Changing Times
Released: September 1970
After showing some restraint on Still Waters Run Deep, producer Frank Wilson let his psychedelic freak flag fly on this one. Not as bad as he did on the Supremes’ New Ways But Love Stays, though.
The album begins with the failed single “In These Changing Times” (#28 R&B, #70 pop). I think it’s a good thing… so long as you excise the beginning 90 seconds that sounds like a reject of the Beatles’ “Revolution #9”. And I hate that song, so if this a reject version you know it’s horrible.
Anyways after that 90-second terror, the song actually turns into a nice ballad.
Thereafter a ticking clock separates every song. Wow, dude. Far out…
“Just Seven Numbers (Can Straighten Out My Life)” was a successful enough single (#9 R&B, #40 pop) and is also a good song. Nice little story of a man who could get himself together if only he could swallow his pride and dial a telephone number (seven numbers) to apologize for his behavior.
The album’s standout track is “I Almost Had Her (But She Got Away)”. At first I thought it was a throwaway track. Okay, but not great. But upon re-listening, it’s really catchy. Nothing groundbreaking. Just a super solid and enjoyable song.
“Try to Remember” is two songs in one as it merges a first half that’s more vocal jazz with a second half that’s upbeat soul. Not quite seamless, but it’s fine.
Take a look at this title: “Something's Tearing at the Edges of Time.” Read it again. Are you shocked to learn it’s more psychedelic soul?
“Sing a Song of Yesterday” is fluff, but you could certainly hear worse… like say their cover of “Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head” which fucking sucks.
ALBUM GRADE: C
Song Scores
In These Changing Times: 7/10
Just Seven Numbers (Can Straighten Out My Life): 7.5/10
Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head: 3/10
Right Before My Eyes: 3/10
I Almost Had Her (But She Got Away): 8/10
Try To Remember: 6/10
Something's Tearing at the Edges of Time: 6/10
Sing a Song of Yesterday: 5.5/10
The Long and Winding Road: 4/10
INTERLUDE
Before their next solo studio release, the Four Tops were roped into three duet albums with the Supremes. It’s mostly garbage.
Nature Planned It
Released: April 1972
Speaking of garbage, Nature Planned It is a bad album and a sad conclusion to the Four Tops’ tenure at Motown.
Only one song of the 11 here is actually good: “(It's the Way) Nature Planned It”. That track has the group giving its vocal all with a production to match. It’s an 8/10 and was their final Motown hit reaching #8 R&B and #53 pop in the fall of 1972.
Unfortunately, the rest of the songs are either barely okay (their take on Eddie Kendricks’ “If You Let Me”) or outright horrific (their embarrassing cover of Todd Rundgren’s “We Got To Get You A Woman”).
Even a song like “I Can't Quit Your Love” which has Stubbs singing his ass off just can’t overcome its shortcomings.
ALBUM GRADE: D
Song Scores
No D album deserves specific song grades. Moving on…