Reviews (page 5 of 8)
Hilarious cover art. I would like to have this framed and hung in my bedroom. Something about Marvin Gaye's music that just puts a smile on my face. Most of this sounds like standard Gaye, which is great, but Sparrow stood out to me. That was my favorite. Groovy album, 3.4.
Smooth, sensual, and flowing like honey, warm and sweet. A break up album, I guess. More meandering and "Quiet Storm" than "What's Going On" was. Great Soul/RnB singer. 3.5
Pfoeeee, dit is een lastig album om te reviewen. Wie zal er ooit gevraagd hebben om het incel album van Marvin Gaye? Ik denk niemand. Maar goed; het bestaat. Begrijpelijk ook hoor, net gescheiden, dan is dit gewoon wat er top of mind is. Maar is het dan nodig om precies dat album in de lijst van 1001 albums ooit op te nemen? Weet ik niet het antwoord op, en ik denk eerlijk gezegd dat ik neig naar Nee. Je hebt de standaard glijdende productie, en natuurlijk heb je DIE STEM(!) maar in plaats van uitnodigen om toch de avond met hem door te brengen vraagt hij zich nu hardop af: Waarom betaalt hij toch voor de advocaten? Waarom is hij met je getrouwd? Waar komt de woede vandaag? Het is een interessant album, een soort van klacht en frustratie tegen zn kapot gelopen huwelijk. Muziek is emotie, ik heb het absoluut vaker geschreven, en puur op basis daarvan is dit 5 sterren. De woede en de frustratie maar vooral ook de machteloosheid druipt van dit album af. Maar, maar, maar... Het is gewoon geen prettig album om te luisteren. Tuurlijk; Marvin's stem is geweldig. De productie is ook echt fijn en klinkt goed, maar er is een soort contrast aanwezig tussen de productie en de teksten. Waar de productie funky en soulvol klinkt, zijn de teksten wanhopig en gefrustreerd. Misschien was dat de bedoeling? Voor mij werkt het niet helemaal, en zeker niet voor een volledig dubbelalbum. Dit album is ontzettend lastig te reviewen, ik denk dat ik nog nooit eerder zoveel sterren voor een 3 sterren album heb geschreven. Dat is omdat het ook niet perse een 3 sterren album is. Het is een 1 ster album óf een 5 ster album. Afhankelijk van welke stemming je voelt ofzo, dus rate ik het als 3. Snap je? FAVO: Anger, Is that enough, Anna's Song, When did I stop loving you, when did you stop loving me
I try and I try with Marvin Gaye and it just doesn’t click. I loved his story telling but the songs just don’t reach the heights I am expecting
It sounds just like every other Marvin Gaye song.
Fine, but quite samey
I totally understand why this album was not received particularly well when it was released but was received better later on. I also understand why this is such a polarizing record for so many. There are parts of it that are so good and brilliant, but also parts where Gaye seems to go completely off the rails. I really struggled with rating this because of the ups and downs of the record. Splitting the difference and rating this a 3, but the highs are great, but then the lows are so bad.
I love 1970s soul so I mean i did enjoy this. A but lighter and softer than my real favourites, and it was definitely too long.
Incredible album, just longer than it needed to be, would have been more affective in the 30-40min range
Umm, this is very uncomfortable. It works, but I prefer his earlier, smoother albums I think. Very bitter, angry, and more rushed / rough than the incredibly polished sound of Marvin Gaye's prior work.
Before anything else, I just wanna say that it's really funny that **this** is the first Marvin Gaye album my group is getting. Like, we could have gotten WHAT'S GOING ON, an album so critically acclaimed and still relevant today that it was named the #1 greatest album of all time on the 2020 ROLLING STONE 500, dethroning SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND and then some. But, no, no — instead, we get HERE, MY DEAR, which I've always known as Gaye's bitter-ass divorce album. An album that's tied so tightly into not only one specific period of Gaye's life, but all of his and his ex-wife's dirty laundry... Like, damn, Marvin. I know you apparently only made this thing about your divorce because your ex was gonna get half of your percentage of royalties from it, but you didn't hafta go and record nearly 74 minutes on the subject. Goodness, man, you get feelings or what? I mean, I gotta be real here: I don't give a shit about the personal lives of celebrities. Whatever they get up to behind the scenes is really no business of mine. Like, how does it impact me? Why should it matter to me? I got my own life to live, and I just don't understand obsessing so much over someone else's. I get learning things about someone you're a fan of, but getting **this deep** in the weeds? It seems kind of pointless to me. And these were feelings I held before artists suddenly decided their lives were "lore" that I "needed" to understand in order to enjoy their works — hi, Taylor. It gets even worse when this personal shit is 50 years old. I mean, why, in 2025, should I give a hoot about Marvin Gaye's divorce in 1975? Heck, in 1977 it seems like people didn't care much about it either; this thing was a commercial and critical flop at the time. What the heck is it about this thing that it got such a reevaluation in the years since, to the point where it's named one of his best albums? After listening to it myself, I can't say I found much that would cause me to personally agree. Do I think it's bad? No, not really. But, like... I mean, if I had to guess why the album is so hailed these days, I'd hafta say it rests entirely in the lyrics. Not so much that