Asymmetric Music

Michael Jackson- further proof of the non-correlation between wisdom, virtue, and talent.

Michael Jackson was an unrepentant and unpunished child molester who happened to have been, twenty five years prior, a guy with an extraordinary and, with its high, non-falsetto, pitch, and vibrato-rich tone, extraordinarily unusual, voice; a nice touch at popcraft; and an original, repetitive dance style. We have what we need from him. He will not be missed.

Michael Jackson is also one of my favorite pop acts of all time. One of my earliest musical likes, actually, as his Off the Wall and Thriller albums came out in my junior high and high school years, respectively. I attended one of his concerts in Dodger Stadium in 1995 (or 1996- Hi, Earnest Holguin).

I didn't dress or act like him (I can imagine what my dad would have thought), but I watched him on Richard Blade's VH1 and listened to him on KISS FM in Los Angeles whenever I could.

Michael Jackson is often compared to another pre-pubescent star, Frankie Lyman, but Jackson was both a better singer, in part because he had assimilated the soul inflections of Otis Redding and James Brown, and his voice was stronger and more elastic. It never really changed, either.

Value-added assets of Michael's included an amazing James Brown-lite dancing ability and a nice personality, as a kid.

Two songs that most showcase his voice from the early years are his remake of Smokey Robinson's, "Who's Loving You," with its thrilling ending. Podcast above, video below.

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The Bangles entered my life during my late adolescence. They left a large musical impression on me. They also affected other parts of my development. Without elaborating, I think it's important for boys to fix themselves to positive images of females at this age.

That the Bangles seemed like "nice" girls at the time probably had something to do with preference for them throughout my life. Susanna Hoffs was also one of the most alluring women of rock, those eyes!

They had great songs too. My favorite is probably "Manic Monday," although they have enough ones of similar quality for an essential one-CD compilation. "Manic Monday" is the podcast and the fun "Walk Like an Egyptian" video is below.

Ahh, what the heck, putting Manic Monday doesn't cost extra. You get to see what I'm talking about with the eyes, too.

Oh, I forgot to mention why I brought them up. Apparently, they're still making music, and performing.

One more thing: as long as men bestride the earth, they will ask this question.

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