We get it already: Michael Jackson was kind of a weird dude.

In the weeks, months and now years since the music icon’s death,
news consumers across the globe have been inundated with
examinations of Jackson’s life. And frankly, too much of it has
focused on the sensational aspects of his 50 years on Earth.

Luckily, for those of us who prefer to remember Jackson as a
once-in-a-generation entertainer and the undisputed King of Pop and
not so much for his sometimes peculiar personal choices, we have
Joseph Vogel in our corner.

Vogel, who writes about popular culture, music and politics for
The Huffington Post and teaches at the University of Rochester, has
written a book that focuses solely on Jackson’s creative
output.

“Man in the Music” is thankfully all about just that — the
music.

And it’s really good.

Vogel takes the reader album-by-album, song-by-song and examines
in exhaustive detail how Jackson produced a lifetime’s worth of
music that became a soundtrack to the lives of millions.

Jackson’s Motown years, including his work with The Jackson 5,
isn’t covered in “Man in the Music,” which focuses on the singer’s
solo work, beginning with 1979′s mega-selling “Off the Wall” all
the way through “Invincible” in 2001.

Vogel, relying on news archives, Jackson’s words and interviews
with those who collaborated on the albums, opens the door to the
studio and provides an in-depth picture of the artist’s creative
process. Each song Jackson recorded during his solo career is
examined with a critical eye.

It’s a fascinating read and really a must-have for any Jackson
fan.

“I wanted to write something historically and critically
rigorous, but approach the subject with less cynicism and
curiosity,” Vogel writes in the preface.

Mission accomplished, sir.

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Online:

http://www.joevogel.net/

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