Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

For Michael Jackson's second posthumous release, lessons appear to have been learned after "Michael" was heavily criticised. Songs have been picked which showcase his distinctive vocals, and an attempt has been made to make them sound like "Michael Jackson" songs. No rappers attached to songs thankfully. 8 songs have been picked (though ardent fans would have heard 6 of them in some form or the other) and sensitively and lovingly worked on by a team of producers including Darkchild, Timbaland and Stargate. One should ideally get the deluxe edition which comprises the 8 touched up songs, the 8 songs as they appeared originally, and a bonus track. This allows one to compare and also decide which version you prefer. Opening is "Love Never Felt So Good", a bouncy retro Soul/Disco jam that sounds like it fell off the "Off The Wall" album, very "Rock With You". The original version is a lovely stripped ballad with just piano and finger snaps backing the exhilarating vocals. The bonus cut is yet another version which is a duet with Justin Timberlake and has a lovely beat box bridge and some extra harmonising. The album's highlight and already a top 20 hit on the Billboard hot 100, his first since "Butterflies". "Chicago" is a midtempo groove with dramatic strings (the strings remind me of "Billie Jean"), while the original is a lilting string-swathed ballad that sounds like it could be from some movie soundtrack. "Loving You" is a sweet swaying ballad with hard hitting beats while the original has a soothing feel and softer beats. Rhythmically "A Place With No Name" reminds one of "Leave Me Alone" or "The Way You Make Me Feel", with mysterious story-telling lyrics (borrowed from the America song "A Horse With No Name") set to a dark ominous riff and a swinging beat. The original is an acoustic bouncy ballad. "Slave To The Rhythm" sounds closer to his latter sound on albums like "Blood On The Dancefloor" or "Invincible", while the original sounds softer. "Do You Know Where Your Children Are" is an ambitious piece with a deep distinctive riff, smidgens of electric guitar, lyrics about a sexually abused girl, (bound to be controversial) and some vocalising reminiscent of "Wanna Be Starting Something" as the song ends. The original isn't as rhythmic. "Blue Gangsta" sounds sparer than the futuristic original which trumps the reworked version, in my opinion. Closing is the title track "Xscape", a funky horn-peppered joint reminiscent of songs like "Jam" or "Dangerous" with Jackson's vocals alternating between lower growl and upper register. Again, here I prefer the original which sounds uncluttered and smoother. This was apparently the most recent recording, recorded during the "Invincible" sessions. I feel the producers largely captured Jackson's vision, but then that's just my opinion. What can't be denied is that I enjoy it and it makes me want to dance.