most people here are talking about sales figures....lets just remember none of the 'hot' acts of today are doing numbers even remotely close to what both MJ and Madonna have done! and to think that these two will recapture those figures is unrealistic.

First of all, who told you all that Michael's album was coming out at the same time as Madonna's?????

Madonna, Madonna, Madonna

However, I'm totally not into the Timberlake collab.

2 b honest i dont think michael is even interested in making an album... he's just not in the zone anymore.. he doesnt even want to perform. That is the tragedy, never mind private life matters, the worst thing is the fact that he is wasting his god given talent arsing about doing jack shit. But in the end that is his choice and we cant demand music from him.

purplecam said:

Is he releasing a new album this year?

Moonbeam said:

I hope it's not a duet If he's just doing a few background vocals,I can tolerate that.But a duet? Uh uh!

SoulAlive said:

I don't even want background vocals. I wish she would stay as far away from that watery, beige twerp as possible!

Moonbeam said:

FunkyBrotha said:

Amen. And that is what has been killing his career the last 10 years. The fact that he just doesn't care to entertain anymore.

It was obvious his heart wasn't really in Invincible or the promotion he did for that album. To me, the whole thing lacked imagination. From the stale-looking video to albums first single to the tired and almost painful-to-watch concert at MSG, you could just tell he didn't want to really be there.

It's been so long since the trial, if he was really interested in a commercial comeback why wait so long?

First we were hoping and praying for a new release sometime in 2006, then there was the announcement that he'd release an album at the end of 2007 with 2 Seas Records and then that fell through... He hasn't even got a label anymore... I don't think many people seriously believe a record will surface this year.

All these things combined just make me feel as if he just doesn't care anymore.

SoulAlive said:

I mean it!

I've not been keen on much of Madonna's stuff since Ray Of Light but I always check her albums out to see what she's up to.
Hopefully she'll surprise me this time around.

Cloudbuster said:

I seem to remember you really liking 'American Life' What did you think of Confessions?

Mj will chart higher than madonna...
not because he's better, but he has a bigger following...least he use to...don't know now ...will be interesting...Madonna's material and following has been diminishing since vogue...but both artist are uniquely embarassing in their old age...

MattyJam said:

you know what I think Michael should do? Instead of a big,glossy,over-produced album with alot of hype and unrealistic expectations,he should simply do an MTV Unplugged.Get up there with a small band and just SING!! Remind people why they became fans in the first place.Why go through the pressure of trying to make some big "comeback"? He tried that strategy with his last few albums and he fails everytime. Do an MTV Unplugged,sing his heart out and watch his fans go nuts! He could surprise people by playing songs he doesn't normally do ("I Can't Help It","Blues Away",some obscure Jackson Five songs,etc).No hype,no pressure,no grand entrance,no fireworks...just Michael and his band,playing a soulful acoustic set.This will be an amazing way to re-introduce him to the pop music world.

SoulAlive said:

That's EXACTLY what he should do, it's a great idea.

MTV unplugged is a bad idea. That's giving in to the misconception that an artist has to be a long-haired, unshaven, stinky old bugger sitting in front of a microphone with a guitar in his hands. And I say this intentionally.

Michael Jackson has always been against that. He's always been about being an entertainer. He wears "Chosen to Entertain" on his shoulder pads. He's a showman and he believes in glitz and glamour, dancing and singing with sparkles and sequins. Michael Jackson is an entertainer, not a scummy singer-songwriter. Michael Jackson is not an unplugged artist.

Sure, he could pull off a good unplugged show. But he could pull off a better show with lights and a huge band playing loud music while he dances around the stage in shiny costumes in front of elaborate sets. That's Michael Jackson and he doesn't need to prove himself as an artist by doing an MTV unplugged.

The only way Michael Jackson can impress folks again is with a big album and big videos. You loved Thriller because the songs were amazing and the videos were impressive. Not because he sat behind a mic on a candle-light stage, wearing a flannelette shirt and singing an unplugged set. That's not how Michael Jackson goes down.

DarlingDiana said:

The thing is...he's done all those things before.He's done the lavish,expensive videos with large groups of dancers.He's done the flashy,over-choregraphed stage shows and tours.He's done the big-budget,over-hyped albums with trendy producers and a cast of thousands.He's done it all before.An MTV unpluuged would finally be something NEW for him.It would put the focus back on his voice! Remember that? Remember the days when he was known for his singing? Remember the days when he was known for singing beautiful,well-written songs that actually had a melody? That's what he needs to remind people of.

SoulAlive said:

Yes I remember his voice. I was just listenting to it a moment ago on this song called "Speechless". From this album called "Invincible". His voice is still there. The beautiful melodies are still there. The best way to remind people is with another album. Michael's doing the right thing. He is headed down the right track. There is no need to invent silly ways of "re-introducing" him to pop music, because he is doing it right. Just remember one thing... he's MICHAEL FUCKING JACKSON!

Look, you don't need to think of ways for him to "comeback". I don't see there being any better way than with a good, solid album. Mike knows what he is doing. MTV unplugged is the worst idea I've heard since the Access Hollywood guy suggested he should do Thriller 2.

MTV unplugged is a bad idea. That's giving in to the misconception that an artist has to be a long-haired, unshaven, stinky old bugger sitting in front of a microphone with a guitar in his hands. And I say his intentionally.

DarlingDiana said:

I guess you'd be satisfied with 'Invincible 2',huh? That seems to be what's he working on now."A good,solid album" yes,but somehow,I don't think that's where he's headed.

I don't know what to say about MJ. I'm not happy with his production choices either but

DarlingDiana said:

I guess you'd be satisfied with 'Invincible 2',huh? That seems to be what's he working on now."A good,solid album" yes,but somehow,I don't think that's where he's headed.

MattyJam said:

you know what I think Michael should do? Instead of a big,glossy,over-produced album with alot of hype and unrealistic expectations,he should simply do an MTV Unplugged.Get up there with a small band and just SING!! Remind people why they became fans in the first place.Why go through the pressure of trying to make some big "comeback"? He tried that strategy with his last few albums and he fails everytime. Do an MTV Unplugged,sing his heart out and watch his fans go nuts! He could surprise people by playing songs he doesn't normally do ("I Can't Help It","Blues Away",some obscure Jackson Five songs,etc).No hype,no pressure,no grand entrance,no fireworks...just Michael and his band,playing a soulful acoustic set.This will be an amazing way to re-introduce him to the pop music world.

SoulAlive said:

Ofcourse I'd be satisfied with Vince 2 because I quite like the Vince album. It's got some stinkers, but it's get some really great songs too. I think you'll be eating your words once you hear the album.