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Product Details
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Flitting between fraught ballads and up-tempo adult pop (the misguided sample-laden singles "Freeek!" and "Shoot the Dog" being the unnecessary exceptions), George here returns to the structure and mood of 1990s Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1. Patience is at its most delicate and moving with its title track, the intense, tabloid-attacking "Through" and the painful family memories of "My Mother Had a Brother." To balance this, hearts will be raised by "Amazing," with its echoes of the Bee Gees, "Round Here," in which George remembers his early days scampering around Bushey with Andrew Ridgley, and "Cars and Trains," which celebrates the kind of lifestyle that so riled the LAPD back in 1998. That's the thing about George Michael these days. Love him or loathe him, he is unapologetically himself. And fans should be very grateful for that. --Dominic Wills
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
81 of 84 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Patience pays off,
By
This review is from: Patience (Audio CD)
My review may be a bit biased being a fan since the early days of Wham!. With his newest release "Patience" fans and listeners get to see a rounded out George, complete with dance hits and introspective ballads. "Amazing" & "Flawless" are sure to get your toes tapping, and "Amazing" already boasts dance mixes that are snappy. "Shoot the Dog" and "Freeek" were released as singles, and although I scooped them up, didn't appreciate them as much as I do now. If you can get past the controversy of "Shoot the Dog" you just might find yourself enjoying this song. "Patience" is almost a biographical tour de force of George's life, ranging from family death ("My Mother had a Brother), George's life in London ("Round Here), an homage to his departed partner ("Please send me someone--Anselmo's Song) and a thank you to his Texan Partner ("American Angel"). Of the ballads "Precious Box", "American Angel" and "Please send me Someone" really struck home and I found myself truly listening to not just the song itself but the words behind it. As an aside "Please send me Someone" is brilliantly arranged, without a hint of sappiness that could have made this song heavy. One of the dedications of this album is to the patient fans who waited many long years for this solo release. George Michael's releases have been few and far between, but I'd rather them be solid memorable albums such as these, than a forgettable flash in the pan. I hope that listeners will look beyond the pop 80's star with a checkered history and rediscover an artist.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Good Dose of Thoughtful, Honest Songcraft,
By
This review is from: Patience (Audio CD)
George Michael has always been ballsy; even when in Wham!, he was a perfectionist who refused to suffer the banality of the music business, forcing his way to the production boards and doing what he does best: crafting immortal records. Ten years before TLC, he signed himself into slavery with a small and greedy label, knowing that the power of his success would sooner or later attract a bigger label (with bigger lawyers...) to pull him out of it. Then when Sony wanted to dictate marketing obligations (despite the fact that the artist usually pays for such things as well as having to endure them), he took them on, too, knowing full well he could lose but needing to get the air cleared. When "the incident" occurred, he made lemonade (and one of the best damn club records of the decade, make that video, too!) from a lemon situation. (Note-I meant nothing by "making lemonade" but it's too good to pass) In the process he "one-upped" Sony enough that they wanted him back after the much publicised split. They got him back, but I'll tell you i know it wasn't on the cheap! Despite the fact that George was clinically depressed and feeling creatively dry at the time, he dutifully fulfilled his obligations to Dreamworks with a sublime, understated effort that will hold great catalogue value for that label in years to come. He doesn't hold a grudge, he just wants to create his art HIS way and get the same respect he gives. Which is really where "Patience" comes in...
George has collected thoughts and observations over the last few years and applied his genius talent for writing and recording to a savory and substantial assortment of musical vignettes which run the gamut in terms of music, politics, and places in life. There is something here for everyone, and all offered with loving honesty and a caring dose of cynicism that is always balanced with the knowledge that something better is out there. George is loath to express misery for it's own sake, and there is always a nobility to his negative observations. For example, "Precious Box" obstensibly tells the tale of a lonely worker whose only refuge, make that only COMPANIONSHIP is the daily dose of celebrity that shines behind the glass of his t.v. screen (this theme pops up more on the album...). The techno-driven music is some of the best damn composing he's ever done, building a monotonous and icy tension perfectly-synched with the lyrical delivery and, like the protagonist in the song, heating to near meltdown without really collapsing. The lyric sees all sides of the celebrity/paparazzi /stalker issue in exacting detail, while offering useful commentary in the process. I don't think George has ever been near-psychotic and isolated in a flat with a t.v. as a shrine, but he GETS what such a person would go through. That's what has always set him apart, even as a "pop" star. He has a genuine grasp of humanity that far too many of his contemporaries prefer to fake for the occasional photo op. Counterbalancing "Precious Box", the whisper-soft title track "Patience" grasps the complexity of human viewpoints that compose the current East-West conflict. I'm near sure that both songs will go 'over the head" of people most needing to listen to them, but a true artist does not pander to the masses, he will please them in time. George does this brilliantly with the haunting, life-affirming "Amazing", which was running non-stop in my head for months. It's well-titled, original and a true breath of fresh air. Why it wasn't a big hit Stateside I'll never know... Space prevents commentary on every track, but I've got to mention "Shoot the Dog" (reportedly absent on the US version. My copy is an Argentine import) and "Flawless". Among George's many musical talents (singing, writing horn parts, meticulously choosing the CLASSIEST synth sounds)is his singular and downright classy nack for using samples in way that ADDS prestige to the sampled material as well as enhancing his own composition without overpowering either in the process. With George, everyone gets paid for use AND gets more sales on their own sides in the bargain! Listen to "Fast Love" for more of this approach. "Freek!" is a case of having to get something out, even if it's overall effect isn't exactly positive in nature. There are very well-couched drug references in there that gay men will get and no one else will, and George hasn't offered commentary, he may even be unaware of the double meanings (i doubt it). I think he's documenting a moment in sexual history without advocating or damning it, like a good reporter that you can dance to. "Cars and Trains" is a delightful and deceptively-saccharine take on self-destruction and how many of us, especially those hurt in childhood, will actually finish the job of our absent tormentors. George doesn't claim to know why, he just wants us to knock it off. "Through" is George throwing a bit of melodrama our way; being openly gay allows him that affectation now, so he'll take it. I'm sure it was written in an honest emotional state, I'm also sure George isn't through. This album, like "Listen Without Prejudice" seems destined to be an under-received classic. Years from now people will be waxing nostalgic to a great work they never bought in the first place... I'm through.
27 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
George Michael,
By Ioannis (UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Patience (Audio CD)
This album is an interesting one. I have listened to George Michael ever since he first sang Wham Rap! and I must say that this ablum is one of the most interesting he has written. In this album I think the lyrical content is maybe not as strong as his ealier album Older or even some of the tracks on Listen without Prejudice. However I still love this album. It has a fantastic track that is just awesome in "Amazing", along with many beautiful ballads that need repetitive listening before you understand where they are coming from. The weakest song is "Shoot the Dog", which is not bad but in this company it looks somewhat out of place. If you are new to George Michael I would say try Listen Without Prejusice, Older and then listen to Patience. It will make more sense that way, as you will see the maturity and progression in his music... All in all 4.5 out of 5..A great last album.. One not to be missed!!!
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