Number 6: What's Going On

Album: What's Going On

Artist: Marvin Gaye

Year: 1971

Information: Marvin's brother had just come back from war with many tales of endeavors in Vietnam. He regaled Marvin in his stories and it inspired him to create this album. When Marvin presented Motown with his singles, responses were surprisingly negative. Marvin was told that "What's Going On" was the worst song they had ever heard and that they didn't even know what "ecology" was (Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology.) However, he kept fighting and finally had his singles released. The singles took over the charts and his label quickly changed their mind. This album has left quite the legacy and blazed a trail for socially conscious music from Motown. It's been called the Sgt. Pepper's of soul music and I would have to agree.

High Points: This entire album is one massive high point. It starts off (like the others so far) with what might be it's highest point. I would try to describe this album, but I can't find the words. To quote someone else "The songs move along and blend together and leave you in a dream-like haze." This quote is a wondrous description that fits this album very well.

Low Points: There aren't any.

Is it Great: It certainly is.

I don't ever really call music beautiful. It's difficult for me to find such adjectives suitable to most songs and albums. Some people would call Sgt. Pepper's beautiful, but I really don't understand that.

However, this album is the one exception.  The songs have the capability to slide into your brain and make everything, ironically, seem okay. It's the only album I consider to be worthy of the hefty title of "beautiful."