Search - Michael Sweet :: Real

GOOD ALBUM FROM MICHAEL SWEET

W. Malone | 12/15/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Like the title says,this is a good album by Michael Sweet. I remember reading somewhere he said his debut album wasn't really "him" but more of a Michael Sweet/Greg Fulkerson(of the band Blue Tears) project. On the other hand this is supposed to be the "real" Michael Sweet. Either way, I admit to liking the debut album more than this one. This is more of a stripped down album of radio friendly music with a mix of pop,rock,and a little country(influence)also. There is nothing wrong with that and some of the songs are really good, I just like it a bit heavier.



Anyway, like I wrote above this album has some really good songs. Some of my favorites are "Ticket To Freedom" "Second Chance" "ColorBlind" and the country influenced "Baby Doll." For fans of Stryper there is a version of "Always There For You" that sounds like Michael with guitar in hand playing in a coffeehouse. Actually the majority of the album sounds that way besides the opening rock song "Color Blind." This album really fits on the CCM realm of music more than anything he has done. His vocals really come through on this album and it sounds as though he was really "into" each song with emotion from the heart.



Overall this is a good album and while it's not really a rock album like his debut it is one you will find yourself listening to more and more as it grows on you. You can almost compare this to the band Guardian and their album "Swing,Swang,Swung"(my favorite by them) as it shows a more "relaxed" side of the band that sounds like they had fun making it. I have them both on rotation in my cd player with their other "heavier"(Against The Law by Stryper and Miracle Mile by Guardian)cds to give a nice balance. This album is not essential but it is one you will like if you are a fan of Stryper's softer rock songs i.e. "Lady" "Two Bodies(One Mind,One Soul) or even Christian artists like Kenny Marks or White Heart.



Stand Out songs "Ticket To Freedom" "Second Chance" and "Baby Doll""

Good Second Solo Album

J. brandon | 04/14/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Michael Sweet continues his path down the lighter side of rock with his second solo album, "Real". Only this time, he adds a few twists. Two songs have a very distinct blues rock feel to them (Color Blind, Baby Doll), and one song has, what I'll call, an almost U2 feel (the title track Real). He also brings back the old days of Styper in a very cool acoustic version of "Always There For You". All in all, it is a wonderful album that won't be a waste of your money."

An excellent album.

rnorton828 | Riverbend, IL | 05/28/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Real" is Michael Sweet's second full-length solo CD. Overall, "Real" is something of a change of pace for Michael, as this album is quite a bit mellower than his previous solo outing or his work with Stryper. This is a largely acoustic record, but electric guitars can still be heard on songs like "Second Chance" and the title track. Stryper fans will love the acoustic remake of "Always There for You." Some other standout tracks include "Color Blind" (a statement against racism & segregation), "Ticket to Freedom," "The River," the title track & "Heaven Waits for You." "Real" may not be blistering hard rock/metal in the tradition of Stryper, but this is still a VERY GOOD album, and it ranks second only to "Truth" among my favorite Michael Sweet CD's."