Marvin Gaye "What's Goin' On" [1971]

Let it serve as a lesson to all recording artists: if you're trying to make an album with topical, modern urgency, it's best not to float off into catatonic fake-jazz wank. Gaye spends so much time meandering through synth lines in "What's Goin' On," Stevie Wonder would find it embarrassing. ("What's Goin' On," indeed -- I sure as hell couldn't figure it out.) Then again, it's better than the actual songs, which all sound the same and prove how much of a rut Gaye was in (not that the rest of his music is against "rutting," however). Besides, you'd think a Romeo like this guy would have a clue that nothing kills a good fuck-fest like talking politics.