1001 Albums Summary

It’s pretty impressive to hear a band so fully formed in their debut. Their biggest songs are on this album, to my knowledge. The production — especially the hard panning on the opening track — is very of its time, but it has a warmth to it. Excellent vocal performances of course. I wish they were upfront in the mix more frequently, and not hard panned like on “Do you Wanna Dance”. The songwriting is a little anodyne for my tastes. The album feels like an alternate path pop music could have taken, if Sergeant Pepper never happened. I don’t think I’ll finish this album, but I appreciate it within its historical context.

I understand why this album has the reputation that it does — every track has an absolutely immaculate groove. Marvin’s voice is delicate, inviting you in to the song only to hit you with a powerful belt at a song’s climax. The players on this are _phenomenal_, including the GOAT James Jamerson, and the engineering is clear and immaculate. I can’t wait to listen to this on headphones