Search - Michael Bolton :: Hunger

Michael Bolton has redeeming qualities

Ryan A. Rigg | 04/26/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"As many earlier reviews have stated, this was the CD where Michael Bolton started to change over from a hair-metal rocker to an AC balladeer. I like many of the songs here, including both the rockers like "Gina" and "Hot Love" as well as the wonderful ballads "That's What Love is All About" and "Walk Away". Now, you would have to be smoking crack to say that his version of "(Sittin' On) The Dock of The Bay" surpasses Otis Redding's original. However, I do recall at the time that Mr. Redding's widow said that she enjoyed Michael's remake.



So much ink has been spilled saying how truly bad is Michael Bolton. Well, I will stick up for him and say that although listening to his strained vocals for hours would get old, I certainly don't mind throwing on one of his CD's every now and then.



What I always find amusing is that critics often deride AC artists like Mr. Bolton, Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, etc. During Michael's hits period of the late 80's and early 90's, some of the artists that were praised by critics included Arrested Development and Soul II Soul in the R&B category and Blind Melon and Soul Asylum in the rock category. Well, all of these critical darlings have faded into obscurity, while artists like Michael, Celine and Barbra who are thrashed by the critics have strong fan bases that continue to support their albums.



I certainly don't recommend this CD to any Bolton haters out there, but for those of you who became fans later, you might want to go back and buy this CD and enjoy some of his earlier music."