Thriller, 25th Anniversary Edition [Extra tracks, Original recording remastered, CD+DVD]

Michael Jackson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 12, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 1983
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Extra tracks, Original recording remastered, CD+DVD
• Label: Sony Music Distribution
• ASIN: B000WS4QJG
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (341 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,463 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'

2. Baby Be Mine

3. The Girl Is Mine (with Paul McCartney)

4. Thriller

5. Beat It

6. Billie Jean

7. Human Nature

8. P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)

9. The Lady In My Life

10. Vincent Price (bonus track)

11. The Girl Is Mine 2008 with will.i.am ( Previously Unreleased Track For 25th Anniversary Edition )

12. P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) 2008 with Michael Jackson and will.i.am ( Previously Unreleased Track For 25th Anniversary Edition )

13. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008 with Michael Jackson, Akon and will.i.am( Previously Unreleased Track For 25th Anniversary Edition )

14. Beat It 2008 with Fergie( Previously Unreleased Track For 25th Anniversary Edition )

15. Billie Jean 2008 with Kanye West ( Previously Unreleased Track For 25th Anniversary Edition )

16. . For All Time (unreleased track from original Thriller sessions) ( Previously Unreleased Track For 25th Anniversary Edition )

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Should several of the tracks on the 25th anniversary edition of Thriller find their way onto your MP3 player, you're going to have to admit: the music holds up. "Beat It" is not about to go stale, at least not without a rumble, and neither are "Billie Jean" and "P.Y.T." Even if you put the record-hurtling hits aside, you're still left with the realization that without MJ, there might not have been a JT [Justin Timberlake], never mind a Ne-Yo (listen closely to "Human Nature" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"). The bonus DVD bundled with the expanded CD includes a digitally redone version of the famous title-track video, among other clips, and it still astonishes with its choreography and attitude. As for the new tracks--Fergie inserts herself into "Beat It," Will.i.am takes on "The Girl Is Mine" and "P.Y.T.," Kanye West remixes "Billie Jean" (with characteristically subtle brilliance), Akon duets with M-Jack on "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'," and the unreleased ballad "For All Time" (from the original Thriller sessions) is shined up and tacked on--they will suck you in like it was pop music's hugest year, 1983, all over again. Start brushing up on your moonwalk now. --Tammy La Gorce

Product Description

The best-selling album of all time is 25, and this birthday edition puts new jewels atop the crowning achievement of the King of Pop. Billie Jean; Beat It; Human Nature; P.Y.T.; The Girl Is Mine (with Paul McCartney) and the rest join eight bonus tracks (an unissued song from the Thriller sessions; a Billie Jean demo; remixes by Kanye West, Akon, will.i.am and more) plus a DVD of videos and Michael's famous moon-walkin' moment on the Motown 25 TV special. Go for the deluxe version and get a 48-page book and suitably dressed-up packaging!

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

142 of 152 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Thriller - Michael Jackson's Masterpiece, Better Than Ever! March 18, 2008

By Mark #1 HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

The 25th Anniversary edition of Thriller is a must own CD. The presentation of the CD is great, with top-notch production evident throughout. The original tracks still sound amazing. And the new remixed song versions should introduce younger R&B fans to the man who started it all.

There are many reasons to buy this version of the album even if you already own it. This version includes remastered mixes that sound great. This album also came out at the height of vinyl and casettes, so a lot of people may not own the album on CD. Old school fans will be seduced by the awesome holographic CD dust jacket, sharper re-mastered original tracks and included bonus DVD videos.

Younger music fans who love will.i.am, Kanye West, Fergie and Akon will be attracted by the remade versions. Hard-core Michael Jackson fans might not like those new versions as much. Still, no matter how you slice it, this 25th Anniversary edition belongs in your collection.

It's clear to anybody who follows R&B that so many artists over the past 10 years have made careers essentially emulating Michael's singing style and dance moves. You can include on that list:
- Justin Timberlake - FutureSex / LoveSounds
- Chris Brown - com/Chris-Brown/dp/B000C5E6QC">Chris Brown
- Usher - My Way
- Omarion - O

THE TRACKS AND EXTRAS

It's impossible not to hear the songs from this album from time to time, yet it had been a long time since I heard the original album in total, tracks 1-10 on this CD. When you listen to it again, it's impossible not to realize how amazing of a production this truly was, and still is even 25 years later. Every single song is a number one hit, and Michael moves through genres including pop, rock and R&B with ease. See my awards summary at the bottom for more on this.

The remakes can't possibly match Michael's original accomplishment. Yet they are not as bad as many say. I actually like the Akon version of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin." And Kanye West's "Billie Jean" mix highlights his abilities as a producer.

