Sound Advice: CD Reviews - Michael Jackson (Bad)

CD Review:
This album continued Michael's reign as the pop king of the '80s. This album also marked the fall of Michael in the eyes of many. Michael took the success of Thriller and decided to continue the formula that made it the best selling record of all time (notwithstanding The Eagles Greatest Hits that seems to continually interchange with it on the all time sales charts).

The problem is that Michael pushed the formula too far in places. A perfect example was the title track "Bad." With "Beat It," Michael was the interloper and sane voice in the middle of a power struggle between rival gangs. But with "Bad" he ended up joining a side and entered the melee. I found this a bit too much myself as Michael is 4 foot nothing and weighs 100 lbs soaking wet and for him to be a leader of a gang and kick some serious ass is just humourous to say the least. The leather coat with the buckles on the cover of the album just seems way to out of place on the diminutive stature of Michael (as it did when he wore it in the "Bad" video also) The rock song "Dirty Diana," although it has some kick, was a bit much also.

Some highlights though were "Man in the Mirror" a song about personal responsibility, "The Way You Make Me Feel" a light song about affection and lust and "Smooth Criminal" which is a funky song about a girl being victimized by a B&E professional.

With Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad you will have the three albums that made Michael an icon and earned him well deserved respect. This can not be said for most of the drivel coming out during the '80s. If you want to hear pop as an art form then pick up these albums starting with Thriller.

Scott D. Brown