Dark Horse
Occasional Pre-Show
This thread is a review of the first postmortem album release from Michael Jackson. The album is simply titled "Michael" and comprised of songs from his private catalog as well as others he was set to release on what was to be his MJ09 album before he died. So lets look at each track and I will give you a breakdown of my thoughts on it. I will provide links to every song for your listening pleasure. So, listen to the song, read the review, and tell what you think with your own review. We're trying to get interactive here, lol.
Track 1. Hold My Hand ft. Akon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oCCnxBos10
Hold my Hand is a very beautiful track to say the least. Akon is a great back up voice with Michael here, and this is just an overall feel good song. The chorus is very catchy, the beat is easy to listen to, and the vocals from Michael are infallible. Definitely one of the better songs on the album and a great choice for a single.
Track 2. Hollywood Tonight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PHQ4WlR1t4
Upon initially listening to the album, "Hollywood Tonight" didn't really catch me. After listening to it a few times though it just grew on me and now I really really like this song. From the way he sings the chorus, to the actual verses, the story he is telling in the song, everything, this is a very complete song( I don't know how to explain what that means you just have to listen to it to get it I guess). The music itself is very reminiscent of something he would have done on "Thriller" and makes you wonder if this song wasn't produced during the "Thriller" recording sessions. It's got a real nice groove that is easy to move to, and is something that I think a lot of people could relate to. Another solid track from Michael here that will definitely grow on you.
Track 3. Keep Your Head Up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTqkN-ZILVI
This is Michaels "Man in the Mirror", "Heal the World" of this album. The inspirational song. This is one of my favorite songs on the album and I listen to it for inspiration. It has a very heavenly sound, a simple and positive message, and really is just uplifting. Michaels vocals on this track are whimsical and soothing much like the music itself. Backed by a full chorus later in the song this one takes you back to church. If you've had a bad day at work, just lost your girlfriend, your pet hamster just died, this is the song to listen to to cheer you up and give you the strength to move on.
Track 4. The Way You Love Me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAo7WCcxMBU&feature=related
This song starts with a recording of MJ laying out the melody and the tempo on a tape recorder as he frequently did when he had ideas for songs. "The Way You Love Me" is essentially like " I just can't stop loving You" to draw a comparison. This might not be a favorite of many people but this is another solid track from MJ. A demo version of this song was actually leaked long before this album was even thought of. It was very rough with just the lyrics and a very simple beat. This is the full version and it is also a very nice feel good ballad from Michael. If you have a significant other, I would suggest learning this song and singing it to them(That is if you have the vocal capability and can do it justice).
Track 5. Monster ft. 50 Cent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQhHvXcmRlw&feature=related
Arguably the best track on this album. There is another one or two that come later that I think are up there but we'll get to those. Right off the bat this song is fun. It's got a snappy beat with a lot of attitude, as does Michael in this track. This is the song that most people I have played the album for like the most. The chorus is very easy to get addicted to and you will be hearing it in your head later in the day. You get a little bit of rapping from Michael here, some melodic singing, and some of the signature Michael sounds that you'll recognize from previous albums and hit songs. 50 Cent also delivers a great verse on this track that leaves you asking if this was supposed to be his song. Listen to this one in the car, and see if you don't catch yourself speeding. A very powerful, catchy tune that begs you to dance.
Track 6. Best of Joy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWct_WmVsMU&feature=related
Here we get back to the ballads and this one is exceptional. Lyrically this one has the depth even if you aren't so big on the actual beat. This is a song for lovers and those in love. When the song starts it's hard to tell what direction Michael is going to go with the music itself, but once it hits it's is very chipper. You expect a bird to come fly down and rest on your finger like in a Disney movie. It's that kind of happy, toe tapper that can really get into you if you let it. It was not a song that got me when I first listened to the album, but this is another one that could really grow on you.
Track 7. Breaking News.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tiOdEoLbXo&feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_164257
This one is definitely club worthy. This song is very up beat with some real attitude as Michael addresses the media and their obsession with his personal life. Production wise this is one of the better songs on the album. It definitely can make you move, his lyrics are very catchy, and if you listen to them carefully you can really feel where this man was coming from. It's a serious message over a seriously infectious beat. Once again on this track Michaels vocals are outstanding. This track is a nice change of pace on the album as you have a few slower more melodic songs prior, as this one picks up the tempo and gets you pumped. Also, if you listen to this on any kind of system that has good bass, you are going to need to turn it down. This song POUNDS.
