What Happened To The Music?

"Michael Jackson gives rare interview, pronounced normal"

That's a real headline from Reuters. Here are a few snippets from the story:

Jackson, 49, appears on the front cover of the African-American magazine "Ebony" to mark the 25th anniversary of "Thriller" -- the world's best-selling studio album that also made him a superstar.
...
The cover photo of the magazine, whose December edition hits newsstands on November 12, is causing almost as much of a stir as the interview, which barely addresses the fallout of the trial. Jackson is pictured dressed all in white, with a glowing peaches-and-cream skin.

Harriette Cole, creative director of Ebony, spent a day and a half with Jackson during the photo shoot and interview and said, "he came across really as kind of normal."

"He's 49. He's a grown-up. If you learn from your challenges, then you become stronger. He certainly seemed like that," Cole told NBC's "Today" show this week. "Honestly ... he was normal."

So, what happened to the music? That's a double-edged question.
First, I'm asking why the big story is that Michael Jackson appears to be normal? His image has become far bigger than his talent at this point in his career (or whatever is left of it). Big whoop. Michael Jackson is normal, so ...ummm... we have to go out and buy his album?

Well, no.

That brings me to the other side of the double-edged question.
What happened to the music? If these two leaked tracks are any indication, Michael Jackson hasn't turned on a radio in years.

In the words of my good friend, and music critic par excellence, Lisa, "The first song with the Fugees, who aren't really even the Fugees anymore is like Gangstas go Broadway. Like the 'Thriller' dance off, but every one keeps flashing up jazz hands at each other.
"The second song sounds like Michael is trapped in 1988. He has lost the magic. He has lost the magic and most of the supporting cartilage in his nose."

Listen for yourself:
Gangsta No Friend

Xcape