open bleeding heart shared with the world. Overall a good album but not his best.
I like this even better than What’s Going On?
This album grooves, slaps and suffers at the same time. It's all liquid basses, funky guitars, soaring vocals, and aching words, angry and sad. It is beauty.
Gaye’s voice is great as ever, the album sounds great and his song writing is awesome as always. The album is an emotional chore though.
È carino ma 1. È monotono 2. Meno lagne, più introspezione per capire perché sei stato lasciato
Marvin Gaye is possibly an outstanding soul musician. I don't get on with his music, although I basically like soul. As with another of his albums from this project, I tried to make friends with this album. And again, it got on my nerves relatively quickly. Apparently I don't like Gaye's voice and the way he sings. That's problematic for a vocal-based album. The sound itself is cool. After writing the above I just kept the album playing and - hey - I liked it. It won't be part of my daily feed, but it was quite nice overall. 4/5
Wonderful!
This album is a vibe but not much else. Most of the songs are just basic vamps and go on for way too long. A lot of the vocals almost sound improvised. Not enough hooks and too much random pentatonic riffing. The mix is a mess, random sax solos and synth parts are way too loud at times. Nothing about this is ground breaking or particularly interesting so its inclusion on this list is puzzling. Decent background music but should be much, much more given Marvin’s immense talent. 2.5 / 5.
A beautiful love album that features heartbreak. Not really for me highkey
Later album from Marvin. You can really hear him flexing a well used muscle. Well polished songs. Beautiful Melodys, soulful singing with thoughtful lyrics.
An album that's even more mundane and slow than "Let's Get It On." If "Let's Get It On" was the sex scene, "Here, My Dear" would be the pillow talk. I think Marvin Gaye might've been a little depressed /s
Nice
Man, get over her already, Mr. Gaye.
Sounds like Marvins ex was possessive and needy! Let the man live. He wants custody of his kid but still wants to do coke and fuck “midnight ho’s” And the nerve to make him pay alimony! I had heard some songs but had not done a deep dive on this, and man is it sad. The ill advised cover art kind of tells the story. Marvin is lost and that comes across in his music in both positive and negative ways. At times it feels like a meandering bitch-fest and others he hits some truly transcendent grooves (Is That Enough) Marvin Gaye is probably my favorite male singer. Rating this is tough because the bar is What’s Going On, but I’ll just hit him with 4. Probably a 3 but idgaf. Also - noticed the Sippin on Some Syrup sample for the first time on Is That Enough. Pretty good call by Three Six Mafia.
For baby-making music, this felt like a lot of foreplay with no finish (IF YOU WILL). Don’t tease us Marvin. We want it.
As an art piece, this album falls very close to perfection. I love the album setup. You feel like youre along Marvin and his wife (Anna) as they met and got married. Things are pure and promises are made. Eventually, you find yourself reminiscing over a relationship youve never been in 😂 and the over to a new lover. And finally… some vengeance/hate… but wait… more reminiscing 😂 Overall, I really liked this. Again, not full of the tastiest jams ever, but there were great stories and good tunes to accompany them. Is that enough is an incredible track. The jam at the end (sax solo) is stupidly awesome. A funky space reincarnation was solid too. Potentially controversial, im giving a 5/5 for the album as an art piece. 4/5 for music
This album really bored me. I thought I’d like Marvin but this didn’t excite me in any way
Actually liked this more than What’s Going On - super compelling conceptually, musically and lyrically. The whole thing is just so damn sad though, so need to dock a star because I don’t think I can will come back to this too often. Was also thinking, you’re a young college boy, bring a nice girl back to your place and throw a little Marvin on shuffle to set the mood, just to get hit with 90 minutes or divorce jamz.
A clear theme to the album, adding a personal touch to the smooth and addictive grooves.
This hit me a lot less than I expected when I saw who it was by. Not a bad listen but honestly, a bit boring.
Great trumpet on Is That Enough. I was expecting something else from this album. I was trying to figure out what to like and the strange synth kept coming. The production was fine, but this wasn't for me.