people really care **that much** about Gaye's divorce, but more just that they find the lyrics about them to be so open, honest and dark. Y'know, that he just really didn't hold back about how he felt. And if you're into the rawness of it all contrasted over these smooth-ass light disco instrumentals, sure, I can get that. However, lyrics were never much my forté — and I know, I know. If I were someone else hearing me talking about this album, I'd think it'd be pretty weird I'd spend so long harping on the album's lyrical content knowing I wasn't even really gonna pay attention to them. But it's not like I wanna ignore what this album is, y'know? And from the few I did manage to catch... Yeah, I guess I can understand where people are coming from? It's just really not my thing. So that leaves us with the music itself. Like I said, it's smooth light disco and funk, and, hey, y'know, I really dig it. Marvin Gaye has such a legendarily amazing voice, and hearing him sing over these kinds of instrumentals is such a treat, whatever he's singing about. I can see putting it on as a vibe record; music to chill out to. Sure, the exact lyrics might make it a bit of a weird one to vibe to, but I still think it'd work really well. On that front, I'm for this record. But then we come around to the fact that this thing is a 74 minute double album. I've talked about this before, but a double album needs to do a lot to justify itself. I mean, if it's not done correctly, a double album can easily come across as an ego trip; an artist proclaiming that all of their ideas are just **so good** that they can't afford to drop even one. There are albums where that's true, like Prince's SIGN "O" THE TIMES; or albums where the sprawl and mess of it all is part of the appeal, like The Beatles' WHITE ALBUM. And HERE, MY DEAR is already running at a disadvantage for being such a personal record, made specifically out of spite for his ex-wife getting half of his profits from it. It's just that as good as Marvin Gaye is, 74 minutes of material where even **fans** of the thing will admit there's not much sonic difference from song to song... I mean, I can't say I was too tired out by this material, but I can imagine that if I was trying to pay attention to the lyrics, the album's length and how similar everything sounds would've made it a bit hard. I mean, I'd say the solution would be to take this thing in chunks and never all at once, but it's a concept album; it was **meant** to be taken in as a whole. And if my suggestion is to **not** do that... Goodness, y'know? I don't find this to be an easy album to love. Like, I can't say people are entirely unjustified for giving this thing a 2 — I mean, that's a little harsh, but if you really just don't give a shit about his divorce and can't get with how similar a lot of the music sounds... Yeah. I can't completely blame them. Me, it just makes me wish we could've eased into Marvin Gaye with one of his other albums. 'Cuz as much as I don't hate this, or even dislike it... I just can't completely bring myself to care all too much about it. Like, yeah, I guess it'd make some good, soulful wallpaper, but then that's betraying entirely what it sets out to do. And I don't wanna act like 74 minutes is a completely unreasonable running time, but I know there's more concise packages out there if I want some of Gaye's sound anyway. It's like, I can completely understand how this appeals to people. It just doesn't entirely to me is all. I'll give it enough points for its smoothness to push my score over into the positives, but otherwise... Y'know, I can't see myself revisiting this any time soon. At least it's a better divorce album than Robin Thicke's PAULA, even if that's not saying much.
Didn't particularly interest me but not bad
Marvin’s divorce letter to his ex-wife. I think it was released to fund the divorce settlement. Interesting choice for inclusion on the list. The voice is in fine fettle, not quite what’s going on but still a strong album, a man nursing his grievance.
Good, but repetitive
Not my favourite Marvin album but still solid. Pretty confessional soul Songwriting about his relationship with Ann Gordy.
Marvin is the king of background music for romantic moments. Not to say his music is generally bad, but it's not great. It's still very good, but the closer you listen, the more it doesn't really hold up. I think this album is best if you're only paying a little bit of attention to it, which stinks, because there are some really nice harmonies and chord progressions hidden in a couple of the songs. The album also goes on for a bit too long for me. I didn't need either of the returns of "When Did You...". Favorite Song(s): When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You
Pretty good, but the songs were a bit long for my taste and sounded pretty similar
Marvin Gaye’s voice and signature sound always bring a smile to my face. But these are barely songs — more like musings that he’s chosen to sing and set to music. Not necessarily bad, but disappointing given the man’s talent. It’s a three, at best.
★★★½
Way to long for an album with every song about a break up. Was not terrible, but didnt really enjoy it. Standout songs: Sparrow A Funky Space Reincarnation
I don't think I've ever heard a breakup album that is as horny as this one. It sounds nice (and I finally get the idea of baby-making music), but that's only so long as you don't actually listen to the lyrics and just enjoy the vibes.
Great album. Interesting wiki read too - added a lot to the album.
Good stuff.
