Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1

after looking into it i realized that george michael only came out nearly a DECADE after this album, which is surprising to me because in retrospect this whole album, the yearning, the themes of freedom and feeling empty inside/insecure, it was all over the place. anyways i miss you george michael you were a legend gone too soon MUAH

never really liked Wham! -- for me, the combination of the deeply cornball synths with George Michael's voice put me off. it was music that felt too plastic, too soft, and mostly just innocuous and sterile. i hate "Last Christmas", and "Careless Whisper" is fun for like two minutes before i'm over the steamy sax and histrionics. my favorite song of theirs is "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go", and it really shouldn't be. George Michael's solo career though? dude's an artist. "Listen Without Prejudice" is the rare (but still important) event of an artist known as a sexy heartthrob who fucks and fucks often saying "hey i'm actually more than a sex symbol". it's not slick, it's smooth, and the plastic is less rough PVC and more silicone, soft and malleable. i feel actual comfort here, even if it isn't all friendly. also, i never really got the connection to baggy's whole Thing and The Rolling Stones until he started singing "You Can't Always Get What You Want" at the end of "Waiting for That Day". kind of mind-blowing.

Enjoyable & nostalgic

Best thing he ever did. What a voice.

A soulful and genuine record.

Don’t like this style of music, but it’s nice to hear a talented pop singer express emotion with some real instruments behind them. Great lyrics and well produced though some of the production did not age well.

Una piacevole sorpresa, ho salvato diverse canzoni nella mia playlist!

I’ve always admired George Michael’s musical talent. I have an emotional connection to his music as it will always remind me of my auntie who was a huge fan. This is a good record, “Freedom” was pivotal and I’ve always loved “Heal The Pain”. Lots of nostalgia value from listening to my Parent’s radio every day. “Soul Free” reminds me of Streets of Rage. The reverb becomes a little tiresome in honesty, not sure why it’s required on every track but that doesn’t really take anything away. Although I don’t love every track on the album and I think his “Faith” album is much better, it’s worthy of a 4 without question.

Possibly a 5, would have to listen again!

Not bad for someone that's trapped in the bottom of a well

Не зацепило но круто

I wouldnt go out of my way to listen, it feels made for radio, it is also extremely good and pleasurable

Well now I have to watch the Wham documentary again! George seemed like a nice chap. This is good! Freedom is a banger and maybe I’d have liked a couple more songs to have that kind of energy if I was going to throw out a 5. Simpsons: Yes

Une pop aux arrangements sophistiqués, capiteuse dans son interprétation, mais aussi teintée d'une sorte de douleur à vif. J'en suis très touchée. George Michael a vraiment une voix incomparable. J'aurais donné 4,5

For an album called "Listen Without Prejudice", there sure are a lot of young white people on the cover. I'm taking away a half-star for that. Seriously, though, this is a great Pop album. More mature than (the also great) "Faith", Michael leaves me wishing that we had been blessed with Volume 2.

I must confess I haven’t listened to a george michael album. obviously I know who the man is, last christmas is after all my favourite christmas song of all time, and careless whisper has one of the most recognisable intros in music, but I’ve only really been familiar with the hits. lyrically this album is a very intentional one. without a doubt there is a very conscious effort to highlight the lyrical content, a blend of strong consciousness on social issues, as well as michael’s experiences with love and heartbreak. his writing is from the heart and it’s no surprise he wrote every single track off the album, with all but one being solely written by him. personally, I preferred the socially conscious side, praying for time I feel is more relevant than ever today, 35 years after its release. the album was also solely produced by michael, which is why the production and his vocal performance are so intrinsically tied to each other. this album certainly is more mellowed compared to his prior hits before the album, again a very intentional choice, yet each sound he explores has its character and place on the album. my favourite tracks off the album have a more jazz club, intimate feel to them, and his powerful vocals just shine on them. when you look at it, this album just relies on its power, and michael’s every artistic decision for the album is influenced by that, which just makes the album aptly named. I think my only slight grievances with this album is that the production isn’t as clear on certain songs (though that could also be just a me problem) and the songs about michael’s personal experiences with love could’ve been even more raw and vulnerable, but considering his personal circumstances at the time of the album’s release, I don’t dwell on this too much. favourite songs: they won’t go when I go, cowboys and angels, praying for time, waiting for that day 4 ⭐️

An album that deserves its accolades. Another gone too soon and treated badly during what turned out to be the end of his career. Talented man.

Damn this guy has a good voice. Thought this album was hilarious and simultaneously inspiring. The pingponging between rock and whining ballads was something. Good stuff :3 Fav Songs: They Won't Go When I Go, Freedom 90

Not my thing but I respect the talent

I enjoyed this album much more then I thought I would - what a great voice!

That‘s Not mine, sorry.

Dosta bolje od faith meni

well "freedom" is a five star track, easy. i just wish the rest of the album sounded like it! there are a lot of ballads on here, which might be his specialty, but i grew tired of them very quickly. a lot of very long songs too. idk george! i respect it but i don't know if i like it, you know?

Wow, this was so good that I went on to listen to the MTV Unplugged version too. I know George Michael, and am reminded again every Christmas. Faith is definitely one of my favorite songs of all time. But I had never heard this album, and I'm really glad that I now have.

Freedom slaps

The last solid George Michael album. I can appreciate that it's solid and has its audience but that audience is not me. I'm glad I got to listen to it most likely for the last time.

No apologies, the title said it all. Bloody love George, yep.

Best George Michael album. Period.

lovely tracks that highlight a great voice

Loved it then; love it now

Good.

Good album. He had such a strong voice.

Some fantastic songs on here, but a few tracks hold the album back from a full 5 stars.

on the second song he says "i won't let you down, i won't give up". what the flip.

Liked it a lot. Four stars.

In 1990 I was slightly disappointed with this GM album - had expected something as catchy as the songs on Faith. But the album got quite a bit better on repeat. Faith: 5 stars in 1987; 4 stars in 2021. LWP V1: 4 stars in 1990; 4 stars in 2024.

This was a great listen! I have never listened to George Michael before and I’m glad I did at this point in time so I can appreciate it.

George Michael's sound matured quite a bit compared to Faith. I'm also impressed by how the longest songs really don't feel long. Cowboys and Angels is gorgeous. Something to Save is also beautiful.