The included DVD includes the short film music video versions of "Billie Jean," "Beat It" and "Thriller." These videos are historic in their own right, each one a high budget production better than a lot of the movies made in 1982. There's also a nice liner jacket with all the original lyrics and cool album art.

There's also the Motown 25 performance of "Billie Jean." For those that don't remember this performance, it's the one where Michael first does the moonwalk on stage. It takes quite a performer to pull off a rhinestone shirt, rhinestone socks, sparkly jacket, high-waters and one white glove!

It's amazing to note that Michael Jackson actually wrote most of the biggest hits on this album, something today's R&B artists rarely do. Most of the biggest hits from the album are his original works, including "Wanna Be Startin' Something," "The Girl Is Mine," "Beat It," and "Billie Jean." "Baby Be Mine," "Thriller," and "The Lady In My Life" were written and composed by Rod Temperton. "PYT" was the work of the legendary James Ingram and Quincy Jones. And Steve Porcato wrote both "Human Nature" (with John Bettis) and the newly released "For All Time" (with Michael Sherwood), number 16 on this edition.

I really liked this previously unreleased track, and it definitely has a sound akin to Human Nature. I can only speculate that that similarity is what kept it off of the original release.

AWARDS

It's amazing to think this album won 8 Grammys, and I don't even believe it was close in any category.

+ Album of the Year
+ Record of the Year ("Beat It")
+ Best Male Pop Vocals ("Thriller")
+ Best Male Rock Vocals ("Beat It")
+ Best Male R&B Vocals ("Billie Jean")
+ Best R&B Song ("Billie Jean")
+ Producer of the Year (Qunicy Jones and Michael Jackson)
+ Best Engineered Recording, Non-Classical (Bruce Swedien)

If there had been awards for best music video back then, "Thriller," "Billie Jean," and "Beat It" would have all been nominated.

CHOOSING THE BEST EDITION

The basic 25th anniversary edition includes the original album tracks, new remixed tracks, videos and a a liner jacket with all the original lyrics and album art. Even more album art and an extended text is included with the fold-out book version of this release, the Thriller Deluxe Casebook Edition). That version is worth getting for die-hard fans who want the case-book as a collector's item. Luckily I was able to get one of each when they were on sale the week of their release. At regular prices though, the regular edition is probably the way to go for most people.

CONCLUSION

This is a pivotal album that is well done here at an affordable price when you factor in all the cool stuff that's included. While some collectors will want to own both this version and the Deluxe Casebook Edition, I think the regular 25th Anniversary Edition has enough extras to satisfy most fans. The new tracks, previously unreleased original tracks, videos and great album art make this a great purchase for new and old fans alike.

Enjoy!!! Read more ›

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Thriller - Michael Jackson's Masterpiece, Deluxe Casebook Edition, Better Than Ever! March 18, 2008

By Mark #1 HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

Michael Jackson 25th Anniversary of Thriller(Deluxe Casebook Edition)

The 25th Anniversary edition of Thriller is an awesome release and a must have for serious fans and new inductees. This deluxe casebook edition also includes a fold out collectable book with bonus pictures, background information, album art and the original liner jacket with all the lyrics. There's also more basic editions going for about $12 that don't include the casebook. Michael Jackson 25th Anniversary of Thriller No matter how you slice it, this 25th Anniversary edition belongs in your collection.

There are many reasons to buy this album, even if you already own it. First of all, this album came out at the height of vinyl and cassette tapes, so there are a lot of people who don't own the album on CD. Granted many people bought the previous re-releases on CD, but if you haven't now's your chance.

Younger music fans who love will.i.am Songs About Girls, Kanye West Graduation, Fergie The Dutchessand Akon Konvicted will be attracted by the remade versions, even if hard-core Michael Jackson fans don't like them as much.

Old school fans will be seduced by the awesome holographic CD dust jacket, sharper re-mastered original tracks and included bonus DVD videos.... It was a long time since I heard the original album in total, tracks 1-10 on this CD. When you listen to it again, it's impossible not to realize how amazing of a production this truly was and still is, even now 25 years later. Every single song is a hit, and Michael moves through genres including pop, rock and R&B with ease, nailing each one.

It's clear to anybody who follows R&B that so many artists over the past 10 years have made careers essentially emulating Michael's singing style and dance moves. You can include on that list:
- Justin Timberlake - FutureSex / LoveSounds
- Chris Brown - Chris Brown
- Usher - My Way
- Omarion - O

Record labels have an army of executives that realize the marketing potential of putting some top stars together to add remakes to this re-release. The remakes can't possibly match Michael's original accomplishment. Yet they are not as bad as many say. I actually like the Akon version of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin." And Kanye West's "Billie Jean" mix really highlights his abilities as a producer.

