Reviews (page 2 of 8)
This hits!
Amazing voice, poignant lyrics.
"Cowboys and Angels," "They Won't Go When I Go" — these songs have always been somewhere nearby, as if they were always with me. In my childhood, my father very often listened to George Michael, specifically this album, so it's difficult for me to evaluate this album objectively. Magnificent vocals, an airy sound, subtle arrangements — it's George Michael's best album.
While this is not really my cup of tea, I recognize how important this record is and that it deserves 5 stars.
A beautiful album from start to finish. Powerful voice powerful lirycs. 10/10
Great voice Great songwriter Sad loss
One of the best
Awesome!
Започнах да го слушам с предразсъдъци, а не трябваше :D
One of my top 50 favorite albums of all time!
That's how it's done .... a Classic !! 10/10
released at the start of the '90s, this album by george michael is a massive departure from his usual sound he had before, swapping his clean and synthy pop with natural and acoustic instrumentation and personal, emotional lyrical content. george michael has definitely seen a few angels in his lifetime, and his voice is equivalent to a fallen one. it's mindblowingly perfect. taking inspirations from soul, gospel, and singer-songwriter vibes, the album is full of commentary and serves as a true window of how he felt at that time, growing sick of the fame. he entered a hiatus after the release of this album.
Dadurch das ich Last Christmas hasse (Was nicht das Verschulden von George Michael ist) hab ich mich nie mit ihm befassen wollen. Gut, das mir das hier serviert wurde und bewiesen hat was für ein großartiger Musiker er war
So glad I discovered this from George Michael. What a great sound on this album!
sooo good
Okay, this was a great surprise - I heard the initial drums and went "oh good another 80s album"... and by the end said to myself holy cow that was actually really really good! :) I know some people are really die-hard fans and I can get why, really good songwriting and a heck of a voice too! :) Happy times to be a me. :)
Brilliant album
I was not expecting to get so emotional listening to this album. The combination of nostalgia and the lyrics really got to me. It was as if George Michael was writing about today. In "Praying for Time" when he says "And it's hard to love, there's so much to hate, hanging on to hope, when there is no hope to speak of" might as have been written today. The album is pure perfection and I would have listened to it twice if I didn't think it would totally depress me.
Absolutely loved the album. Will probably get into more George Michael
I admit it: George Michael was mainly just dance music for me. Yes, they were catchy tunes with some insightful knowledge in RnB that he adapted. Now I listened to this album of which I only knew 'Freedom' and I'm blown away by this soulful, brooding and serious music. It all comes together greatly and shows what a proper composer Michael was.
The voice of his generation. And man can he funk. In fact. Here’s what I said in an article. https://www.toppermost.co.uk/george-michael/ This is a great album. Freedom 90 is a masterpiece. This album is Essential listening.
5/5. I was letdown with George's first album but this album is what good pop music sounds like. He stretches his vocal expertise, stabilizing himself into recognition. The melodies on each song are so easy going and beautiful at the same time. Hints of Freddie and Prince and Brian Wilson. The production is wonderful, feels like I am in a chamber hall with a small audience. It's honestly just so good and is a perfect length of time. I have no notes. Best Song: Praying For Time, Freedom! 90', Mother's Pride, Soul Free
This take me back to the summer of 1992, driving around in my yellow Rabbit with the windows down and this cassette blasting Freedom! It still resonates. Not sure if I'm giving this a 5 because of the nostalgia-value alone or because it is very good.
The Greeks were right, it slaps.
Truly puts on a clinic here. No one but George Michael can move me to tears with just his voice, regardless of what he’s singing!
Fantastic singer, fantastic songwriter and by all accounts a fantastic human being. One of my favourite albums, Praying for Time comes in there like a wrecking ball and just gets me pumped for the whole album. Freedom! 90 is just an incredible song. Love the album, love the man, George doesn't get enough love in my opinion.
A deserving entry on this listed and generally underrated masterpiece from GM.
freedom 90! is such a jam. loved the whole album
The first two tracks here are amazing, and "Freedom" is one of my favourite songs ever, just a shame that Robbie Williams massacred it. The rest of the tracks wear a little thin at times, but the most astonishing thing here is just how incredibly human and fragile George Michael comes across, despite that heartbreakingly powerful voice. Very much missed.
Listening to this now, I hear so much more gospel influence in the soaring vocals and soulful lyrics. I guess you gotta have faith. Freedom is a top 5 favorite song for me; it speaks to relationships but also political and societal concerns. The entire album is really achingly beautiful. I miss him.
## In-Depth Review of *Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1* by George Michael George Michael's *Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1*, released on September 3, 1990, marks a significant evolution in his artistic journey following the monumental success of his debut solo album, *Faith*. This album is characterized by its introspective lyrics, sophisticated musical arrangements, and a departure from the commercial pop sound that defined much of his earlier work. Here, we will explore the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence while also discussing its pros and cons. ****Lyrics**** The lyrics of *Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1* are deeply personal and reflective, showcasing Michael's desire to be seen as a serious artist. The lead single, "Praying for Time," addresses social injustices and critiques the apathy of society towards suffering. Lines such as "It's not a matter of who's wrong or right / It's about the way we live our lives" exemplify this theme of moral introspection and societal critique. Other tracks like "Cowboys and Angels" explore complex emotional landscapes, touching on themes of love and longing through a lens of vulnerability. The song's narrative portrays a love triangle fraught with unrequited feelings, showcasing Michael's ability to weave storytelling into his songwriting. In "Heal the Pain," Michael expresses a yearning for reconciliation and healing, both personally and universally. The lyrics resonate with anyone who has experienced heartache or loss, making them relatable and poignant. Overall, the lyrical content is marked by a maturity that reflects Michael's growth as an artist. He moves beyond superficial themes to tackle weighty subjects such as fame, isolation, and social responsibility. ****Music**** Musically, *Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1* diverges from the upbeat pop sound of *Faith*, embracing a more subdued and contemplative style. The album incorporates elements of jazz, soul, and acoustic music, creating a rich tapestry of sound that complements its lyrical depth. The production features lush instrumentation with prominent use of acoustic guitars, piano, and subtle percussion. For instance: - **"Praying for Time"** opens with a stark piano melody that sets a somber tone for its heavy subject matter. - **"Heal the Pain"** showcases Michael's vocal prowess against a backdrop of warm acoustic guitar and gentle bongo rhythms, creating an intimate atmosphere. - **"Cowboys and Angels"** straddles jazz and lounge genres with its smooth melodies and intricate arrangements. The album is characterized by its polished production quality without sacrificing emotional authenticity. Each track flows seamlessly into the next, creating an immersive listening experience that invites reflection. ****Production**** The production of *Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1* was primarily handled by George Michael himself, showcasing his growth as a producer alongside his songwriting capabilities. This self-production allowed him to maintain creative control over the project—an essential aspect given his desire to distance himself from the commercial pressures he felt during his earlier career. Michael opted for a minimalist approach