Quickies - "What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye

Welcome, music lovers everywhere on this site, to the first irregularly updated section of this blog, Quickies. Here, I review an album considered a classic by many in one hundred to four hundred words. Today, getting lobotomized, is the 1971 soul effort by Marvin Gaye, What's Going On (not to be confused with the title track of the same name).

The lyrics are trying to convey a political message about urban dangers and the plight of the American people, and I commend Marvin Gaye for that, but some of the writing ends up, dare I say, bland and juvenile at times. Meanwhile, there is some good instrumentation, especially in the title track, but most of the tunes are forgettable. In fact, in the seven minute opening track to side two, "Right On," the instrumentation is aggravating.

The best track on the album, "What's Going On," is the saving grace of the half hour long dirge-like cycle. That's not really saying much, though, since the lyrics still need much work. The worst track on the album, "Save the Children," gets this due to completely useless instrumentation that refuses to clash well with the vocals (which don't even appear that soulful), lyricism more akin to a schoolchild's poetry slam, and one of the worst ideas set to Gaye's music: spoken word throughout.

So, to sum it up, I did not particularly care for this album. Now, while this is true, I can recommend it if you're a fan of lengthy improv-sounding soul music. If not, then I suggest avoiding it and instead listen to Innervisions by Stevie Wonder which, while conveying many of the same messages, has tighter production and a more fast-paced approach. Also, it's Stevie freaking Wonder. But yes, this album, on the other hand, has problems a many, leading to me giving it a 2.5/5 rating.