Innervisions

Question: If this is the peak of peak-Stevie, and Stevie Wonder is near or at the peak of all-time musicians, by transitive property does that put this album near or even at the peak of all recorded music? I believe it does. Highlights: everything, although gun to my head "Living For The City" is one of my favourite cuts by anyone anywhere. Too much greatness to succumb to any detailed description. Flawless / timeless / genius: a top 10 all-time album. 10/10 5 stars.

**Album Review: "Innervisions" by Stevie Wonder** Released in 1973, *Innervisions* marks a monumental moment in Stevie Wonder’s career, solidifying his legacy as one of the most innovative and socially conscious artists of the 20th century. The album, produced and mostly written by Wonder himself, embodies a fusion of soul, jazz, funk, and progressive rock. It is a rich reflection of both personal and societal struggles, with Wonder taking bold steps musically and lyrically to address pressing social issues. This review will examine the album in detail, analyzing its lyrical content, musical complexity, production qualities, overarching themes, and long-lasting influence. We will also discuss its strengths and potential areas of criticism. ### Lyrical Analysis **Themes of Social Consciousness** Stevie Wonder's *Innervisions* is deeply political and personal, directly addressing issues of racism, poverty, drug addiction, and spiritual awakening. At a time when American society was reeling from the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War, Wonder used this album to confront the inequalities and harsh realities of the world. The album’s opening track, “Too High,” uses metaphoric lyrics to address the issue of drug abuse. Wonder, while adopting a jazzy, upbeat arrangement, illustrates the dangers of drug addiction, particularly in the inner city. The line "Though my mind is blown, I’m high and alone" evokes the isolating effects of substance abuse, bringing to light a pressing issue often neglected by mainstream media. In “Living for the City,” Wonder paints a harrowing portrait of systemic racism and poverty. The song chronicles the life of a young Black man from Mississippi who, despite his aspirations, falls victim to the cruel systems that oppress African Americans. The track uses evocative imagery such as “His sister’s black, but she is sho’ nuff pretty” to emphasize the pride and beauty of Black identity while confronting the oppressive environment that crushes the protagonist's dreams. This storytelling aligns with the rise of the Black Power movement, reflecting the struggles and injustices that many African Americans faced in urban environments. **Spirituality and Personal Reflection** Contrasting the social commentary, tracks like “Visions” and “Higher Ground” delve into Wonder’s personal reflections on spirituality and human potential. “Visions” is one of the most introspective songs on the album, blending dreamy, folk-influenced guitar with lyrics that ponder the possibility of a utopia free from war and racial conflict. Wonder sings, “Have I lived to see the milk and honey land? / Where hate's a dream and love forever stands?” expressing his yearning for a better world while acknowledging the painful reality of its unlikelihood. “Higher Ground,” with its funky groove and energetic beat, tackles the concept of reincarnation and personal redemption. Written in the wake of Wonder’s near-fatal car accident, the song is both an anthem of resilience and spiritual growth, as Wonder seeks to rise above worldly suffering and reach a higher plane of existence. ### Musical Complexity and Composition **Fusion of Genres** *Innervisions* stands out for its intricate blending of musical styles. Stevie Wonder was already a multi-instrumentalist prodigy, but on this album, his talent for arranging and composing is truly spotlighted. Wonder performs nearly all the instruments on the album himself, showcasing his mastery of the synthesizer, particularly the TONTO (The Original New Timbral Orchestra), which allowed him to explore a vast array of sounds and textures. “Too High,” for example, incorporates elements of jazz, funk, and even some psychedelic sounds. Its funky basslines and dynamic vocal harmonies juxtapose the serious subject matter of the song, giving it a lighthearted yet deeply meaningful feel. Similarly, “Golden Lady” features lush melodies and complex chord progressions that blend jazz and soul in a way that feels effortless. Wonder’s use of extended harmonies and chromatic movement exemplifies his sophisticated compositional skills, pushing the boundaries of what popular soul music was capable of at the time. **Innovative Use of Synthesizers** One of the defining features of *Innervisions* is its pioneering use of the synthesizer. Wonder, along with his engineers Robert Margouleff and Malcolm Cecil, employed the synthesizer in ways that had rarely been heard before in mainstream music. Tracks like “Living for the City” and “Higher Ground” make heavy use of synthesized bass and keyboard sounds, which lend a futuristic, otherworldly feel to the music. In "Living for the City," the synthesizers create a gritty, urban soundscape that enhances the song’s narrative. The use of sound effects—like street noise and the protagonist's interactions with the police—adds to the dramatic tension. This sonic experimentation, combined with a traditional soul foundation, created an immersive experience that was innovative for its time. In many ways, *Innervisions* was a precursor to the electronic music and hip-hop production techniques that would rise in the coming decades. **Funk and Groove** Rhythmically, the album is steeped in funk, particularly in tracks like “Higher Ground” and “Jesus Children of America.” The grooves are tight, propulsive, and infectious, driven by Wonder’s impeccable sense of timing and groove. "Higher Ground" features syncopated rhythms, deep clavinet riffs, and a punchy bassline that adds depth and intensity to the song’s urgent message. Wonder’s ability to balance complex rhythms with smooth vocal lines is remarkable, making these songs both danceable and thought-provoking. ### Production and Arrangement **Stevie Wonder's Creative Control** By the early 1970s, Wonder had achieved unprecedented creative control at Motown, a label historically known for tightly controlling its artists. With *Innervisions*, Wonder took full advantage of his freedom, producing the album himself. This creative independence allowed him to experiment with new sounds, take bold risks, and create a cohesive album that flowed seamlessly from track to track. The production is meticulously crafted, from the layering of instruments to the placement of vocals. Wonder’s vocals are often multitracked, creating rich harmonies and call-and-response patterns that add emotional depth to the songs. His attention to detail is particularly evident in the transitions between songs; for example, the shift from the upbeat funk of “Higher Ground” to the slow, introspective ballad “Jesus Children of America” is smooth yet emotionally impactful. **Use of Realism in Sound Design** "Living for the City" stands out for its innovative use of sound effects and narrative structure. The song includes a middle section where we hear street noises, a bus driving, and a conversation between the protagonist and the police. This was groundbreaking for its time, adding a level of realism and immersion that was rare in popular music. It was not just a song, but a sonic depiction of urban life, giving the listener a first-hand account of the struggles Wonder sought to highlight. ### Themes and Concepts **Social and Political Commentary** At its core, *Innervisions* is a socially conscious album. Songs like “Living for the City” and “Higher Ground” tackle systemic issues such as racism, poverty, and spiritual growth. Wonder doesn’t shy away from harsh realities, making *Innervisions* an album that feels just as relevant today as it did in 1973. His lyrics are direct, yet poetic, allowing listeners to engage with these heavy topics on both an emotional and intellectual level. “Jesus Children of America” critiques religious hypocrisy, highlighting the disparity between spiritual preaching and real-world actions. Wonder’s plea for genuine love and spirituality in the song resonates with themes of social justice, making the track a call to action for listeners to live with authenticity and compassion. **Personal Reflection** While much of the album addresses societal issues, there’s also a strong sense of personal reflection. Wonder had recently survived a near-fatal car accident prior to the release of *Innervisions*, and this experience undoubtedly influenced tracks like “Higher Ground” and “Visions.” The introspective nature of these songs allows for a delicate balance between external critique and internal contemplation. ### Influence and Legacy *Innervisions* had an enormous impact on both the music industry and broader culture. It was one of the first albums to fully integrate synthesizers into soul music, paving the way for future genres like electro-funk, hip-hop, and electronic dance music. Wonder’s experimentation with new sounds and textures opened the door for artists like Prince, Michael Jackson, and countless others who would push the boundaries of pop and R&B in the decades to come. The album’s lyrical themes also resonated with a wide audience, influencing a generation of socially conscious musicians. Artists like Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, and Gil Scott-Heron were contemporaries who similarly used their music to speak out against injustice, but Wonder’s ability to blend these messages with mainstream appeal gave him a unique voice in the conversation. The critical and commercial success of *Innervisions* helped establish the viability of socially conscious music in the mainstream, a legacy that continues today with artists like Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, and D’Angelo. ### Pros and Cons of *Innervisions* **Pros:** - **Lyrical Depth**: Wonder's socially conscious lyrics are thought-provoking, addressing complex issues like racism, drug addiction, and spirituality with clarity and passion. - **Musical Innovation**: The use of synthesizers was revolutionary, making the album sound ahead of its time and influencing future genres. - **Production Quality**: The meticulous production is rich in detail, from sound design to vocal layering, creating a cohesive and immersive experience. - **Versatility**: Wonder seamlessly blends genres such as soul, jazz, funk, and rock, showcasing his versatility as a musician and composer. **Cons:** - **Complexity for Casual Listeners**: Some tracks may be too intricate or experimental for listeners expecting straightforward pop or soul. - **Darker Themes**: The album’s heavy focus on social and political issues, while essential to its message, can feel overwhelming or emotionally taxing at times. ### Conclusion *Innervisions* is a masterpiece that balances social commentary with personal introspection, all while pushing the boundaries of music production. Stevie Wonder’s ability to craft songs that are both accessible and deeply meaningful is unmatched, making *Innervisions* a timeless album. While its complexity may not appeal to all listeners, the album’s innovation and lyrical depth make it a landmark achievement in music history. Its legacy continues to influence artists today, solidifying Stevie Wonder’s position as one of the greatest artists of all time.

