The Miracles - Don't Cha Love It (1975/2022)

The Miracles' third LP without Smokey Robinson's leadership was the weakest to date. Attempting to ride the same formula that propelled "Do It Baby" up the R&B charts, the syrupy Don't Cha Love It, produced by Freddie Perren, falls short. Perren used Christine Yarian as his primary lyricist on this collection, and her words simply fail to impact. The vocal arrangements, handled by Perren, didn't suit the Miracles' voices or style. There are always a few good spots on mediocre LPs, and this one has some; "Brokenhearted Girl Brokenhearted Boy" and "You Are Love" are pleasant enough, but listening to the whole album non-stop will have you reaching for the Tylenol.