Released: January 1965
When the Four Tops released “Baby I Need Your Loving” in the summer of 1964, the quartet had been together for over a decade. The long wait for their first hit was worth the while. The gossamer Holland-Dozier-Holland production reached #11 on the pop chart and has become a classic in the American songbook.
Nearly 60 years later it can still compete with any sweet soul or quiet storm ballad thanks to the Tops (and their longtime Motown compatriots, the female trio of the Andantes) just going all in on the performance. And elegant production. This song is classy.
Finally getting a hit from the Four Tops, Motown commissioned a soundalike bllad sequel: “Without the One You Love (Life's Not Worth While)”. It’s a fine song, but nowhere near as good as its predecessor. For one thing, the lead vocalist and the background singers on “Baby I Need Your Loving” worked in beautiful harmony as the voices layered upon one another building emotion. On “Without the One You Love” the vocal performances are technically superb, but instead of harmony you get a bit of clutter.
Probably better to just have had the whole song sung in close harmony instead of still trying to shoehorn a lead vocal into there. Still the song did well enough (#43 pop) in the latter part of 1964.
With one big hit and a reasonable follow up, the Four Tops in January 1965 got to release their first album, appropriately titled Four Tops.
Concurrent with the new album was a new single, “Ask the Lonely”. Although not perfect like their debut single, this song is magnificent and finds them striking that great balance between the lead and backing vocals.
Also that intro is haunting and brooding like a mutha.
The single reached #9 R&B and #24 pop. (Thanks for finally having an R&B chart Billboard).
The other standout songs on this debut album are “Where Did You Go?” and “Your Love Is Amazing”. The latter finally gave some pep to the Tops’ repertoire since this album is heavier on the ballads.
As for the rest of the songs, there’s nothing bad here, which is surprising for a debut Motown album. Then again, this debut was in 1965 when Motown was hitting its creative peak.
The Four Tops would only get better.
ALBUM GRADE: C+
The beginning of Side 1 is five straight good to perfect songs, so that’s some fire for fans of 60s music. The LP’s second side can tend to drag a bit since there’s not true high point. An album victimized by poor sequencing. Shoulda spaced the really good stuff out better.
SONG SCORES
Baby I Need Your Loving: 10/10
Without the One You Love (Life's Not Worth While): 7/10
Where Did You Go?: 7/10
Ask the Lonely: 8.5/10
Your Love Is Amazing: 6.5/10
Sad Souvenirs: 5/10
Don't Turn Away: 6.5/10
Tea House In China Town: 4/10
Left With A Broken Heart: 6/10
Love Has Gone: 6/10
Call On Me: 4/10