Michael has been heavily criticised because of his new music pop sound, which he has brought to the air with the release of thriller. Michael has definitely gone through a transition period, there is no denying that fact but the question that critics posed was, "Is this for the best".


Remember Michael Jackson's amazing and record breaking, music changing album Thriller in which he worked alongside producers Quincy Jones and Rod Tempterton. This was an album that truly gave Michael the title, King Of Pop. For many years he has deservedly worn this crown with the admiration of his peers. This was an album in which he not only made a paramount peak album but he also changed the way that videos were to be made forever with the release of the Thriller Video. This was like a short story music movie in which Michael showed his unique attention to detail. In the most part, I believe it was best for Michael to change his approach in the new millennium, he could not keep the same sound he had so long ago with the release of Off The Wall and Thriller, Michael needed to change his image and his music so as not to sound retro and outdated.


One could debate that Invincible has been edited to perfection, in part that would be true. There were various artists that were supposed to be working on this album that for some reason or another actually never made the final piece. These artists included the best from both the R 'n' b world and the Hip-Hop world, with artists such as R.Kelly and Boyz II Men dabbling in the workings of the album and even the great Notorious B.I.G (R.I.P). (However it must be noted that Biggie did appear on history)


It seems that in Invincible, Michael tried to create an album that would be interesting and captivating to all cultures; ranging from black Americans to Europeans and hard-core fans of pop.


I feel that Biggie in a track entitled Unbreakable was slightly exploited. By t
his I mean that his rap was not fully appreciated by the instrumentals. The rap is placed after a short interlude with Michael Jackson who speaks of those that doubted his return to the thrown as the King Of Pop and is taken from Shaq O'Neal song, You Can't Stop The Reign. In saying this unbreakable is an outstanding track, interesting and inspiring; probably one of the best of the album.


Rodney Jerkins and Michael also collaborate on a track entitled Heartbreaker. The beats on this track are amazing and really penetrating; on the other hand the lyrics are unique and well thought about. The track is basically about a beautiful girl whom Michael is deeply interested in but the games she is playing are making him look a fool. This is similar to You Rock My World and the lyrics initiating with;

"Deceitful eyes, she's got those come get me thighs."

Fats, an underground rapper does a piece on this song, but against Michael's harmonious vocals it is not fully appreciated.

Another song on the album featuring a collaboration between the two is the title track Invincible, although another track with the disappointing Fats, Michael's musical talents still shine bright. The track is about a girl the Michael is chasing but she doesn't give in and so he label her invincible.


These are the most up beat songs on the album along with You Rock My World, the rest of the tracks are slow and soothing. The take a new look at slow jams and they really works well in relaxing when tensed up. A track entitled Break Of Dawn was intended to be released and was on the Michael Jackson website days before the release of the album. This song was aired for play over the Internet to show Michael's development as a slow jam artist.


The production on the album is definitely second to none. Michael has accumulated the very best from the present industry from the Neptunes, worked on a song entit
led You Rock My World and who in the past have worked with artists such as P.Diddy, LL Cool J and Ludacris; to North Child currently working on Brandy's new album with the release of "What About Us"


The last track on the album leaves the listener with a haunting sensation. The instrumental are soft but well implemented. The softly played guitar and the mellow backing vocals make for an eerie track. Rod Serling does a spoken word outro to great avail.


Invincible is Michael's latest album. It takes a fresh new look on pop music and sees the development of Michael as an artist for the Millennium. If you don't like slow relaxing tracks, more Usher style then I would not recommend Invincible because this is a very similar approach. Invincible is an album that has changed the way that I hear music. Being a fan of hip hop, I was more interested in the lyrics and beats but with Michael's music I found myself once again listening for the soothing harmonies and melodies within each track.