Innervisions - STEVIE WONDER****

Too High/Visions/Living For The City/Golden Lady/Higher Ground/Jesus Children Of America/All In Love Is Fair/Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing/He's Misstra Know It All

Soul legend Stevie Wonder was riding the crest of a wave during the seventies, although it could be argued that his reputation was rather overrated. Innervisions features the US top ten hits Higher Ground and Living For The City. (US:4 UK:8)

“There is very little exuberance here, nor joy. The light-hearted playfulness of 'Little' Stevie's sweet Motown blockbusters is all but gone. In its place comes a raw, down to earth, at times angry or despondent mood that taps into the darker sides of American society.”

“Boring, tepid soul that mistakes itself for something great. Gaudy keys abound over Wonder sounding as if he's about to fall asleep at the wheel. The songs are all slow-tempo vaguely optimistic piano-driven pieces that barely bother to punch their target, which is oppression.”

“Far too dated and plastic sounding to be deserving of its incredibly overblown reputation. The entire product was composed with a single synthesiser, and it sure sounds like it. Featuring culturally important messages in the lyrics might give Stevie a slightly messianic vibe, but that isn't going to garner this album any further points.”

“Innervisions is a soulful and creative record which sees Stevie Wonder at the peak of his creative powers and sees him producing, composing, arranging, singing and, on several tracks, playing all the accompanying instruments. This is what makes this such a genius work of art which should be admired by everyone.”

“I can pretty much understand why many people love this, and I respect the whole personal visionary creative aspect and the talent and passion behind it, but ultimately it's really just wimpy, slick 70s funk pop radio fodder.”

“One of those albums that is absolutely perfect in every way, from the lyrical content to the production and beyond. Better yet, it's full of both heart and soul, while at the same time managing to provoke thought and reminiscing. This is music at its finest, and it's all the work of just one man. Even taken in individual parts, the album is breathtaking, but taken as a whole, it is something truly magnificent.”

“Avoiding the artistic excesses that would threaten to topple his later works, Stevie perfected his sound, production and vocal delivery on these nine flawless numbers.”