Ben - Michael Jackson

Advantages: Excellent timeless classic
Disadvantages: None

...grown up with Michael Jackson, Ben being one of the first songs I grew to love. He is one of the best artists that I have ever known and I don't care what anybody else says because even though he has changed his looks many times over that does not change the person within. I feel that Michael Jackson is a loving, caring person with a lot to give to the music world if the world would stop giving him a hard time. It is obvious that Michael has problems ...
...When I heard Ben for the first time I fell in love with it. I could see that this was Michael's type of song because it was about friendship, love and affection. That's who Michael is even if he was singing about a pet rat. Michael Jackson has never done anything wrong in my eyes even if the world does want to condenm him and put him down. He is a star in my eyes and Ben brought him to the star light. Ben was my favourite song because it's something ... Read review

Advantages:
Disadvantages:

Got to be There and Ben are the best of his early 4 albums. He uses his vocal talents to the full in this albums and contains some real favourites. Ben though by far is the best song and is a timeless classic which is still played on the radio today. Jackson sings it softly and really shows what a talented artist he is. Although he didn't write the material himself he really gets into the music and makes it such an enjoyable experience for the listener. ... Read review

Advantages: some of the greatest songs in history
Disadvantages: not enough space for more of his best songs

...are ones that don't deserve to be on it... but the problem is that it doesn't really include ALL of the songs that should be in a "the best of" collection like this.... songs that are not so popular but are defintely legendary (such as liberian girl, stranger in moscow, scream- a duet with his sister janet), and it also doesnt inlcude songs from Michael jackson's early solo years (such as Ben). But all in all, this is an album not to miss..whether or not you are a hardcore jackson fan...as long as you are a music fan! A note for MJ collectors- this album comes with different covers with picture of him in diffreent eras!... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Cheap, 2 good singles
Disadvantages: Songs all one style - light rock

...This CD was the last album to be released by A1. I bought it from Woolworths for £6.99. The lads were apparently due to be dropped from their label in 2000 but the success of "Take On Me" and their second album won them a reprieve. However, following the relative failure of "Make It Good" and the departure of Paul, the band split. Their first album was almost pure pop and I like every track on it. Their second album was pop/r 'n' b and I like most of it. However, the third album is only average. Track 1 - Caught In The Middle I love this song. Paul and Christian share the first verse and Ben's Tracy Chapman/Michael Jackson inspired voice glides over the high notes in the chorus. Mark sings the second verse himself and he's great. A catchy tune about being torn between 2 lovers that deserved to do better in the charts than... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: raw, intense and instinctive. An honest view of their world.
Disadvantages: None

...and vocal emphasis. The track comes to a meandering finish with a line borrowed from Michael Jackson's Ben (a song dedicated to his pet rat and only friend who was killed by his father) and fades to close. 'Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town' - Vedder 'I changed by not changing at all, small town predicts my fate Perhaps that what no-one wants to see' This track is one of my favourites on the album. Written solely by Vedder it is the soliloquy of ... well ... an elderly woman behind a counter in a small town. The lyrics are stunning. If this song doesn't move you on some level, you're clinically dead. An acoustic guitar provides rhythm and takes the lead, but it is the second, electric guitar that puts real beauty into the track. Vocally, Vedder uses a full range moving from a soft mumble to distorted passion within a simple... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful