Michael Jackson has had incredible popularity since he was a kid. So how does his latest album titled "XSCAPE" Match up? Is it Boring, O.K. or Brilliant? Here is the full review.
What I listened to: "XSCAPE (Deluxe Edition) By: Micheal Jackson"
How did I listen to it: 320 kbps on Apple Earpods
No, Michael Jackson has not come back from the dead. This album is a set of unreleased material from his past. It features songs that haven't been heard to the general public. So, I have to question this album a couple of different ways. Since it is unreleased material, one has to figure out a timeframe for the songs. When where they recorded? If you are a big fan of his "Bad" or "Thriller" days, the 80's are calling your name. It is now 2014 and so called pop music, along with many other genres, has changed. His music has to as well.
With the use of computers and semi realistic instrumentation, musicians and studio amateurs can make great sounding music. Even if you are making an album in your mother's basement, you can have a song that sounds like a number one hit. For most situations it is a good thing. For others, this can lead to a falsifying sound one could never duplicate live due to lack of actual talent. Even though this album will never be performed live, the talent within is not lacking.
This album starts off with a very smooth "Love Never Felt So Good'. With different rhythm patterns and Michael's fantastic voice along with some slight piano playing in the background, it is one of the best opening tracks I have ever heard. It really sets the mood for what you, the listener, are about to experience.
"Loving You" is full of emotion and space-y vocals. The high notes spun around the bass with that strange tennis ball bang noise make it sound slightly like everything from 2010. A good mix, I just wish they added a few different sounds to it.
One of the very first unreleased songs was leaked onto the Internet shortly after his death was very similar to a hit song titled "A Horse With No Name" by the band America. After many years of hearing the few seconds on YouTube, it was very exciting to finally hear it on this record. It is called "A Place With No Name". Both the modern and original versions were plain awesome and did not disappoint at all. This is the finest blend of classic and modern pop.
The list of unreleased songs come to an end with the title track "Xscape". This song is quite intense. The rhythms with the electric guitar mixed with the offbeat horns make your shoulders, feet or anything else move to the beat.
Now, I listened to the Deluxe Edition and that includes eight tracks of Michael's original cuts. Nine versions of those cuts were modernized including a cut where Michael is joined by the ever talented Justin Timberlake.
So that takes me to my original question: what is the timeframe for the songs on this album? How should a person review this album?
Since Michael isn't here to give us his input on it, we have to look at pop music as it is today for half the review. Is this a good modern pop record?
The answer: yes.
The album had many different people working on it and the sounds that you hear coming through the speakers are relevant to any pop song you would hear on the radio. With people who are arguably the industries' best, this is far better than anything you will hear on radio. That, is unfortunate.
Like I said, however, Michael isn't here to give us his input on it. If you listen to the original recordings on the second half of the album, it is still good music. He does things that you would not hear on today's pop music but that is ok. It brings Michael back to a time where he first made it really big. You know, before the movie "Free Willy". Any classic Micheal Jackson fan will fall in love with this. It does make me question though: in the redone versions, is that weird tennis ball sound something Michael would have wanted? Is this how he envisioned the future of these songs?
The original versions definitely needed the help and I say with the direction that the genre is going, this is the best pop record in quite a while. The days where talent is a hard thing to come by, this album demonstrates why he is called the 'King of Pop'.
Even the original cuts, which are kind of going back to that 80s era that made him big, blend well making this album an instant classic.
So..........is this album Boring, O.K. or Brilliant?
The Verdict: Brilliant.
For hard-core fans, the original tracks will make you reminisce about the days he was alive. The talent that was in this guy's body, is no match for a majority of what is heard on the radio. It is shown with the original and the modern cuts. This album sounds like a Michael Jackson album. That alone is nothing short of great.
The modernized versions, are nothing but the best in today's pop music. The people who worked behind them have, in my opinion, done an amazing job.
Go buy this on iTunes or at your local music retailer right away. I do recommend, though, that you buy the deluxe version.
For new fans, there's never a time too late to start listening to King of Pop. At least give it a shot. You will not be disappointed.
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