The album title and photo suggest that Stevie Wonder isn’t singing as himself on these songs. If that’s the case, it might also suggest he wasn’t singing as himself on all those other songs. The concepts, in other words, aren’t much different than the ones he’s covered in the past; most notably, romantic and spiritual love. The characters he portrays are mostly loving and caring in some way or another.
He even plays the role of Christ. You Will Know, The Lord sings in response to the prayers of his troubled believers, “Trust and I will show.” The melody sounds about as soothing and reassuring as any good gospel ballad. It is thus fitting that after beginning the album on such a high note, he ends it with another uplifting song; a simile-laced poem entitled Free as in free of all those Earthly worries.
The best song is Skeletons, about people holding secrets and telling lies. The vocals soar like gossip breath and the Wonderfully-composed climax builds genuine suspense around the rumor mill, but the relentlessly funky beat also makes it a track you can dance to. That’s also the case with Dark And Lovely, an African lament featuring one of the most creative synth bass-line loops I’ve ever heard.
my rating : 4 of 5
1987