Thriller 25

Infobox Album
Name = Thriller 25
Type = studio
Longtype = reissue
Artist = Michael Jackson


Released = February 8, 2008cite web |url=http://www.amazon.de/Thriller-Anniversary-Deluxe-Digipack-CD%2BDVD/dp/B001041JLE/ |title=Thriller 25th Anniversary Edition (Deluxe Digipack) |publisher=Sony BMG |accessdate=2008-04-06]
(See release history)
Recorded = 1982, 2007
Genre = Pop, R&B, soul, funk
Length = 67:24
Label = Epic, Legacy Recordings
Producer = Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, Bruce Swedien, will.i.am, Kanye West, Akon, Giorgio Tuinfort, Anthony Kilhoffer
Reviews =
*About.com Rating|5|5 [http://top40.about.com/od/albums/fr/mjacksonthril25.htm link]
*Allmusic Rating|4.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:w9fwxzejldke link]
*"Blender" Rating|4|5 [http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=4996 link]
*IGN (6.5/10) [http://music.ign.com/articles/850/850483p1.html link]
*Pitchfork Media (7.2/10) [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/48645-thriller-25th-anniversary-edition link]
*PopMatters Rating|9|10 [http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/53802/michael-jackson-thriller-25/ link]
*"Rolling Stone" Rating|5|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/18290476/review/18305830/thriller_25_deluxe_edition link]
*"The Times" Rating|3|5 [http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article3327950.ece link]
Last album = ""
(2006)
This album = "Thriller 25"
(2008)
Next album = "King of Pop"
(2008)
Misc =
Misc = Singles
Name = Thriller 25
Type = studio
Single 1 = The Girl Is Mine 2008
Single 1 date = January 14, 2008
Single 2 = Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008
Single 2 date = January 23, 2008

"Thriller 25" is a 25th Anniversary special edition reissue of the Michael Jackson album "Thriller", the world's best selling album. The prospect of a "second chapter" to "Thriller" was first publicly discussed on "Access Hollywood" in late 2006. Jackson said he would discuss the idea with collaborator will.i.am. It was released in Australia on February 8, 2008, then internationally on February 11, 2008 and the following day in the United States.cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS58333+30-Nov-2007+PRN20071130|title=Epic Records/Legacy Recordings Unveil The 25th Anniversary Edition of Michael Jackson's...|accessdate=2007-12-07 |format= |work=reuters.com|date=2007]

"Thriller 25" was released by Sony BMG's re-issue division, Legacy Recordings. In the United Kingdom, the BBFC gave it a "15" certificate because it included "Thriller". It is the first Jackson album with an age certificate. Along with the original material, the reissue contained remixes, new material, a DVD and collaborations with several contemporary artists.

Two singles, "The Girl Is Mine 2008" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008" were released from the album to moderate success and a number of the other remixes charted, despite no physical release. The reissue was a commercial success, selling 3 million copies worldwide in 12 weeks and was generally well received among critics, despite their view that the new material was not as inspiring as the original.

Context

Jackson released his sixth studio album, "Thriller", on November 30, 1982. Selling, by different estimates, 47 million to over 100 million copies worldwide, "Thriller" became the best-selling album of all time; the album was the first in history to spawn seven top-ten singles. The success of "Thriller" put Jackson into the dominating position of pop music, becoming an international pop-cultural icon. [Cite news |last=Adams |first=Anne-Taylor |title='XM THRILLER: The Music of Michael Jackson' to Launch March 1 on XM |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS163423+11-Feb-2008+PRN20080211 |work=PRNewswire |publisher=Reuters |date=2008-02-11 |accessdate=2008-04-14]

Jackson was asked about a "second chapter" to "Thriller" on "Access Hollywood" in late 2006. He said he would discuss it with collaborator will.i.am but hadn't yet considered it:

Jackson served as executive producer; the album's release was announced in an Epic Records press release on November 30, 2007.cite web|url=http://www.mjfanclub.net/home/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=626&Itemid=59|title=Thriller 25 Press Release|accessdate=2007-12-07 |work=mjfanclub.net|date=2007] cite web|url=http://www.michaeljackson.com/|title=MichaelJackson.com|accessdate=2007-12-07 |work=michaeljackson.com|date=2007] cite web|url=http://www.sonybmgstore.com/Michael-Jackson-25th-Anniversary-of-Thriller/A/B001041JLE.htm?utm_source=legacy&utm_medium=site&utm_campaign=Mj25|title=Michael Jackson 25th Anniversary of Thriller|accessdate=2007-12-07 |work=sonybmgstore.com|date=2007]

Content

"Thriller 25" was released on CD and vinyl. Along with the original material there were seven bonus tracks. A new ballad called "For All Time", Vincent Price's voice-over and five remixes featuring contemporary artists like Fergie and Akon.cite web|url=http://www.michaeljackson.com/|title=Michael Jackson.com|accessdate=2007-07-19 |date=2007] cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1575462/20071130/west_kanye.jhtml|title=Kanye West, Will.I.Am On New Edition Of Michael Jackson's Thriller|accessdate=2007-12-07 |work=mtv.com|date=2007] cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003679603|title=Kanye, Akon Help Jackson Revisit 'Thriller'|accessdate=2007-12-07 |work=billboard.com|date=2007] It also includes a DVD featuring three award-winning music videos, the Emmy-nominated "" "Billie Jean" performance, and a booklet with a message from Jackson. "For All Time" supposedly dates from 1982, but leaks often credit it as being from "Dangerous" sessions.cite web |first=Pete |last=Paphides |url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article3327950.ece |title=Michael Jackson: Thriller 25 |publisher=The Times |date=2008-02-08 |accessdate=2008-04-06] Despite this, a new bridge was used in the "Thriller 25" release.

On the iTunes Store, Zune Marketplace, and Amazon MP3, a "Super Deluxe Edition" can be purchased which features the bonus material from "Thriller Special Edition", "Billie Jean (Underground Mix)", an instrumental "Thriller" mix, an extended "Billie Jean" and a digital booklet. Copies bought in Target, Best Buy and Circuit City feature the bonus tracks "Billie Jean (1982 Club Mix)", "Thriller (1982 Def Remix)" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' (1982 Dance Mix)" respectively. Sony also released a "fan pack" containing "Thriller 25" and the "Number Ones" DVD.

Track listing

#"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"
#"Baby Be Mine"
#"The Girl Is Mine" (with Paul McCartney)
#"Thriller"
#"Beat It"
#"Billie Jean"
#"Human Nature"
#"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"
#"The Lady In My Life"

"Thriller 25" bonus tracks

Credits

Release history

* flagicon|Germany February 8, 2008
* February 11, 2008
* February 12, 2008
* February 20, 2008

References