Michael Jackson - Thriller 25th Anniversary Edition 02/12/08

[wishbone]

Originally Posted by JasonF

This is a great album and I'd love to own it, but not as long as a single penny from the sale is going into Michael Jackson's pockets. I'll buy it when he's dead.

At that point would the money from the sale pass to Bubbles?

[Trelach24]

I thought it was passed on the all time sales charts.

[uncle-frank]

Originally Posted by Hollowgen

seriously, who the hell wants to listen to "that girl is mine" with that dipshit from the black eyed peas?

give us something relevant from the vaults, or like MJG87 says the making of thriller documentary.

word

[dhmac]

So who's that guy on the cover of the album?

[Michael Corvin]

Originally Posted by Trelach24

I thought it was passed on the all time sales charts.

I think it's always neck and neck with the Eagles Greatest Hits, but I could be wrong.

Either way it is still technically the #1 album of original songs.

[DRG]

Yeah, this release sounds stupid. Leave off the 2008 mixes crap, add the PYT demo from that mega box set they did awhile back (I didn't care for it personally, but it fits in here), and maybe some of the 12" mixes.

[DJLinus]

I may actually get this. I never upgraded from my cassette (well, technically, my brother's tape), but have the singles on the HIStory CD set. I don't really care about the remixes - no one's forcing anyone to listen to them - and they most certainly will be crap, but I would like to have the "Thriller" video on DVD. IMO, that's one of the best non-Romero zombie things ever produced, not to mention one of the best music videos ever.

I guess I could get one of the MJ video compilations that include it, but I honestly don't care about any of his other videos. At least I get a great album if I buy this.

As for the audio bonus content, the previous remaster seems to have to the edge. I'll have to find that stuff elsewhere. I can make my own Super Mega Special Edition of Thriller.

I see that Best Buy and Circuit City each have bonus content. Anyone have any idea what they are?

[Rogue588]

Originally Posted by DJLinus

I don't really care about the remixes - no one's forcing anyone to listen to them - and they most certainly will be crap, but I would like to have the "Thriller" video on DVD.

Actually they are forcing you to listen to them - unless you stop the disc right after the Lady In My Life or program the tracks. Crappy remakes aside (and they are crappy), adding tracks to the end of an album is a pet peeve of mine.

Then again, I guess i'm the only one that still listens to CDs..

[Gerry P.]

Originally Posted by jpdude

GMV for "Making of Thriller" documentary....what marketing "genius" didn't think of that? I'll still buy, but they sure missed the boat as to what to include for such a landmark release.

The Deluxe edition would have been a must buy if they included the doc. Stupid.

[grundle]

Originally Posted by bigjim25

the 25th anniversary of his iconic "Thriller" album with a new edition of the set, due Feb. 12

Actually, the album was released in 1982, not 1983.

[mikelowry]

Truly a great pop album but I think they fell short with this release. What's with all the remixes crap?

[wm lopez]

And isn't THE EAGLES GREATEST HITS the number 1 album of all time?

[GreenVulture]

Rolling Stone reviews the album...surprise, surprise, all but one of the new versions are worthless:

Originally Posted by Rolling Stone

Thriller has been the world's favorite pop album ever since, and this deluxe expanded edition shows why, even with six lame new remixes from artists like Fergie, Akon and Kanye West, as well as the mediocre ballad "For All Time," a rerecorded outtake from the original sessions, tacked on. The twenty-fifth-anniversary edition is like the I'm Not There soundtrack: All the new artists sound cowed by the originals, and they know nobody will ever play their versions twice. Even Kanye can tell he's in over his head, so he sends "Billie Jean" out there without the bass line, which is like putting Bobby Orr on the ice without a hockey stick. And in an early fast-track contender for the year's most pointless musical moment, there's Fergie's "Beat It 2008." How funky and strong is her fight?

