Tag: Teddy Riley

audio review : Don’t Walk Away ( song ) … Michael Jackson

“Don’t you go nowhere,” Michael Jackson once sang to who he promised would “always be” The Lady In My Life. Of course promises aren’t always kept, so now we have a breakup ballad. “Tell me what I have to do so you stay,” he pleads, “Should I get down on my knees and pray?”

The lyrics are trite and the concept is corny. I can understand not wanting a relationship to end, but begging her not to leave you is way over the line. It’s the sweet vocal melodies that save the song, especially near the end when the backgrounds and kick drum come into play.

my rating : 4 of 5

2001

audio review : Invincible ( album ) ... Michael Jackson

audio review : 2000 Watts ( song ) … Michael Jackson

There seems to be a conceptual conflict with this being both a “dance” anthem and music to blast in your car at “high speed”; it would be hard to do both at once; but the main issue is the deepening effect on the lead vocals. It’s an artistic decision that, on an official Michael Jackson song, borders blasphemy.

The cut; literally the missing title song cut from Tyrese’s newest album, oddly enough; starts in the middle (mediocre) lane but soon reaches “the next level” as Michael Jackson puts you in the groove. It’s his ad-libs during the peak that boost it. The beat, whether you’re driving or dancing to it, is also a banger.

my rating : 4 of 5

2001

audio review : Invincible ( album ) ... Michael Jackson

audio review : Can’t Let Her Get Away ( song ) … Michael Jackson

The verses and bridges, sang from the perspective of a guy distraught because his girlfriend is leaving him, sound superb. That’s partly because of pretty chords introduced to the otherwise sparse Swing beat. It’s the hook, one of Michael Jackson’s worst if only because it seems so incomplete, that’s anticlimactic.

The whole song, in fact, sounds like a demo, especially during the second half when the aforementioned verses and bridges are abandoned for what comes across as an extended Dub Mix. It’s a groovy song, strange structure and all. I’m just surprised it actually made it onto a Michael Jackson album as it is.

my rating : 4 of 5

1991