James Taylor’s album “Gorilla” still plays in the minds of many fans. Photo from Therollingstone.com.
Are you feeling stressed with school work or worrying about the growing number of COVID-19 cases? Take a step back and unwind with “Gorilla” by James Taylor. Released in 1975, this album is perfect for relaxing on a nice afternoon or spending time with friends. I grew up listening to James Taylor at home, and “Gorilla” has some of my favorite tracks by him.
“Gorilla” opens with “Mexico,” a happy, beachy track reminiscent of Jimmy Buffett; in fact, Buffett covered this song in 1995. Taylor’s calming vocals really help the carefree mood of this song come through. “Lighthouse” features some incredible harmonies and great guitar, while “Music” is a great acoustic song all about having a good time and enjoying life.
“Wandering” is a peaceful song all about self-discovery through James’ life story, struggles with drug addiction, family issues and searching for his identity. The title track of the album, “Gorilla,” is a silly song about a gorilla going for a stroll around town. Taylor portrays the gorilla as a sympathetic, misunderstood character, alone in a new world, perhaps as a reflection of himself. Similarly, “Angry Blues” is a funky track that focuses on Taylor’s annoyance with life and love where he accepts that he may not always feel good.
“I Was a Fool to Care” is a classic James Taylor song, dealing with heartbreak and friendship. James describes himself as a fool, but he claims that you can’t be a fool if you’re in love. “Love Songs” opens with some melancholy flutes and nice guitars but changes to a soft, melodic song that is very nice to listen to. “How Sweet it is (To Be Loved by You)” is a bluesy love song that is really catchy, making it chart in the top 10 on Billboard’s top 100, along with “Mexico.”
“You Make it Easy” is a soft R&B love song featuring some great background instrumentals, including piano and saxophone. The final song “Sarah Maria” is a song for a woman in James’ life who he cares about deeply, James misses her, but he knows that Sarah will always be there for him.
Tracklist
Mexico
Music
How Sweet It is (To be loved by you)
Wandering
Gorilla
You Make It Easy
I Was a Fool to Care
Lighthouse
Angry Blues
Love Songs
Sarah Maria
Final Thoughts: James Taylor shows his struggles throughout this album and that vulnerability is what makes it so great. “Gorilla” is a very sentimental and nostalgic album for me; it’s great to listen to when you want to unwind and let go of responsibilities for a while. I really recommend “Gorilla” if you need to relax, especially during confusing and stressful times.
Rating: 8.7/10
We’re taking recommendations for movies, shows and music for me to review!
Reach out to us on twitter: Ronan Himelrick at @ronanrhodycigar or the entertainment section at @URICigarEnt