Ich pack das alles nicht mehr...warum wusste ich nichts über Gayes Tod? "Am 1. April 1984, einen Tag vor seinem 45. Geburtstag, wurde Gaye von seinem Vater im Verlauf eines Streits erschossen. Die Tatwaffe hatte Gaye seinem Vater zu Weihnachten geschenkt." Sein Vater war einfach Prediger und wurde zu einer Bewährungsstrafe verurteilt haha. this is america. Ansonsten banger album, es ist wie eine warme decke, die dich umhüllt. Punktabzug gibts dafür, dass Gaye das "e" in seinem Namen nachträglich hinzugefügt hat, um unter anderem nicht mit Homosexualität in Verbindung gebracht zu werden :(
Ja kulturbanause giorgio hed nanie aktiv marvin gaye glosst, sorry bruv noah. Aber isch na gmüetlich, weiss wieso s dir gfallt :) Aber isch mir doch biz zu souly. Darum nur 3 stern
sehr spassig funky groovie work session mitem marvin wird sicher mal wider als album abgspielt
ladies & gentlemen dimmet euchi liechter, zündet es paar cherze ah und schmeissed euch ih euches feinste sunntigsgwand… mir hend es meisterwerk zur hand han mi sehr fest müesse zämmerisse dasi nöd churzerhand en sponti sex-playlist im büro erstellt han nöd mal zwingend mis favourite marvin gaye project aber de king of r&b bechunt halt kategorisch direkt 5 saftigi stern id fratze
Oh Marvin, I’m sorry but this bored me. I hope it was cathartic for you though
This walked so uptown funk could run! And I mean that as a big meh
Heartbreak album, very samey songs, bluesy
white noise ah album
Marvin Gaye tried to process his divorce in album form, but it just ends up feeling like an awkward eavesdrop into someone else’s marital therapy session. Every track is him moping about his failed relationship, like a broken record that only knows how to whine. He pours his heart out, but it’s hard to care when each song feels as long as a small novel. Marvin, we get it—she left. By the fifth track, I wished I had too.
Really liked it, drug on a bit too long though. Initial thoughts were that it felt ahead of its time, although ig I forgot that soul/jazz music existed. Also who does bro think he is making a 3 part song split up across the album, Pink Floyd???
I have nothing against this album. It was nice background noise while I did my work, but that's about it. I maybe should have paid more attention... 3/5
I really wanted to like this album more, as When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You is perhaps one of the best R&B/Soul songs to grace music, but the rest of the album really opens my eyes to how uncomfortable this whole situation makes me feel. At best it's an odd peak into dirty laundry that shouldn't be aired out like this, but there are many times on this album where Marvin Gaye feels ultimately bitter and hateful, despite how much he swears he isn't. I know nothing of their relationship, but it is difficult to cheer for Gaye when listening in, and while the raw aspects are relatively inspiring, it just feels off here, and I couldn't shake that feeling for the nearly eighty minutes I was stuck listening in. Gaye's voice is magnificent, and often times the production is stellar, too, but nearly every track drags, and you can tell how much filler is here to really pad things out. Perhaps some re-listens would do my mind good, it took a few listens of When Did You Stop Loving Me for it to click, but after sitting through this thing I really don't want to go through this again. I suppose I can respect an album this brutally honest, especially for 1978, but I'll be honoring it from afar.
This kind of smooth languidness is rarely my thing, even if I can appreciate the concept in theory. In this case, I will note that Marvin Gaye obviously has an incredible voice, which did boost my enjoyment considerably, +1. But I feel that the tone drifts firmly into whiny territory after awhile and many of the songs are so long, so about halfway through I started thinking "isn't this album almost over?" I love heartbreak songs, but this feels a little too much like wallowing for me. So, -2.
This album finds a groove and never deviates. The songs are really good, but to me, it doesn't feel like the album really goes anywhere.
Album presque psychédélique que j'ai énormément apprécié, n'étant pas un grand fan de Bowie de base. Ses années 70s étaient vraiment géniales.
Talk about airing your dirty laundry in public. Gaye decides to let us all in to his divorce proceedings with the sister of the owner of his label. This is sometimes an uncomfortable listen, as I'm sure he intended it. Is this another album of oversharing ala Joni Mitchell? Whatever, this album's a grower if you can get past the ugliness to the beauty of the tunes. Best Tracks: When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You?; Is That Enough; You Can Leave But It's Going To Cost You
It was good of course because it was marvin gaye but it just isn’t like the other albums but still groovy as hell and relaxing
A decent album, but not decent enough to warrant a 1 hr and 13 min listen. There are some good songs on here but man I'd be lying if said I didn't fall asleep a few times listening to this. It's about what you would expect from a Marvin Gaye record. Soulful singing with some whining thrown in there but overall making for a memorable listening experience. Top 3 Best: When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You, Anna's Song, and A Funky Space Reincarnation Top 3 Worst: no bad songs 3.25-3.50/5
Not a single standout track for me.
