Thriller (1982)
Just because an album is a landmark doesn’t mean you have to like it. The craft here is undeniable, but I just don’t particularly enjoy listening to some of the hits. Unlike a lot of today’s pop superstars he did write some of these songs himself, though, and four out of my five favs were Jackson-penned.
(“Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin”, “Beat It”)
Grade: B
Bad (1987)
See Above…change five to four.
(“Smooth Criminal”, “Leave Me Alone”)
Grade: B-