Janet Jackson - Discipline
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Free Music Notes for Discipline
Free Music Review: Something heavy like a first day period.
Hit: 3 Stars
She said it, not me. I've read the excellent review by Terry Mesnard here, and he hit every point I was going to hit, so I'll be brief. I, too, have been listening to Janet (Ms. Jackson if you're nasty) since "Control", which I consider to be one of her finest efforts. I would also add "Rhythm Nation" and "The Velvet Rope" as her other two fine efforts. Yet, ever since "Rhythm Nation" I have felt, with each release, Janet has become weaker and weaker as an artist.
The problems are clear. No one would say that Janet is a fantastic singer. She's a package deal (performance, looks, hooks, attitude). She's Michael's younger sister, and it's not lost on me that in 1993, after Michael's growing unpopularity for child molestation charges, that she dropped her surname for good. That's also when her music began to drop in quality as well. 1993's "Janet" was uneven and 1997's "The Velvet Rope" equally as uneven. Then, in 2001, she changed her sound for the second time, and every album since "All For You" has been about the same in sound.
I thought dropping Jimmy and Terry would offer a new sound. I thought dropping her old record label and moving over to Island would contribute to a new sound, but this is not the case. In fact, someone like Janet is only as good as her material. She has other people writing her songs for her, and this isn't good. On "Discipline" her songs are primarily written by four men who clearly have their minds in their pants. Excuse me, but isn't Janet 41 years old? I don't know any 41 year olds that would talk about, let alone sing about, their sexual practices. Janet should be maturing and singing about more important matters than, "seven inches".
So what about the arrangements/melodies? Well, I figure there are seven good songs and six weak songs. The best of the best are "Feedback", "Rock With U", "2Nite", "Never Letchu Go", "Greatest X", "So Much Betta" and "The 1". Funny that Janet utilizes the brilliant Missy Elliott when she's in direct competition with her. Also, Janet's music, in general, seems to be aping Missy's style rather than coming up with something original and having Missy rap over it.
The obvious weak tracks are "Luv" (generic), "Rollercoaster" (repetitive), "Can't B Good" (boring), "What's Ur Name" (asinine), "Discipline" (how old are you Janet?) and "Curtains" (snoozefest). What's with the dumbing down of the song titles? Janet's gotten older and she can't spell anymore? If she's trying to be hip and cool, the one thing we know about someone getting old and trying to be hip and cool is that it looks pitiful and painful. It's okay to NOT pander to the teens, Janet. Life isn't all disco balls, sex and ecstasy--you can talk about more adult subjects.
Here's what I say to Janet--why not write your own songs and produce the album yourself? That would be different. In addition, why not go your own way and not sound like all banal hip hop that's already jamming our ears with garbage? I believe in the talent Janet has, but it seems that too many people are telling her what to do. She should just stick to what she knows best.
Free Music Review: Digital Age Domita Jo!
Hit: 5 Stars
You know some of these reviewers are just trying to be analytical to a point that they are anal. One reviewer stated that Velvet Rope was Janet's crown jewel; although, she didn't feel that way at the time. In response I say, this album although you don't know it at this time culminates Janet's style most effectively for this time. Another comment is that yes she is 40 and this is truly the time she should be secure, mature and able to express her sentuality, not as an immature 20's who is still wet behind the ears. And the way she does it is sentual and not over the top. I honestly expect a Grammy from this project, nomination almost definate. It is good from start to finish much like Rhythm Nation. Well you know I have been around since the beginning of her career and she has not disappointed me in the least bit with her latest project. And for all of you who are looking for something a little more reminiscent; Janet is moving forward! I love the project as a whole it is more refreshing than if she had been stuck in a past frame of mind. She is looking ahead and evolving with the times, like any great artist should. And just to comment on the remarks regarding her singing abilities. Janet sweet, innocent, sexy, sensual sound has always been regarding as a package deal with her dance moves, beauty and style. So I think it is unfair to scrutinize or devalue one aspect of her talent as a means to discount her contributions to the music industry. After all, she was the trailblazer in the R&B, Pop Artist for her time. We don't do it with artist like Aretha, Celine Dion, Whitney, etc. we just appreciate them for their singing abilities. We don't question whether they can dance because we know they are traditionally singers. More recently we have more artist who have a variety of these skills in strong pursuit, like Beyonce who can equally sing, dance, etc.