in many tracks, allowing the raw emotion in his voice to shine through without overwhelming instrumentation. This decision reflects his intention to create an album that prioritizes substance over style. Critics have noted that while some tracks may lack the catchy hooks found in *Faith*, they reward listeners with deeper emotional resonance upon repeated listens. The album’s sound is often described as timeless—a quality that has allowed it to remain relevant decades after its release. ****Themes**** The overarching themes of *Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1* include: - **Fame and Isolation:** Michael grapples with the loneliness that accompanies celebrity status. He questions whether fame is worth the price paid in personal happiness. - **Social Responsibility:** Tracks like "Praying for Time" highlight social issues such as poverty and inequality, urging listeners to reflect on their roles within society. - **Love and Vulnerability:** Many songs explore complex relationships and emotional struggles, emphasizing human connection amidst personal turmoil. - **Self-Reflection:** The album serves as an introspective journey where Michael confronts his identity as an artist and individual in a world that often demands conformity. These themes resonate strongly in today's context, reflecting ongoing societal challenges while also providing insight into Michael's personal struggles during this period. ****Influence**** Upon its release, *Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1* was met with critical acclaim but faced commercial challenges in the U.S., leading to legal disputes between Michael and Sony Music over marketing support. Despite these hurdles, the album has influenced countless artists seeking to balance commercial success with artistic integrity. Michael’s willingness to tackle serious themes paved the way for future artists who wish to address social issues through their music. The album’s introspective nature encourages listeners to engage with their emotions more deeply than typical pop fare allows. Moreover, its impact can be seen in contemporary music where artists like Sam Smith and Adele draw on similar themes of vulnerability and social commentary within their work. The album remains a touchstone for discussions about authenticity in pop music. ****Pros and Cons**** **Pros:** - **Lyrical Depth:** The introspective lyrics offer profound insights into personal struggles and societal issues. - **Musical Diversity:** A blend of genres creates a rich listening experience that showcases Michael’s versatility. - **Emotional Resonance:** Tracks evoke strong emotions through both lyrics and vocal delivery. - **Artistic Integrity:** The self-produced nature reflects Michael’s commitment to creative control. - **Timelessness:** The themes remain relevant today, allowing new generations to connect with the material. **Cons:** - **Commercial Performance:** The album did not achieve the same level of commercial success as *Faith*, particularly in the U.S., which may overshadow its artistic merit. - **Lack of Catchy Hooks:** Some critics argue that it lacks memorable hooks compared to earlier works. - **Heavy Themes:** The serious subject matter may not appeal to all listeners seeking lighter entertainment. In conclusion, *Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1* stands as a testament to George Michael's evolution as an artist willing to confront difficult truths through his music. Its lyrical depth, musical sophistication, and exploration of significant themes have cemented its place in music history as an essential work that continues to resonate today.
Great album, it's a real shame I have a chance to discover George Michael's songs when he is no longer here. Amazing side A to the record, I loved every song on it, especially his rendition of Wonder's "They Won't Go When I Go". Beautiful songs, great lyrics, amazing voice. Side B is still solid and brings in few interesting tracks. Looking at it from the distance, it has to be the best album in George's discography. Let's look for vinyl now.
Most of this George Michael content was new to me -- I really enjoyed it!
Wayyyyy less horny than his last album I listened to and it made it wayyyyy better!! Awesome instrumentation all over this thing, he clearly knows how to let others shine when it's their time and I think this album is so much better off for it. That being said his vocals are as crsip and clear as ever, really like the Stevie wonder cover too, one of my favourite ever songs.
I was by no means a Wham or George Micheal fan growing up in the 80’s but this album is special. Transports me back to my early twenties and being introduced to it by the then girlfriend and thinking, ooh this is not Wham Rap or Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, this is grown up. Beautiful voice, beautiful music and Waiting For The Day will always have a special place.
Really loved this
Y'know, on its own I woulda given this thing a 4. It's really good, soulful pop, but nothing that really blew my mind. But consider that I played this album's cover of "They Won't Go When I Go" three times. That alone moves it up to a 5 for me, goodness. So, so good, goodness.
Never listened to much of George's music asides from the big Wham! hits, but wow, this album blew me away with its', just, everything contained into 40+ minutes. Hell of a 5 to give.
I’m at a 5. This is my first full George Michael album – obviously, I know the bigger hits and some of his Wham! stuff, but I knew this was the one that had Freedom! ‘90 on it, which is an all-timer track as far I’m concerned, so I was sort of expecting an album with that kind of tone. Instead, I got something that feels deeply introspective and much more serious / matured than most of his 80s work, and I’m not complaining about it – I love the direction this album takes, and while some might categorize it as moody or whiny, I think it’s a strong separation from his more poppy stuff to show his bigger variety as an artist. Obviously, people are still gonna play Careless Whisper or Last Christmas (or even Freedom! ‘90) more than they will most of the tracks on this album, but I think what’s here is probably deeply underrated in his catalog. I really don’t think there’s a bad track here – the only odd one out is Soul Free, which is a great fucking track that just feels like it’s on the wrong album, and doesn’t really mesh with the other tracks as cohesively. Regardless, I really loved this album; it’s sort of a shame that his career slowed down heavily after this, but it’s better that he slowed down to make music he was truly engaged with instead of trying to follow a sort of tour/release cycle that Sony was trying to box so many other artists into during the early 90s. This is an easy 5 for me to give, and it’s beyond deserving to be on the list. I gotta hear this MTV Unplugged half.
Outstanding album. Lots of people have great voices, but not all of them know how to sing. George Michael knows how to sing. This isn't my usually genre, but I appreciate talent. Thoroughly enjoyed it. 5 stars.
Ахуеть, старина то мог и таких вещей наделать. Умный осмысленный поп. Никакого сексапильного саксофона
4.5/5
Day167 - one of my favorite albums ever and it has only gotten better over time
George era un absoluto genio.
cool
This project has taught me that I really loved George Michael as a child.
Ah well wasn’t this breeze of fresh air after having a bit of a tough time going trough this challenge. By far the most positively surprising discovery. Ofc I've known about George Michael before and listened to a lot of Wham back in the days. I don't know why but I just never was invested to look what else was there on his solo discography. I got ”Faith” a couple weeks back and was then pleasantly surprised by it. I really liked it and now this album just blew me away. George has one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard, I never made the comparison but his voice reminds me a lot of Freddies. Beautiful piece of work and the album cover is brilliant. I’m happy to discover this.
Under-rated. Love this album.
What a voice, we all new about that! Besides very few known songs of this album it's a 4.5/5. Watching \"Freedom\" video brought me back in the 80's where all those models were making us dreaming....
4.5/5
Incredible album. Such a talented singer songwriter.
Amazing. Easy 5/5.
Increíble
Just a good record. Nothing standing out. Just a groove.
So much better than I remembered!
u gotta have faith!!
