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George Michael Buying Guide available. It's easy and probably a bit trite to say that George Michael's album Patience requires patience from the listener, but there is truth in the statement. George Michael is one of the most gifted of dance artists currently recording and this album is further illustration of that fact, but when he slows down the tempo things get a lot more spotty. American fans have had a rough time enjoying George Michael's infrequent releases of the 8 years since release of the album Older. He has released a string of outstanding singles that have either not been released in the U.S. or completely ignored in radio airplay. Instead, only the weak album of covers, Songs From the Last Century, was given a full U.S. release. From that string of 3 singles, Outside, Freeek!, and Shoot the Dog, only Freeek!, in a slightly different '04 mix, is included on Patience. Shoot the Dog is available on the U.K. release of Patience, but apparently Sony Music still has cold feet on making Shoot the Dog's biting questioning of the leadership of George W. Bush and Tony Blair available to American audiences. The song is yet to be available on any U.S.-released recordings. All 3 of these singles are blessed with powerful Dance grooves and Patience includes at least 2 more great Dance songs. Amazing, the first new single release off the album, is devoid of potential lyrical controversy and consequently shot to the top of the U.S. Dance chart. Further on, the track Flawless (Go To the City) rides a gorgeous Garage groove and should be the followup single to Amazing. The engaging grooves and relentless hooks of Freeek! '04, Amazing, and Flawless (Go To the City) are the showcase tracks of the album. However, George Michael is neither perfect at Dance music nor a failure at ballads. Precious Box is an anemic Dance tune, and Round Here is a moving ballad about growing up listening to The Specials, The Jam, and The Beat. Digging a little deeper into the album, the problems quickly become apparent. The nearly static beat and mournful crooning of the title track and Through are difficult listening indeed. Although Patience includes its fair share of soul-baring confessions and scathing commentary on the state of the world, an air of hopefulness permeates the album. American Angel is an appreciation for George Michael's Texan boyfriend and I assume Amazing is singing his praises as well. George is clearly in love. Since the arrest that precipitated Outside and the tabloid focus on George Michael's sexual orientation, he has sung openly from the perspective of a gay man and continues to do so here. The changes in perspective and outlook are refreshing. Purchase of Patience is worthwhile for the dance tracks alone. Fans will want to explore deeper and listen to the insights on George Michael's personal life that are freely given. Finally, listening to only the fourth album of new songs from George Michael in 18 years, I hope we don't have to wait nearly as long for the next. |

