Saturday, March 14, 2009


Michael Jackson - Thriller 25 Tracks





Michael Jackson's remixes featuring Akon, Will.I.Am, and Kanye West have hit the 'net in low quality format, and I'm not quite sure how I feel about them just yet. The best by a mile is Will.I.Am's take on "The Girl Is Mine", and maybe it's because I was never too fond of that song to begin with, but I think the remix is AMAZING. The summer-clubby beat is so much more interesting to listen to than the adult contemporary/smooth jazz nonsense behind the original! haha:) - soo honestly, Upgrade on "The Girl is Mine" in my book.

My next favorite would probably be "Beat It" just because Will.I.Am stayed fairly true to the original which I appreciate. I'm not sure why it's a duet with Fergie Ferg now but, it's definitely not terrible (*cough*Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'*cough*). I like how the rhythm slows down and picks up, and I love the crazy new bassline that pops up circa 2:08. Good stuff.

Okay, then there's Kanye's take on "Billie Jean", which I'm OKAY with but I feel just doesn't really work as well as the other two. The song is great, and the beat is great, but together it sounds more like a mashup than a song---or a remix even. It's like Kanye brought Michael out to sing "Billie Jean" over "Jesus Walks" or something. It's a little too dark for my liking, and while i like that its EPIC, Michael-wise, it kind of just reminds me of "Who Is It?"

And then we get to the not so great stuff. Someone had the brilliant idea of just comPLETELY changing P.Y.T., my FAVORITE Thriller track, and I honestly don't even know what this is. It's just like a new - much more boring - version of the song. And Michael's verse kind of sounds out-of-key even..?? I don't know I kind of like the "You're the P. (P) Y. (Y) T. (T)" chant-y pre-chorus thing he and Will.I.Am do. But overall, no.

But FAR FAR FAR worse is Akon's "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'." Oh my EFFING God, this is a TRAVESTY. It's not even a remix, it's a COVER by Akon essentially. And a bad one at that. Good God. How are you going to compare Akon's "voice" to Michael's?!?!? It's like embarrassing this even got recorded and how it will be released on an actual CD is beyond me. Listen at your own risk. This will haunt my dreams.

Elizabeth Stolfi said...

Hey...where did you get the tracks from? Awesome post!

December 21, 2007 9:44 AM
DPalm66 said...

Mr. Jackson's legal team would like a word with you...

December 21, 2007 3:25 PM
Romic said...

Billie Jean does come across as a mash up, I like it but I'd say it's the weakest (why no verse from yeezy?). My favorites are easily The Girl is Mine & PYT. I was really surprised by PYT, but a second listen proved it a great reinvention/remix.. almost a sequel of sorts. Akon's was also off setting at first but it grew on me. I like Beat it, but Fergie is unnecessary, In respect to the vocal contrast it's kinda like putting steak next to a piece of shit. Anyway, overall I think they're great, kudo's to the artists.

December 22, 2007 1:36 AM
Ross said...

hey can you post the tracks as mp3s to download because im dying to have these and i've tried many ways to convert songs from imeem to mp3 but they're not working..
thanks!!

January 2, 2008 8:02 PM
BDK said...
This post has been removed by the author.
January 6, 2008 5:49 PM
BDK said...

I actually love P.Y.T... as a different song. I really think it will be another #1 single. This sound is EXACTLY what Michael needs to focus on. I had always wished they would have released remixes of the old version because it wasn't long enough in my opinion.

I agree with "Wanna Be Startin' Something". It is so ridiculously bad, that I hope the version I heard was fake to throw people off. How do you issue an anniversary release of the biggest album of all time with this piece of trash on it, with someone else singing the song?

Billie Jean, meh. Fergie? Why?? Did he just pick her name out of a hat? There's no magic or excitement in this version, and I think it's boring unlike the original. Fergie brings nothing to this song. They should have just left the original vocals in.

Billie Jean is too slow and will never make it on the dance-floor unless there's another remix. It too, has lost its excitement.

I am still trying to "get" why older artists feel the need to re-ignite their careers by making everything hip-hop and rap. Will a song not go to #1 anymore without rap? Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson and now Michael Jackson all left their distinctive pop sounds for booming baselines and rap that I don't particularly enjoy hearing from someone's car a block away. It's like their too scared to do anything on their own anymore.

January 6, 2008 6:07 PM
R.J. said...

I agree! They should of all kept silent out of respect for Michael Jackson. Fergie was alright. Yet, the you want it. Come get it should have been left out.

The intro of Billie Jean was great! Then was too slow plus those uh yeah MJ #1 jargons gotta go lol.

I did a review myself on my blog for Thriller 25...

February 20, 2008 11:53 PM
Ayo Adene said...

Funny. Your 'ratings' are the opposite of what I feel. Maybe my brain is upside yours. Akon's track is actually the grooviest in that album, and that coming from a Akon-hater. PYT 2008 has such a hard funk its easily the dance floor favrite. Kanye West's beat it is KanyeWestish and ok. Will.i.am's songs are the weakest but still very danceable. Fergie shudda been left out.
The new track For All Time is nice.
By the way, I was privileged to hear the PYT demo that is the source material for this 2008 version. You can hear it on The Ultimate Collection. Essentially same as this 2008 one, but now MJ leaves out an instrumental bridge that wudda pulled the die-hardest critic to the dance-floor.

February 28, 2008 8:16 AM
R.J. said...

that's cool. I'm in to the traditional Michael sound. Don't mind the new sound as long as he keeps the rap old school and the base lower lol.

By the way, I just found a rapless version of Michael singing Gangsta(No Friend of Mine) solo. But I forgot what site it was on. Bummer. You should hear it...

February 28, 2008 10:22 PM
Sonyhamster said...

Thanks for posting them up! I love the songs! Just read that apparently the performing rights society reavealed that thriller is the top halloween party song! I'm sure the convicts in that Phillipino jail will be having their halloween party dancing to this!

October 30, 2008 12:54 PM
Nicole said...

Speaking of great MJ remixes.. this video has a great Thriller dance scene! Check it out http://action.walmartwatch.com/page/content/waldemartIII

November 12, 2008 11:58 AM

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