Music Reviews

Michael Jackson
Thriller (25th Anniversary album)
Epic/Legacy

Michael Jackson is a man of extremes – sensationally bad press (child molestation charges, anyone?), undeniable weirdness (think Neverland Ranch), and his self-proclaimed title, the “King of Pop.” It’s obvious his talent has been eclipsed by his turmoiled personal life. Let’s try for just a minute to forget all the lawsuits, financial pandemonium and countless rumors that have enveloped Jacko’s career for the last two decades. Despite his personal downfall, hits like “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” and title track “Thriller” are still considered classic. Epic/Legacy’s 25th Anniversary Thriller release consists of the classic album Thriller, with extras including remixes by will.i.am, Akon, and Fergie. Unless you’re really into crappy remixes, skip those tracks and pop in the DVD, which includes music videos for “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” and of course, “Thriller.” Let’s not forget that a man with such a penchant for glitter, moon walking, and that rhinestone-studded glove can’t be all bad.
–Patricia Scull

The Whigs
Mission Control
ATO

Mission Control is like the sack of candy you carried each Halloween as a kid. Sure, it held treasures, chocolate bars, and sweet, colorful candies, but it also contained junk that tasted bad and stuck to your teeth. Of course, you ate every bit of it. You’ll tolerate Mission Control’s lows, because when the songs are good, they’re very good. The title track shows enormous self-restraint, and it features a melancholy and beautifully grotesque melody. The bridge reveals a bright, capable horn section, and the song ends simply as it began, on a lonely, beachy guitar riff. But some songs are very boring. “Already Young” is cacophonous, featuring uninteresting melodies and lackluster instrumentation. On “Need You Need You,” Parker Gispert growls over his loud, inelegant guitar, sounding almost Dave Grohl-ish, but lacking Grohl’s heart and lungs. The sound fits Gispert like a hipster’s thrift-store herringbone suit—not well at all.
–Gregory Hyman

The Daily Shortlist March 5

Song and Dance Man Jonathan Richman

Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Bands: Jonathan Richman + Vic Chestnutt
Venue: The Music Hall of Williamsburg
Food: Wild Ginger Pan-Asian Vegan Café
Drink: Teddy’s Bar & Grill
Miscellaneous: Verb Café

Ex-Modern Lovers front man and one of the most amazing singer/songwriters to rise out of the ashes of the original punk scene, Jonathan Richman stops by Williamsburg to perform, along with opening act Vic Chestnutt. For vegetarians and those not in the mood for meat, Wild Ginger offers Pan-Asian cuisine in a relaxed earth-toned environment with a menu featuring veggies, tofu, seitan, and soy. The best thing about Teddy’s Bar is that it’s just got this great neighborhood vibe that’s warm and friendly, while also having a great menu of drinks and American bar food favorites like burgers, salads, sandwiches, and steak. A great place to get good coffee, take a seat, and watch the passing hipsters stroll by, Verb Café even has excellent sandwiches and baked goods to snack on before the show.