What's Going On [40th Anniversary Edition] - Marvin Gaye
User Score
8.5 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 27 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 27
  3. Negative: 3 out of 27

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  1. marsb4
    Aug 15, 2011
    10
    In 1972 Marvin Gaye defied the odds. He took a risk which was to generate a political yet, socially conscience album. It was something that was very uncommon in that era, but he accomplish a lot with this album. The album is a classic on a lot of levels especially soul and r&b. Almost 40 yrs later he has earned a top 6 spot on rolling stones 500 best albums of all time and Grammy awards. Reserve this album I promise you will not regret it.… Expand
  2. j30
    Dec 12, 2011
    10
    Marvin Gaye's 1971 landmark album really is a great album, there's no debating that. Whether you're into smooth jazz or soul in general, this is the nectar of the Gods. My personal favorite track comes from the mellow funk groove "Inner City Blues." This record is definitely worth your time.
  3. JeffLebowski
    Aug 10, 2011
    8
    I'm gonna get crucified for this, but this album is perhaps a tad overrated - the title track overshadows anything else by a mile, and there is a fair amount that slips into smooth background music. Nevertheless, enormously influential and a landmark release, and everyone should give it a listen as a matter of course.
  4. asbeloliver
    Apr 13, 2012
    10
    Marvin Gaye along magnificent career records published as "Let` s Get It On, or "Here My Dear" but "What ¨ s Going On" reached the height of his career and achieved something that few artists achieve, innovate ... create, both musically and production (1971) without forgetting the message of the work, an absolutely revolutionary (Vietnam). one of the greatest albums ever made.
  5. QuintonB
    Jan 4, 2013
    10
    You can never go wrong with a little Marvin Gaye, reissue or not. This album shows a king at the height of his prime; an athlete at his physical peak. It's also one of the most influential albums all time, perhaps the album that cemented Gaye's place in history. A near perfect classic.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
100 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 10 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Q Magazine
    Aug 9, 2011
    80
    It still sounds fabulous and relevant too, though this Super Deluxe Edition with lots of superfluous add-ons and a super £50-plus price tag to match is surely for completists only. [Aug 2011, p.133]
  2. Rolling Stone
    Aug 4, 2011
    100
    Greatest protest album ever made? Most stirring soul-music symphony? Yes and yes. And then some.
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  3. Spin
    Aug 4, 2011
    90
    An indelible quiet-storm jeremiad.
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