Est. 1998
by Jayne Ross
I don’t know what I expected when I went along courtesy of Sony Music to hear ‘Invincible’, but I know I certainly got more than I bargained for.
After coffee with one of my friends and checking out her latest batch of Michaelie pics, I arrived at Sony just before 4pm and was given a VIP pass. I am the least important person I know, so to be honest I hate wearing passes and things like that, and have felt embarrassed when people have given them to me to wear in the past. But I suppose it’s mainly for security purposes and nothing more, certainly not to point out to anyone that I am more important than anyone else, because I’m not.
Pass firmly in hand I was directed to a room off to the left of reception where this really nice lady took my coat. Inside the room there were four massive ‘Invincible’ posters on the walls in blue, red, green and orange and at the end of the room a beautiful buffet with champagne and wine. Anyone who knows me will tell you I am basic person with simple needs, so I had an orange juice. Well I didn’t want to miss one single note of Michael’s new album did I? :-)
This young girl, a writer, then came up and sat next to me, introducing herself as a writer of a well known magazine. She mentioned that she had not seen me around previously, so I explained I ran one of the UK fan clubs. She smiled and said: “I think he’s great too! I just love Michael!” She introduced me to two of her friends and I asked how often they attended an album hearing, or ‘Playback Session’ as this was called. I was told “this only happens for Michael Jackson!”
When the room was full, in total just over 20 people mainly from magazines throughout the UK, we were played a promotional video. You have all seen this footage many times previous, clips of Michael’s Greatest Hits etc, but this time it included a clip of ‘You Rock My World’ and the music from the tracks had been re-mixed in places. Joanna Burns of Sony then welcomed us, explaining that the ‘Invincible’ album was 76 minutes long and said ” It’s not very often you get to hear a masterpiece. Here’s ‘Invincible’!”
The screen where we had been watching the video footage then changed to one word – ‘Unbreakable’. We were then played track after track with the screen changing every time, ‘Heartbreaker’, ‘Invincible’, Break of Dawn’, etc: etc: As the tracks played I furiously scribbled down some notes whilst trying to watch the others in the room, and gauge their reactions to the songs. Although at the end of the day it doesn’t really matter to us what others think, I just wanted to watch Michael work his magic on everyone in the room, as only he can.
Many of my co-listeners were happily scribbling away whilst tapping their feet at the same time, some even sitting with their heads back, taking in the melodies of the slower songs. His magic had worked yet again! There was one guy though who started to read ‘The Guardian’ during ‘Break of Dawn’, which really goes to show why Michael sometimes doesn’t get a good review when people can’t even be bothered to listen to his music.
After we’d heard the final few lines of ‘Threatened’, everyone applauded and we said our goodbyes. The general consensus was good, everyone seemed pleased and happy with what they heard. I knew the lady sat next me had liked it anyway, because I kept taking a sneaky look at her writing pad and noticed quite a few tracks listed as “V.Good!” :-)
I collected my coat and then as soon as I was out of the building, my head spinning trying to remember everything, I rang Joanne. I couldn’t believe it, she was on the phone! I know others have major problems getting through to me at times, but didn’t she want to know how it sounded? I left a message. A few seconds later, I received a message in turn, seems she did want to know and was calling me at exactly the same time I was calling her. So, after speaking to each other’s answering services one more time, we touched base and I could finally share my joy and excitement with her, but could I? “Well c’mon what do you think?” she said. “Well, em, em, how do I describe it? I’m Speechless and by the way I love that one!” I said. The conversation continued as I made my way up Great Marlborough Street, stopping every so often to try and make out what she was saying. We said goodbye and Joanne went off to Bingo much happier knowing a bit more about the album.
Below, if you’re interested, you will find the notes that I wrote during the ‘Playback Session’ with a few additions. However, I am a strong believer in that a person can only review an album for themselves, so this is just my opinion for what it’s worth, and there will be many that probably disagree. For example I could have perhaps missed things others would have picked up on and vice versa. We are all different and at the end of the day, if we all thought the same, then life would be pretty boring wouldn’t it?
Unbreakable – A great funky well produced track to start the album with. Many a foot tapping to this one. A wonderful repetitive beat throughout and it also contains a long rap from Notorious B.I.G. This one has surely got to be a single.”And I know, you hate it, and you can’t take it. You’ll never break me, ’cause I’m unbreakable!” Go Michael!
Heartbreaker – Another strong very up to date track that contains a rap and is highly produced. The backing track in places reminds me a bit of ‘Jam’ and ends on a ‘DS’ shot gun. “That girl I can’t take her. Should have known she was a heartbreaker.”
