ALBUM REVIEW: The Temptations - All Directions

    Typically I don't like use of the word "singles band" being levied against groups, but perhaps that's because I'm a stanch defender of groups that could certainly fit the label - The Beach Boys and The Monkees to me aren't single bands, but I've also heard everything in their respective catalogs (for better or worse, admittedly). The Temptations however, in my unfortunate estimation, are a singles group - most of their great or excellent songs can seemingly be found on a number of compilations, and after hearing what is now two albums of Temptations material, I'm not so sure there are many deep-cuts to be found. Maybe I'm just lazy, but it doesn't help that All Directions is lacking in just that. The best songs on this album were seemingly released as singles, which leaves the rest of the album in filler valley, far too unsubstantial or interesting to justify itself. This is their crowning accomplishment? Better than Cloud Nine? Bullshit.

    While the majority of All Directions is, in my humble opinion, pure fuller, the first half of the album really does have material that is worth hearing. Opening track "Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On" was a B-Side to "Mother Nature" prior to the album's release, and how this song wasn't the A-Side truly baffles me, considering that it's at least 50 times better than "Mother Nature" with it's texture rhythm, energetic chorus vocals, and is coated in funk rhythms - one of a few songs that really does bring The Temptations into the 1970s with momentum. "I Ain't Got Nothing" is a fun little soul tune, and while it's not anything special (much like most of the album), you've got to give it a little credit for having some solid background vocals - if it weren't for this song, there would be no reason to flip the record over. Past that, the obvious standout (and the only real reason to pick this up at your local flea market) is the 12-minute "Papa Was a Rolling Stone," a smooth and rambling funk rendition of the classic tune, and may very well be The Temptations' ultimate achievement.

    Past the first side of the album, though, what is there really? I'll tell you - a whole bunch of filler. All the momentum and energy from the climatic and truly excellent "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" is effectively shot in the foot with the complete lack of momentum or energy on the album's second half. "The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face" seems to be a popular tune, but I've heard what must be 100 soul songs that sound like this - why would I listen to this over Curtis Mayfield, again? "Love Woke Me Up This Morning" isn't bad, but there's such a lack of... anything that makes me really want to hear it again. "Mother Nature" was, as previously mentioned, a single released ahead of the album - again, how was this the A-Side over "Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On"? If you've heard one of these songs, you've effectively heard them all. Perhaps the forgettable "Run Charlie Run" on the first half was simply foreshadowing for the complete snooze-fest that was to follow.

    I've been around The Temptations all my life - my dad would play some of their earlier Motown hits in the car when I was younger - so I've always had some respect for their rich harmonies and musical talent. Even still, I can't look past the tepid nature of All Directions, which is complete filler outside of the singles that highlighted the album - well, one single and a B-Side, but still. Surely The Temptations could modernize with the 70s and funk, but that seemingly wasn't the direction they went with - I couldn't tell you what the direction was here, except for in one ear and out the other. 

RATING: ✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯

Listen to All Directions.