It's decent but stop with the double albums dammit.
Decent. A bit long for my tastes with this style
Not really outstanding
This album really has an excellent sound and groove all the way through. Honestly, Marvin was really in his bag with the overall sound, the vocal deliveries, the instrumentation, especially on the soloist end for the guitars and the sax. I really liked listening to it - but man.... the message on this album just really REALLY bogs down the vibes. I could feel it if it was more of a heartbreak album, but this is really just an hour (plus) long call-out to his ex. Feels a little uncalled for. I can see how the sonical vibe of the album contrasts well with what he's saying, and maybe there's some deeper messaging there. But on the surface level, the message is hard to ignore and it kind of ruins it for me. 3/5
This really is a Marvin Gaye album
Funktastic
Funky but not the best Gaye
This is a good album, and it is certainly good R&B, but in terms of content and connection it seems a little too personal to me. For fans of his, this might be interesting and helpful, but as a general fan of music, it didn't draw me in as I expected from his peerless reputation.
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.
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
Helt ok
Marvin Gaye's music radiates an undeniable sensuality
- 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
pretty good. but didn't really hold my attention.
Not as memorable as I hoped it would be.
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!
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”
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
3.5
He’s got the voice but not my favorite batch of his songs
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.
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.
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.
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
Sounds like Marvin Gaye to me.
Para nada mi estilo pero muy bueno. Muchos elementos adelantados a su época. Debería escucharlo otra vez. Nota: 3.1
Great voice 11 songs and 3 versions of when did I stop. Nice
i met a little girl / everyone needs love, i like those songs
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.
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.
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
decent sound, respect his music and body of work. Good soul.
Not really my cup of tea.
A bit on the long side but still funky
Easy Listening music, very smooth.
Anonymous songs, but consistent.
Not offensive
ganz cute
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
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 .
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
frankly, sounds incredible, considering it was contractually obligated and all a little boring but weirdly relaxing as background music
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.
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
Hmmm, like the MG sound but some of the sentiments are rather outdated and maybe even uncomfortable to the modern ear.
È carino ma 1. È monotono 2. Meno lagne, più introspezione per capire perché sei stato lasciato
A beautiful love album that features heartbreak. Not really for me highkey
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
Oh Marvin, I’m sorry but this bored me. I hope it was cathartic for you though
white noise ah album
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.
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
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
Enjoyable, very solid soul funk. But by the end I was a bit tired of it
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
Epitome of laid back. Everything he does seems really easy, effortless.
Classic Gaye but not exciting
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.
Marvin Gaye is always good but this isn’t the best
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
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.
Good music, if a little boring. Sexy music done well. Tim Buckley, take note…
I feel like Marvin should have taken some time to gather his thoughts about his divorce. This is neither sexy nor thought provoking.
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.
Cheesy / not his best
Not as good as what’s goin on but still some real good stuff from Marvin but it is a little slower.
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
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...
Very nice and relax My r&b album
Lots of Marvin on this list.
Was thinking this album would be better
Good, as he always is. But feels pretty derivative, not sure how it rates as a must hear album
It's Marvin Gaye, so there's a great vocal performance. It's Tamla Motown so there are incredible bass parts. It's late 70s soul, so there's some deeply funky Rhodes parts with jazzy hand-percussion. But I'm not sure it amounts to much - the songs themselves are a let down, leaning into that washy unresolved lounge sound and ending up cluttered with too many instruments. But when that sultry sax hits, oooohhhhh baby Favorites: Anger, Is That Enough, Time to Get it Together, You Can Leave
beetje veel van hetzelfde
Not the most cohesive, no hits really
2.5
I nice album to have on the background. Didn’t catch too much of the lyrics, which is a regret but otherwise it was enjoyable.
Schysst soul.
Unfamiliar with many of these songs. It is a tribute to how powerful sublimation can be as a means of dealing with tough life circumstances like divorce.
Most works from Marvin Gaye are worth a listen including, Here, My Dear, but unlike his best known works, it doesn't hold up as well or as enjoyable. I'm not saying this is bad by any means, he still has the pipes and the music is groovin', it's just not his best and I wouldn't consider it essential or the place to start. Now spin, What's Going On and Let's Get It On immediately?
Pretty good i guess 3 stars Marvin Gaye was full freaky - I liked some of the songs but nothing I would save or go looking for again. It does not hit the spot
Real smooth and chill. The content matter of the album feels maybe a little dramatic haha. Is That Enough was really good and funky. Easily my favorite from the record. I really enjoyed the production of this one and I loved the sax. Overall I enjoyed this album but it did drag on for a bit too long.
a bit too autobiographical for my taste. 3 stars
I like MG a lot and this is a quality album but he does tend to plough the same furrow over and over again. I'd class this as troubled soul as he's obviously very sorry about his relationships.
lovely
Oof Marv, this was a lot les good than the early 70s work. Just a bit hackneyed I think and at times dull. There's no doubting the vocal quality, but I think if you're moving from a concept album that's 'the state of America in a post-Vietnam landscape' to a concept album about 'my divorce', you should maybe give up on concept albums.
