Janet Jackson - Discipline
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Free Music Notes for Discipline
Free Music Review: Something fresh from Janet Jackson!
Hit: 3 Stars
Janet Jackson was certainly in need of a fresh sounding CD. Her previous two, 20 Y.O. and Damita Jo, weren't even on my radar screen, even for a long time fan like myself, since Control. I am so glad to see her back with a CD that is modern and fresh and something to dance to!
While I admit this CD took a little time to grow on me, the more I listen to it, the more I am convinced that this is a gem. It's a mix between what I consider classic Janet with her silky smooth voice and unbeatable pop beats; and an updated version that is infused with electricity in not only her voice, but in the rhythm and hooks in each song. Some of my favorite songs are: Feedback, Rock With U, Rollercoaster, Luv, 2Nite and Never Letchu Go.
The things I can do without on this CD are #1 The interludes!! I don't know why Janet likes these, but I have never cared for them and they are just plain annoying to me. #2 Some of her more R&B softer songs. I just don't get into that, I'd rather have more songs that are fun, songs that I want to sing/dance along to. Overall, I like the first half of the CD way more than the second half.
All that being said, I am just happy to see Janet finding her way again, I think she's a genius. I'm hoping she will continue with this metamorphasis and the next CD will even better than this. Because the great songs on this CD are GREAT...if only there were more of the same.
Free Music Review: Keep it up
Hit: 5 Stars
I want to start off by saying that SEXUALITY, WOMEN and MUSIC are meant to be. This measures across all forms of music, it's what makes us gravitate towards female artists. Let's look as far back as the Elvis Period of music..sexuality has always been a player in the recording business. The difference between then and now is simply the evolution of sexual freedom and exploration. It's there in country music in it's own subtle way, it's in latin music in it's own subtle way..it's everywhere. I say these things in the beginning because it amazes me that in 2008 most americans act as if this is something new and they can't process this.
Janet and Madonna BOTH inject sexuality into their crafts. Madonna pushing 50 and Janet 41. Our culture loves a gal that doesn't give up and these two ladies fit that mold.
This efford for Janet is GREAT ! LOVED IT ! Janet's last two albums have been a means for her to jump back after the fall-out. When we as human beings experience a fall-out on the level as Janet experienced it takes time to bounce back, but keep in mind that she didn't fall off the face of the earth either. Strong,Black Women ENDURE...Plain and Simple. I think this album definately puts her in better standing now than her last album.
Let's not forget Madonna's SEX BOOK Episode and how outraged americans were about her and how they dogged her for about 5 albums after that. Now if Madonna sneezes we run to church to pray for her...LOL.
What I love is the most about this album is the updated concept which infuses Japanese, High Tech Visuals and sounds. Exploring new levels of yourself musically should be celebrated instead of criticized. I know that Janet has for years developed her own sound, but if she changes we should be open to what she has to show us. Imagine being a painter and finally one day getting your work displayed in the best gallery in the world..THEN have critics describe your work as being AWFUL,TASTELESS,etc. What makes a critic understand the mind of the artist in their creative process?
Free Music Review: Better than her last efforts.
Hit: 2 Stars
At least there are two really good songs on this disc...'Feedback' and 'Rock Wich U.' That is more than her last few discs offered up (i.e. 20Y.O. = Enjoy and Damita Jo = All Nite). Yes, those tired interludes and wispy-voiced songs are still there. I was going to buy tickets to her concert today but then figured it would be same old show (inflatable-storybook set, dry humping a male audience member, crying on a stool, etc..) Janet really needs to learn some new tricks.Free Music Review: "No Control" is more like it! Far too much "Discipline" for Janet.
Hit: 3 Stars
After gaining "Control" on her 1986 album, Janet totally loses it along any help from longtime producers/writing partners Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on "Discipline". In fact, look at the liner notes. Janet calls none of the shots here (apart from being able to contribute writing to only one interlude....and she only probably wrote four words of..."Four Words"). Janet is totally out of control on this one and has to play producers/writers pet over a mostly tepid pop/R&B album.
