Michael Bolton - Everybody's Crazy

Michael Bolton’s ‘Everybody’s Crazy’ ranks as one of the most ‘complete AOR’ albums within the genre.

Written by: Dangerzone

ARTIST: Michael Bolton
ALBUM: Everybodys Crazy
LABEL: CBS
SERIAL: BFC 39328-1 (lp), 466662 2 (cd)
YEAR: 1985
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

LINEUP: Michael Bolton – vocals, guitars

Additional Musicians: Guitars: Bruce Kulick, Kevin Dukes, Paul Pesco * Bass – Dennis Feldman, Schulyer Deale * Keyboards, Piano, Synthesizers – Mark Mangold, Mark Radice, Jan Mullaney, Alan St John, Lloyd Landesman, Neil Kernon, Doug Katsaros, Randy Goodrum * Programming – Larry Fast * Saxophone – Mark Rivera

TRACK LISTING: 01 Save Our Love * 02 Everybody’s Crazy * 03 Can’t Turn It Off * 04 Call My Name * 05 Everytime * 06 Desperate Heart * 07 Start Breaking My Heart * 08 You Don’t Want Me Bad Enough * 09 Don’t Tell Me That It’s Over

WEBLINKS: Site Link

Table of Contents

Background

Despite the quality of ‘Michael Bolton’ the debut album from 1983, it was a commercial flop. It reached 100 on the Billboard Charts. Undeterred, Michael Bolton forged ahead and went on to record ‘Everybody’s Crazy’ which is regarded by many as the greatest pure AOR album ever.

Keeping many of the same musicians who appeared on that debut, he also hired Neil Kernon to produce. A wise decision, as Kernon gave the music an extra edge, providing a beefier sound. Crucially, ‘Everybody’s Crazy’ was polished to perfection, and it is easy to see why it ranks as one of the most ‘complete AOR’ albums within the genre.

The Songs

From the opening bombast of ‘Save Our Love’ it is obvious Michael Bolton had upped the heaviness. The riffs are dense and the drum sound up in the mix.The two year gap had seen a rapid sophistication in production techniques and this is audible immediately.

We get first rate choruses, and that’s true of every song. In a way it seems pointless to single out any particular song. They all measure up, with an added edge, and a sense of dramatics. Michael Bolton’s flair was for creating melodic twists and turns, that excite with every chord change.

Bruce Kulick’s guitar solo on Don’t Tell Me It’s Over’ is textbook stuff and a fine example. It fits within the context of the music and the lyrics. Same goes for the synth work. Sweat inducing, they are on overload throughout. But the real star of course is Bolton.

The power he displays can put a Steve Perry or Lou Gramm to shame. At one moment tender and brooding on ‘Call My Name’ the next pouring his guts out on ‘You Don’t Want Me Bad Enough’. The soulful aspect is even bought out on the massive harmonies of ‘Everytime’. Ballad or rocker, Bolton brings the most out of his voice. Every song is an anthem in turn.

In Summary

Amazingly this album was another chart let-down. It is so superior to Foreigner‘s ‘Agent Provocateur’ that it’s a crime it’s not better known, since they were both 1985 releases. It wasn’t until 1987’s ‘The Hunger’ that Michael Bolton began his platinum rise. But by 1989’s ‘Soul Provider’ the AOR fire had faded, and 1991’s ‘Time, Love And Tenderness’ was confirmation it was over.

Since then Michael Bolton has reached a level of derision here in the USA matched only by punsters like Barry Manilow or Kenny Rogers. He does not deserve it. The general public is unaware of this album and what Michael Bolton was really about. This was AOR precision and he can take solace knowing that he is a legend in at least one genre. Absolutely essential.