I’ve never really been what one would consider a true fan of Michael Jackson. Yes, when the video for Thriller was released and played constantly on MTV (when MTV was good), I was eight years old and had to have the album. I was indeed Thrilled to own the Thriller album and played Billie Jean, Beat It and Thriller constantly day and night. Although it didn’t have quite the same impact as the Thriller music video/mini movie. But hey, it was still great.
Then, in 1988 I received Michael Jackson’s Bad cassette tape for a birthday present. But by then, I was much more into Billy Squier, AC/DC and rock and roll in general. My so called pop days were over and I was very much less than thrilled (sorry, couldn’t resist another pun there) and actually a bit embarrassed to own anything of Michael Jackson’s. That tape might have been played all of twice, and just the first couple of songs at that.
Over the last couple of years however, I seem to have acquired a new found respect for the king of pop. One can’t deny the fact that his level of talent was a level unto itself. Not to mention that this decade has been anything but kind to him. I began to garner empathy for the boy trapped in a man’s body and quietly began routing for him to make his gallant return to the radio airwaves and take his rightful place on the world stage once again.
Obviously and most tragically this was not to be. The news of Micheal’s death (which hopelessly overshadowed the death of poor Farrah Fawcett) did in fact hit me straight between the eyes and completely caught me off guard. Like so many of his loyal fans, I found myself bewildered and cussing aloud at just how “[enter expletive here] up” his passing was. I now know how my parents’ generation felt when Elvis died. You didn’t need to be a 100% tried and true fan in order to feel the blunt force of the shock-wave sweeping the world.
The death of an icon is never an easy pill to swallow. But what makes Michael’s death that much harder to accept is how incredibly sudden in which it happened. It seems I was just hearing how he was taken to the hospital after he was found not breathing, then BANG, the reports started to fly that Michael was in fact, gone.
Even writing about Michael in the past tense just doesn’t seem right. But unfortunately, the fact remains that the world has lost one of it’s greatest voices, entertainers and while many might disagree with me here… I also say we lost a damn fine person. Although he was most certainly misunderstood, constantly joked about and quite controversial, I think he did in fact have a heart made of gold and tried his best to please everyone he possibly could. But sadly, even a heart made of gold does not beat forever.
It’s been a few months since the long awaited follow up to AC/DC’s Stiff Upper Lip: Black Ice hit Wal Mart shelves and after listening to it hundreds of times since then, I think maybe I’m ready to give my input.
There are so many things going on with this album that I am going to cover it in parts as there would be far too much to write about in one blog and eye fatigue for the reader would most certainly take it’s toll.
Before I get going on the song writing, production, Brian’s vocals and other pertinent aspects that a good album makes, I would like to address a statement that other reviews have mentioned in magazines, blogs, radio and interviews.
The thing that irks me to no end that I have heard mentioned a thousand times, starting with the Ballbreaker album, is how AC/DC are going (or have gone) back to their roots. I cannot even count how many people have mentioned this over and over. So many journalists have claimed this as if it they were the first to notice and first to mention it.
Of course, I heard it mentioned over and over in regards to the Black Ice album. It’s usually while interviewing one of the members, to the effect of: “…the one thing I really noticed with this album is that you and the band have really gone back to your roots on this record.” I honestly don’t know how you can go back to your roots three records in a row?.. as I said, it mostly started with the Ballbreaker album, was mentioned again with Stiff Upper Lip and continues with Black Ice. But it’s a lame statement and is akin to saying “yesterday it rained a lot, but today’s rain is much wetter than yesterdays!”
AC/DC has never strayed from their roots. With the exception of some changes in production here ‘n there, the music has always remained within their perception of what good Rock and Roll is.
Now that I got that out of the way, I can move on to the important aspects… the record itself, which I will start to cover in my next entry.
Next Chapter: The Songwriting
Five clones of the German Shepherd “Trakr” who is renowned & immortalized for his heroic work during the 9-11 World Trade Center bombings, has been cloned and the pups were officially presented to Trakr’s owner James Symington.
It’s tales like this that warm my heart because it’s more than just a story of the love and companionship for one’s pet. This goes way above and beyond the call of duty if for no other reason that Trakr and his master volunteered to lend their services after that fateful and tragic day.
On September 12th, James Symington, a former Canadian Police officer and Trakr’s master, knew that he had a very special K-9 companion that would rise to the occasion and search out any potential survivors. Trakr did his job working 48 hours straight, relentlessly searching for signs of life. And finally, it happened. Trakr gave his master the signal that he did indeed find a living soul. Unfortunately that person would be the last remaining survivor pulled from the rubble during the entire search and rescue mission. But it certainly didn’t take away from the glory and excitement of the moment. For this, Trakr will forever be remembered and more than earned his title of Hero.
To commemorate Trakr’s selfless work, California firm: BioArts International awarded James Symington with five little Trakr pup clones. While I am sure a plaque would have been greatly appreciated… it’s wonderful to know that Trakr’s work and legacy has a chance to live on in the flesh as sadly, Trakr died last April, quite possibly due to the noxious fumes that also sickened so many of our two legged heros’ as well.
As an owner and trainer of German Shepherd dogs myself, I know how amazing these creatures are and the added quality of life they can give to their master’s existence. I have owned five Shepherds, and have trained them to do amazing things, mostly protection work and agility. Never have they let me down as they fight to please their master and work simply for love and praise.
I salute you Trakr, James and BioArts International!