Michael Bolton

Michael Bolton | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000025UD
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #50,931 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Arena Rocker That Got Away, January 29, 2000

By 

Jeremy (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Michael Bolton (Audio CD)

Pop (no pun intended) in Michael Bolton's 1983 album - his first for Columbia - and the husbands of those middle-aged, die-hard housewives may look up from their newspaper. This is NOT recognizable Michael Bolton, for the most part. It is NOT for the adult contemporary market. It is a metal-tinged rock album that should have made Bryan Adams and Journey quiver in their spandex. Critics argue that each song on this album is identically produced. While I agree that the overall concept rarely strayed from guitar-driven, drum-pounding, angelic chorus laden rock tunes, I believe it works for the style. Every song maintains its own identity, with Bolton belting out arguably his best vocals ever. "Fool's Game", the leadoff track, was a hit on AOR playlists around the world. Why don't we remember? Because it was AOR, and it didn't catch on for another couple of years. Bolton was ahead of his time, to put it simply. There are other highlights on the album - the mellower but no-less-rocking "She Did the Same Thing," "Hometown Hero" - which I feel is the album's strongest point - the fast-paced and melodic "Paradise," and even the slightly softer "Carrie," with its enticing chorus that stays in your head for hours on end. So while he was churning out songs for established artists, Michael Bolton was making waves in the AOR world. This album is every indication of this, with a strong set of material and a great performance by an all-too-often criticized artist.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Michael Bolton Rocks! Well, sort of..., January 10, 2008

By 

Justin Gaines (Northern Virginia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Michael Bolton (Audio CD)

This may seem hard to believe (or downright absurd), but there was a time when skullet-wearing crooner Michael Bolton was considered a hard rock singer. Shocking but true, a few years ago I came across a heavy metal sampler album (and I mean a vinyl album) from the early 80's that featured one or two of his songs. I'd never go so far as to call him metal (the universe might implode), but I'll admit that his self-titled 1983 album was much more rocking than I expected.

The album is essentially an AOR album along the lines of Survivor or Loverboy, though nowhere near as good as those bands. Bolton and a competent crew of session musicians and songwriters (including Bob and Bruce Kulick and Aldo Nova) served up nine fairly solid rock songs, complete with catchy guitar hooks, solos, and a liberal use of keyboards. And to be quite honest, Bolton's voice is pretty well suited for this kind of music.

The rock phase wouldn't last, and Bolton soon became renowned for crooning sappy ballads to millions of housewives. I suppose he laughed all the way to the bank though. Still, if you're a fan of 80's AOR, this is an album worth checking out.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Bolton's rockin out the tunes! Good Aor/Melodic metal!, March 4, 2005

By 

Bass player Brad "Rad Metal Brad" (NJ, Linden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Michael Bolton (Audio CD)

This was Bolton's 3rd album ever and it is certainly a breath of fresh air from that Bolton all those old chicks talk about!So listen up all you Aor listeners this is the Bolton that should have been.Hard rock/Aor.Bolton belts out some pretty good rockers on this release.
1.Fools Game(9/10)This song really grows on you.A great Aor metal gem.The guitars and keyborads sound great!You should see the video,you wouldn't even know it's Bolton!Big Hair,Guitar Leather and all!
2.She did the Same Thing(9/10)Another solid ballad rocker under Bolton's belt.Kicks the crap out of his adult contemporary stuff!
3.Hometown Hero(7/10)Not bad,Solid rocker with more guitar solos from Bolton!
4.Can't Hold on,Can't let Go(8/10)Cool song.More great guitar work!
5.Fighting for My Life(8/10)Another solid rockin song!
6.Paradise(7/10)Pretty good upbeat song,more guitar work from Bolton!
7.Back in my Arms Again(6/10)Little below par.Still a fun song though.Better than today's music by miles!
8.Carrie(10/10)One of the catchiest songs.The chorus is great and so is everything else on this track.If you love the 80's this will appeal to you largely!Suberb song, you can't help but sing a long with it!
9.I Almost believed You(4/10)This is the worst song on here.A very slow ballad!
I will say in the end this cd is worth owning.80's melodic metal fans and Aor fans should like this.It's very cool to hear Bolton before he became Bolton.