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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
Invincible
Mixed or average reviews
Based on 19 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 60 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Sony/Epic
Release Date: 30 October 2001
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Pop
Summary
The King of Pop's first full album of new material since 1992's 'Dangerous' features 16 tracks.
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Village Voice (Consumer Guide)
At 78 minutes this is too long, and especially given his history, "The Lost Children" is offensive. But the first three tracks are the Rodney Jerkins of the year, "2000 Watts" is the Teddy Riley of the past five years, and even the prunables offer small surprises.
Read Full Review >CDNow
Formula or not, with Invincible, Jackson reclaims his pop crown and wears it well.
Read Full Review >PopMatters
The mix is such that the saccharine ("You Are My Life" and "Heaven Can Wait") is outweighed by the brilliant ("Whatever Happens" and "The Lost Children"), creating a record that is quite relevant while at the same time being experimental and fresh.
Read Full Review >All Music Guide
Ultimately, the record runs too long, losing steam halfway through.... Fortunately, Jackson was clever enough to front-load this record, loading the first seven songs with really good, edgy dance numbers.
Read Full Review >New Musical Express
'Invincible' is a relevant and rejuvenated comeback album make overlong and embarassing by the unavoidable fact that Michael Jackson is a) exceedingly rich and b) a bit of a wanker.
Read Full Review >Rolling Stone
We're placed squarely in Michael Jacksonland, a bizarre place where every sparkling street is computer-generated, every edifice is larger than life and every song is full of grandiose desperation.
Read Full Review >Village Voice
To really care about this album you have to be able to get into the pure hard sounds of the dance-track percussion and the way Michael tends to garnish them with his voice.
Read Full Review >Q Magazine
Though fatally flawed, Invincible does boast its fair share of sonic exhilaration. [#184, p.132]
Spin Cycle
Halfway through the album, Michael ruins the good mood with a seemingly endless run of soggy, would-be anthems and self-pitying celebrity complaints.
Read Full Review >E! Online
The fortysomething performer doesn't have the stamina he used to, and the album quickly turns into a long run of listless ballads and silly cries for privacy.
Read Full Review >Playlouder
It does at least manage to include several of the things we hold dearest about Michael Jackson the singer, and it also steers clear of anything as laugh-out-loud as 'Earth Song'.
Read Full Review >Entertainment Weekly
For all of the energy and money that went into it, ''Invincible'' is curiously lacking in excitement or thrills, cheap or otherwise.
Read Full Review >Blender
A long-winded, soulless soul album of the kind Levert might have once turned in. [#4, p.117]
Uncut
Starts badly and gets worse for a very long time (77 minutes). [Jan 2002, p.146]
The Onion (A.V. Club)
Jackson has lived a bizarre train-wreck life of mystery and tragedy, but following such a lengthy absence, Invincible just reeks of desperation and aimlessness.
Read Full Review >Mojo
Tired, frightened-sounding and hopelessly misjudged.... Hugely disappointing. [Dec 2001, p.116]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 8.4 (out of 10) based on 60 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Ritesh N gave it a7:
If the album was kept limited to only 10 songs and if the last 5 songs had been kept off the final album , this would have been an album better than Thriller. The initial 10 songs are AMAZING ! Best songs are - Heaven can wait, Heartbreaker, Break of dawn, 2000 watts.
Tebit E. gave it a10:
Invincible album is not a video album but yet listening to the lyrics filled the gap left out.Invincible was not well received by critics but yet it sold very well as compared to albums in 2000s.Micheal is still "alive" and he will still do more "Great works". Just sit back and watch.
H J. gave it a10:
There key elements in a song that makes it stand shoulder above the rest. The instruments arrangements, vocal tempo and sonic accuracy. Then their are major vendor critics who score their rating +-2 of their industry peers before they have a listen to a single track. We know you haters, There is very few good materials out there to compare with.
Dan B gave it a6:
Some really well crafted songs like "Unbreakable" "Break Of Dawn" "You Rock My World" "Butterflies" and "Whatever Happens", but for every good song there are 2 that are bad on this album. All of the songs sound virtually the same and are pretty boring. This album seems to only incorporate r&b and doesn't include other great genres that Michael has incorporated into his other albums like rock, funk, soul, pop, and gospel. This album doesn't deserve a 10 in any strech of the imagination, but certainly doesn't deserve a 0 either. Since I like Michael Jackson's music so much, I'll give this album a 6.
Super N. gave it a10:
I vehemently disagree with the majority of the critic's estimations on the supposed mediocrity of this album. It is not only excellent, it sounds even better 6 years on. Michael Jackson's inward perspective, that the critics interpret as self-pity, seems more like a revelation to his public of the feelings inside the most famous living human being on earth. I think that is quite acceptable. The criteria for music criticism is so cynical as to not be a true reflection of the public's perspective, which is based more on emotional impact than advanced musicology and snide remarks.
Jason M. gave it a10:
Absolutely brilliant album, with an appearence from the late Notorious B.I.G. - genius, 'Unbreakable' just great and inventive plus good opening track, 'You Rock My World' another album highlight, 'Butterflies' awesome ballad, 'Whatever Happens' totally rocks, 'Privacy' - brings truth and reality, 'Cry!' another catchy ballad, 'Heaven Can Wait' - great piece of songwriting, '2000 watts' - futuristic track with a good appearance by Teddy Riley- this shows Michael can adapt to current times, I truly great 10 out of 10 album, people shouldn't review this so bad the album is awesome, can't wait for his next offering. BY the way Michael Jackson fans NEW TRACK OUT - Gangsta (No friend of mine) try and download it now it's brilliant, new and exciting new MJ tack with a rap performance by Temperamental. Can't wait for the BAD 2Oth anniversary Re-Release OUT October 2007' the 15th. Can't wait for the new album!!!!!!!!!!
Holly gave it a10:
I thought it was one of his best albums ever. We have to remember...we are no longer living in the 80's. If he were to release another Billie Jean or something, no one would buy it people would think he was crazy. The guy has to adapt to the current time, and I think he did that very well. I thought it was a little long though and to many ballads. But, i still loved it! I'm a huge fan! long live michael jackson1