This album is 5 out of 5 enjoyable from start to finish.

First of all: Stevie is an automatic 5 stars! Innervisions is one of Stevie's albums that I've heard the least from this golden period between 68-85 but it's still a masterpiece (and one that I'll listen to more frequently from now on). I really like the psychedelic vibe of some of the tracks, which gives the album a unique sound, but without losing the funky & soul style characteristic of Stevie's albums. The difference between Innervisions and the other albums from this period released by Stevie in the first half of the 70s is that here we have an obvious high point between the songs and it is called Higher Ground. This song completely differs from the others as it is a tremendous Funk & Soul hit. One moment you're listening to the fresh breeze of Innervisions' tracks and suddenly you take a break to riff on Higher Ground and then return to normal programming. As much as it may seem like it was randomly placed in the middle of the album, the song doesn't interfere at all (quite the opposite) with the vibe of the album, much less its maximum rating of 5 stars.

A masterpiece of perfection. Every song flows deliciously. The perfect length of an album where its not too short or too long. Each song is unique in its sound while all staying grounded to a specific style. Stevie Wonder is one of the greatest musicians of all time. So glad I grew up listening to this album as it still is an absolute banger to this day. Eternal perfection. 10/10

I never knew he did pretty much all of the instrumentation and production himself, which is incredible. A great album, you could easily tell someone this was a modern release and they'd believe it.

iconic

I can't give Little Stevie less than five stars. I just can't do it.

This might have been the first Stevie album I personally 'owned,' besides Motown greatest hits collections my mom had on CD, or the occasional, irresistible single (e.g. I Was Made to Love Her.) It's still insanely consistent across a spare 44 minutes. The hits (Living for the City, Golden Lady, Don't You Worry About a Thang, ETC) far outnumber the few lulls. While this might not be a sprawling masterpiece like Songs in the Key of Life, it's an insane run of memorable hits that make the whole thing a classic.

Funk filled Tuesday morning I love it. This album had me bopping in my chair the whole time with the walking bass and steady drums to go along. Stevie has the perfect voice to go along with this style of music as well. Living for the City was the best song on this album. Such awesome instrumentals with a pretty intense skit in the middle of it. Higher Ground is such a good song. Love this original and the cover by RHCP is also great. I am an absolute sucker for some good old fashioned funk and jazz. Especially because it throws some variety into this list.

Stevie wonder was a good listen

Excellent!

I've heard all of these songs many times but I've ever listened to the album in it's entirety in one sitting and I'm glad I did

Love Stevie wonder

Lovely album.

Absolutely glorious

splendida scoperta. tutti belli

I wasn’t sure about this but it was a great piece of work full of texture.

I was disappointed last night when I put in my star rating for Agaetis Byrjun without writing anything. I had planned to have fun with like the diaristic aspect of doing this, and I felt like I had suuuuch a long and comical history of trying and mostly failing to all the way Like Sigur Ros, from being a teenager trying to like Cool Music in the early 2000s, into my later teens and early adulthood when my friends from liberal arts college were always wanting to eat acid and lie on the ground. But I didn’t. Oh well! Now, Stevie Wonder, Innervisions: my history with this is very simple. I didn’t grow up listening to Stevie Wonder. I knew maybe two or three songs from just, like, being alive. I first listened to Innervisions in high school bc of some other Greatest Albums list, probably Rolling Stone, idk. I was like, ‘wow, this is great. Whoa this is so groovy. Man this kicks ass.’ and my feelings have in no way changed or evolved, although I have a greater appreciation for its context in history and in the life slash career of Stevie. But overall, still, and forever: It’s great! Whoa this is so groovy. Man this kicks ass!

