The title song would be perfect at the end. Instead it lingers near the middle. When the album does end, it does so with a serenade to a girl Michael Jackson promises to love more and “more each day”, even when she’s “old and gray”. Rod Temperton is to blame for those lyrics, but, as far as music and melody goes, The Lady In My Life is gorgeous. It’s one of his best songs like almost every other song on this album.
Not only is Thriller his best album, including the ones he did with his brothers, it’s the best album I ever heard. Almost every song reaches a level of greatness other artists can only hope to obtain once on a single release. Even the worst song, a duet that has Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney playing tug-of-war over a girl who might be playing them in a game of her own, floats along with a charming groove.
The next worst song is Human Nature, which is good. That says a lot about the rest of the album, which consists of just nine songs. Perhaps making a Thriller isn’t as daunting as it seems. The secret is to cut the filler and put out an album of funky beats and magical vocals. “No one wants to be defeated,” Michael Jackson declares on rock song Beat It. It’s harmonized melody is one of the catchiest you’ll ever hear.
Other highlights include Billie Jean and a party jam about people who always Wanna Be Startin Somethin. Both songs are amazing. There’s also a Valentine’s Day theme entitled Baby Be Mine that’s amazing. The album as a whole is amazing. It’s just not perfect. It would’ve come close if Michael Jackson or Quincy Jones, the album’s sole producer, thought enough to put the title song at the end where it belongs.
my rating : 5 of 5
1982