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'''''Invincible''''' is the tenth studio album by ], released on October 30, 2001, six years after Jackson's 1995 double disc studio album '']'', and the first featuring all new tracks since '']'' in 1991. The album art, an image of Jackson's face, was available in five different colours - red, green, orange, blue and the standard silver. To date, ''Invincible'' has sold 10 million copies worldwide. |
'''''Invincible''''' is the tenth studio album by ], released on October 30, 2001, six years after Jackson's 1995 double disc studio album '']'', and the first featuring all new tracks since '']'' in 1991. The album art, an image of Jackson's face, was available in five different colours - red, green, orange, blue and the standard silver. To date, ''Invincible'' has sold 10 million copies worldwide. | ||
==Sony Music contract issues== | ==Sony Music contract issues== | ||
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Despite never being released as a single, "Break of Dawn" was featured on Jackson's 2003 best-of album '']''. | Despite never being released as a single, "Break of Dawn" was featured on Jackson's 2003 best-of album '']''. | ||
Revision as of 22:56, 8 March 2009
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Invincible is the tenth studio album by Michael Jackson, released on October 30, 2001, six years after Jackson's 1995 double disc studio album HIStory, and the first featuring all new tracks since Dangerous in 1991. The album art, an image of Jackson's face, was available in five different colours - red, green, orange, blue and the standard silver. To date, Invincible has sold 10 million copies worldwide.
Sony Music contract issues
At the time, Jackson was waiting for the licenses to the masters of his albums to revert back to him, thus allowing him to promote his old material and preventing Sony from getting a cut of the profit. Jackson expected this to occur early in the new millennium, however, due to the fine print and various clauses in the contract, this revert date is still many years away. Jackson began an investigation, and it emerged that the attorney who represented the singer in the deal was also representing Sony, creating a conflict of interest. Jackson was also concerned about another conflict of interest. For a number of years, Sony had been pushing to buy all of Jackson's share in their music catalog venture. If Jackson's career or financial situation were to deteriorate, he would have to sell his catalog. Thus, Sony had something to gain from Jackson's career failing. Jackson was able to use these conflicts as leverage to exit his contract early. Just before the release of Invincible, Jackson informed the head of Sony Music Entertainment, Tommy Mottola, that he was leaving Sony. As a result, all singles releases, video shootings and promotions concerning the Invincible album were canceled. Jackson made allegations in July 2002 that Mottola was a "devil" and a "racist" who did not support his African-American artists, using them merely for his own personal gain. He charged that Mottola had called his colleague Irv Gotti a "fat nigger". Sony disputed claims that they had failed to promote Invincible with sufficient energy, maintaining that Jackson refused to tour in the US.
Promotion and singles
To help promote the album, a special 30th Anniversary celebration at Madison Square Garden occurred in September 2001 to mark the singer's 30th year as a solo artist. Jackson appeared onstage alongside his brothers for the first time since 1984. The show also featured performances by Mýa, Usher, Whitney Houston, 'N Sync, and Slash, among other artists. In the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks, Jackson helped organize the United We Stand: What More Can I Give benefit concert at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C.. The concert was aired on October 21, 2001, and included performances from dozens of major artists, including Jackson, who performed his song "What More Can I Give" as the finale. The album spawned three singles, "You Rock My World", "Cry" and "Butterflies", the latter did not have a music video.
Commercial reception
Being his first studio album in six years (after 1995's HIStory), expectations were high. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 album charts, selling 366,275 copies and beating out other strong debuts by Enrique Iglesias and the Backstreet Boys, artists who occupied the second and fourth positions, respectively. Invincible was a commercial success, debuting atop the charts in 13 countries and going on to sell approximately 10 million copies worldwide. It received double-platinum certification in the US. However, the sales for Invincible were notably low compared to his previous releases, due in part to a diminishing pop music industry, the lack of promotion, no supporting world tour and the label dispute. The single "You Rock My World" peaked at #10 in its third week on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, and "Butterflies" later peaked at #14 on the same chart, and at #2 for 5 weeks on the R&B/Hip-Hop singles chart. "Heaven Can Wait" also charted at the bottom of the R&B/Hip-Hop charts due to radio airplay without an official release.