A couple of great tracks. Not really an album I would have looked for. Glad I’ve sampled and would Likely be a repeat for me.

Discazo. Melodía, ritmo y todo lo que se puede pedir. Tiene hits, tiene lo necesario y más.

It's got be a 5, some of the tracks are all-time classics

Wow Stevie Wonder does not miss. The first track is unbelievably modern for a 50+ year old track

This is Innervisions by Stevie Wonder. Nearly every song is a complete banger. There are a couple of slower more pensive songs and they actually really highlight his skills as a songwriter such as Visions and All In Love Is Fair. That's an interesting thing, when an artist is so proficient and overwhlemingly good at crafting hooks and playing instruments that their skills as a songwriter is barely even acknowledged. This is absolutely a case of that, as Stevie could be spoken of more in terms of his songwriting. He's just so damn funky tho.

amazing! so groovy and soulful! perfect album to dance around the living room

I like this one even better than Songs in the Key of Life!

Incredible

Imagine how good he’d be if he could see

masterpiece - one of my 'go tos' and should be in everyone's music catalog

Some gnarly grooves accompany his best songwriting, an eye toward the future in terms of instrumentation and hooks galore. And only 22 years old. This is what happens when you give a musical savant a new set of toys. He doesn't just knock down the door - the entire building is blown up. A classic.

Listened twice through, but no time for a proper write up. Great blend of jazz, funk, samba, and soul, expertly sung and performed.

Stevie Wonder is a musical freak of nature. This album is great. I was thrown for a loop when I started the first song (which I really dig). Royksopp, an electronic dance group from Norway, are one of my favorite electronic artists. Listen to the baseline in their song 'Vision One' on their album Junior and see if you hear what I hear on Stevie's song 'Too High'. This album really showcases so much of what Stevie does, which is some of everything. His singing seems to fit well with any type of style. Jazz, Funk, Latin, Folk music all present. His singing sounds effortless while singing difficult things. He is a true example of 'they just don't make em like they use to'. Higher Ground jams, I liked Living for the City (always loved that standout synthesized line after the chorus, it's like a second chorus of its own), Golden Lady and Too High.

Fantastic record. Stevie Wonder is a man of immense talents.

Could listen to every week!

Since I'm now a grandfather, I guess I'll have to use this album as "granny bait." Outstanding...every track!

Love this album... here we go!

First track left me feeling disappointed, but then the rest of the album was like Stevie walked up to me, slapped me across the face, and scolded me for ever doubting him. Everything here is great (except for the first track, not like Stevie can read this anyway).

Each song here is great. The instrumentation and vocals are all great. Still don’t think he’s actually blind.

yayyyy one of the 80 or so I had listened to before starting the 1001 project...a classic! iconic showstopping etc. living for the city alone would be enough for 5 stars

Stevie Wonder defines groove.

Part of Stevie's historic run. Every song rules.

The last time Stevie Wonder came up on this list, I didn’t particularly like the album and I worried this meant I was an ignoramus. Innervisions was one of the other albums I listened to at the time to check if I was at fault. I was relived to find I loved it. Pretty much every song on this album is a corker. Many of them are stone-cold classics. There’s two or three that are a bit too saccharine for me so, if I could, I think I would give it 4.7 stars. So let’s round it up to 5!

Despite the heavy religious messages, a stone cold classic album

Love this album. It was in heavy rotation for me in college. I think one of the things I love about it is there isn't a low point, every song is great. There's never a moment I want to hit skip to get to the next single, if I'm putting this on it's because I want to sit and listen to the full album. There are definitely high points but start to finish, this album is lovely.

How so much talent and soul filled a singular human is beyond me. Innervisions is still fresh and relevant. Those funky bass lines can’t be touched.

Loved it. Oozes with style and emotion. I give my highest of regards.

This guy is really fucking good (who knew?)

honestly i think this one is my favorite album of his. it's not as bloated and i think all the songs here are, at a minimum, really good. really every song here is great, my least favorite being the final track. what boggles my mind about stevie wonder in this period is that he is 1) 23 years old and 2) playing the majority of the instruments on this album. so not only is he writing, singing, but he is almost the entirety of the album. it is all him. at age 23. insane. guaranteed you were not pulling off anything this great at age 23.

Fantastic. Higher ground has such an amazing groove.

Oh baby. For me SITKOL just beats this but my word this is close. Every single song is incredible in its own way

Peak steveland?

Amazing

Peak Stevie and unparalleled. It's like aliens came down and made a perfect music making human and then put him through Motown school.

MAJESTIC FOR NOT HAVING EXTREME DOPAMILERGIC CHANGES

Excellent album, especially "Living for the City" and "Higher Ground."

This is one of the most beautiful albums. Stevie wonder was a machine for putting out music and this is easily one of his best.

Compared to Talking Book and Songs in the Key of Life it is maybe the weakest link. Compared to the rest of music history it is a classic funk, jazz and soul album and one of the greatest ever. Ask Mr Know-It-All, he knows this much is true.

One of my all-time favorite records. It's brilliant every time I listen.

Amazing Rating: 4.9

Harmonious, ground-breaking, joyful album - classic wonder!

I mean, naturally Stevie Wonder is going to throw out awesome music, but this one has some of his absolute best. What is even better is when you realise that in 1973 he was using just as many synths and sequencers as Kraftwerk - only difference is you didn't know that. Amazing.

From his incredible 72’ to 76’ period where everything he touched turned to gold, here is another 10 out of 10 from Stevie Wonder. From the trippy opener ‘Too High’, to the biting ‘Living For The City’, the beautiful ballad ‘Golden Lady’, spiritual and social statements in ‘Higher Ground’ and ‘Jesus Children Of America’ to the straight joy of ‘Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing’, there are not enough superlatives to describe how wonderful this album is. ‘Innervisions’ is just about perfect.

Stevie Wonder is the reason people think losing your sight results in your other senses being heightened, cos that has to be the biggest reason why his albums including this one sound so damn good! Every single number was a banger, and the album is going straight into my favourites playlist. 5/5

My first Stevie album… Top to bottom, the PERFECT album. Have I been blind to Stevie this entire time, chat?

Living for the city = favourite Hit heavy LP

Probably my favourite Stevie album but it's close. The use of the layering of the chords and the fact that he plays all the parts himself is amazing, such a great a head for harmony.

About 3/4 of this album has some music that must be heard. A couple songs are not on the same level but this is a must know album glad I listened to and will listen to it again.