Na freedom zakt het wel af

Han synger så godt. Ingen dårlige numre men heller ikke nogen, der kommer helt op og ringe ligesom Freedom ‘90. Godt flow i hele albummet - den kommer helt sikkert på igen En persons “kedelig produktion” er en andens “moden lyd” 👵

Oh hot damn, this is a nice surprise. Never got to hear anything other than the big hit, which was absolutely *everywhere* back then. It’s still fantastic. So is the video he directed. This is much better than I expected. His voice was so freaking gorgeous, I can’t help but miss him. Of course the music is a bit dated, but he sounds great. In the context of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, rampant right wing religious extremism, and constant pervasive homophobia, this was braver than anyone gave him credit for. It’s sincere and pretty. And that voice! I’m angry at how much I miss it. 4/5

am groggy and Bleh and not in the best mood for music. still rly liked this tho which makes me think i should revisit it some other day with a clearer head...very warm and glowing and soulful pop stuff with even kind of a singer-songwriter edge that i wasnt expecting from the guy i mostly know for the funny sexy meme song (granted that is culture's fault and not his). my fave tracks predictably are the big soupy comfy ballads, real fishbowl stuff i can just float around in, but even the ones with a harder rnb edge are mostly super good and hooky. i like how u can trace my level of mentally functioning based on how stilted my writing ab these albums is lol im sorry george u made good music u deserve better!!!

Favorite Tracks: Freedom! ‘90 Something to Save Waiting for That Day

Fab

Cool, chic, mod, introspective, and buoyed and balanced by an ever-palpable sadness, this is far more interesting than your average throwaway pop.

Pop de George Michael. Un megahit. No está mal. Venga, un 4.

Bonico.

Surprisingly fun up front but it loses a lot of steam in the back half.

Pre-listening thoughts: oh my god what a relief to get George Michael after yesterday’s monstrosity. It literally can only get better from there. Post/during listening thoughts: this is pretty much what I expected from having heard some of Wham! And some of George Michael’s solo work. I love Freedom! But every time I hear it I think of the High school reunion dance scene in it’s always Sunny 😭😭😭. I have in fact also heard They Won’t Go When I Go. WAIT the reason I’ve heard it is bc we just got Stevie Wonders original version!!! Wild omg. The vocal harmonies on this album are wonderful. Stones interpolation is awesome. This is a very sad, slow, acoustic driven album that I would usually be deterred from. But man these songs are striking a chord within me today. Really enjoyed this 8.5/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: maybe? Fav tracks: Freedom! ‘90, They Won’t Go When I Go (great cover wow), Something to Save (crazyyyy three track run), Waiting for That Day, Heal The Pain Least fav tracks: I think Cowboys and Angels could’ve been like a min shorter. Same with Soul Free

Yes yes man was a genius! And this is a classic album

Overall album is solid. While this isn’t my normal genre at all, GM is easily one of the better male vocalists of the last 50 years. But Freedom! ‘90 is a damn anthem. Great piano hook. All of it. Don’t even get me started on the video. Great stuff. Album without F! ’90 might be a 2.75 or 3. But because of it it’s a 4.

Probably not the follow-up to Faith anyone was expecting, and that’s absolutely for the best. It feels as though Michael is speaking directly to the listener, honest and unashamed, and it rules.

This is some smooth stuff here, Cowboys & Angels straight up sounds like a Bond Title Sequence song. I'm hearing some maturing to his sound since 87's Faith which is nice. To be honest, I'm a bit starved for non-Faith album George Michael to begin with. This asserts that a deeper dive into the man's catalogue could be really rewarding. Dude has a lot of honesty and thoughtfulness to his songwriting that I find refreshing. He went on such a long independent journey, finding himself again and again, only to have to make peace with who he's been all along. I feel lucky to listen along for the journey, from the rollicking Wham! days to a man of a certain age, pondering what it is to be alive on this planet to begin with. It's the beginning steps of this rabbit hole that you can hear him go down, and thanks to Michael, it goes down real smooth.

I didn’t know I was a George Michael fan until now! I knew popular hits from him and with Wham and was surprised how much I enjoyed this album. It was interesting how many times I thought about newer artists I like having a similar sound throughout.

I’m actually very surprised by how much I enjoyed this album. George Michael wasn’t someone I would typically listen to when he was frequently on MTV - as I swung more into rock territory (and boy, was this man on MTV quite a lot back then). Of course, we all know the hit ‘Freedom’. But it feels like an outlier here; as if this was to get the radio hit out of the way because this is more of an acoustic/soul LP. Not that ‘Freedom’ is bad, it’s actually a banger. It’s just that there is so much more to the tracklist. George Michael legitimately has a great voice. His control was on point, he had a soothing tone, and his range was actually quite surprising. The best example of this is on the phenomenal cover of Stevie Wonder’s ‘They Won’t Go When I Go’. George’s lyrics are quite introspective, well written, and the man could pen a love song. He dabbles a little in politics, emotion dissection, and desperation. It’s surprisingly deep for someone I knew only for his solo and Wham! hits. He had a strong sense of melody to go with all this, too. I honestly couldn’t really find much to criticise. While I still wouldn’t consider myself an overall fan of George Michael’s work, I would recommend this to any fan of pop/acoustic music.

Excellent stuff

His Sign O the Times, pretty great record

I had only heard Michael’s songs played on the radio. This album was very good. He has a great voice. The music styles varied and he sang about some real life issues.

This was a very nice listen. I had never heard any of George Michael’s solo work before and I’m glad I now have. His voice is incredible and sounds so, so good. The songs lyrically were divers, not just a bunch of feel good, sound good pop fluff. The Stevie Wonder cover was very well done. Overall this was just a great album. The only reason it’s not a 5 is that many of the songs, while they sounded really good, didn’t really connect with me. Otherwise very well made and sounding album.

overall I enjoyed this album-he really had a great voice & is able to show it in a few tracks. enjoyed the variety of tempos, and having some tracks piano focused & others guitar focused was nice too. pleasantly surprised.

mi è piaciuto forse un po' meno di Faith, ma comunque lui, la sua voce e il suo carisma rendono anche i progetti meno convincenti dei mezzi capolavori

The only album from George I had heard before this was the more-successful “Faith,” which I’ve never been a huge fan of, but after this album was included in Apple Music’s top 100 list instead of “Faith,” I decided to give it a listen. And you know what, I’m very glad I did. Hearing George in a more passionate and sensitive musical bag was a delight to hear, with tracks ranging from being powerful to straight up soulful and funky. There’s a great variety in this concise ten-song tracklist that widely extended who George Michael was after his debut album.

Pretty solid and ambitious pop album but not the 5 stars of the other George Michael album we heard. Freedom ‘90 was great.

I know a surprising number of George Michael songs

Ugh, what a magnificent voice. There were moments I wish he'd let it flourish a little more, but it's powerful and tender all at once, and when it shines, it really shines. I only knew Freedom! '90 before this (Christine and the Queens does a phenomenal cover of this song - the live performance from Global Citizen made me fall in love with the song, actually). I was happy to discover new songs to love as well - my favorite was Waiting for That Day ("My memory serves me far too well") and Waiting (Reprise) ("There ain't no point in moving on 'til you've got somewhere to go"). A couple of songs, such as Soul Free, really didn't do it for me, but I'm rounding my 3.5 up to a 4 anyway.