Critical reception
Reviews of Invincible were generally favorable, but there was a consensus that it was one of Jackson's least impressive records, mostly because it was too long. Allmusic gave the record three out of five stars saying, "Ultimately, the record runs too long, losing steam halfway through... not enough to make Invincible the comeback Jackson needed...but it does offer a reminder that he can really craft good pop". NME gave the record six out of ten, stating, "Invincible is a relevant and rejuvenated comeback album made overlong". Rolling Stone gave Invincible three out of five stars, believing that the early R&B tracks were good, but the later ballads made the record too long. Reviewer Robert Christgau gave the album an A-, saying, "His skills seem undiminished...his funk is steelier and his ballads are airier, both to disquieting effect. At 78 minutes this is too long." This was the same grade he gave Jackson's landmark album Thriller when originally released.
Commentary regarding quality of reviews
Jackson and his supporters maintain that reviews were unfair, often discussing the singer's perceived eccentric image and past troubles, or making him the subject of ridicule. NME called him "Michael 'Actually Quite Scary Now' Jackson", a "Fucking freak" and "a bit of a wanker". Allmusic brought up " truly ugly public scandal, and swirling rumors about his diminishing finances". Rolling Stone believed that "every song is full of grandiose desperation. It's an excruciatingly self-referential place, worsened further by its namesake's unmatched controversies and weirdnesses." Robert Christgau believed Jackson had a "grotesque life magnified by his grotesque wealth". He was also of the opinion that Jackson singing about helping children was "offensive".
Dedication to Benjamin Hermansen
Invincible is dedicated to the 15 year old Afro-Norwegian boy Benjamin Hermansen who was stabbed to death by a group of neo-Nazis in Oslo on January 26, 2001. The reason for this tribute has partly to do with the fact that the Oslo boy Omar (or Omer) Bhatti and Jackson were close friends, and Bhatti was at the same time a good friend of Benjamin Hermansen. The album was also dedicated to Jackson's own parents and grandmother. In the album's booklet, next to the image of a rose, it reads:
Michael Jackson gives "special thanks": «This album is dedicated to Benjamin ‘Benny’ Hermansen. May we continue to remember not to judge man by the color of his skin, but the content of his Character. Benjamin ... we love you ... may you rest in peace.»
Album information
The song "Unbreakable" features a posthumous rap performance by The Notorious B.I.G. whom Jackson had previously collaborated with for the song "This Time Around" on the album HIStory.
The song "Threatened" features the late Rod Serling performing an introduction, conclusion and rap - comprised of clips sampled from narrations of the television series The Twilight Zone.
Carlos Santana plays the guitar on "Whatever Happens".
Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds produced "You Are My Life".
Brandy provided additional backup vocals on "Unbreakable". A very short vocal segment of Jackson was then used as a background loop on "It's Not Worth It" on Brandy's album Full Moon.
Despite never being released as a single, "Break of Dawn" was featured on Jackson's 2003 best-of album Number Ones.
Charts
|
The IFPI European Double Platinum Award includes sales in the following countries:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Unbreakable" | Jackson, Daniels, Jerkis, Payne, Smith | 6:26 |
2. | "Heartbreaker" | Jackson, Jerkins, Jerkins III, Daniels, Mischke, Gregg | 5:09 |
3. | "Invincible" | Jackson, Daniels, Gregg, Jerkins, Jerkins | 4:46 |
4. | "Break of Dawn" | Jackson, Dr. Freeze | 5:32 |
5. | "Heaven Can Wait" | Jackson, Riley, Heard, Smith, Beal, Laues, Quiller | 4:49 |
6. | "You Rock My World" | Jackson, Daniels, Jerkins, Jerkins, Payne | 5:39 |
7. | "Butterflies" | Harris, Ambrosius | 4:40 |
8. | "Speechless" | Jackson | 3:18 |
9. | "2000 Watts" | Jackson, Riley, Gibson, Henson | 4:24 |
10. | "You Are My Life" | Jackson, Babyface, Sager, McClain | 4:33 |
11. | "Privacy" | Jackson, Belle, Daniels, Jerkins, Jerkins | 5:05 |
12. | "Don't Walk Away" | Jackson, Riley, Stites, Vertelney | 4:24 |
13. | "Cry" | R. Kelly | 5:00 |
14. | "The Lost Children" | Jackson | 4:00 |
15. | "Whatever Happens" | Jackson, Riley, Quay, Williams | 4:56 |
16. | "Threatened" (Featuring clips of Rod Serling) | Jackson, Jerkins, Jerkins III, Daniels | 4:18 |
Total length: | 77:08 |
Notes
- ^ Taraborrelli, p. 610–611
- ^ Taraborrelli, p. 614–617
- Jackson, Jermaine (December 31, 2002). "Interview with Jermaine Jackson" (Interview). Interviewed by Connie Chung. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
{{cite interview}}
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suggested) (help) - Burkeman, Oliver (July 8, 2002). "Jacko gets tough: but is he a race crusader or just a falling star?". The Guardian. Retrieved 2008-07-23.