So yes Janet can sing and has been singing as long as we can remember.
Stay In There Ms. Jackson........Yes I'm NASTY.
P.S. The cover and insert photo are fire.
We LUV U Janet!
Free Music Review: Hits the Right Spots for Me
Hit: 5 Stars
Janet Jackson's new album is everything I expected it to be: blatantly (and unapologetically) sexy, poppish, bass-heavy dance hits with just a touch of tenderness thrown in occasionally for those who like down-tempo R&B...
I appreciate that Feedback is the first single on the album (I love this track, and it sounds great with a quality sub), and is followed up with several more catchy tracks that will really shine as dancefloor remixes. I also appreciate the lyrics that would shock most ("He hit me with his love...", "Something in the air has got me feeling like I want it tonight...", "I can do what she can't do..."). Janet Jackson really delivered on this one.
The best part of all is the way the production plays with technology and sick beats: Rock With U reminds me of a Benny Benassai remix with slightly silly lyrics ("Strobe lights make everything sexier..."), and So Much Betta is a catchy adventurous experiment in music-making.
All in all, a great album! Another reviewer said this album would make Madonna blush, and I couldn't have said it better myself.
Free Music Review: Will the real Janet Jackson, please stand up!
Hit: 1 Stars
I have to begin by saying that i have every album Ms. Jackson has ever done. I have all her videos on DVD, all her movies, and I've been to her last two concerts, The Velvet Rope and All for You. My opinion is that from a long-time Janet Jackson Fan.
This album IMO, is in the same category as her last two, totally forgettable. I dont know what happened to her, but everything since All for You, has been the exact same. Her last three albums, including Discipline could have all been recorded by Ciara, or Rihanna, or any other 20yr old pop singer. Her lyrics in all her songs could have been written by anyone in their early teens. Her voice is whispery on every song. Her music used to say something. She used to have messages in songs. Her music was always so unique. Her songs were not like anything you could've heard from anyone else. Now shes trying her best to fit in with the "new young divas" and making music, that appeals to a much younger generation. Its almost as if, shes a completely different artist from the past. All her music from Control to All for You sounded like they came from the same person who's growing and evolving into more and more maturity. Damita Jo, 20 Y.O. and now Discipline sound like something a brand new artist would make. All the songs are about sex. No depth, no meaning, just about hooking up. As a long-time fan, I'm incredibly disappointed by this album. I guess if I didnt grow up on Janet, I might possibly like it, but when you know her previous work, and here the new stuff, its like, "What Happened?!?!?!" Not sure what was going on in her life around the time she recorded Damita Jo, but whatever it was, she hasn't been the same since.
Free Music Review: "Discipline"-Has This Icon Found Her Comeback?
Hit: 3 Stars
Well, it's been over 10 years now since Janet's finest album of her career, "The Velvet Rope" and it seems that ever since than this iconic superstar has been struggling to hold on to her title as "Queen of Pop" (Sorry, Madonna!) With 3 subsequent albums that followed, "All 4 U", "Damita Jo" and "20 Y.O.", by getting virtually panned by critics, it's made you wonder will Janet ever find her way back musically and commercially. Well with "Discipline", there seems to finally be some hope for Janet yet. With her 4 album contract with Virgin up, Janet switched labels once again and went to Island Jam Records, home of Mariah Carey and lover, Jermaine Dupri. Then came the release of "Feedback', which since December has been generating a lot of buzz for Janet in a long while. The album itself is actually one of Janet's most cohesive and commercial sounding album since "All 4 U". Almost any song can be a single and its very radio friendly, which is a good thing and a bad thing at the same time. The album can be summed up like this:
I.D.-Janet enters her base and we are introduced to Kyoko, who starts up the album.
Feedback-The best dance track I've heard from Janet since "All 4 U"! Like much of the buzz that surrounded it, I instantly fell in love with it from it's out of this world beat, catchy lyrics and Janet's focus yet robotic vocals. It recently became her first top 20 single since 2001!-4.5/5 stars
Luv-A bouncy, youthful yet generic sounding r&b track that sees Janet seeing about falling in love. Its one of the first time where I consider a song beneath Janet and I honestly don't know why it's a favorite among fans.-2.5/song
Spinnin-Janet talks about love and how it spins you.
Rollercoaster-The most creative track Janet ever sang as it's a mix of high octave drums, a heavy beat and clapping effects. One of the songs that had to grow on me, I appreciate it now and give a few most listens.-3.5/5 stars
Bathroom Break-Janet and her friends have a little talk in the bathroom.
