Customer Reviews

Freeek 1

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

George returns to the dancefloor with his new single "Freeek!"... I'm a longtime fan, and didn't really know what to expect out of George (especially after the extremely undanceable- and I don't mean that in a bad way- last album). I have to admit that I sort of said "Hmmmmm" the first time I heard "Freeek", but by the second time I listened to it I was clicking with it.

George revists familiar sexual territory here- some of the lyrics might make a Republican blush (and that's a good thing). If you have not seen the video, go search it out on the Internet because it is one of the most stunning videos ever made. George is at the top of his game here. I must disagree with the reviewer that thinks George is just trying to keep up with the teen pop singers... nothing could be further from the truth. George has been putting out this sort of slammin' dance music for YEARS now- when Britney, Christina, and 'NSync were in kindergarten. There is no need for George to try and keep up with them because he is clearly on a completely different level.

Writer, producer, master musician... George has got it ALL going on. Don't miss out on one of the best songs of 2002!

like vanessa williams before him, george michael has managed to not only survive full-blown scandal, but actually emerge, like a phoenix from the flames, shining more brilliantly than ever. in michael's instance, rather than becomming a broadway sweetheart, he's become a siren of sexual liberation, touting the virtues of sex in public, sex with strangers and virtual sex. "freek" is a techno-organic romp through the cybersex landscape complete with danceable beats that recall aaliyah's "try again." i can't wait to see the video!

So first we had "I Want Your Sex" back in 1987 (the track was about wanting sex - just as the title suggests), then he took a break from singing about smut until 1996 when "Fastlove" came out (the track about one night stands). After that we had the whole "scandal" which gave us "Outside" (where George sings about the joys of public sex). Now we have "Freeek!", the track about online sex (at least I think that's what its about - it references quite a lot of computer jargon).

1) Original Explicit Version - 4:33 - a slow and sleazy techno beat is the star of this single. George's vocals are pretty decent, not much in the singing department, for most of the lyrics seem to be spoken (well, they're sung in a very low, very slow style - akin to sexy talk). I don't think that this one will find a home on US airwaves - even with some serious editing of the lyrics! - for it doesn't really fit into any sort of format. Think Nine Inch Nails "Closer" for an idea. I do think that this is quite a good offering from George and should be given a chance. This song is very sample friendly though! It incorporates elements of Aaliyah's "Try Again", Q-Tip's "Breathe And Stop" & Kool & The Gang's "NT".

2) The Scumfrogs Mix - 6:41 - The Scumfrogs present us with a dark & moody house track here. Mostly vocal free - the chants of "Can I Move On In?" being the refrain most often used here (there are other vocal snippets used, but that one stands out the most). And although the track may be dark & moody, it doesn't do very much. It's good for filler, and may work well in some clubs, but for fans I don't think it's what they'll be looking for.

3) Moogymen Mix - 8:29 - This mix has more of a funky feel to it than the Scumfrogs mix, which works to it's advantage. Clubs may be quicker to embrace this one than they will the Scumfrogs mix. Again, we're presented with a mostly vocal free track. Yes, vocal snippets are used throughout the mix again, but nothing to really hold your attention. There are some better rhythm sections in this version and there seems to be more going on with the music than in the other mix.

This is a good offering from George, but if you're only planning on picking up one of the two discs offered, may I suggest picking up disc 2 - you get the original mix of "Freeek!", the Max Reich mix & a live version of "The Long & Winding Road".
This would've been a four star disc, but loses one star for the boring, vocal-free mixes included here.

`For the record, I really like George Michael and his music, but this song... I didn't like it at all. Lyrics is very cheesy, video is overproduced, something that Michael Jackson would make. I really don't care for mixes in this single. I guess justifying the "bathroom incident" with Outside was not enough, and he lowered himself to remind listeners that he is a freak (or "freeek" or whatever). Sound is certainly new and I like it. It sounds like he picked up from Faith era to`` sound more like Prince, but I really don't think I need anymore songs to confirm that he is a "sexual freak." He already made his point long time ago. Why bother reminding it again and again. On the good note, Freeek 2 CD is far superior single since it has "The Long & Winding Road," beautiful song truly showing his beautiful voice.`

Seomthing sexy, you can dance too, call me happy.. As for the pervious reviewer speaking of a totally other single, grow up.. this is America, we are free to express ourselves... Get this CD, it's freeky! :P

I've been a fan of George since 1984 and I'm used to his ever changing style, his beautiful remixes and everything but here with the scumfrog mixes, he turns it into a complete failure and I'm relieved not to have purchased this. The original version of the song is a delight...once you get used to it and it really gets into your mind but those mixes are just awful, the beautiful voice is removed and it is only noise basically. I am very surprised that George blames the record company for the failure of this single when in fact he is to be blamed for having it remixed by that bunch of talentless guys. Come on now, George, listen to those mixes and wake up!