Lots of really long form songs on the album. Can tell it’s not Gaye’s best, but overall a good album. 3/5 Might listen again
Not terrible. But it wouldn’t make the list if anyone other than MG had made it. And 30min too long.
Grooves pretty well.
I love Marvin Gaye. This album was almost too cohesive as I’d not notice the track changed at times and that a new song was playing. It was good background music but there was nothing that stood out enough for my ears to perk up.
Solid low key soul with a hint of funk.
Marvin all the way but there are better Albums than this
I get the impression that this album, like a lot of Marvin Gaye’s music, is not intended to be focused on. It’s not designed for that purpose. Instead, it is intended to be background music for a very specific set of activities that are a lot more fun than listening to Marvin Gaye music. It can certainly contribute to a 5 star experience, but not on its own
Marvin, I listen to your music when I want to bump uglies. You complaining about alimony in song form is a real buzz kill. It was an interesting album and I’m glad it exists, but it didn’t hit me.
Silky, sexy, smooth and sultry. The Voice is iconic the career was too short. His music will be revered forever.
Great morning listen. Gaye has a phenomenally smooth voice that is a delight to listen to. None of the songs really captured me individually, but the overall vibe was nice, which is why this album is a 3 instead of a 4 for me. I definitely see myself listening to this on a lazy Sunday morning with a cup of coffee.
I once heard a person claim that they didn't like Shakespeare because his work was "cliche.' " Granted we have seen ten thousand renditions of Romeo and Juliet, but considering HE WAS THE FIRST (!) he can't be working with cliche's. Everyone else can (possibly). Marvin Gaye's album has that underlying "OMG! Does that actually work?" feel to it. Even if he cannot be cliche' as an original swooner, the swooniness of it feels like it tries too hard, like it is part of the date night script. Perhaps it is just a tad too "same message" for the contemporary audience. If someone puts this album on in the background of a nice dinner I might think "that is just a little cringe..." But otherwise it is quite smooth and songs taken individually may well be "all that."
For my opinions on this album, I refer you to my friends at the Enjoy an Album podcast. I like the divorce album!!
Wish I loved this more, but comes up a bit short.
6.5/10
As far as Marvin Gaye goes, he’s incredible. But this album really doesn’t have many of the hits. Found myself getting a bit bored
Good vibes easy listening!
I'd really love to know the backstory and inspiration behind this album, because it has to be a juicy story. Marvin Gaye's voice is timeless and such a joy to listen to, even if I have no prior experience with any of these songs. I also thought the difference in topic from What's Going On to this album was very interesting. Overall, its not a bad album at all, its just a very specific subject.
Taylor Swift has nothing on Marvin Gaye. You wrote a song about you ex-boyfriend? That's cute. How about writing an entire album about your ex-wife?! This is classic Marvin Gaye sound all the way through with an emotional meaning behind the whole album. Really beautiful, but I wish it was a little shorter. A good album, but it makes me sad because I know I will never be serenaded by Mr. Gaye like Anna was.
I get it, it's an interesting concept, the tunes are fine, but I'm just not feeling this as much as some of the other Marvin Gaye selections on the 1001.
No, this cover is terrible. Whoever okayed this needs a talking to. And the rest of the album - I mean, it's Marvin Gaye so it's not likely to be bad, right? The ambience is pretty great. But there's nothing here that belongs in the Pantheon. Right? Pantheon? Because of the cover? Should that one be put in the Puntheon? thx
I thought it was a little funny to go from the world crisis issues raised on What’s Going On to complainant about paying attorney fees on this album. This is a very dark and bitter album, but it’s still full of soul and regret and it is still quite lovely. An interesting record, for sure.
Det var lækkert! Ikke hans mest memorable sange, men lyden var lækker nok til at det ikke gjorde noget at den varer 70 minutter
God funk!
Good songs.
Literal divorced dad music. He was really channeling Bob Dylan on that first track. Also, the lines “why do I have to pay attorney fees? This is a joke” kinda have SNL Digital Short energy. I hate my wife now
Is That Enough was the stand out track. The rest of the album was pretty damn smooth. Def had me tapping my foot at some times. Smooth, smooth, and smooth
3.5
некоторые очень хорошие, но в целом фоновая музыка. надо всё отключать и прислушиваться. вернусь ещё но впечатление одного дня - очень хорошо, но фоново
This is a solid album but among some of Marvin Gaye’s other work, it’s a little weak. Lyrically, Gaye mostly discusses his ex-wife Anna Gordy, and he really toes the line between standard generic heartbreak music and dissing Anna. It turns out sort of weird, but it also interestingly demonstrates a few of the stages of grief, namely anger and acceptance. Soul music is by definition passionate, and anger is a passion. But it’s still very interesting when anger comes through in soul.