Invincible – An unusual title track. However, I can remember feeling the same way about ‘Dangerous’. This is another dance track, again with a rap and a few high pitched “Hee-Hee’s” “Arr’s” & “Hey’s” included. If Michael didn’t want to do this song himself, he could have given it to Jennifer Lopez as it would fit in well with her style. “So why ain’t you feelin’ me? She’s invincible!”
Break of Dawn – This is the first slow track on the album, which starts off with birds singing. There is small part of this which takes me back to the 70’s, to the days of the Love Unlimited Orchestra and their highly produced soul music “I wanna make love” clearly audible in the background. I would say it’s the most sensual track we have ever heard from Michael. Ladies beware! “I don’t want the sun to shine. I wanna make love.” Well I did warn you didn’t I? :-)
Heaven Can Wait – I have to be honest and say that I wasn’t at all comfortable with Michael singing about death, and this wasn’t a song I was looking forward to hearing. However, even though the song is slow it doesn’t come over as extremely sad, until right at the end when Michael says “Just leave us alone, leave us alone.”
You Rock My World – I am sure everyone reading this have made up your own minds about this first release from the album, so my opinion kinda pales into insignificance. I love this track!
Butterflies – A very slow track with Michael’s voice sounding beautifully clear, and already becoming a firm favourite with many who have listened to it on Michael’s new official web site – www.michaeljackson.com “I caress you, let you taste us, just so blissful listen. I would give you anything baby, just make my dreams come true”. He’s at it again! :-)
Speechless – An A Cappella intro which turns into a wonderful concert swaying song, that sent a shiver down my spine. This song builds up into a masterpiece and the only problem I have with it, is it’s not long enough. I want more! :-) Be warned, it also has a false ending so just when you are letting out a sign of pleasure at the end, Michael again comes in A Cappella with: “Your love is magical, that’s how I feel. But in your presence I am lost for words, Words like, like, I love you.” Ahh, bless him!
2000 Watts – Perhaps it’s just my age and my hearing, but I am sure Michael’s voice seems deeper than normal on this industrial upbeat dance track. A great foot tapper and probably it’s my warped mind, but he seems like he’s off again with “Bass note, treble, stereo control, how low you go. Just enough to make your juices flow”.
You Are My Life – This reminded me very much of ‘Ben’ when it started, so it’s obviously one of the ballads on the album. Co-written by Babyface, Carole Bayer Sager and John McClain. “You opened my eyes when I couldn’t see. Love was always here waiting for me.”
Privacy -This tracks starts off with voices “There’s Michael Jackson!” “Mummy, Mummy, there’s Michael Jackson! Etc: etc:” Very reminiscent of ‘Moonwalker’ just before the chase through the film lot. Again it’s perhaps my hearing but Michael’s voice seems slightly different. This is a great thumping track, Slash I think on guitar and I would even go as far as saying this is the heaviest rock track Michael has ever done. I think the song also refers to Princess Diana with the lyrics “I need my privacy, I need my privacy. So paparazzi, get away from me. Some of you still wonder why, one of my friends had to die.”
Don’t Walk Away – Michael’s beautiful voice shines through again in this ballad. ” And how can I stop losing you? How can I begin to say? When there’s nothing left to do but walk away.”
Cry – A beautiful song and if there is a ‘Man in the Mirror’ on this album then this is the track, although it’s written by R.Kelly. It’s an anthem, a classic, and has already been released on vinyl in the US. “You can change the world – I can’t do it by myself. You can touch the sky – Gonna take somebody’s help. You’re the chosen one – I’m gonna need some kind of sign. If we all cry at the same time tonight.”
The Lost Children – A slow but upbeat song. Children playing in the background, a children’s choir with Michael’s beautiful voice, and ending with a child saying “It’s getting dark. I think we’d better go home now”. A great Michael type song, which I am sure will be well received by everyone.
Whatever Happens – When this track started off, it reminded me of the music from a spaghetti western. Then as it progressed, and as my ‘hubby’ had been into Santana since the 70’s, even dragging me off to see them many moons ago, I spotted the classic Latin American guitar playing style of Carlos Santana immediately. It’s so different for Michael and works extremely well. It finishes with Carlos saying: “Thank you man!” and Michael replying politely with “Thank you Carlos!”
Threatened – I had heard that this was the ‘Thriller’ of ‘Invincible’, and it certainly has the lyrics to fit, but musically it is totally different. A continuous thumping beat. Quite a scary ending that makes you wonder what on earth Michael is going to do next. “What you have just witnessed could be the end of a particularly terrifying nightmare….It’s the beginning!”
I would to say a special thank you to Mr Jonathan Morrish, Trisha Wrench and Joanna Burns for allowing MJWN to listen to the album and of course to Mr Michael Jackson for yet another record breaking album to add to our collections.
