Michael Jackson - Michael Jackson 25th Anniversary of Thriller (CD+DVD)
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Free Music Notes for Michael Jackson 25th Anniversary of Thriller (CD+DVD)
Free Music Review: "The Album Is A Thriller Indeed"
Hit: 5 Stars
What more can be said about "Thriller"? It's a known fact that it is the best selling album of all time(it is hard to give an exact number as of yet but it's pretty high, some sources state up to 110 millions) and it's safe to say that with downloading now and the decrease of record sales in past years that it will never be equaled. By 1982 Michael Jackson was already an established artist by that point having released the successful "Off The Wall" in 1979, his first "real" solo album without his brothers and having performed for many years with his brothers as the Jackson 5 and later simply the Jacksons. Nothing could prepare him for the super stardom that would hit him with "Thriller". With this album Michael wanted to an album with no fillers and whether or not he planned it he accomplished much more than that.
There are plenty of great songs to be found here just take a look at the track listing; all great songs and nearly all of the album's songs were singles, 7 out of 9 not bad eh? "Wanna Be Startin' Sometin'" is a great opener, the title of this song says it all Michael wanted to start something big and with Thriller he did just that. "Baby be Mine" is a groovy kind of song, very good. "The Girl Is Mine" duet with Paul McCartney is a great collaboration between the two artists. The title track was a monster hit and it seems every Halloween it's all you hear, great song. "Beat It" is one of my personal favorites, a rocking track that features an Eddie Van Halen guitar solo. Then there is of course the unforgettable "Billie Jean", it's hard to believe that producer Quincy Jones initially wanted the long introduction removed. "Human Nature" is another song I really like showcasing a softer side of Michael. "P.Y.T (Pretty Young thing)" and "The Lady In My Life" are not to be forgotten, they're also great songs.
With "Thriller" Michael would not only change the music itself as he pretty much turned by himself the music video from a promotional tool to an art form as has been said. The videos for Thriller, Beat It and Billie Jean are still remembered today and had a tremendous impact. The contribution this album made to music are certainly important, many artists of today have been influenced by him for this album especially.He would never release an album quite like Thriller again, don't get me wrong I love all his albums but this is the kind of a album can usually only happen once in a career. This album is essential, there is no other way of putting its a must have. 5 stars and I would give it much higher if I could. The 25th Anniversary edition is the collector or fan's way to go. It has an unreleased track "For All Time", some remixes by today's artists and a DVD with the videos for Thriller, Beat It and Billie Jean and his legendary Motown 25th anniversary performance.
Free Music Review: This album will give plenty of thrills.
Hit: 5 Stars
As I write this review, it has been a week since Michael Jackson, perhaps the biggest legend in modern pop music, has passed away. Though he only released six proper studio albums: Off The Wall, Thriller, Bad, Dangerous, History, and Invincible, nearly all of those were milestones in pop and R&B music. Thriller, of course, remains his crowning achievement. As one can clearly see, though Jackson may be gone, the music certainly didn't die along with him. Thriller is still a glaring testament to the integrity of 80s pop music. Without this album, there might be no Madonna, Justin Timberlake, or a whole crop of dance artists. Sure some 'artists' like Paris Hilton and Souja Boy may have ravaged the genre but luckily, those who are truly talented have allowed Jackson's music to live on even after his passing. And we have Thriller which represents what Jackson was all about.
Thriller was released after 'Off The Wall", Michael Jackson's first solo release and possibly the finest disco album ever released. It's known that the reason his albums were released far in between was so he could take advantage of the trends of the time: "Off The Wall" was disco, "Thriller" was 80s dance pop, "Bad" was late 80s dance pop, "Dangerous" had an almost hip-hop theme to it. More importantly is the fact that these album represent the best these genres have to offer. Thriller for example starts out with, "Wanna Be Startin' Something", its a dance pop tune but with a strong message. There is substance to it which is in direct contrast to what a lot dance pop was like at the time. Whether you like to jam to the beat or you want life-enriching lyrics this is music you will definitely enjoy.
The peak of Thriller, of course, is its holy trinity of dance singles: Billie Jean, Beat It, and the title track. Each one set the boundaries, not just musically, but visually as each one had a ground breaking MTV video accompanying it. He was also one of the first black artist featured on the channel. The influence this album had on modern pop culture is staggering. These songs and their videos seemed like they have always been there, in much the same way Michael has always seemed to have been there for the younger generations.
Several years later, Jackson released "Bad". It was a good album in its own right, but nothing could match the brilliance of "Thriller". In fact to the day he died, Jackson would never see glory quite like this amazing release.
PS: This new release is good but I personally don't bother with the remixed tracks featuring Fergie, and Akon. I'm not a huge fan of either artist. But if you like them, then you have an incentive for purchasing this edition of the album.
Free Music Review: Thrilling Indeed!
Hit: 5 Stars
"Thriller" is an essential purchase and an undeniably great album full of infectious hooks, deep grooves and a glossy hi-tech sheen that has emerged unscathed from the 1980's into the 21st century (and perhaps beyond). Neither time nor the veil of nostalgia have blunted its impact -- an all-time bestseller, to be sure -- as a crucial flashpoint from which a decade was defined (along with U2's "The Joshua Tree," Madonna's first two albums, Prince's "Purple Rain" LP and David Bowie's "Let's Dance" album).
Putting aside the hype, the tie-in merchandise and all that came afterward for the artist (both personally and professionally), Michael Jackson rolled through the 1980's as a veritable juggernaut of talent. How many Gen. X'ers wore out their footwear trying to imitate his trademark Moonwalk? I'm fairly certain I wasn't the only one.