I’ve never listened to this back to front and yet I knew all the songs - I think I liked this more than “songs in…” Stevie is quickly becoming an all time fave.

It's 90 degrees in NYC, obviously this is hitting real hard on the speakers

Interesting experience. First time around, I really loved „Living for the City“. The other songs were enjoyable as well, just not as immediately impactful. Second time around, something must have clicked, because I felt like every song single song was a total banger.

Stevie Wonder just doesn't miss. Like a lot of his projects, this is just perfection.

Wonder’s output between 1970 and 1980 represents the finest work of any musical artist, in any decade, certainly that I can think of. This album is note perfect. Funky, thoughtful, lush. Only Stevie could be this on-the-nose and yet have everything work so perfectly. Many consider it his masterpiece: it’s not for me, but that’s merely a matter of preference. Every moment crackles with spirit.

Great groove.

Again his talent is undeniable. His musicianship and the people he works with amazing. I think this is my favorite Stevie Wonder album so far. I think Higher Ground is the only track I recognized. On a whole it just had a nice flow, put me in a good head space. I would give this such a high 4 that I'll go 5. Not the kind of music I find myself drawn to usually, but I can picture just putting this on when the need arises for sure.

This album is brilliant and easy to listen to. Still. All of that still.

One of the best albums ever.

As always with Stevie Wonder, there's many different styles of song in this album and I enjoy a lot of them, although there's a couple I don't like as much as the others, but I recognize the immense talent that went into making them. Misstra Know-It-All is my favorite on the album it sounds so smooth even as it personally attacks (at the time Nixon but now so many else could be the target of this song) Nixon with biting lyrics and a soulful delivery as is customary of Stevie Wonder's work.

This album is nearly flawless. The only blotch is the preachy jesus children of america. Other than that each track is perfectly placed. 4.5/5 -> 5/5.

Stevie Wonder gehört zu den ganz Großen in der Musikgeschichte. Dieses Album auch. Ein Geschenk.

Higher Ground is an all-timer, but Living For the City really got me in the feels. Immediately re-played this one, and it makes me want to explore Stevie's catalog even deeper.

Oh woah woah woah! This is fire.

Part of the "Stevie Wonder's 70s Flawless Run". Soul music was never as exciting as in early 70s Stevie Wonder.

-groovy -funky bass -political -optimistic album -passionate -so consistent -so incredible -Stevie is a genius! -cool album cover -favourite songs: Too High, Living For The City (<3), Higher Ground, Jesus Children Of America, All In Love Is Fair, Dont You Worry Bout A Thing -least favourite song (If I really had to choose one, since this album has no bad songs): Golden Lady

Delightful. Such a satisfying listen start to finish.

Top tier, of all the Stevie’s this one is my favorite. Just perfect.

Not every Stevie Wonder is five stars. However, he had an era in his career where he churned them out, and this is one of them. He’ll always be one of my favorites because of this output.

Stevienis one of the greatest musicians ever and this alhum is irrefutable proof. A masterpiece. Simply breathtaking.

This is a great album. It feel like what I imagine a Stevie Wonder album should be. Couple hits, and the rest of the album is hidden gems that I'm too much of a moron to know.

Have not listened to much Stevie Wonder but felt this was very strong. Cool sound across the board, love a lot of the little synthesizer parts. Pulls in some elements of social commentary too. Deserves it's place on the list

Is it possible to give 6 stars? This thing keeps throwing Stevie at me and I ain’t mad.

Just amazing

Great album

All in love is fair is one of the most beautiful songs ever

Absolute masterpiece IMO.

30 albums in and I finally got an album I not only know, but love. This album is Stevie Wonder in his prime and you can tell. The first two songs in the album are a little slow but are still enjoyable. These songs show that this album is going to be using synths more then the average Stevie Wonder album. It starts picking up with "Living in the City" which is a great song that highlights the inequality seen in cities like New York. "Golden lady" is a great follow up to the last song which is much more positive in contrast. "Higher Ground" is the next song and maybe the most popular from the album. The backing of this song is iconic and everything about it shows how great this album is. Although I usually don't like over preaching songs, "Jesus Children of America" is undeniably great. "All in Love is Fair" is an easy Stevie Wonder classic. "Don't You Worry Bout' A Thing" is just perfection. The opening shows Stevie Wonder with just the most insane rizz. It then slowly builds into this amazing chorus showcasing Stevie's incredible voice. I love how it implements a new section near the end and mixes it with the chorus, just amazing. I listen to this song to de-stress as it just reminds me that everything in life is going to be alright. One of my favourite songs of all time. "He's Misstra Know-it-All" is a great ender to the album having a great piano backing. Overall if you like music in general, this album is essential for you to listen to. TLDR: I thought it was good and you should listen to it.

Very few artists are capable of making music this bright and easy while infusing it with weight and importance. Tight, focused, varied, and exceptional. Best song: Living for the City

classic :)

It is said that upon hearing “Higher Ground” while in a coma, Stevie moved his fingers.

R&B, funk and soul, jazz all mixed in perfect proportions on so many of the tracks, Too High,Living for the City, Jesus Children of America and Higher Ground. Normally not a fan his ballads but All in Love is Fair is great too. Visions get's a bit tedious and the only one I like to skip. The creativity that is shown in Higher Ground alone deserves 4 stars.

Amazing album! it doesnt overstay its welcome and its full of great tracks, Higher Ground of course being the standout in a crowd of standouts!

This took a few listens. But some real bangers!

Great sound great songs great voice

This and Songs in the Key of Life are perfect.

While most would (rightfully) point to Songs in the Key of Life as the crowning achievement of Stevie's career, I would instead offer up this slimmed down release, which in it's small package delivers everything you could ever want from a Stevie Wonder album. You got the insatiable opening bop that is "Too High", the toe-tapping funk of "Higher Ground", the epic, socially-conscious jam of "Living for the City", the smooth, sweet ballad in "All in Love is Fair", and let's not forget the countless other timeless masterpieces. Stevie was truly a master of his art. 5 visions out of 5

thank you mr wonder, for letting your inner visions come out

A favorite album! Never get tired of listening to it.

A damn good record . Favourite song is "He's Misstra know it All"

If you never heard this record, and this random album generated it, it's the best thing it will ever do for you. Trust me, you don't need much more. It's a masterpiece, and as with all Stevie's great albums, it never fails in making my day better.

Stevie Wonder is one of the most talented and prolific fixtures of modern popular music. His version of soulful R&B has been a creative force in music - Stevie has made critically and commercially successful music throughout his long career. Innervisions is one of a series of remarkably successful albums he releases in the 70s. It includes "Higher Ground" and "Don't You Worry bout a Thing," which were some of his most successful tracks of the era.