FREEDOM, FREEDOM (George baby please come back I miss you)
I genuinely believe this is one of the most perfect albums ever made. At a minimum, the opening trio of 'Praying for Time', 'Freedom! '90', and the haunting cover of 'They Won't Go When I Go', have to be heard to be believed. It is also tied for me to childhood memories of all-out voice-belting family sing alongs, which is saying a lot given how dysfunctional we were. While I'm no George Michael biographer, I always felt like this album was a response to dysfunction. The man had been repressing his sexual identity while his musical career and international fame continuously grew, built (at least in part) on him being a hetero sex symbol. He is then outed in the most humiliating way possible and forced to confront it all, all at once, on CNN for Christ's sake. The album's name, it seems to me at least, is practically a plea to give him a chance. While the dysfunction in my own life was of a different sort, this perception has given me a personal connection to this album that has only grown and deepened over the years. I can hear echos of truths I don't want to live with in these songs, and the hopes of the possibilities that come with living life after I begin to put them behind me.
Last 3 tracks sound like perfection
Some lovely songs and an amazing voice. What's not to like?
I loved this but I listened with (personal) prejudice, as I had completely forgotten but I’ve heard this before, it was in heavy rotation in my mom’s car growing up. Love this one! Also it takes massive balls to cover Stevie Wonder, and he nails it
Classic George Michael, brilliant album and sounds fantastic on this. Really enjoyed listening to the full album, some great instrumentals throughout also.
Love this album!
george michael is the loml
I love this album. It's one of the best albums ever released, in my view, definitely top 20. This is a rare example, from this otherwise hopeless list, of an album that everyone actually should hear before they die. George Michael was the great white hope of soul, a wonderful voice and brilliant songwriter. The story of his life and tragic death will make an amazing film, one day.
Brilliant. I must confess I'd never listened to a George Michael album before today but this blew my mind. Such a great voice and some real heartfelt lyrics. Pleasantly surprised and defo 5 stars
What an accurate album title. From what I've previously heard from George Micheal I was expecting to hate this but I thoroughly enjoyed the entire album. It's a solid pop album with very interesting lyrics and a nice stylistic variety. Give it a go, you won't regret it.
This was great
Haven't listened to a lot of George Michael in my life, which right now seems criminal. Just a phenomenal showcase of musical talent on this album. I don't know if it's just me, but at times it sounds like Freddy Mercury singing. Not a knock against it; if anything it just goes to show how great Michael's voice is. I don't have anything bad to say about this album, it was a joy from start to finish.
Excellent
This is one of my all time favourite albums, thanks.
:) make me think of me mom
cool
Wonderful
Pero que buenísimo que está. Ni una canción mala. No es repetitivo y el opener es increíble. Dudé mucho en darle las 5, pero cada vez que lo escuchaba me convencía más de ello, simplemente no pude evitarlo.
Really excellent
I don't know why it took me until now to realize how much I ADORE George Michael's voice. His vocals, plus the instrumentals, lyrics, and general song composition, made for a great album. For some reason, I don't like Freedom! (yeah I know) but the rest of it was exquisite.
One of my all-time favourite albums. Even better now than when I first heard it in 1991. Beautiful and powerful.
A work of art by one of the great musical geniuses of my lifetime. Outstanding songwriting and a beautiful singer and it is amazing this was not actually a massive hit.
In my mind, a perfect pop album. Blue-eyed soul (at it's finest) matched with masterful production and great songwriting equals a classic.
Intense and beautiful. A gem. Beautiful to listen to it all again after all these years.
Need to study how he wrote songs in 3/4
Freedom is a 5/5 song Wasn't expecting to hear a stevie wonder cover Production on soul free was amazing
10/10
George's voice is timeless! Besides freedom! '90, for me heal the pain and waiting are super hits.
Beautiful album, beter dan i expected…
Super great album. So relaxing and so good. Just mesmerizing and makes me feel euphoric and calm.
Very good
Beautiful soulful voice. Honest
ea ea
First George Michael album. The only George I am familiar with would be Faith and Careless Whisper, and now Freedom (in hindsight). I had no real expectations going into this one, however I finished it pleasantly surprised. I was afraid it would consist of boring pop songs with a lack of depth and meaning, but it was quite the opposite. I felt like every song on the LP had thought and intention put into it. I suppose the fact that George produced and arranged every song helps with that. The general atmosphere of the album is one that I can appreciate. I'll certainly have to visit his discography again.
The video for a song, Freedom, shouldn't define an album. The song itself was brilliant, but the video with all the supermodels, and how they knew all the words to the song, took it over the top. The destruction of all the iconic items from the Faith video reinforced what this album was all about. It's such a change from his earlier release. Crazy.
Very impressed by this. Lyrically introspective, with some pieces of pop and wonderfully crafted ballads sung with deep emotion. Though Cowboys & Angels overstays its welcome, there are amazing nuggets all the way through from Praying for Time all the way to Waiting.
Listened to this over a couple breakups growing up. Good stuff.
Ik ben echt groot fan van George Michael. Dit is wat mij betreft zijn magnum opus en staat bij mij zeer hoog in mijn lijst van beste albums. Dus zonder moeite 5 sterren.
10/10
First album I bought for myself on CD. So much gold here!
Incredible
Awesome
What a lucky week: Stevie Wonder, Radiohead, and now George Michael. This album is great from start to finish. Happy songs and sad songs. All so beautiful; his voice makes you melt.
Great album. Is it George Michael's best? I personally think Patience is his best, but that one doesn't have Freedom! '90 and that's a JAM. The rest of the album is noticeably more subdued, but Michael executes this perfectly. During listening yesterday it was Mother's Pride that really struck me, which unfortunately remains topical as ever.
this was actually a really good album, I’ll give it a 9/10 I only really knew George Michael from Careless Whisper and the jokes on Arrested Development so hearing this album was actually a really nice surprise
Loved it!
Me encantó. Me transmitió mucha paz su voz, las letras me encantaron, realmente me pareció un proyecto muy coherente.
I love this album, although I became most familiar with it years after its release. There are a couple of dance-tracks, but for the most part it is a serious album. The melodies really draw me in and make me want to listen over and over.
I love this album and am very happy to see it recognized on this list. “Praying for Time” is one of my favorite songs of the 90’s. It’s a sober song that is as relevant today as it was then. What surprised me when I first listened to this back in 1990 was how serious most of the songs on this album were. The cover of Stevie Wonder’s “They Won’t Go When I Go” is closer to the overall tone of this album than “Freedom! ‘90”. I remember being surprised at this. And even the really fun, dance-y “Freedom! ‘90” has some pretty cynical lyrics. “Waiting for That Day” is a really nice track with its organ background. I love the groove of this song. Other highlights on this album for me are “Something to Save,” “Cowboys and Angels” (a great waltz!), “Heal the Pain” (great song - one of the more optimistic tracks!), and “Soul Free.” I also love “Waiting (Reprise)” which is a lovely closing to the album. I hadn’t listened to any of the extra discs from the 2017 reissue (Listen Without Prejudice / MTV Unplugged). I’m glad I did this time. The MTV Unplugged performance is pretty incredible and made me sad that George Michael left us too soon. The unplugged “Freedom! ‘90” rivals the original as do many of the other tracks, and you hear a lot off the other albums as well as some cool covers like “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” It’s a really nice listen. Still I’ll keep my ranking focused on the original release… George Michael died 5 years 1 week ago and I had not really revisited his music since then. I’m glad this provided me the kick I needed to check out the re-issue and get this back into the rotation because it is a really great album.
