Michael Jackson
Invincible

THE REVIEW

Before starting, I would like to clarify one thing: I am a novice. I have recently joined the DeBaserian colony, fulfilling the dream of my life.

That being said, I will begin my reviewing career with an easy album that many consider the decline of a great artist like Michael Jackson. Invincible is (to this day) MJ's last released album, coming 6 years after that semi-masterpiece called HIStory. 6 years of waiting and fans in a frenzy to discover our new album. But in the meantime, MJ's image had been reshaped due to allegations of child molestation and the fact that he had become even less attractive (a comparison with the glorious 80s is out of the question).
But we don't care about that, right? We want the music, right?

In making Invincible, it's as if MJ was undecided about whether to take the path of his origins (great ballads and phenomenal rhythmic songs) or the modern one (full of electronic effects), but unfortunately, the result is, in a way, pleasant but not thrilling. The album starts with the trio of wonders (initial): "Invincible", "Heartbreaker", "Unbreakable", which excite at the beginning but after a few minutes induce the listener to change from one song to the next. IF, and I repeat, IF, MJ doesn’t get it right this time in the futuristic field, he rejuvenates us with his ballads which are always high level. "Break of Dawn", "Heaven Can Wait", "Speechless" show that MJ can still make excellent "classical" music, with great choral interpretation and equally great interpretation from our star.

In "You Rock my World", one can almost glimpse the real Michael due to its excellent rhythm and danceability. Speaking of MJ-style ballads, one cannot overlook "You Are my Life", which reminds me a lot of the romantic "The Lady in my Life" in Thriller. But there is no rose without thorns, in fact, right after these masterpieces, we fall into trash with "Butterflies" and "2000 Watts". The first is reluctantly listened to due to its excessive slowness, the second cannot be listened to, or at least it is enjoyed by lovers of Techno music. After the crisis, the general level of the album rises with the sad but beautiful "The Lost Children", a song entirely written by MJ. The next track is a song against the press (but it doesn't measure up to "Leave Me Alone" or "Scream") sung with a harsh, very rocking and aggressive voice. It continues with the Latin-flavored "Whatever Happens" and with "Threatened", a track with a good chorus but nothing more.

Thus closes an album that will be (perhaps) remembered for its extraordinary ballads and for being the only flop (well, so to speak: 10 million copies with a single album is a dream for Italian singers) of MJ's career.

I hope I have passed the initiation. Hey wait a minute! NO, HOLD ON! STAY AWAY FROM ME! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!