Listen Without Prejudice - Review of "Michael" the New Michael Jackson Album



Posted: Sunday, December 12, 2010

by William Zufic
EveningBox.com

Reviewing new albums of relatively recently deceased musicians is not something to look forward to, unless the deceased is Johnny Cash. These albums are rarely really new or enjoyable listening.

"Hold My Hand", the opener, had me grinning and nodding for my prejudice seemed right. The song sounds like Estonia's contribution to the annual nightmare of the Eurovision Song Contest and won't add to the fame and glory of Michael Jackson nor Akon.

Similarly mellow, cut and put on the album to bring tears in the eyes of the "super fan" buyer persona is "Best of Joy". "Breaking News" sounds like Britney Spears' "Piece of me" and Bobby Brown's "My Prerogative" mixed together, the song is about the media tearing up Michael Jackson and is pathetic.

"(I like) The Way You Love Me" is classic R&B album filler material. "Hollywood Tonight" features a groovy, catchy and fresh Michael Jackson. "Keep Your Head Up" is a socially engaged motivational song with interesting lyrics( “She (a waitress) waits her life away ...").

Now, the best stuff. Although "Monster" has a similar topic like "Breaking News" it's probably the closest to the songs Michael would have wanted on a new album, its hypnotizing robotic R&B beat is dance floor matter, 50 Cent contributes a well fitted rap staccato.

Lenny Kravitz is proud of his contribution to the album on track number 8 "(I Can't Make It) Another Day", and is right saying that "Michael is singing his behind of" on this song - fantastic.

Almost all the songs have a healthy dose of Michael’s hee-hees, hoo-hoos, hmm-hmms, eeh-eehs, ooh-oohs, ha-has and that's alright, the beatboxing is not as enjoyable.
The gems on the album are, each in its own way, "Behind The Mask" and "Much To Soon".

Both stem from the "Thriller" era, "Much To Soon" is less than 3 minutes in time and is Michael Jackson as he was not often heard. The song is different from the rest of the album and could become a campfire, romantic hymn. There's an acoustic guitar, accordion, harmonica and strings. "Behind the Mask" with Japanese electronic band Yellow Magic Orchestra's sample, saxophone, Michaels energised vocals and the robot choir is an revelation. The songs alone are worth buying the album. The album is not really tight, but as a whole is surprisingly and unexpectedly good.

William Zufic writes about music, the music and event industry and reviews for www.eveningbox.com Visit his site for more information about tour dates and concert tickets .
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