Vol. 5, No. 4, April 2008
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Thriller 25th Anniversary
Michael Jackson • Epic Records
We all know Michael Jackson has battled some demons. Regardless what you think of him, his early ’80s talent is unquestionable. Twenty-five years later, the seminal album, Thriller, still holds up. The rights to the music may belong to him, but the magic on those tracks belongs to us.
Remember the first time you heard “Billie Jean?” The first time you saw John Landis’ video of the title tune, with Jackson in ghoulish make-up doing his signature steps? Those memories are part of a generation’s coming-of-age.
Seven of the nine tracks on Thriller were Top 10 singles; the album undoubtedly set the stage for the post-disco pop movement. Quincy Jones’ legendary production skills, along with Jackson’s singing, dance moves and charisma make this album the most important pop record ever made, bar none.
Thriller was also a veritable launch pad for MTV. It changed the way music was presented, and Jackson’s flawless act brought the concert experience to the consumer at home.
The re-issue’s appendix is a back-end filled with reinterpretations from the biggest names in pop music today: Fergie, Will.I.am of Black Eyed Peas, Akon and Kanye West. Kanye disappoints with his “Billie Jean;” hokey tunes like the Jackson-McCartney collaboration “The Girl is Mine” deserve to be updated, but “Billie Jean?” That's a masterpiece, and West’s efforts would have been better utilized on a different track. Fergie’s “Beat It” is a worthy effort, but overall, the best material on this record is Jackson’s original masterpiece.
The second disc is a DVD with some cool special features, like the original “Thriller” video and a Motown 25th anniversary special worth watching. If you’re one of the few people who don’t already own a copy of Thriller, you should at least download the new version.
