Listening to the 25th anniversary edition guarantees another rush of hot air, but this time it’s from all the false attempts at imitating Jacko’s moves and chomping at some of not so fine bits of the album. Cheesy choruses (what’s that infectious mamo-sey-mamo-sa chanting on Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’), autorickshaw hi-hats on Baby Be Mine and the totally pansy mock argument with Paul McCartney on The Girl is Mine. Also, a lot of Jackson’s alternatively muted and whoo! vocal delivery and rhythms are either consistent (if you’re a fan) or repetitive (cynic).

But there’s more to fawn over than crib. Like Beat It , which successfully marries rock and pop (Eddie Van Halen’s unbridled guitar is just great); the classic, Billie Jean, which provides ample evidence of Jackson’s perfectionism: the drum and synthesiser lines are arranged in perfect order and listen closely for Jackson multi-tracking his own voice for background vocals; and finally, Thriller itself. The impact of the synths that herald the track are as powerful as the zombie spoof video itself.

As you’d expect with any anniversary celebration, there are bonus tracks aplenty. Jackson seems to have some sort of connection with the Black Eyed Peas, unless someone at Sony-BMG cracked some sort of a marketing deal. Will.i.am replaces Paul McCartney on The Girl is Mine (sounding just as goofy), updating the sappiness with a sensual beat with a calypso. The producer-rapper does a similar number on P.Y.T (Pretty Young Thing), lacing it with an aggressive electro beat and percussion, the best of the “remixes”.

Akon exercises surprising self-restraint on Wanna be Startin’ Somethin’ 2008, the track would certainly have benefited with his vocals. Fergie’s doppelganger version of Beat It is a pity and Kanye West’s stripped down version of Billie Jean dives right into the lyric (Jackson and producer Quincy Jones had argued about the length of the song’s intro on the original). West’s effort comes off as half-baked as best.

We’re surprised the likes of Timbaland and Dr Dre weren’t given a shot at this. Heck, if you’re going for an update, why not give the talented Israeli trance producers Infected Mushroom or British DJ John Digweed a shot at Jacko, or Icelandic singer Bjork, for that matter.

The bonus DVD also features Jackson’s legendary performance of Billie Jean, where among other famous ditties Jackson grabbed his crotch and performed the moonwalk. It also includes the original music videos (disappointingly lacking any commentary or making-of segments). Still, at Rs 399, the album, with its hologram-like cover is worth every rupee.