I can honestly say that Dangerous is MJ's most daring work since Thriller.The reason it's not a 5-star masterpiece is that like Bad it tries too hard to top Thriller.The first problem is that this is his first CD album where he fills up the entire 77+ minute playing time.Second,Quincy Jones is replaced by Teddy Riley.Where the work with Q was groundbreaking, this collaboration with "Ted" seems like chasing trends than setting them(that includes the appearence of rapper Heavy D).Where Q would've made a well balanced collection of songs,the album feels schitzo due to the fact that Teddy's production's dominates the first half,while MJ's sole production dominates the other.Though there are some great songs in this collaboration(Jam,In The Closet,and the classic Remember The Time)the new jack production sounds redundent after a while.The best songs (along with the aforementioned Remember The Time)is MJ's own productions.The atmospheric drama of Who is It and Give In To Me displays the true brilliance of Michael.Black or White is short & snappy(but the intro and that whack rap should be edited out on future pressings),while Heal the World & Keep The Faith may mean well,they're obvious copies of past songs(We Are The World and Man In The Mirror respectivly).The two tracks that really lift this album is the trancending Will You Be There & the sweet but sad Gone Too Soon.Like most CDs these days, Dangerous is a belabored album to listen to.It takes way too long to get to the best songs.You can always program your player, but always remember,great albums are listen to as a whole,not pieces.

Though this album may already be eight years old, it still plays up there with the recent trend in musical style. This album is amazing! From the begining we ae taking on a tour of the singers smost creative side, his darkest side and his warmest side. The album shines with brilliant production, fantastic songwriting and beautiful orchestration. 'Jam' begins the album on a heavey note, not because it is emotionally raw but because the song's driving beats and rhythms are unforgetable. 'In The Closet' raves up to the ultimate climax, a song which was originally intended as a duet with Madonna, has no problem making the grade without her (it is hard to imagine her here!) 'Remember The Time' is a wonderfull up-tempo song filled with lip-smacking beats and a great chorus, pure genius. The hits 'Black Or White' and 'Heal The World' never sound out of date but rather define the time they were huge on the POP charts. 'Who Is It' (my favorite on the entire album, and let me tell you it is hard to come up with one! ) is so pure, but angry in its beat that you can't stop listening. That is the whole effect of this album, you can't stop listening! 'Will You Be There'? Do I have to say more, Beethoven would be proud! 'Keep The Faith' is the second time Jackson, collaborated with Alanis Morisette hit maker Glen Ballard and the result was amazing! The greatest album on the face of the planet, well the greatest POP album. The singers ultimate perfection, though his new release in 2000 may prove otherwise, he reached his creative climax (so far, maybe not though with the first five songs off 'Blood On The Dance Floor'!)with this album. Everyone should buy a copy, becuase here is michael jackson at his best. Not the Michael Jackson that we've come to know (or think we know) through the tabloids, but the Michael Jackson we came to love through the music. If I could give this album six or seven or higher out of five I would! Five out of Five.

Much publicity was met through when this album came out. The first being the release of the single Black or White, being the most widely watched song to be viewed by an audience at the same time. After it was released came the controversy of the last part of the video in which MJ goes berserk and simply creams a car and smash through windows before becoming this big cat. The single also stirred up some issues about colr and why was it that Michael was including this topic at a time in which he was really becoming whiter by the minute.

The album is a really good listen. There are some privately honed songs, but they can also be related to others as well and not attributed to the singer or the issues going through his head. My favorite two songs in the album were rightfully put back to back on the cd release. "Who is it?" and "Give in to me". The first song was mellow and had a very haunting beat throughout that made you sink deep so low at the times when you just broke up with someone or simply brushed off by others. Give in to me has a similar beat in the background that comes apparent when the song is on the verge of ending. That song has the same feel as the first, but makes you brush off that loss by acquiring a power of your own destiny.

In general, most of the songs are really great. Jackson goes a long way in terms of production and refining the sound of the album. Though it is not Thriller, but I see that throughout each album released by MJ, his music stem through a different originality everytime.

Michael Jackson-Dangerous

What can you say about Michael Jackson? Well, in one word: GENIUS. Before 1991, when Dangerous was released, Michael released 3 top selling albums that revolutionized the music scene. However, Dangerous is easily the best Michael Jackson album, if not the best album from any artist of all time.

There are mixed views regarding the hype of Dangerous. Some say it's over hyped, some say it's underrated. Well, selling 31 million copies definitely proves it's not underrated. Over hyped? Well, if so, it was for a good reason. Here is a track by track review of this incredible album:

Jam-Great opening track that introduces and slightly uses hip hop effects. The lyrics are well constructed. Jackson uses collaborators such as rap artists who rap a verse or two within these songs. This was innovative, as many of his peers distanced themselves from rap artists around this time. The video is great, and classic. However, the track does tend to become too long. 9/10

Why You Wanna Trip on Me-The song opens with a great, unforgettable guitar riff that lasts nearly a minute. Though the lyrics convey a great, strong message, they can come across as...corny. However, the listener doesn't get hung up w/ that aspect. The incredible, catchy chorus leaves the listener wanting more. 9/10

In The Closet-Underrated single among the general public; it's known to be one of the favorite singles among Jackson's HUGE fan base, though. The Princess of Monaco lends her vocals (she merely talks). However, it proves that Jackson has chemistry w/ sexy women! The lyrics are quite risqué and provocative. `Because if it's aching, you have to rub it'. 10/10

She Drives Me Wild-Many view this song as mere filler. The song is short, yet sweet. She Drives Me Wild, however, sounds like an 80's reject song from the album `BAD'. 7/10

