Critics Prefer U2 to Mi . . . Sorry, the King of Pop

Achtung, indeed.

Michael Jackson’s new “Dangerous” album may be ahead of U2’s “Achtung Baby” on the sales charts, but how are these new collections doing with the critics?

Both artists have a history of acclaimed works. Jackson’s “Thriller” won a Grammy in 1983 for album of the year, while the Irish rock band won the same prize in 1987.

So who’s the critic’s choice this time?

It’s a runaway for U2.

“Achtung Baby,” which arrived in the stores Nov. 19, has gotten high marks from the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Time, Entertainment Weekly and Musician.

In a typical review, Time’s Jay Cocks wrote that the band “not only reasserts itself, but reinvents itself too,” calling “Achtung” a “dashing and demanding” album.

The “Dangerous” reviews were strikingly uniform. The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Washington Post and Entertainment Weekly all agreed that the album, which was released Nov. 26, may be ambitious, but it’s certainly not, well, dangerous .

“A sprawling album with little center, it is . . . a belabored attempt to be all things to all record buyers at a time when such a goal may be beyond even Jackson’s reach,” said Entertainment Weekly’s David Browne, giving the album an indifferent grade of B-minus.

And more often than not, critics complained that it’s impossible to see the real and most compelling Jackson because of his need to please.

But Time’s Cocks disagreed with that assessment, giving “Dangerous” rare, wholehearted praise: “Every one of these 14 songs is out front and unashamed. . . . In the music, the reclusive Michael never gives himself a hiding place.”