Re: Michael - The Great Album Debate (Only Go Here if You Want To Continue The Controversy)
What people need to remember is that first thought when they clicked on michaeljackson.com back in November excitedly waiting to hear Breaking News.
When the vocal kicked in - what was your first thought?
Before there was any modicum of an idea that the new album could possibly have fake vocals on them so you weren't listening out for them it was just your ears & instinct.
My first thought was 'This is not Michael Jackson singing'.
I then told myself I was being stupid, then I came on MJJC and saw I wasn't the only one. Everytime I've played the record since I've thought the same, 'This Is Not Michael Jackson singing'.
I listened to the 'Michael' album before knowing which of the tracks were the Cascio ones, and again on 'Monster' once the 'Too bad...Hollywood' section kicked in, I knew it was not Michael Jackson singing.
Being perfectly honest, and just so you know I'm not being blinded by all this, I would quite happily believe KYHU is him, but the song isn't very good so I don't listen much.
The point I'm making is that despite all the reasons why the tracks may sound different (PVC pipe, out of practise, recorded in the bathroom, The Sopranos was on in the background etc) the vocals were so unrecognisible that as soon as I and many others heard them alarm bells rang - and they haven't stopped ringing.
I have had exactly the same opinion.
I was so much eager to hear Breaking News. I liked the snippet I heard.
Then came the day-d! The hype was at its peak!
While listening to the song I was for the first time in my life in an awful doubt! I said to myself that the voice wasn't Michael's.
Anyway, as it was an official release by SONY, i actuallt tried to convince myself that it was Michael. And even though in my heart I wasn't at ease I was willing to believe that it was Michael.
But, when my wife later on came from work and listened to it, she looked at me unconvinced and said to me: "is this Michael Jackson, do you really think so?" I answered: "Yes, it's him. I know he sounds different, but it's him."
Then afterwards I relistened again and again, and every time I listened to it, every time I had to admit that actually I just couldn't recognize Michael. It didn't have the same spark as when I listened for the first time to "Shout" on the maxi cd or STTR leaked on Internet. My ears were telling me it is not him that I hear on BN, but my reason was telling me "it comes from SONY, it's official".
Anyway, I was really trying hard to believe that it was Michael despite what my ears were telling me. I didn't want to have any prjudice against the Cascios, so I waited to hear another track from them. It was "Monster". Instantly, without a slightest doubt, in a heartbeat I immediately was disgusted by what I heard. I am not talking about the melody. The melody is cool and fine. But the voice!!!!! The voice was so 1000000% not Michael that it confirmed my doubts about Breaking News.
Now, accepting that one track sounds differently because Michael supposedly wanted to experience new sounds and settings, I can without any problem accept that. But two completely different kinds of songs with the same unMichael voice? No way! And wafter that I have to buy that KYHU is Michael singing with such lyrics as "she's working in a restaurant"???? NO WAY!
Michael's legacy is in jeopardy.
The songs that I really appreciate are:
Hollywood Tonight
Behind the Mask
Another Day
Much too soon
