Michael Jackson in December 1979.

The Jacksons signed with Philadelphia producers Kennth Gamble and Leon Huff in 1976. Sealing the deal in Gamble's office are, standing, from left, Tito, Randy, Michael, Marlon and Jackie Jackson, and, seated, from left, family patriarch Joe Jackson, Huff and Gamble.

Michael and sister Janet Jackson take a break during a portrait session in 1978 in Los Angeles.

But the music itself is anything but invincible.

Jackson has enlisted enough co-writers to fill a city bus, but they haven't helped him recapture the vitality and command that made the highlights of his work with Quincy Jones on "Off the Wall" and "Thriller" seem so urgent.


REVIEW: 'Invincible'" class="gallery-slideshow-photo" height="410" width="410">
The title can be seen as a statement to those who have questioned the self-proclaimed King of Pop's creative and commercial standing during all the image-bruising, tabloid scrutiny he's undergone since "Thriller."But the music itself is anything but invincible.Jackson has enlisted enough co-writers to fill a city bus, but they haven't helped him recapture the vitality and command that made the highlights of his work with Quincy Jones on "Off the Wall" and "Thriller" seem so urgent.

But without any further collaboration from Jackson himself, such top remixers as Todd Terry and the Fugees' Wyclef Jean can't do much to substantially improve the eight songs from his 1995 "HIStory" album that form the bulk of this album. More..." class="gallery-slideshow-photo" height="410" width="410">

"Blood on the Dance Floor" is an apt title: Jackson is hemorrhaging, and a string of emergency surgeons--of the mixing board variety--try to stop the bleeding.But without any further collaboration from Jackson himself, such top remixers as Todd Terry and the Fugees' Wyclef Jean can't do much to substantially improve the eight songs from his 1995 "HIStory" album that form the bulk of this album.

And yet for all that, the new disc does feel like an act of courage on Jackson's part--in its sheer, surprising joylessness. The skin-deep lyrics themselves may not take us too far into his thinking, but the downbeat tone does: He's sad, he's sad, he's really, really sad. More..." class="gallery-slideshow-photo" height="410" width="410">

Inasmuch as the album sells itself as his most deeply personal body of songs, yet doesn't offer up much sense of real personal revelation beyond mere defensiveness, "HIStory" is principally an album of denial, probably in more ways than one.And yet for all that, the new disc does feel like an act of courage on Jackson's part--in its sheer, surprising joylessness. The skin-deep lyrics themselves may not take us too far into his thinking, but the downbeat tone does: He's sad, he's sad, he's really, really sad.

At the risk of sounding uncynical, it can be said that, for all the weaknesses inherent, it's a dandy stocking-stuffer. Relatively tame, and wildly unfocused, "Dangerous" is also mostly good, expertly made fun.
"Dangerous," the album, arrives in stores Tuesday and guess what? Like the video, it too is a messy grab-bag of ideas and high-tech non sequiturs, with something for everyone from the man who has everything. In other words, Merry Christmas!At the risk of sounding uncynical, it can be said that, for all the weaknesses inherent, it's a dandy stocking-stuffer. Relatively tame, and wildly unfocused, "Dangerous" is also mostly good, expertly made fun.

REVIEW: 'Bad'" class="gallery-slideshow-photo" height="410" width="410">
The fact that the LP's key tracks are rooted in established traditions is a clue to "Bad's" relatively modest aims. "Thriller's" hallmark was the vaulting ambition and hair-raising power of two startling songs: "Billie Jean" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' " (and, to a slightly lesser degree, "Beat It"). "Bad's" retreat from that kind of ambition is a letdown, but it's understandable: It would have been hard to out-thrill "Thriller" without the strain showing.

Pop star Michael Jackson arrives at the Santa Barbara County

Pop star Michael Jackson arrives at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse in a Santa Maria, Calif. in 2005 for continuing testimony in his trial on charges of child molestation. Jackson also faced a deadline to refinance $200 million in debt.

Pop singer Michael Jackson walks out of the Santa Maria Courthouse after being acquitted on all ten counts in his child molestation trial.

Michael Jackson

2002

Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor

Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor arrive at Marble Collegiate Church in New York to attend Liza Minnelli's wedding. Also arriving is Diana Ross, far rear left, and Altrovise Gore Davis, center, the widow of Sammy Davis Jr. Liza Minnelli was taking her fourth walk down the aisle in a wedding extravaganza that promised more excess than her first three combined.

2000

1989

publicity photo

Michael Jackson poses for a publicity photo in 1988. (handout)

Grammy winners

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Grammy winners Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie pose together backstage at the Grammy Awards show on Feb. 26, 1986, in Los Angeles.
(AP Photo / February 26, 1986)

1986

1985

President Ronald Reagan and Michael Jackson

President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy have private conversation as pop music icon Michael Jackson waits. Jackson joined the Reagans for a ceremony honoring a campaign for drunk driving awareness in May 1984. (White House photo by Pete Souza)