Track 8. (I can't make it) Another Day ft. Lenny Kravitz.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amPX6ajzSPM&feature=related
This is one of my top 3 songs on the album. This is the rock tune of the album that will definitely remind you of "Dirty Diana" and "Give in to Me". Lenny Kravitz plays a mean guitar on this song as well as offering his voice to the chorus. Michael's vocals on this song are bit grittier and more powerful than on a lot of the other tracks. There is much more attitude here. The beat itself gets you going into a groove and the heavy guitar makes it also easy to rock out a bit. Another gem.
Track 9. Behind The Mask.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-doOPwWTSY&feature=related
Right off the bat this songs sets the mood bringing back some smooth saxaphone. Once you get into the actual beat of the song and start to hear everything going on in it, this song will definitely catch you off guard. It was not what I expected at all, but ended up being my favorite song on this album. It definitely sounds like he made this song in the "Thriller" or " Off the Wall" era. The subtle sounds you'll catch yourself recognizing and the actual beat really impressed me. I am amazed this was not on a previous album. The chorus and the bridge out of it really bring in a disco/dance feel but it also has a jazzy feel with the sax and the way Michael delivers the vocals on this eargasm of a song. You'll catch yourself listening to this and then later going "heeeeheeheeheeee" just like Michael.
Track 10. Much Too Soon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFbrq9OFQAM&feature=related
The last track and a brilliant closer to the album. This song has shades of "Music and Me" in it as well as "She's out of my Life". Michael's voice is beautiful in this song I'd like to call a lullaby. It's not very long, but it is musically very simple and effective. This song sounds like it is more actual instruments backing Michaels voice than any other track. Much like the other songs on this album, "Much too Soon" is powerful and you can really feel the emotion from Michaels here. It's a very pretty song with Michael singing of a lost love.
Overall, I'd say this album is a perfect 10/10 top to bottom. Not one bad track, not one that I thought was just passable. Every one of them command you to listen and actually draw you in to listen. The vocals are all over the place here with Michael really showing his range and vocal capabilities in every song. The actual music to this album is also very fresh with all the right trademarks and updates. You can definitely tell just by listening to the music itself that this is a Michael Jackson album. There is such a range of emotions and different feelings on this album, it really is a journey. The late great King Of Pop really had something special for us on this album I think, and I hope that all of you listen to it, buy it, and enjoy it as much as I have. Tell me what you think of the album in your responses. What's your favorite song(s), which is your least favorite, what you thought of the overall vocal quality, the production quality, the track set, whatever comes to mind.
Track 1. Hold My Hand ft. Akon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oCCnxBos10
Hold my Hand is a very beautiful track to say the least. Akon is a great back up voice with Michael here, and this is just an overall feel good song. The chorus is very catchy, the beat is easy to listen to, and the vocals from Michael are infallible. Definitely one of the better songs on the album and a great choice for a single.
Track 2. Hollywood Tonight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PHQ4WlR1t4
Upon initially listening to the album, "Hollywood Tonight" didn't really catch me. After listening to it a few times though it just grew on me and now I really really like this song. From the way he sings the chorus, to the actual verses, the story he is telling in the song, everything, this is a very complete song( I don't know how to explain what that means you just have to listen to it to get it I guess). The music itself is very reminiscent of something he would have done on "Thriller" and makes you wonder if this song wasn't produced during the "Thriller" recording sessions. It's got a real nice groove that is easy to move to, and is something that I think a lot of people could relate to. Another solid track from Michael here that will definitely grow on you.
Track 3. Keep Your Head Up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTqkN-ZILVI
This is Michaels "Man in the Mirror", "Heal the World" of this album. The inspirational song. This is one of my favorite songs on the album and I listen to it for inspiration. It has a very heavenly sound, a simple and positive message, and really is just uplifting. Michaels vocals on this track are whimsical and soothing much like the music itself. Backed by a full chorus later in the song this one takes you back to church. If you've had a bad day at work, just lost your girlfriend, your pet hamster just died, this is the song to listen to to cheer you up and give you the strength to move on.
Track 4. The Way You Love Me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAo7WCcxMBU&feature=related
This song starts with a recording of MJ laying out the melody and the tempo on a tape recorder as he frequently did when he had ideas for songs. "The Way You Love Me" is essentially like " I just can't stop loving You" to draw a comparison. This might not be a favorite of many people but this is another solid track from MJ. A demo version of this song was actually leaked long before this album was even thought of. It was very rough with just the lyrics and a very simple beat. This is the full version and it is also a very nice feel good ballad from Michael. If you have a significant other, I would suggest learning this song and singing it to them(That is if you have the vocal capability and can do it justice).
