Where do you start with this album? While money is being made off a dead legend, it was always going to happen, and with the reported $250 million ten album deal there will be lots more to come. Being a fan and hearing all about the perfectionist Michael was, he wouldn't have wanted something released without his tick of approval. Nevertheless, I couldn't help but eagerly await this album, because in reality for over thirty years as a solo artist, he put out a very small amount of material when you think about it. 'Off the Wall' was released thirty years prior to his death and only five albums eventuated in that time.
Where every track came from and how much each has been reworked is unknown. It feels some vocals were not the finished product. 'Breaking News' is an obvious one as it doesn't sound exactly like Michael on the verses, which has caused some controversy, the more I listen the less I feel this, but certainly on the first listen I was suspicious. Also, some of the laughs and adlibs such as the ones on 'Monster' to me make me ask the question of fabrication. There also seems to be a large variation in time on where these came from. 'Behind the Mask' and 'Much Too Soon' are leftovers from 'Thriller', where 'Breaking News' and '(I Can't Make It) Another Day' sound like very recent MJ.
On to the songs and track for track it ain't bad with ten fairly good tunes, the 42 minutes still fly by for me after many listens, and while incomparable to all of his prior adult albums, it's all quite solid. 'Hold My Hand' is a nice uplifting tune, but really feels more like an Akon song. 'Hollywood Tonight' apparently a leftover for 2001's 'Invincible' sounds a lil Streetwalkerish, is very funky, and one of the best tracks. 'Keep Your Head Up' feels very much like 'Cry' from 'Invincible'. '(I Like) The Way You Love Me' is another reasonable ballad which again is a bit like Cry, and begins with MJ singing acapella and beat-boxing his ideas for the track which is a nice touch. 'Monster' is the most aggressive track that has been compared to 'Scream', it's enjoyable but fails to work as well - Lyrically it is about the media/paparazzi being the vultures they are - "When you look up in the air there's a monster, Paparazzi got you scared like a monster, monster, monster."
'Best of Joy' continues from '(I Like) The Way You Love Me' and is another nice ballad, if nothing too outstanding. Next, the leading single 'Breaking News' has really grown on me, lyrically follows on from 'Monster' about the media which was a frequent theme on 'HIStory'. Although vocally there seems to have been some work done, or isn't all MJ, I can't help but really enjoy the hip hop-ish beat. 'Another Day's' snippet leaked in 2008 and works also as it switches the intensity from the chorus and verses. It's nothing great but comfortably gets the job done. 'Behind the Mask' is another disco kind of track and one of the best here that would have fit perfectly on 'Off the Wall', and is apparently a partial cover from Yellow Magic Orchestra. And finally 'Much Too Soon' has been getting the most praise from reviews I've been seeing. Its a very simple short ballad which I enjoy but I would have liked a tad more musical pop.
Given Michael released so little to the public, there must be much more great stuff one would think. However, you would assume given the deal struck with Michael's estate that Sonic/Epic will really diffuse all his stuff to not be left with nothing worthwhile toward the end of the deal. So I wouldn't expect to be giving any of his posthumous albums a perfect rating, but I'd expect them to be solid, as this is.
Some of the ballads fall behind their predecessors, but the upbeat songs work well for me, and while there isn't one truly brilliant Jackson track here, I'm not too disappointed with this. It's a very easy listen and if you rate it for what it is and don't compare it with Jackson's earlier masterpieces it deserves a reasonable rating.
Best Tracks: Hollywood Tonight, Breaking News, (I Can't Make It) Another Day, Behind the Mask.
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