Never heard the entire album. What a gorgeous piece of work. Loved "Praying for Time". Added without prejudice.
Had to give this a 5. I could try to be nitpicky with a couple of songs I didn't enjoy as much as the rest, but that would be wrong as they were both still good (Heal The Pain and Soul Free). There is a nice balance of ballads interjected with some dance and folk numbers. George Michael's vocals are out of this world too. Thankfully this album also doesn't feature much of the 80s sax. Favourite songs are Cowboys and Angels, Freedom!90 and Praying For Time.
love it
Yndislegt albúm. Svo fáránlega góð túlkun á öllum lögum. Elsk <3
Geez this album slaps.
damn good. most of his best songs come from this one.
The best
Nunca pensé que un disco que prácticamente contiene puras baladas me gustara tanto. Lo escuché sin prejuicio como dice y me encantó.
Really amazing album, loved it!!!
An incredible album, power ballads and pop perfection. Standout Tracks: Praying for Time, They Won't Go When I Go, Something to Save, Cowboys and Angels, Mothers Pride
Solid but It does have some weak points but overall a great experience
I enjoyed most of the tracks. A couple were kind of boring but kept myself occupied by looking for Waldo in the cover art (3rd row from the back, 17 over btw).
very nice
Su mejor disco fue el anterior, Faith, un imprescindible. Este se publicó después de una lapso de tiempo demasiado grande para las expectativas que generó. Fue un fracaso en su momento y aunque el tiempo ha sido benévolo con él, no debería estar en el listado, los hay mejores, aunque este me ha sorprendido al volver a escucharlo. Es muy bueno y completo. Aún mayor fue la espera para el siguiente álbum , pero su momento habñia psado y aún debía esperar más para su regeneración pública (escñandalos etc, que hasta que no actuó genialmente en el Carlpool Karaoke de James Corden no tuvo remedio para el bueno de George). El siguiente álbum, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 2 (supuestamente programado para junio de 1991 [ 8 ] ), fue descartado por razones que solo conocen Michael y su compañía discográfica. Tres de las canciones destinadas a ese álbum aparecen en el recopilatorio benéfico de 1992, Red Hot + Dance. Waiting for That Day tiene como coautores a Jagger y Richards por problemas en la letra. "They Won't Go When I Go" es una versión de su ídolo Stevie Wonder. "Cowboys and Angels" o Heal the pain adolecen un poco de lo mismo que todo el disco, un poco aburridas, elegantes y muy bien ejecutadas pero no son Faith (ni lo pretenten). Las mejores canciones son "Freedom! '90", un clásico con un vídeo imprescindible. "Praying for Time" un tema de apertura solemne. "Soul Free" es un temazo. Waiting for That Day
Really solid collection of great vocal tracks. Love George for his earnest and heartfelt camp even though I grew up on punk. The older I get the more I just respect his vocal prowess.
I miss him
me gustó muchisimo más de lo que esperaba, que buena voz tiene este tipo 9/10
George Michael and I have so much in common that I really felt like I “got” this album when I was sixteen. We were both earnest, emotional, deeply heartbroken men, devilishly handsome, a little kinky, and we both had secrets. Not the same secrets mind you but kindred by the burning desire to be shed of them nonetheless. This album “meant” something to me, and I’ll admit to shedding a tear or two then and now. Particularly the plaintive albeit kinda dated title track. I know it’s exactly a piece of art but as a specimen of the state of pop music in 1990 it stood up for me. I dock it one shy of a perfect score primarily for one reason. I listened to a version, the only version available, that was purportedly “remastered”. Someone failed that assignment with disastrous consequences. The recording had ZERO ASS!!! There’s no umph or power or just plain low end to give it some punch and body of modern listening environments. The high end is pushed up to just a decibel below shrill and there is an inexplicably sibilant amount of reverb and delay on the lead vocal in every freaking song. It’s obnoxious. Wake me up for the re-remaster.
I was sure ready to strongly dislike this, but it turned out not to be half bad. Good songs, great production, great vocals.
Honestly, I absolutely adore George Michael and his music, including his work on the album Faith and Wham! This isn't at the same level; maybe it's because most of the songs are ballads that aren't my forte, and the ones I enjoy from him are the more fun and energetic ones. Although it's still an amazing album, especially those first two tracks, which are some of his best and Cowboys and Angels, which is an incredibly enjoyable slow jazz track that matched the environment I was in perfectly. Incredible album, but not to your impeccable standard.
It’s slick and smooth as you’d expect from George Michael. It’s a bit more introspective than I anticipated. Rather good and while a lot of songs are rather Faith-esque there’s a lot more that’s more akin to the Tears for Fears route at times. Good solid stuff.
Way better than expected
Wow ok I didn’t expect to CRY first thing in the morning. Such a beautiful voice.. Cowboys and Angels was my favorite track. Just ethereal. I listened to it on repeat literally all day and it even inspired me to do a creative photoshoot with visuals that reflect the sound of the song. Also I find the album cover super special. I assume it’s an image of an audience at one of George Michael’s concerts or something and that’s so beautiful that he chose them to be on his album cover 🥹
Fantastiskt! George Michaels röst är en av världens bästa. Det är så vackert och så mycket smärta stundtals. Praying for time är underbar och Freedom 90 är catchy och bra. Mothers pride är fin. Ett bra album med en i mitt tycke underskattad artist.
A good pop album with still relevant messages. This album comes hard out of the gate with Praying for Time and Freedom! 90. These are the ones we know by heart. The following tracks are heartfelt and somewhat haunting. Mother's Pride is another one that is well written and lingers with you, vocals felt more like Freddy Mercury than George, gorgeous.
"Freedom 90" is the big track, but my favorites flank it: "Praying for Time" and "They Won't Go When I Go" - those melodies are amazing. The rest of the album is OK, but the start is so strong that it pushes it to a 4.
While 'Freedom' remains an absolute classic, I can respect the big swings George Michael was taking with this album - even if the rest of it struggles to hold a flame to that track. The Stevie Wonder cover is respectable, which is saying something given it's Stevie Wonder. The Stones interpolation is a little less successful through simply sounding a bit dated - as do several other tracks. But overall, even when the pan flutes or late 80s/early 90s flourishes don't entirely land, I respect that George is going for it, and usually trying to say something as well.
