'Michael' is exactly the album I was hoping for, and I really couldn't ask for more other than MJ still having been here to put his finishing touches and witness his return to the top of the charts.
Michael 5/5 *****
Hold My Hand - A sweet duet with Akon but easily the weakest track on the album. Not poor by any means, but compared with the others it is lacking as an opener but still very pleasant. It has a light and breezy approach and MJ and Akon's voices blend nicely (but MJ outshines with his impeccable and effortless vocals).
Hollywood Tonight - MJ comes out swinging, beat-boxing, and bringing the heat as only he can. The bass is killer. It also addresses the cut-throat style of Hollywood and what it can do to a person.
Keep Your Head Up - What can I say? This track is a classic MJ anthem. It's uplifting, motivational, and exactly the type of message MJ wanted to share with the world.
(I Like) The Way You Love Me - As if the demo wasn't good enough, it is made only greater by giving it a polished and pulsing feel, and who couldn't love the opening message from Michael? Another little insight in to his genius and process.
Monster - Michael means business on this track. It's angry, it's hard hitting, and it will spill blood on the dance floor. If this doesn't shake your booty, you best be checking your pulse. This is another introspective take on MJ's views of fame.
Best Of Joy - Gorgeous. Beautiful. Masterpiece. Michael sings like an angel and makes us all feel his warmth and true joy as the title suggests. Yes MJ, you are forever. This is a personal favorite and possibly my all time favorite song of all time.
Breaking News - MJ throws down the gauntlet in his ever ongoing battle with the media. He revisits his pain and frustration in the vein of "Privacy", but with a sharper beat and more direct lyrics. No holding back.
(I Can't Take It) Another Day - MJ, with help of Lenny Kravitz, gives us another example of his yearning to hold on to the ones he loves to help pull him through the storm. There is a growl in his voice and a burning in his heart. You can feel the passion. I would dare say it's as masterful as "We've Had Enough".
Behind The Music - A true masterpiece. The lyrics, the vocals, and the music all pull together to create one of the best tracks of not only the album, but of MJ's career. The futuristic sound is a mixture of old and new, creating a hybrid that serves Michael very well. It's a sad reminder of his genius and loss.
Much Too Soon - An agonizingly beautiful and delicately sung ballad. No one can convey emotions like loss, pain, and love in their voice with such grace and ease like our King.
Ending notes: While we had hoped leaked tracks like "DYKWYCA" and "Blue Gangsta" had made the cut, the flow of the album is excellent and very balanced. Sony and The Estate would have been very hard pressed to deliver a better track listing. It's a hard feat to deliver a 5 star posthumous album, but the King of Pop delivers BIG TIME. It's as if he is still here (which he is, in his music and our hearts).
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