Is MJ's Thriller as good as everyone says?

Thriller's album cover.

A GOAT. A legend in the game. The King of Pop.

This album is perceived as a classic by 'one of the best to ever do it'.

Thriller really is an album which is hard to hate. A new groove around every corner, you can't just sit and listen to this album without a smile on your face. This album broke the earth, selling a million copies a week in the US for a year, and rightfully so.

Technically speaking, the production is beautiful, and MJ's amazing, and sometimes emotional, singing brings it up many notches, turning a layered backing track or melody into a real established hit. The best example I can think of to convey this is 'Baby Be Mine', with traditional instruments coming together to create a funky beat. Technically it is already remarkable, and is further elevated by gorgeous singing and harmonies, and amazingly played instruments. Michael’s singing compliments the backing tracks very well.

As a whole album experience, it is pretty good. The iconic voice of Michael Jackson never exhausts, and he brings something new on every song. The funky backing tracks are always exceptional, such as the beat to ‘P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)’. Sometimes, the formula is changed to a slower beat.

The slower tracks work, complimenting his already great voice and making him whisper or sing a little quieter. When he alters his voice in this fashion, it sounds lovely. One of the slower tracks in question is 'Human Nature', which came after the best 3 track run I've EVER seen on an album (‘Thriller’, then ‘Beat It’, then ‘Billy Jean’), and 'Human Nature' slows the album down, while keeping it at a high. I found it perfectly placed.

Lyrically, the album is as one would expect. The commentary Jackson brings is mostly about love and beauty, with a few exceptions such as ‘Thriller’ and ‘Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’. It really is Quincy’s production that makes the album whole.

It's impossible to talk about this album without mentioning the aura which Jackson had on screen and on stage. In isolation this album is wonderful, but the music video to Thriller is a masterpiece. He also does well in other music videos, such as the one for ‘Billie Jean’ and ‘Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’, where the video compliments the songs exceptionally.

It was through Thriller Jackson was able to solidify his character and on-stage presence. Because of this album’s success he was able to further break through, invent the moonwalk the first time on stage to ‘Billie Jean’ and fine tune his iconic dress sense.

All in all, Thriller is a gem. It has a bit of everything but is mostly a feel-good, groovy, funky album which is easy on the ears and the mind. It is just a good time. This album made clear his evolution since ‘Off the Wall’, and was Jackson’s way of telling the world he was a figure to stay. I believe it is just as good as everyone says it is!