Every Michael Jackson album, at least since he jumped Off The Wall in 1979, have started with an aesthetic bang. Invincible; Unbreakable would’ve made a better title; is the first that doesn’t. This is, ironically enough, one of his weakest (worse) songs.

It isn’t bad; the drums are sonically punchy, I like the way he ad-libs “You can’t break/touch me” in the second chorus section and Brandy (Norwood) offers some nice background singing at the end; but it’s also not Bad. Let’s call it surprisingly mediocre.

The lyrics are flat-out banal; there’s no artistic depth to anything Jackson says; and I hate the way he, speaking of breaking, splits the word “never”. The vocal melodies, with the exception of Brandy’s aforementioned contribution, aren’t much better.

my rating : 3 of 5

2001