Akon's "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" is actually kind of great — he slows it down into a piano ballad, lingering over the easily obscured lyrics. Paul McCartney doesn't show for "The Girl Is Mine 2008," but that would be a sore subject anyway. (What can it mean that the music on "The Girl Is Mine" was played by the guys from Toto, who had that song about Rosanna Arquette — who has recently been linked to McCartney?) Instead we get Will.i.am, whose idea of production is dumb-thug bluster and trying to hide the goofy "doggone" hook, which is the whole point of the song, dude. "The Girl Is Mine" without "doggone" is like "Same Girl" without the Waffle House. Note: Though MJ's original vocals are on here, Jackson himself doesn't participate much in the new versions, showing previously well-hidden instincts of self-preservation.

Oh Kayne, I expected more from you.

[scott1598]

Originally Posted by Suprmallet

The special edition is the one to get. I love the Vincent Price recording.

and this is not on the new one coming out? i just saw this in Target for $9.99.
so the only difference between the 2001 edition and this is the new re-mixes? the new one does have the videos though which i would love to see again and have.

[Rogue588]

When did Circuit City, Best Buy and Target become "Independent Record Stores"?

[bigjim25]

Originally Posted by DJLinus

I see that Best Buy and Circuit City each have bonus content. Anyone have any idea what they are?

First week sales {Standard / Deluxe Edition} (along with exclusives):
Best Buy {$11.99 / $17.99} (Thriller Def Remix Bonus Track)
Circuit City {$11.99 / $19.99} (Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ Dance Mix Bonus Track)
Target {$9.98 / ???} (Bonus Download)

Originally Posted by DJLinus

I don't really care about the remixes

If you don't care about the remixes and don't have the Number Ones DVD you may prefer this instead:
WalMart has no bonus tracks but has bonus DVD ($16.99) (Thriller 25 CD/DVD + Number Ones DVD)


Tracks 1-10 and 16 were produced by Quincy Jones, tracks 11-14 were by will.i.am and track 15 was by Kanye West. Tracks 1-9 are from Thriller, track 10 is an excerpt from Thriller Special Edition and tracks 11-17 are new.
"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" - 6:03
"Baby Be Mine" - 4:20
"The Girl Is Mine" (with Paul McCartney) - 3:42
"Thriller" - 5:58
"Beat It" - 4:18
"Billie Jean" - 4:54
"Human Nature" - 4:06
"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" - 3:59
"The Lady in My Life" - 4:59
"Voice-Over Session from "Thriller" - 0:24
"The Girl Is Mine 2008" with will.i.am - 3:11
"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) 2008" with will.i.am - 4:17
"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008" with Akon - 4:11
"Beat It 2008" with Fergie - 4:10
"Billie Jean 2008" Kanye West Remix" - 4:34
"For All Time" - 4:08

The original post had "Carousel", "Someone in the Dark", "Billie Jean" (demo) as being on the new version too. Those have been removed "Beat It 2008" with Fergie has been added. I always BEAT IT with Fergie.

---

Originally Posted by grundle

Actually, the album was released in 1982, not 1983.

Actually was released on November 30, 1982 so why not call it the 25 YEARS 2 1/2 MONTHS EDITION.
Wait that would sound stupid now wouldn't it?

---

Originally Posted by wm lopez

And isn't THE EAGLES GREATEST HITS the number 1 album of all time?

It is the best selling record in the history of the United States and the third best worldwide behind Michael Jackson's Thriller and AC/DC's Back In Black. This album was the first ever to be certified platinum for shipping one million copies, and was later certified diamond. It has since shipped 29 million copies, of which 27 million have been sold. World-wide shipments of Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975) stand at 41 million.

I actually sold my Eagles Greatest Hits CDs to get the more superior The Very Best of the Eagles instead. Thriller is at over 104 million sales WORLDWIDE and it is the best-selling album ever.

[DJLinus]

bigjim25 - Thanks a bunch for all of the info. I think I will opt for Wal-Mart. I know their prices vary from store to store, but hopefully mine will offer it for the price you listed (if not cheaper).

Originally Posted by Rogue588

Actually they are forcing you to listen to them - unless you stop the disc right after the Lady In My Life or program the tracks. Crappy remakes aside (and they are crappy), adding tracks to the end of an album is a pet peeve of mine.

