Back:

Man, these photos were on the 2001 SE!

Thanks for the pictures tho, Mike.

But I do love that the werewolf (or about to turn into one) Mike is in the back.

Intense back cover.

DANGEROUSx said:

I wish the back was more Billie Jean video related.

maybe him with his jacket over his back staring solemnly

or him twirling/landing on his toes like the MJJ logo

or stamping on a lit up sidewalk pointing his finger like he is raising hell

I have to say that it's a joy to listen to a song like "The Lady in My Life", alone, with lights down...while chatting with someone we care.

Cinnie said:

Well it was part of the "zombie" outlook of the album and it has most of the video shots from "Thriller" so it's understandable. You should see the back of the booklet of The Ultimate Collection where he had his hat and he has his head down, his back is turned and his glove hand is raised.

I'm glad it's not digipack...It truly hate those!

MikeMatronik- Even though I'm very jealous you got your copy of Thriller 25 early, I'm still curious how you did that. Did you order it online? Or was it in stores where you at early?

On a somewhat related note, My Ghosts VCD came today. I just got done watching it on the big screen in my house. It was weird, I was watching it with my Dad, and during the ending, he saw that Michael also played the fat Tom Sneddon looking mayor role, and goes, "Oh wow." It was funny, at one point, I got up and went to do something. His eyes wouldn't leave the movie. I think that is one of the main reasons people like Michael and his videos, you can't not help but watch. Michael knows how to bring high quality entertainment.

Anyways...enough blah blah, here is a photo.

3 months ago I moved to a small town. Usually there are some supermarket that have an apended store that sells electronic apliances, electronics, CDS, DVDS and such. I went a few hours ago to buy something to cook for dinner. I picked up the food and then went on tour of that store. the clerks were playing thriller album on the speaker.
I asked one of them if they were already selling that MJ cd. They said they just got them today (and the cds were not on display...they had only 3...) I asked if I could purchase, They were cool and let me buy it.

It's usual to see albums or dvds being sold before the street date (2 or 3 days before). That's why I had the Confessions Tour DVD 5 days before the release date.
[Edited 2/9/08 14:09pm]

The overall quality is stellar. One couldn't expect more from a MJ cd.

But "For all time" is a bit misplaced. I would prefer that 7 minute version of Carousel.

Still it's a nice MJ ballad, nothing spectacular

MikeMatronik said:

You're lucky, we still gotta go 30 miles to go to a damn store and they don't even have those DVDs, you have to look everywhere to see if anything musical that YOU like is in there and usually it'll be something else.

MikeMatronik said:

What's your review on the remakes?

Timmy84 said:

To tell the truth I like all of them. I find it strange that WBSS08 features minimal MJ vocals. It's more of a cover done by Akon. A really nice one.

About will.i.am's input. It really goes into the idea I have that he's a great producer. He's efective. And it was such a great idea to use the demos. That made us have the ilusion that MJ's vocals were fresh.


The Girl Is Mine 2008 4/5

Nice mix. Nice to chill out. The Club mix of the single is great.

P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) 2008 5/5

I think this is the one I like most. As we all know it uses the demo. It reminds me alot of the production work that Mark Ronson did on Robbie Williams' "Lovelight". The end of the mix is really cool. This should have been the lead single. I can see the Stellas shankin' it on the club.

Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008 2/5

This is for me the highest moment of Akon's career. The piano intro is great. But the new lyrics (and theme) are like an heresy. Like I said, minimal MJ input...Let's face it...it's a new tune with a MJ sample.

I have mixed feeling about it. I love it and truly hate it.

I wished they had put a revamped version of Rihanna's "Don't stop the music" instead...


Beat It 2008 3/5

The one that is more similar to the original. maybe a extra keyboard bit and a new bass/rhythmtic line.

I like it. It's passable. Maybe because I really like Fergie (I have that tendency to worship campy and over the top female performers!)

Maybe the weakest tune of the set. MJ fans will hate it...

Billie Jean 2008 4.5/5

I like this one alot. But Kanye removed the original bass live (an heresy! BURN HIM!). The beat reminds me of Kanye's "I wonder"...the last seconds of that song.

Overall, I am pleased.

I think I will play PYT and BJ the most.
[Edited 2/9/08 14:34pm]

Another notion:

MJ will do right by working with will.i.am and Kanye on the album. These 2 are the best producers in the field. The 08's versions they did are a great prelude of what we will see in the end of 2008 (I truly hope...)

Yeah least will's productions on TGIM '08 and PYT '08 were catchy production-wise (though I could do without his raps on the both of them and what sound like Fergie doing la-la-la with him on PYT) and Kanye could give him a new dimension.

But personally, I want the both of them to allow Michael's core R&B/soul voice to be let out again. If they can do that, then we're in for a treat.

Timmy84 said:

I agree with u on that.

Acording to the booklet, it's not fergie, but 2 girls called Martii Garcia and Simone Battle
[Edited 2/9/08 14:38pm]

MikeMatronik said:

I mightas well point out that Kanye was inspired by a J Dilla song to make that kind of pattern (see also "The Glory" along with "I Wonder"). Kanye acknowledged this influence and ?uestlove confirmed it specifically for the Graduation tracks.


"Stepson of The Clapper"
http://www.allmusic.com/c...x98aldhe~T

Cinnie said:

Thanks 4 the info C. I may check out JDilla in the near future.

The pattern is very thick. Shame it subdues the bass.



Listened to the J Dilla snippet. I like it
[Edited 2/9/08 14:49pm]

I hope the new album has a track like "Whatever Happens"

MikeMatronik said:

Hmm, that's interesting, thanx.

MikeMatronik said:

Same here, bro!

Only a couple of days till Thriller 25 is released!

I'm excited.

Same here!

I saw the Digipak version yesterday and it looked ok but I'd be buying for the packaging. For some bizarre reason I've already got 3 copies of the Special Edition from a few years ago and I have the vids on DVD so rather than rebuy it again, for the same price I bought Sign O The Times and 1999 on vinyl (very good second hand copies)

I'm going to Japan next week so might pick up the Japanese version when I'm there. Any other Japan only stuff that people know of worth looking for?

mynameisnotsusan said:

Where did you see it at? I'm so jealous of all you people seeing Thriller 25. We don't have any cool stores like that here, that would stock it early. All we have in my area are Wal-Marts, Best Buys, Targets, Circuit Citys and the used music scene here is...just that..used. So there won't be a Thriller 25 any of those places before the OFFICIAL release date.

And hey if I give you 20$ mynameisnotsusan, can you pick me up a copy of the Japanese Thriller 25? LOL

mynameisnotsusan said:

omg, I don't even know where to begin. Have fun shopping!

mynameisnotsusan said:

Just the bonus track "Got The Hots" and maybe some more pictures..

If you're gonna buy the Japanese version, could you buy me one too?

Vanilli said:

It was released in Europe on the 8th

DANGEROUSx said:

Which version are you going to get?