Michael - The Official New Album - Out December 14th - General Discussion Thread

Which tracks are you most looking forward to hearing in full/Want on Album!

  • All I Need

    Votes: 13 14.0%
  • Carry On

    Votes: 16 17.2%
  • Breaking News

    Votes: 11 11.8%
  • Monster

    Votes: 13 14.0%
  • Much Too Soon

    Votes: 66 71.0%
  • Do You Know Where Your Children Are

    Votes: 68 73.1%
  • Another Day

    Votes: 76 81.7%
  • Hold My Hand

    Votes: 54 58.1%
  • A Place With No Name

    Votes: 65 69.9%
  • Love Never Felt So Good

    Votes: 34 36.6%
  • Blue Gangsta

    Votes: 57 61.3%

  • Total voters
    93
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Wow, missed a lot over the weekend it seems!
 
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If Escape, HMH and APWNN doesn't make the final tracklist they should be released as b-sides on the first 3 singles. But that wont happen. Now MJ's not here anymore all his songs are to much worth for SONY to just release them on singles. Would be great though.
Escape needs to be released. It's a killer track.
 
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I came across the following article on billboard.com:

The fate of music retailers' holiday sales season may rest not with a country-crossover auteur or a hip-hop oversharer or even the King of Pop, but with a momsy 50-year-old Scot drawn to show tunes.

Yes, Taylor Swift and Kanye West will release chart-topping new albums, and a posthumous release of previously unheard Michael Jackson tracks should draw in loyal fans, but retailers once again are counting on Susan Boyle to drive the Christmas selling season.

"Taylor Swift will be big," says Jagriti Jaggi, category manager for software merchandising at the 34-unit Fry Electronics, "but we feel that Susan Boyle will be our No. 1 seller."


This year will have something for everyone, music buyers say. Acts set to release fourth-quarter albums include Kings of Leon, Rihanna, Kid Rock, the Black Eyed Peas, Akon, Josh Groban, Nicki Minaj, Cee Lo, Elton John & Leon Russell, Elvis Presley, Bruce Springsteen, Darius Rucker, Zac Brown Band, Sugarland, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban.

"We are locked and fully loaded," Universal Music Group (UMG) executive VP of sales and marketing Candace Berry says of her company's fourth-quarter schedule. "The star power is there, and we have a variety of genres and records that appeal to everyone from youths to adults."

Buyers are split, however, on whether this year's slate holds greater promise than last year's. Fourth-quarter sales in 2009 -- led by Boyle, Swift, Jackson, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublé and Justin Bieber -- totaled about 119 million album units.

J&R GM of media Sue Bryan says that this year's schedule "looks as good, if not better than last year's release schedule." Newbury Comics head of purchasing Carl Mello is less optimistic, saying it "looks like it may be [flat] to a little bit lighter than last year."

"There are things that are going to sell," Alliance Entertainment group VP of vendor managed inventory Cindy Barr says, "but I don't think it's an outstanding fourth-quarter schedule.

"Everybody is trying to put out older-demo records," Barr adds, referring to new albums from Groban and Carlos Santana, boxed sets from Springsteen and Bob Dylan, remasters of the Beatles' "Red" and "Blue" collections, the Cirque du Soleil-related "Viva Elvis," covers sets from Neil Diamond and Rod Stewart, the John/Russell collaboration and Christmas albums from Boyle, Mariah Carey and Annie Lennox.

Merchants are divided on whether Swift's "Speak Now" (Oct. 25) or Boyle's "The Gift" (Nov. 9) will be the top seller this year.

"Taylor Swift will be the biggest record of the fourth quarter," Barr says. "That's a no-brainer. She appeals to such a wide demo."

UMG is expected to ship 1.8 million units of "Speak Now" and is projecting first-week sales of 750,000 units, sources say.

Mello says he doubts that "The Gift" can sell like last year's Boyle album, "I Dreamed a Dream," considering it sold "300,000 units for weeks on end." Actually, it sold more than 500,000 units for five weeks in a row, including a debut week of 701,000 units. It has sold a total of 3.8 million units, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Sony Music Entertainment has yet to make projections for the new Boyle record.

Meanwhile, merchants are skeptical on whether Jackson's album, expected to be compiled from studiotracks he recorded but never included on past albums, will top last year's "This Is It."

"Of course Michael Jackson will be a very good seller; we sell his music all year long," Fry's Jaggi says. "Anything from him will sell." But a retail executive adds, "I don't believe the Michael Jackson album will mean anything."

Here's a look at how some other top fourth-quarter albums are expected to perform:

Kenny Chesney's "Hemingway's Whiskey" (Sept. 28) is expected to ship about 400,000 units, with first-week sales projected at 225,000.

