Rating:
Genre:
R&B
Release Date: 09/23/2008
Solid and steady hitmakers for
Motown in the late 1960s,
the Four Tops, led by the deep, soulful voice of
Levi Stubbs and blessed with A-line songs from the
Holland-Dozier-Holland writing team, were one of the finest singing groups the label ever produced. Singles like
"Reach Out I'll Be There," "Standing in the Shadows of Love," "Bernadette," "I Can't Help Myself," and the wise-beyond-its-era
"It's the Same Old Song" were radio staples in their time, and actually still continue to be staples on 21st century oldies stations. That's staying power, and it's no accident. The songs, at least the singles, were good and
the Tops' sound was a hair rougher and edgier than a lot of
Motown's issues at the time. It was a winning combination. This set has all of the above songs, each of which is essential, and plenty of other stuff that isn't quite so essential (
the Four Tops were really a singles act -- their LPs tended to have a fair amount of filler). It also doesn't have anything the group recorded after they left
Motown, but
the Four Tops' peak years were at
Motown anyway, so for most listeners, this set will be just fine.
~Steve Leggett, All Music Guide
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