Michael Jackson's Thriller 25: Is the Deluxe Anniversary Edition Worth the Price?
Twenty-five years ago, Michael Jackson set a new musical standard, broke sales records and garnered eight Grammy Awards with the release of his groundbreaking album, Thriller. The album was arguably the peak of Jackson's creativity and spawned a number of enormous hits, chief among them "Billie Jean" and "Beat It," along with its monster title track.
Thriller 25 -- the 25th anniversary edition released by Epic/Legacy -- is basically a testament to the album's relevance today. In the two-and-a-half decades gone by since the release of Thriller, no one has come close to matching its sales figures or its musical genius.
The anniversary edition of "the world's biggest selling album of all time" comes with all of the original songs (see track listing at the end of this article), plus an unreleased track recorded during the "Thriller" sessions called "For All Time." While that song isn't exactly a reason to go out and purchase this new edition, it doesn't take away from the release either.
Also included are Jackson's legendary performance from Motown 25: Yesterday, Today and Forever and the "short films" (as they're called) for "Beat It," "Billie Jean" and the epic, 13-minute "Thriller" video, which managed to combine romance and horror with ghoulishly alluring choreography and Jackson transforming into a werewolf.
The CD casing is emblazoned with a metallic gold edge, and loaded with pictures of a young Jackson sprawled out with a baby tiger, looking sharp in a yellow sweater vest and bow tie or striking a Jacksonesque pose while sporting his notorious red, multi-zippered jacket, plus artwork from the original album and a number of stills from the "Thriller" video. There are also lyrics provided for each song.
Additionally, there are six reworked tracks that have been updated for 2008 audience, and save for Kanye West's offering, "Billie Jean 2008," these are not a reason to buy the album. While they do provide a new take on old material, all of them miss the mark, including will.i.am's "The Girl Is Mine 2008" and "P.Y.T. 2008," Akon's "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin 2008'" and Fergie's "Beat It 2008."
Thriller 25 -- the 25th anniversary edition released by Epic/Legacy -- is basically a testament to the album's relevance today. In the two-and-a-half decades gone by since the release of Thriller, no one has come close to matching its sales figures or its musical genius.
The anniversary edition of "the world's biggest selling album of all time" comes with all of the original songs (see track listing at the end of this article), plus an unreleased track recorded during the "Thriller" sessions called "For All Time." While that song isn't exactly a reason to go out and purchase this new edition, it doesn't take away from the release either.
Also included are Jackson's legendary performance from Motown 25: Yesterday, Today and Forever and the "short films" (as they're called) for "Beat It," "Billie Jean" and the epic, 13-minute "Thriller" video, which managed to combine romance and horror with ghoulishly alluring choreography and Jackson transforming into a werewolf.
The CD casing is emblazoned with a metallic gold edge, and loaded with pictures of a young Jackson sprawled out with a baby tiger, looking sharp in a yellow sweater vest and bow tie or striking a Jacksonesque pose while sporting his notorious red, multi-zippered jacket, plus artwork from the original album and a number of stills from the "Thriller" video. There are also lyrics provided for each song.
Additionally, there are six reworked tracks that have been updated for 2008 audience, and save for Kanye West's offering, "Billie Jean 2008," these are not a reason to buy the album. While they do provide a new take on old material, all of them miss the mark, including will.i.am's "The Girl Is Mine 2008" and "P.Y.T. 2008," Akon's "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin 2008'" and Fergie's "Beat It 2008."
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