I got my copy yesterday and have since listened to it several times over the past 24hrs. I have mixed feelings on it but I'll try and be as direct as possible without getting into too much of the fluff (are the tracks MJ, he wasn't here to approve, etc.).
Let me first say before getting to the tracks that when I opened the case and saw this ugly plain blue cd I thought, "Well this isn't a good sign." I loved the cover but then you open the case and it just made me shake my head.
Hold My Hand: I never cared for this song. I didn't when it was leaked and I still don't today. I have been able to tolerate it more so but I still don't like it. It's just corny to me. I hear how great MJ sounds and then I hear that auto tuned crap of Akon (Whom I never liked) and I just shake my head.
Hollywood Tonight: I'm still not certain if I like it or not. When I first heard it I thought it was pretty dumb. Yet, I cant help but get the chorus stuck in my head. Perhaps its one of those tracks that if you listen to enough it'll get stuck even if you don't like it.
Keep Your Head Up: This is my favorite track. Many do not seem to like it but it just stuck with me from the moment I first heard it. It reminds me of "Keep The Faith". When I first listened to it on the way home from the store I teared up when he said, "Keep your head up to the sky". Made me think of him.
The Way You Love Me: Another track that just comes across as corny to me. It reminded me of Carosel for some reason. It isn't a bad track so I will just say that I think its "ok".
Monster: When I first heard this online I thought it was crap. But now it may very well be my second favorite track!! He's done the whole "monster, scary" thing many times (I understand the words are deeper than that). To me, its a more upbeat "Threaten" which is a track that I enjoy as well. People kept telling me that 50 Cent "killed it" (good thing) and though I won't say he was that great...its decent. I love while 50 raps and MJ goes "ha, ha". Love it or hate it... 50 Cent being on this track as a single can bring a large amount of attention to the album and thus increase sales. Akon can attract today's youth but I think 50 would reach a larger audience.
Best of Joy: I like this. It's a sweet song that reminds me of his great love tracks from Invincible. It would've fit just fine among that group. I wouldn't mind seeing this as a single but I doubt that very seriously.
Breaking News: Again I said I would ignore the fluff. With that being said the lyrics themselves are "meh" to me. We've heard MJ sing about the tabloids plenty of times and they are all better than this as far as I'm concerned. Tabloid Junkie, Privacy, Leave Me Alone...though I understand why he would keep making such tracks I'm kinda bored with it at this point and that is why I don't like it. On top of that the lyrics and beat are nothing special to me.
Another Day: If there is any track that sounds like a demo to me its this one. The sound quality of MJ's voice mixed with the hard rock sound of this just doesn't add up to me. This is towards the bottom of my like list.
Behind The Mask: Yes, I know soooo many seem to love this...I don't. The stock audience crowd noise that they use for everything is strange to me but it doesn't affect my judgment. I can't really explain why I don't like this song...its just one of those tracks that I listen to it and just shrug it off. It has this 80's, robotic sound which sounds so out of place to me. I've read people say that the saxophone is from "you are not alone". I don't see that comparison myself but it did sound like it belonged in an 80's montage.
Much Too Soon: Another song I've read nothing but praise for. The lyrics are great (I finally just now read them). I just feel that they should have found or used something different for a closing track. I would've preferred "Best of Joy" as the closer personally.
Overall: It's an ok album. I'd probably give it a 6/10 or a C. There are some enjoyable tracks and there are others that I can only shake my head at. My opinion of the album may change as time goes on. When I first got Invincible I hate it...now I love just about every track on it.