It’s pretty impressive actually. Wasn’t expecting this. Really well crafted ballads.
Good album. Good vocals. Good lyrics. The instrumentation is very nice.
Seems like a lot of reviewers weren't fans of this one. I'm no 80s baby, and have no nostalgia for George Michael apart from "Last Christmas", but I greatly appreciated hearing this deeply personal side of his singing. Standout tracks for me were probably "Mothers Pride" (just beautiful) and "Cowboys and Angels" which -- and this will probably resonate with no one else on this site -- strangely felt akin to the warm, nostalgic sound of the LEGO Island (1997) soundtrack. IYKYK! Also I feel the need to point out that I felt like Leo pointing at the TV screen when I heard the Funky Drummer sample on "Waiting for That Day".
Good funky music nice and soulful
Freedom is an all time great song for me. The rest of the album also feels surprisingly fresh and varied.
Me gustó mucho. No sé cómo describir su voz, pero me llega mucho. La producción es muy buena
התאהבתי, פרידום שיר מרגש עד לכדי דמעות, אני מרגישה כמו נערה בשנות ה-80 המאוחרות שנמשכת להומו הזה
A little to slow for me but ok I guess if you in the mood.
Outside of his work with Wham and the earlier singles, I had only heard the single “Freedom! ’90” from this album — a banger that featured on many house party dance floors in college. This is a surprisingly soulful, ambitious album. Michael ups the ante by incorporating some forward-looking sounds borrowed from other genres, like the Funky Drummer backbeat on the aforementioned track (which also appears on “Waiting for That Day”), some jazz stylings and a heavy Stevie Wonder influence on the gorgeous “They Won’t Go When I Go.” A few uneven tracks, but this is pretty strong.
Better than I expected it would be...I followed the title instruction literally!
Solid album with a couple standouts. Feeling generous so will put it on the 4 side of a 3.5.
The album clearly has one very popular standout track, and at first, I thought that's all this album was going to offer. Pleasantly, I listened to find out this is a solid album. Favorite Track: "Freedom '90".
This challenge has taught me I like George Michael way more than I expected to.
George Michael is one of those rare cases where the artist's solo music is better than the music they created when they were part of a group (and I say this as someone who enjoys the occasional Wham! song). I'm a fan of this album.
3.5 rounded up
Was unfamiliar with most of this, and liked it a lot. Plus, an excellent surround sound mix on Apple Music.
George Michael, WHAT AN ARTIST! I had not realised some of these songs were his.
OK! Fui pesquisando e simplesmente vendo que era mesmo, o cara do “Careless Whisper” e o mesmo cara que fez Wham! !!!!! Não imaginava que pudesse fazer músicas tão boas E com letras sérias, já vou avisando que curti metade do álbum por simplesmente a essência que ele quis trazer, que era tirar seu rosto da mídia, mostrar sua potência vocal e provar que tinha muito mais além de músicas animadas e rosto bonito, e tinha mesmo. Resumindo MUITO porque vale a pena ir pesquisar sobre a história do disco, ele lutou muito com a gravadora (Sony) tanto que perdeu uma briga judicial e ficou um tempinho sem lançar música por isso, onde os mesmos não aceitavam algumas de suas opiniões do que queria, mas o álbum foi um sucesso, teve vários Hit Clips, além de uma música em inspiração ao McCartney. Bem, enxotei demais pra falar minhas músicas preferidas que foram “Praying For Time”, “Freedom! ‘90”, “They Won’t Go When I Go”, “Waiting for That Day” e finalmente, “Soul Free”. Em Listen Without Prejudice conheci um novo cantor, um cantor totalmente diferente do que conhecia e que, dessa forma, grudou na minha memória. Com músicas de qualidade e voz de arrepiar, George Michael me mostrou a capacidade de se reinventar mesmo quando todo mundo dúvida e nega, e que no fim, vale a pena.
Incredible album
More consistently good than Faith, I would say!
Great pop album with a lot of depth. Only a couple "hits," but the songs are all high quality, and it just shows what pop music can really be, when it is approached with integrity.
Bei den ersten Versuchen vor ein paar Jahren habe ich das Album aussortiert und fand nur einzelne Songs gut. Jetzt hab ich es gefeiert.
Actual Rating: 3.5/5
Praying for Time - 3.5/5 Freedom! '90 - 4/5 They Won't Go When I Go - 4.5/5 Something to Save - 3/5 Cowboys and Angels - 4/5 Waiting for That Day - 3.5/5 Mothers Pride - 4/5 Heal the Pain - 4/5 Soul Free - 3/5 Waiting (Reprise) - 3/5
I listened with a little prejudice and even still it was a great listen
Good album. Good composition. This could be 3 stars but, just because of Freedom (great track), it gets 4 stars.
This guy just has one of those voices for me. He could sing anything and I would lap it up. I really really enjoyed this. Ugh George 💔💔💔 The generator seems to be stuck in the early 90s for me at the moment and honestly I’m not complaining.
George Michael's brilliance is highly underrated. Freedom is among the greatest songs ever made. This is a great album.
This was probably my second time listening to this, and it hit way better than I remembered. It’s more stripped back and serious than I expected, but that actually works in its favor. “Mother’s Pride” is really sad and easily one of the most emotional moments on the album. “They Won’t Go When I Go” has a heavy, almost haunting feel to it, and “Freedom! ’90” is just a straight up classic that still holds up.
songwriting mastery, musical architecture, texture, grandeur, and evidence of george michael's brilliance. i only wish that there was a bit more sonic variety but very good. #queer excellence
Great artist with a great voice
Soulful and serious from the boy from Wham! Beyond Freedom this album was largely new to me and I must admit I’m impressed by it. It’s 48 minutes of well crafted pop balladry and downbeat anthems. My wife asked me to give him an extra star from her
Strong album that grew on me with repeat listens. The range of pop to slow and emotional songs was a nice variety and his vocals are very good, reminiscent of Freddie Mercury. Freedom! 90 stands out as the hit but all the others hold their own.
My man has one hell of a voice. Freedom is a banger. I kinda dig his acoustic stuff. He's deep.
Per my previous review - I LOVE George Michael and this album has a very special place in my heart. And come on, how can you not love this man’s voice??
There's some good stuff on here. George obviously has a lovely voice, and the instrumentation is very pleasant. Nothing super stand out but overall good. 7/10
An obvious talent. It's not especially my sort of thing, but can't deny it's well-written and produced. Pretty incredible really. Freedom is a great track - really enjoyed that one, though it stands out in this album.
George Michael is what happens when you cross Elton John with Marvin Gaye. His voice is a joy to listen to. This is probably his best album.
I've never really thought of myself as a GM fan, so I've only really heard Freedom but there's no doubt that this is excellent.
George Michael has an incredible voice.
