http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2008/02/21/2008-02-21_michael_jacksons_label_has_a_chart_attac.html

Michael Jackson's label has a chart attack over 'Thriller 25'

Thursday, February 21st 2008, 4:00 AM
Michael Jackson (above) got some help from Will.i.am and Fergie, among others, on 'Thriller 25.' But Billboard says the album is still an oldie, and Sony is not pleased. Moloshok/AP

Michael Jackson (above) got some help from Will.i.am and Fergie, among others, on 'Thriller 25.' But Billboard says the album is still an oldie, and Sony is not pleased.
A dapper-looking Luke Wilson took a break from being Owen's brother to tee off at a golf event in Santa Clarita, Calif. Sapp/WireImage

A dapper-looking Luke Wilson took a break from being Owen's brother to tee off at a golf event in Santa Clarita, Calif.

The folks at Sony are not thrilled that Michael Jackson's "Thriller 25" is on Billboard's catalogue - or oldies - chart.

Even though it's No. 1.

Label sources argue that Jackson's 25th-anniversary album is full of new material and should be on the music-biz bible's Top 200 list.

Sure, it has Jackson's memorable hits "Billie Jean," "Beat It" and "The Girl Is Mine."

But one source says, "It has six new songs. Michael went into the studio and recorded with Kanye West, Fergie, Akon, Will.i.Am - and there's a brand-new song from Michael, and videos. It beat Grammy winners Amy Winehouse and Herbie Hancock, with 167,000 crossing the counter. Yet for reasons unfathomable to folks in the music industry, Billboard has decided to relegate it to the catalogue chart. Catalogue makes it look like same ol' same ol', but with a new cover.

"Michael expected it to be on the Top 200 chart."

Billboard chart guru Geoff Mayfield tells us: "We were approached by Sony and Sony BMG to consider 'Thriller 25' as a current album. But we had to be consistent with hundreds, if not thousands, of reissues that have come to the market. There have actually been new issues of classic albums that include even more new material. We didn't just make the decision on our own. We contacted major retailers [like Wal-Mart and Best Buy], and that was the consensus."

Mayfield was conciliatory. "I always understand when people are disappointed when they don't show as high up on the chart, or on the chart they wanted." But Jackson should be happy, he added: "It's the largest sum for an album on the catalogue chart to be sold in 10 years.

I just read that. Shame but rather it didn't chart for a specific reason rather than poor sales. They have to be consistent.

But, I thought I read it charted at #2 in the US another thread. What was that?

It's number 1 on catalogue, but it's number #2 in sales for the week. So confusing. :lol: :confused:

Wow, I think that's unfair. I think they should make an exception if the sales of the re-issue are so high and sell 10 times the amount of other albums and get to friggin number TWO! I mean, come on.

Why is this only in the US?

Wow, I think that's unfair. I think they should make an exception if the sales of the re-issue are so high and sell 10 times the amount of other albums and get to friggin number TWO! I mean, come on.

Why is this only in the US?

Billboard only deal with domestic USA sales stats, that's why. :)

I don't think this is unfair cos it's common practice now to reissue old albums with new songs as a bonus. It is still essentially the SAME record.

Technically, it's No.2 in the US based on sales, but not featured on Hot 200. No.1 on Pop Catalogues chart.

Eitherway, best sales figures for any Catalogue album for 10 years. Translation - Thriller is selling better and more steadily than any other classic/oldie album in the USA since 1998. :cool:

I think Alice means why isn't it charting like a regular album- only in the US? Coz it's charting on every other "normal" chart around the world. :yes:

UK doesn't have a separate chart for old/classic albums. The American charts are NOT compiled in the same way as the rest of the world. Most chart systems in most countries are pretty similar. The USA make it complicated.

Billboard Sucks!!!!