Inhale [Import]

James Michael | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 4, 2004)
• Original Release Date: October 4, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Beyond
• ASIN: B00004X0AM
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #101,260 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Inhale

2. January

3. Chemical

4. Slack

5. Luxuride

6. Note to Self

7. Another Trip Home

8. Simple Thing

9. I'm OK With This

10. Is She Really Going Out With Him?

11. Down

12. Say It Once More

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It takes a healthy ego to write and largely self-record a debut as self-assured and as musically infectious as this recording. But it takes an artist to turn that sense of self on its head, scraping the underside of the very ambition and narcissism that got him this far for inspiration and enlightenment. Meet James Michael. With not much more than a brief stint in the Riverdogs on his resumé, coupled with a discerning taste for 1970s and '80s pop-rock (not a lick of tired irony in his cover of Joe Jackson's "Is She Really Goin' Out with Him?"), Michael's musical instincts seem remarkably sound. It's tempting to toss off one of those cheap comparisons--Kurt Cobain's often fragile self-awareness crossed with Bryan Adams's refined chart-pop instincts--but that does none of the parties any justice, especially Michael himself. On a debut that sets its pop-sense bar remarkably high from the opening moments of the buoyantly self-deprecating title track, Michael peruses his soul with bemused curiosity. And if the comically imperfect relationships the singer outlines sometimes sour, he tellingly wags a finger at himself in the mirror, then shrugs it off and gets on with life. There's a bittersweet sense of honesty to his reedy ballads--witness the casual drug references that are as real as they are tragicomic. If Michael's career consistently delivers as well as this record does, he's going to have a lot to be inspired and bemused by real soon. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Disc, October 10, 2000

By 

Fred Cornell (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Inhale (Audio CD)

This is an amazing disc. The more I listen to it, the more I like it. This guy is clearly a gifted songwriter, and has bared his soul on this album. While powerfully emotive, the tunes also have incredibly catchy hooks, and a timeless rock and roll appeal that will survive long after the other trendy big hits of the day have evaporated from my consciousness. Buy this disc -- you won't regret it. I'm already looking forward to the next effort from James!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inhale, by James Michael, July 26, 2011

By 

musiclover - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Inhale (Audio CD)

I have to admit, it was very hard listening to this album the first time because I could hear the pain in his voice. I could feel what he was talking about; but that's the way he is. In all the albums I've heard him sing in, I could hear and feel the emotion he was portraying. After listening to it the second time, I realized he's not here anymore. He has moved beyond this point in his life...that made it so much easier to listen to. So sit back and listen to some good music!

5.0 out of 5 stars Genius!, September 3, 2011

By 

Tobi - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Inhale (Audio CD)

James Michael is a musician with a gift of knowing what each song needs to sound like - on this amazing solo CD he does it all himself, and it sounds perfect. This was the best CD purchase I've made this year.