1000% yes, this is what I've been waiting for. So glad to sit and give this one a listen, I haven't heard the whole album in one go before and loved every minute. Albums like this are why 1001 albums is wonderful.

Classic album

I don't even need to say how legendary Stevie's mid 70s run is. This album is phenomenal is every aspect

Often talked about in the best album of all time debate, I’ve listened to this many times and while I definitely like it and recognize why it’s great, but I’ve been slow to say I love it and it isn’t one of those albums that I regularly play. I took this opportunity to listen to it three times today to give it a chance to sink in. It’s definitely a masterpiece, beginning to end. Too High and Higher Ground have long been favorite Stevie tracks, but songs like Living For The City, which I’ve probably heard several dozen times in my life at least, just clicked with me at a higher level of attention to detail. The music, lyrics, and singing are elite at every beat and in between.

20 years ago I would have hated this. But as I get older I'm recognizing how awesome Stevie Wonder is. His sound is so awesome. So warm. So positive. This record slaps.

It’s really incredible, his voice and writing are so delightful whether it’s a love song or just being high. The synth work is crazy and the bass lines are very fun. Each new Stevie album I get is a treat, I can’t believe I slept on him before doing an album a day.

This album catches such a huge range of emotion. I revisit this one a lot, so it was great having an excuse to listen to it again

I'm constantly surprised at how good every single thing I hear from Mr. Stevie is and ashamed it took me this long to dig deeper into his catalogue. The man is a true genius of R&B and soul. A true musical prodigy. I'm very grateful to live in a timeline where this exists. Standout Tracks: Too High, Living Fro the City, Higher Ground, He's Misstra Know-It-All

Along with Talking Book and Fulfillingness First Finale, Innervisions is part of what was effectively a single body of work, albeit a trilogy, all coming out of the same sessions and period imnediately post-adulthood, when he transitioned from 'Little Stevie' to the colossus of contempoary music we now recognise. I love these albums they are amongst the greatest ever rdleased.

A damn beautiful album

In my eyes, this is pretty much a perfect soul album. Not a bad song on the record and each of them leave an impression.

Every song a pinnacle of musical greatness

Awesome album. Love Stevie's voice. Classic

I arrived at this as a Stevie-sceptic, and left a Wonder-maniac. Why isn't there a synonym for maniac beginning with W? Anyway, I only really knew Wonder's big singles, and found them all too cheesy, but this has real soul (obvs) and depth to it, as well as a big slice of sunshine. The closing two tracks were particularly brilliant, which is always a sure-fire way to get your mark up.

I didn’t even know this Stevie Wonder album, but it was great! His voice is amazing. I love the variety of genre he is able to present while still sounding like a cohesive album.

Wonder's Best. Lot's of great songs on this album.

One of my favorite Stevie Wonder records! A really strong entry in a stunningly lengthy golden period for one of the true greats.

Album number three in Stevie's brilliant five album run, the greatest album sequence of all time, released, incredibly, over a FIVE year span (and this his SIXTEENTH album). Utterly enchanting, captivating and varied - social commentary, love lost, love won, spiritual, political; latin, soul, jazz, funk; and all so listenable and part of a cohesive, satisfying whole. Mr. Wonder will live forever. His music will be enjoyed for generations to come.

Haven’t ever heard the extended version of “Living for the City”, one of my favorite SW songs. This album is giving something Ive never heard from an artist who changed my perspective of music. Stevie was my gateway into Jazz believe it or not! Love this album.

A classic and timeless album. First time hearing it and I absolutely love it. Every song except for the first is genuinely fantastic and super fun to listen to, as all good funk/soul should be. Higher points for me across the album were: Living For The City, Higher Ground (horrific), All In Love Is Fair (incredible vocals) and Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing. The album flows very well from song to song, felt like a breeze to listen through without any feeling of fatigue. All In Love Is Fair is a great "breather" section. Only song I was a bit unimpressed by was the opener, Too High, in my opinion it lacked the same groove as all the other songs on the album. All in all, incredible album. Would rate it 9/10, not a 10 just because of the first song.

All timer

It is just so good.

Stevie Wonder really is one of the GOATs. Joyous, wonderful – I loved all of this.

So so good. Easily no skips on this album.

I've listened to this album many times, and it's always been a favorite. Glad to have a reason to listen to it again.

Some phenomenal tracks on here. Just a great listen as I prepped the morning meals.

Y'know, don't get me wrong—I love all of the single disc albums in Stevie's golden period. This period isn't so highly regarded for no reason. But... I'unno. As much as I like them, at a point the start to mesh together a little outside of the REALLY big songs. Like, TALKING BOOK is amazing, and I've actually heard it more than INNERVISIONS, but there are songs where I can't really remember how they go. Not with INNERVISIONS, though. Each song, they're all distinct from one another; I can remember exactly how they all go. Even the two songs I find the weakest, "All In Love Is Fair" and "Jesus Children Of America", they stick out so well in my mind. And, I mean, look, this album's got "Higher Ground" **and** "Living For The City". Even if this album was a 1, the presence of those two alone would raise this thing to, like, a 3 at least; they're just that good. Of course that's not to underplay the other songs; "Golden Lady" and "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing" both come to mind immediately. It's just, those are such masterpieces on a masterpiece in a catlog of masterpieces. Absolutely incredible, all around. Another one I could give a 6 if I could for how much it's entrenched in my soul.

Banger after banger. This album flows so well, you would think it's a river.

I mean, I knew it would be a 5, I just didn’t expect to want to give it a 6 or higher. I have consistently said that Songs in The Key of Life is one of the best albums ever made, and my respect for Stevie’s work is off the charts; from Superstition to Sir Duke to Overjoyed and some of his collaborations into the 90s, 2000s, and 2010s, it’s very hard for me to come up with a more consistent artist. He might be the GOAT, and this album is just another masterclass in that. I don’t know quite how to gush about it; everything here is just classic Stevie, from the funky instrumental of Too High, to the guitar on Visions, the all-timer that is Living for the City, the key changes on Golden Lady, the bassline on Higher Ground, the backing vocals on Jesus Children of America, the incredible vocal performance on All in Love is Fair, the percussion and feel-good attitude of Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing, and the bombastic (& slightly long) outro to He’s Misstra Know-It-All. Easy as hell 5.

