Michael Jackson on Vinyl and More New Releases

Dangerous, by Michael Jackson
That this album starts off with a squealing, hair-metal guitar solo might come as a surprise to some, but Dangerous (released in 1991) was an attempt to market Jackson to a younger audience. A hugely successful attempt, it should be noted. This album combines Jackson’s slick, pop-soul style with new jack swing, and there’s even a bit of rock ‘n roll in the mix here, as evidenced by the prominent guitar licks in “Why You Wanna Trip On Me” and “Black Or White.” The latter is one of Jackson’s all-time catchiest songs, and “Remember the Time” is a top contender for that honor as well. Dangerous sold a staggering 35 million copies, but it actually deserves more credit than it gets for completely rejuvenating Jackson’s sound.

Elv1s: 30 #1 Hits, by Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley was as much a marketing and branding phenomenon as he was a singer, but this compilation of his #1 hits (compiled from both American and British pop charts) proves that his voice was worth the hype. Whatever else happened to Elvis over the course of his life and career, his voice stuck with him and actually got better with age. In fact, you hear him mature as a singer over the course of this album; on early hits like “Hound Dog” and “All Shook Up,” he still has that stylized rockabilly yelp and sneer, but later hits like “In the Ghetto” and “Suspicious Minds” feature deeper, smoother, more confident performances. This album also includes the 2005 JXL remix of “A Little Less Conversation” as evidence of the King’s adaptability and staying power.

Heavier Things, by John Mayer
For his second album, released in 2003, John Mayer felt that he could calm things down and focus on developing his art, and this newfound sense of freedom is obvious; despite the title, Heavier Things is an easygoing record in a lot of ways. Mayer recorded most of it in his apartment, and although the album’s production puts more emphasis on horns and loops than before, the most prominent instrument here is Mayer’s voice. Clearly, this approach works. “Bigger Than My Body” the album’s lead single, was a critical and commercial success at a time when critics weren’t necessarily kind to Mayer, and “Daughters” is widely considered Mayer’s best song to date.

Rockin’ Rudolph, by The Brian Setzer Orchestra
Rockabilly guitar virtuoso and former Stray Cats member Brian Setzer takes on Christmas music on this upcoming album, which mixes holiday classics with a few charmingly oddball selections, and even a few traditional carols. “Yabba-Dabba Yuletide” is the Christmas version of the Flintstones theme, and it’s not only the most unexpected earworm of 2015, it’s a showcase for the Orchestra’s powerful horn section. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” is a natural fit for Setzer’s style, so of course he totally nails it, and “Swingin’ Joy” is a big band take on “Joy to the World” that boasts the best overall arrangement on the album, with lively takes on the original melody and a fantastic natural swing.

Back to The Future Original Soundtrack
Back to the Future has gone through a pop culture renaissance this year; not only did this year mark the film’s 30th anniversary, the year 2015 is part of the film’s plot. But while everyone nerds out over hoverboards and time travel, they should pay equal attention to the film’s awesome soundtrack, featuring songs from Huey Lewis and the News, Etta James, Eric Clapton, and fictional doo-wop group Marvin Berry and The Starlighters, whose version of “Earth Angel” is one of our favorites. Huey Lewis’ contributions can’t be overlooked, either. “The Power of Love” was his first #1 single and was nominated for an Academy Award, and “Back In Time” can still light up a dance floor, even 30 years later.

The Wizard of Oz Original Soundtrack
The soundtrack to this classic 1939 film is best known for Judy Garland’s stunning performance of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” which has since become a classic that came in first in both AFI’s “100 Years…100 Songs” list and the RIAA’s “365 Songs of the Century.” Those rankings are hard to dispute; Garland had a beautiful voice and committed herself to every lyric, both of which explain the song’s long-lasting appeal. But the rest of the soundtrack is tremendous fun, and reminds the listener that musicals can be every bit as funny, clever, and stirring as more traditional albums. The entire Munchkinland sequence and “If I Only Had a Brain,” sung by Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow, are delightful, and it’s no wonder they’ve been capturing people’s imaginations for so many years.