Rock Wit U-Not a cardboard copy of her brother's 1979 classic, this is mesmerizing techno/dance track that sounds so refreshing and slick with Janet's sexy vocals covering it. The video for the song was just released and I honesty love it more than I did before.-4.5/5 stars
2Nite-Another grower for me, this is r&b dance track with 80s funk undertones. Like critics have been saying, there are similarities to Rihanna's "Don't Stop the Music", but Janet honestly beats the young diva here.-3.5/5 stars
Can't Be Good-All I can say is WOW! I don't know where to start, Janet's smooth vocals, one of Ne-Yo's best productions, or the incredible harmonies. This needs to be a single...FAST!-5/5 stars
4 Words-Love...Fate..Hope...Destiny...yeah? random!
Never Letchu Go-Possibly the worst song on the album, it's unbearably cheesy with the force background arrangements that sound like they came from some cheesy 80s movie. Janet tries to save this song with her vocal talents, but this one should have been left off the album.-2/5 stars
Truth or Dare-Janet play truth or dare with 2 of her friends.
Greatest X-Only slightly less cheesy than "Never Letchu Go", this emotional ballad about Janet singing about her greatest x is only tolerable at best. Damita Jo's "Thinkin' Bout My Ex" was much better, also with all these Ex songs, I think Jermaine wouldn't be too happy Janet, hehe!-3/5 stars
Good Morning Janet-Janet has a heart to heart with Kyoko.
So Much Betta-The album picks up like a force of nature with this bizarre club banger that samples Daft Punk's "Daftendirekt". It's quite witty, the chorus is extremely catchy with Kyoko chanting Janet's inner desire and the bridge is a nice transition in and out of the song. I didn't want to like the song, but I ended up loving it!-4.5/5 stars
Play Selection-Janet goes to Kyoko to select another song.
The 1-Janet teams up with the Innovator of Hip-Hop herself once again, Missy Elliot, for this funky and high octave r&b track. Missy Elliot adds her signature cockiness and humor to the track while Janet sings up a storm, taking care of the rest for a hot track.-4/5 stars
What's Ur Name-A boring r&b groove that has Janet singing about finding a guy's name.-2/5 stars
The Meaning-An interesting interlude with an amazing beat that is basically a countdown to the sexually intense title track.
Discipline-While yet another baby making track with S&M lyrics, this is the first time since "Any time, Any place" that one has sounded so soulful. and the production by Ne-Yo once again tight, even Janet convinces more than ever as she pleads for her "Daddy to come punish her". Whether this is a sick innuendo about her dark past with her father Joe or just very well produced song, I can see this track on the Velvet Rope, which is saying a lot!-4.5/5 stars
Back-Kyoko tells Janet to go back. What a minute? Is Janet running out of names for her interludes now? I swear there was a back interlude on the janet. album!
Curtains-A smooth and bouncy R&B groove that has Janet singing about having a private show with one of her fans. It's a nice little closer for the album but nothing too special.-3.5/5 stars
"Discipline", while selling 181,000 copies it's first week, has proven to be Janet's most successful album commercially. It's #1 album in the country and her 6th #1 on the BB 200 charts to date; now tying with Madonna and behind only Barbara Streisand who has 8 #1 album. Also, "Feedback" has peaked at #19 on the Hot 100, her first top 20 single since 2001 as well as becoming yet another #1 dance club hit for Janet. "Discipline" has also given Janet the best reviews from critics since "The Velvet Rope", mostly saying it's her most cohesive album in a long while. My only problem is that the album was not written by Janet and Jimmy and Terry had no input what so ever since pre-Control. While Rockwiler, Ne-Yo and others provide great productions on most songs, we never get a sense of Janet the artist, just the singer. Personally, I find it's a better overall album than "Damita Jo" but I like "20 Y.O." slightly more. Either way, "Discipline" might prove to be Janet's finest era in a good long while as even MTV is promoting the hell out of her, finally taking down it's banning of her after 4 years. But is it the comeback we've been waiting for? No! But do we really want another Control or RN 1814? Janet has already left her mark on pop culture, so as long as the majority of her music is great, like it always is, do we really need another classic? Maybe when Janet ready to give us another masterpiece, she will, but while we're waiting, let's just enjoy the music shall we.