362. Luther Vandross, "Never Too Much"

 


Sometimes with these albums I feel like I'm really just not getting it, you know?  I mean, people who sound like they know what they're talking about said this album was "a watershed moment for the modern R&B genre," and I'm sure that's true!  But it just did nothing for me.  Vandross certainly has a great voice, and the production is super-slick (if very, very dated) and everything's all right there but it just never clicked for me.

I didn't love this album, or even really like it, but there were a few elements I admired: the bass playing throughout is punchy and propulsive; I like the staccato rhythm guitar on "Sugar and Spice;" and the title track has a nice groove.  Part of my problem, think, (as I alluded to) is that this album sounds incredibly dated now.  The production is very 80's, with the 80's elements you expect, and it's disco-adjacent, which is not my fave.  I don't know, maybe if I was more into R&B I'd like this more.  And I feel kinda bad.  The album is likeable and wants you to like it so bad!  I'm sorry, Never Too Much.  We just aren't a match.

Does this album deserve to be in the Top 500? Sadly, no, not really.  I'm not even sure somebody who likes it would say it belongs in the Top 500.  

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