472: George Michael, "Faith"

**EXTRA SPECIAL MOMENT!****

My brilliant, eloquent, and "Just Dance"-master (see end of post for pic) friend Kristi graciously agreed to do a guest post for this album as well, so you get a double-whammy! Enjoy!


GUEST POST by Kristi Krulcik
Before: Whenever 80s music comes on in the car, it’s an unspoken rule that I have to guess the song title and artist. It’s been like this between my dad and I since I was in elementary school. I can credit this little tradition to my knowledge of Wham! (George Michael’s original group before going solo). Not only is Wham! known for it’s Christmas classic, “Last Christmas,” but it’s also known for the jumpy, “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.” But I never knew about the album, Faith.

After: The first song, “Faith,” reminds me of sitting in church. The first 30 seconds consist of organ music, so yes, very church-y. But, it also allows the listener to just sit and listen for thirty seconds without interruption. Just like how church causes my mind to wander and ponder my current life intricacies, this song gives me time to think (with a powerful organ as the soundtrack). Perhaps George wanted us to reflect on faith? Is it the religious kind of faith, or faith in your abilities to tackle life each day? …But wait! After 30 seconds, this song gets dance-y! Very, very dance-y! There are guitars, a tambourine, and I find my shoulders moving with George’s breathy lyrics. And, if you find men’s butts cute, check out the music video. So maybe we’re meant to sit and think, then stand and dance. There’s a choir in the second song, “Father Figure,” which reminds me of church yet again…maybe it’s a theme related to “faith.” I’d assume so! Next for the famous “I Want Your Sex – Pts. 1 & 2!” The track is nearly ten minutes long, and the two parts together form a rhythmic amalgam of trumpets and jazzy sounds. I imagine someone in a club/bar strutting up to a foxy guy/lady that’s currently relaxing against the bar. They go to the dance floor and dance together until the “I Want Your Sex” point is made. Perfect song for seduction. “One More Try” and “Hand to Mouth” are both empowering ballads, and “Monkey” isn’t too far behind. The song’s music is filled with about as much discomfort as the message of the song is (whether it be about drugs or a cheating partner, as fans seem to think). The song is tough to dance to, but it can still generate a little shoulder wiggle. I can now say that I’ve found a whole album that I really enjoy, that I could dance to and also ponder. Look out, Dad. Your trivia maven is armed with new knowledge!


And some of my own ponderings:

Before: Isn't he that cumbersome guy who sounds sentimental and like he has something lodged in his throat? White hair? Sings Christmas songs?

After: OMG THIS IS SO MUCH FUN!
A song like "Faith" is sure to get me up and making pumpkin bread, like I've been meaning to at noon on a Sunday! It's zippy and full of syncopation (LOOOOOOOOOOVE THAT) and never quite gives in by giving you that explosion we all wait for (i.e. let the beat drop.) Instead, he lowers the energy by whispering "gotta have faith." Then he brings it back and gets us all going again. Cool strategy.
His music perfectly masters syncopation. The snaps come in at the JUICIEST moments, creating a beat that's almost impossible to simultaneously cringe at and groove to.
Not really sure why it looks like he's checkin' out his pits on the cover. Huh.
This music is very clear and clean. Polished.
Again, when the female guest artist adds her soulful, marked duet to "Hard Day', the syncopation goes through the roof! Just can't get enough of it!
Lovin' those monkey sounds during "Monkey". Very original. (Being sarcastic but not.)
Overall, it was an okay album. I understand, after reading his biography, that George Michael was a very respectable and famous artist of the 80's. I think that I'd probably enjoy his music most at a moment such as on a Sunday afternoon with my dancey mother or friends.

we love just dance! and dancing to "Faith"!