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The songs are great -- rhythmic, catchy melodies, meaningful lyrics -- some of his best work. Innervisions defies categorization. If there is one Stevie Wonder album to own, this is it. The arrangements and playing are tight -- quite amazing when you consider that Wonder played almost all of the instruments on most of the songs.
I used to hear a lot of his songs at my old job and this cd has a lot of his greatest tracks on it =)
The progession at the end of the song keeps building to a cresendo going up a key & is a highlight as he sings about the love of his life and how he sees her through the love in his eyes.5) Higher Ground: This is a jam that showcases Stevie using the synthesizer much the way a bass guitar would be used in a song. 2) Visions: This is probably my favorite on the whole album. This song shows why his songwriting skills are unmatched historically. The lyrics are stunning in this song of a man reaching for something higher than himself and the status quo of that day. Many artists of that day wrote about it's "highs", but Stevie was one of the 1st to talk about the "lows" of that culture and how it was tearing at the very fabric of the black community especially. The song deals with letting those you love know they don't have to worry cause if no one else is there for them, you will be. Great lyrics and he once again is playing all the instruments.
The songs are so crisp, clean & relevant still today as much as they were back in the early 70's when the album was first released. He was one of the 1st to use the instrument in place of bass or strings or even guitar. Has incredibly meaning even today6) Jesus Children of America: Stevie was one of the 1st mainstream artist to call Christianity to task for the hypocrisy of that day as well as other mainstream religions. It's call to examine what you're praying and saying vs. Beautifully written song.8) Don't You Worry Bout a Thing: Latin-funk based song about the true meaning of having someone's back in the good times and bad times. Acoustic guitar is simply outstanding.3) Living for the City: An "epic" that gives the listener an inside perspective of life in america for those of African descent. Great drums and keyboards by Stevie in this song.7) All is Fair in Love: This is a song with lyrics describing what every lover has experienced at some point. 9) Mistra Know-It-All: This is said to be the 1st of Stevie's tongue lashings aimed towards then President Nixon about his "so called" policies of that day and how out of touch washington was with the realities of life for most people living in this country at that time.No one matches Stevie's uncanny ability give you a snapshot of the world at that moment & his unparelled musicianship set's him apart as one of the True innovators of music history.
The crushing agony of a relationship on the brink and a heartfelt cry of a lover unable to deal with it's difficulties. 1) Too High: Song written warning of the lows of continued drug use. Genius.
It's an incredibly written & produced walk through the life of a person "born in hard time Mississippi" & who, although, is able to get out and make to the "North" where things are supposed to better for blacks finds out the hard way that the song remains the same no matter the geographic location.4) Golden Lady: One of the most beautiful songs ever written. Not his first but a great starting point to understand his true genius. I highly recommend this album, especially for those who may be just getting into his work.
I remember growing up listening to the songs off of this album and being amazed at how one man could capture the social scene of that day. Stevie takes us on a ride through the visions in his mind and shows us a what the world could be if only love and respect were the order of the day. what you're actually doing & making sure the 2 match.
The reason for taking away two stars is because the remastered version is so bright and harsh it hurts my ears. It's a 5-star album if you consider just the songs themselves. It gets your attention but soon becomes tiring because of the harshness in the vocals. This is a great album song/composition-wise. I love Stevie Wonder and this is an excellent collection. Stevie's voice is full of sibilance and on the tracks where he has electronically altered his vocals, these come across as way too bright.
With "Innervisions" this album not only reached out to Stevie's inner city fans, it reached out to every nation and it's people. Not't yet but "Innervisions" began the process of filling the inner core of my generation, and many more to come, with knowledged & African American understanding and pride. and then along can "Songs In The Key of Life".WOW. "Innervisons" was just a peak into the world of Steveland Morris and what was to come.one of his must haves for your collection.Stevie reaching the peak. were we redy for "Songs In The Key.". Indeed, this was his first masterprice.
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