1984 Gatefold Original. Features The Hit "State Of Shock" With Mick Jagger. "Victory," released in 1984, is an album that stands as a significant but polarizing entry in the discography of The Jacksons. Critically scrutinized, the record captures the quintet—Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael Jackson—at a time when individual ambitions began to overshadow collective synergy. Led by the commercial juggernaut single "State of Shock," featuring an iconic if somewhat incongruous duet between Michael and Mick Jagger, the album struggles to find a cohesive voice. The production, characterized by 1980s pop bombast, is polished yet occasionally overbearing, creating a tension between the group's established R&B roots and the burgeoning pressures of an evolving pop landscape. Tracks like "Torture" and "Body" possess an undeniable allure, further showcasing Michael's burgeoning star power, yet they also highlight the disparate creative directions among the brothers.

In the context of Michael Jackson's illustrious career, "Victory" serves as a transitional artifact, a testament both to familial loyalty and the inevitability of individual trajectories. The album's reception was mixed, with some critics acknowledging its chart-topping success but lamenting its lack of innovation compared to Michael's solo landmarks like "Thriller." Nevertheless, "Victory" addresses themes of unity and perseverance, albeit through a lens muddied by offstage tensions and competing artistic visions. While it never quite achieves the groundbreaking status of other works from The Jackson legacy, it remains a fascinating study of a family band grappling with fame's double-edged sword—a snapshot of stardom at a crossroads, with Michael's presence looming large and foreshadowing his ultimate departure from the group.