Wednesday, July 5, 2017

You got me working day and night (Michael Jackson) (LP 122)

Michael Jackson Off The Wall (Vinyl - Epic, 1979) ****

Genre: Soul

Places I remember:
 Marbecks Records (Auckland)

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Rock With You





Gear costume: Off The Wall, Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough



Active compensatory factors: Off The Wall was eclipsed by Thriller's uber-mega-success but, for me, this is a purer, funner, Michael Jackson album. Even if there are only three songs written by MJ.

Off The Wall is just a load of fun, from the first whooooo to the last disco tune.

In fact, there is a neat balance between the dance/disco material that bookends the album (the very funky Don’t Stop ‘til You Get Enough…to the slightly weak final Burn This Disco Out), the impressive but soppy ballad (She’s Out Of My Life), and superior pure pop (Rock With You).

The quality control isn’t 100% though with at least one track on each side that is a little weak and/or formulaic. Never mind. The joy and high energy elsewhere more than makes up them.

Where do they all belong?  The behemoth was coming.

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