And that remarkable video still is top notch.

Very well done.

Someone made a color version of that video, check it.

They don't need to do more collaborations. Being such huge names, they only need to do it once. That keeps it special and unique. The Flyte Tyme remix is great, and samples "Thank You" by Sly, so it harkens to "Rhythm Nation" a lot that way.

I'm not sure how I feel about HIStory even after all this time. It sorta feels as chaotic as his life was at the time, so int hat regard I guess that's reflective of who he was then.

I think "Stranger in Moscow" is way too slow or sparse. The melody is overly simplisitic, spartan, not in an artistic way. "HIStory" is a mess. It's part "Morphine" and part whatthefuckever.

I could revisit it, but I remember never listened to it very much over the years. It wasn't as cohesive as other records from him. But, it rates higher than Invincible.

I remember when "Scream" came out, Janet's vocal was mixed really low. She called MJ about it and they redid it a bit on subsequent releases. She had said (maybe in her documentary) that it was fine when she listened to it in the studio, but it was changed before release.

I also remember the Jewish slurs in "They Don't Care About Us" getting a lot of attention, and were subsequently sorta covered up. So if folks ever find a copy of HIStory to buy, listen to that song first. If those words don't have a sound fx over them, you have a first pressing.

By the way, the best part of the "Scream" video is Janet flipping the bird, and her standing over the toilet like she's got a dick, pissing standing up. I thought that was so ballsy at that point for her and in general when a lot of music and videos had gotten muddled and neutralized.

TrivialPursuit said:

RJOrion said:

ShellyMcG said:

Overall, I'm really liking History but of the 5 albums I've listened to so far, it's probably my 5th favourite. Which probably says more for the quality of the other albums than anything else.

What I'm finding so far with Michael Jackson is that his uptempo songs are all amazing. Even the ones on Dangerous and History where I can't understand a word he's saying in the verses, the choruses are super catchy and have an almost addictive quality to them. I'm not a big fan of his ballads though.

Interesting insight there regarding the Jewish slurs. It doesn't seem like a very "Michael Jackson" thing to do. I wonder what the story was behind that.

There's no real story about him using them. He's making a point about painting someone with a negative stroke.

Dangerous is probably my top MJ record. The whole first side of New Jack Swing, which I enjoy.
The second half is a wide variety of genres, from ballads, gospel, pop, some rap, rock n' roll, etc. The whole second side (from "Black or White" onward) is an album unto itself.

I've actually removed "Heal The World" from my tracklist, and taken out the skit before "Black or White." And while I never gravitated toward "Can't Let Her Get Away" and "She Drives Me Wild," they're in there, and I don't mind them. "Why You Wanna Trip On Me" is one of my favorite songs on there, as well as "Keep The Faith."

RJOrion said:

TrivialPursuit said:

ShellyMcG said:

I love all his music but "Scream" isn't one of my favs. Great album opener, great video, great production but ? Its all production and little melody (by MJ standards) which reminds me of another track Jam/Lewis did for Lionel Ritchie around this time called "I wanna take you dowin".

Still, was a great pairing and it worked at the time. Getting Janet to team up with Michael after the 93 allegations was a much safer pill to unleash than a solo effort. Credit to Janet for being game as I bet a few of her advisers woulda been against it. So glad this duet exists though. I love the asian guitar twangy thingy on the break LOL

As we are talking "History", glad to see the rise of "They don't care about us" over the years. "Scream" is typical media bashing which is fine but the latter is just gut wrenching autobiography. Much better song.

RJOrion said:

thesexofit said:

ShellyMcG said:

ShellyMcG said:

TrivialPursuit said:

They don't need to do more collaborations. Being such huge names, they only need to do it once. That keeps it special and unique. The Flyte Tyme remix is great, and samples "Thank You" by Sly, so it harkens to "Rhythm Nation" a lot that way.

I'm not sure how I feel about HIStory even after all this time. It sorta feels as chaotic as his life was at the time, so int hat regard I guess that's reflective of who he was then.

I think "Stranger in Moscow" is way too slow or sparse. The melody is overly simplisitic, spartan, not in an artistic way. "HIStory" is a mess. It's part "Morphine" and part whatthefuckever.

I could revisit it, but I remember never listened to it very much over the years. It wasn't as cohesive as other records from him. But, it rates higher than Invincible.

I remember when "Scream" came out, Janet's vocal was mixed really low. She called MJ about it and they redid it a bit on subsequent releases. She had said (maybe in her documentary) that it was fine when she listened to it in the studio, but it was changed before release.

