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There's also the title track, which takes a cue from Parliament's concept pieces in employing Vincent Price to warn that nonfunky forces will "terrorize y'all's neighborhood." Thriller, of course, continues to battle with the Eagles' first greatest-hits package for the title of biggest-selling U.S. long-player ever. Bonus material on this edition includes "Someone in the Dark," from Jackson's E.T. children's album, and a Quincy Jones interview in which the producer cites "My Sharona" as the inspiration for "Beat It"--and, even better, the real-life Billie Jean's claim that Michael was "the father of one of her twins." --Rickey Wright

Remember the incredible remastering done on HIStory? Well imagine that applied to the entire Thriller album. The sound is unbelievable! Everyhting is so crisp, full and alive! The songs practically leap out of the speakers. You've never heard Thriller like this before!

The gold colored cd clocks in at 72:32 with a total of 21 tracks (9 remastered hits), 6 new photos in the booklet, interviews, a demo and two rare songs. Unfortunately these new tracks aren't numbered in the booklet or on the jewel case, so you'll have to memorize their order.

I've always liked 'Someone in the Dark' from the E.T. Storybook, but hardly ever listened to my recording as I was afraid of damaging it. So it's great to finally have a superb recording of it that I can listen to over and over again. It's a touching (some might say sappy) song about finding someone special then loosing them.

The Billie Jean demo is pretty short (only 2:20), has decent sound quality and is really insightful. The melody and rhythm is exactly like the finished recording, yet the lyrics aren't finalised. It's almost like the lyrics were an afterthought to the beat. Incrdible for it's peak in to MJ's creative process.

'Carousel' sounds like a completed song but only runs 1:40. It's very 70's sounding and is overflowing with refrences to sugar and children. Sample lyric, "She's from a world of popcorn and candy". Ultimately I'm glad the song was cut, but I would've like to hear the entire song.

The section where Qunicy and Rod talk about how the Vincent Price sectin came to be is really entertaining. Then we even get to hear the recording session! Hearing Vincent Price separated from the song highlights his talent and well honed technique. It's a joy to hear this and the extra verse is exceptionally creepy.

You're sure to listen to the extra songs multiple times and the interviews make for a good listen once or twice. That plus the amazing remastering of the original album makes this a must have replacement for all die hard MJ fans and a necessary addition for anyone still not in posession of it. It's a thriller!


The biggest selling album in HIStory just got better   October 17, 2001
 12 out of 12 found this review helpful

The re-issued package includes a gold-pressed CD, a new booklet, and alot of bonus material:
1. interviews with co-producer quincy jones.
2. ***DEMO OF BILLIE JEAN***! AMAZING STUFF! you gotta hear it to belive it, there weren't any lyrics yet to the song, so MJ just hums and makes up words along the way! a classic!
3. a demo of Michael with Vincent Price, for the rap part of "Thriller". you can hear an entire new verse from the rap, never before released.
4. brand new song from the thriller era that was originally recorded for the album but was taken out (vinyl's time limitations, i guess). the song's called "Carousel". it very beautiful, although i'm a bit disappointed it wasn't the entire song (only 1:50 minutes).

In short? a must have. needless to say, all the wonderful tracks have been remastered by engineer Bruce Sweiden, under the direction of Michael himself.
Enjoy the King of Pop!
Oded S.


A KILLER album--for no mere mortal can resist the album called the Thriller!   October 22, 2006
 12 out of 15 found this review helpful

Michael Jackson does a great job on this CD with his classic pop artistry. His voice is vibrant, intense and energetic. Michael Jackson deserves high praise for his music and this CD proves it.

Michael starts off the CD strong with "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'." The song has a catchy beat which draws in the listener so they want to hear more. Other great songs in both the pop style and even the rock and roll style include "Billie Jean" and "Beat It." Moreover, Michael Jackson does a great duet with Paul McCartney on "The Girl Is Mine" and Michael works with Vincent Price for "Thriller." Awesome!

There are also beautiful love ballads: Michael sings "Human Nature" and "The Lady In My Life." His sisters Janet Jackson and LaToya Jackson are just two of the background vocalists who help Michael on "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)."

The quality of the sound is excellent and the album flows well.

This is a special edition of Thriller; and so there's much more material for us to enjoy. Quincy Jones gives extensive insight about the making of this album. Jones even talks about the relationships between producers and artists. The songwriter Rod Temperton tells how he wrote the rap lyrics for Vincent Price to perform in the song "Thriller."

There is a demo recording of "Billie Jean" by Michael which was recorded in his home in 1981, a year before this album was originally released. As one reviewer notes, the demo recording is a bit short but it gives great insight into how the song evolved from its initial conception to its final form. "Someone In The Dark" is based upon the movie "E.T.," and we find out why "Carousel" was omitted from the album despite the fact that it is a great song. "Carousel" is on this CD which is another great bonus.

The liner notes offer all the lyrics and song credits with a few great pictures of Jackson from 1981 and 1982.

Overall this remains one of Jackson's best albums to date. The album demonstrates Michael's strong ability to perform and create music both in the pop and rock arenas. If you like this CD I highly recommend other Michael Jackson CDs including Bad and Off The Wall. Great job on this CD, Michael!



The album to thrill the generations.   June 1, 2002
 10 out of 11 found this review helpful

Thriller is absolutely a trmendously creative album in MJs catalog. No wonder it became the biggest selling album of all time selling 47 million copies worldwide!

Noone will ever forget the incredible title track with the Vincent Price narration and the timeless video. The same goes for the tile glowing video 'Billie Jean' or the angsty 'Beat It'. MJ really expresses a "don't mess with me" attitude with class. Beat It will last forever.

Most of the rest of Thriller to me is similar to Quincy Jones' 'The Dude' LP.

In fact I often enjoy the lesser known songs on Thriller a bit more. Human Nature is absolutely a lovely song and is almost opposite to Thriller. I consider this one of my favorite love songs of my lifetime. Lady In My Life is my other favorite song on Thriller. Sorry dudes but while the whole album is great, The Lady In My Life and Human Nature share the crown as my top favorite songs.

The remastered edition includes new liner notes, interviews about the albums making, and a few bonus songs. Someone In The Dark is a very beautiful song although the E.T. singing was a bit jarring. There is a demo version of the huge hit 'Billie Jean' that was recorded before the regular version was eventually made. The last bonus track Carasoul is a bit dissapointing. It's only one and a half minutes long. The song should have been at least three and a half minutes long. Oh Well.

At least there are great new liner notes, and great photo stills taken from the video and behind the scenes.

Although the remastered edition could have been better this CD is absolutely incredible.

It's a shame that so many people my age completely missed this album during it's heyday although it's still immensely popular. I was only about 4 weeks old when it came out but it is one of the earliest memories I have of listening to music.

Thriller I bet will more than likely be still available in 2082, 100 years after it's release. It's that good. This CD is timeless.