Still thrilling

The power of Thriller is undeniable, and the album only gets better with age. The music, given that it's now 25 years old, sounds somewhat dated. Thick with synthesizers, drum machines and cheesy samples, it's always evident while listening what era this music is from, but the quality music, along with the work of master producer Quincy Jones still shines through.\nNov. 30, 2007, marked the 25th anniversary of the release of Thriller, Michael Jackson's album that became the best-selling album of all time. To commemorate this milestone, Sony has re-released the album with seven bonus tracks, which includes remixes from Fergie, will.i.am, Kanye West and Akon. Also included is a track from the original recording sessions that wasn't included on the 1982 record.\nFor many, including myself, the title track is the most recognizable song on the album. It's perfect down to every detail. When it opens, you hear the creak of a door, footsteps, the crack of thunder and a wolf howl before the music kicks in. Then epic synthesizers build up tension again, before the explosive chorus reignites.\nAnd what about the lyrics? They're as sexual and terrifying as pop music gets. Jackson sings that he can thrill you more than any ghost would dare to try because, girl, this is thriller night. Suave, Michael. \nAlthough the epic title track is great, it's not my favorite track on the album. In my opinion, the hyper-masculine and uber-macho "Beat It" kills as the best track. Eddie Van Halen's killer guitar solo performance on this track sways me toward naming this song as the album's best.\nSolo aside, these lyrics are also worth noting. Jackson is writing about a boy torn between living up to a preconceived notion of masculinity: that all men are supposed to stand up for themselves at risk of physical harm. Jackson demands nonviolence with a dance beat.\n"Billie Jean" is another great work of pop-music mastery. But, on some levels, the lyrics are quite racy, dealing with sex out of wedlock, promiscuity and unwanted pregnancy. \nThere's a lot of implications that can be drawn from these lyrics. One line is frequently mentioned: "Dance on the floor in the round." It's hard not to read sexual tensions into this, as men in the room with Billie compete to be the one to "dance" with her. Also, after Jackson's night with her, she comes back to him to tell him that he is now a father. Seeing as how the song is about an unwanted child Jackson is denying is his, the sex theory could fit. He also offers some advice to listeners, "So, take my strong advice, just remember to always think twice" -- advice that rings true on a carefully crafted album.\nThriller also has low-key ballads such as "Human Nature," "The Girl is Mine" and "Baby Be Mine." I must admit, though, "The Girl is Mine" is one of the cheesiest songs I've ever heard. The "argument" between Jackson and Paul McCartney at the end of the song about who has the girl is laughable to say the least. The remaining ballads are staples of pop music, but definitely not the best songs on the album. \nAlas, the remixed and previously unreleased material is not worth the extra money if you already have a copy of Thriller. The will.i.am remixes -- "Pretty Young Thing" and "The Girl Is Mine,"-- pretty much ruined the songs. Will.i.am offers some meager rhymes over his equally meager beats. Akon's remix of "Wanna be Starting Something" isn't too bad, actually staying pretty true to the original version. It's catchy and modernized but nothing special. One of the biggest pieces of trash on the "extras" is Fergie's awful attempt to remake "Beat It." These frivolous remixes only emphasize the colossal feat that Thriller really was.\nThriller is a milestone in pop music, and although this 25th anniversary re-release offers some unreleased tracks and remixes, don't be persuaded to buy it just for those. If you don't yet own a copy, though, get off your couch, buy the album immediately, put on your red leather jacket and moonwalk your way through Thriller.