Album: That's the Way of the World
Artist: Earth, Wind & Fire
Release Date: March 15, 1975
Genre: Funk/R&B
Length: 0:38:23
Label: Columbia Records
Producer: Maurice White/Charles Stepney
Rolling Stone Top 500 (2012): #486
Rolling Stone Top 500 (2020): #420
1,001 Album Book: Yes
I shook my booty too hard, I need to come back to Earth (Wind & Fire)...
One of the largest groups at the time, Earth, Wind & Fire with their sixth album and also the soundtrack of a film of the same name, That's the Way of the World peaked at #1 on the US Billboard Top LPs & Tape as well as the US Billboard Top Soul LPs. The album also went on to receive Triple Platinum certification in the United States.
Opening the entire album with a #1 song according to the 1975 Billboard Hot Soul Singles and Hot 100, "Shining Star" was definitely the right move to set up That's the Way of the World. The ever so slightly increasing guitar and bass groove that leads into the epic horn jab to open the song shows the listener the vast music knowledge and chemistry EWF possess. Each note of every instrument provides a layer that makes it distinctly EWF. The background instruments throughout the song provide nearly three minutes of music blissfulness with their impressive, and frankly, difficult rhythms.
And the album doesn't stop with this bliss after just the initial three minutes. Following "Shining Star", the second track "That's the Way of the World", takes the high-energy provided by the first track, tones the dial back a bit, but still gives a beautiful sense of musicianship. The high-pitched falsetto vocal performance by Maurice White is perfectly contrasted with the multiple voices giving lower tones. Along with this song, the album has a perfect amount of slower songs, like "All About Love (First Impression)" to contrast the more funky, up-beat, disco groove songs that Earth, Wind & Fire is known for perfecting.
One of these perfections is the song "Happy Feelin'". From the xylophone runs throughout parts of the song, the chorus line, the horns in the background and the saxophone solo in the middle, this song is impossible to be sad while listening to it (Guess that's why the title is "Happy Feelin'"). Within this song, there are so many moving parts, in addition to the number of band members which would typically make the production difficult, especially for 1975. The pleasantries each instrument and member brings to the listener, in not only this song, but the entire album, is impressive, technically speaking.
One thing the album struggles with is the sustained falsetto voice without any lower-end on some songs, specifically "Reasons". While the song itself is fantastic, the amount of time White spends up in the heavens with his voice, makes it hard to not long for him to come back down to Earth. Speaking of White's voice, the lyrics he sings throughout That's the Way of the World , while not the most impressive in terms of complexity, are impressive in terms of their ability to accomplish just what Earth, Wind & Fire represents: positivity, uplifting the human spirit, or something to boost your mood. This album is nearly impossible to not smile while listening to it.
I love this album so much. Every song makes me smile, dance, or groove. When a group as talented as EWF adds "Africano", a completely instrumental song, it makes the album in my opinion because you finally get to hear the full potential of each member's instrumental skills. We already knew each member of the group is disgustingly talented but this song makes it captivating to listen to because they sound so good. The natural chemistry they have with each other, especially with the sheer size of EWF is legendary to say the least. I cannot recommend this album enough, especially on a day you may be feeling particularly down due to a global pandemic that is preventing people from doing anything but listen to That's the Way of the World. Oh wait, that's every day right now, so everyday is a good day to listen to this record...
Favorite Songs: "Happy Feelin'", "Shining Star", "Africano"
Least Favorite Song: "Reasons" (not bad but the overarching high-pitched singing makes it the worst song on a fantastic record)
Production Quality:
Mix = 10/10
Innovation = 8/10
Songwriting Quality:
Arrangement = 10/10
Lyricism = 9/10 (lyrics are not complex at all, but accomplish the message they are spreading)
Instrumentation Quality:
Vocal Timbre = 7.5/10 (Some songs, White's singing can get slightly hard to listen to for sensitive ears)
Instrumental Timbre = 10/10
Group Chemistry = 10/10 (monumental amount of musicians sound this good?)
Overall Likability:
My Personal Rating = 9/10
Overall Rating: 9.25/10
Any confusion on how the rating is weighted/calculated, please look at my "About" page.
Remember this is all my opinion! Let me know if you agree, disagree or have any comments!
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