Kings of Leon's "Come Around Sundown" (Oct. 19) is expected to ship 350,000 units and have first-week sales of 350,000, including about 150,000 digital albums.

The Elton John/Leon Russell collaboration "The Union" (Oct. 19) has the backing of merchants. "It has a really good story and will get a lot of news coverage," Barr says. "It's a good record for the Robert Plant/Alison Krauss demo."

Sugarland's "The Incredible Machine" (Oct. 19) and Rascal Flatts' "Nothing Like This" (Nov. 16) are each expected to ship about 500,000 units and have first-week sales of about 200,000.

"Now That's What I Call Music 36" (Nov. 9) is expected to ship about 600,000 units, with first-week sales of about 125,000.

Rihanna's "Loud" (Nov. 16) and the Black Eyed Peas' "The Beginning" (December) are each expected to ship about 500,000 units and have first-week sales of about 200,000.

Kanye West's new album (Nov. 23) is expected to ship about 750,000 units, with first-week sales of about 400,000.

Nicki Minaj's much-anticipated debut, "Pink Friday" (Nov. 23), should ship 300,000 units, with first-week sales of 125,000.

Still, questions linger about how some highly touted fourth-quarter releases will fare. "Will Maroon 5 end up having hits?" Newbury Comics' Mello asks. "How will Santana do? Will Linkin Park have any legs? Do any records have legs nowadays?"

Meanwhile, merchants aren't sure how catalog will sell for the holiday. "It depends on the mood of the country," J&R's Bryan says. Key boxed sets for the season include John Lennon's "Signature Box," Dylan's "The Original Mono Recordings," the "Apple Records" set, Jimi Hendrix's "West Coast Seattle Boy" and Springsteen's "Darkness on the Edge of Town," also known as "The Promise."

Finally, retailers concede that overall, this year's holiday selling season will be down from last year's because of the continued decline in CD shelf space.


I don't care how many copies the album will sell. But, the quote from the retail executive, "I don't believe the Michael Jackson album will mean anything." rubs me the wrong way. Billboard magazine just discredited itself.
 
Re: The Official New Album Thread - Discussion Only - ALL DISCUSSION HERE PLEASE

Michael Jackson album that will not mean anything?? - Is that person high or something?
 
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What worries me is that Kanye West is releasing his album Nov 23rd (same as MJ), and with expected 1st week sales of 400,000 that puts MJ in jeopardy of getting a #1 album. I am forecasting a 1st week debut of roughly 275,000 to 325,000 in the US which would mean a #2 or possibly #3 album for MJ (if Boyle's sales remain high in her 3rd week which is very possible).

If Sony wants to avoid a slaughter on the charts the only viable option would be to move the release to next year. That way the album could go #1 for several weeks.

Kanye West, Susan Boyle, and Taylor Swift are the big competition here.

The reality is that while hardcore fans are making this to be a huge release, in the eyes of the general public this isn't THAT big of a deal. With TII, it was a huge theatrical film that gained the attention of the masses. That resulted in huge album sales. For this album, the media will be taking the angle "these are the songs MJ rejected, and for a good reason, etc". For that reason, I am expecting this album to under perform TII (not by much though).

First week sales in US= 275,000 to 325,000
Year end sales in US= 1,000,000
Total US sales= 2,000,000
 
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I in a way agree with the author. Susan Boyle is massive in music right now. You can't deny that, she will go to (and already is at) number one with ease. Not to mention the fact that she music she performs is real rather than something a producer knocked out in 5 minutes. Yes, MJ will be huge but this November there will be a lot of competition.
 
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Maybe that person is hoping Michael's album won't mean anything.
 
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I say release it on my birthday...November 2nd. Sony & The Estate would have to kick it into high gear to make deadlines for the date, but I think with demand extremely high for anything Michael, it makes more sense to release the album this year rather than next year.

The comment about Michael not meaning anything by the retailer is simple ignorance. Michael always sells well. People want to hear new material. It's no different from Elvis or The Beatles. Michael is going to do just fine.
 
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I hope the media is gonna be positive on this album. It's too important
 
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The media HAS to be positive.
 
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I say let the music speak for itself!

Nobody but nobody had the vocal range as Michael and that includes everyone NOW!

Terry
 
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Oh I missed a lot during the weekend, just went back the last 10 pages.

I still think that if the song Future is on the album, that would be a perfect title. Escape and Another Day sounds good to me too. But please, no L.O.V.E. or anything as cheesy as that..

Wow these next weeks will be so exciting!
 