Then again, I guess i'm the only one that still listens to CDs..

I totally see your point, but at least they didn't put the new remixes in the middle of the original album.

Stuff like this doesn't really bother me anymore, since I got an iPod a few years ago. That little device really changed the way I listen to music and it's so easy to get rid of filler.

The only time I ever listen to CDs anymore is when I'm in the shower or I'm driving my mom's car for some reason (no cassette player, so I can't use my adapter). Yet I still buy them.

Originally Posted by GreenVulture

Rolling Stone reviews the album...surprise, surprise, all but one of the new versions are worthless:

The issue of EW arrived this weekend and they gave all of the new remixes low marks except for the Akon one, as well. The review hasn't been posted online yet, but they do have a new Q&A with Rashida Jones' dad here.

So, how does Billboard count sales of this, as well as all of the other special editions out there? Do the sales go into the original Thriller album's final tally or are they a separate deal?

[The Infidel]

Originally Posted by DJLinus

Stuff like this doesn't really bother me anymore, since I got an iPod a few years ago. That little device really changed the way I listen to music and it's so easy to get rid of filler.

I agree with you on filtering out the crap, but I still refuse putting money into the pockets of those talentless idiots.

[DRG]

Having heard the new remixes, my objective opinion.

"The Girl Is Mine 2008" with will.i.am - Pretty bad. I figured at least they would play up the 'duel' aspect, just subbing in will.i.am for McCartney. But with the McCartney side cut this just sounds one-sided and the song doesn't even really make sense. Plus the new music is just dull, even if you're into hip hop.

"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) 2008" with will.i.am - Horrible, just horrible. For starters, they use that alternate version of P.Y.T. that I hate. Then they somehow make it worse. I don't get it, the original album version is one of the funkier tracks MJ has done as a solo act, yet they go with the bland r&b lite version for this remix. Stupid.

"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008" with Akon - Well, at least they pretty much stayed true to the original. It doesn't add anything new really, but it doesn't totally crap on it either. Kind of pointless, but inoffensive.

"Beat It 2008" with Fergie - This doesn't feel like a remix so much as it sounds like Fergie did a bland cover of Beat It and they decided to mash it up with the original.

"Billie Jean 2008" Kanye West Remix" - It at least still *feels* like the original song, which is a plus, and the updates aren't offensive I guess. I'd still rather listen to the original, but this is worlds better than the will.i.am tracks.

[scott1598]

Originally Posted by bigjim25

If you don't care about the remixes and don't have the Number Ones DVD you may prefer this instead:
WalMart has no bonus tracks but has bonus DVD ($16.99) (Thriller 25 CD/DVD + Number Ones DVD)


Tracks 1-10 and 16 were produced by Quincy Jones, tracks 11-14 were by will.i.am and track 15 was by Kanye West. Tracks 1-9 are from Thriller, track 10 is an excerpt from Thriller Special Edition and tracks 11-17 are new.
"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" - 6:03
"Baby Be Mine" - 4:20
"The Girl Is Mine" (with Paul McCartney) - 3:42
"Thriller" - 5:58
"Beat It" - 4:18
"Billie Jean" - 4:54
"Human Nature" - 4:06
"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" - 3:59
"The Lady in My Life" - 4:59
"Voice-Over Session from "Thriller" - 0:24
"The Girl Is Mine 2008" with will.i.am - 3:11
"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) 2008" with will.i.am - 4:17
"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008" with Akon - 4:11
"Beat It 2008" with Fergie - 4:10
"Billie Jean 2008" Kanye West Remix" - 4:34
"For All Time" - 4:08

The original post had "Carousel", "Someone in the Dark", "Billie Jean" (demo) as being on the new version too. Those have been removed "Beat It 2008" with Fergie has been added. I always BEAT IT with Fergie.

i'm still a bit confused by this post. the Walmart version doesn't have the remixes on it that BB, CC, or Target do? and isn't the voice-over session from the previously released Thriller SE in 2001 or something. the new Walmart cd/dvd coming out tomorrow has this?
what videos are on the Number Ones DVD? and doesn't the DE version ($17.99) also have a DVD, what's on that?
thanks for clarification.