Track 5. Monster ft. 50 Cent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQhHvXcmRlw&feature=related
Arguably the best track on this album. There is another one or two that come later that I think are up there but we'll get to those. Right off the bat this song is fun. It's got a snappy beat with a lot of attitude, as does Michael in this track. This is the song that most people I have played the album for like the most. The chorus is very easy to get addicted to and you will be hearing it in your head later in the day. You get a little bit of rapping from Michael here, some melodic singing, and some of the signature Michael sounds that you'll recognize from previous albums and hit songs. 50 Cent also delivers a great verse on this track that leaves you asking if this was supposed to be his song. Listen to this one in the car, and see if you don't catch yourself speeding. A very powerful, catchy tune that begs you to dance.
Track 6. Best of Joy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWct_WmVsMU&feature=related
Here we get back to the ballads and this one is exceptional. Lyrically this one has the depth even if you aren't so big on the actual beat. This is a song for lovers and those in love. When the song starts it's hard to tell what direction Michael is going to go with the music itself, but once it hits it's is very chipper. You expect a bird to come fly down and rest on your finger like in a Disney movie. It's that kind of happy, toe tapper that can really get into you if you let it. It was not a song that got me when I first listened to the album, but this is another one that could really grow on you.
Track 7. Breaking News.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tiOdEoLbXo&feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_164257
This one is definitely club worthy. This song is very up beat with some real attitude as Michael addresses the media and their obsession with his personal life. Production wise this is one of the better songs on the album. It definitely can make you move, his lyrics are very catchy, and if you listen to them carefully you can really feel where this man was coming from. It's a serious message over a seriously infectious beat. Once again on this track Michaels vocals are outstanding. This track is a nice change of pace on the album as you have a few slower more melodic songs prior, as this one picks up the tempo and gets you pumped. Also, if you listen to this on any kind of system that has good bass, you are going to need to turn it down. This song POUNDS.
Track 8. (I can't make it) Another Day ft. Lenny Kravitz.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amPX6ajzSPM&feature=related
This is one of my top 3 songs on the album. This is the rock tune of the album that will definitely remind you of "Dirty Diana" and "Give in to Me". Lenny Kravitz plays a mean guitar on this song as well as offering his voice to the chorus. Michael's vocals on this song are bit grittier and more powerful than on a lot of the other tracks. There is much more attitude here. The beat itself gets you going into a groove and the heavy guitar makes it also easy to rock out a bit. Another gem.
Track 9. Behind The Mask.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-doOPwWTSY&feature=related
Right off the bat this songs sets the mood bringing back some smooth saxaphone. Once you get into the actual beat of the song and start to hear everything going on in it, this song will definitely catch you off guard. It was not what I expected at all, but ended up being my favorite song on this album. It definitely sounds like he made this song in the "Thriller" or " Off the Wall" era. The subtle sounds you'll catch yourself recognizing and the actual beat really impressed me. I am amazed this was not on a previous album. The chorus and the bridge out of it really bring in a disco/dance feel but it also has a jazzy feel with the sax and the way Michael delivers the vocals on this eargasm of a song. You'll catch yourself listening to this and then later going "heeeeheeheeheeee" just like Michael.
Track 10. Much Too Soon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFbrq9OFQAM&feature=related
The last track and a brilliant closer to the album. This song has shades of "Music and Me" in it as well as "She's out of my Life". Michael's voice is beautiful in this song I'd like to call a lullaby. It's not very long, but it is musically very simple and effective. This song sounds like it is more actual instruments backing Michaels voice than any other track. Much like the other songs on this album, "Much too Soon" is powerful and you can really feel the emotion from Michaels here. It's a very pretty song with Michael singing of a lost love.
Overall, I'd say this album is a perfect 10/10 top to bottom. Not one bad track, not one that I thought was just passable. Every one of them command you to listen and actually draw you in to listen. The vocals are all over the place here with Michael really showing his range and vocal capabilities in every song. The actual music to this album is also very fresh with all the right trademarks and updates. You can definitely tell just by listening to the music itself that this is a Michael Jackson album. There is such a range of emotions and different feelings on this album, it really is a journey. The late great King Of Pop really had something special for us on this album I think, and I hope that all of you listen to it, buy it, and enjoy it as much as I have. Tell me what you think of the album in your responses. What's your favorite song(s), which is your least favorite, what you thought of the overall vocal quality, the production quality, the track set, whatever comes to mind.