Something me and a lot of 45 year-old women have in common is a love (and lust) for Georgy Michael. This isn't is best work, but it is still very good. The rating about him singing out of a well is quite true at times though and did make me giggle. The biggest hit here is Freedom, however I personally think Cowboys and Angels and Soul Free are the highlights.
More reverb than George Michael. There is a fine line between wanting to be taken seriously and taking yourself too seriously. This album occasionally crosses that line, but overall I enjoyed it.
Good album, really consistent all the way through! 7.1/10
What can I say? I like the guy! RIP
Estou descobrindo que eu gosto mais de pop quando ele é minimamente lgbt. Sentindo uma vibe magnetic fields em algumas faixas, mas talvez seja só o fato do george michael ter sido um homem gay. Gostei mais do que esperava.
Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 surprised me. I listened without expectations and heard a quieter, more serious side of him. Less pop, more restraint. It feels thoughtful and grown up. Not flashy, but confident in a different way. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.
Lovely album with wonderful, emotional signing.
I really enjoyed this
Many songs I did not know and I really enjoyed the album even though its quite sad or slow songs.
Great musician
Never listened to this album before. Always kind of wondered how George Michael went from Faith which was just no. 1 hit song after another to never really having that presence again. I guess it's because he did all these acoustic songs. They're pretty good.
Great album
Never heard this album - but it is a treat! He has an awesome voice, dare I say one of the best after Freddie Mercury. Great lyrics; Enjoyed! Better than "Whan"
OK, so first of all -- this album gets extra stars for the simple fact that it gave us the sexiest six minutes ever committed to film: https://youtu.be/diYAc7gB-0A?si=gA4Q1JKcUF0rEW21 "Freedom! 90" is a perfect pop song. As for the album itself, the George Michael Coming Out Experience certainly has its highs and lows, but overall -- it's clear that Michael was certainly trying new things. It's very listenable (although the production is still mid 80's reverb heavy) -- and certainly worth a go. (Linda Evangelista 4-evah!)
An excellent album and a definite must listen. Excellent vocals.
George is altijd goed. Album soms wat veel van hetzelfde
Nothing but respect for George Michael
This was a nice surprise. George Michael was certainly an artist of more substance than what songs like 'Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go', 'Faith' and 'Careless Whisper' conveyed. 'Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1' is the album where Michael wanted to be taken more seriously as a singer-songwriter rather than a popstar, and honestly, the results are quite impressive. 'Praying For Time' is quite a meaningful statement on social injustice and a lack of empathy, and 'Freedom! 90' sees Michael throwing away his popstar image through a pointed reference to Wham! (who originally had a hit called Freedom) and a call to embrace authenticity. He also borrows The Rolling Stones' classic hit 'You Can't Always Get What You Want' in 'Waiting for That Day', which effectively fits the song's theme of lost love and moving on from it. One thing that's especially striking about this record is Michael's abandonment of pop synths and rosier lyrics in favour of stripped back, acoustic ballads and more emotional, less accessible storytelling, something that drew the ire of Sony Music, who were expecting more upbeat and safe pop hits in the vein of Wham! and his first solo record, 'Faith', and eventually caused a years-long legal dispute where Michael felt his creative shift wasn't being well supported. My opinion of George Michael is forever changed from this record. He might be best known for his pop hits, but its fair to say that 'Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1' is arguably his biggest creative accomplishment. Best songs: Praying For Time, Freedom! 90, Something to Save, Waiting For That Day, Heal That Pain
One of those cases where the single is nothing like the rest of the album… but the rest of the album is still pretty darned good.
I really enjoyed this album. George must have one if the smoothest white boy soul voices in history. The songs are well written and consistent is only an issue due to the high points rather than the low points. It avoids the horrible 80's tropes that date it badly and i just enjoyed the whole album.
I don't know why but this really seemed to be an ode to his real personal life. It was interesting to listen and really think about what he was going through and writing about. It made it a lot deeper and more beautiful.
I woke up this morning with Praying For Time in my head, and lo and behold, here is the album of the day! This album is brilliant with one exception: the cover of Stevie Wonder’s They Won’t Go Where I Go. It’s a perfectly good song whose sole intent here is to showcase that George and Stevie are in the same class, vocally, but the song brings the momentum built by Freedom ‘90 to a screeching halt, and so early in the album. The rest of the record settles into a lovely cinematic acoustic and very early 90’s modern pop vibe. This album is a worthy follow up to Faith, but outside of the hits, rarely touches the all time classic gold George hit on that album, even on its deeper cuts. This is just a different vibe…one that takes time to get used to, and when it sinks in, becomes nearly as great as his earlier work.
stunning album and love the album cover, RIP
C’était cool !
A slower, more somber George - but still some great tracks and deep lyrics
All in all this is a solid album, but I wish there were more songs with as much energy as Freedom.
WHAM! One of those things where I've always said that I'm a George Michael Fan but never actually listened to a full album, so this is so far so good. The first song is very George Michael. And obviously Freedom I already knew. Amazing vocals all around.. I think "waiting for that day" is my favourite track
No notes.
Super (bon j'ai écouté en aléatoire sans faire exprès mais c'était pas forcément utile je pense)
Not bad
Bara därför lyssnad jag med förutfattade meningar. Men fan, trots det får jag nog säga att jag är extremt positivt överraskad. Trots många ballader är det fan jävligt bra. Melodiskt och mäktigt överlag. Han har riktigt bra pipor. Påminner rätt mycket om Freddie Mercury. Kan tänka mig att lyssna mer!
Har inte lyssnat jättemycket på George Michael och var inte övertygad av Faith, men den här var klart bättre. George har ju en jävla bra röst och jag gillar både det poppigare och balladerna på denna. Solid fyra.
Not for me but damn did he know what he was doing musically.
George Michael is a familiar enough sound/artist, but can’t say I’ve given any of his albums a full listen through. This one was enjoyable enough with some recognized hits.
love this album.
Freedom '90 was already one of my favorites before even listening to the rest of this album. The whole album is very soft rock-coded, that grocery store in the 90s vibes. Still, enjoyable, easy listening. 4* Highlights: freedom '90, waiting for that day
Very easy to listen to multiple times, with the third song (Stevie Wonder cover) hauntingly beautiful.
An enjoyable listen! Some nice gospel influences and varied instrumentation. A few songs toward the end dragged a bit but overall nice!
A great listen overall.
A great singer and a pretty good songwriter too.
didn’t finish listening to all of it but very soulfulm
George Michael was a phenomenon in his time, and for good reason. Many a teenage bedroom had a poster of him. The funny thing was that George Michael was popular with both girls and boys. Great music from a great artist.
George Michael remains one of my favourite singers of all time, I like how he wanted to stretch creatively on this record, while still producing quality pop.