Some of his most classic songs in here, it’s a nice album to listen to.

Not what I expected when I saw a George Michael album pop up, but I enjoyed it all the same.

George Michael really was that good, huh? The hits are timeless and the deep cuts are pretty decent, too. I even really like the Stevie Wonder cover. B+

gearoge mickel from wham

Not my favourite album, still very solid

Very good pop record, love some GM

Nice pleasant AM album. Great voice from Mr. Mike along with a nice variety of smooth instruments. We have been on a stretch of so many mid albums that this is a nice breath of fresh air.

As popular as he was, he was still underrated for his talent. This album is brilliant.

There's hits here. George Michael really found his sound on this album. That sound is subdued pop. 7/10 Bonus points because freedom absolutely slaps

I have always felt like this was an underrated album. Happy to come across it here

Lovely

The Usher “most underrated vocalist of his generation and when you hear them you’re like damn why isn’t this guy considered one of the top vocalists in the game right now” award goes to George Michael. I really forgot how dope his voice is. I could do without some of the breathy and cheesy vocals he does but when he belts it, damn he is on (I would strongly recommend listening to some of the live recordings of don’t let the sun go down on me. His pitch and tone are phenomenal). This album really appealed to the chorus nerd in me. Very unique arrangements and intriguing harmonies. Not all of them work but I liked most of them. Freedom has just been used in so many movies I feel like so I’m kinda over it but it is a good catchy song in its own right. Also my dad always jammed to waiting for that day and I do love The Rolling Stones sample(?) at the end of that.

Who can listen to "Freedom! '90" and not sing along at the top of your lungs Freedom, Freedom, Freedom!!!? Outside of that song, the first half of the album didn't really do much for me. The second half on the other hand I really enjoyed. This was going to be a 3 for me until I heard the rendition of "You Can't Always Get What You Want" at the end of "Waiting for That Day". That bumped it to a 4.

Loved this album, and was not expecting to!

I think this is as grand as it is meant to be. Also in the Apple Music top 100 and I can tell these are power ballads and they are so so so iconic. What an intro. The guitar is so incredible I love it so much. I am actually listening to it again and I am gonna leave the library after. I will let you know :p There is so much soul and heart in these lyrics they really feel so timeless and the music does not even feel that dated. Songs love to repeat lyrics over and over to end songs. WOW okay I think this is a 8 easy maybe 9 on a good day but every song on here rocks. some of the slower piano stuff works and it has tragedy to it but George Micheal when he is singing about sadness and really pushing himself feels amazing Favs: Heal the Pain Waiting for that Day Praying for time soul free is dated tho

Freedom 90 is one of the greatest songs of all time.

Peak 90s George Michael, one of England's most renowned singer-songwriters. Freedom! '90 is the most iconic of the album, but there are other great songs in its midst. For instance, the opening song, Praying for Time, sets the album to a great start.

man, what a cool dude. ‘freedom’ really great vibes from there.

I might actually listen to this again later. George Michael's voice is really groovy, his delivery is compelling, the production is nice. "Freedom" is an absolutely stellar track. Not my favourite album of all time and the second part of the album is maybe a bit weaker than the first, but I definitely see a time and place for this record for sure. 3.8/5

I wasn't super crazy about the first George Michael album on this list, something about the production made it sound like cheesy versions of prince songs. However, this album is a lot better, it seems a lot more developed and mature. A lot of really good songs on this album too. Freedom is easily a 5/5. I was debating whether to give this a 5, but I think the last couple songs are just ok, so it's closer to a 4. It might grow to a 5 on future listens though.

George Michael is quality.

Very fun

Nice. Another great album! George Michael is an artist that I've always just kind of known as "The Careless Whisper Guy" and not much else. I knew he was famous, but I hadn't heard much of his stuff. I didn't even know he was in Wham! Anyways, this album is really good. I wasn't sold on his singing at first, but it grew on me and I appreciate it. The sound is quite nice. It's a solid pleasant sound that I can't really pinpoint a genre for. The closest I'd call it is R&B, but that doesn't really paint the whole picture. The writing is also very good. There's substance to these lyrics, and every song has a purpose, leading to the album not feeling samey. Overall, this is a good album, but not quite in the top echelon for me. 4/5.

Great musik

First off, for et fuckings albumbilde. Og second off. Embrace the cheeze. Fy faen det her er jo gospel gull, det er pop deluxe, er så jævlig her for det. Utrolig mye bra låter, men altså ikke helt mesterverk.

"Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1" by George Michael is a testament to his artistry and maturity as a musician. Released in 1990, the album showcases Michael's introspective songwriting and soulful vocals. Tracks like "Freedom! '90" and "Praying for Time" are highlights, with their poignant lyrics and powerful melodies. Michael's decision to not appear on the album cover or in most of the music videos was a bold statement against the commercialism of the music industry. While some critics felt the album lacked the pop hooks of his previous work, many praised its depth and sincerity. "Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1" remains a timeless classic that solidifies George Michael's place as one of the greatest artists of his generation.

Amazing pop album, really under-the-radar compared to other great pop albums from the late 80s/early 90s.

Alright

a generally good listen, torn between high 3 and low 4. freedom definitely the standout but other good stuff too so i lean more towards 4

Great tunes. Great voice. The sound of an era, maybe even two. Cool balance of some different styles. Just a great listen.

This is one I needed context for and repeat listenings to fully "get." It's an amazing record. You can literally here George Michael throwing it all away here. Just as much as you can here him influencing every one from Primal Scream in the next year to Lorde some 30 years later.

Best George Michael album I've heard... Great play of vocal and music

fabulous Freedom 90, the rest is best when sounding looser and groovier -

I gave this a first listen while I was out running and I was absolutely not the vibe. I was leaning towards a 3 at the time but figured I’d give it the benefit of a more contextually appropriate relisten, and I appreciated it a lot more this evening. The first two songs are both incredible and a perfect way to open up a record, and the instrumentals are quite sparse thereon out, relying mainly on acoustic guitars, the occasional thin synth pad, and layers of majestic and vocals. The songs are generally quite long but don’t outstay their welcome - the hypnotic swung waltz Cowboys and Angels for example does not feel 7 minutes. The album loses steam a bit towards the end, and Soul Free in particular sounds quite dated (it also reminds me a bit of Peter Andre which is frankly upsetting) so it doesn’t quite stick the landing for me but is a great experience on the whole

Teared up during Mothers pride.

Bonico.

Heerlijk, wat een sfeer en stem blijft het toch. Favoriet: Cowboys and Angels

The first half or so is a breathtakingly beautiful album, very personal too. But the runtime is a bit too long and would have benifited from some dead weight cutting

This album surprises, sometimes George Michael over-sings but otherwise it was pretty inspired

Pretty fun, George Michael has a pretty specific sound but he does it well.