Have a listen to the song samples included here by Amazon. That bass line in "Billie Jean?" Delicious! How about that five-note synth loop and Vincent Price's rap in "Thriller" itself? Admit it: you love it, I love it (and so does your Grandma)! The first cut, "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" flirts with African chants and polyrhythms, earlier used to such great effect by Talking Heads and presages the coming popularity of World Music (and Paul Simon's 1986 "Graceland" LP). To these ears, "Baby Be Mine" sounds best, coming across as an understated, sparkling, danceable standout with a funky virtuoso synth hook and soulful vocal found nowhere else on the record ("Billie Jean" and "P.Y.T." approach it, though).
"Beat It" simply rocks!
The Michael Jackson 25th Anniversary of Thriller contains all the videos (how scary was the "Thriller" short film back in the day?) and a delightful Motown TV performance that showcases everything that made Michael Jackson the King of Pop. "Nobody moves like Michael Jackson," said one fan when interviewed back in the '80s. Indeed! The extra tracks are just superfluous honey on an already sweet treat.
Being too young to appreciate "Off the Wall" when it came out (an interesting Disco record but nothing more) and too old by the time "Bad" came 'round (not nearly as funky; too poppy), this always felt like "my" Michael Jackson album. It seems several million others feel the same way.
According to the liner notes, Michael Jackson was justly proud of "Thriller" as both a landmark personal achievement and a historical one. Pick this one up -- it's a classic!
Free Music Review: The Citizen Kane of pop
Hit: 5 Stars
I woke up from a nap and there were three text messages on my phone. Nobody ever texts me, so I knew it must have been big news. I thought there was a fire or something. Turned out, Michael Jackson is dead. I was startled, to say the least, because MJ never seemed like the kind of person that could, you know, die. To be honest, he never really registered in my consciousness as being a person; Michael Jackson was the androgynous sexual panic of "Billie Jean," the breathless seduction of "P.Y.T.," the thrilling kitsch of "Thriller," the chattering afro-popisms of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'." The idea that he had a human body, one that needed food and air and sleep, never really clicked in my mind. But then again, I guess that's to be expected. I mean, how can a mere human being really be thought to be capable of creating something as monstrous, as mechanical, as all-encompassing, and as awesome as Thriller? This kid wasn't the king of pop; he was the whole damn kingdom. And we, the audience, are not his loyal subjects; we're just reading the travel brochures.
The point is, Thriller is one of the greatest moments in the history of pure pop. Which is to say, it's plastic, mass-produced, jugular-grabbingly commercial, and completely unconcerned with originality, artistic merit, or honesty. And goshdarnit, I wouldn't have it any other way! With songs and performances as irresistible and ecstatic as the ones found here, artfulness will only get in the way. Because when you have a song as swooping, as ethereal, as hypnotic, and as unashamedly romantic as "Baby Be Mine," there's really no need to question its validity. Just let those labyrinthine keyboards and yearning vocals carry you away to a shiny place. And when "Beat It" comes roaring out of the gates, it does so with such force and brutal eloquence that you completely forget how absurd it is for Michael Jackson to take on the role of a street-smart hoodlum. As a vision of ghetto reality, it's a nonsensical failure; but the important thing to remember is that, on a purely visceral level, it SOUNDS more convincing and more immediate than its more authentic counterparts.
And then there's "Billie Jean," whose lyrics are either shockingly amoral or completely uneventful, but which still manages to be one of the most magical, irresistible, and emotionally charged moments in the history of music. And if we found ourselves getting annoyed by the idea of having to root for a child-abandoning father, then we can just remind ourselves that it's only a pop album. An stunning pop album, to be precise.
Free Music Review: DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH!!!
Hit: 5 Stars
When I heard the news of Michael Jackson's untimely death I was at work & the whole floor was engaged in verifying if was true. When it was verified, one girl just completely broke down & I happened to be the closest to her, so I held her tenderly for a few. Comforting her seemed to ease my own pain. But I was still in Trippsville. How could this have happened? Yet I must accept it as the working out of Allah's Divine Will & Purpose. Michael Jackson's death will be the topic of conversation for the next few months if not years.
Yes, he was a natural born genius. Yes, he was a critical component of what we call "POP" (BLACK MUSIC) today. But what is his true legacy? For me first it will always be the early recordings, although the later recordings are also astounding. Michael's songs connect you to raw emotion & authentic truths. That is why the people love him. Sometimes there are no words...it's a case of "SCENIC ECLIPSE" each song eclipsing the former, yet the former songs becoming standards in their own right. Standards that no one but Michael can attain. The mark of true genius.
Michael was one of the last great ones in a long line of Black Musical geniuses including Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, Sammy Davis Jr., Beethoven, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, Eubie Blake, Mozart, Charlie Parker, Billie Holiday, etc., whose musical truths shone so brilliantly, than even in a racist world, they were able to make a connection based on their authentic musical genius. Michael Jackson left a immense legacy, & will be sorely missed, but do not fret....there are even greater ones coming....Diamonds in the rough....coming from from the despised & the rejected, coming from a Black Woman's Womb, as did Michael. They tried to destroy you Michael, because you dared to speak out against the racism you observed in the World & in the Music Industry perpetrated by both Jews & Anglos & their Black puppets, but they were unsuccessful. Don't worry, Jermaine will continue to sound that trumpet. Despite that, you still got the Beatles Catalog. My Man! Man makes plans, but Allah is the Best of Planners. WHOSE LOVING YOU, MICHAEL? We All Are. May Allah Bless You.