Michael

A Christmas present from the King

It has been an irresistible idea to release posthumous albums since the music world as it is now was born. Too many people are tempted to make good money on the name of a great artist who did not even approve the issue of such a CD, and even more will be happy to listen to it. Why? Because there are only greatest performers whose albums are delivered after their passing away. Crazy about their forever silent heroes, listeners are delighted just to know that they are going to have another record by their favorite in their collections. The quality of the material, actual music content and even the designing of these CDs do not matter. Releases like these are another chance to feel and believe that a star is born again, to shine, if only for a moment. Michael Jackson's star has not even faded in the year and a half that passed since his death. The King is gone, but his music is still listened to, praised, sold and even released... on new albums. Titled so tastelessly, the Michael collection surfaced shortly before Christmas, like another present from Michael Jackson.

Michael is better than anybody and loved by everybody

The names of the guest artists with whom Michael recorded a couple of songs off this album were meant to raise expectations regarding it. Well, this mission seems to be accomplished. Yet the singers themselves only serve the aim to show how great the distance is between them and Michael. Akon is only a shadow of his own on the mid-tempo Hold My Hand that became a single. 50 Cent was even close to ruining the excellent Monster whose intensity and energy resemble Michael’s another classic record, Bad (1987). In the second half of the album, the pace drops as orchestral arrangements are added to electronic. So we get a few songs which are less of dance-category and more on the ballad side, Behind The Mask, and Much Too Soon. Finally, there are simply good songs, each having its own attractive moments. Keep Your Head Up will cheer you up as the singer recommends you never to give up whatever the circumstances. In Breaking News Michael complains about his popularity that makes each of his deeds closely watched and many of his words wrongfully interpreted. Possibly, the most standout track here is I Can't Make It (Another Day) with Lenny Kravitz on guitar and Dave Grohl behind the drum kit. You should not wonder why even the most radically-minded fans of rock music reveal a great deal of respect for the King of pop-music.

He would be satisfied with such an album

Music, in fact, should not be discussed this time. Firstly, it does not take a genius to guess that Michael is not another classic studio album with a story in it, well-thought-through sequence of tracks and fantastic design, but a collection of songs which, for this or that reason, did not make it to the singer's former albums. The main reason stands clear as day: they lost competition against the others, did not pass the narrow gate of selection. Secondly, nobody expected anything extraordinary from the Michael album. Jackson’s best records were released as long as two and even three decades ago. This is why the first title that flashes in your memory while discussing the singer’s highlights is Thriller, the name of the unique record that was issued in 1982! Yet the fascinating point is that it is not only possible, but even pleasant to listen to his new effort. Surprisingly, these tracks can not be described as undone, unaccomplished songs in which the maestro once disappointed. In the meantime most of analogous albums feature suchlike material, namely, something that you can not find anywhere else. Michael seems to be continuing the ideas proposed by the singer’s last efforts, dynamic, stuffed with powerful beats and rock-like aggressive vocal R&B. Michael’s father stood up against the release of this album. He must have had his own reasons to do so. But now, that the record did surface, only few will regret it.