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List Price: $91.98 | | Label: Universal Japan
Salesrank: 214138
Released: January 29, 2008 |
| Our Price: $44.98 |
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| Media: Audio CD |
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Editorial Review:
Japanese only SHM pressing. The SHM-CD [Super High Material CD] format features enhanced audio quality through the use of a special polycarbonate plastic. Using a process developed by JVC and Universal Music Japan discovered through the joint companies' research into LCD display manufacturing SHM-CDs feature improved transparency on the data side of the disc allowing for more accurate reading of CD data by the CD player laser head. SHM-CD format CDs are fully compatible with standard CD players. Universal. 2009.
Description of Songs in the Key of Life:
One of the first albums to debut at No. 1 in Billboard, Songs in the Key of Life was the highest high-point of Stevie Wonder's career. More sprawling than Innervisions and Talking Book, this 2 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." --Rickey Wright
Songs in the Key of Life Reviews:
Classic album and probably his best 
2009-12-21 - I think this is one of the best albums ever recorded, it certainly makes a powerful musical statement and cements Stevie Wonder as one of the greatest music artists of the 20th century. The first CD has mostly shorter, self reflective songs that are more introspective, while the second has longer, more celebratory and enchanting songs (Not that there aren't also upbeat songs on the first disc, like "Sir Duke" and "I Wish"). Overall, I think its fairly lighthearted and happy music, which is why I like it so much. Some of the material on his previous albums had darker underpinnings, while this is a much more celebratory record. Its definitely his magnum opus as an artist and is easily deserving of five stars. Check out songs like "Knocks Me Off My Feet" and "As" for examples of his genius as a songwriter. I highly recommend Songs in the Key of Life and Innervisions as terrific records of his that deserve to be heard (a lot!).
Music Review
2009-12-08 - I enjoy listening to anything Stevie Wonder sings and I love Songs in the Key of Life. Its great music and I am happy to be an owner of the CD.
Timeless Classic
2009-12-06 - SITKOL never gets old and out of date. I love this album because it celebrates love, live, its original, the melody of the music is as beautiful as Stevie's voice and it makes you feel GOOD! It also gives notice of social and political hypocrisies that exist even now and i think that kind of thing is missing nowadays in mainstream music. If you have a voice you should try to make a difference in the world.
The greatest album from one of the greatest entertainers of all time
2009-11-17 - This album is a rarity. I cannot think of another double disc album that has no filler whatsoever. Also, "Love's in Need Of Love Today" is one of Stevie's best opening tracks. The opening line "Good morn or evening friends, here's your friendly announcer.." perfectly sets up the entire album. Other standout tracks include "Have a Talk With God", "Sir Duke", "Pastime Paradise", "Ngiculela", "If it's Magic", "I Wish", "Isn't She Lovely". Do you notice how many songs I have listed? The whole album is not only filled with standout tracks, but they are perfectly sequenced and blend in with each other exquisitely. If you like Stevie Wonder but don't have any of his albums, this is the one to start with. Then, pick up "Music Of My Mind", "Innervisions", "Talking Book", "In Square Circle". and "A Time To Love". These albums represent the best of the best.
Songs, keys, and true life, too
2009-11-04 - It's no surprise that Elton John thinks this is the greatest album ever recorded. Stevie Wonder and Elton John are made from the same mold (how's that for equality?), both talented pop artists whose greatest talent is making their music seem holier than it is. The different between them is that E.J. is a decent pop artist and S.W. is a truly gifted pop artist: John's grand double-album opus, "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," is up and down and mostly intriguing for its flaws; Wonder's grand double-album opus is the real deal, all highs that never let up, and it comes with an E.P., too. I'm not sure what Elton's after, if anything. Stevie just wants everyone to get along and to see the beauty in the world, a statement he can make without the need to acknowledge its irony. Nevertheless, "Black Man," on which Stevie gets a little angry, is the most exciting song and sounds like the sincerest to me--but not by much. On an album full of songs built around melody, that's something. And since the President has named it his favorite record, add "patriotism" to its list of merits.
