Wow! Long time no write! Have moved towns and now also have a baby girl born 1st June 2005. My son t...
Wow! Long time no write! Have moved towns and now also have a baby girl born 1st June 2005. My son turned 6 a few weeks ago. I live in Kent and life is manic but settled enough to return to Ciao!
Member since:27.06.2002
Reviews:40
Members who trust:31
Just before I start this opinion, I would like to say that I am a devout Michael Jackson fan and yes I may be a touch biased, but I will try and be as critical as possible. Also this is the first time I have written an opinion on anything like this! Ok; The second I found out that Invincible was being released, I rushed to my nearest HMV and pre-booked a copy so that the day it came out I would have my copy ready and waiting (I did warn you!). I have a lot of experience as someone who loves the King, as I have albums starting from Music & Me 1973, up to HIStory and Blood on the dancefloor, plus all his videos and a live performance at Wembley Stadium in July 1997 on his HIStory tour (once again, I did warn you!).
So, The Product: Invincible, the new album from the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. It comes in a choice of colours; Blue, orange, white, green and red. I chose the green copy. It is available on cassette and CD. It has 16 tracks on it and is on Epic record label. Michael Jackson also is the Executive Producer.
The Tracks: 1) Unbreakable – This song is a bit longwinded as it lasts for 6.25 minutes, which by normal standards is a long time! The intro is catchy and Michael’s voice comes in after about a minute. The song overall is good and I liked the style but the recurring intro piece goes throughout the song and it gets a bit much. 7/10
2) Heartbreaker – This is a funky song but again it’s a long one, 5.10 minutes. Michael starts singing almost straightaway which I thought was better. There is some rapping which is done
by Fats (whoever he is). One of those songs that has different levels to it, which I liked. 8/10
3) Invincible – The track the album is named after. Quite unusual to have this track as number 3 as usually the title track is the track that is number 1 and leads you into the album. This one lasts for 4.45 minutes so they get shorter! Once again there is a rap performed by Fats and it is rather catchy. It is about a girl who is ‘Invincible’. Unfortunately and it pains me to say this but this is similar to the first 2 tracks. 7/10
4) Break of Dawn – The starting to this is beautiful and you could be standing in the middle of a field listening to the birds. It is a gentle song that lasts for 5.32 minutes. A lovely chorus and sang beautifully. It is a wonderful background song. 9/10
5) Heaven can Wait – A gentle start and it begins with the chorus, which is something I have not noticed before with other songs. Again this is quite slow yet rhythmical and catchy. This is one you could catch yourself singing along to. Michael’s voice is strong too. 9/10
6) You rock my World – The first single released from this album as a single and lasts for 5.39 minutes. This is the one that Kylie beat to number one in October 2001. I for one thought that the King should have taken the throne, but hey like I said before I am biased (and I don’t like Kylie lol). It begins with Chris Tucker (comedy actor from Rush hour with Jackie Chan) and Michael playfully arguing over whether Michael could get ‘The’ girl. This is amusing. Then the song starts and I loved it from the minute I heard it. Very catchy and more of a dance track – great stuff 10/10
7) Butterflies – This starts with Michael whispering ‘butterflies’ and is a very gentle, slow intro. I would say that this song, which lasts for 4.40 minutes, is a ballad with a blues overtone. It is a great smooth tune for that romantic evening in. 9/10
8) Speechless – I must say this: This track is AMAZING!! The first second I heard it I turned it up and have sang along to it ever since. It is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. It lasts for 3.18 minutes but as I always have it on repeat, it could go on for hours! It is a fantastic ballad and Michael’s voice is nothing short of wonderful. I actually wanted to walk down the red carpet at my wedding to this, but it mentions God and as I am having a civil ceremony I am not allowed to have it! I was devastated, as I love this song, Michael at his best 100/10!!
