More sprawling than Innervisions and Talking Book, this two-LP-plus-EP was also less of a consistent stunner than either of those masterworks. That Songs retains an enormous amount of visionary relevance, though, is demonstrated not only in Coolio's borrowing of "Pastime Paradise" as a template for "Gangsta's Paradise," but in the cold-as-ice synthesized string quartet of "Village Ghetto Land".

This is Stevie, so naturally that cut's anger is balanced by the ultra-buoyant "I Wish," "Sir Duke," and "Another Star".

The 2000 reissue boasts radically improved remastered sound.
Rickey Wright.

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All lead vocals by Stevie Wonder Produced, Arranged, Written and Composed by Stevie Wonder except wherre indicated All tunes published by Jobete Music Company Inc. & Black Bull Music Inc. (ASCAP).