Michael Jackson
Thriller

25 years ago, a black man was destined to leave his mark on musical history. 25 years ago, no one would have bet on the worldwide success of an African American with a natural flair for dance, who had made a decent fortune among whites with disco music, destined to fade away in the new trends of the '80s.

However, after producing a pearl, or rather, 9 pearls of funky-dance with the legendary Quincy Jones, encapsulated in the masterpiece called "Off The Wall," this black man pulled an Album with an uppercase A out of his hat. "Thriller" is, in fact, one of those few albums that manages to unite "black" music, joyful and danceable, with the more moderate and rock-like "white" music of the time. "Thriller" is indeed universal. It bridges the two cultures, offering if not a "new" genre, a refined and complete pop. Approaching perfection, then. I take on the task of reviewing my first record, even if I know that you'll come saying "Jackson here" and "Jackson there." However, a distinction should be made between the person and the artist. Anyway, as I was saying, the naiveties are really small puddles compared to the ocean of musical virtues this album offers.

Starting with the first track, you can discover how Jackson and Quincy skillfully integrated black roots with white standards: "Wanna Be Startin' Something" is indeed a pure high-dance-rate track that takes the roots of the previous record and excellently opens the dances (where the famous "mamase mamasa mamaccussa" was borrowed by Rihanna in her "Don't Stop The Music"). A mandatory presence in a Michael Jackson album. In "Baby Be Mine", Jacko lets us hear his warm voice in an engaging R&B. The least famous track of the record but considered a masterpiece by some professional musicians like Rodney Jerkins and Pharrell Williams. "The Girl Is Mine" represents the only naivety of the record. The lyrics are somewhat trivial, as is the background music, but overall the song is listenable even if below Jacksonian standards. The first heavy hitters of the album arrive with the first of the triad, "Thriller": the legendary video that supports the song is a triumph of special effects (relatively revolutionary at that time) with choreography that has remained in history. The song itself is a mix of dance music, rock, and R&B. As a final act, Vincent Price's rap confirming the dark atmosphere is the album's horror touch. Historic piece.

"Thriller" is a complete album because nothing is missing: many genres can be found at the highest levels. "Beat It" is the rock of the album. The harsh lyrics contrast with Michael's sweet voice. It's noteworthy that the electric guitar solo is played by Eddie Van Halen (who, when Jackson's then-agent called him, hung up twice because he didn't believe it was true). However, the song that will be most remembered from Thriller is not the title-track and not even "Beat It," but another track, which has been aired by radio stations and in discos all over the world. Of course, I'm talking about "Billie Jean." The initial drumbeat is simply legendary and there are no genres to categorize this pearl, and I honestly don't even bother to try. "Billie Jean" is one of those songs that will be remembered as long as music exists. Immortal. "Human Nature" is a journey into the human mind and its deepest questions. The lyrics and melody make it a high-level piece, one of the best of the album. "P.Y.T." is a funky track with participation from Michael's sisters: Janet and LaToya. The piece is a mix of R&B with slight rock intrusions, and despite the slightly cheesy lyrics, it is still a very good song.

The album concludes with "The Lady In My Life," a soul where Michael showcases his interpretative skills with a warm and sensual voice. 25 years ago the album came out and only after a year was it known how relatively much it sold. Anyway, despite those criticizing Jackson, I warmly recommend the album that should not be missing from your collection.