As I sit here in my chair, 2 glasses of wine down, I realize I don't need to review one of the greatest albums of all time (Thriller) for you. I don't need to tell you how incredible of a song 'Man in the Mirror' is. I don't need to tell you it's fucking impossible to not dance when Michael comes on the jukebox. I don't need to tell you that I'm jumping out of my chair every few minutes attempting the moonwalk...shit, I REALLY didn't need to tell you that.

I grew up with two sisters who LOVED Michael, one of which who actually thought she WAS Michael for a brief period of time in elementary school. I'm sure there's plenty of people out there like me who never thought it was "uncool" to like Mike. (I owned Michael Jackson's Moonwalker for the Sega Genesis, bitch) I ran around my living room in sweet 80's style shorts and tube socks grabbin' my crotch and yellin' "Hee hee!" as a pre-teen. As embarrassing as that may be, I was right on key, baby.

In past years many different jokes and speculations have flown around about Mr. Jackson, I myself am guilty. But no doubt he is a legend, and truly is the motherfucking King of Pop. So as I pour another glass of wine and turn on 'Black or White', here's to you Mike! We love you, we'll miss you, and hopefully I will practice my moonwalk with you on a cloud someday!

"They Print My Message
In The Saturday Sun
I Had To Tell Them
I Ain't Second To None

And I Told About Equality
An It's True
Either You're Wrong
Or You're Right

Hee hee!

But, If
You're Thinkin'
About My Baby
It Don't Matter If You're
Black Or White"

RIP, Michael.

http://www.michaeljackson.com/

J.B.

I swear I did not do this on purpose. I came across this album completely on accident, fell in love with it upon first listen, and further down the line realized this guy is associated with Devendra Banhart and Vetiver's Andy Cabic. When Mr. Banhart likes something enough to release it on his label, it's completely worth checking out in my opinion.

'Can't Go Back' is the Papercuts 3rd album...who knew? I couldn't tell you what the first two or 2009's 'You Can Have What You Want' sound like, YET.

After listening to the album, it's really no surprise that Jason Quever (the lead singer, basically the band) has ties to Cabic and Banhart. It's more California freak-folk/pop that sucks me in every time. Like I said, I fell in love from the very beginning with help from the intro track 'Dear Employee.' A fast paced, melodic and beautiful song about being another 20-something stuck in a job where you're treated like shit and get no respect. Of course, I can't relate to this at all. *SARCASM ALERT*

The intro track is followed by the equally catchy and trippier 'John Brown'. Just as you're getting used to the poppy guitar riffs and bouncy lyrics of the first 2 verses, the song shifts gears and gets faster and darker before you actually realize it's the same song.

'Take the 227th Exit' actually reminds me of a track that would be on a new-age version of Dylan's 'Nashville Skyline.' That's just one of the many artists I can't help but think of throughout - Belle and Sebastian, The Eels and The Shins also come to mind. The album feels like a rollercoaster ride, taking you up and down, by the end you are wondering what just happened and are left wanting more. I can't wait to catch up on the rest of the Papercuts albums, I hope you check this one out and join me!

Favorite Tracks: 'Dear Employee', 'Take the 227th Exit', and 'Outside Looking In'.

J.B.