The Isley Brothers

Nice little record. Not the end of the world but one hell of a lot better than the derivative
and substandard albums that the great Isley Brothers had been foisting on the public
recently. Side one is absolutely fantastic to dance to (and if you're so fookin' cool that you
can actually do the Click Clack already then this record might send you right on into the
next World Age), while side two is alright to neck by. The key to the album is th... More >

Although the three Carole King songs seem a little tame after "Ohio" and "Cold Baloney," her simple messages fit the Isleys' lyrical-to-smarmy gospel credulousness quite neatly. But it's only on the three Isley originals that top off side one that this album makes itself felt, and interestingly enough none of them could be called "progressive": "Lay Away" and "Pop That Thang" are infectious groove tunes, while "Work to Do" is a compelling assertion of male prerogatives whose dire potential was presaged in 1969, when R.B. Greaves found himself forced to swap his wife for his secretary. Love and money, love and money--it's a polarity that tears you apart even more when they give you a (long) shot at both. (Grade: B)