This is why you get a prenup, gents!
It was nice to hear more Marvin since I don’t know much by him, cool voice and use of instruments
Not Marvin's best. There's a LOT in and around this album, with alimony and lawyers and estates and royalties and all kinds of rich people in the 70s shit, not to mention the hot takes from a guy who probably honestly at one time did actually love his wife. But none of that makes it a better-than-average album. 3/5
Dudea got soul!
Это хороший альбом, который хочется переслушивать, но немного затянутый на мой взгляд. Сол в любом его проявлении никогда не был моим любимым жанром, но этот чел определенно особенный. Лучшая песня - Time To Get It Together.
Not Marvin’s best work, and understandably so.
A surprisingly challenging album - only because the vibe is so consistent from song to song. It is a document of a man working through complex feelings on divorce, so it's kind of like someone running a conversation in their head over and over and over and over and over... you get the idea. The music and beats are fairly compelling, even though, as mentioned, they are very similar throughout. There are definitely some good songs here that I enjoyed, but again, it all kind of blends together. Maybe it's just the subject matter, but I can't see myself coming back to this album in the future (unless I get divorced, but hoping that doesn't happen).
Soul, Funk, 1978 eh 3.5
Soul. Se me ha hecho bola. Pero bueno, ni fu ni fa.
idk man. It's freaking Marvin Gaye. I don't think any of his music is a skip, but it's kinda repetitive for me.
3.4 - it was good but I don’t think I’d sit and listen again
I’ve never really listened to much Marvin Gaye beyond his hits and What’s Going On. This was a surprise to me. The lyrics are very personal and emotional. You can tell for better and for worse that he put his soul into this album. Some songs aren’t winners. Great instrumentation throughout. That yell he does in Anna’s Song is incredible. Album is a little too long. Favorite songs were When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You, Everybody Needs Love, and Falling In Love Again.
Shot by his dad! Real shame! This isn’t his best work. Also a real shame. 3.4
Divorce album. Never pretty.
Not my thing
мило, но скучно а еще обложка дурацкая
is pretty good 3,5
The algorithm is failing me. Back to bs k Marvin Gaye. What’s Going On yesterday and Here, My Dear today. Gaye’s talent is undeniable. The quality of the production is undeniable. It’s more jammier than What’s Going On. It’s also much much longer. Too long. I respect Gaye but it’s too smooth, runs together for me 6.1/10
love me some Marving Gaye, but this one’s not great
Although a can understand the greatness of this, I would not listen to it by intention
This was A Funky Space Reincarnation.
Way longer than it needed to be
listened to again not his strongest album
3.5
A smooth sounding album. I can see why people like it. Not for me
One year, getting ready for a vacation in Iceland, me and my friends decided to read some of the Icelandic Sagas. Full of mayhem and murder, as you would expect, but also a weird amount of lawyers and lawsuits. Weird but kind of cool. Listening to Marvin Gaye and hearing about attorney's fees is also weird and out of place. In this case, though, just weird. Still some pretty good stuff in here.
Music to get divorced by...
Ok so I am big fan of 70s soul and funk. Let’s get it on and innervisions are absolute classic albums. However this just feels like Marvin Gaye complaining about his ex-wife for an hour and fifteen minutes.
I'm guessing-couldn't find it on Spotify-same with Neil Young last week.
some good funky songs on here, it is an interesting foray into bitterness and other emotions not usually something you pair with funk but it works well in a number of songs. The album seems to indulge in this at times maybe a bit too much so the sense of on song playing off another does not happen, they just bleed into one another.
I was a teenager when this album came out, was familiar w/ Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” and “Let’s Get It On” albums…. But had never heard of this one… hmm…. Looking at Wikipedia, I see it’s a divorce album, not just an album about failed love, but an album recorded as part of a divorce settlement (awkward). And an album that didn’t do especially well at the time, but has grown in esteem. Anyway, it’s ok as an album, the sound is pretty similar to “Let’s Get It On”. Lyrically, there’s quite a lot of overt bitterness here…. This is a message to his ex-wife, dumping some emotional baggage on her. I think that detracts from the overall album, it’s just too front and center, and pervasive. It all comes off as a little self-indulgent. Unlike some other divorce albums, like Dylan’s Blood On The Tracks, Phil Collins’ Face Value or Tom Petty’s Echo. Meanwhile, there’s no hit here, and while the music is solid, there’s no really memorable pieces. “A Funky space Reincarnation” is the best song here, and reached #23 on the R&B charts. Bottom line. It’s ok, but I’d rather listen to Let’s Get It On. Solid 3/5
Pretty good but not spectacular.
Good but way too linear to justify such a length.
Great breakup album, but I guess I just don't like music when I'm having sex.
This album contains nothing bad at all, but it's so long winded and forgettable that I just can't love it and engage properly. Nice mood, tho.
