Cox News Service
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 02.18.2008
DAYTON, Ohio — Don't call it a comeback — he's been here for years.
Michael Jackson released "Thriller 25" on Tuesday, a little more than 25 years after the groundbreaking release of "Thriller," the wildly successful album that helped solidify him as the King of Pop.
"Thriller 25" contains the entire original album. It also features fresh collaborations with artists such as Fergie and will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas and Kanye West.
While the new version of "Billie Jean" (featuring West) is an interesting take on the song, and will.i.am brings new life to "The Girl Is Mine," it reminds us of how great the original album really was. Even if it's in vogue to dismiss the album and artist now, it doesn't change how we secretly have always felt about "Thriller."
Still relevant
Here's why the album — the best-selling album ever — and the King of Pop are still relevant today.
Five reasons "Thriller" is still one of the best albums ever
• It's "Uncool," which means it's now "cool." Don't ask us why, it's just the way the universe works.
• You can't dance to "The Joshua Tree" by U2 although you can still drunkenly croon to "With or Without You" on dollar draft night.
• More than 100 million served. That's how many people around the world have listened to "Billie Jean" and tried to light up the living-room carpet.
• Quincy Jones produced it. Everything the guy touches turns to gold. It's a burden, unless you're a record producer.
• Seven Top 10 songs. There have been greatest-hits compilations without that much substance.
Five reasons "Thriller" will still be around another 25 years.
• It's Michael Jackson. In 25 years he'll have had enough plastic surgery that he'll be around forever.
• "Thriller 50." The debut of "Thriller 50" in the year 2033 will feature supporting artists such as Jaden Smith (son of Will Smith), Sean Spears (son of Britney Spears) and Keith Richards (guitarist of The Rolling Stones).
• Classic pop. The phrase "classic pop" will remind people of the good ol' days, when music was "good" and "really meant something, man."
• 20th-century music class. Required course study for music history majors who will be forced to analyze and compare early and late Michael Jackson works.
• The Moonwalk. We will all still try to dance in our living rooms like Michael Jackson in "Billie Jean." We will never be able to do it .
Five reasons why we loved "Thriller" in 1983 and still love it in 2008
• The Moonwalk.
• The Red Leather Jacket.
• Sleepy graveyards and monster attacks.
• It won eight Grammys, so it must be good.
• "Thriller" was the greatest video ever. Still is if you ask us.
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/aznightbuzz/225353.php
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 02.18.2008
DAYTON, Ohio — Don't call it a comeback — he's been here for years.
Michael Jackson released "Thriller 25" on Tuesday, a little more than 25 years after the groundbreaking release of "Thriller," the wildly successful album that helped solidify him as the King of Pop.
"Thriller 25" contains the entire original album. It also features fresh collaborations with artists such as Fergie and will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas and Kanye West.
While the new version of "Billie Jean" (featuring West) is an interesting take on the song, and will.i.am brings new life to "The Girl Is Mine," it reminds us of how great the original album really was. Even if it's in vogue to dismiss the album and artist now, it doesn't change how we secretly have always felt about "Thriller."
Still relevant
Here's why the album — the best-selling album ever — and the King of Pop are still relevant today.
Five reasons "Thriller" is still one of the best albums ever
• It's "Uncool," which means it's now "cool." Don't ask us why, it's just the way the universe works.
• You can't dance to "The Joshua Tree" by U2 although you can still drunkenly croon to "With or Without You" on dollar draft night.
• More than 100 million served. That's how many people around the world have listened to "Billie Jean" and tried to light up the living-room carpet.
• Quincy Jones produced it. Everything the guy touches turns to gold. It's a burden, unless you're a record producer.
• Seven Top 10 songs. There have been greatest-hits compilations without that much substance.
Five reasons "Thriller" will still be around another 25 years.
• It's Michael Jackson. In 25 years he'll have had enough plastic surgery that he'll be around forever.
• "Thriller 50." The debut of "Thriller 50" in the year 2033 will feature supporting artists such as Jaden Smith (son of Will Smith), Sean Spears (son of Britney Spears) and Keith Richards (guitarist of The Rolling Stones).
• Classic pop. The phrase "classic pop" will remind people of the good ol' days, when music was "good" and "really meant something, man."
• 20th-century music class. Required course study for music history majors who will be forced to analyze and compare early and late Michael Jackson works.
• The Moonwalk. We will all still try to dance in our living rooms like Michael Jackson in "Billie Jean." We will never be able to do it .
Five reasons why we loved "Thriller" in 1983 and still love it in 2008
• The Moonwalk.
• The Red Leather Jacket.
• Sleepy graveyards and monster attacks.
• It won eight Grammys, so it must be good.
• "Thriller" was the greatest video ever. Still is if you ask us.
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/aznightbuzz/225353.php