Remember The Time-One of the best, if not the best R&B songs of Jackson's ENTIRE career! Throughout time, listeners of all ages would/will agree that the song still sounds fresh, new and modern. One of my personal favorites. The ad libs are amazing as well. 10/10

Can't Let Her Get Away-This song came across as filler. The vocals are kind of irritating. Michael should have left it off of this album. The beat however, is great. 6/10

Heal The World-A trademark, MJ song about the classic message and theme of `making the world a better place.' The arrangement of the song is flawless; the choir is introduced at the perfect time, and Jackson's vocals are great. 9/10

Black or White-The first #1 single from this album. Believe it or not, this song has a legacy. Though Macaulay Culkin's introduction gets tiring, the song is so upbeat, and you never fail to sing along. 10/10

Who Is It-Ok. This is probably one of the best songs from MJ's career. This is the standout track of the album. Though the song is nearly 6 minutes, it's so good that it seems only 3 minutes. The lyrics tell a story of a prostitute who left Jackson for other people. True R&B song that is flawless. Best track on the album. 10/10

Give In To Me- When I first heard this song, I was surprised to know this was Michael Jackson. This is as close to Jackson having a hard rock song. The vocals are amazing, and remind you of the likes of Aerosmith, or heavy metal artists. Truly amazing. 10/10

Will You Be There-Second best track on this album. It's very inspirational. Though the beginning choir/opera did seem to drag on, it only added to the beauty of the song. Again, many, many people know this song. (Hint: Free Willy Soundtrack) 10/10

Keep The Faith-This song has a gospel feel, with a motivating message. It's a great song. However, it does seem to go on too long. 8/10

Gone Too Soon-Though the song was intended for a good, worthy purpose: Ryan White's death of AIDS, it's a song that I skip a lot. The song is sweet, yet it reads more like a poem. Vocals are entirely within the falsetto range. 8/10

Dangerous-This is a great, funky dance song. Michael talks throughout the song, and again, it reads like a poem. It's great nevertheless. 7/10

If you do not have any Jackson albums, then here is the order in which you should buy the main releases:

Michael Jackson Number Ones and/or `The Ultimate Collection'
Dangerous
Bad
Off The Wall
Thriller
HIStory, Past Present and Future Book 1
HIStory Volume 1
Invincible
Blood on the Dancefloor HIStory In The Mix
The Essential Michael Jackson

Dangerous is Michael Jackson's true masterpiece. In every sense of the word, it fits its description to a T.

There have been few pop albums since, in fact no pop albums since, which have been able tolive up to the standards set by this brilliantly conceived album.

From the beginning the sound and the music take the listener on a journey that no other Michael Jackson album has done before or since.

'Jam' the first cut, shines with electronic bleeps and a pounding beat. Pure dance pop.

'Why You Wanna Trip On Me' is, in my opinion, one of the best Jackson tracks ever. And with his catalogue, that's a noble feat. The lyrics are what make this one great. More personal than anything from 'Off The Wall', 'Thriller' or 'Bad', combined.

'In The Closet' is another great Jackson track. Great beat, driving sexual lyrics and a mystery guest vocal (Princess Stephanie of Monnaco). This song is a classic all the way, and completely unerplayed now.

'She Drives Me Wild' has got a great hook, great beat and great lyrics. Why was this not a hit? With seven other songs released from this monster album, it just couldn't be, but has every bit of potential as the others.

'Remember The Time' is classic Jackson. Everything in it makes you wanna move. And that's the great thing about Michael Jackson is his ability to make you wanna get up and dance! This song is pure irresistable pop.

'Can't Let Her Get Away' is another great song. I've got nothing else to say, except it is slammin'.

'Heal The World' could possibly be Michael's answer to 'We Are The World' from the 80's. It is a beautiful song, with great lyrics. Michael's voice shines and the production is wonderful. Another classic cut.

'Black Or White' is in my opinion, a theme song for the 90's. It is a great song with a killer guitar riff through-out, and it has super meaningful lyrics. It could have been a bit longer in my opinion because I'm kind of let down it only runs at 4:00 with about a 1 minute introduction. Never-the-less, classic.

'Who Is It' is the best track on the entire album. His best song since 'Billie Jean' and the main reason that to this day I am in love with Michael Jackson's music. Awesome lyrics, killer bass line (like 'Billie Jean') and beautiful orchestration. Another classic.

'Give In To Me' has got a guitar solo by Slash of Guns N' Roses, raw emotion and great lyrics. What can I say, except another classic!

'Will You Be There' is beautiful. Simply put. Just beautiful. This song showcases why Michael Jackson is the master of his game. In all honesty, one of the best songs ever written.

'Keep The Faith' is wonderful. The 'Man In The Mirror' of the 90's and the second best track on this album. I have never heard a pop song in recent years with half the meaning of this one. Buy it and you'll hear why. The lyrics are somthin' else.

'Gone Too Soon' finds Michael delivering his best vocal work since the 'Off The Wall' album. 'Childhood' off of 'HIStory' showcases the same vocal beauty as this.

'Dangerous' is electrifying. A classic song to end off the greatest album in POP history. And I'm not kidding folks!

This album shows the Michael Jackson we (well about 100 million of us) all fell in love with. The man who creates music for the ages. Not the man who lives in the tabloids and press.

Buy it for the music and the genius it is.

But watch out for September 18th, 2001. Michael Jackson will be back and might possibly surpass this album in every form when he releases his new album.

Five Out Of Five