For me, this is one of those albums that I will absolutely never tire of. So you didn't think a white boy could sing passionate stately soul music with the best of 'em? Well, you're sadly mistaken. George Michael is an incredibly-underrated singer and musician and he tapped something special when he pieced this fine work together. It was a six-year wait between his greatly-underappreciated 'Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1' and this album, and when it finally dropped there was a lot of skepticism going around about whether he could still deliver. But, the fact is, Michael is a truly gifted singer and musician, who has only grown better and better over time. The songs all have a clear sound and a nice emotional feel, whether it is a slower song or a laid-back groove. The music holds down a nice neutral ground between R&B, jazz, and dance, and he shows true mastery of everything.

There is no doubt that this is his most deeply personal and heartfelt songwriting here. Most of the songs are ballads or soft, mid-tempo numbers and Michael pours every bit of emotion he can surmise into these songs. The most somber song on the album is the opening track 'Jesus to a Child', a quiet reflection on love lost and the painful day-by-day struggle to come to grips with it. Interestingly enough, it was chosen as the first single. 'Fastlove' is a bouncy disco number about getting hot and bothered with a girl and getting her in bed for a quickie just for the sake of it (well, that's the vibe I got from it, whoever he wants to get into bed with is his business, na'mean?). The title track 'Older' is a nice, melancholy number that serves as the album's theme - letting go, moving on, and growing older, as the title suggests. The next song 'Spinning the Wheel' is one I've recently re-discovered due to some relationship troubles I've been going through. The way he words and phrases this number is just perfect to me. Just listen to it. The instrumentation on the song is excellent as well, with a complete horn section over the midtempo percussion and keyboards, it is effortlessly funky, but clean and polished enough to flow well with the album. Next comes one of my favorite songs 'It Doesn't Really Matter', another song coping with the pain of losing your one and only love. With its sparse percussion and organ playing, this is the kind of song I'd like to hear in an after-hours jazz club, going down hard with a shot of whiskey. It has such a laid-back feel and relaxed aura that I wouldn't be surprised if Michael recorded the song while reclining on a couch (something Marvin Gaye was known for doing to create a relaxed atmosphere in the recording studio). The same goes for 'To Be Forgiven' and 'Move On' both songs that concern repentence and redemption, and feature jazz-like instrumentation that border closely on easy listening of the Sinatra standard, except that Michael's voice has so much soul, it stands on it's own. And, in spite of the dour subject matter, both songs (particularly 'Move On') are such catchy, finger-snapping grooves in the basslines and jazzy horn interjections, they could appeal to just about anyone and any mood. Finally, there is 'You Have Been Loved' which basically closes the album and it is one of the most beautifully-written songs on the entire album. I don't know how to explain it except to say that it touches the soul, no matter how ravaged you may feel inside because of the pain of life, there is relief. And there is healing. That's the note this album concludes on: Healing of the mind, body and soul.

This album, as well as 'Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1', really opened my eyes to this man's range as a writer, singer, and musician and how much he'd matured musically and grown as an artist since the sex-filled youthful energy of his late '80s work (which I was never a big fan of). Much to my dismay, 'Older' was not well-received by critics or much of the public in the United States when it was first released for reasons I'm not really sure of (aren't most critics arrogant snobs anyways?). Eventually, though, time serves great art. And, the more time goes by, the more this work stands on its own. It's style, class and elegance is something sorely-missing from a lot of singers nowadays. This is by far Michael's best album ever.

George Michael's last album of original material, "Older", is his most stylized and sophisticated effort. The songs continue much in the vein of "Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. I" but with an added element of gentleness. Most of this album consists of ballads or soft, mid-tempo numbers and Michael delivers his most delicate singing here. The music bounces between R&B, jazz, and dance, with some exotic middle eastern melodies and languid saxophone solos mixed in here-and-there that work well. Much of the album also features busy yet feather-like percussion that keeps it from drifting into "boring ballad" land. Michael plays much of the instrumentation himself and proves to be a fine musician & arranger.

