The first time I saw the video for Fools Game on MTV when it first came out, I thought it was the best  f u c k i n g  song I had ever heard in my life. There was just something about this kick ass melody being anchored and carried by the keyboards. But then there was this sick guitar solo that just blew me away. But the biggest thing going for it were the amazing vocals. Didn't know who this guy was, but I just had to have the album. It just took that one time listening to the song and I was out the door and heading down to Licorice Pizza.

So, how did Michael Bolton's Self-Title debut pan out for me? Back then I thought it was a pretty kick ass album. I devoured it all. Okay, but that was then. What about now? It's still a good album, but far from what I was thinking back then. Half the album doesn't really hold up well because of the blatant AOR songwriting that is exhibited on here. Fools Game still gets an A+ from me. But there is also Can't Hold On, Can't Let Go which is just awesome in every way. Love the chorus as it makes for a great sing-along-song. The rest of the album is just okay for me. I think my rating for the album is definitely biased for nostalgic reasons. But if I were being paid to be impartial, I'd probably give it 3 1/2 Stars.

Even though Blackjack disbanded, Bruce Kulick still followed Bolton into his solo career and is the lead guitarist here and he is awesome. Even on some of the lesser songs, his solos are pretty damn good and infectious.