In a sense, George really went off the deep end with this 2002 song "Freeek!"--it's an absolutely intense, overwhelmingly ominous, thumping dance track that can barely be classified as mid-tempo, plus it's loaded with expletives--not exactly the most radio-friendly track you ever came across. It's true that sometimes less is more, but "Freeek!" shows that sometimes over-the-top is the way to go. This track is absolutely explosive and gets under your skin big time, stuffed with insanely catchy hooks, and unhinged sexual lyrics which make "I Want Your Sex" seem like baby food in comparison. It's rather surprising to see this song coming from George at this point in his career, because what he's really doing here is turning back to clocks to the tongue-in-cheek days of early Wham!. George has been determinted to mature musically over the years, and he has done so to terrific effect, and yet "Freeek!" ranks with "Wham! Rap" & other tracks from Wham!'s debut album as the most over-the-top thing George has ever done. And being the incredible artist he is, George stunningly pulls it off. With the computer terminology of the track, "Freeek!" is obviously about cybersex, and it's done in a wonderfully intense way, and yet with George's tongue firmly in cheek. Some may indeed cry "sell out" and/ or find this to be a regression for Michael, because if you're looking for the rewarding sophistication that's in abundance on his "Older" album, forget it. But what the hell, this is an irresistible track--the way George pulls it off is characteristic of his enormous talent, yet it's still beyond all belief. One thing though that I can't forget to mention is that George is still in absolute peak form vocally here.

If you own both "Freeek!" 1 & "Freeek! 2, you're all set; however, all the contents of those 2 CD singles are found on the 5 track version of "Freeek!", thus making it the ideal version to have and highly recommended.

Just when you think the "freak" theme couldn't be played out any further, George Michael delivers this robotic, seductive r&b stomper which is easily his raunchiest single to date. While not as groovilicious as "Fastlove" or as catchy as "Outside," "Freeek" does push Michael to new heights. This single is backed by a couple mixes. The more effective of which is the second track, which is basically an underground-ish house dub mix.

past first Songs were "FastLove"&"Outside".this Ain't it.this Song is like "Monkey" Part 2 Meets Trent Rezinor Meets Madonna "Erotica&Ray OF Light".Meaning safe Predictable Music.this song is More Hype than Happening to me.look to hearing the rest of the Album&Hope it gets better.He is a Good Songwriter,Vocalist,Arranger&Producer but His True Talents aren't showcased here fully at all.

Mr Michael is not without ego. In the video for the soon not to be released in the US single 'Shoot The Dog', he not only deems himself worthy of standing next to the likes of President Bush and Prime-Minister Blair on the Whitehouse lawn, but is conspicuously taller than both of them put together. The ridiculing of his polemic he attributes to homophobia over a brush with the law that happened four years ago. I think it's his lack of contrition that bothers people, as illustrated by his less than edifying dance routine around some urinals in another would-be 'controversial' video. After all, if you have no respect for the rule of law, it's a bit rich to start worrying about the state of democracy. Perhaps it is this perceived homophobia that makes Mr Michael refer to himself as a 'sexual freeek!' On this CD. I saw the video for it in a megastore the other day and was therefore able to listen without prejudice. Well, I didn't have much choice. And I must say I rather liked it in a teutonic sort of way. I think they call it techno. Short for techno-lolology. Here, Mr Michael wisely steers clear of politics and shakes his not inconsiderable booty and periclinal moustache in what looks like some sort of cyber-space universe. In cyber-space you can be anyone and anything can happen. Perhaps in this universe Britain is a superpower on equal par to America, thus satisfying the conditions for Tony Blair to form an alliance with George Bush, with Mr Michael's permission, of course. Remember, as you will not be seeing in the 'Shoot The Dog' video, the pecking order is God then George then the other, lesser known George and then the dog and then Tony. Even then, I expect God to appear shorter in stature to Mr Michael. However, I'm sure that if you are in the right mood, that is in a tank crossing the Polish border, you may find yourself charmed by this little ditty. It goes *Chud-chud-chud*, something like that. And if you don't like it you can appease your good taste with the certain knowledge that in the Matrix you can always unplug people. Then they [pass on]. Simple really, politics. Sexual, or otherwise.