KnockBack, Episode 210: Thriller (Michael Jackson album)
Added 2022-02-14 17:01:04 +0000 UTCThis episode of KnockBack is for all you pretty young things out there. In late-1982, Michael Jackson -- already world-renowned both with his family band The Jackson 5 and via his solo vehicles -- released his most seminal work, the three-times Diamond certified record Thriller. While its title track may be what's most remembered these days, it's interesting to look back to the early-'80s, when Thriller (the song) was released sixth (!) when it comes to singles. From Billie Jean and Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' to Beat It and Human Nature, Thriller provides banger after banger, a fusion of pop sensibilities with a rock-and-roll backbone. Yes: Michael Jackson is today a controversial figure, even reviled in some corners. But we wanted to look at this album through a historically relevant lens, and examine the music for music's sake. We hope you enjoy.
Comments
I got sent down a serious Sugarfoot rabbit hole on YouTube, thanks Colin!
Zachary Zelinsky
2022-03-12 00:55:19 +0000 UTCReally hope you guys do an episode on Linkin Park's Hybrid Theory at some point in the future. I know you're a big fan of that album Colin and would love to hear your thoughts on it.
Jack
2022-03-01 17:29:14 +0000 UTCReally do hope you guys do an episode on Linkin Park's Hybrid Theory in the future. Papercut, In The End and Crawling are some of my favourite songs of all time. I know you're a big fan of that album Colin and would love to hear your thoughts.
Jack
2022-02-26 00:38:42 +0000 UTCHope you enjoy!
Colin Moriarty
2022-02-22 17:32:24 +0000 UTCNice! I've been looking forward to y'all discussing albums!
Jonny Sousa
2022-02-22 01:31:34 +0000 UTCIt's just hard for me to imagine life without music.
Colin Moriarty
2022-02-21 17:45:21 +0000 UTCGlad you enjoy. Thanks for listening.
Colin Moriarty
2022-02-21 17:45:08 +0000 UTCI think people that say they don't like music just look at what's on the radio or TV at the time and from that they decide they don't like it based on that but in my opinion the just have found the right music for them yet because most people I know that say that don't say that for their whole life unless they are just a hipster which is some people but I don't typically associate with people like that
Blake Wall
2022-02-21 04:17:34 +0000 UTCLove these music deep dives especially from a musicians standpoint. EVH's beat it solo has always been my favorite all time solo. So good!
Zack Apuzzo
2022-02-20 20:07:33 +0000 UTC=)
Colin Moriarty
2022-02-19 16:13:30 +0000 UTCHuman Nature is fucking jam!
Jeremy Seal
2022-02-19 15:34:02 +0000 UTCIt's fine. =)
Colin Moriarty
2022-02-18 17:04:08 +0000 UTCIronically enough, I didn’t have “The Girl Is Mine” in my collection until today. Guess my view on it changed. It’s an ok song. “Beat It” is still my fave MJ track though.
NeO JD
2022-02-18 15:00:03 +0000 UTCIndeed. Plus, he's going back, apparently.
Colin Moriarty
2022-02-17 01:12:59 +0000 UTCExactly! With the Neil Young , a lot of these bands don’t own their music. Makes you wonder about that Spotify controversy 🤔
mediaCRAXbaby
2022-02-17 00:15:19 +0000 UTCI'd like to see a thorough follow-up.
Colin Moriarty
2022-02-15 20:25:22 +0000 UTCThat album reminds me of some dark days in college. I adore it.
Colin Moriarty
2022-02-15 20:25:03 +0000 UTC!!!
Colin Moriarty
2022-02-15 20:24:44 +0000 UTCHope you enjoy. =)
Colin Moriarty
2022-02-15 20:24:37 +0000 UTCDefinitely not possible for us to do that.
Colin Moriarty
2022-02-15 20:24:25 +0000 UTCIt's good stuff.
Colin Moriarty
2022-02-15 19:40:15 +0000 UTCYou will!
Colin Moriarty
2022-02-15 19:40:09 +0000 UTCWe will definitely do more.
