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"The Album Is A Thriller Indeed"

What more can be said about "Thriller"? It's a known fact that it is the best selling album of all time(it is hard to give an exact number as of yet but it's pretty high, some sources state up to 110 millions) and it's safe to say that with downloading now and the decrease of record sales in past years that it will never be equaled. By 1982 Michael Jackson was already an established artist by that point having released the successful "Off The Wall" in 1979, his first "real" solo album without his brothers and having performed for many years with his brothers as the Jackson 5 and later simply the Jacksons. Nothing could prepare him for the super stardom that would hit him with "Thriller". With this album Michael wanted to an album with no fillers and whether or not he planned it he accomplished much more than that.There are plenty of great songs to be found here just take a look at the track listing; all great songs and nearly all of the album's songs were singles, 7 out of 9 not bad eh? "Wanna Be Startin' Sometin'" is a great opener, the title of this song says it all Michael wanted to start something big and with Thriller he did just that. "Baby be Mine" is a groovy kind of song, very good. "The Girl Is Mine" duet with Paul McCartney is a great collaboration between the two artists. The title track was a monster hit and it seems every Halloween it's all you hear, great song. "Beat It" is one of my personal favorites, a rocking track that features an Eddie Van Halen guitar solo. Then there is of course the unforgettable "Billie Jean", it's hard to believe that producer Quincy Jones initially wanted the long introduction removed. "Human Nature" is another song I really like showcasing a softer side of Michael. "P.Y.T (Pretty Young thing)" and "The Lady In My Life" are not to be forgotten, they're also great songs.With "Thriller" Michael would not only change the music itself as he pretty much turned by himself the music video from a promotional tool to an art form as has been said. The videos for Thriller, Beat It and Billie Jean are still remembered today and had a tremendous impact. The contribution this album made to music are certainly important, many artists of today have been influenced by him for this album especially.He would never release an album quite like Thriller again, don't get me wrong I love all his albums but this is the kind of a album can usually only happen once in a career. This album is essential, there is no other way of putting its a must have. 5 stars and I would give it much higher if I could. The 25th Anniversary edition is the collector or fan's way to go. It has an unreleased track "For All Time", some remixes by today's artists and a DVD with the videos for Thriller, Beat It and Billie Jean and his legendary Motown 25th anniversary performance.