Enjoyed this a lot more than I was expecting. Very singer-songwriter, less happy pop than I was expecting (although of course Freedom 91 slaps). There’s a depth of lyrics and themes here that’s very interesting. Very sad, very introspective. The Stevie Wonder knocked me off my feet. Let me say - this white boy can fucking SING. In general I felt like this was an effective mix of the styles of McCartney and Wonder. Two of my favorites, so no surprise this hit for me.
Yea this is nice Relaxing, but the lyrics are great
Pues aquí el bueno de George se marcó un “aquí estoy yo” para dejar claro que ya no iba a volver es ser el George Michael de Wham y se iba a mostrar al mundo tal cual es, aunque por el momento solo quedó en la intención porque, por muchas pistas que dio, al final fueron más bien otros los que le forzaron a mostrarse. Viniendo del éxito adolescente de “Faith”, pocos esperaban este camino de introspección, pero yo lo agradecí, puesto que aquel otro George me resultaba un tanto falso y prefabricado. Aquí hay baladas muy acertadas y la voz de Michael resulta mucho más auténtica y convincente. Sin ser un gran fan, considero este disco un gran acierto en su carrera.
I do have a soft spot for George. So talented. This is a bit more morose and downbeat than his more poppy past. Makes sense once you know there was a dancier part two which never happened. Still a quality album though. 3.5
One of Watford's finest musicians
Yes please.
8/10 First two songs aren’t that strong but the rest of the album is nice
Great voice and a few bangers on the album
I did not think that I would enjoy this at all. Good vocal performances with stylish 80s/90s production. Starts off great, takes a slight dip in quality towards the end. Nevertheless a positive surprise. 7/10
Good album - nice easy to get into tracks
This is more downbeat than I expected from George Michael, especially knowing that Faith was more of an upbeat album. Praying for Time is a melancholy way of starting the album off but it is a really great song. Freedom '90 is the perfect name for the song because it takes me back to 1990 and seeing the video on MTV at least 20 times per day. Soul Free is another very 90's-sounding song. I've never been a huge George Michael fan, though this album could turn a person around with so many of the well-written songs. I wish it were a bit more up tempo at times and some of the song lengths can drag. There was no need for a reprise of Waiting. Overall, it's a good listen and worthy of an inclusion in this book. I prefer Faith to this one though. My favorite tracks: Praying for Time Freedom '90 Cowboys and Angels Waiting for that Day Heal the Pain
Thought this was a 3 star album on the first listen but I let it loop and actually the more times I listen to these songs the more I like them. And of course I have to thank it especially for teaching me about the song "They Won't Go When I Go" which is an EXTRAORDINARY piece of music (this cover as well as the original)
Not my bag of tea - A critical success with quite a few singles. Smooth pop. Not a horrible by any means. You do have to listen without prejudice… aaaahhh see what I did there ?
The production is just so beautiful. I've always been a fan of George Michael, but listening to this record in full only cements that sentiment (cementiment?). The music is so well sequenced and placed perfectly to create such a welcoming mood while listening. George's voice is uncanny and so easy on the ears. This is absolutely one I will be revisiting in the future. RIP Mr. Michael.
Ég hef alltaf fílað Faith plötu George og þetta var einhverskonar brottför frá því yfir í aðeins rólegri lög, sérstaklega þegar leið á plötuna, án þess að vera slæm plata. Ég mun samt alltaf bera hana saman við Faith. 3.5 sem ég set í 4
7/10
while george michael had a recording career before he went solo (he was 1/2 of the pop group wham in the early 80’s), this was his second solo album. there is a phenomenon amongst musical acts referred to as “the sophomore slump”. it’s hard to follow up a successful debut album, that’s just how it is. as the saying goes “you have your whole life to write your first album and you have six months to write your next one”. and how do you follow up the monster of an album that “faith” was? well, he did it. this album was pretty good in its own right. twas a pleasure to listen to and no tracks that felt that i needed to “skip”. solid songwriting and amazing vocals. highlights: “freedom! ‘90” “cowboys and angels” “mother’s pride”
Solid Goggi.
I enjoyed this! Definitely planning a deep discog dive on George Michael soon. My favorites were "Freedom! '90" and "Waiting for That Day." Some of the tracks were a bit slow for my liking, but I really loved the vocals and percussion on this project.
Just some nice classy music from Georgie Boy. 4.5
Quite an enjoyable album
Beautiful voice
I wish I had the time to REALLY listen to this and dig into the lyrics of these songs. Musically, this is great! I enjoy listening to him sing!
7/10
I thought this album had a much more consistent sound to it than faith did and less songs that I could skip. Very good.
Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 feels like a real coming-of-age moment for George Michael, marking a deliberate shift away from the glossy pop of Faith. Personally, I think I still prefer Faith, but the two records are so different it almost feels unfair to compare them. Where Faith was vibrant, upbeat, and made for the dancefloor, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 is slower, more acoustic, and more focused on melody and introspective lyrics. It’s a more mature, reflective piece of work. Michael’s voice is, as always, stunning — rich and powerful, yet perfectly suited to these more restrained ballads. The songwriting is equally impressive, moving seamlessly between touches of rock ’n’ roll, gospel, and funk. It’s a thoughtful, beautifully crafted album that rewards multiple listens, and I found myself coming back to it several times throughout the day. Favourite track: Freedom! ’90 is an absolute belter. Least favourite track: Mother’s Pride dragged a little for me — overly long and a bit dull in comparison to the rest. Album artwork: A very cool and striking cover.
Some might say GM is cheezy or whatever, but here's the key - he leans into it, HARD. And when an artist does it so wholeheartedly, so earnestly, it kinda just works. So go on and slay George! 4 hearts on 4 sleeves out of 5
I got his previous album, Faith, two days before this. Interesting to see these two very different albums juxtaposed. I liked the previous one better, but it speaks to George Michael's musical range that he is able to pull off both contrasting tones.
Hmmm. Ja lubię George’a Michaela, ale tego najwcześniejszego. Z czasów Wham i Careless Whisper. Ale ta płyta też daje radę, jest pewnym podkreśleniem własnej drogi, ma spójny koncept i jest dość ambitnym popem z lekko soulowskim/funkowym zacięciem. 7/10
Dude’s got a hell of a voice.
I was honestly incredibly surprised with how good Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 (of 1) turned out to be. George Michael was originally another artist that i would frequently get confused with Michael Jackson when i was younger. But as i have grown older, i now see the differentiation between the two quite clearly. The main thing that this album has going for it is it's absolutely excellent production. It genuinely sounds crystal clear and quite expensive. Plus a lot of the songs here could be either incredibly relaxing or incredibly catchy. There were a few songs that were a bit forgettable but other than that, this is an absolutely great album. Best Song: Freedom! '90 Worst Song: Something to Save
Good musician/singer. Good music.
This had me Waiting for That Day so that it would Heal the Pain.
Freedom 90 is still a banger. Classic album.
Both the vocals and the music in this album were just beautiful, so lovely.
Ufff. Great álbum. Much emotions expressed here. With a great quality in the musicianship.
