Patience - George Michael
Metascore
60 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
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  1. Q Magazine
    80
    It is by turns funny, dark, ridiculous, exhilarating and -- most strikingly of all -- relentlessly personal. [Apr 2004, p.104]
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  2. Mojo
    70
    An oddly experimental record, prioritising texture over tune and betraying a river-deep confessioinal streak. [Apr 2004, p.103]
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  3. The Guardian
    70
    It gives the listener an awful lot to plough through, but anyone willing to persevere will find George Michael's finest work is buried within it.
  4. Amazon.com
    70
    Flitting between fraught ballads and up-tempo adult pop (the misguided sample-laden singles "Freeek!" and "Shoot the Dog" being the unnecessary exceptions), George here returns to the structure and mood of 1990s Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1. [Amazon UK]
  5. Blender
    60
    A prince's share of his royal talent survives. [Aug 2004, p.136]
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  6. All Music Guide
    60
    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.
  7. Stylus Magazine
    50
    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.
  8. Entertainment Weekly
    50
    Baring your tortured soul is one thing, but unleashing a barrage of self-pitying ballads and expecting people to listen is a test of even the most open-minded fan's patience. [4 June 2004, p.80]
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  9. Billboard
    50
    Primarily lackluster.
  10. Dot Music
    40
    One meandering ballad follows another, each one overlong and labouring under the illusion that emotional profundity is more important than a decent tune.
  11. Uncut
    40
    Deeply average. [Apr 2004, p.91]
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User Reviews

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User Score
8.6 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 32 Ratings

User 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".… Full Review »
  2. 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?… Full Review »
  3. Ja
    10
    Pure pop record,excellent
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