ericgreene's Full Review: Thriller [Remaster] by Michael Jackson
We have this record store in Medina called “The Record Exchange”. Perhaps the best thing about it is the fact that it hasn’t completely forgotten its roots from years ago. That’s right … they still do sell records. Mixed in with used DVDs and CDs, there is a section of music that stands out … vinyl in all it’s glory.
Sometimes I like to sift through the records and more often than not I find a great new poster for my room for under a buck. I don’t really use a record player … I just love lining my walls with the music I love. Most of the records I buy already have a CD counterpart at home in my case anyway.
Last week I was going through the unopened records section (which I rarely do since they cost an extra couple bucks and I just like to hang ‘em on my walls). Then I saw it … in all it’s glory … Thriller. Wow that took me back.
When I was a kid … I just couldn’t get enough Mikey. I would dress like him (or try as hard as I could). I learned to moonwalk and break dance … I read the book Moonwalk. Of course I had all the albums… well… not really. They were tapes. This was before CDs and after records, mind you. My mom thought it was unhealthy how much time I was devoting to one man who she called “sick” … and she made me stop.
Back to the story … I bought the Michael Jackson “Thriller” unopened LP for $4, ripped of the plastic, (know I shouldn’t have … but I wanted to listen to it) ran home … up to my attic … and dug out the turn table that goes along with my Pioneer system. I plugged in some headphones and drifted away.
Who is Michael Jackson?
Thankfully, I can leave all of Michael’s history from 1983 – 2001 out of this … since the album was produced in 1982. That’s not to say it was all bad. In fact, the 1980’s were great for Michael. It’s just the stuff after that that is a tad painful for both me and a lot of other MJ fans. But all that doesn’t matter. ‘Cause this is ’82.
Michael grew up to make buetiful music. He started off his carreer early with the Jackson 5 … a group his father governed with an iron fist. He soon became the star of the group and rose to international super-stardom. After his solo carreer took shape in the late 70’s with “Off the Wall” Michael knew he had to follow up with something fantastic. And he did.
Before we get to the music … what made this album so great?
Michael Jackson is not some bubblegum pop star who can’t dance. Heh. Far from it. He may have been captured doing the most amazing dance moves ever recorded on tape in 1983. Points in case(s):
1. The Moonwalk – In 1983 Michael Jackson performed his amazing moonwalk “trick” in front of millions on the (was is the 25 year birthday of Motown or 50 years for CBS? ‘Lil help?). It was an action in which Jackson would appear to be stepping forward but his body moved in reverse. Something that has to be seen to be believed.
2. Billy Jean – The video for this dance spectacular was amazing. Some of the dance numbers for this video make your mouth hang open. Wow.
3. Thriller – Michael’s production. I love this … but not as much as Billy Jean. It is a horror movie with a plot and a great tune in the background … but maybe my modern late ‘80’s, 90’s” mind can’t appreciate it. Great moves none the less.
4. Beat It – Can’t forget this. Heh, the dancing for this is sensational and it has been rumored that real gangs were used in the making of this epic music video. Another to check out.
Quincy Jones – Producing God.
The Music
Ok. This is not one of those albums that will translate to 2001. You have to go back to ’83 in your mind for this to work. The tracks make you want to dance … you have to feel the music.
What kind of music is this? Pop and mid-tempo dance. There is nothing too hard … and Beat It is the most “rock” you will find on this album. There is however a touch of disco here and there. It doesn’t stand out though … and that is a good thing.
Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' starts out the record with a mid-tempo dance sound. It is the first taste of a “modern” (this is 82, remember?) Jackson sound. The song is catchy and a bit visionary. Reminds me of some of his later work.
The Girl Is Mine (w/Paul McCartney) is great. It could have been better, I admit. Paul and Michael should have made magic like they did in “Say, Say, Say.” But this is good enough. An all right song … if it is filler, it is A-Class filler.
Thriller is an amazing dance song … really gets your blood pumping. It doesn’t really show off MJ’s vocal abilities … but the video is amazing and the song will get stuck in your head.
Beat It sounds like it is from ’82 … you can almost see the haircuts from the video as you listen to this track. None the less, it is a good, up-tempo song.
Billie Jean is in my opinion, the best on the album. Michael showcases his vocal abilities next to an excellent instrumental that really makes you want to dance. I could go on forever about this track. Pure gold.
The rest of the album doesn’t really stand out in my mind. Never really did. I like it, don’t get me wrong … it just seems like junk compaired to these amazing tracks. They are certainly nothing to be embarrassed about and didn’t take anything away from the album.
What else do I recommend by MJ?
Hmm… Heh. Um… Well, … Uh. Nothing really :)
Try Bad. I didn’t like it all that much … but you might. I hate disco, but have enjoyed Off the Wall quite a bit. Check it out sometime. Also, some of the Jackson 5 stuff is fun to listen to. Try ABC.
Overall
Replay value (get old fast?) – No – 10/10
Instrumentals – 9/10
Vocals – 10/10
Does it hold up today? – 8/10
Filler/Rest ratio – 8/10
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