Michael Jackson - Bad

Released in 1987

Every artist hopes to devise a career defining masterpiece, and Michael Jackson did just that with 1982's Thriller, the best-selling album ever. The downfall to redefining genre expectations is that it becomes nearly impossible to capture lightning in a bottle twice. Michael Jackson attempted this feat with his follow-up album, Bad, in 1987, and the lightning just escaped his grasp. But his failure to rise to the heights of his previous work should not suggest that Bad is a poor album, for it does contain hit songs and great pop appeal.

The problem with Bad is that although Jackson attempts to keep things fresh, he fails to remain truly innovative. Thriller broke many of the "rules" of pop, making many of the songs memorable and unique. In Bad, Jackson is faithfully adhering to the rules he set forth already rather than pushing the boundaries further. Despite not being on the top of his game with this album, Bad ranks among his best albums; it wasn't until the 90's that his career would begin taking a devastating nosedive into obscurity.

Some of the album's highlights are:

• Bad – Jackson's macho-man posturing was never convincing, and it's almost a sick joke today after witnessing his career and personal meltdowns. That being said, Bad still remains pleasing to the ear. Call it a guilty pleasure if you will.
• I Just Can't Stop Loving You – This is a sugary ballad that ranks among the best tracks on the album.
• Smooth Criminal – Another track that proves that while this album may not be quite as good as the original, Jackson still knows how to capture listeners with infectious beats and addictive choruses.
• Leave Me Alone – A paranoid and defiant little ditty that would soon contain all too much relevance as criminal accusations began flying. Still works wonderfully as a pop song, though.

It's pretty clear that Jackson was going for a slightly harder tone on this album (though "harder" albums in the 80's were light and fluffy love fests compared to much of today's dreck), but pop fans will still find the nice variety of styles and melodies that epitomized his 80's career. This is an album that belongs in any 80s pop fan's collection, because although Jackson may be a disturbed man he was a master musician and performer.

Rating: 8 stars

Track List Bad The Way You Make Me Feel Speed Demon Liberian Girl Just Good Friends Another Part of Me Man in the Mirror I Just Can't Stop Loving You Dirty Diana Smooth Criminal Leave Me Alone

Additional Resources:

• Thriller Review

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