Michael Jackson's Michael CD Review - Day 1

Being a lifelong fan of Michael Jackson I knew I had to review The 'Michael' CD when it was made available. This was his first full CD release since 2001's Invincible. Thanks to Napster, they allow potential customers to listen to 25 full tracks before they make a purchase.

After listening to this version of the complete Michael CD, ten full tracks, I feel that it is a good work, but incomplete. As always, being held to the standard of Thriller, it falls short of classic Michael Jackson. I have to add, at this point, no other work released by his estate can compare to The Thriller Album and what it did for the music industry.

Overall I give the Michael CD 4 out of 5. It was great to hear new music from MJ, but something is not right about this release. Sometimes I even wonder if they put the signature MJ screams in the right place.

Favorite Tracks: Best of Joy, Monster, (I Can't Make It) Another Day

Least Favorite Tracks: Hollywood Tonight

Dance Tracks: Breaking News, Behind the Mask, Hollywood Tonight

Inspiring tracks: Hold My Hand, Keep Your Head Up

Tracks I will purchase this month: Best of Joy, Monster, Behind the Mask, (I Can't Make It) Another Day

Track listing and personal rating

1."Hold My Hand" (featuring Akon) 3:32

(Personal Track Rating 5)

Writers: Aliaune Thiam, Giorgio Tuinfort, Claude Kelly

Producers: Akon, Giorgio Tuinfort, Michael Jackson*

Hold My Hand is a feel good song! A solid hit! This track builds on the Michael Jackson legacy. The Hold My Hand video feels good with clips and images of MJ, but of course is incomplete without him giving direct actions for the words that he is singing like in other videos.

2. "Hollywood Tonight" 4:30

(Personal Track Rating 3)

Writers: Michael Jackson, Brad Buxer; spoken bridge written by Teddy Riley

Producers: Michael Jackson, Teddy Riley, Theron "Neff-U" Feemster*

I love fast MJ songs such as Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' and P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing), but I'm not a fan of this song! The lyrical content may be true but I don't like the delivery.

3. "Keep Your Head Up" 4:49

(Personal Track Rating 4)

Writers: Michael Jackson, Eddie Cascio, James Porte
Producers: Michael Jackson, Tricky Stewart, Angelikson
Another feel good song, an encouraging track for the hard working mothers and others in the struggle. The song also has a be green, save the earth message. Not my favorite, although I like the choir.

4."(I Like) The Way You Love Me" 4:33

(Personal Track Rating 3)

Writer: Michael Jackson

Producers: Michael Jackson, Theron "Neff-U" Feemster

I'm not cool with his voice in the front of this track. It feels like someone is trying to convince you that this was his song. Something about it has a Color me badd 'I Wanna Sex You Up' feel. It could grow on you, but Not a fan of this song.

5."Monster" (featuring 50 Cent)5:04

(Personal Track Rating 5)

Writers: Michael Jackson, Eddie Cascio, James Porte; rap written by Curtis Jackson

Producers: Michael Jackson, Teddy Riley, Angelikson

Monster is one of my favorite tracks. I will purchase this today! I love this beat! Simple yet incredible. 50 changes up his rhyming style sounding a little bit like Eminem, It works but I would like to hear a version without the rap lyrics. A little long for the radio, but just right for the club. Portions of the beat reminds me of Soul II Soul's - Keep On Movin' track from the late80's early 90's

6. "Best of Joy" 3:02

(Personal Track Rating 5+)

Writer: Michael Jackson

Producers: Michael Jackson, Theron "Neff-U" Feemster, Brad Buxer*

I Love This Song!!

7."Breaking News" 4:14

(Personal Track Rating 4)

Writers: Michael Jackson, Eddie Cascio, James Porte
Producers: Michael Jackson, Teddy Riley, Angelikson

There was a lot of controversy around this song. Was this his voice or someone else's? After Producer Teddy Riley explain the vocal process in an interview, I am convinced that it is MJ's voice. I don't like how he said his name over and over, but the music sounds great! A side note: I say my name over and over again and people use to ask me why do I do that, now I 'really' understand why they asked.

8."(I Can't Make It) Another Day" (featuring Lenny Kravitz) 3:54

(Personal Track Rating 5)

Writer: Lenny Kravitz

Producers: Lenny Kravitz, Michael Jackson*

Great Track! Good Pop, R&B, Rock and Roll feel. Not as intense as Dirty Diana, but nice! I love Lenny Kravitz Guitar solo! Great Michael, Classic Lenny! One thing in the version I heard, it has a simple sound that reminds me of the old Casio VL-1. Weird and cheesy, but interesting.

9."Behind the Mask" 5:01

(Personal Track Rating 4)

Writers: Michael Jackson, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Chris Mosdell

Producers: Michael Jackson, John McClain

This song was part of the Thriller era. In fact it could have been on the Thriller album if it was up to Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones. A nice groove. I like how they mixed the beat with the vocal sounds. Maybe a harder, more direct, love triangle, version of the Girl is Mine? From the other man's point of view.

10."Much Too Soon" 2:48

(Personal Track Rating 3)

Writer: Michael Jackson

Producers: Michael Jackson, John McClain The Much too Soon track is nice. Sounds like a sad, lost love, love song. It was also Written in the Thriller era and kept in the vault. I Love the strings!

Good Purchase! If you are looking for total Michael Jackson, you won't find it on this Michael CD. But like producer Teddy Riley said "this feels like the spirit of Michael". For Classic Michael, Thriller is always a few clicks away! I give this CD a 4 out of 5 rating

sources: michaeljackson.com, http://music.napster.com, wikipedia.org, mtv.com MJ you tube channel,