Colin Moriarty
2022-02-15 19:40:04 +0000 UTCI liked this episode but I wonder if it’s possible to have songs play while you talk about them. Probably involves a more complicated set up, as you’ll very likely face DMCA claims for everything on YouTube so you couldn’t have it play there…and it would also be hilarious to have a video where you each stop for a sec to listen to the song before talking with no audio playing… Nvm it’s probably not possible but I’m gonna keep this comment here just in case you guys can figure it out lol.
Greg Wallace
2022-02-15 18:41:10 +0000 UTCSO stoked for this topic. Love MJ. Recently saw the new broadway show and it was stunning. Really great showcase of his best music along with key moments of his life, good and bad. Any of you guys who are fans definitely try and see the show. Mask/Vaccine stuff aside, it’s a really fun time. Thriller ESPECIALLY is very cool, and they even put a very interesting, narrative twist on the song.
SnipaMasta
2022-02-15 14:16:57 +0000 UTCHEEE HEEE
BigPapiJ
2022-02-15 13:16:57 +0000 UTCColin, you have just made my day as I listen to this episode. You mentioned the best 3 song trio in any album, and referenced Mew And the Glass Handed Kites, which is my absolute favorite album ever. I had no idea you were a fan of Mew and to see you hold them in such high esteem brings me a touch of joy. My brother and I often joke that music peaked in that album and it’s all been downhill ever since. Cheers.
Tom Gentry
2022-02-15 11:34:15 +0000 UTCLove Michael Jackson. Those HBO doc guys are definitely full of it. As Ian stated, acquitted twice and found nothing.
Brandon Soto
2022-02-15 06:53:09 +0000 UTCAnd then Chris Brown followed suit in 2011 https://youtu.be/7V2GzYcRK9E
Brandon Soto
2022-02-15 05:16:01 +0000 UTCSWV was the group that sampled Michael’s Human Nature song in the 90’s. https://youtu.be/vHwXoY0LiQk
Frederick Corbin
2022-02-15 04:30:28 +0000 UTCHaha nice shoutout to Weid Al’s “I’m Fat”. Such a great parody. This might be a long shot, but I’d love to hear what you guys think about Maroon 5’s record, Songs About Jane. I adore every song on that record.
Will Hahn
2022-02-15 02:21:49 +0000 UTCWould love more episodes focused on individual albums!!!
Nick La Creta
2022-02-14 23:31:55 +0000 UTCBring on more music episodes. This one has been awesome. Theres so many classic albums you could dive into. Abbey Road, Illmatic, Hotel California etc. Would love to see you guys dive into some of them. Also I randomly stumbled on a conspiracy theory that Sony played a part in MJs demise due to him essentially outsmarting Sonys music division and owning half their music licenses which were making 2 billy a year. Sony bought back the rights after he died.
Reuben Barrett
2022-02-14 23:06:02 +0000 UTCOh, we'll get to the Beatles, I've no doubt.
Colin Moriarty
2022-02-14 21:46:34 +0000 UTCAbsolute scum of the earth.
Colin Moriarty
2022-02-14 21:46:24 +0000 UTCTo each his own!
Colin Moriarty
2022-02-14 21:46:15 +0000 UTCThe sad truth is we're never really going to know.
Colin Moriarty
2022-02-14 21:46:11 +0000 UTCI've read about this, and that seems unclear to me. That is his claim, I know (and I remember this being a thing on Oprah when I was a kid), but... combined with his, uh, penchant for plastic surgery... I don't think there's any doubt in my mind what he was trying to do.
Colin Moriarty
2022-02-14 21:45:21 +0000 UTCHe is who he is. His import can never be denied.
Colin Moriarty
2022-02-14 21:44:39 +0000 UTCInteresting. I'd like to see a proper follow-up on that documentary, considering its emotional and social impact.
Colin Moriarty
2022-02-14 21:44:23 +0000 UTCAh, interesting. (I would obviously not know.)
Colin Moriarty
2022-02-14 21:44:04 +0000 UTCThank you. We're trying to keep the variety high!
