Yes Yes, the 70s was his prime, but I think the critics are way too hard on In Square Circle, Characters, Jungle Fever, conversation peace etc. Hotter Than July I think is only marginally less good than his classic albums and the fact that he manages to do country, disco and reggae superbly within the same album is quite an accomplishment. Overjoyed, Free, Never in Your Sun, Go Home, Skeletons....there's a lot of greatness in just about every one of these albums

jacktheimprovident said:

agreed

"Hotter Than July" is the only post 70s album that I care for except for the new tracks on the "Original Musiquarium" album...if that album counts.

I think his 80s albums are good , but like other artists albums from that period, sound (somewhat) dated. Somehow , the production style of the 80s has dated horribly in comparison to prior and later decades.

MrTation said:

I agree,,,the 70's stuff sounds fresh as a baby's breath to this day.

Hear "Tuesday Heartbreak" and guess where did the Neptunes get their sound from(along with Prince).

vainandy said:

Haha yeah that includes "All I Do" takes us up to 1982 "Do I Do", and I am with you on that

'Hotter Than July' is his best 80s album.Half of these songs are among his best work ever..."Ain't Gonna Stand For It"..."Rocket Love"...."As If You Read My Mind",etc.

The four studio songs on 'Original Musicquarium' are superb,especially "That Girl" and "Ribbon In The Sky".

'The Woman In Red' soundtrack has it's moments,but I'm not sure if I can call it a masterpiece.

'In Square Circle' is a strong,consistent album.I didn't like the trendy,formulaic first single "Part Time Lover",but other songs are top-notch ("Land Of La La"..."Overjoyed"...."I Love You Too Much").

'Characters' contains some good songs,but I don't like the cluttered-sounding,late-80s production techniques on this album.Many of these songs would have sounded better if Stevie had used a more stripped-down approach,using harmonica and piano instead of all those synths.

Oooooh Yes. Any and everything by Stevie I lOOooOoOoOOoOve

I used to hear Woman In Red soundtrack and In Square Circle as a kid, so there is an element of nostalgia there... I still really like "I Love You Too Much", "Overjoyed" and even "Don't Drive Drunk" for that reason...

IMO, Stevie's 80s material is like Prince's 90s music - hit & miss. I agree with DavidEye - 'Hotter Than July' is his best work from that era. 'All I Do' just tugs at my heart.