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Characters
RRP: £9.99
Our Price: £3.70 (subject to change)
He'll be in your corner!
Review date: 2003-10-09 Rating: 6 out of 10
The 80s were never very kind to Stevie Wonder. After his run of Grammy Award winning, mega selling 70s albums, success didn't come as easily in the 80s. It could have been down to Mr Wonder losing his "genius"; it could've been down to him being tired - he'd released albums at a furious rate - or, and I believe this is what it actually is - he'd discovered the world's appetite for 80s synth-pop! So, leaving his 70s work aside, let's examine 'Characters' against the environment in which it was released. Yes, it is very heavy on the synth' sound, but most of the biggest albums of the 80s were: Michael Jackson's 'Bad', Janet Jackson's 'Control', Madonna's 'First Album'. It seems that Stevie just wanted to play along with the rest of the pop kids rather than inspiring and leading as he did in the 70s. Standout tracks include: 'You Will Know, 'Dark and Lovely', 'Skeletons', 'One of a Kind', 'Free' and the Michael Jackson duet 'Get It'. I wouldn't buy this album as an introduction to Stevie; I would buy 'Talking Book', 'Innervisions' or his 'Definitive Collection' first. If he becomes a favourite of yours then buy this. Or then again, if you have an open mind when it comes to music and you can appreciate that this was the eighties, buy it and revel in the cheesy drum loops and hand claps!!
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Reviews
SOME Wonderful moments!
Review date: 2001-07-03 Rating: 6 out of 10
This album is of of the second generation Wonder albums, by this I mean 80's and not his classic 70's era where his music was pure magic. Recorded in just 2 years, Characters is a funk/Pop album with pieces of classic Wonder,{Free, My Eyes dont cry} and other more Wonderless moments, {In your Corner}. These however are my opinion, but as a big Wonder fan, they simply dont cut it when compared to songs such as 'Golden Lady' or 'Higher Ground' Thats not to say dont by the album. Do. Because in spite of these forgettable moments it is still worth listening to.
The Album kicks off with 'You will know' A holy number with nice harmonies and synth backing, its nice and sets the pace a little. Followed next is a cracker in the form of, 'Dark and Lovely' which is fast, fun and funky. It is all done by Stevie, bass synth - Yamaha s80- and leads, -Fairlight synth etc.... Moving on the next memorable moment is 'Get it' where Stevie duets with Micheal Jackson, the song is good, both are pumped up with a vocoder, so it sounds spacey. Micheal, it appears has the edge when it comes to the vocals, but this is purely down to the arrangement and not vocal qualities.
'Free' is my fav song on the album, it flows freely and uses Moog Synths giving it that classic Stevie sound, the pure abilities of his vocal show through here as it starts from low to high pitch.
The final 2 songs, 'Come let me make your love come down' and 'My eyes....' are something special, the former is a Jazz filled tune with guest apperance from 'Steie Ray Vaughan'. It is fun and has a early latin sound. The final song is a gem, worth the full price, it is really catchy and it ranks as one of my favourite Stevie Wonder songs.
In conclusion, this album has its moments, when it is good it is really good. 1 or 2 of the tracks are a let down, but all albums have this problem, its not his best, but its still rather good. Order it today!
Product Details/Specifications
Artist(s):
Stevie Wonder
Recording label: Motown
Manufacturer: Motown
EAN: 0737463624824
Binding: Audio CD
Format: Import,
Release date: 1999-10-01
Universal product code (UPC): 737463624824
Number of discs: 1
Disc 1 Tracks:
1. You Will Know
2. Dark 'n' Lovely
3. In Your Corner
4. With Each Beat Of My Heart
5. One Of A Kind
6. Skeletons
7. Get It - Wonder, Stevie & Michael Jackson
8. Galaxy Paradise
9. Cryin' Through The Night
10. Free
11. Come Let Me Make Your Love Come Down
12. My Eyes Don't Cry
Publishers: Motown