365 – New Music Daily

I was considering opening this review by curbing any potential shock that I had never listened to this album before, but I really don’t think that’s necessary. I would say well less than half of my generation has listened to this album all the way through, a problem that is partially based on the fact that people rarely listen to albums in depth nowadays (which is one of the many reasons why this album a day mission began, but that’s a story for a future about me page), but also based on my generation’s view of Michael Jackson.

My timeline and shifting perspective of Michael Jackson is essentially:

1. I heard ABC by Jackson 5 when I was maybe 8. I thought it was cool and fun, as an 8 year old would.
2. I listened to Thriller, Beat It, Billie Jean with my neighbor (shoutout to you, Chuck, if you ever read this) and also, thought they were cool and fun. The Thriller music video freaked me out, but not as much as the 3 AM music video by Eminem, which gave me visceral nightmares for 3 weeks.
3. The allegations came out against MJ, and people were totally split on it.*
4. He was acquitted, then died a few years later.

A stark difference to what made this the best selling album of all time (by a lot, by the way, 20 million copies than #2) – which was the undeniable stardom of Michael Jackson and the pandemonium that I imagine ensued when this record came out. I seriously cannot comprehend it, only can guess that it was globally monumental. For an album to sell 70 million copies it has to be universally loved – and it certainly seems like it was.

It makes sense. The album is very 80’s – lots of synth grooves, but there is undeniably some good shit here. The three song run of Thriller, Beat It and Billie Jean is still, to this day, bonkers. Notes on each of those:

1. Thriller – It’s amazing how one of the more famous songs of all time has been reduced to an incredibly niche memory for me, iykyk. And if you don’t know, the attached video is your clue. Good luck.
2. Beat It – One of the most iconic guitar riffs of all time.
3. Billie Jean – Arguably the best song on the album (though not my favorite), and it must be noted, an absolutely bassline.

Using #3 as a segue – and yes, I tend to focus on basslines, get over it – the one on PYT (my favorite song) is absolutely insane. Lastly, on these three, how is Human Nature going to go after this. That song stinks.

I thought a lot about how this album would be received nowadays, and it’s impossible to know, especially with how different pop music is sonically. It would still hit, and I think PYT is an example of why. Regardless, grasping how this would be received in 2023 is nearly impossible. The songs are so iconic now, I can’t imagine what it was like when they were first introduced.

Overall, that 3 song run + PYT does carry this thing. Most of the other songs are a bit too 80s for my personal taste. However, I do get why it’s so well-received.

Lastly, look at this fucking album cover, and thank you to whoever tweeted this out. He is wearing a fucking ZIP HOODIE underneath the iconic white jacket. What the fuck.

Favorite songs: Wanna Be Startin Somethin, Thriller, Beat It, Billie Jean, PYT

*A rare occurrence on this blog but a serious note on #3, I have very surface level knowledge of the allegations and can’t really say for sure what I think about them. I feel obligated to check out the doc after this, or read into this more, so there may be a subsequent edit to this post. Vamos a ver.