Michael Jackson
Bad

THE REVIEW

In 1987, exactly 5 years after the grand album "Thriller," Michael Jackson surprises the public with "Bad." Michael understands that it will be impossible to compete with himself, and the delay with which his third album is released is the result of too many fears of comparison with "Thriller," which is shaping up more as a nightmare than a remarkable success of the early '80s.

In his "imperial" style, MJ calls upon the biggest names in the music scene for Bad, and in "Just Good Friends," he duets with his friend Stevie Wonder and cinema legends. "Bad" would not be the same without the grand video clips accompanying it; for instance, the video for Bad was directed by the great Martin Scorsese. However, the sales do not even remotely approach the record numbers of "Thriller," so a series of videos and a feature film are released in rapid succession until 1989 to "induce the purchase" of the album. In 1987 "The Way You Make Me Feel," in 1988 "Man In The Mirror," "Dirty Diana" and "Smooth Criminal," in 1989 "Leave Me Alone" (bonus Track for those who purchase the CD) and "Liberian Girl," the latter featuring a myriad of actors, singers, and producers. In 1988, a feature film "Moonwalk" is also released, which includes the songs of Bad "Speed Demon" and "Smooth Criminal."

The songs on the album, in my opinion, are still wonderful to listen to and dance to. The album starts with the engaging "Bad" with electric guitar solos that will significantly characterize his musical style. The exquisite "The Way You Make Me Feel" with some touches of R&B here and there to liven up the atmosphere. A decline in style is touched with "Speed Demon," but it's only a passing thing because afterward, there is the sweet and afro (and slightly sappy) "Liberian Girl." Another decline in style in terms of lyrics but not in musicality is reached with "Another Part Of Me," R&B here too.

Then comes the duet with Stevie Wonder with "Just Good Friend," an excellent song to dance and listen to. "Man In The Mirror" is MJ's first song on "world problems," made very charismatic by the "ohhh!" and the "stand up" and the "you know it." The excellent duet with Siedah Garret "I Just Can't Stop Loving You," a slow mix of R&B, raises the overall level of the album. Now comes the heavyweights, "Dulcis in fundo," hats off, here come "Dirty Diana" and "Smooth Criminal." The first is a rock gem to listen to and re-listen to, the second a rhythm piece to fear, made famous by the music video (the legendary scene where he crushes the billiard ball and, with a dance move, blows the debris in the face of the classic thug from '50s police films).

In this album, it seems that MJ is realizing that his life now coincides only with what the mass media say. His privacy no longer exists. He is followed day and night, everyone wants to know what he does, what he eats, why he doesn't have a girlfriend, etc.
As he writes in his autobiography, his life is a true nightmare. And when asked if he is truly happy, he responds that he doesn't know... His anger towards tabloid newspapers is unleashed in an amusing song contained in the Bad CD. The wild "Leave Me Alone" is truly a cry of rage against the slanderers and the big "hoaxes" about him, but the best has already been done.

"Bad" is therefore a great album and we must congratulate the good Michael for even minimally standing up to the comparison with "Thriller."

P.S.= sorry, for "Dangerous," I wanted to give 4 stars, but in the excitement, the standard rating slipped out (3), I'm sorry, I swear