The new Michael Jackson album "Michael" is a nice effort - however would have been pleasant to see MJ show up on the album more though.

Updated 12/16/2010 after further review:

I’ve personally been wanting to see it since 2005.  Year after year I was disappointed though as not one single ounce of new Michael Jackson material was released.  I was fortunate however in 2007 when the 25th anniversary of Thriller was released.  There were a few remixes and an unreleased track included - however not the NEW material I was wanting to see.

Here we are three years later in the year 2010 - finally with new material.  However I’m saddened to say we are looking at this material without the artist himself - in life and in art.

It is common knowledge that Michael Jackson passed away in June of 2009.  His estate secured material so that in the future albums could be released.  “Michael” is the first of what should be many based off of those ‘lost’ recordings.

The album contains ten singles, nine of them “previously unreleased vocal tracks performed by Michael Jackson”.  Wait, what?  Ten singles and only NINE of them feature Michael Jackson’s vocals?  That should be your first clue that something isn’t quite right with this release.  As one reads through the copyright/credits in the album booklet it becomes obvious that something isn’t what it seems.  Michael Jackson’s voice isn’t credited on all tracks (and only truly credited for lead vocals on (I Can’t Make It) Another Day and Behind the Mask). It is credited for background vocals on many of the tracks which leads one to wonder - “Who is the lead singer imitating Jackson?”

Aside from the game of vocal who-is-it (pun intended), the album is not a bad listen.  For the commercial/casual listener that did not enjoy or hear “Invincible“, “Michael” should be a breath of fresh air.  There are notable tracks that take you back to Michael Jackson.  “(I Like) The Way You Love Me” is very touching with its intro of a voice recording of Michael dictating the tempo and drums.  “Behind the Mask” is easily the standout track of the album with its soaring saxophone solos and infectious uptempo groove.  Teddy Riley also adds his “dangerous” production touches to “Hollywood Tonight“, “Monster“, and “Breaking News” you will feel as though you are listening to a real Michael Jackson track - even if the instrumental is the closest you’ll get to it.

Track Highlights

• “Hold My Hand”
• “(I Can’t Make It) Another Day“
• Behind the Mask
• Hollywood Tonight
• (I LIke) The Way You Love Me.
  

This track is a pretty positive track and just screams modern disco.  Highly recommended if you’re needing something out of the normal radio routine.  Also - if you’re looking to purchase the extended version, you’ll need to check out Itunes for the single full of remixes, or search Amazon for the 2CD release of the album One Love.  Keep an eye on Guetta, he’s the real deal on bringing dance music into the US.  Top 40, look out!

As a long time fan of Michael Jackson, it was no question that I would go to see this movie.  Decked out in Thriller-style “This Is It” t-shirt, Thriller jacket, black slacks, white socks, and the pennies, my girlfriend and I arrived to the midnight premiere rather surprised - we weren’t the only ones there.  That’s saying something coming from southwest Virginia - a land where the mere mention of the King of Pop instigates many puns and allegations.

I’ll try not to spoil the fun for those that are going out to see this film in its two-week run.  However, I will enlighten those that may not truly get the film.

As it states, the film is made up of rehearsal footage.  If you’re expecting to see the EXACT show dancestep by dancestep, then I’m sure you’re going to be disapointed.  Even I noticed some movie-goers in our showing that were rather confused with Michael’s random arm movements, persistence of using the sideways moonwalk, and rather random pointing and stomping. For those that may wonder, a lot of that wasn’t what would have been the routines - he’s cueing the percussion and signaling the timing for the band.

It was hyped very much to show Michael’s genius and I do believe if you pay attention to the intricate details you will see that.  The man knew his music and was very much on the road to bringing to his fans a show they never knew they wanted to see.

Even if you only go to see the newly shot short-film segments, it is well worth the price of admission.

Rest in Peace Michael - you were truly onto something.

• Learn more about the movie at www.michaeljackson.com/us/this-is-it.

February 3rd goes unrecognized to many as a significant day.  However, for those that lived during the initial birth of the rock ‘n roll era, the date February 3rd, 1959 will live on forever as the day that tragedy took away three stars of the industry.  The three were all pioneers of their time.  Those three were one Buddy Holly, seventeen-year-old Ritchie Valens, and disc jockey J.P. Richardson - commonly known as “The Big Bopper”. Holly, arguably the most popular of the group, is cited as a major influence to many stars of the music industry including the Beatles (their name is a shout-out to Holly’s Crickets), Bob Dylan, Weezer, and many upon many more.

While on “The Winter Dance Party” tour, each of the artists played various mid-western venues.  The tour had been challenging for all those on board due to the heating system failure on the bus and the treacherous winter weather that accompanied it.   Along the tour’s stop in Clear Lake, Iowa on February 2nd, Holly had chartered a plane to avoid having to ride the bus to the next show.  Richardson would later join the ride.  Valens, as fate would have it, later won a coin toss to take the final seat on the small charter plane.

Unfortunately for the three bright stars of the rock ‘n roll era, weather and pilot inexperience would lead to doom.  The plane was later found on February 3rd demolished in a corn field just outside of Clear Lake.

Don McLean later referred to it as “The Day the Music Died” in his song American Pie.

As one reads many articles written today commemorating the event, a sudden vibe of ‘this wasn’t the day the music died’ comes to mind.  However, I beg to question: What if they had lived to continue their growth and influence?  Holly was less than 3 years into his career, as Valens was just taking off and at least under a year into his career.

Sometimes genius is better preserved through tragedy. Then again, tragedy inspires those remaining to live up to the influence.

More Information:

• Buddy Holly - Wikipedia
• Ritchie Valens - Wikipedia
• The Big Bopper - Wikipedia

Short and sweet - Underworld 3: Rise of the Lycans was better than the second installment (Underworld: Evolution), mostly tying the first movie.  However, much like all of the Underworld movies, each have their styles that will please certain crowds, and most likely bore others.

Overall - I recommend seeing it if you need a break from reality, economy, or what Mrs. Obama will be wearing today.

One of my goals for 2009 is to launch at least 2 fan-related web sites.  One that I launched in 2007, MichaelJackson1Stop.com, never really got the attention it deserved.  It was a project I launched during my crucial last semester of college with a full-time 90 hour week work schedule (sounds fun right?).

The original idea was for a site that brought together various RSS feeds to produce a single web site that fans could go to to reach the various news/content/media related to Michael Jackson.  However, I only found time to put up a simple Michael Jackson discography, biography, and limited links.

I have now uploaded a new layout and content to the site, which was very bare beforehand.  New features include:

• Tweaked layout
• Various photos
• Updated biography
• Detailed discography coming soon
• Influences coming soon

Check it out at www.michaeljackson1stop.com.

As I arrived at work the other morning, I was happy to see that Blacksburg, VA was considered one of the top educated small-towns in America.

Then again, I got to thinking… Blacksburg isn’t EXACTLY a small town.. but a small city!

The joys get better as you read the article from Forbes.  McLean VA is a small town??!?!!

Carry on and enjoy at http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/02/educated-small-towns-forbeslife-cx_jd_0105realestate.html?partner=email.