The included DVD includes the short film music video versions of "Billie Jean," "Beat It" and "Thriller." These videos are historic in their own right, each one a high budget production better than a lot of the movies made in 1982.

There's also the Motown 25 performance of "Billie Jean." For those that don't remember this performance, it's the one where Michael first does the moonwalk on stage. Let me tell you, it takes quite a performer to pull off a rhinestone shirt, rhinestone socks, sparkly jacket, high-waters and one white glove!

It's amazing to note that Michael Jackson actually wrote most of the biggest hits on this album, something today's R&B artists rarely do. Most of the biggest hits from the album are his original works, including "Wanna Be Startin' Something," "The Girl Is Mine," "Beat It," and "Billie Jean."

"Baby Be Mine," "Thriller," and "The Lady In My Life" were written and composed by Rod Temperton. "PYT" was the work of the legendary James Ingram and Quincy Jones. And Steve Porcato wrote both "Human Nature" (with John Bettis) and the newly released "For All Time" (with Michael Sherwood), number 16 on this edition. I really liked this previously unreleased track, and it definitely has a sound akin to Human Nature. I can only speculate that that similarity is what kept it off of the original release.

Still, there are many other B-side tracks and unreleased songs that could have also been included. I can only guess they are saving those up for a forthcoming box set to further extract cash from die hard fans.

It's amazing to think this album won 8 Grammys, and it probably wasn't close in any category.
+ Album of the Year
+ Record of the Year ("Beat It")
+ Best Male Pop Vocal Performance ("Thriller")
+ Best Male Rock Vocal Performance ("Beat It")
+ Best Male R&B Vocal Performance ("Billie Jean")
+ Best R&B Song ("Billie Jean")
+ Producer of the Year (Qunicy Jones and Michael Jackson)
+ Best Engineered Recording, Non-Classical (Bruce Swedien)

And there must not have been awards for best music video back then because "Thriller," "Billie Jean," and "Beat It" would have all been nominated.

This is a pivotal album that is well done here at an affordable price when you factor in all the cool stuff that's included.

Enjoy!!! Read more ›

185 of 215 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Citizen Kane of pop June 25, 2009

By Laszlo Matyas VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

I woke up from a nap and there were three text messages on my phone. Nobody ever texts me, so I knew it must have been big news. I thought there was a fire or something. Turned out, Michael Jackson is dead. I was startled, to say the least, because MJ never seemed like the kind of person that could, you know, die. To be honest, he never really registered in my consciousness as being a person; Michael Jackson was the androgynous sexual panic of "Billie Jean," the breathless seduction of "P.Y.T.," the thrilling kitsch of "Thriller," the chattering afro-popisms of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'." The idea that he had a human body, one that needed food and air and sleep, never really clicked in my mind. But then again, I guess that's to be expected. I mean, how can a mere human being really be thought to be capable of creating something as monstrous, as mechanical, as all-encompassing, and as awesome as Thriller? This kid wasn't the king of pop; he was the whole damn kingdom. And we, the audience, are not his loyal subjects; we're just reading the travel brochures.

The point is, Thriller is one of the greatest moments in the history of pure pop. Which is to say, it's plastic, mass-produced, jugular-grabbingly commercial, and completely unconcerned with originality, artistic merit, or honesty. And goshdarnit, I wouldn't have it any other way! With songs and performances as irresistible and ecstatic as the ones found here, artfulness will only get in the way. Because when you have a song as swooping, as ethereal, as hypnotic, and as unashamedly romantic as "Baby Be Mine," there's really no need to question its validity. Just let those labyrinthine keyboards and yearning vocals carry you away to a shiny place.... And when "Beat It" comes roaring out of the gates, it does so with such force and brutal eloquence that you completely forget how absurd it is for Michael Jackson to take on the role of a street-smart hoodlum. As a vision of ghetto reality, it's a nonsensical failure; but the important thing to remember is that, on a purely visceral level, it SOUNDS more convincing and more immediate than its more authentic counterparts.

And then there's "Billie Jean," whose lyrics are either shockingly amoral or completely uneventful, but which still manages to be one of the most magical, irresistible, and emotionally charged moments in the history of music. And if we found ourselves getting annoyed by the idea of having to root for a child-abandoning father, then we can just remind ourselves that it's only a pop album. An stunning pop album, to be precise. Read more ›