318 - The O'Jays - Back Stabbers

[csberry]

Philly Soul at its finest folks! I was really thrilled with this album. I've liked the O'Jays, but never really felt compelled to get any of their albums. Back Stabbers is now on my "buy" list for both vinyl and CD/mp3.

The album opens with the funky soul of "When the World's at Peace" that sounds like a James Brown release with harmonies and a slightly larger band. Other tracks also follow the path of a smoother take on funk, but most of the songs are firmly in the sound of Philly Soul - rich vocal harmonies, lush strings, and an undercurrent of a funk groove. If you like 70's Hall & Oates, you are doing yourself a disservice if you haven't given Back Stabbers a listen.

Songs I knew I liked: "Back Stabbers" and "Love Train"

Songs I didn't know but now like: "Listen to the Clock on the Wall," "Mr. Lucky," "When the World's at Peace," "Shiftless, Shady, Jealous Kind of People," "Sunshine," and "Who Am I"

Songs I can go the rest of my life without hearing again: None