Incredible

This album came out not long after my 13th birthday, and was massively popular. With hit singles "Higher Ground"(#4), "Golden Lady" (4), "Living For The City" (#8), and "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing" (#16) it made a big splash. It reached #5 on the Rock charts, and topped the Soul charts. Beyond splash, these songs made an impact on postpubescent me. "Living for the City" was probably the first time that I started to really think about race relations. That and the single "Brother Louie" (by Stories) that came out about the same time... but that's another story. Anyway, this was a huge album, both in popularity and import. The sound is wonderful (it won a Grammy for Best Engineered Non-Classical Recording in 1974), the songwriting is wonderful, the performances are wonderful. Note that besides writing all of the songs, Wonder is credited a playing most of the instruments on the album. This is a great album, a real reflection of its time, mid-70's pop and soul. But deep and insightful, not fluff. It grooves, it speaks, it matters. Full disclosure, I already own this album and am very familiar with it. 5/5

I have a hard time explaining just what I love about Stevie Wonder, and this album is no exception. It’s perfect, and that’s all you’re getting from me

Filled with classic classics

Amazing

A work of genius

What am I gonna say about this one? Stone cold classic. There aren’t enough stars to rate this one properly.

such an infectiously upbeat and groovy album. stellar.

This Stevie guy don't miss.

A genius album, maybe Stevie Wonder's best? Beautiful songs, with Stevie's keyboard skills to the fore, superb lyrics. In an album full of excellent songs it's hard to pick a stand out but Living for the City is peerless

Wow!! What a stunning album! I believe this was Stevie Wonder’s 16th studio album, in 1973… It really dignified a change in America at the time - there’s a story about him taking journalists on a bus ride, blindfolded, so they could listen to the soundscape like he would, and then to listen to the album blindfolded as well. Intense stuff. Brilliant album.

Just WOW!

I adore this album, absolutely gorgeous

One of my first albums and still amazing

Stevie is a Wonder. Amazing talent - as a writer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist - he’s just got it all. Truly a magnificent album.

Living for the city with only 18 million listeners look a little underrated to stevie wonder's other songs. other then that, great album. Higher Ground, Living for the City, Dont Worry bout' are the best songs in this album.

Een van mijn favo artiesten en eigenlijk ook een van mijn favo personen. Nog niet zo goed als songs in the key of life, maargoed de meeste albums zijn dat niet.

One of Stevie's many masterworks. A true artist flexing on his multi-instrument skill set with grown up lyrics that still resonates with his growing audience.

Hot take: better than Songs in the Key of Life. I said what I said.

Renndi þessari snilld einu sinni í gegn til að gleðja mig, vissi samt alltaf að hún væri að fara fá fullt hús.

Excelente

Great album from STevie.

This is my favorite Stevie Wonder album. Innervisions has some of the greatest sequencing I've ever heard, that the transitions between songs are perfect. This music is fantastic; Stevie Wonder cycles through several musical moods anchored in classic motown, soul, funk, and jazz to create a musical landscape that complements his lyrics perfectly. The songs deal with themes of drug abuse, racism, love, and even politics in the final song. The result is an album that covers an incredible amount of musical and lyrical ground in its short 44 minutes.

Joyous

One of my favorite albums of all time. Can’t say enough about its brilliance and this incredible run Stevie was on.

Just a magical album - had heard all the hits, of course, but the whole record was amazing - probably my favorite SW album

What's not to love about Zeppelin IV? Full of iconic rock songs, and the Tolkien inspired Battle Of Evermore. Sandy Denny provide the vocals on that song along with Plant. She was from the folk tradition of Fairport Convention, and had a short and troubled life. But she left us with some tunes, one of which is Who Knows Where The Time Goes, also recorded by Judy Collins.

SUPERB! Just beautiful from beginning to end. I want to give Stevie a big hug. Here is a great article about Living in the City: https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2015/06/05/skyscrapers-and-everything/

Fun funky album

Simpelthen bare klasse

I’m not an R&B guy, but holy cow does Stevie Wonder have an incredible voice. He’s got charisma and a lot of stories to tell. Everything has a positive vibe (regardless of the lyrics) and is of the highest quality. A great album to chill with. Strong 5.

Ah, my favourite Stevie album! I’m “living for this album”. AHHAHAHAHAHAH. I’ll see myself out.

It's Stevie Wonder. So 10/10. Thought I couldn't rate it this highly because Songs in the Key of Life exists, but then I remembered that's an 11/10.

Every thing about this album is perfect. The lyrics cover such a wide range of topics of the time (most still relevant today), Wonders vocals deliver every line with passion, tenderness or rage as needed. Musically speaking i believe this album to deliver peak performances couple that with the incredible tones captured in the mix it hits so perfectly. I will admit i have a long history with this album but it truly blew my mind the first time i heard it as much as it did on this most recent listen through.

The envelope filter guitar+synth+bass combo is often replicated never duplicated and one of the best sounds of all time.

Stevie is musical genius personified ❤️ This album gets better with age.

1972-1976 udgav Stevie Wonder kun 5'ere

Absolute banger of a soul and contemporary funk album. Stevie Wonder really composed some of the greatest and most timeless melodies known to man for all eternity. Production value on this late 1970's masterpiece is incredibly high. Overall, its very unique yet also contemporary. Stevie struck gold!

One of the greatest albums ever recorded. Every song a gem!

Have always enjoyed listening to this great collection of thoughtful entertaining songs by a confirmed musical genius. Glad it was on my list!!

An amazing album!

An extraordinary musical document of the second half of the 20th Century. Powerful words, amazing musicianship. Stevie Wonder is IMPORTANT.

Perfection

Every track on this album says something that applies to life and culture today. Amazing to think that in 50 years, social justice, equal rights, faith, and the looming threat of Misstra Know-It-All is all relevant.

•Not owned: Streaming; Will get •A masterpiece that follows the thread from one person of vision, Innervisions is pitch-perfect example of composition, execution and production. It's a perfect album. •5/5

Stevie Wonder’s greatest album. This record is just insanely great. It’s of so many skillfully woven together musical styles and genres. It just sounds beautiful from a recording and production standpoint. There’s love, social commentary, hope, despair, joy, and anger all in one place. There are no bad moments on this record. Instant five stars from me.

❤️

Who doesn’t love Stevie Wonder

All of the best aspects of funk and jazz are here, and Stevie's vocals are majestic as always. Even the slower songs were groovy

There are so few artists in the history of popular music that can instantly immerse you in their world as soon as you drop the needle, and Stevie Wonder had that ability at his peak. Although I prefer a bit more grit with my Wonder, it's undeniable that this album tells a story like few others. Living For The City and Higher Ground are immortal, and the album as a whole has a cohesive narrative that certainly makes a lot more sense than most "concept" albums. Wonder's orchestration, songcraft and mastery of melody and harmony are unsurpassed. Definitely an essential album.