Ya know what, I didn't hate this. Being a 20-something from the UK my entire experience of George Michael has been plagued by old women badgering the DJ to 'pop on a bit of George!' at events I'd much rather not be at, and it's always the same couple of songs. This album was totally different from what I expected - I didn't love it per-se but it's certainly changed my position on what I think of GM as a songwriter and artist.

Guys in current pop just don't send it like they used to. George Michael fully commits, you can feel the passion in the voice. More somber than Faith. Never knew that Freedom song was by him, but I sure knew it from some commercial I can't remember. Favorite track: They Won't Go When I Go

А мне понравилось, кстати. Очень спокойно, душевно. Я у него, конечно же, слышал careless whisper, но тут весь альбом в таком же романтически-лирическом духе. Я считаю, что это четверочка смело. Кайфово.

The slightly dated piano, europoppy vibes, not my favourite. However, the majority of the album held up completely, with only the Stevie Wonder track and Soul Free turning me off. Fav Tracks: Freedom 90', Waiting for The Day, Heal the Pain

Easy listening, very nice

Based on Wikipedia, I was ready for a dour album full of ballads and a slog to get through, but that's anything but the case. It displays an impressive range of songwriting from George Michael, and I don't think there is really a bad song on the album. There are some surprising sounds and textures, with some jazzier numbers popping up. It is definitely less fun than Faith, but still contains one of the best 90s club tracks in "Freedom '90"

Enjoyed this, realized I have never listened to any George Michael beyond his couple of top hits.

I only listened to like half of this but i was really liking what i was hearing. Very theatrical and moody, but also upbeat at times. Will have to continue with the rest.

George Michael moves away from the upbeat pop sound of his previous work in this introspective, at times somber, demonstration of the thoughtful artistic depth behind and beyond his mega-stardom.

pretty good album, better than i expected. 3.5/5

Entering his adult contemporary phase, Michael ups the vocal difficulty and thematics.

Good album

jamming to this while at work, sehr funky

a very good album, me gusta

Man knew how to write a pop song.

Really nice album. It’s sorta soft rock, some really nice bass lines on it. I love love waiting for that day. Freedom is great, cowboys and angels is great. Just an easy to listen album. Strong 3 to a light 4.

Freedom 90! Is a bop.

A sensitive but listenable album. Good songwriting here, I didn’t know George Michael made this kind of music. I’ll be listening to more than the hits from now on.

We lost him way too soon. Such an artist

This album really starts out pretty spectacularly and tails off mightily at the end for me. Overall, I would still say I enjoyed most of it. The songwriting in here is very, very good, and I like the transitions in feel over the course of the album. Favorite track: Waiting for that Day

Somehow this had just the right amount of cheese to make it to a 4.

4/5

George Michael’s resurgence since he passed away is well deserved, I think, not only because he’s obviously a very talented songwriter, musician, and performer, but because he wasn’t treated very fairly when he was alive. It’s a real shame, because the recent stories about him make him sound like a real decent guy. Thanks to this project, I listened to this album when I never would have before, and I liked it a lot.

Still pretty magnificent

I did as the title suggests and listened to a very decent piece of music, obviously personal and varied. enjoyed it a lot. 4

Solid 4, maybe 5, but Freedom is an absolute 5. Such a good voice.

Freedom 90 was one of my favourite songs growing up

Lovely !

This made me much more interested in George Michael’s music. I enjoy the hits from Wham! and some of his other songs, but this is a beautiful collection. His voice is so rich and nuanced. As always a great performer.

Iconic

I like this departure from super-slick pop though maybe it swings a bit too somber. Still very good.

The randomizer sure didn't wait long to give me the next George Michael album. "Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1" is the second solo studio album by English singer-songwriter George Michael. This album was a stark departure from his debut "Faith" being largely acoustic with a somber mood in both the lyrics and music. Produced by Michael himself, it is mostly ballads and folk-style songs. The album received mixed reviews upon its release and commercially was a disappointment to Michael. It did hit #1 in the UK and #2 in the US but did not do nearly as well as "Faith" which was the best selling selling album in 1998 in the US. Michael ended up suing Sony for not supporting him. A big majestic open for the first single "Praying for Time." Acoustic guitar. Orchestral background. A serious tone and Michael whispering about social ills and injustice. Not all the songs are somber, enter "Freedom!90." Uplifting. House dance music. Infectious. Swirling piano. A James Brown sample. We also got the gospel, soulful background vocals. The songs refers to past success with Wham! and takes a swipe at the music business. I knew I'd get another waltz today and that happens in "Cowboys and Angels." Piano and a classical intro. The beat has a bossa nova feel. The sax comes in and now it's jazzy. A love triangle as a girl likes Michael but Michael likes another guy. Michael samples both lyrics and the melody from the Stones' "You Can't Always Get What You Want" in "Waiting for That Day." He's clinging to the stupid mistakes he's made. "Heal the Pain" is another optimistic song. Acoustic guitar and percussion, maybe congas. Layered vocals. Michael wanting to help someone. "Soul Free" brings the dance back. Multple percussion, jazzy piano and a flute sound. Falsetto vocals. The sex is great but the relationship sucks and he can't escape. This is another very good album by George Michael. It is mostly subdued and somber songs but there are some uplifting ones which are my favorite. There's a decent musical variety too...pop, jazz, waltz timed, R&B, soul, gospel and bossa nova. Also, he leaves little doubt of his talent with the production, song quality and powerful vocals. Different than "Faith" but definitely worth a listen.

Tästä eteenpäin taas Ariat käytössä.. oisko yli 3.00.. kiipuaminen.. HETI KUULEE DOLBY ATMOS PASKAN LAATU HYI SAATANA KU MIKSAA HOMO KAIUTIN KÄYTTÄJILLE VARMAAN PASKAA!!!,,apple music... spotify hyvä.. musiikista sen verran että kiintoisa lirittäjä artisti musiikki lirittänä

Very enjoyable! Lots of songs I hadn’t heard before by an artist I like!

Most were ok and liked some, would maybe listen to some again. Weren’t any I disliked.

I'm increasingly surprised by how much I enjoy this pop music. I was sick of it in the eighties, but it's not so bad now.

Well, the name was premonitory. I was expecting a collection of sexualized pop songs and got a good batch of sophisticated gospelly, jazzy, melancholic tunes. It is nice to drop prejudices.

Good listening. Very groovy

'Freedom! 90' is an absolute classic, the rest of the album is a decent listen

Not a George Michael fan but album was not bad

3.5

I enjoyed this WAY more than I expected to. Was expecting a solid 3, but actually it's comfortably a 4. I see people complaining it's somber and slow, which I guess is what appeals to me - if it was too poppy I'd be turned right off. Fave tracks - "Freedom '90" is a bop, naturally. "Waiting for That Day" is very pleasant, and his cover of Stevie Wonder's "They Won't Go When I Go" I found pretty arresting!