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I understand that This Is It is supported by a theatrical release last year. But, the album is really "greatest hit collection" in disguise. It appeals to fans becasue we would buy anything from Michael. But, the album still manages to sell over five millions copies worldwide, given the fact that there are many other Michael Jackson greatest hit albums (Number One's, TUC, Essential) out in the market. To me, this is a sign of how big Michael's fan base is.

It really isn't that important to me for Michael to have another #1 album. He has nothing to prove. He's the greatest and most successful. Period. I just want the media to be respectful and fair (wishful thinking, I know.) Why the media feels the need to shoot down on an album that no one, except the select few at Sony, knows anything about?

Retailers are telling Billboard anything from Michael Jackson will sell. Billboard then feels the need to add the quote that said the album doesn't mean anything. Doesn't make sense at all.

Seriously, none of the artists metioned in the article has a global impact like Michael Jackson. Kayne West and Taylor Swift sell big in North America, but their appeals remain regional. I'm curious to see how Susan Boyle's second album will do. She has a good voice and her story is inspiring. Her first album was indeed like an oasis in a land of autotunes. But, her popularity cannot be substained with just a good voice alone.

Too bad so few realize what a perfectionist and genius Michael Jackson was. His demos or even his rejects are better than many formal releases from others. The demo "Fall Again" was the one and only time Michael sung the song. According to the writer of the song, Michael didn't even have the chance to learn the song. The demo sounds so good already. People who worked on the album, such as Teddy Riley, speak highly about the album. I don't understand why people would be more attracted to This Is It (a greatest hit collection) than an album with unreleased recent materials in good quality.
 
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I was thinking wasn't the Ultimate Collection also released november 23-24th??
 
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I know it was said a few pages back, but it would be so fantastic if each of the 20mil Facebook fans bought the album. Do you think this is a possibility? Or are many of them those who just join groups and don't take part?
 
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Is the album still gonnna have 10 tracks? I read somewhere that it's now gonna have 14 tracks
 
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What worries me is that Kanye West is releasing his album Nov 23rd (same as MJ), and with expected 1st week sales of 400,000 that puts MJ in jeopardy of getting a #1 album. I am forecasting a 1st week debut of roughly 275,000 to 325,000 in the US which would mean a #2 or possibly #3 album for MJ (if Boyle's sales remain high in her 3rd week which is very possible).

If Sony wants to avoid a slaughter on the charts the only viable option would be to move the release to next year. That way the album could go #1 for several weeks.

Kanye West, Susan Boyle, and Taylor Swift are the big competition here.

The reality is that while hardcore fans are making this to be a huge release, in the eyes of the general public this isn't THAT big of a deal. With TII, it was a huge theatrical film that gained the attention of the masses. That resulted in huge album sales. For this album, the media will be taking the angle "these are the songs MJ rejected, and for a good reason, etc". For that reason, I am expecting this album to under perform TII (not by much though).

First week sales in US= 275,000 to 325,000
Year end sales in US= 1,000,000
Total US sales= 2,000,000


I agree 100%.
Anybody who says people like Kanye and Susan are no match for MJ are living in a dream world, and as soon as artists like this started announcing a release date in November, I stated that the album would probably be delayed until February or March next year. That hasn't happened yet of course, but it's a distinct possibility in my opinion. Yes, the Xmas period is huge for sales, but the album may get buried amongst other big releases. At least if it's released early next year it can dominate by itself and that could mean more for the album's success in the long term IMO.

People see an album at No.1 for several weeks and they take interest. An album being swamped by others is easily forgotten.

Also, the length of time this whole process has taken is allowing the media and public to write this album off as an album of rejects, which of course could end up being true. IF they had got the album to shelves earlier and if they had enough quality music they could have marketted it (rightly or wrongly) as the album MJ was working on before he died - what would have been his comeback album. That in itself would have generated more hype and interest amongst the media and public. Sony can't justify that angle now. It's been too long coming.
 
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Call me foolish but people buy these albums, not robots. People are not data they do not always work as controlled or predicted. If boyle releases and album full of covers, west releases an average album and MJ releases an amazing album then after the first week it will pick up, quality sells, something thats non existent in todays industry. People might not act too bothered at first, but if it's good they just will not be able to ignore it it's human nature, they will have to listen on youtube etc. With positive reviews and good promotion, this can and will sell well. The albums are not all going to be exactly the same from all the different artists. There will be a difference in quality and that will have an impact on the sales. For example, i know from a small sample of people in the united kingdom and i have no MJ fan friends, that west doesn't matter anymore people are no longer bothered about him at all. Very few people care about susan boyle and i cannot understand who is buying this album as i hear the words MICHAEL JACKSON like 3 times a day randomly in peoples convos eg on the bus etc. I haven't heard the words susan boyle for months and months. He is still more famous and known than any of these rivals, it's just a case of turning that into hard sales. That article makes sense regarding the US market, but MJ will sell more than them globally i reckon.
 
