CD Review
This review was originally written by Jose Bernardo for www.theweeklyriff.com between 2008 and 2010.
Artist: Michael Jackson
Album: Bad (1987 Epic)
Tracks: 11
Artist website: http://www.michaeljackson.com
OVERVIEW
Bad is the first album I was excitedly waiting for. It was all the buckles. There was even a competition to count the buckles. I didn’t win, of course, but it was just the coolest thing and there were so many hits! This album is the one for me. I love this album. It will always be in my top 10.
UPDATE 2016:
When MJ died in 2009, I was sad because I had always been a fan of his music. I was especially sad that he had not “returned to form” as an artist and that his output in the late 1990’s was unable to touch the the genius of his output from the 1980’s. At the time of his passing, I dedicated an entire issue of the TWR webzine to him and reviewed “Dangerous” and “Thriller” as well. I got to see Jackson in concert in Singapore in 1996. It was a concert experience I’ll never forget, but is sadly not even in the top 5 of all concerts I’ve seen. Of the MJ material that has been released posthumously, the only thing I’ve enjoyed is “Love Never Felt So Good”, which was penned in 1983. The 80’s were a magical time and that was Jackson’s era.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Just Good Friends, I Just Can’t Stop Loving You, Leave Me Alone
PLAY BY PLAY
Track 1 – Bad
This is the song that first put the idea in my head that I wanted to be a musician. It was an electrifying song. The video was amazing. This is still one of my most favorite songs of all time.
Track 2 – The Way You Make Me Feel
I always loved this song. It has such a strong melody.
Track 3 – Speed Demon
It took me many years to appreciate this song. I used to hate it as a child. When I rediscovered this album a couple of years ago I gave this song a shot and finally “got” it. It is brilliant but it is definitely not everyone’s cup of tea.
Track 4 – Liberian Girl
One of the most beautiful love songs ever written.
Track 5 – Just Good Friends
This is one of my favorite songs Michael Jackson ever did. I always loved this song and still do. It’s just a great song.
Track 6 – Another Part Of Me
I always thought this song was average.
Track 7 – Man In The Mirror
This is just a monster of a song. This is one of the best known songs of Jackson.
Track 8 – I Just Can’t Stop Loving You
This is simply one of the best love songs ever written. I know I said that about Liberian Girl. This one is easily the better one.
Track 9 – Dirty Diana
I always liked the edge this song had but never understood the lyrics.
Track 10 – Smooth Criminal
I wanted to dance like Michael in this video. I always wondered how he could lean forward the way he did and not fall over.
Track 11 – Leave Me Alone
I begged and begged my parents to get the CD version of this album so I could get this song as I only had the cassette and this was a CD version bonus track. They couldn’t justify the cost for one song. I listened to hard rock and metal in the 1990’s, so it took me 18 years but I finally got a copy in the end. I always loved this song. It resonated with me for personal reasons which I won’t get into.