Patience - George Michael
Patience Image
Metascore

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 32 Ratings

  • Summary: Patience is indeed a requirement for fans of the former Wham! member, as this is just his fourth solo album of original material and first in eight years.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 11
  2. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. It is by turns funny, dark, ridiculous, exhilarating and -- most strikingly of all -- relentlessly personal. [Apr 2004, p.104]
  2. There's an excessive attention to detail to each song, and that tunnel vision means each song runs about a minute or two longer than it should.... That's unfortunate because the core of the album is quite good.
  3. 60
    A prince's share of his royal talent survives. [Aug 2004, p.136]
  4. Patience is far too long to hold my attention, and nowhere near as consistent as either Older or Listen without Prejudice Vol.1, but there are moments here which surpass the strongest songs on either of those previous classics.

See all 11 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Go-goAngel
    10
    I think it's amazing, like no other! Probably one of the best albums of 2004. I recommend, to people who wish to purchase this album, that you should listen to the songs; "precious box" , "amazing", "flawless", "shoot the dog", "freeek", "Send me someone to love" and "cars and trains". Expand
  2. Ja
    10
    Pure pop record,excellent
  3. JimR
    8
    A person can't help but listen with prejudice. No matter how good Michael is, a critic less fond will judge him accordingly. I don't know why he continues to get a bad rap (sans bathroom scenes), but Michael has got one of the best voices and styles around. It's a shame and a loss that there isn't more of his music out there. Expand
  4. magnesiumm
    7
    Why all the bad reviews? I liked this album I suppose. Listening to "Patience" is a bit like plodding through someone's diary. It's quiet, contemplative, self-reflective, with a bit of social commentary mixed in for good measure. There are large amounts of soul-baring here, as in the pure piano and vocals title track "Patience" and the sublime "My Mother Had a Brother". "Cars and Trains" and "Freeek!" are both catchy and intelligent commentaries. That being said, trying to listen to it in it's entirity is ...... exhausting. The main problem I have with "Patience" is that it lacks one or two moments of pure exurberant abandon to lift it out of it's mid-tempo monotony. "Older" had "Fastlove" , and " LIsten Without Prejudice" had the irresistable soul anthem "Freedom". Even "Outside" had more in-your-face attitude. Perhaps George has mellowed with age. And as much as I love the sweet and reminiscent "Round Here" (my personal favorite track), there so much maturity in here that sometimes it borders on sedation. Patience is a solid effort indeed. It oozes artsy ballads and sophistication. But George, can we please please be allowed to have some fun? Expand

See all 21 User Reviews