Invincible could never live up to the hype that preceded it. MJ started working on songs in 1998. Between then and when the album was eventually released, we kept hearing "This is gonna be the best album he's ever made" and "This is music that no one has ever heard before". Then Invincible was released.....
And, frankly, it wasn't the best album he ever made. It wasn't even close. I feel like Michael's music had been evolving all the way up to HIStory. And BOTDF felt like a natural progression. I was so excited to see where he went next. Unfortunately, I feel like Invincible is more of a sideways or even backward step.
For starters, there are too many weak songs. The second half of the album has some instantly forgettable songs. It's the first time I listened to a new MJ album and thought "That's it?". There's no Stranger In Moscow or Morphine or Who Is It. Even the anthems - Cry is like someone doing a bad Michael Jackson impersonation. What happened to the man who gave us Earth Song? Is this weak R. Kelly effort really the best he could come up with?
It begs the question, had Michael lost interest by the time Invincible was eventually released? Why only 2 tracks solely written by MJ, when on his previous album, HIStory, he had written some of the most personal, powerful and poignant lyrics of his career. Invincible is like an outtakes album in places. Yes, the songs are good, but they're not GREAT. And not what we'd come to expect of a Michael Jackson finished product. Even the cover art seems like a lack lustre effort.
Don't get me wrong, there are some wonderful moments on Invincible. And some spine-tingling vocals. Speechless and Whatever Happens are particular favourites of mine. While I think Heartbreaker is sonically ground-breaking with a chorus that instantly grabs you.
And what of the rumour that MJ intentionally left the best songs off Invincible because he knew what was coming with Sony? This, I find hard to believe. Although I cannot fathom how We've Had Enough did not make the album, there are no other Invincible outtakes that I have yet heard that I think would have improved the album. The only other one is Hollywood Tonight but MJ stopped working on it fairly early on, so it was never really considered for the album. In saying all that, all we can do is wait and see on this front. Because if rumours are to be believed, there could be another 20 - 30 finished tracks from the Invincible sessions on top of what has already been released/leaked.
All in all, I feel Invincible is the album that could have been. Obviously all the Sony stuff changed everything and the album would have been FAR more successful had there been singles, videos, awards show performances, even a tour. The world was hungry for Michael Jackson back then. But the opportunity was missed. For reasons beyond, but also reasons within, Michael's control.
but like any MJ album, it's excellent and the many threads in here belie the media and critics' claims that the album didn't do well with Michael fans.