Finally someone I'm familiar with. I don't know these songs.
Okay he was SUPER in his feelings on this album. I mean it was REALLY good. This is definitely NOT an album you put on to just chill and study to but man you really could feel the emotion in the music. I heard he was going through his divorce or he wrote it about his divorce and that reminds me about a Bruce Campbell video I watched recently where he said you never want to hire an actor going through a divorce because they don't care about life or anything. I feel like maybe that is the opposite for musicians because this was an incredibly deep album. I give it four stars though because again, there is almost 0 re-listen ability. It was like a good book or a good show in a way, it just was a great journey but I don't think I want to go on it any time soon.
What a very personal album. Too bad it was so boring. Okay, that was mean. The lyrics did make me laugh a lot. I feel a bit bad for laughing at this man's pain and him working thru his divorce but also...some of those lines were just funny, and I'm not sorry about that. I like Marvin Gayes voice. I do not like his music style.
Enjoyable, very solid soul funk. But by the end I was a bit tired of it
not bad didnt hit hard kinda boring YNN
Just a few days ago I got another Marvin Gaye album which I enjoyed. This... not so much. It was too long and just not great. 2.5/5
Not my favorite, I never really got into it.
This album was alright. But it didn't excite me, too many ballads. Didn't quite get how it made the cut.
Man, I'm conflicted on this one. This feels much more like a letter in musical form that got shared with the world than a traditional musical album I love the honesty from Marvin You can feel the pain and disappointment in his voice, but it feels like he has come to terms with what has happened. I'm sure that making and recording this album helped him cope as well. The mix is great Favorite track: Is That Enough
Some nice beats, but a bit repetitive.
Not knowing what his relationship with his ex-wife was like, I can’t tell if this is a genius work of expressing pain and the emotional roller coaster of divorce, or a genius turning his power to sarcasm and passive-aggression. There’s no debating the smoothness of his vocals or the coolness of his backing band. I’m just not sure if I should like it.
The second record is the better one, because there is some funk to it; however, I just can’t get into this soul.
None of my favorite Gaye songs. He's a great singer, but none of these songs grabbed me for some reason. Hopefully, there's more of his albums on the list. There must be.
I thought I'd enjoy this album like I do with Marvin's earlier works. This one just comes off as whiny and I couldn't really get on board. Nothing that had me wanting to hit skip, but nothing that would have me coming back.
So heartbreaking when an artist's work only becomes important after their death. Or idk, maybe it's not. Maybe Marvin didn't care what critics said. Hopefully artists don't look at these or any reviews :P Apparently this is a dude processing a divorce. The relationship between capitalism and art is a paradox I don't know what to do with.
i need a smoke, wait a minute
mhhh sound isch hammer, ich weiss nonig ob das album creepy isch. mol lugen. okay es isch es scheidigsalbum und er nimmt glaub kei blatt vors muul. i met a little girl isch nice, soul schliicher super gspielt. sehr schmalzig. when did you stop loving me isch etz chli meh upbeat, so hani de marvin gern. trompete goht jo blöööd. er ramblet chli aber s goht immer wiiter ich magen. und die mehrstimmige parts sind hammer d chords sind geil. is that enough isch etz chli lang, isch glaub afoch wiener de gruchtsprozess vo sinere scheidig schilderet. weiss nöd obi da mue ghöre. instrument gebed ALLES. de gitarre geil de sax geil. s lied isch z lang. everybody needs love fangt leider wieder sehr schnulzig ah, aber wenner id höchene goht ischer soo guet de marvin. time to get it together. jo riss di zeme marv. geile sonng. ich ha mini problem mit wah wah gitarre, aber da bin ich da isch nöd am marvin sis problem. sparrow findi fast scho unagnehm zum lose. au z lang und nöd würkli en song. oke d gsangsharmonie am schluss sind geeil. uf anna's song hani freud am bass und de kick wo meeega in sync sind huuere geil. de marvin gaye hasst irgendwie hooks. songstruktur isch mengmol afoch nöd ume und s het wenig melodie womer sich cha merke meistens. nomel when did you stop loving me. ok. aso isch cool. etz fallts mer immer uf wie tight bass und kickdrum zeme sind sehr geil. a funky space reincarnation isch anschinend. d single gsi aber s isch 8 minute. er mega uf kiffo. isch okay, schleppt chli vor sich hii. you can leave isch etz au eher afoch en mood als en song, finds langsam chli ermürbend da album.