This album is a bit of a rarity in a way; many of the songs have a gentle, slow feeling but the sound as a whole is so stylish and graceful that the album doesn't put you to sleep. This album contains none of the sex-filled, youthful energy found on his first album (except for the catchy disco song "Fastlove"), but rather, as the title explains, showcases the work of an artist who is indeed getting older (and better). Singers of the world beware of this album, this man has got style & skill to spare.

This album is easily in my top 10 albums of all time. And considering that albums from Pantera, Metallica, Anthrax, and Megadeth are also there, that must mean something. My roots lay in heavy music, but you just have to give props where props are due.

I love this album so much because it's George Michael laying it all out there for everyone to see. His lyrics are honest and his vocals are mind-blowing.

Every time I listen to "You Have Been Loved," I have to fight back the tears. How heart-wrenching to listen about a Mother's son dying and her trying to figure out why it all happened. "For what's the use in pressing palms when children fade in Mother's arms." - Amazing. A Mother is "Searching for her crime" to figure out why such a horrible thing has befallen her. George is distressed over the futility of trying to explain why bad things happen. Just amazing.

This album is a piece of art. I can't say enough good things about it.

~Slick

When it came down to the 90's, George Michael really did have a huge share of blows. He lost a major court battle with Sony music, in regards to demanding to be released from his contract due to artist rights, as well as dealt with the devistating deaths of his then partner, and his mother from complications of cancer. Nevertheless, he continued his way into his music. Unfortunately, that wasn't there in America because of a long-term absence from making music. George went on to Dreamworks SKG in America for his 1996 album, Older, which sadly wasn't there in record sales in America. He still showed his status overseas with the album selling over 8 million. Unfortunately for American die hard George Michael fans, Older had been out of print for a very long time until just now.

The 2008 re-release of George Michael's 1996 album Older, has finally made it to C.D. yet again. In response to the surprise success George has recently had with his music returning to the American airwaves thanks to the ABC show Eli Stone, and his second greatest hits collection, Twenty-Five earlier this year, Older still feels like a breath of fresh air. While the songs have been remastered very well, the album doesn't really add any gimmicks or extras from the original release. Still, the album contains a lot of classic songs that feel more subdued and intimate, in regards with his 1990's surroundings of life. The album includes the mellow and somber hits Jesus To A Child and You Have Been Loved, all the way to the strong dance beats of Fastlove and Spinning the Wheel. The songs here show a feeling that is much deeper in heart and soul, than what George had showed with success with his earlier records, Faith & Listen Without Prejudice Volume 1, that matches the deep and dark moods within the soul of the album.

All in all, Older shows what George Michael has done best throughout his career, and that really is making quality music from the soul, not for overexposure or cheap tricks, unlike other acts today that are just about hype than heart like Miley Cyrus or Britney Spears. If you have not yet heard the moods from Older, you now have a second chance to hear what feels more than just Jesus To A Child, and just simply the heart and soul of a great overlooked treasure that is George Michael.

Album Cover: B

Songs: B+

Price: B 1/2+

Remastering: B+

Overall: B 1/2+

1,500th Review!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got this CD when it came out in the mid 90s. I thought is was OK. Recently I had people over for brunch and put it on as background music, and towards the end someone commented on how great it was. We all sat around and thought, you're right, this is really good.

It's not the upbeat pop you'd expect from GM, save for a few tracks. In recent years he's remixed some of them, like Star People, into a better (and faster) version. But for the most part, it's downtempo soul/pop with likable beats and good hooks. Some of the songs verge on being too mass market pop, like Jesus to a Child. BUt for the most part it's a pretty original, soulful album. I listen to it all the time and it routinely gets positive (and surprised) feedback. I'm not saying it's groundbreaking or a landmark in music production, but there is little to dislike about it if you want some mellow pop. Think Radiohead, without the hip factor, and given a pop infusion for the tween set.