I also remember the Jewish slurs in "They Don't Care About Us" getting a lot of attention, and were subsequently sorta covered up. So if folks ever find a copy of HIStory to buy, listen to that song first. If those words don't have a sound fx over them, you have a first pressing.

By the way, the best part of the "Scream" video is Janet flipping the bird, and her standing over the toilet like she's got a dick, pissing standing up. I thought that was so ballsy at that point for her and in general when a lot of music and videos had gotten muddled and neutralized.

Overall, I'm really liking History but of the 5 albums I've listened to so far, it's probably my 5th favourite. Which probably says more for the quality of the other albums than anything else. What I'm finding so far with Michael Jackson is that his uptempo songs are all amazing. Even the ones on Dangerous and History where I can't understand a word he's saying in the verses, the choruses are super catchy and have an almost addictive quality to them. I'm not a big fan of his ballads though. Interesting insight there regarding the Jewish slurs. It doesn't seem like a very "Michael Jackson" thing to do. I wonder what the story was behind that. Yeah, that Scream video is great. And like I said, Janet's vocals are fantastic. I've probably heard maybe 3 or 4 Janet Jackson songs in my life and didn't like most of them but this song makes me want to check out more.

I agree that his choruses were super catchy in this period, but the verses weren't quite as strong (Tabloid Junkie being a great example). That was to carry on with his last couple of albums, especially the title track to Blood on the Dancefloor.

leecaldon said:

ShellyMcG said:

"Blood On The Dance Floor" is my new favourite song!!! Ok, so maybe that's going a bit too far, but I really really love that song. Plus I'm really liking the red suit in the video.

I listen to that at least a couple of times a month.

The track "Blood on the dancefloor" would make my top 5 MJ songs. I love it. The tough vocals on the verses, that killer bridge with that funky guitar and then a classic MJ chorus. Rumours say there is an original version as it was a "dangerous" outtake. Bboy87 would know more LOL.

I swear Teddy Riley said at the time of release he was annoyed at MJ as he woulda remixed it for 1997. Its perfect the way it is though it flopped in America and is never played in England.

The Tony Moran remix wass great too.

TrivialPursuit said:

I remember when "Scream" came out, Janet's vocal was mixed really low. She called MJ about it and they redid it a bit on subsequent releases. She had said (maybe in her documentary) that it was fine when she listened to it in the studio, but it was changed before release.

There have been no revisions in the mixing of Scream since it was initially released.

bluegangsta said:

TrivialPursuit said:

I remember when "Scream" came out, Janet's vocal was mixed really low. She called MJ about it and they redid it a bit on subsequent releases. She had said (maybe in her documentary) that it was fine when she listened to it in the studio, but it was changed before release.

There have been no revisions in the mixing of Scream since it was initially released.

Yes, I'd never heard about this mixing issue before - would be interested to see any links on it.

ShellyMcG said:

leecaldon said:

I agree that his choruses were super catchy in this period, but the verses weren't quite as strong (Tabloid Junkie being a great example). That was to carry on with his last couple of albums, especially the title track to Blood on the Dancefloor.

Blood On The Dancefloor is my new favourite song!!! Ok, so maybe that's going a bit too far, but I really really love that song. Plus I'm really liking the red suit in the video.

This was the first time MJ released something that was a 'surprise' in decades. To release another album (of sorts) while still touring the previous one was not part of his normal strategy. I wonder what the thinking was behind it.

BOTDF was also another UK #1 for him, making this period of 95-97 his most successful in terms of hitting the top of the UK charts.

bluegangsta said:

TrivialPursuit said:

I remember when "Scream" came out, Janet's vocal was mixed really low. She called MJ about it and they redid it a bit on subsequent releases. She had said (maybe in her documentary) that it was fine when she listened to it in the studio, but it was changed before release.

There have been no revisions in the mixing of Scream since it was initially released.

Not what's been said.

MrSharon said:

Have u guys heard Red Astaire's They Don't Care its pretty good

https://www.youtube.com/w...toSShw9jY8

TrivialPursuit said:

ShellyMcG said:

"Blood On The Dance Floor" is my new favourite song!!! Ok, so maybe that's going a bit too far, but I really really love that song. Plus I'm really liking the red suit in the video.

I listen to that at least a couple of times a month.

blood on any floor should only happen once a month

nayroo2002 said: