Twenty-five George Michael Sony; Rs 200

Shoot the dog baby…it’s Twenty-five time. Loads of artistes have been there before, few unscathed, and so many burned. But the man (loving) George Michael emerges a gay musical giant who has intermingled work with pleasure.

Making songs out of incidents and making life out of so much that need not be said. Twenty-five is a Greatest Hits with a difference — it has Wham songs. Yes…Wham songs. Careless whispers, Freedom, Everything she wants, Wake me up and Last Christmas. Stuff that so many grew up with…still warming the heart, just like in the old times. Michael did inspire in the following years with pearls like Kissing a fool, Hand to mouth, Waiting for that day — none of which are featured here, but we still have those kind of classics in the reworked Heal the pain (featuring Paul McCartney) and the poignant You have been loved. Not to forget Faith, Freedom 90, Father figure, Fast love, One more try and, of course, one of the most inspiring songs of his career — Praying for time . But is Michael still big enough to have us celebrate his survival of twenty-five years in a business that is known to make the invincible grind to dust? Case in point being the other Michael — Jackson. Someone who seemingly dwarfed some of his peers put together, and then went down strangely in a blaze of glory. Controversies have loved both of them, and they have never failed to oblige back by indulging in some of the most bizarre activities recorded in music history.

The difference here is that though Jackson with all his erstwhile power and glory is unable to pull along further, GM still makes it to the charts and continues to enjoy his rock star status. It’s child molester vs eccentric gay man — both icons past their prime, and we now know whom the world loves more.

Coming back to GM and we are instantly reminded of his gay status which makes survival even harder. One literally has to switch the orientation of the songs to make the affair a personal one, for you really don’t know who they’ve been aimed at. In fact, if some American friends are to be believed, then you have to listen to his music behind covers, literally. That’s the US of A for you. But the fact that Georgie boy still is able to spring out irresistible surprises once a while keeps him in the race. GM is past his youthful prime, let there be no doubt about that, but songs like Amazing, Flawless and the more recent An easier affair make us believe that he is better there than gone away. The fact that he isn’t rejected, and is rather embraced by the gay community and the larger beyond makes him an artiste that will continue to hold a special place in the industry. Hence, his survival is in a way celebratory. And Twenty-five is nothing short of a milestone that has been achieved.

Sunny C. Dua