RS #473: George Michael – Faith

“A quick sniff test will determine if I need a little Speed Stick.”

#473

George Michael, Faith

Release Date: 1987
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes

Impressions:  After being subjected to way too much Wham! on the radio/MTV,  I mostly passed on George Michael’s solo career at the time.  I don’t actively hate him, but I’m not coming at this album as a fan.  Let’s get this over with….”Faith”  is a snappy Bo-Diddley/Elvis pop confection that is actually not bad. Actually kind of promising start. Then, we get “Father Figure,” it features lots of “production.” Same with “I Want Your Sex” (all 9 minutes of it… ugh.) “I Want Your Sex, Part 2” gets better in a low-grade Prince way but still it’s a profoundly dumb song. Cowbell. His voice is big, polished and kind of boring to me, like a 1987 keyboard.  Most of the songs are spent asking for “your sex” and the album finishes off with “A Last Request (I Want Your Sex)” just in case you didn’t get the message.Also, every cut, except for “Faith,” is at least a minute too long like the almost-ok ballad “On More Try” or throwback torch song “Kissing a Fool.” Look, it’s mostly well done in a professional sort of way I guess, but not being a teenage girl in the ’80s, this clearly was not aimed at me and hasn’t aged well. I guess can be filed under “not my bag.”

Starred Songs: “Faith”
Sneaky Track: Ehh… “I Want Your Sex, Part 2?” Anyone?
Should this album be on the list? I wouldn’t put it on. But it was huge. It’s probably not the worst album on this list.
Replace with: Either of the Fine Young Cannibals albums. They cover the same sort of Brit-pop-soul thing but are like actually enjoyable.
Will you listen to this again? No
Verdict:  Dated, big selling pop music that can be safely filed under “not my bag.”

Rating: ★★