Flawless. Favorite song: living for the city, but they're all good.

Yeah man. Almost impossible to knock from any angle. If you met someone who had never heard pop music and you wanted to give them a top flight example of great tunes, great performance, great recording this would have to be near the top of the pile. Big hits, groovy album tracks, only the slightly embarassing New York arrival bit stumbles. Do your self a favour people. Just great to hear such a multi-talented individual at the top of his game.

AWESOME

One of Stevie’s Best!

Another awesome album by Mr. Stevie Wonder! This opportunity to listen to 1001 albums, has really reminded me of how great an artist Mr. Wonder truly is.

Ruhig, funky and really good.

Exquisite. Melodic voice. Among the top pop soloists. Heartfelt music.

Phenomenal album, but I knew that going into it. Stevie is timeless.

Like a Time Machine to my childhood of the 70s. Stevie as a mature man and no longer the child prodigy- speaking through his art on important social subjects in songs that would become timeless and classic.

"living for the city" is a bop and so powerful "higher ground" fuck yea "all in love is fair" 🥲 "visions" yeah 🥲

Funky and melodic songs with Stevie's narrative genius. This album is just astounding. Lyrically it's a beautifully gloomy look into the world in 1973, with songs addressing politics, drugs, urban life, divorce and more. Sonically its wonderfully diverse, something even more astounding when you realize that Stevie played most of the instruments himself. This album is a masterpiece.

Classic, cant believe it came out so long ago

It was gonna be hard to be objective on this one cause I automatically love any Stevie song. That being said, this is a great album. It has everything I want in an album. Interesting chords, amazing Vocals, and a harmonica solo. Great variety of songs. Also was not prepared for that racist talking bit during living for the city. Key tracks: golden lady, higher ground, all in love is fair, don’t you worry about a thing

Loved this album. Huge variety of moods among the tracks. All In Love Is Fair is hauntingly good, I had to stop working and pay attention then it came on. I was legitimately dancomg to Don't Worry 'Bou A Thing. The jazzy chords and melodies add a unique flavor that make the songs stand out from other songs in the same genre. It goes without saying that Stevie is an amazing singer.

This is just about as good as an album can be. Absolutely great.

fucking beautiful. every song is a wonderfully eclectic banger that bleeds perfectly into the next. stevie wonder’s delicate and masterful musicianship really shines on this one. can’t wait for songs in the key of life!

An absolute banger. Some of the all time great songs like “Higher Ground” and “Living for the City”. My day was better having listened to Immersions

Super Album, ohne Golden Girl wäre es noch besser.

Very soulful

Doesn’t get enough credit, for all he’s done throughout his life. Great artist.

I grew up knowing and loving many of the songs on this album, but there were also some real gems that I wasn’t familiar with. Had a great time listening to this one and enjoyed it a second time through with my husband.

Wie geil! Rhythmik, Harmonik, Mix. Allererste Sahne!

One of the great albums of all time.

Utterly unstoppable funkiness

Great fun, stevie very good on this one.

Oh wow, bijna alle nummers goed, divers, echt een paar knallers.

10/10 effort for Stevie. Not a skippable track throughout.

Feels like a journey through Stevie Wonder's mind, amazing

Gute Mukke!

Originell

Great Album, love Stevie

Absolutely superb!

Inspiring music - especially „Higher Ground“ is my favorite.

Great listen.

Always 5 stars.

This album is a staple in our house! Can't say enough about this funk. Love Stevie!

Sing it to me Stevie

Golden Lady, Higher Ground, Don't You Worry 'bout a Thing, this album had some great songs. It's funk, it's soul, r&b, whatever you want to call it, the album was great

Sublime. Deserves to be on this list. That is all

This album is so damned good, I don't even mind that Stevie has spent his entire life trying to convince the world that he's blind.

Jaw dropping. Incredible sound. This feels like quintessential soul, ike he perfected it and everything else from Thundercat to Bill Waterson to Vulfpeck is just riffing on him. This music doesn't fee 50 years old, it feels like it was written yesterday

Excellent album with some great songs

That'a it.

Yes! I love his music, very happy to see it here.

Stellar.

I need to listen to more soul

This is awesome.

Stevie is a genius. The layering of the vocals is unbelievable. No one has achieved this level of artistry on an album in 50 years.

Beautiful

Great album. #2 of 4 in Stevie's 'classic period'. Multiple listens and it's ingrained. 4.8

The first Stevie Wonder album I ever bought and still my favorite. I would name favorite tracks but I honestly love them all. I really love the overall sound. The synthesizers and other instruments come together brilliantly.

I think I gave Songs in the Key of Life 5 stars and still said I liked this album better, so I have to give this one 5 to be fair. Listening to it again in entirety, I actually forgot about the few tracks toward the end which slump a bit. Still, the first half is thoroughly great.

Another Wonder-ful album!

Amazing: Steve Wonder makes another absolute banger of an album. This man makes music like no other. Strong basslines and very solid lyrics. What's not to love.

This is a classic Stevie album. Eminently listenable, it easily demonstrates that pop music when it’s done well can be musically interesting. Unfortunately, the “kid from the countryside” skit hasn’t aged as well as the rest of the material so I can’t rate the album a perfect 5 stars, but it’s still good enough for an imperfect 5.

This album is incredible. Stevie had a phenomenal five album streak. Each one I’d give a perfect score from Talking Book to Songs in the Key of Life. The lyrics are incredible and the chords are so visionary and original while also remaining familiar and not a challenge to listen to whatsoever. Especially considering how out there some of these rhythms and progressions are. The vocals and instrumentation are obviously impeccable. I have nothing bad to say about this album. 5/5

A masterpiece by a musical genius

Mind-blowing

How have I never sat down and just listened to Stevie Wonder? Super fun album that I liked every song on, very energetic and addicting. Added two skipped zero.

Each song is so unique in this album, it is beautiful. Stevie Wonder really feels like he is having fun here. Stand-outs: All In Love Is Fair, Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing

NOOOO STOP GIVING ME GOOD ALBUMS ITS GOIND TO MESS UP MY AVERAGE RATING Masterpiece.

Similar to the summer vibe of Madame Butterfly that I was just chasing. It may have something that would work for my 2024 choreographers' concert piece if it was made instrumental. It relaxes me and I love his conversational tone. The songs are a perfect length.

It's Stevie Wonder, and it's superb. Expected nothing less.

so funky!

