Assuming you're an MJ fan, I'm curious about your opinions of her music. I've always put Beyonce and Michael Jackson in a similar field artistically.
You're correct on your assumption, and here's my take on her.
I think Beyonce is very, very talented. Her performances are almost always the highlight of any ceremony she attends (and I'm only saying almost because I didn't catch all of her shows). I've given serious time with her first four albums. But I didn't get a chance to really allocate time for her latest one. I think her music is fine, for the most part. She's at her peak when she creates straight up R&B numbers.
Ultimately, though, she falls flat when she tries anything else. I hate her hip hop style (ESPECIALLY Diva), and i'm not a fan when she goes full pop (ala irreplaceable, beautiful liar, etc.). And finally, her music ultimately does not feel real, at all, to me. Her vocals are perfect technically but carry no emotions at all. To me, her style is never truly unique and it is just flowing with the mainstream flow... which wouldn't be a problem if I liked mainstream music nowadays
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My favorite album of hers is 4, by a landslide, I loved the style and substance of the songs, but I still wouldn't say it was a great album on its own right. My favorite song is Single Ladies, simply because the video was so unique, being both modern and referencing old-school R&B at the same time. Least favorite album is Bday, because I really did not feel that album at all, and least favorite song by her is Diva... by far and away.
Now, i'll talk about my opinion regarding MJ, but I hope this will not derail the thread into a comparison between the two, so this will be my only post in this thread regarding his art. MJ's albums (off the wall until Blood On the Dance Floor) were always a mix between mainstream music, with catchy melodies, incredible harmonies, and infectious beat. While the other half is full of personalized, experimental, and deep music that really expresses his thoughts and emotions at a given time. This is the mix that distinguishes Michael from anyone else I've ever listened to. The amount of creativity and complexity in his music threw me off any artist for a full year just to soak in his 6 albums.
This does not even include his outstanding performances, that I think till this day remain unmatched. Nor does it include his incredible short films that are filled to the brim with imagination. That is the difference between the two, and that is why I don't think Beyonce even scratches the level MJ has achieved.
If you want to continue the discussion further I'll be more than happy to do so in another thread or even in PMs if you like. But I really do not want to derail this thread with that.