Is Gorilla a good place to start with James Taylor?

Yes, Gorilla is recommended as a starting point for new James Taylor listeners. A blend of soft rock and jazz-funk, where introspective lyrics meet lush melodies and smooth rhythms. By the time 'Gorilla' was released in 1975, James Taylor was enjoying commercial success following his acclaimed album 'Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon'. This album marked a continuation of his exploration into diverse musical styles, including jazz influences that emerged during this phase of his career. It solidified his presence as a prominent figure in the singer-songwriter movement of the 1970s.

Gorilla works well if you're into sunny afternoon relaxation, easygoing sing-along moments and warm vibes for gatherings.

How many songs are on Gorilla?

Gorilla has 11 tracks, running approximately 39 minutes.

Gorilla

James Taylor · 1975

39 min · 11 tracks · country music

A blend of soft rock and jazz-funk, where introspective lyrics meet lush melodies and smooth rhythms.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
How Sweet It Is (to Be Loved by You) — This cheerful cover is not only a standout hit but embodies Taylor's ability to infuse warmth and joy into classic pop standards, showcasing his engaging vocal delivery.
→
Lighthouse — With its reflective lyrics and soothing melody, this track captures Taylor's signature introspection while highlighting his skillful guitar work and emotional depth.
→
Mexico Start here — This song offers a breezy, laid-back feel that captures the essence of escapism, reflecting Taylor's knack for storytelling through vivid imagery and catchy hooks.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album blends soft rock and jazz-funk but lacks strong cohesion in its pacing.

What we noticed

The album opens with a lively track, 'Mexico', that features a prominent horn section and upbeat tempo, setting a vibrant tone.
Several tracks, like 'How Sweet It Is (to Be Loved by You)', incorporate smooth jazz-funk elements, blending rhythmic grooves with Taylor's soft rock style.
The sequencing includes slower, introspective songs like 'Wandering' and 'I Was a Fool to Care', which create a contrast with the more upbeat tracks.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

sunny afternoon relaxation
easygoing sing-along moments
warm vibes for gatherings

Maybe skip if you

seeking intense emotional highs
prefer fast-paced listening

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album solidified Taylor's commercial success and included a defining hit.
Themes: sun-drenched nostalgia· soulful romance
Career context: By the time 'Gorilla' was released in 1975, James Taylor was enjoying commercial success following his acclaimed album 'Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon'. This album marked a continuation of his exploration into diverse musical styles, including jazz influences that emerged during this phase of his career. It solidified his presence as a prominent figure in the singer-songwriter movement of the 1970s.
Stylistic neighbors: Carole King· Jackson Browne· Jim Croce