Album Discussion: Off the Wall
HOLY SHIT. I love this album! It's so funky and positive and it doesn't have that overproduced sound I hear with a lot of songs nowadays. Even the clapping bits sounds crisp! I read reviews about Michael Jackson's voice that mentioned a "sadness" in the quality of his singing from Thriller and on. I'm still trying to get that, but "Off the Wall" has this soft, optimistic quality that makes me giddy.
To me, Off the Wall-era Michael Jackson comes off as the guy you want as your first serious boyfriend: sweet, sensitive, optimistic, cute, confident, down to boogie, and can work the hell out of tux and bow tie with an additional serving of sparkle.
I had a lot of "HOLY SHIT! Michael Jackson did that song??" moments because I grew up to his music but unfortunately never really appreciated it the way I do now. Those moments happened especially with "Workin' Day and Night," "Burn this Disco Out," and "It's the Falling in Love."
I'm totally in love with the seamless blending of different styles and sounds, the energy, and that you can actually feel the presence of real instruments in the songs. I especially miss that. Lyrics-wise, it may not be that deep but you get plenty of that in later albums. "Off the Wall" has that feeling of abandon and "drop whatever you're doing and have fun" that I haven't felt so much from Thriller and on.
Although Off the Wall may not be as ~iconic~ as its successors, there are some good treasures in here. Overall it's very well-produced, and has that kind of confidence and optimism not so much seen in the later albums.
Track review
Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough -- This will always remind me of this comm now because of the misunderstood lyrics post. The Force/Star Wars reference makes me giddy. I love the strings here. As well as that rhythmic clacket-y noise (I'm totally not musically-inclined but I hope you get what I mean, lol I mean is that a cowbell? lol idk idk). The more I listen to this song, the more I can hear the multiple layers of instruments. Only MJ can mumble a spoken intro and get away with it. This is a great overall intro to the album as it slides into...
Rock With You -- mmmm MJ crooning. Slows down a little bit. The type of song to incorporate a little more hip-swaying to. What's that rhythmic whistle-y/poof-y sound? Whatever it is, I love it.
Workin' Day and Night -- I LOVE THIS SONG. It's funky, I love the horns! JUST DANCE TO THIS SHIT.
Get on the Floor -- Gotdamn that bass line. It's like my mind is already danced out from "Workin' Day and Night" but sure, I'll dance to this one too. I love the parts where MJ does the chant. Intense! but then he reels it back in so not to scare you off. Took a while to grow on me, but not long.
Actually, after listening to it again, I think I like it more than "Workin' day and Night." Everything about this song just hits it HARD (and no, I don't mean sexually).
Off the Wall -- wtf was that laughing in the beginning? lol It's great to hear the range of MJ's vocals so seamlessly here. This song is so positive without being annoying or preachy. With stuff like "just enjoy yourself" and "life ain't so bad at all," it just wants to make you feel good.
Girlfriend -- This is like the cutest admission of an affair ever. I should be mad at his character for this but he just sounds. so. cute. and. harmless. I should still be mad though! It's kind of a nice break from all that dance music in the previous 5 tracks. A cute and whimsical song.
She's Out of My Life -- lol Tatum O'Neal don't get it twisted. Although it was written by Tom Bahler about Karen Carpenter, you can feel the conviction in his voice. aw, bb.
I Can't Help It -- This has something a little more smooth, and something inherently sinister that I can't quite put my finger on. Something about the bass line and the way voices sorta clash in the chorus help give the lyrics that haunted feeling. The way the voices clash in the chorus bug my ears, though, ngl.
It's the Falling in Love -- Such a pop song lol. Doesn't grab me as much, though I like the funky bass and the super catchy chorus.
Burn this Disco Out -- zomg horns and funkiness and shit. Kind of forgettable, but it's on a mission to end this album on a funky-happy note. And it succeeds.
What are your thoughts?
To me, Off the Wall-era Michael Jackson comes off as the guy you want as your first serious boyfriend: sweet, sensitive, optimistic, cute, confident, down to boogie, and can work the hell out of tux and bow tie with an additional serving of sparkle.
I had a lot of "HOLY SHIT! Michael Jackson did that song??" moments because I grew up to his music but unfortunately never really appreciated it the way I do now. Those moments happened especially with "Workin' Day and Night," "Burn this Disco Out," and "It's the Falling in Love."
I'm totally in love with the seamless blending of different styles and sounds, the energy, and that you can actually feel the presence of real instruments in the songs. I especially miss that. Lyrics-wise, it may not be that deep but you get plenty of that in later albums. "Off the Wall" has that feeling of abandon and "drop whatever you're doing and have fun" that I haven't felt so much from Thriller and on.
Although Off the Wall may not be as ~iconic~ as its successors, there are some good treasures in here. Overall it's very well-produced, and has that kind of confidence and optimism not so much seen in the later albums.
Track review
Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough -- This will always remind me of this comm now because of the misunderstood lyrics post. The Force/Star Wars reference makes me giddy. I love the strings here. As well as that rhythmic clacket-y noise (I'm totally not musically-inclined but I hope you get what I mean, lol I mean is that a cowbell? lol idk idk). The more I listen to this song, the more I can hear the multiple layers of instruments. Only MJ can mumble a spoken intro and get away with it. This is a great overall intro to the album as it slides into...
Rock With You -- mmmm MJ crooning. Slows down a little bit. The type of song to incorporate a little more hip-swaying to. What's that rhythmic whistle-y/poof-y sound? Whatever it is, I love it.
Workin' Day and Night -- I LOVE THIS SONG. It's funky, I love the horns! JUST DANCE TO THIS SHIT.
Get on the Floor -- Gotdamn that bass line. It's like my mind is already danced out from "Workin' Day and Night" but sure, I'll dance to this one too. I love the parts where MJ does the chant. Intense! but then he reels it back in so not to scare you off. Took a while to grow on me, but not long.
Actually, after listening to it again, I think I like it more than "Workin' day and Night." Everything about this song just hits it HARD (and no, I don't mean sexually).
Off the Wall -- wtf was that laughing in the beginning? lol It's great to hear the range of MJ's vocals so seamlessly here. This song is so positive without being annoying or preachy. With stuff like "just enjoy yourself" and "life ain't so bad at all," it just wants to make you feel good.
Girlfriend -- This is like the cutest admission of an affair ever. I should be mad at his character for this but he just sounds. so. cute. and. harmless. I should still be mad though! It's kind of a nice break from all that dance music in the previous 5 tracks. A cute and whimsical song.
She's Out of My Life -- lol Tatum O'Neal don't get it twisted. Although it was written by Tom Bahler about Karen Carpenter, you can feel the conviction in his voice. aw, bb.
I Can't Help It -- This has something a little more smooth, and something inherently sinister that I can't quite put my finger on. Something about the bass line and the way voices sorta clash in the chorus help give the lyrics that haunted feeling. The way the voices clash in the chorus bug my ears, though, ngl.
It's the Falling in Love -- Such a pop song lol. Doesn't grab me as much, though I like the funky bass and the super catchy chorus.
Burn this Disco Out -- zomg horns and funkiness and shit. Kind of forgettable, but it's on a mission to end this album on a funky-happy note. And it succeeds.
What are your thoughts?