The Isley Brothers Albums Ranked

The Isley Brothers (/ˈaɪzliː/) are an American musical group originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, that started as a vocal trio consisting of brothers O’Kelly Isley Jr., Rudolph Isley, and Ronald Isley in the 1950s. With a career spanning over seven decades, the group has been cited as having enjoyed one of the “longest, most influential, and most diverse careers in the pantheon of popular music”. Sixteen of their albums charted in the Top 40 and thirteen of those albums have been certified gold, platinum, or multi-platinum by the RIAA. The brothers have been honored by several musical institutions, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which inducted them in 1992. Five years later, they were added to Hollywood’s Rockwall, and in 2003 they were inducted to the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. They received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. Here are all of The Isley Brothers albums ranked.

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8. It’s Our Thing

“The opener “I Know Who You Been Socking It To” is very much the brother to the title song,which was not only a defining Isley hit but a defining moment for early funk. There’s that chunky bassline at the opening and those ever present breaks. Other numbers such as “Somebody Been Messin” and “Give The Woman What They Want” have a heavy psychedelic soul edge about them with some fuzzed out guitar. At the same time uptempo jams such as “I Must Be Losing Touch”,”He’s Got Soul” as well as ballads like “Save Me”,”Feel Like The World” and “Love Is What You Make It” harken back to the Stax/Atlantic mid 60’s school of earlier funk. On the other hand “Don’t Give It Away” throws down some heavy grooving with that African boogaloo rhythmic influence that excited JB so much at this time.”

7. Twist And Shout

“The Isley Brothers had a huge hit single with “Twist And Shout”. Campy and silly as the title song is, the vocal and instrumental performances for the album are first rate. This can be said for all songs on this cd. The Brothers sang their hearts out on these cuts. Scepter put this record out during the early sixties.”

6. Go For Your Guns

“There is not a bad song on here. Opening with the funky “The Pride” followed by the haunting “Footsteps in the Dark”, check out Ernie Isley’s drum playing on this song, yeah, the man was more than just a guitar wizard. Next is the soulful “Tell Me When U Need It Again” with a nice synth beat, followed by the rockin “Climbing Up The Ladder” which includes some electrifying lead guitar playing by Ernie, who I would rate as one of the finest axmen of all time.”

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5. Brother, Brother, Brother

“Stylistically speaking, Brother, Brother, Brother is a work of transition. The Isley Brothers were founded in the fifties by the older brothers O’Kelly, Rudolph, and Ronald Isley. On Brother, Brother, Brother, the younger family members, Ernie and Marvin Isley and cousin Chris Jasper, joined the band, bringing fresh air to the band, though the new sound that would make the next album, 3 + 3 (1973), such an innovative milestone, was not yet fully realized. Nevertheless, this record is a well-aged, indeed, classic, Soul/Funk release.”

4. This Old Heart Of Mine

“Motown tried to put a lid on that. While the trio made some good records in Detroit, there’s nothing here to distinguish the Isley Brothers from several other second-string Motown acts of the day (like the Spinners, the Elgins or the Monitors). The hit title track is undeniably a classic, but the other 11 songs are too pop-flavored and streamlined for the Isley Brothers.”

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3. Shout!

“This is the beginning of greatness!!!. This is the one that started it all!!!…and music was never ever the same again!! Lively, fiery, gospel-laced and dipped in heavy rock and roll, this debut recording by the ISLEY BROTHERS is a SHOUT indeed!!!”

2. The Heat Is On

“I love the way this album flows from hard driving, electric funk-rock and then into smoother, classic acoustic balladry the way only the Isley’s could have pulled off. It’s one thing to be able to play different styles of music, but to then make them all work within the context of an album is something far different and that brings me to an often overlooked strength of the group, they also produced their on music as well. “

1. 3 + 3

“The record brings out the best in Ernie’s Guitar work and brings to life organ that was always hidden in the background. Chris’s clavinet is punchy and funky, his grand piano on Highways is simply profound. I can’t forget revived sharpness of Ronald’s vocals and the smooth blending of the Brothers with the backgrounds.”