Great album front to back! Living for the City and Higher Ground are personal faves!

Novateur et exemplaire dans tout ce qu'il a entrepris dans cette album confirmé par la suite avec le parfait album qu'est Songs in the key of life

Peak Wonder, for me. But it’s a broad ridge line.

Great album. 5 stars all the way. 70's Stevie is outstanding. Killer musicianship, killer vocals. Funky as can be.

What to say about Steveland Morris? He's my number one favorite artist of all time. This is one of his absolutely best albums. No skips, classics only.

Op een eerder album wisselde Stevie wonderschone nummers af met epische gedrochten. Het uptempo en funky werk is ook nu weer heerlijk en er staat maar 1 trage ballad op. En dat geeft een bijzonder lekker swingend plaatje, dat muzikaal gewoon top in elkaar zit. Ik twijfel zelfs om hier de maximale score voor in te zetten. En misschien moeten we dat maar weer eens een keer doen.

Album #3 in possibly the greatest 5 album run in the history of popular music. Just glad it fell on a Friday so I can listen all weekend. 5.0

Wonderful!

Just a complete and tremendous album. So extremely talented

Jesus Christ this guy is talented. I relistened to this album again over the weekend. Wonder doesn’t have the best voice but it is distinctive and the songs are just so great. He’s an amazing songwriter. This is the first five star album I’ve heard. Everyone wants to be a little like Stevie.

Fabulous as always!!

There's this Howard Hawks quote where he was like, a great movie is three good scenes and no bad ones. If you apply that logic to music, Innervisions would easily fit the definition of a great album. Higher Ground, Living for the City and Misstra Know It All are all peak Stevie, and there really aren't any bad songs on here.

Never really listened to Stevie wonder. Hard not to give this 5 stars.

Started not finished

Wow! All the bangers are here. A wonderful album showcasing Stevie at his best!

Really enjoyable album from top to bottom. Hits the nostalgia factor as I heard a bunch of these songs often while growing up.

Kind of unbelievable in terms of the top to bottom quality of the songs on this record, and the funky stylings, a bit of everything. Quite possibly the best Stevie record, which is saying something.

fundamental

This is a gorgeous album! Living for the City is an all-time favorite.

A-ma-zing, truly a timeless album. Stevie wonder? More like, Stevie with the wonderful lyrics and melody in his works.

funky and groovy

Stevie is like a banger factory, no misses

Chill vibe

BALLIN 10/10

So god damn funky. So god damn good. Favorite track: Higher Ground

Pure perfection, not a note out of place, flawless vocals, wonderful lyrics. One of my all-time musical heros.

Easy "A" for me. My parents had this album on vinyl, so I have listened to it many, many times. It's got that 70s sound!

Great album. When I took a history of rock class in college I wrote a paper about this and how it was made with it's technical innovations as well as just solid musicianship from Stevie. One of the music GOATs and 10/10 for me.

Beautiful album. Stevie makes complex, genius song writing catchy. One of the greatest of all time.

A total masterpiece. Encompassing the whole of humanity. Amazing vocals and keys playing thru our.

What a journey! Utterly brilliant. 5

YESSSS

A real masterpiece and necessity in any collection.

There seems to be a "coming to truth" moment where more discussion about how this album is MUCH better than the go-to masterpiece that is 'Songs'. I'm fully riding behind this narrative. And it doesn't make ANY kind of sense why this album isn't unanimously rated 5s across the board.

Very beautiful album, impressed with "don't you worry 'bout a thing". In love with the synths and funky pianos

I love a bunch of Stevie Wonder songs. There's a lot I don't really like though. There aren't many SW albums I'd play all the way. Innervisions happens to her one of these few I do enjoy in it's entirety. Living For The City and Higher Ground are two of my favorite Stevie songs, a bunch of others I really dig, and a few I don't love but I won't skip either. I've been playing this album consistently for about 30 years now. Easy to call it a must listen 5 star.

5stars glad I’m listening to the entire album.

This might be one of the best-produced and mixed albums ever. This is a soul masterpiece with Wonder's songwriting shining throughout the album. There are several songs that bring up important issues in the society in which Wonder grew up. The best song on the album is definitely Living for the City and it is a prime example of how Wonder criticizes injustices that black people face in daily life. When the interlude begins, you get thrown into and get to hear how unjust life is/was for black people in the US. Some other key tracks are Too High, which features a funky synth bass and a fun harmonica solo, Golden Lady, which has a Jamerson-esque bassline and the rest of the instrumentation supports the song really well, Higher Ground, one of, if not, the funkiest song ever created. The fact that Wonder played most of the instruments on this album just goes to show how good of a musician Wonder is. Standout Tracks: Too High, Living for the City, Golden Lady, Higher Ground, Jesus Children of America, He's Misstra Know-It-All

From Stevie Wonder's peak period, "Innervisions" is generally hailed as a masterpiece for a reason. To think Wonder wrote, produced, and played most of the instruments for the album, making it even more impressive. A work of amazing fusion of genre, style, theme, and sound, it is hard to sit still while listening. There is so much going on in this album musically and lyrically, it is difficult not to consider it a classic work of popular music, one of the greatest.

This is such a great album, couldn't rate any less than 5 stars. From beginning to end it's just great compositions all round

5/5

I'd list my favorites on here but it would make this too long. Widely see one of Wonder's best albums you can see why. The political commentary under catchy hooks and great insrumentals almost hide the intent of the album. Almost. It's funk, it's latin, it's R&B, this album is pure gold.

Stevie Wonder is phenomenal!

After reading about how many consider this to be the magnum opus of Stevie's career, I definitely had some anticipation going into listening to this. What we got here is a silky smooth, perfectly mixed blend of soul, funk, and jazz, all capped off by some incredible vocal chops from Stevie himself. He glides his voice through songs like Too High along with some jazzy rhodes playing, really projects with some great storytelling in Living For the City, croons on tracks like All In Love Is Fair, and just turns into groovy machine of funk in songs like Higher Ground. It's a tremendously fun record to listen to as you appreciate an artist at the height of their talents, and Stevie's charisma all over this album makes you want to just let it replay.

Incredible. And this was his 16th album. Insane talent. Great album. I was unaware of its greatness. Higher Ground has always been a standout but all the songs are equally great.

Smack dab in the middle of an impeccable run, a lot going on but not a note out of place. Pretty sure he plays every instrument on these albums too. Insane amount of talent, plenty groovy. Easy “put it on and listen” 5 star record.

what a great album; still great today in all respects.

Favorite album from my favorite artist.