#480 - George Michael - Faith

Let me just preface this post with this statement:

George Michael's Faith ranks pretty highly on my list of guilty pleasures, especially "One More Try."

Growing up, I thought George Michael was as cool as it gets. I mean, just look at the supermodels gracing his videos. Wow. As I grew up, my naivete faded and I found out that homosexuals existed in the world. This is in no way a criticism or slam against homosexuals. Instead, at such a young age I just wasn't aware homosexuals existed. Looking back, I have no idea how I didn't know. I mean, just listen to the lyrics of the album and you have to acknowledge that most of the adult world had to know. For God's sake, look at the Wham! videos. Enough said.

This album is pop gold. "Faith" with its iconic video that all but created the look of 'designer stubble.' "Father Figure" whose video has Michael stalker model Tania Coleridge. Do I really need to say anything about "I Want Your Sex" and its multiple parts. I believe it speaks for itself. Even the censors couldn't keep this song quiet. It blew up on the Billboard charts. And with a song titled "Monkey;" again, how did the world not catch on.

Catchy rhythms. Subtle funk elements. Pop bliss. I wish I had more to write about this album, but I believe the record speaks for itself. Michael did nothing spectacularly original, innovative, or even creative, but he did deliver a singable and danceable album.

Some may have thought I would include Limp Bizkit's version of "Faith." Those people are wrong.My choices this week: One rendition of "Faith" that was so awesome (the girl seems cool as hell, too) I had to include it. The other, so awful I only got through :30 of it.

-d.


Great timing to get to this album. While it appears George Michael has put his musical career on the back burner, he manages to keep himself in the news through his frequent arrests and basic self destruction. I’ve always been a fan, even of some the cornier Wham! songs, but the man can’t turn around without making himself into another punch line. But what of Faith, his first solo effort?

There’s really no better way you could start your first album than with a classic like Faith. No point in even talking about the song, as everyone has heard it. Then you throw "Father Figure" at everyone next? Ok, so Mister Panayiotou wanted to make a statement right off the bat. A little touch of synth-r&b with some gospel, and possibly an offer to teach the listener the pleasures of sweet man love. Stylistically it marks the emergence of Michael’s obsession with trying to sound like Freddie Mercury. Normally that’s a bad sign, but he’s pretty much the only singer in pop music with the voice to pull it off. Oh Queen, why did you take Paul Rodgers instead?

So maybe we can get a break from the run of singles? No? "I want Your Sex" was the first release from the album and pretty much got banned everywhere. It seems pretty tame in retrospect, but I vaguely remember hearing it on the radio and my seven year old mind exploding. It really isn’t half as graphic as its inspiration, Queen’s Hot Space album, specifically "Body Language" and" Get Down Make Love." Things finally lay off a bit as the record finally has to give us some breathing room. "One More Try" is a perfect prom season slow jam and was the third single to top the charts in a row ("Sex" peaked at number 2 despite the lack of play). "Hard Day" and "Hand To Mouth" are both typical 80’s club songs. Both good, but not really anything that stands out.

"Look At Your Hands" is a somewhat misguided attempt at getting bluesy. Again, it’s not bad, just misplaced and way out of George’s comfort range. He brings back the groove with "Monkey," the fourth and final number one. Not my cup of tea, but I can definitely imagine a rush of teenagers rushing to a dance floor or roller rink in white wash jeans and Relax t-shirts 23 years ago. Things end on the surprisingly nice jazz number, "Kissing A Fool." Seriously, you could hear this from a combo at your local jazz club. It’s a typical torch song, with Michael singing the part usually reserved for the breathless blond with a slit to her thigh. Trust me, it works.

It’s a great album. That’s why three of the songs ("Faith," "Father Figure," "Sex") are still common on the radio and in movies. I’m actually surprised it wasn’t ranked higher. I guess his reputation as lightweight pop from the Wham! days still carries over. Or maybe it’s the repeated arrests. Whatever. It’s a classic.

Cover is NIN doing some of the Queen I mentioned earlier (since Danny probably has a good one already). Check it.