Colin Moriarty
2022-02-14 21:43:53 +0000 UTCGreat conversation, if you're starting more conversations about albums we need an Abbey Road episode
Michael (ObjoGaming)
2022-02-14 21:14:44 +0000 UTCThe guy from lost prophets is in the high security prison in my town. Scum bag…. But shinobi vs dragon ninja slaps
Bob Spiers
2022-02-14 21:01:03 +0000 UTCDamn. To hear Dagan talk so badly about Lady in My Life was surprising. I love that song. Colin agreed with him. Music taste depends on the individual so that's their opinion. I do want to take this opportunity to bring up his track Heaven Can Wait. Great song that gets left out of the conversation most if the time. Anyway keep up the great content.
Russell Robinson
2022-02-14 20:12:33 +0000 UTCTo give some extra positive points, too, I’m glad you brought up how the Leaving Neverland documentary has been ripped apart, Colin. I’m not going to argue for his innocence, he was acquitted twice, the FBI investigated him secretly for 10 years and found nothing. At the end of the day, I didn’t know the guy. I wasn’t there. But the whole thing, to me, still stinks of cash grab.
Ian (616Entertainment)
2022-02-14 19:56:48 +0000 UTCIt’s always hard to listen to people talk about some of MJ’s issues when they’re not deeply in the know about it. I love you guys, not insulting the show at all, but Colin, you mentioned that Michael “clearly tried to erase his blackness.” Michael legitimately suffered from vitiligo, a disease which destroys pigmentation in the skin. His skin was left splotchy and uneven, and with his horrendous body image issues and dysmorphia, he did eventually undergo treatments to even it out so his skin didn’t look like the surface of the moon. It wasn’t ever about erasing his blackness. The disease was destroying his pigment. He was on the record many times about being a proud black man, and songs like “They Don’t Really Care About Us” and many others were all about the struggles of African Americans. Just wanted to throw that out there. Much love to you guys, can’t wait to finish this episode.
Ian (616Entertainment)
2022-02-14 19:48:03 +0000 UTCIt's moments like these when I think need to be shot to the moon. I never liked any of Jackson's music regardless of allegations or his personal life. However, it is undeniable how important this record is in music history. I think you mentioned it in the episode but its crazy when something becomes bigger than itself. Its like seeing toddlers in Beatles or Nirvana t-shirts. I am excited to see what other albums you choose. P.S I can't believe they don't have thriller in the 33 1/3 book series.
Mitchell Lundsberg
2022-02-14 19:29:51 +0000 UTCGreat episode so far Col, in regards to the documentary, the youtuber razorfist did a few videos debunking some of the claims in the documentary. It was regarded so well that Taj and Brandi Jackson went on a livestream on his channel to discuss the claims and debunk some of it as well. Still terrible circumstances and we will never know.
Kenneth Oms
2022-02-14 19:18:54 +0000 UTCHey guys just a correction. Vincent Price didnt narrate the introduction to Number of the Beast. It was a british man named Barry Clayton. Awesome episode and keep the album episodes coming!
Jason Gardner
2022-02-14 19:04:45 +0000 UTCBeen waiting for another music episode! As much as I love the usual video game and movie stuff, the show is at it's best when there's variety. I look forward to listening.
Nick M.
2022-02-14 18:38:24 +0000 UTCThank you. Hope you enjoy!
Colin Moriarty
2022-02-14 18:25:10 +0000 UTCI really like the idea of you guys tackling singular, defining albums such as this.. can’t wait to listen at work tonight.
Craig Carter
2022-02-14 18:11:03 +0000 UTC=)
Colin Moriarty
2022-02-14 17:58:46 +0000 UTCI believe my nephew watches that show.
Colin Moriarty
2022-02-14 17:58:43 +0000 UTCi don’t know if anyone here has watched Donald Glover’s show Atlanta but there is a fantastic season 2 episode called Teddy Perkins that is a really interesting presentation of not just Michael Jackson’s life, but many black entertainers/stars from that era worth a watch as a standalone experience with more to read into under the surface
Jacob
2022-02-14 17:31:29 +0000 UTCSo many albums to tackle after this! Just imagine all the Weird Al Knockbacks!
NotYurRealDad
2022-02-14 17:04:33 +0000 UTC
