Album Rewind: Michael Jackson - HIStory: Past, Present, Future - Book I
Where's the 30th anniversary release?
With everything going on in the world, I think it’s fitting that I take a step back and review an old, (maybe underrated), legendary album. This week, Michael Jackson’s HIStory: Past, Present, Future - Book I turns 30. In a very sad kind of way, this album holds up exceptionally well.
Unlike my other album reviews, this one will be different. This one comes from the perspective of someone who’s listened to this album hundreds if not thousands of times within their lifetime.
But don’t you worry, it’ll still be through the lens of a disabled audiophile. So without further ado, here’s my review of Michael Jackson’s HIStory: Past, Present, Future - Book I. (I will be skipping the first CD/volume, as that’s just previously recorded hits. I will be focusing on the second CD/volume in this review.)
Scream (featuring Janet Jackson)
This track does two iconic things: be the only track that MJ and his sister Janet have ever collaborated on officially; and two: still hold the record for the most expensive short film recorded, period.
Opening the album with this emo-rock track sets the stage for the rest of the album. MJ is announcing to the world that he’s tired of its shit. So much so that, It makes me wanna scream.
The Janet Jackson feature was perfect. The sibling pair riff off of each other exceptionally well, filling in the vocal pockets when necessary. This track is also the first time we’ve heard Michael swear in a song (and it wouldn’t be the last).
The beat demonstrates Michael in his experimental era. The snare just oozes, "Hey, go out and start banging on shit," which many producers have mentioned over the years.
They Don’t Care About Us
Unfortunately, no track has held up as well as this one on this album. With all the injustice going on in the world, I can safely say, Michael had it right all along, even 30 years ago. They don’t really care about us.