Some sappy moments but overall really enjoyed, even some of the really emotional ballads were done nicely. In fact, there were plenty of songs aside from Freedom that I will return to. Sounds perfectly 80s and 90s, and yet also somewhat timeless. 4/5!

Pop de George Michael. Un megahit. No está mal. Venga, un 4.

Very good, fantastic voice and some excellent songs

Took the album title's advice and was not disappointed.

powerful!

Growing up in the 80s I, obviously, despised Wham!, complete with their annoying exclamation mark. As you do when you're 14. Obviously that rejection carried over into a general dislike of George as well. Why would I listen to that? It'll be like White Christmas or Young Guns. Someone I know very well, on the other hand, claims to have "known all the dances" when she was that age. Thankfully we didn't meet then... So, this was a genuine surprise and is clearly a decent album with a whole range of different styles and subtle things going on way beyond the couple of famous tracks at the start. My prejudice was clearly unjustified. Would I listen to it again? Yeah, maybe I would. I wouldn't say it's guaranteed but there's a decent chance. So, yeah, this'll be a 3.5 going to a 4. Decent stuff.

Two absolute bangers in 'Freedom! '90' and 'They Won't Go When I Go', and the rest are pretty good as well, although gets more bland. Great album overall, feels really underrated at 3.14 tbh

Elegant, timeliness, heartfelt. Not special musically but the emotion and quality of his voice shines through and it's way ahead of its time.

Excellent. Almost 5 star worthy

"They Won't Go When I Go" and "Cowboys and Angels" are terrific songs. His singing style can seem a bit embellished and overly dramatic, but when it works, it works. This was a really nice surprise.

Banger 4/5

This is a hidden gem. Love it.

Freedom is a banger. We all know that. What we don’t hear about as often is just how gorgeous his voice is and how deeply he admired Freddie Mercury based on his vocal runs and composition. The opener is a bit of a softball; I think I have more use for Michael in funk mode.

очень классная обложка несколько квиновый ваййб думаю из-за вокала

Some great tunes and AMAZING singing

I can't believe it, but I actually liked this album. I had never given ol' George a chance before.

Wow this is really good

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the other George Michael album that I previously listened to (Faith) so I’m quite hopeful for today. If you’d have told me 10 years ago that I’d like George Michael’s music I’d have laughed at you, yet here we are! Songs I already knew: Freedom ‘90 Favourites: Freedom ‘90, Cowboys And Angels Another album to prove how much my music tastes have changed over time! I really enjoyed this. The tone of his voice is so soft yet clear, making it very easy to listen to. The melodies are catchy and stick in your head very easily. A lot of pop music tends to be very formulaic and just follow the tried and tested 4 chords over and over, but this tends to be much more inventive. There are elements of jazz throughout, chord progressions can often go where you might not quite expect. Overall, a very enjoyable album.

This is some good easy listening. George Michael has a beautiful voice, which really works for these slower and more thoughtful songs. To be honest, he could probably say whatever he wants with a voice like that.

I like some of the less-popular tracks off this album like "Heal The Pain" and They Won't Go. I have to listen to more of his albums in their entirety for a better comparison. But obviously, this is a solid album throughout.

What an amazing voice he had

Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Freedom, They won’t go when I go, Cowboys and angels

Très bonne seconde moitié d'album à mes oreilles

I love George Michael! He doesn't get enough credit for his bravery and creativity. I do believe folks now have a better appreciation of him and his art as they look back on all he did. Many of these songs are straight-up catchy and solid pop, but listening to the tracks more attentively today, I realize that there is more depth and complexity there than one (or at least I) might have heard back when these songs were getting routine airplay. As with his previous solo album, Faith, Michael wrote most of the tracks and arranged and produced all tracks. When I keep that in mind as I listen to the album, I'm even more impressed. And what a voice. Rest in peace, George.

Just some really solid 90s pop, enjoyed it a lot!

Enjoyable 90s pop album without much highlights but just an overall good level

I listened through to this one twice. It seems like a gay man coming into his own and celebrating that, hardships and all. But maybe that's just because it's George Michael. He's got a good voice and these songs draw you in. I will listen again! My favourites were "They Won't Go When I Go" and "Waiting."

Yeah I liked it.He has a great voice.Not completely Into the acoustic das vibe though.

Loved it.

George Michael had us do one thing and one thing only: focus on the music. Years of having his bearded face plastered on television sets and album covers and millions of young girls' walls made him ill. The main thing that drove him to superstardom has ceased being the focus. So he pared back on the image and decided to serve those the sound. That's what Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 is all about. And it served its purpose. No longer would Michael be seen as a button to press for those who want to fill the airwaves, now he was seen as someone who had something important to say. Granted, he wouldn't have anticipated the tragedies that lain ahead in his life that would have sidelined anyone in its path but for now, as he was at the top of his game, the coast was clear for further greatness. And George Michael achieved it here. All he wanted us to do was listen without prejudice. Favorites: Praying for Time, Freedom '90, They Won't Go When I Go, Waiting for That Day, Mothers Pride, Heal the Pain, Soul Free.

I guess I never realized the impact George Michael had on modern music. You can hear shades of his theatrics in Lady Gaga and Sam Smith. Great mix of genres. Still, each song feels like it stretches on maybe a minute too long. Favorite tracks: "Freedom! 90", "Cowboys and Angels", "Heal the Pain"

None of the hits (except Freedom), but still an awesome listen.

Pop perfection. What I like about this record is that it's still sincere and genuine despite being a huge pop record from a huge pop icon. George Michael sings with emotion and the lyrics are thoughtful - albeit a bit cheesy, but that's fine. Not one bit seems manufactured. It's testament to his artistry, and to the sincerity that we seem to have lost somewhat in today's popular music. Standout tracks are Praying for Time, Freedom! '90, Soul Free, and Waiting.

Loved it.

One of the greatest vocalists ever. Just silk. Stunning songwriter too. RIP you beautiful human.

Thrilling songs, his voice was better than I expected and loved the topics

You know I went in without prejudice and actually ended up liking this way more than I thought I would

I definitely see the inspiration for pop musicians I enjoy listening to today. First Album listen for George Micheal, very political ballads, lovely voice and a pastiche of funk, gospel, pop and well, late 80s pop. Stand-Out Tracks: Freedom '90, Mother's Pride.

Some beautiful and heartfelt statements by George Michael.

Actually pretty fantastic. Not only is he the greatest male pop singer of all time, but this album actually has some interesting and varied songwriting. Favorites were They Won’t Go When I Go and Cowboys and Angels

Camp 90s pop, some real bangers here

Freedom 90 is a great track and the album us well put together, just not my cup of tea

Really good. Will give it repeat listens.

4.0

catchy

Would definitely listen to this again.

