HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I
HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I
HIStory - a simple review of CD 2….,
We all know the fantastic geninus of MJ on CD 1 so let’s move on to CD 2.
CD 2 is where the new meat of the set is. Although this is not MJ’s best, it is interesting nevertheless due to the personal commentary in many of the CD’s 15 songs.
Everything from politics (Scream) to racism (They Don’t Care About Us), to the ecology (Earth Song), to his personal struggles with the press (Tabaloid Junkie), to abuse (Little Suzie), the album ends with his personal statement about his whole experince in a cover of Smile.
Personal highlights for me include some of the above tracks mentioned: Scream, They Don’t Really Care About Us, and Earth Song — as well as the smooth Stranger In Moscow, a cover of The Beatles’ Come Together, the ballad hit You Are Not Alone, and the somewhat epic soundscape title track.
Bottom Line: Although it may not be Jackson’s best, it is his most personal, aggressive, and intellectual album — you get a peak into the thoughts of the one and only Michael Jackson through song.
HIStory - Past, Present and Future Book 1,
I remember the exact day this CD came out, June 20th, 1995. For about a month ‘Scream’ had been playing on the radio, the video had premired just days before(still the best special effect video ever, I’d have to say) and the Diane Sawyer interview with Lisa Marie had just aired. Michael Jackson had all the hype, and this album was worth every bit of it! I could sit here all day talking about the classic ‘older’ cuts such as ‘Billie Jean’, ‘Beat It’, ‘Black Or White’, Man In The Mirror’ and ‘Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough’, but I really don’t think you need to hear that ’cause I mean you’ve heard all those songs about million times before each. It’s the new songs that deserve a long intro. The duet with Janet Jackson ‘Scream’ is the greatest duet either of them have done (though Michael’s 1983 duet with Paul McCartney ‘Say Say Say’ challenges). ‘They Don’t Care About Us’ proves why Michael is a true artist. It is the message, the meaning behind the music is what this song is about. And because I bought this record the day it came out I have the version where Michael says the controversial line of ‘Jew Me’. True rage in the line. This is one of the greatest songs he has ever written, and there have been a few. He got a lot of slack for not rising above the 1993 scandal, but so what? It only proves his artistry I believe, because a true artist will express his feeling rather than just following the mold of ‘hip young artists’. ‘Stranger In Moscow’ is wonderful as are ‘This Time Around’ and ‘Earth Song.’ What other contemporary artist has as much meaning in their music? No one, thats who. I’ve got the same initials as the No.6 song ‘D.S’ not why I like the song, but its kind of cool. The song rocks, a great heavy beat with Slash playing guitar. ‘Money’ with R.Kelly singing backing is great, the meaning exactly what drives the world today. A thing he should only know all to well. The only song I don’t like on this CD is ‘Come Together’, it is a great cover, but seems out of place here. ‘You Are Not Alone’ is a great song, but it too seems a little odd here, obviously put on the album to sell more copies. It was the first song to debut at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100, not that that makes it a great song, but I just thought you’d like to know. ‘Childhood’ is a bit to sappy for me, but the message is great and Michael’s vocals are better here than ever. ‘Tabloid Junkie’ is great, one of the best on the CD, the greatest refrain he has had in years with ‘Just because you read it in a magazine or see it on a TV screen don’t make it factual’ is great. Truth, that is what this CD is about. ‘2Bad’ rocks, great beat. ‘HIStory’ is a little too cluttered with audio clips, the verses leave something to be desired but the chorus is great. ‘Little Susie’ is a stark telling of the death of a young girl. Beautiful orchestration, a little sappy, but great musicality here. Finaly ‘Smile’ is a great cover tune, Michael’s voice is superb here. This CD is great because it has a story behind it. We all know where he was comming from before he realesed this album, and where he has been since, but what reamins true is the music and the messages behind it. Five Out Of Five.