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this album. I wasn't a fan as a teenager, I'm still not, but i enjoyed the album
Hm, I didn't think I'd like this. They Wont Go When I Go is actually pretty cool. It's like soul. Man a few of these songs are actually really pretty. Mothers Pride is nice. His voice is reminding me of Freddy Mercury on this one. 4 stars
What a voice, what an album, just incredibly good. 4/5.
Surprisingly really good. Solid vocals and the upbeat tracks really carry the album. Very 80s for a 90s album
7/10
7/10 - I think my parents like this album. There was a couple songs I liked
Anyone who grew up as a teenager in the 80s will remember Wham as the ultimate disposable teeny-bop boy band who everyone thought would have a string of number one hits before flaming out and being replaced by the next sensation. No one expected that George Michael would mature into a one of the best singer song writers of his generation starting with the album Faith in 1987 followed by this one in 1990. Of the two, this is the more introspective and heartfelt record with fewer obvious hit singles. Apparently this made Sony nervous and they failed to promote it properly in the US, leading to long running legal wrangles. This didn’t stop it being a huge hit in the UK though, and it easily stands as one of George Michael’s best albums, made even more poignant by his tragic death in 2016.
I really liked it! Better than anything from Wham! IMO
Such a great record. The fact that he showed the depth of his writing and creativity in such a sincere way. Do yourself and listen....without prejudice ;)
This is my first earnest listening to any George Michael that isn't 'Faith'. Honestly this album comes out of the gate with a very unexpected emotional powerhouse and I'm excited to hear the rest. Obviously 'Freedom!' is a banger, but I also really loved 'Heal the Pain' I don't know what I was expecting 'They Wont Go When I Go' Holy crap... figures it's a Stevie Wonder cover. So much good in this track. Honestly I'm on my second listen through and it's just such a beautiful record. The soundscape is rich and the songs are full of emotional writing. It's got a flavor of early 90's nostalgia and is still timeless songwriting. Feels like it could've come out a week ago and 30 years ago just the same minus a few production quality give aways
Crazy how an album can sound the same but have such distinct differences between each song. If you like Michael at all you’ll probably enjoy this. 7/10
Man, I miss George Michael. Outside of having an utterly amazing voice and being an actually transgressive left-wing artist, he was also just a top bloke. This album is so good, a definite step up in maturity and songwriting compared to his debut. It loses points for the hokey reggae pastiche of Soul Free which honestly is the only blemish on this record for me.
Listen without Prejudice v1 - George Michael One of those ones where everything is pretty high level. Really really good pop album. Nearly every song sounds like a single 4/5
Yay!
Gorgeous voice. Didn’t realize how much Hozier owes to him.
Good album, less upbeat that previous albums but a good listen
so hot
One used to love Boy George, primarily for the gorgeousness of the voice; one might love George Michael as much today, for the same reason, primarily, though one was very much embarrassed by the love then, one is much less so now; however ready one was, given one’s contrarian spirit, to argue with one’s straight friends (as a straight guy oneself) about what a great singer BG was, one woudl do the same for GM now, though obviously no one cares anymore, this sort of commerically oriented pop being as quickly turned over as the snack aisle of the warehouse stores. One loved “Kissing a Fool” those year ago and might have dressed as GM one Halloween (still straight, girlfriend mighta recommended). Faith doesn’t hold up nearly as well as this, which is extraordinarily well crafted, well made, with distinct songs in complementary tonalities and vibes. This might be the record with the greatest delta in terms of reception at release time (complete and utter disdain) to now (measured appreciation). The title has always bothered -- is it caveat emptor or a lack of trust in his own material or vaguely insulting the audience? Even allowing for the argument that he’s Barry Manilow of the 90s, the 90s were cooler than the 70s so this holds up better.
4/5
Love it! “They won’t go ‘till I go” is een van mijn lievelingsnummers. Daarnaast word ik altijd vrolijk van “Freedom”. George Michael had een van de beste stemmen ooit.
loved it
An excellent follow-up to Faith. Much more serious without being boring, with a wide range of musical genres, it may not be his best record, but this showed that he wasn't just the pretty boy from Wham!
I know the hits, but I love the mix of styles of all the songs. Not a clunker to be found.
Not my genre, not my usual vibe at all but it just has that little extra something special
This album is so radically different than "Faith". I love them both in separate ways. Faith is my favorite, but this one has a different side of George Michael that was far more personal. Freedom! 90 is an absolute banger of a song, and anyone who bashes it really should reconsider what a good song is. Also, Waiting For That Day / You Can't Always Get What You Want and the Waiting (reprise) songs are just magical. I love it. The rest of the album is decent, but nothing that stands out as much as those songs. 3.5/5 stars = 4/5 for this scale. Bangers: Freedom! 90 and Waiting For That Day Other worthwhile tracks: Cowboys and Angels, Something to Save
Pretty darn good
Lovely album!! 4 *
This friggin rocked
i have come to really love george michael over time ... he's one of my fav pop stars and Freedom 90 literally might be one of my like 10 fav songs lol
Incredible album. Probably his best. Really enjoyed it first time listening.
I feel like this is pretty easy listening. Four out of five stars.
Damn, George Michael seems to be my guilty pleasure. I thought Freedom! was a Robbie Williams song lol. Honestly knew many of the songs already, some classics. Waiting for the Day is perhaps my favourite. Cowboys and Angels too though... A great ol' pop star!
good voice, did really enjoy this to be fair
Pretty good! I obviously already knew "Freedom! '90" but I enjoyed the whole album.
God, this guy was just a massive talent. Freedom 90 is forever a bop, but the rest of this record is just gorgeous. When's volume 2 coming out?
I would never say “I’m going to put on a George Michael album” but maybe I should! This album was surprisingly good. Not a single bad song and a nice variety of style and pace.
Fine album
Really good album, i thoroughly enjoyed it, I think I like this one better than Faith
Very good.
When pop was free of borders
Beaucoup de joie à écouter cet album!
Freedom is an all timer. George pour so much emotion into this album at a time that must have been challenging for him. One of a kind talent.
I don’t remember this one being so heavy in 1990 or any year after. Today it hits different. Praying for Time applies more today than ever given the political and social climate in the U.S. Beautifully mature and incredibly brave album.
George Michael's *Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1* (1990) marked a clear departure, embracing a more serious, mature, and often romantic tone with introspective tracks like "Praying for Time" and the jazzy "Cowboys and Angels." Yet, despite its acoustic leanings and deliberate shift from the maximalism of *Faith*, the album still maintains a subtle continuity with its predecessor's flair, chiefly through the undeniable pop brilliance and funky urgency of songs like "Freedom! '90," which reaffirms his command of sharp production and danceable rhythm amidst the new melancholic mood.
This is a reminder that George Michael was one of the great talents of the previous century.
Like this album fav tracks Freedom Cowboys and angels Heal the pain
4/5
Really enjoyed this