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would :)

This album’s a real grower. During my first listen I can’t say it stuck out as a particularly outstanding album, and the early 90s production didn’t do much for me. However, a second listen completely changed my perspective and gave me a totally newfound appreciation of George Michael as both a lyricist and songwriter. The anthemic “Freedom ‘90” is a a stellar hit single, but its defiant mood of liberation isn’t especially prevalent throughout the rest of the album, which is a well-documented laidback affair. That being said, it also contains one of my favourite lyrics on the album which I’d never picked up on before: “All we’ve got to do/ Is take these lies and make them true somehow”. That’s not the only instance where I was taken aback by the subtlety and complexity of Michael’s songwriting. With the exception of the hit single, there’s nothing quite as immediately hooky on this record as on Faith. But that’s certainly not a bad thing, and Listen Without Prejudice is a far more rewarding listen if you’re able to embrace the title’s injunction. Great stuff!

strong 3, light 4

Enjoyed. Not my favorite George Michael album but still enjoyed.

Favourite track(s): Freedom! '90; They Won't Go When I Go; Something to Save I do appreciate when you can tell the individual tracks of an album apart - which is the case here, even if the sound is generally coherent. Funny how the George Michael Formula seems to result in few mainstream bangers (Freedom! '90, obviously) but can be heard in other songs (Soul Free) as well. Still, They Won't Go When I Go and Something To Save seem to deviate from the Formula but have stayed with me the longest. I only deduct one star because the other tracks could not grab me immediately and I might be inclined to skip them on repeated listens.

Did not know what to expect, but it was really enjoyable. I get why George Michael is such a big name.

Didn’t go in with that many expectations. I figured this album would be unimpressive. But I really enjoyed it. Especially the first song. I just zoned out to the sound of his voice on my night drive.

I was surprised to have liked this so much

Nog wel Sava ofzo maar wel heeeeel disco

The man so nice they named him twice does it again. 8/10

I listened with an open mind and really enjoyed this.

Good album, nothing that really sticks out for me though

Be still my heart … the vocals … wow

Great album by George Michael. Some surprisingly good slow jazzy stuff in there. Solid album.

A solid effort that moved past Wham’s effervescent pop. Freedom is a standout but the album is consistently good - no filler tracks.

i quite liked this album! there are quite a few tender songs here. i mean, "cowboys and angels" emotionally destroyed me. "praying for time" and "mother's pride" deal with tough subjects, but george michael handles them so well. he approaches the topics with sensitivity and care. he doesn't shy away from heart-wrenching lyrics. while i very much enjoy wham!'s poppy fun, what george michael does here is so beautiful, meaningful, and important. i found myself admiring his lyrics. every line seems to be purposeful. his voice is so well suited to these emotional songs, too. there's something magical about "freedom! '90". i enjoyed taking the time to learn about this particular song and its personal significance to michael. too often on this list, an album containing a hugely popular song will fall flat, except for that big hit. the rest of listen without prejudice vol. 1 carries itself well. i'm looking forward to listening to this album more in the future!

Has its moments

A motto I try and follow on this 1001 albums journey, and it's hard not to listen to this without prejudice - of the positive kind. It's a great album, including one of George Michael's signature tracks - Freedom! 90. What's not to love?

I was prepared to not like this album, for unknown reasons. I grew up with Wham! and George Michael was everywhere as I made my way through high school. As my own musical tastes grew, his music fell off my radar, with the exception of Freedom 90, which will forever be a top-tier track. This album pleasantly surprised me. It’s not music I’ll reach for (except Freedom) ever, but it’s not bad.

7/4/2022 - ALBUM #158 Today's Album: "Listen Without Prejudice Vol.1" by George Michael - The opening track, Praying for Time, does a great job of welcoming the listener into this diverse collection of dramatic pop songs. Themes of human injustice, especially when it comes to money, are discussed with such great weight, and although the mix on this song in particular feels a little bit washed out, it still has such an impact due to some very strong lyricism and singing. The next track, Freedom! '90, takes things in a much more uplifting direction, with a playful piano line and shaking tambourines laying out a really playful musical base for a very strong and slightly cynical vocal performance from Michael. It's a song I've heard all over different movie soundtracks and that I imagine was overplayed to all hell in the 90s, but I have to say it's still a banger. The energy absolutely takes a nosedive with They Won't Go When I Go, where a solo, sorrowful piano backs a vocal performance that sounds much more like a poem recital than anything else. I think the song captures this really pained feeling of betrayal and fits with many songs on this record, but what he was thinking putting this song directly after the last I may never know. The next track, Something To Save brightens things up a lot and could have been a much better way of transitioning between those two tracks. Anyways, the album carries on with a pretty solid collection of tracks. Cowboys and Angels is a sort of low-key jazz ballad, Waiting for That Day is a particularly catchy and upbeat track and I love the vinyl production filter placed overtop, and Heal the Pain is a really lovely acoustic track with a peaceful groove to it that makes me want to float away on a beach. Soul Free strips things back for this pretty great instrumental break and it really feels like this song is emblematic of the range of songs you get out of this album. I don't think every song is a total home run, but the shift in song style from track to track is pretty refreshing and gives the album a lot of depth. The last track Waiting is a really nice closer for the album, with the vocal performance and lyrics feeling as grand and full of depth as the first song, but the laid back acoustic guitar and hopeful atmosphere of the song give it a much more hopeful tone. Overall, this is a pretty dang good album, with a lot of memorable moments and as previously mentioned, a lot of variety to the track list that give it a lot of re-listenability. Give this one a listen if you want a contemplative, but uplifting batch of memorable gospel-pop(?) tracks. Highlights: Praying for Time, Freedom! '90, Something to Save, Waiting for That Day, Heal the Pain, Waiting Score: 7.5/10 A strong batch of tracks from a 90s pop king

This album was enjoyable overall, and even the slower songs which I would have normally skipped (because I'm a pleb) were of high quality because DANG! George can sing haha. Top song for me is definitely "Freedom! '90", it's such a bop. "Soul Free" is also pretty solid. 4/5 overall

Freeeeeedooooom, freeeeedooooom! A fun record. Great voice, pleasant compositions. Not entirely my jam, but it was a highly entertaining album. I now understand what the fuss about George Micheal was for the previous generations. Highlight (cliche): Freedom! '90

Jestem pozytywnie zaskoczony, może nie jest to odkrycie roku, ale słuchało się całkiem przyjemnie. "Freedom! '90" to klasa sama w sobie.

Ludzie czasem z politowaniem patrzą na George'a Michaela, a prawda jest taka, że on wypuszczal naprawdę solidne albumiki. Nie jest to groundbreaking, ale szło się wczuć i przyjemne melodie i kompozycja instrumentów.