Baby making Marvin Gaye. In the middle of the first song I hoped and prayed they all wouldn’t sound like this. That I would actually get some variety. How foolish of me. I do enjoy candy but I couldn’t have an entire meal of it. Likewise I could listen to a song or two, but this entire album was just too sweet and slow for me to want to listen to it again cover to cover. 6/10
I like Marvin Gaye and this sure sounds like him but there is only so much I can take of one man talking about his divorce. It's a raw and open emotional album where he spills his heart out but I almost feel like the public wasn't supposed to hear this album. Sad to hear but still smooth all over the album, just not songs I would associate with Marvin Gaye. 6/10
This is not quite what I remember Marvin sounding like. I like this but I don’t LOVE this. The lyrics to every song are basically the same exact thing repeated through this very very long album. The fatigue hit hard on this one. Marvin Gaye is another childhood household name but I somehow have never heard anything off of this. Middle of the road Marvin Gaye album. 5/10
sweet melodious tunes fro a velvet throat
Its a hard album to listen to. But I feel if I listened to it a few more times it would grow on me. Gets an extra star for that I guess
Would be a lot better with less songs and some of the songs being shorter. I enjoyed everything here, but the runtime made everything feel very samey and boring by the end
Generally enjoyable but doesn't stand out at all to me.
Good background music.
It's alright
Fine. This album didn’t grab me like his other higher profile albums. Turns out I have a short attention span for listening to a guy talk about his divorce. It felt like reading something on Twitter.
A mixed bag for me. Some stuff in here I really enjoyed marred by what felt like tossed together songs that may have been cathartic, given the circumstances but don’t necessarily make for essential listening.
Not my thing but it's fine
Marvin Gaye is a petty bitch. And ultimately, that does not necessarily make for a great album. There are some funky jams here and it’s Marvin Gaye so the vocals are great, but nothing really stood out about this album and it didn’t feel like there were any real hits from it. I enjoyed the concept, as petty as it was, which elevates the experience slightly but overall found this album to be fairly mediocre.
This album was certainly long. It has a pretty compelling backstory and circumstances behind it. And I suppose that context it makes it interesting, but it's not my favorite. It was fine.
Not bad, but not great. Sorry, Marvin.
I very much appreciate one Marvin Gaye album. This is the second. This one is a departure. A little bit deeper. More retrospective.
Funky, chill with some highlights but still a bit one-dimensional which would be fine if it wasn't a 1 hour 15 minute album. Still overall had a good time though. (75%)
damn he really had a bad life huh
Well produce. Great rhythm section. Marvin flow is legendary. Talking about his divorce with so much truth must of been hard for him. Unfortunately, it’s not my style at all. 3 stars
HL: "Is That Enough", "Everybody Needs Love", "Time to Get it Together", “Anna’s Song”, “I Met a Little Girl” It’s been about 500 albums since the last Gaye on this website, so I don’t have the most insightful comparisons to Let’s Get It On. I did see the controversial stat on this website showing Here, My Dear as the lowest ranked of his, and I get why. It’s fooken miserable, that’s why- or as the book tells it, “grimly fascinated” by misfortune. To quote Jamiroquai’s Jay Kay: "It doesn't quite get you the first time” and… same. Part of me understands this is some great 70s soul, while the other part tried and failed to be prepared for the bitter 70 minutes of this double album (alright, 62/70 minutes) October 8, 2023
OK, but not the type of music that excites me.
My only reference point for Gaye is What's Going On, which is a politically poignant album. This one seems more direct R&B with standard themes: old love, new love, lost love. Mostly lost love. Beautiful voice with soulful if at times boring compositions. When Did You Stop Loving Me? is a jam. Maybe not the most unique lyrically, but so well done. Love the vocal layering and embedded funk. Had more written but it didn't save. Not my particular cup of tea, and I don't think I'll be back. Some of the compositions are really cool and ahead of their time, but a lot of this ran together for me. All in all, not bad,, but not revolutionary 3/5
Some easy listening in here. Nothing special but also nothing offensive. Solid 3
Really beautiful music. I wonder if this album gave her the creeps.
-TIME FOR MARVIN GAYEEEEE -so very excited for this -his voice is so beautiful -i don’t think this is marvin gayes best album but i am still enjoying it -the beginning of is that enough is really cool -i do really like this album, the jazzy bits and his voice are delicious together -but im going to be honest, this doesn’t feel like his best album to me personally -so for that, its 3 stars for me personally
Listened Before? N This is my first full-album exposure to Marvin Gaye. He was certainly an amazing singer and a unique talent. I really enjoyed listening to this one. Some of the songs were a bit long but meh, it's ok. Good style of music for long songs. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Everybody Needs Love
Genres: Soul, funk Formed: Detroit, US in 1960 Run time: 14 songs, 1 hour, 13 mins The fifteenth studio (double) album by the artist. Marvin Gaye has a silky smooth voice that he can turn from angelic to seductive. The album focused largely on Gaye's acrimonious divorce from his first wife, Anna Gordy Gaye. I was impressed that it was a reflection on loss, rather than a vehicle for accusation and blame. Spotify: Least popular song: >318k Most popular song: >7.7M plays. Apparently he put his all into the album, which was probably very therapeutic, but it doesn’t contain any of his most famous tracks. Listen Again?: No My Rating: ***
Nice romantic music
The type of music you listen to with a significant other. I like it. 3
Relatively pleasant album, mainly thanks to the soothing voice of Marvin Gaye. The small drawback is that I couldn't differentiate between the songs at all, because they all sounded the same to me. Easy an gentle melody, groovy bass line and Marvin. Hopefully his other albums are more interesting than this.