[PJsig08]

Yeah this Thriller 25 is not the best release.

Where do you get these figures for CD sales? I had no idea that Eagles CD was the best selling of all time.

[bigjim25]

Originally Posted by scott1598

i'm still a bit confused by this post. the Walmart version doesn't have the remixes on it that BB, CC, or Target do? and isn't the voice-over session from the previously released Thriller SE in 2001 or something. the new Walmart cd/dvd coming out tomorrow has this?
what videos are on the Number Ones DVD? and doesn't the DE version ($17.99) also have a DVD, what's on that?
thanks for clarification.

The original press release didn't have the CD containing "Carousel", "Someone in the Dark", and "Billie Jean" (demo).
Those have since been removed and "Beat It 2008" with Fergie has been added.
Just to clarify: It has all the remixes minus the exclusive BONUS TRACKS.
The Number Ones DVD contains 91 minutes of VIDEOS if it's the same one that's been out awhile:
1. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
2. Rock With You
3. Billie Jean
4. Beat It
5. Thriller
6. Bad (short version)
7. The Way You Make Me Feel (excludes beginning few minutes)
8. Man In The Mirror
9. Smooth Criminal (fast/blurry version)
10. Dirty Diana
11. Black or White (includes Macaulay Culkin segment but excludes panther segment)
12. You Are Not Alone
13. Earth Song
14. Blood On The Dance Floor (re-edited version)
15. You Rock My World (excludes beginning few minutes)

Bonus DVD contains these (1st 3 on Number Ones DVD):
1. Billie Jean
2. Beat It
3. Thriller
4. Billie Jean [Live Version - From Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, and Forever special]

[scott1598]

Originally Posted by bigjim25

The original press release didn't have the CD containing "Carousel", "Someone in the Dark", and "Billie Jean" (demo).
Those have since been removed and "Beat It 2008" with Fergie has been added.
Just to clarify: It has all the remixes minus the exclusive BONUS TRACKS.
The Number Ones DVD contains 91 minutes of VIDEOS if it's the same one that's been out awhile:
1. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
2. Rock With You
3. Billie Jean
4. Beat It
5. Thriller
6. Bad (short version)
7. The Way You Make Me Feel (excludes beginning few minutes)
8. Man In The Mirror
9. Smooth Criminal (fast/blurry version)
10. Dirty Diana
11. Black or White (includes Macaulay Culkin segment but excludes panther segment)
12. You Are Not Alone
13. Earth Song
14. Blood On The Dance Floor (re-edited version)
15. You Rock My World (excludes beginning few minutes)

Bonus DVD contains these (1st 3 on Number Ones DVD):
1. Billie Jean
2. Beat It
3. Thriller
4. Billie Jean [Live Version - From Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, and Forever special]

ok, so if i go with Walmart, all i am missing is: "Carousel", "Someone in the Dark", "Billie Jean" (demo)? are those even worth it? thanks again big!

[JeremyM]

Originally Posted by scott1598

ok, so if i go with Walmart, all i am missing is: "Carousel", "Someone in the Dark", "Billie Jean" (demo)? are those even worth it? thanks again big!

Actually, those are on the 2001 "Special Edition" not this one. Target, Best Buy, and Circuit City all have one exclusive "club" remix each, Best Buy's is the "Thriller 82 Def Mix" whatever that means. I don't remember In the Dark but Carousel is pretty hokey. The Billie Jean demo was interesting if you like that sort of stuff; I do.

The remixes all suck except I do like Akon's, I guess Kanye's is OK but the original is far better of course. I did get a kick out the attempt to gloss over "dog gone" girl in the Girl is Mine, but I despise that song, remixed or not. Just awful.

The 30th Anniversary edition will get it right.....

[MJG87]

Screw all this remix crap, they should have just released the original album as is. If they're gonna do it right, i.e. Making of Thriller Doc. etc. then sure throw on some extras. Otherwise, just put out LP, Cassette and CD versions of the original album.