Ik heb een zwak voor George Michael. Hou nog meer van zijn eerdere wat 'stoerdere' werk, maar dit album is toch ook wel een gooi richting een perfect popalbum. Heel divers qua stijlen. En die stem is echt altijd fantastisch!

Not my most favourite tracks but a good album nevertheless. 4*

Listened to on 6/9/22 Favorite song: Waiting, Freedom Absolutely bop of an album - so fun and easy to listen to and George Michael is beyond talented

This took me back. To days before Spotify where you would hear a track on the radio or a friend would put this on the turntable and you'd say "Oh is this the new George Michael album?". I can now listen back to it and enjoy the tracks but at the time they were bound up with the late 80's and the stigma of sexuality and 'post-Wham'. There are some really good tracks on this album- smooth and introspective. It's very 80's with some of the tricks of the trade you got then (back-beats and echo).

This album had a bit of a lull in the middle, but damn the bookends are incredible.

'Freedom! '90' bellissima, anche 'Waiting for the day', però manca un po' il quid che renderebbe l'album un capolavoro.

A few too many ballads, but the fast songs slap, especially "Freedom '90", which might be better than any song on "Faith". If George Michael really wanted to be taken seriously, he should have sought a career outside of pop music. Instead he seemed laser-focused on distancing himself from Andrew Ridgeley and Wham! and all "I Want Your Sex". I for one love Wham! and "Faith". I just wish George Michael did, too.

I see why the record label didn't really know how to promote this, but it's stood the test of time very well.

Very enjoyable

I was surprised by his much I enjoyed this album. George Michael had a hell of a voice and his level of vocal control is very well developed. The music itself was fairly basic late 80s early 90s pop, but his voice is able to give a huge depth of emotion and energy to the songs. It’s four stars on the voice alone.

Probably a 3.5 but rounding up. Better than I thought.

Decent album, for sure dragged up by Freedom '90, which remains a classic.

Ha un che dei queen, però più anni ottanta, è divertente.

Love this album. 4/5

þetta er GEGGJAÐ

Listened before ? N Great album! Reminds me of my childhood. Pros: This dude's voice was pure magic. This album was enjoyable from beginning to end. Freedom is a timeless classic. Oh, and also he's a gay icon to boot! Cons: not much to dislike here. Added to Library? Y

Its a genuinely moving album. Beautiful in its way

This shit slaps

Naziv albuma je sve rekao. Njega nisam nikad slušao, niti sam imao neku želju, iskreno. Međutim, ovaj album me je razuvjerio i volim kad me nešta ovako iznenadi. Jako mi se sviđa album, znaš kakva je ovo četvorka? E pa jebeno čvrsta! Upravo gledam, on je umro, na Božić '16. Zaboravio sam, uglavnom hvala George na ovom albumu. P.S. nek se držve ovog covera, a ne drugog što je na spotifaju (da je taj bio pravi cover, ne bi ga ni upalio iskreno). *četiri puta preslušao*

Better than expected, varied styles, surprisingly heartfelt but also danceable in places, a surprise hit for me

Freedom 90

Allt að gerast í retrospectioninni, var orðinn "of töff" fyrir þetta árið 1990, en kann aftur að meta George Michael í miðöldruninni. Flott plata sko.

Smooth

hard to go wrong with George Michael.

So much VERRRRRB

Очень хорошо. 4+

Such a crisp voice on George Michael - it's one I've heard thousands of times in my life, but I'd never listened to an entire album cover to cover. I appreciate the vocal talent that is conveyed on this album.

bem gostozinhas as musicas tem até uma bem famosas como "Freedom" bem anos 90

"Freedom" is def the biggest hit on the album. Nice album to listen to, to be honest. 7/10.

I was actually surprised at how much I enjoyed this, as I'm disinclined to like pop music that was done after about 1980. (It's not a fair prejudice). He puts out a lot of energy in this music.

I've always disliked the title of this album. It feels like a set-up --- if you don't like the record, it's because of your prejudices. Well...to this "little hungry schoolgirl" who loved Wham! and Faith, this album _was_ disappointing at the time. I like it more now than I did in 1990. I count Praying for Time and Freedom! '90 among my favorite songs. I also really like Waiting for That Day and Heal the Pain. While I can appreciate Michael's need for more respect as a song-writer and the state of his personal life at the time, this album seems overly serious. I would have liked a bit more fun and a bit less scolding. This album is nevertheless very very good.

Bra album! Visar verkligen George Michaels talang för låtskrivande.

White boy soul at it's best from the lad from Wham! Classic tracks are "Freedom" (Obviously) "Praying For Time" "Mothers Pride" and "Heal the Pain" plaintive calls for understanding. Georges ability to hit the heights both lyrically and vocally on show here. Much missed artist I think.

This was actually pretty good

Great album, great artist. I enjoyed each track. 4.4

Reminds me of Songs in the Key of Life in the switch between styles and the particular selection of styles.

hmm i could listen to some songs when having sex!

I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed this album. George Michael's vocals really stood out, and the seriousness in tone worked for all the songs. I had read some critics who scoffed saying he was overdoing it: "oh, look I'm serious now," but I did not get that at all. Of course, there is the Freedom90 song which we have all heard, but the other songs on the album were just as good to me.

This album was really good. I'm sad to admit that back in my serious prog-snob I days I dismissed George Michael without every giving him a chance. I regret that now and this album is going to send me down that rabbithole to check out more of his solo albums and Wham!

I was pleasantly surprised by this album. I'm not a big pop fan, but I felt the songwriting and production quality were excellent. I also understand why a lot of people wanted to see him as the new singer for Queen - there were so many moments he sounded like Freddie. Solid 4.

Very good! Did not expect to like this as much as i did, very varied pop album.

Engrossing, varied, more serious than his other work, better than I was expecting

Enjoyable! Easy to listen to

Really taken aback by how much I enjoyed this. It's been a long time since I've been impressed solely by someone's vocally quality, but dang, Michael has such a nice timbre despite its cheesiness. Immediately went to Discogs to pick this one up.

I love George Michael. I love him so much I’ve become like a Michael Jackson fan you see in a documentary bawling their eyes out over him moonwalking. That’s me, but for George Michael. He has been canonized in my mind, and I don’t care if my interpretation of him is no where near accurate to how he actually was in real life. Okay, now that being said, this album is beautiful, but I wouldn’t necessarily give it a 5. I especially love Cowboys and Angels and Waiting for That Day. There were a few songs I wasn’t in love with, and that’s okay. I see myself listening to a lot of the songs regularly, but maybe not the entire album.

Now we're talking. A proper album l. Spoiled only by Freedom 90

I never listened to the whole album before, but George Michael is excellent.

