Okay, I'm not gonna waste time on Disc 1 because it's a collection of hits and favorites that any Michael Fan is well enough familiar with. So let's just skip right to Disc Two.

Scream-Truly the most Dance Oriented song on the album, but a rare occasion in which we get Brother to Sister love, and anger, both shouting about injustice. A Great song, a great video. And great beginning.

They Don't Care About Us-A powerful song really. Great beat, Some later versions are censored because of some alleged "anti-semetic" lyrics. Put it doesn't hurt the song. Michael's anger somewhat begins here. Another great video.

Stranger in Moscow-A beautiful ballad. By far one of Michael's best. Haunting to the Extreme with a chorus that could bring a tear to your eye. "How does it feel when you're alone and it's cold inside?" A beautiful music video.

This Time Around-I like this song. Has a good beat to it. A tad self-indulgent, but I'd say he's earned it. Great Rap bridge by the Notorius B.I.G.

Earth Song-One of his most powerful ballads to date. Most of us have seen the video, so we know Michael is true to his subject matter. Michael hits it hard on this song, worthy of buying the album just for this one.

D.S.-Who is Dom Sheldom? And why is Michael so angry at him? This isn't a bad song, but it's the one I listen to the least.

Money-Powerful lyrics. Although Michael doesn't sing a whole lot. More of a spoken word, but good none the less. Still Michael a bit angry in this one.

Come Together-This one is alot of fun really. Shows his funk-rock side with this cover of the old Beatles song. Truly verges on remaking it better than the original.

You Are Not Alone-How many awards did this one win? Too many to count. This song, written by R. Kelly, shows off the passion he still has for a love ballad. Very artistic video with his ex-wife Lisa Marie-Presley.

Childhood-Some may call this song sappy, not me, it's beautiful. In our own ways I think most all of us could relate to this song. Poetic lyrics, well orchestrated instrumentals, and the video has a quite an interesting original concept to it.

Tabloid Junkie-A song with a strong message more people need to pay attention to. Not to mention having to do with Michael's more recent past at that time being a victim of the Tabloid Junkies.

2 Bad-This song has a cool beat, and it's a good dance song. The only part I don't really enjoy is Shaq rapping in the middle. Who the hell ever said that Shaq could rap? He couldn't wrap cheese in a taco!! At least the parts with Michael are cool.

HIStory-More of an anthem than a song. But amazing none the less. Using quotes and recorded speeches from pinical moments in History. Proving Michael respects many people, and is inspired by greatness, causing him greatness as well.

Little Susie-If he ever decides to stop being a pop singer, this song shows proof he could compose music for movies and seriously win OSCARS for it. It's sad, haunting, beautiful. A great direction for Michael.

Smile-I can't think of a better way to end this record. This track, which is a tribute and dedication to one of Michael's heroes, Charlie Chaplin. You can't help but smile I think when you listen to this track, because it's so beautiful, and Michael whistling at the end gives off the most lovely example of Michael's playful side.

A wonderful CD, truly worthy of all good credit. His most mature and artistic album to date. Get one for yourself, you won't regret it.

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.

time and time again the King of pop proves why unlike any other artist he continues to thrive and conquer. the hits stand on there own show casing his vocals,writing,arrangements,and production billie jean is time-less rock with you, don't stop till you get enough, Man in the mirror, beat it, remember the time, shes out of my life, and some songs didn't even make the cut. but you get many elements and styles from this Genius and living musical Legend. i leave that tabloid garbage to the grocery stores. cuz no matter what no one can deny the Man from gary Ind his musical props. the second disc has some moments like Scream very typical percussion used by Michael stranger in moscow(to be honest if he did an album based on the style and structure of that song acoustically he'd blow people's mind that's a wish) this time around,you are not alone ,childhood,2bad stand out for me also Money is catchy with Nile rodgers on guitar. he has Jam&lewis,Janet,B.I.G. slash,Dallas Austin, R Kelly,David Foster, etc.. on this disc(2) but Michael is in control. now personally Off the Wall, Thrilller, and Dangerous are my faves. Bad of all his albums has best showcased his eclecticness but with the exception of 4or5 cuts wasn't impressed and Blood on the dance floor i liked 2or 3 cuts but remixe projects for me are use-less. this cd has moments. but the man is still going strong and seeing all the cheap rip off artist out there and the fast food mentality of music today he can comeback even bigger. the man has soul and he hasn't been around this long by accident, from motown,to today how many artist can claim not only Longgevity but reveilance. he still matters.

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.

Just like the man himself, HIStory is an album divided, presenting an overview of the work of arguably one of the most brilliant entertainers and songwriters in music history, while also presenting a sobering and at times alarming picture of a tortured man on a downward spiral of bitterness and anger.

As described previously, Disc 1 is a damn-near perfect chronicle of everything that has made both casual listeners and die-hard fans helpless to resist the magnetic pull of his chart-busting, hook-laden hits. More of a 'moonwalk' down Memory Lane, everything is here: from the explosive beginnings of his solo career with mentor Quincy Jones producing OFF THE WALL, to the "Citizen Kane" of his career, THRILLER, which changed not only his life in the white-hot spotlight, but music in general.

But for those who would rather remember the "good old days" when no dancefloor and no DJ would dare leave Michael's latest and greatest songs off their playlists, a caveat--stop at Disc 1.

It isn't hard to determine where Michael was in his life when these songs were written and recorded--he literally cuts his skin and bleeds into the CD grooves, so vividly distraught and angry is the bulk of the material.

Though it was more than likely the record company's attempt to cash in on a solid-gold opportunity, baby sis Janet joins him on "Scream", a propulsive and caustic dressing-down of the external forces that have plagued the family for years, (mainly the media), but especially the gadflies who have nipped at the heels of both siblings since the very beginnings of their meteoric careers. It literally vibrates with rage, but it's also a well-produced dancefloor track (by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis), that, not surprisingly, spent weeks in the Top Ten upon its release.

And many of the songs continue in this vein: "D.S.", "This Time Around", "Tabloid Junkie", "Money" are at once painfully personal and therapeutic, aiding Michael in channeling his frustration, rage and disillusionment at the allegations of child molestation and other eccentricities that all but trashed a once seemingly unstoppable career. The infectious beats, snarky samples and songcraft are still here, but don't expect anything as light or as enjoyable as "Rock With You" or "Don't Stop Until You Get Enough."

Thank goodness there is a break or two, including one of the better covers of The Beatles' staple "Come Together", (sadly ironic since it's something that Michael and ex-best bud Paul McCartney may never do since the Beatles song catalog flap.) "They Don't Care About Us" and "Earth Song" are message songs that revisit the ethos of "Man In The Mirror." "You Are Not Alone" is as much a song of self-affirmation as it is a love song, (written during his brief coupling with Lisa Marie Presley.)

The most heartfelt and tear-jerking numbers he has ever done would be "Childhood (Theme From Free Willy 2)" which all but bares his soul to the world about his deepest feelings of loss and regret, and "Stranger In Moscow", which captures the isolation and abandonment he was feeling at the time he put pen to paper.

Disk 2 closes with a rendition of Chaplin's classic "Smile," which underscores why Michael has always been hailed as "The King of Pop" worldwide, self-appointed or not, and why the world of music will be a much emptier place without the anticipation of his unparalelled talents.

Michael Light and Michael Dark. It doesn't matter which side you listen to or even prefer; as a fan I just feel fortunate that HIStory is here for us to review at all. Personally, Disc 1 needs to have ten stars, not five. Disc 2 gets four for the more listenable tracks.