Good tunes.
Plenty more fish in the sea mate.
Some smooth R&B soul to use for mood music for certain activities. But for just listening to on my way home from work, it doesn't do a whole lot for me. However the lyric about his father needing love hits hard considering he was shot and killed by his father a few years later.
thats a whole lot to say abt one divorce
i don't think marvin gaye could've made bad music! while i don't think here, my dear is his finest work, it isn't bad. it's still unbelievably smooth, and his voice is just as delightful as always. he really was made for soul music. it seems to miss the spark his other music has, though. but i'm not mad, because his voice is still full of love. i'm no gaye aficionado, but i think he did something a little different here. i thought funk would be on this album more, but it's only a touch of funk sometimes. "is that enough" contained electronic pieces, and "a funky space reincarnation" reminds me of parliament's mothership connection with its sci-fi.
1001 has been throwing me a lot of soul in the last couple of weeks, not the least of which was another Marvin Gaye album. If I'm being honest, I was kind of bored with this album. It was incredibly smooth, and the soul was there no doubt, but it just didn't have a lot of energy. It makes sense, given the context of this album, but still. While this album had some funk elements to it, even the funk seemed subdued and depressed. Again, he was hit hard by his divorce, so no judgment here.
Well, again it is what it is but very creamy dreamy
Easy listening but not spectacular
I like Marvin Gaye's music, but this is not his best stuff.
A slick and smooth double album from one of the all time great soul musicians. I really liked the first disc. If Gaye had left it there, I would have come away thinking this is excellent. Unfortunately disc 2 is not as good and drags the album out, making it a lot less enjoyable. Also, on side 4, the album's lead single, 'A Funky Space Reincarnation', tells the sci-fi story of a future love. It's really weird, but not in a good way. Disc 1: 4/5. Disc 2: 2/5. 'A Funky Space Reincarnation': 0/5. Overall: Rating: 3/5 Playlist track: When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You Date listened: 28/07/23
Marvin is the king of his genre. Smooth listening experience if not all a bit samey.
My first issue is track #10 is billed as an instrumental, when Marvin Gaye clearly sings on the song. Small nitpick, of course. This album is what happens when an incredibly talented artist goes through a tough breakup/divorce and isn't able to churn out his feelings into a classic album. Because Marvin Gaye is one of the best R&B/funk/soul artists of all-time, there isn't a way for him to make a bad album and this is not a bad album. I can understand why he was stung by the lack of success of this album, as he pours his heart into it. It's just...a lot. It's not that nearly every song is about his breakup, as "Blood on the Tracks" is the same way, it's just there is more of a focus on the lyrical nature of the songs and less on the musicality on "Hear, Dear." The lyrics are more straightforward, so there is a bit of a lack of depth and less universality to them. I can't decide if this album is a "must hear" album, as in the context of Gaye's career it's a milestone in terms of the reaction to it and his reaction to it. Sometimes an album can be too personal, at least in terms of the lyrics. An artist has to be able to differentiate between an album "about divorce" and an album "about MY divorce." I am not sure he does that here. Maybe I hold Gaye to a higher standard than I should.
Sounds like one continuous groove. All good except I've heard it before on other Marvin Gaye albums. Think I'll stick with What's Going On.
A double album of smooth, groovy vibes to vent about your divorce as part of you alimony settlement. Dick move Marvin. Dick move.
Sure, I like Marvin Gaye. Very soulful and enjoyable.
Here, My Dear // I Met A Little Girl // Everybody Needs Love //
I can see how this album wasn't a commercial success. I can also see how it ultimately made this list. It's not what I would consider "classic" Marvin Gaye, but it's an honest album, the story behind it is intriguing, and - let's face it - I'd listen to this guy sing about anything.
i know that Marvin Gaye is insanely talented, and the instrumentation here is incredibly sublime (look no further than the album centerpiece “When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You?”, which bursts with rich saxophone above a tender bongo beat), but gosh, thematically and lyrically, the album gives such loser energy that it made me cringe so bad. some of the sarcasm is fun and biting, sure, but overall the majority of the lyrics are underbaked and overly trite. all of it gets better towards the end — “Everybody Needs Love” is a turning point for the record lyrically, that sees Gaye delve deeper than his spite — but by that point a lot of what makes the album good is lost in its length and annoying self-pitying. i know that Gaye has many more revered records, and thank all for that, because i do not think i’ll be revisiting this one.
