Innervisions (studio album) by Stevie Wonder

This is one of Stevie Wonder's most consistently great records. Every song shows a brilliant side to Stevie Wonder with the peak of the record coming on the 7 minute epic that is Living For The City. A lot of the other songs come close to this one in terms of quality but this is definitely the stand out track that is undeniably the best on here. You get to experience everything that is great about Stevie Wonder on this song with some fantastic song writing, complex music and a beautiful vocal display. Every time I revisit this album I am blown away by this track all over again as it truly demonstrates how much of a genius musician Stevie Wonder is. Overall, this is probably his most consistent release with every song feeling significant and being filled with that classic charm, character and quality we expect from one of the greatest artists of all time.

Solid album

Top 3 Songs

1. Living For The City
2. Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing
3. Higher Ground

One of the greatest albums of all time bar none. Carrying the tradition paved by himself (the previous year's 'Music of My Mind') and Marvin Gaye ('What's Going On') to writing more than just standard love songs for the Motown machine, Wonder unleashes a collection of songs dealing with drug abuse ('Too High'), spirituality ('Higher Ground'), critique of organized religion ('Jesus Children of America'), a calm but harsh Nixon rebuke ('He's Misstra-Know-It-All'), and the centerpiece of the record, the towering 7 minute epic 'Living for the City', painting a vivid picture of economic hardship, racism, and struggle in the cold, brutal city. Even the love songs (the Latin tinged 'Golden Lady' and 'Don't You Worry Bout a Thing') on this record are stellar and a big cut above the rest of pop music at the time. Eagerly awaiting the moment this recieves the 'Revolver/Sgt Peppers' or 'Off the Wall/Thriller' reevaluation as Wonder's best record over (the admittedly just as stellar) 'Songs in the Key of Life'.

Essential picks: Too High, Visions, Living For the City, Golden Lady, Higher Ground, Don't You Worry Bout a Thing, He's Misstra-Know-It-All

Album Rating: 79.22
(713/9)

1.Too High. 69
2.Visions. 70
3.Living For The City. 87
4.Golden Lady. 69
5.Higher Ground. 86
6.Jesus Children Of America. 71
7.All In Love Is Fair. 92
8.Don’t You Worry 'Bout A Thing. 88
9.He's Misstra Know-It-All. 81

From Graeme2 05/14/2022 22:06

Can I just add another comment? Cheers. I'm absolutely obsessed with this record. I think it may be the best record of all time. I have it twice on vinyl record and both have jumps at start of higher ground. There you go. Cheers.

His best.

From Graeme2 04/02/2022 22:20

As perfect an album as you are likely to hear. Absolutely faultless.

why the fuck is this 111 album all time?
this is top 40 in any list at least

Living For The City and Higher Ground are amongst Stevie's best songs, but the rest of the album ranges from decent to not very good for me, but still far better than Talking Book.