hie, mi schatz ja schöni musikalischi undermalig aber ich chli langwilig hahah ouh das album isch nöd churz oke when did you stop loving me isch na schön, da chunnt sini stimm auchli zur geltig bi anger tönter chli wie wenner chli e verstopfti nase het hahahahaha poah ja es isch eig schön aber es blibt nüt hänge s instrumental vo when did you stop loving me is h na intressant will für es instrumental hets uuffällig vill gsang - spannende approach ok han mich rig welle drüber lustig mache qber iwie ischs no schön, wenn d stimm gwüssermasse als instrument hie und daa chunnt und die restlich bühni de übrige instrument git you can leave isch de synthi OBMOXIOUS GSI puuuh ja
Not my thing
Some Soul Music. He died too young.
good shit
What a whiney dude. The talent is clearly there, but it's just so fucking boring. I don't care about your lawyer bills, or what a judge said. How did you ever get married in the first place if you're this bitchy about everything? Other artists have used divorces and break ups for interesting albums or tracks, but this is an hour and thirteen wasted.
Boring, self indulgent, cheesy, and good god I dislike that saxophone. I understand he was going through some stuff so I don't blame him. I blame the editors for making me listen to it
Marvin Gaye has a great voice. Aside from some brief moments this album fails to capture his best. The rhythm section was great. The sax had some rough moments. I heard a squeak or two and some strain on the high end. Thematically one dimensional overall.
I love Marvin Gaye's album "What's Going On" and have listened to that one several times. This one was new to me. I didn't like it as much but maybe simply need to listen to it more often.
Why do I feel like I'm being seduced with every song on this album? Not in a good way. I get why Marvin Gaye was popular. I also realize he is put on a petastal due to his untimely and horrific demise. I don't think record showcases his talent but more so his charm. It comes off creepy. Not to say he doesn't sing great, he does... It's just nothing I want in my ears. This era and style of music is long gone and I don't see it having a resurgence any time soon.
Some cool tunes but not the best Marvin Gaye album
I'm not really a Soul kind of person and this it a bit too long, but I can't deny the artistry. Key tracks: When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You
This was a pleasant one to listen too. I enjoyed it. Gotta respect Marvin Gaye. 4 easy stars.
loved it!
Chill
Cool album.
Exactly what i expect from my limited exposure to Marvin Gaye. Don't see myself coming back but it was an enjoyable listen.
Romantic meal, candles lit, now for some music. Whatever you do, don’t put this album on. It starts with a song about a child custody battle and goes on to anger, jealousy, self pity and the unfairness of paying attorney fees. After a bitter divorce, Gaye was contractually obliged to produce an album and give his ex 50% - he delivered this, which takes petty revenge to a whole new level. Save this for if you get dumped and want to know how not to respond.
So we had a high point with What's Going On? and now a pretty low point with this one. Nothing much to save on this record, it's dull and writing a WHOLE DAMN album on this subject?! If You Think You Lonely Now from Womack was already too much and painful to listen to, a whole album is yet another story.
This album is raw in both a good and bad way. His lyrics convey the broken state he was in at the time, hurt, heartbreak, struggles with children and all. On the other hand, he also whines about paying attorney fees. I can easily see why someone might hate this record, it can get quite a bit repetitive at times and it isn't very subtle, I felt the same way at some points while listening to this. However, the music is good and the vocals are great, it goes down easy and smooth even with that underlying unease that can come through with the themes. Could do with some trimming of the fat though, too much filler.
Like butter.
I like Marvin but Im not a huge fan. Yes his voice is amazing and soothing but its not the type of music I consume much or often. Great music yes, great album just not my thing.
This one was a bit of a chore tbh. Interesting concept and very solid musically, but the lyrics are so un poetic and on the nose that the whole album is cringe worthy. I feel like there must have been a better way to express these feelings, Mr. Gaye. In no way is this essential listening.
Easy listing, but just not for me.
