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Michael Jackson still reigns as "King of Pop"

By: Shelley Capozzoli
Editor in Chief

"Ooh! Heee, hee." Only one male musician can get away with interjecting these girly shrieks in his songs. With his album Invincible, "The King of Pop" proves that he is invincible and still reigns in the music world.

I was not originally a die hard Michael Jackson fan, but certain songs on this album just might have made me one. The album spurred my interest with the song "You Rock My World." The instant I heard it on the radio, I fell in love with its fresh pop sound and catchy, solid beat.

It is that one-of-a-kind Michael Jackson pop sound that, for me, makes this album. My favorite songs remain the ones with the pop-sound and brisk beat like "Unbreakable," "Invincible," "Privacy," and "2000 Watts."

"Unbreakable" opens the album with a crisp, clear, and upbeat sound. A rap by Notorious BIG mixes the song up, and adds musical variety. I also enjoyed the techno sounding song "2000 Watts." Its hard, rhythmic beats and warning buzzer sounds throughout the song produce an original dance song.

Two songs on the album surprised me, as they revealed sides of Michael I haven't seen. In the song "Privacy," Michael Jackson criticizes the media for invading his life: "...your cameras can't control, the minds of those who know/That you'll even sell your soul just to get a story sold." It showed a side of Michael not normally presented; the side that desires privacy from the prodding media.

In another song, "The Lost Children," Michael reaches out to the lost children, urging prayers for the missing children of the world: "So pray for all the lost children...Wishing them well, and wishing them home."

The slow songs, however, I could do without. About a forth of the tracks were slow, Mariah Carey-sounding love songs, with titles like "Butterflies," and "Heaven Can Wait." Not quite the type of songs I want to hear from Michael Jackson. Had I been seeking mushy love songs, I would have dusted off those old Mariah Carey CD's of mine.

As much as I cringed when I heard them, the slow songs on the CD were musically outstanding. Like his other songs, they were creative and well-compiled.

Though I think he should avoid the slow songs, Michael Jackson has again produced a "thriller" album. I recommend it for driving music on Saturday nights out, or pump up music before a date.