9) 2000 Watts – Quite a shocking song after track 8! It is harsh and fast! It lasts for 4.24 minutes and is fast from the outset. The beat is great and as I loved ‘Morphine’ from his Blood on the Dancefloor album, I liked this one too. You don’t really hear a lot of Michael in this but it is a great song. 8/10
10) You are my Life – This is another wonderful track lasting for 4.33 minutes this song is inspirational. I am actually using this song as part of my wedding vows as the words are so beautiful: “ You are the sun, You make me shine, Or more like the stars that twinkle at night. You are the moon that glows in my heart, You’re my daytime, my night time, You are my life” What a fantastic ballad 10/10
11) Privacy – This is one of Michael’s ‘have a go at the press’ songs like ‘Leave me alone’ and ‘Tabloid Junkie’ it is not a bad song and I fully support his quest to stop the papers from writing rubbish about him, but this is not one of the best on the album. “ You keep on stalking me, invading my privacy. Won’t you just let me be. Cause your cameras can’t control, the minds of those who know that you’ll sell your soul just to get a story sold” The words are poignant and it lasts for 5.05 minutes. 9/10
12) Don’t walk away – This has a very soft beginning and you know it is going to be a ballad type song. One of those songs that you find yourself humming along to or tapping your hand on your knee to the beat. A very soothing song that lasts for 4.25 minutes. 10/10
13) Cry – This was the second song to be released as a single and it was written by R. Kelly. This caught people’s attention, as Michael Jackson doesn’t actually appear in the video for this song! It lasts for 5.01 minutes and it is a ‘world’ song. Along similar lines as ‘Heal the World’ as far as the message in the song goes. I like this song and found myself singing along to it, as it is catchy. 10/10
14) The Lost Children – A simple, mellow song that would be good whilst in the bath, candles all around – relaxing. Once again this is a catchy song that lasts for 4 minutes and has a children’s choir featuring in it. 10/10
15) Whatever happens – The sound of someone whistling is the intro to this 4.56-minute song. I would say this song is quite Jazz like in certain parts but on the whole you would probably find your foot tapping away to the infectious beat. Some great solo guitar sections in this, which gives it a Latin feel, performed by Carlos Santana. 9/10
16) Threatened – I was not overly keen on this song, as it is rather similar to invincible. It lasts for 4.19 minutes and Rod Serling does the intro and ‘outro’ I actually do not know who this is but it says: Audio snippets of Rod Serling courtesy of CBS Broadcasting Inc’ So from this I would presume he is dead? 7/10
Overall opinion: I love Michael Jackson, his voice makes me go weak at the knees and from the Jackson five to today he amazes me! I feel that he is the most unfairly treated person ever! Some of the songs on this album did disappoint me as since HIStory I have been longing for the next album. I have been as honest as I can be and I will say that if you are a Michael fan then YES this is worth getting. But if you like a few of his songs and are considering this – then NO I wouldn’t. It cost me £15.99 but I do not regret buying it at all.
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I don't agree with some of the views there, but good opinion. I really hate "You Are My Life"!
I've been listening to "Unbreakable" all week. Go Mike!!
Crib79 13.03.2004 17:26
Maybe one track too many but still a hugely enjoyable album. U Rock my World is a fantastic song and showed that Michael is still the king of pop. I feel the album was unfairly slated with people calling it out of date...which is a lie as the CD has a more RnB feel then his previous offerings. The sad fact is, if the songs had been sung by Justin Timberlake, everyone would be calling this album a masterpiece. My favs on the album are u rock my world, you are my life, don't walk away and butterflies..all amazing tunes! Great op!!
Fiz_whiz 10.07.2002 19:47
I have this album and have never listened to it properly though now I am quite tempted to put it on and check out some of the tunes for myself. It is rather long tho but thats good for hardcore fans like yourself! I do remember 2000 watts with Tyrese - I love that tune tho not ur average MJ tune! Enjoyed your review :) Fiz
For such a boldly titled and apparently driven attempt to reinstate Michael Jackson at the ... more
centre of the pop world,Invincibleis a listless thing. Split between scratchy funk workouts and mid-tempo ballads that might have appeared asBadB-sides, the albu...
Postage & Packaging: £1.24 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
For such a boldly titled and apparently driven attempt to reinstate Michael Jackson at the ... more
centre of the pop world, Invincible is a listless thing. Split between scratchy funk workouts and mid-tempo ballads that might have appeared as Bad B-sides, the ...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...