Maybe one too many ballads but overall a great listen and he sounds amazing as ever

El típic disc madur després d'un èxit tan apoteòsic com "Faith". Encara hi ha petites espurnes de genialitat pop com 'Praying for Time' o 'Freedom' 90', però la major part del minutatge evoluciona i redunda en els tocs jazzístics de l'anterior, aquí protagonistes. Es fa sentir tot, però, de forma natural i honesta; i continuen havent-hi uns quants temes molt destacats

Der Wechsel ins „ernsthafte“ Fach tat ihm gut, Emanzipation beflügelte zur Auseinandersetzung mit dem projizierten wie auch dem Selbstbild. Und darüber möchte George nun reden, ein drängendes Anliegen schlägt seine Bahn. Der Kurs ist klar, poliert, geht Richtung dunkel lackierten Holz, Leder, indirektem Licht. Barsound eben und doch auch intim, nichts ist Retro sondern stilsicher ausgewählt. Musik als Einrichtungsgegenstand mit viel persönlicher, gestalterischer Note, die am deutlichsten in den Texten durchkommt. Dass es keine Dancefloor orientierte Vol. II mehr gegen hat, verleiht dem Bemühen um gereifte Wahrnehmung eine tragische Note. Kitsch oder großes Können ist die Schneide, auf der auch Größenwahnsinnige wie Queen und Prefab Sprout regelmäßig tanz(t)en und ich rechne George Michael an, es auf diesem Parkett versucht und besser geschafft zu haben, als Kritik und Sales es wiedergeben. Überraschte 3.7

Great album, and incredibly diverse in sound. Have loved “Praying for Time” and “Freedom ‘90” since I was a kid, and loved “Waiting for That Day” and “Heal the Pain”

I liked this one.

For the genre and era, gold.

In the nineties I called his music cheesy. Listening today I'm in a total groove, though I haven't heard most of these songs before. I am very pleasantly surprised

refreshing.

Far more enjoyable than I had thought. Nice tunes.

Really good album! To be fair, I'm a George Michael fan. Even so, I don't think I'd ever heard anything from this album but the hits. Very glad this one came up, even though I think I still enjoy "Faith" more. 4 stars!

Always had respect for George Michael for his musical talent and amazing voice. Loved the album for it's feel and power

Two songs worth listening to - Freedom is a monster earning the 3. The rest is sap.

Album #137, George Michael, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 ⭐⭐⭐ It says Listen Without Prejudice, and that’s exactly what I did. And you know what? I liked it. It wasn’t bad. George Michael probably isn’t my bag, but then again, I’d never really given him a proper chance. Outside of a few of the big Wham! hits and a couple of his biggest solo singles, I’d never actually listened to one of his albums. So who’s being prejudiced now? It’s a really solid singer-songwriter album. Everything is very tastefully done. The strings are used really well, there’s a lovely acoustic guitar based sound running through a lot of it, and the whole thing has a fairly understated feel. At first I was worried it was going to be a bit too self-righteous or holier-than-thou, especially with the opening track, Praying for Time. It reminded me a little of Peter Gabriel’s album So, from this list. That whole “save the world, let’s all get together and sing Kumbaya” shite usually doesn’t do much for me. But George Michael is a much better songwriter than I’d given him credit for. In fact, I didn’t really realise he wrote his own material to this extent, so it was a pleasant surprise to discover that these are his lyrics. I actually think the lyrics are the strongest part of the album. Opening an album with “These are the days of the open hand” is a great first line, and there are a lot of thoughtful moments throughout. Are some of the songs a bit melodramatic and schmaltzy? Yeah, a little. Cowboys and Angels feels overlong and slightly overwrought. Heal the Pain is decent enough, but it edges towards the kind of self-righteousness I was worried about. The rest of the album is very solid though. And then you’ve got Freedom! ’90, which is just an absolute belter. What a chorus. It reminds me of a less drugged out Happy Mondays song, at least musically. So yeah, this one surprised me. I was really happy with it. It’s not quite a four-star album for me personally, although I could absolutely see why someone would give it four or even five stars. It’s a really good record. But I’m going to stick with the subjective score, and for me it’s a three.

Freedom 90 is obviously a brilliant track, and I enjoyed most of the album. I thought some of the songs were a bit too long, and I wanted more of it to be a bit more upbeat. Overall enjoyable though.

Some poignant moments here

It's okay.

Fun sound. Not bad.

3 stars

I think this did get a bit samey by the end, but damn, George Michael has got a set of pipes. I especially enjoyed the songs that were just him and a piano - gorgeous songwriting. Solid 7/10!

In my mind this is exactly what the 90s sound like, all while avoiding sounding generic. It's not exactly an album I'd reach for, but I enjoyed it quite a bit! Standouts: Freedom!'90 • Cowboys and Angels • Heal the Pain • Soul Free

I don't think I "get" George Michael. He has an amazing voice but I feel like he doesn't always use it to its full potential. The first four or five songs were great but the air was seriously let out of this album in a big way in the second half.

Gibts bei amazon nicht

Nice. That's it.

i did!

freedom is a banger cause pitch perfect put it on the map, said what I said

Where is Vol. 41

Less poppy than his previous work. Beautiful voice and music.

Y'know, I always found Wham a little "meh" for me - but some of George Michael's solo work is actually not bad. His voice is really good to be fair, and there are some great songs here (Praying For Time, Cowboys and Angels) and also "They Won't Go When I Go" which I found out after the fact that it's a cover - I'll have to go check out the original. I felt the album lost a bit of traction for me by the end - it felt a bit like repeating the same subject matter a lot. And though his vocals are great there was a hell of a lot of reverb - probably too much at times. A solid interesting listen nonetheless.

Far more predisposed to enjoying this than something like Culture Club’s Colour By Numbers. George Michael/Wham! >>>>> Boy George/Culture Club. I don’t make rules I just know how I feel about it. I also know who keeps getting weird jukebox musicals made from his body of work (Last Christmas, Eli Stone), work that I never realized was comparatively lean and mean compared to his contemporaries. Only five solo albums, three Wham! albums. That was all! This album is nice! I do love Praying for Time, Freedom 90, Cowboys and Angels and Soul Free. Most of it leaves my ears the instant they end but his singing is so nice I immediately want to forgive him that. An okay album buoyed by a lovely voice. There are worse things!

🏳️‍🌈Came during pride month in my last albums of this journey. Some cool concidences like this during this crazy ride. Freedom is a banger on here. Thats about it I think.🏳️‍🌈

Not a bad album despite not really being my thing.

Surprisingly into this one. I've always found his signing a bit overdramatic and the whisper voice doesn't do it for me but I really liked his Stevie Wonder cover

The album was really solid actually.

This feels like the background music of the universe. Ever-permeating its pleasant good tunes into everyone's memories.

I remember his music to be more interesting, but this bored me. Freedom! '90 is a good song but the rest I didn't really care about. And I did listen without prejudice.

Never been much of a fan, but I enjoyed this more than expected. Still, I won’t need to hear it again, and I give it three stars.