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.

Follow up:

The Reddingesque aspect of his vocal personality is best on display in his most popular Jackson Five hit, "I Want You Back" during the "oohs."

Amazing video below:

The Jackson Five had been Motown's last Hurrah (I don't count Rick James, Teena Marie, Rare Earth, or New Edition, although The Commodores were OK). They had some middling disco-style hits when they left in the mid-seventies to become the Jacksons. "Dancing Machine" was the Jackson Five's last hit for Motown and "Shake Your Body Down (to the Ground)" the only Jacksons song I like.

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Michael went solo and released his two gargantuan pop masterpieces, Off the Wall and Thriller. Off the Wall is Michael Jackson at his most appealing. Still black, nearly masculine, and not weird, one can enjoy his music without considering his off-putting strangeness. "Don't Stop 'Till You Get Enough:"

Most people would consider Thriller Michael Jackson's greatest artistic achievement. Every song is appealing and original- truly unique in style, the best pop-R&B fusion since early Motown.

His performance on the Motown 25th Anniversary Special started the phenomenon. Those four minutes mesmerized the world.

This is the end of Michael Jackson for me. I couldn't set aside Michael Jackson's unnatural nuttiness and criminal immorality. Even if I could ignore his bleachings and the magnetic attraction between his glove and his crotch, Michael Jackson had clearly declined musically by the time of Bad. Only "Smooth Criminal" will endure. "Bad" itself is only appropriate for highlight montages.

After "Bad," the deluge. Nothing of merit. A greatest hits album. Increasing pathetic-ness. He even stooped to rap, a clear sign that he was behind the times.

Thus ends Jackson. Yes, we still have LaToya to remind us of Jackson at his prettiest and Janet has some talent (and twice the weight), but, alas, Jackson had spent 99 cents of his dollar, at 50.

Number Ones

Michael Jackson 25th Anniversary of Thriller

Off the Wall

Michael Jackson - Video Greatest Hits - HIStory

Essential Jacksons

The Ultimate Collection: Jackson 5