I can see the talent, but for me this is about where R&B fell off until the 90s. Every song lasts about two minutes past when it was over
So not much to say about Marvin Gaye’s “Here, My Dear” album… So Marvin’s going through a divorce, decides to write a bunch of songs about it, and makes an album out of it… I’m sure a big part of it was “…Wow – if Marvin wants to do that – I guess he’s gonna do that, because well – he’s Marvin Gaye…” Now don’t get me wrong, as I truly believe that Marvin was an exceptional talent, but this is nothing more than self-indulgent swill as far as I’m concerned… Sure, its raw, and captured a period in his life – but that does NOT mean it’s good, and it falls woefully short when compared to his best work… Peter Gabriel & Phil Collins both wrote some incredible compositions related to their respective divorces that really connected with their audiences – but Marvin’s effort here is ultimately forgettable… Only decent track on the album was “Is That Enough” – which is really well-done, and his vocals throughout are pretty top-shelf as you’d expect, but musically, as well as lyrically – it’s just not all that interesting or inspiring – sorry…
chill
Epitome of laid back. Everything he does seems really easy, effortless.
Good albeit a little long soul album of Marvin whining about his divorce
Classic Gaye but not exciting
un pò piatto..
Here, My Dear is Marvin Gaye's fifteenth album, and this was the work produced after a divorce settlement. By decree, half the proceed of the album would go to Gaye's ex-wife. Considering the context, this is a brooding, angry, heart-broken work. At release, the album was not commercially or critically successful. After Gaye's tragic passing, opinions of his catalog have changed, Some hold this album in high esteem. These aren't particularly beautiful songs, vocally or lyrically. While "very dark Gaye" may be interesting, I think the rest of his catalog is much more so.
Cover art is hilarious. Whole project is kinda unhinged. Sad to say that I did not enjoy this at all. Gets into the smooth pop sound I really don't like. Doesn't feel right to lump a Marvin Gaye album in with the other stuff I've given a 2, but here we are. hated. (⌐■_■)
Marvin Gaye sure comes off better when he’s singing about the state of the world, versus singing about the state of his divorce. Bit of a tough one to get through, but at least you still get to listen to Marvin Gaye sing.
An album about (his) divorce, but manages to shy away from whining, blaming, crying or complaining. Beautifully sung, but drags a wee bit and does not really need to be over 70 minutes long!
Marvin Gaye is always good but this isn’t the best
fascinating look into the mental and emotional state of marvin gaye as he was going through the divorce from his first wife, anna. as the story goes, part of the settlement agreement stated that gaye was to give half of the royalties of his next album to anna, and so he wrote this very personal album as a farewell to the relationship.
Not opposed to it but it sorta got old after awhile.
🎧Nice soul record, little bit bloated
Best MG album on the list. Some tracks went on a little too long, but a very heartfelt record. 3/5
Totally forgettable
"When did you stop loving me?" When you bored me to death. Nice voice. But such a dull album zzzzzz
Not a massive fan of the songs or music but the production is great and he really had an incredible voice. Gets an extra star for that voice.
Marvin Gaye can and did do so much better. I reckon he knew it too. Still ok to listen to, but a similar experience to that White Stripes album for me.
Good music, if a little boring. Sexy music done well. Tim Buckley, take note…
Excellent listen from an amazing artist taken way before his time.
Sowieso krijgt dit album de prijs voor de kitscherigste hoes van de hele lijst. (Wat dachten ze dat ze aan het doen waren?) Meestal gooit dit soort soul hoge ogen in deze lijst, maar dit vond ik saai en ook niet bijzonder goed gedaan. Een heel nummer van zes minuten over een al dan niet zingend musje, kom nou. En koop eens een wat beter keyboard dan dit ding van de Action, Marvin.
Ik heb nooit heel veel naar dit soort muziek geluisterd, terwijl ik het genre wel fijn vind. De 1001 biedt mij daardoor voor dit genre meer inzicht. Leuk. Ik merk nu wel dat ik Marvin ten opzichte van vergelijkbare muziek toch wat saaier vind. Deze muziek heeft wat power nodig wil ik erin komen. Het eerdere album Let's Get It On was meer zwoel dan krachtig. Dit album is ook niet zo krachtig. Het voelt zelfs net wat leger. Geen hoog cijfer, maar wel leuk om eens goed beluisterd te hebben.
