| Provided By: | The Daily Vault |
Faith
George Michael
Columbia, 1987
REVIEW BY: Michael R. Smith
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 04/01/2007
Only someone like George Michael could make organ music popular.
The instrument opens the album on the title track and is used yet again on “One More Try,” which is perhaps the dullest song George has ever recorded. Yeah, the song did go to No. 1, but I have a funny feeling that people remember the No. 2 hit “I Want Your Sex” more than that one. Also featured on the soundtrack to Beverly Hills Cop 2, “I Want Your Sex” is just one of the many high points to be found on the debut album by this gifted singer.
What made this album so successful is that it appealed to almost everyone when it was first released in the conservative Republican year of 1987. It presented a far more mature, completely made-over George Michael to the masses. From its engaging material to the professional packaging and design, Faith was destined to become an instant classic.
You could snap your fingers to the title song and to its sister ballad “Father Figure.” It was clearly evident from these two deceptively simple songs that it was back to basics for George Michael, who opted to produce the album himself. This is as far from Wham! that Michael could have possibly gotten while still staying pop.
Even when he switches into carnal mode on “I Want Your Sex,” it is a surprisingly smooth transition. The song’s content and racy video did stir up quite a bit of controversy, though George did his best in trying to promote monogamy over promiscuity. Another message song is the anti-drug hit, “Monkey,” which is undoubtedly the strangest track in his entire catalog. Again, the video is what helped to sell the song. Long before Ricky Martin shook his bon-bon, we had George Michael showing the guys how it’s done.
Click here to read complete Review