| Heroes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | June 1980 | |||
| Genre | Soul, R&B, gospel | |||
| Length | 43:26 | |||
| Label | Motown | |||
| Producer | James Anthony Carmichael, The Commodores | |||
| The Commodores chronology | ||||
| ||||
Heroes is the eighth studio album by the Commodores, released in June 1980 by Motown Records. It has been certified platinum in the US by the RIAA. [1] [2]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [3] |
| Robert Christgau | B [4] |
| Smash Hits | 9/10 [5] |
With a 9 out of 10 rating, Bev Hillier of Smash Hits called Heroes "a highly polished, versatile album." [5] Phyl Garland of Stereo Review praised the album, writing: "On it they explore a broad range of subjects and show a willingness to tackle material that is not so obviously tailored to ride the charts. Furthermore, they have gone beyond the simplistic boy -loves -girl and dance -dance -dance lyrics that are the formula staples of contemporary soul music. The album offers plenty of the kind of soul funk we have come to expect of the Commodores, performed with stunning precision, but there are also some interesting variations." [6] Robert Christgau of The Village Voice gave a B, describing Heroes as "an improvement. For one thing, most of the brotherhood anthems--which avoid the gender-specific, actually, with lots of "people," "folks," and "y'all"--have a somewhat more rousing beat than "Three Times a Lady." And on the fond "Old-Fashion Love" and the cold-hearted "Sorry to Say," the brothers remind Lionel that this is still supposed to be a funk band." [4]
Heroes was nominated for a Grammy award in the category of Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. [7]
Record World said of the title track that "Lionel Ritchie sings with loving sincerity." [8] Record World said of "Old-Fashion Love" that "Multi-octave vocal carousing and a funky percussion backdrop provide the setting on this plea for some premium love." [9] Record World called the single "Jesus Is Love" an "inspirational ballad." [10]
Commodores
Additional personnel
| 1980 | Billboard US R&B | 3 |
| Billboard US Pop | 7 | |
| Sweden | 26 [11] | |
| Holland | 44 [12] | |
| New Zealand | 45 [13] | |
| Australia | 94 [14] |
| Year | Single | Chart positions [15] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | US Dance | ||
| 1980 | "Old-Fashion Love" | 20 | 8 | — |
| "Heroes" | 54 | 27 | — | |
| "Jesus Is Love" | - | 34 | — | |
Commodores, often billed as The Commodores, is an American funk and soul group. The group's most successful period was in the late 1970s and early 1980s when Lionel Richie was the co-lead singer.
Caught in the Act is the second studio album by The Commodores, released in 1975. Caught in the Act included the #1 R&B hit "Slippery When Wet", penned by Thomas McClary, the sextet's lead guitarist.
Commodores is the fifth studio album by the Commodores, released in 1977. The album spent eight weeks at the top of the R&B/soul albums chart, the second of their albums to do so, and was their first Top 5 pop album. There is also a previously released extended version.
Hot on the Tracks is the fourth studio album by the Commodores, released by Motown Records in 1976. It includes the Top Ten pop single "Just to Be Close to You". The album was the band's first #1 album on the R&B albums chart.
Lionel Richie is the debut solo studio album by American singer Lionel Richie, released on October 6, 1982, on Motown Records. Originally intended as a side project at the suggestion of Motown, it was recorded and released while Richie was still a member of the Commodores; he left the group shortly after the album's release. The first single from the album, "Truly", topped the Billboard Hot 100. Follow-up single "You Are" reached number four, and "My Love" reached number five. The album reached number one on the Cashbox albums chart on December 11, 1982.
Can't Slow Down is the second solo studio album by American recording artist Lionel Richie. It was released on October 11, 1983, by Motown Records.
Natural High is the sixth studio album by the musical group Commodores, released in 1978. "Three Times a Lady", released as a single, became their first Billboard Hot 100 number one. The album topped Billboard's R&B Album charts for 8 non-consecutive weeks and peaked at number three on the Billboard 200.
Machine Gun is the debut studio album by Commodores, released on July 22, 1974, on Motown Records.
Go All the Way is an album by the Isley Brothers, released on their T-Neck imprint on April 19, 1980.
Midnight Magic is the seventh studio album by the musical group the Commodores, released in 1979. The album was certified Gold in the UK by the BPI. Midnight Magic was Grammy nominated in the category of Best R&B Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus.
Commodores 13 is the tenth studio album by the Commodores, released in 1983 on Motown Records. It's also the first album by the band after the departure of Lionel Richie, who began his solo career in 1982.
Nightshift is the 11th studio album by the Commodores, released by Motown Records on January 15, 1985. It was the group's last album on the Motown label before switching to Polydor.
"Too Hot ta Trot" is a song by R&B/funk band, the Commodores. The song is written in E major.
Movin' On is the third studio album by the Commodores, released by Motown Records in 1975.
In the Pocket is the ninth studio album by the American R&B/Funk group the Commodores, released by Motown Records in 1981.
Endless Love: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the soundtrack album to the film of the same name. The album was released worldwide by Mercury Records and PolyGram in 1981.
Share Your Love is a studio album by country singer Kenny Rogers, released in 1981. Produced by Lionel Richie, it is also Rogers' first with Liberty Records besides his Greatest Hits album. The album has sold nine million copies worldwide.
Two Places at the Same Time is the third studio album by Raydio, the group led by Ray Parker Jr.
James Anthony Carmichael is an American Grammy-winning musician, arranger, and record producer. At first he started off in Los Angeles as an arranger and producer for Motown acts like The Temptations and the Jackson 5. Carmichael went on to attain fame in arranging and producing artists such as the Commodores, Atlantic Starr, Diana Ross and Lionel Richie.
The Very Best of The Commodores is the seventh compilation album by American funk/soul band Commodores, released in 1995 on Motown Records. The album charted at No. 26 on the UK Pop Albums chart and at No. 39 on the New Zealand Pop Albums chart. The album has been certified Silver in the UK by the BPI.