- Branigan, Tania (September 8, 2001). "Jackson spends £20m to be Invincible". The Guardian. Retrieved 2008-07-23.
- George, p. 50–53
- "Gold and Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2008-04-27.
- "The return of the King of Pop". MSNBC. 2006-11-02. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
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(help) - ^ "Michael Jackson :Invincible". Allmusic. Retrieved 2007-09-09.
- ^ "Michael Jackson :Invincible". NME. 2001-11-30. Retrieved 2008-07-23.
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(help) - ^ Hunter, James (2001-12-06). "Michael Jackson: Invincible". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2008-07-20.
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(help) - ^ Christgau, Robert. "Robert Christgau: Artist 932". Robert Christgau.com. Retrieved 2008-06-27.
- Christgau, Robert (1982-12-28). "Christgau's Consumer Guide, Dec 28th, 1982". Robert Christgau.com. Retrieved 2008-07-03.
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(help) - "Hedrer Benjamin - Michael Jackson tilegner sitt nye album til det norske knivofferet" (in Norwegian). vg.no. October 23, 2001. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
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(help) - McNamara, Liz (October 23, 2001). "Jacko dedicates Invincible to Benjamin". Aftenposten. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
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(help) - australian-charts.com - Michael Jackson - Invincible
- ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2001 Albums
- Michael Jackson - Invincible - austriancharts.at
- IFPI Austria - Verband der Österreichischen Musikwirtschaft
- danishcharts.com - Michael Jackson - Invincible
- Hitlisten.NU
- dutchcharts.nl - Michael Jackson - Invincible
- NVPI, de branchevereniging van de entertainmentindustrie - Goud/Platina
- finnishcharts.com - Michael Jackson - Invincible
- IFPI
- lescharts.com - Michael Jackson - Invincible
- http://fanofmusic.free.fr/ParcoursAlbum-M.php "France Sales"
- http://www.ifpi.de/wirtschaft/gpergebnis.php?txtSuche=invincible&strAktion=suche
- Sony Music Online Japan: ƒ}ƒCƒPƒ‹ EƒWƒƒƒNƒ\ƒ“ : ƒCƒ“ƒtƒHƒ [ƒVƒ‡ƒ“
- norwegiancharts.com - Michael Jackson - Invincible
- IFPI Norsk platebransje
- portuguesecharts.com - Michael Jackson - Invincible
- Artistas & Espectáculos 2008 . Top Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa
- ^ http://www.hitlistan.se/ "Week 45, 2001"
- RIAA
- Michael Jackson may incur financial problems - November 21, 2003
- USATODAY.com - Jackson's freedom isn't free
- Michael Jackson Faces Daunting Road Back to Pop Glory - New York Times
- Platinum
- http://www.ifpi.org/content/section_news/plat_criteria.html
References
- George, Nelson (2004). Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection booklet. Sony BMG.
- Taraborrelli, J. Randy (2004). The Magic and the Madness. Terra Alta, WV: Headline. ISBN 0-330-42005-4.
Preceded byThe Great Depression by DMX | Billboard 200 number-one album November 17, 2001 – November 23, 2001 |
Succeeded byBritney by Britney Spears |
Preceded byGold: The Greatest Hits by Steps | UK number one album November 10, 2001 – November 16, 2001 |
Succeeded byGold: The Greatest Hits by Steps |
Preceded byFever by Kylie Minogue | Australian ARIA Albums Chart number-one album November 5, 2001 – November 11, 2001 |
Succeeded byThe Album by Bob the Builder |