Ik dacht eerst even Alain Clark te horen, maar die staat natuurlijk niet in de lijst. Dat Alain Clark vergeleken wordt met Marvin Gaye, daar zal Alain ongetwijfeld heel blij mee zijn. Ik heb in het verleden wel aangegeven, dat ik dit soort muziek toch best ok vind. Vandaag heb ik er wat minder mee. Het is allemaal iets te zoetsappig en te traag. Het trucje kennen we inmiddels wel. Er staat voor mij ook geen bekend hitje op en een dubbelalbum is veel te lang. Het is allemaal net iets teveel van het goede voor me. Ik ben niet de enige en het werd destijds blijkbaar ook niet zo best ontvangen. Zet het onder een film en ik word misschien enthousiaster, maar nu nog niet. Het haalt de magere 3 net niet
Drags on a bit. No wonder somebody shot him
Prachtig album, twijfel heel erg tussen 4 en 5 sterren. Geweldige muziek, mooi concept, maar wel veel van hetzelfde.
A decent listen.
welp, marvin is awesome. i don't love this album, but that's on me this time. like with the dead and zep, my capacity to appreciate his music vastly overshadows my capacity to actually enjoy listening to it.
I feel like Marvin should have taken some time to gather his thoughts about his divorce. This is neither sexy nor thought provoking.
A collection of lovesick moon tunes. So much talent, ability and musicianship to produce such a thoroughly boring product.
A bit corny and on the nose if I'm being honest. Instrumentally it's darker than some of his other work, which matches the subject matter well but comes off as somewhat drab unfortunately. Definitely not his strongest in my opinion but still solid.
A standard Marvin Gaye album, but the back story makes it so much more engaging to listen to.
Cheesy / not his best
Great vibes on the way to Portugal 🇵🇹
Not as good as what’s goin on but still some real good stuff from Marvin but it is a little slower.
It was fine, but I was just not in the mood and only got about halfway before I gave up. Not my style, but the musicianship was great. Two stars.
A slightly laborious listen. Way too long, with most songs sounding the same. Prefer it when he sings about political issues rather than emotional. 2.5*
Not something I had to listen to
Pretty good nothing crazy
5/10 - His voice is so sultry but its not the most appealing to me specifically. He also adds a lot of vocalizations to the songs, like grunting which is rarely something I enjoy. I feel like what he is saying is so sensual sometimes and I do not enjoy it. Also I feel like we did not need two reprises to when did you stop loving me, when did I stop loving you
More like midvin Gaye
Funky
I loved the hell out of this. Screw buckcherry, this is the real divorce music. Super groovy stuff. Bro's mad over a divorce settlement, then pivots to a space opera where he's talking to me about having sex on the moon & the plutonian droids lmao, all while there's horns out the wazoo. I'm floating.
Solid!
# Playlist track - A Funky Space Reincarnation # Notes - It's Marvin Gaye. The vocals are great, there is some soul to it. It's soft and cool. But if I hadn't listen to other tracks from Gaye, I doubt I would pay this one much attention. - As usual, I listen while working and doing stuff, not paying much attention. After that, I read some of the reviews, and this album seem to be a very different experience when you factor in the whole divorce thing. Not taking that into factor for this review.
super vibey and funky - definitely showcases Marvin Gaye's range as well as the range of any and all relationships.
In a nutshell: Marvin's diary of love, loss and devastation. Yep, it's a breakup album. Marvin maintains self-exploration and vulnerability in his songwriting. Backing band is great. Songs are same-sounding and unnecessarily long. It’s just “okay”. Overall: 3/10
They say a divorce can destroy a man's life. Well, as far as I know it wasn't Marvin's ex-wife who shot him, on the contrary, he recorded an entire album about it. As always, everything Marvin touches turns to gold. Another 5-star and error-free album
Sweet gentle funky soul music!
Ah divorce, good times for all. Pretty BDE - or the opposite? move to make an album like this. Unfortunately the raw funk and motown of better years was becoming the discofied string section (synthed!) monstrosity of late 70s early 80s soundtrack funk by now, so it's more interesting than pleasurable. Attorney Fees? What a joke, I need a smoke...
This was way better than I thought, as of course, What's Goin On is one of the ultimate albums. How can you possibly come close to that again? Whelp, reasonably close! Much more of the 70's smooth soul feel to it than the 60's civil right feel of What's Goin On, but it works sooo well. There is still some "experimental" sounds and the focus on marriage is genuine and soulful through out. This will for sure be another listen.
Very nice and relax My r&b album
Lots of Marvin on this list.