"It's me against the world"-era Kanye but also disco.
It’s a long one but a good one. 3.5 stars.
7.5/10 trouvait qui manquait une touche que les autres Marvin Gaye. Tout de même très apprécié
marvin, what the fuck are you talking about? best tracks: here my dear, is that enough, I met a little girl.
I love the way this album blends together. It's more like one constant stream than 13 individual songs. As a concept album, the subject matter of divorce is a little, erm, odd. It must have been a particularly painful divorce to stretch to a double album. The album covers is bonkers. Coked up Marv at his best.
It's sad that this album became popular because of Marvin's death. I don't know if it's his best album. It's fine.
Musically, the album showcases Gaye's knack for blending soul, funk, and R&B elements. The production is skillful and the arrangements are often lush and intricate. Tracks like "A Funky Space Reincarnation" and "Is That Enough" incorporate captivating grooves and infectious melodies that highlight Gaye's musical prowess. However, despite these notable strengths, Here, My Dear is not without its flaws. The album's lengthy runtime can feel overwhelming at times, with some tracks feeling repetitive or overstaying their welcome. Additionally, while the personal nature of the album's subject matter is compelling, it can also limit the album's relatability for listeners who may not connect with Gaye's specific experiences. Furthermore, the album's narrative structure and flow can feel disjointed, with abrupt transitions between tracks that disrupt the overall listening experience. This lack of cohesion prevents the album from fully immersing the listener in its intended emotional journey.
Just a little too slow and long for me. Each song drags on and never pulls me in.
While I recognize the artistry of Gaye and his legacy, the genre and the length made this a bit of a dull affair
Some of it is quite good but it's overly long and there's 3 versions of the same song.
Mr smooth’s break up album, I liked this and deserving of being on the list. But come the end of it dragged a bit. Not quiet making my rotation list, might come back to it if I ever get a divorce.
Oh heavenly... I love Mr. Gaye's voice. This album makes me feel like I'm watching the boring, (aka the formative) scenes in the beginning of Boyz n the Hood before everything gets wild. This has a unique vibe and sound, great for scene setting and nostalgia but not something that I'd actively listen to.
Following "What's Going On" just 8 albums later, our second dose of Marvin Gaye is actually more appealing to me musically. It never hits the heights of "What's Going On" or "Mercy, Mercy Me," but the album is overall more even and less gospel-y. Not nearly the cultural impact, though.
similar vibes to the last one. Great voice, cool as fuck. Just not an album I would sit and listen to. If I was at a party and this was just playing in the background I'd be all for it but not noteworthy when listening alone from start to finish
Nice and smooth. Subject matter is sad though, mostly about falling out of love and divorce. But Marvin makes anything sound like lovin'.
Smooth
Call it the Divorce Album. It's not Marvin's best but there are some interesting and chill tracks on here. His voice is just superb even with the bitterness that permeates this album. Decent but not a classic.
Usually don’t listen to this genre of music, but I enjoy the chill, soulful vibes of Gaye’s voice. More of a fan of the songs with slower arrangements. The bass playing slaps so hard.
I enjoyed this but it was pretty strange, with bitter lyrics over really smooth music. Big fan of sparrow and Anna’s song. Didn’t like the less structured songs that were just complaining about his divorce.
I was enjoying this, but then I kind of drifted off and forgot I was listening to it. Smoky bar background music. Er, three stars, probably.
Eh it's what I expected
I really enjoyed reading about this album and the lyrics were hilarious, but not likely one I'll be putting on repeat.
Get the story. Lyrically strong, but not his best work. Agree with general critical statements. Doesn't touch his best stuff by a long way.
Interesting subject matter and sound, just nothing that would warrant a second listen to the whole thing in its entirety.
An odd choice.. I’d have gone with What’s Going On.
Pretty unique soul/rb/pop. Enjoyable but doesn’t have me coming back for more
I’ve never listened to much Marvin Gaye. I know the super famous stuff like Let’s Get It On, and I Heard It Through The Grapevine, but beyond that it think I’m somewhat clueless. I’m excited to give him a real chance today, so let’s listen! Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Anger, Sparrow This is a little difficult to review. I can certainly see why people love this, as he has an excellent voice, the music is good, and the narrative of a relationship breakdown is interesting. However, for some reason, the songs just didn’t really click for me personally. Despite being able to recognise the talent on this album, I still highly doubt I’d be coming back to listen to this again. If you love this album, I totally see why. But it’s just not for me.
Kinda gay hahaha But seriously, enjoyed a few songs but it did go on for a bit Fave track - When did you stop loving me
His voice and groove is undeniable, but this is the purest form of divorce core I've ever heard. Not a happy listen
Funk driving album
Ik kan dit zeker waarderen maar 5 kwartier van die aalgladde muziek is echt teveel.
Prima hoor, maar wel een beetje een medley.