Why even go through the charade of calling these albums “Temptations albums”? It’s Otis Williams plus some dudes. One boring ass album after another with faceless vocals.
Ear-Resistable (2000)
Album Grade: D-
Awesome (2001)
Album Grade: D-
After two soulless albums the Temptations released an album of Motown covers…
Reflections (2006)
This album ditches the super-processed production of their previous albums in favor of some live instruments, so that’s a plus. But why would I listen to “The Temptations” from 2006 sing Motown classics when I could just go for the classics?
Album Grade: D-
Back To Front (2007)
Not content to half-bake Motown songs, “The Temptations” now go for the wider American soul book. The wider selection plus even greater acceptance of live instruments makes this a better listen, but not by much.
Album Grade: D+
Still Here (2010)
The first Temptations song worth listening to in over a decade: “One Of A Kind Lady” (6.5/10). You can thank the slap bass and the light post-disco feel. Thank God for the 2010s for throwing a lifeline to music. So long as we overlook the autotune…
“Warm Summer Nights” also brings in that lovely late 70s, early 80s groove music vibe. I also enjoy “Listen Up” which has some striking electric guitar. Gotta be the first time since like 1974 the Temptations had a prominent electric guitar on one of their songs. Unsurprisingly the lyrics are also relevant as the mention global warming among other ills. There is also a hilarious moment when whoever is singing yells “Pull ya pants up!” like they Bill Cosby or something.
This ain’t no masterpiece, but given the previous 20 years of Temptations music, I’ll take it.
Album Grade: C-
All The Time (2018)
“The Temptations” mostly cover other people’s music here (Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me”), so ain’t much originality here. But it’s all competently performed. The kind of music you hear in the background in a Starbucks. Nothing bad, but nothing good or memorable.
Album Grade: D+