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Taking what Roger says with a grain of salt, like always. "LNFSG" shouldn't be on this album...maybe on a special edition/anniversary re-release for one of MJ's other albums, but not this one.
 
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Dear oh dear.... Can't believe the world has come to an artist like Susan Boyle being considered a rival to the great Michael Jackson
 
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I didn't think Susan Boyle was THAT big. wow. I mean yes, she was a huge hit on that tv show. But I didn't think her albums would be number one sellers.
 
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Susan Boyle's album was the biggest seller worldwide last year.
 
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Dear oh dear.... Can't believe the world has come to an artist like Susan Boyle being considered a rival to the great Michael Jackson

IKR??? makes me SMH.....The world really has gone nuts :lol:
 
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I just want michael's album to do very well and shame all the naysayers.
 
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Taking what Roger says with a grain of salt, like always. "LNFSG" shouldn't be on this album...maybe on a special edition/anniversary re-release for one of MJ's other albums, but not this one.

I agree with LNFSG, it's too average and even if they remix it it will fail
 
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Ok, so maybe I exagerated a bit (I've updated my post), but she was the biggest seller....


Top 40:
1. Susan Boyle I Dreamed A Dream 6.015.500
2. Lady Gaga The Fame (Monster) 5.894.000 Total:6.259.000
3. Black Eyed Peas The E.N.D. 4.611.000
4. Taylor Swift Fearless 4.235.500 Total:6.481.500
5. Michael Jackson Thriller (with Thriller 25 since 2009) 3.860.000
6. U2 No Line On The Horizon 3.609.500
7. Michael Jackson Number Ones (since 2009) 3.539.000
8. Kings Of Leon Only By The Night 3.525.500 Total:5.602.500
9. Michael Bublé Crazy Love 3.338.000
10. Beyoncé I Am... Sasha Fierce 3.243.500 Total:5.494.500
11. Michael Jackson This Is It 3.114.000
12. Eminem Relapse 3.102.500
13. Soundtrack Hannah Montana: The Movie 2.911.000
14. Andrea Bocelli My Christmas 2.884.000
15. Michael Jackson The Essential (since 2009) 2.843.500
16. Green Day 21st Century Breakdown 2.705.000
17. Pink Funhouse 2.515.500 Total:5.024.000
18. Soundtrack Twilight 2.396.000 Total:3.724.000
19. Michael Jackson King Of Pop (since 2009) 2.113.500
20. Michael Jackson Bad (since 2009) 1.978.000
21. Nickelback Dark Horse 1.943.500 Total:3.873.500
22. Jay-Z Blueprint 3 1.912.000
23. Lily Allen It's Not Me, It's You 1.805.500
24. Michael Jackson Dangerous (since 2009) 1.669.000
25. Bruce Springsteen Working On A Dream 1.655.500
26. Michael Jackson Off The Wall (since 2009) 1.651.000
27. Muse The Resistance 1.604.000
28. Coldplay Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends 1.599.000 Total:8.151.000
29. Whitney Houston I Look To You 1.594.500
30. Jason Mraz We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. 1.593.500 Total:2.915.500
31. Miley Cyrus The Time Of Our Lives 1.545.000
32. Robbie Williams Reality Killed The Video Star 1.487.000
33. Soundtrack The Twilight Saga: New Moon 1.462.000
34. Soundtrack Mamma Mia! 1.426.000 Total:5.337.000
35. Madonna Celebration 1.405.500
36. Kelly Clarkson All I Ever Wanted 1.375.500
37. Seal Soul 1.346.500 Total:2.596.500
38. Zac Brown Band The Foundation 1.319.000 Total:1.469.000
39. Britney Spears Circus 1.303.500 Total:3.375.500
40. The Killers Day & Age 1.255.500 Total:2.758.500

Some extras:
Bon Jovi The Circle 1.086.000
Alicia Keys The Element Of Freedom 1.045.000
Rihanna Rated R 1.013.000
Michael Jackson Invincible (since July 2009) 917.000
Michael Jackson HIStory (since July 2009) 873.500

Mariah Carey Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel 686.000
Michael Jackson & The Jackson 5 The Motown Years 546.000
Lady Gaga The Fame Monster (Exclusive U.S. EP) 552.000
Prince & Bria Valente Lotus Flow3r / MPLSoUND / Elix3r 525.500
Mary J. Blige Stronger With Each Tear 343.000
Ciara Fantasy Ride 325.000
Britney Spears The Singles Collection 319.000
Lionel Ritchie Just Go 285.500
Chris Brown Graffiti 277.000
Janet Jackson Number Ones/The Best 209.500
 
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