AMG Review of Definitive Collection

Steve Leggett
All Music Guide

Solid and steady hitmakers for Motown in the late 1960s, the Four Tops, led by the deep, soulful voice of Levi Stubbs and blessed with A-line songs from the Holland-Dozier-Holland writing team, were one of the finest singing groups the label ever produced. Singles like "Reach Out I'll Be There," "Standing in the Shadows of Love," "Bernadette," "I Can't Help Myself," and the wise-beyond-its-era "It's the Same Old Song" were radio staples in their time, and actually still continue to be staples on 21st century oldies stations. That's staying power, and it's no accident. The songs, at least the singles, were good and the Tops' sound was a hair rougher and edgier than a lot of Motown's issues at the time. It was a winning combination. This set has all of the above songs, each of which is essential, and plenty of other stuff that isn't quite so essential (the Four Tops were really a singles act -- their LPs tended to have a fair amount of filler). It also doesn't have anything the group recorded after they left Motown, but the Four Tops' peak years were at Motown anyway, so for most listeners, this set will be just fine.