The promise of a return to more dance numbers is actually untrue overall as "Discipline" has some club stompers but mostly is weighed down by soft/mid tempo R&B written by men and about being in love. A practice in humble but ultimately heart warming female subservience is found on the light ballad over a rocking guitar is found on the Jermaine Dupri written "Never Letchu Go". It's hard to tell who is more desperate to hold on to the relationship....Janet, under the coos of "If something is broke/let me go and fix it/if something is lost/let me go and get it" or the writer Jermaine, who felt the need to be in the role of admired. Much less successful musically and thematically is the "Greatest X". It's familar terrority for Janet (the much pleasanter "Thinkin' Bout My Ex" on DJ said these things already) but it feels strange for yet another male writer to have Janet sing about how she still has feelings for someone else. It's a gratingly boring track. "The 1" is totally listless mid-tempo R&B with Missy in a useless, vulgar guest rap. But I guess it sells. "Can't B Good", which is being serviced to Urban AC radio, is a fine ballad but ulimately been done.
"Feedback" truly is the greatest hit on the album. Witty lyrics, dynamic singing and strong beats provide Janet with one of her most memorable hits in years. It is a Janet classic. "Luv" has a nice club feel, while "Rollercoaster" is childish pop garbage. The slinky "Rock With U" is club ecstasy but the much prompted "2Nite" is a predictable dance track that is a reminder of upbeat tracks from "All For You", but lacks a good punch as Janet seems faking enthusiasm and the repetition bogs down the track.
The album's intro promised an interesting premise of a Janet speaking with a computer "person" (Kieko?) and almost treating the album like a pre-recorded journal. However, there is nothing personal about this album that is written by male producers. And as a producers album, it is backfires. "Feedback" gets truncated where the radio version let the beats ride on for a minute or so after the vocal ended....what kind of producer's album does that? How in the world does a radio version end up being longer than the album version (and it's not like this is a long album). Also, it lacks consistency. There are so many things that "Discipline" could have or should have done instead. If it was going to be a dance album, go for it! It sort of follows the programming of the forgettable and/or despised "20 YO". Front load the dance tracks, then mid tempo, then ballads. Even though "Feedback" sounded so cool and different, it's an album that ends up for the most part playing it damn safe! It mostly R&B when Janet showed such promise on DJ by working with Euro dance producers. The only attempt at experimentation with euro dance beats is "So Much Betta", a beyond dubious duet with Keiko over borrowed beats that combines usual robotic vocals and an unexpected attempt at vocal gymnastics as Janet attempts at the end with Janet trying to sound sincere about being so much betta than any other girl. It's thankfully short but will leave you with a "WTF" look right after. So people loved this track, but ultimately, it is more evidence of Janet being controlled by those who think they know what is best for her to do. The theory is that the reason for Janet not being able to contribute to the album as anything but sining and possibly a name (although, a slightly tainted one) is because Def Jam wanted to have total control and make an album that would appeal to the masses. Thus the title "Discipline" being beyond fitting. However, I think if Janet is left to her own devises and can write about things other than being in love (but also not limited to just her recent status as an outcast due to conservative politics, either) and with being allowed to work with others than just "stable" names in R&B, we just might get that interesting record from her. Surprisingly, since underselling in recent years, Janet albums have been coming out quicker and quicker. The gap between "20 YO" and "Discipline" is ONLY a year and a half....maybe a record for Janet. Maybe, though, she does need to take more time and care on the next one. "Discipline" doesn't deserve to be totally dismissed as it has by some who have not even listened to it yet. Many people who keep complaining but did not listen suggest that it is too sexual. But only the title track, a not surprisingly erotic but not awful throwback to "Velvet Rope" tracks, even hints at being explicit. It has some winning tracks but also a fair share of filler material ("What's Ur Name" is mid tempo boredom). But considering we are talking about a woman who gave us some of the best pop/R&B albums of the eighties and nineties, we expect better.
Free Music Review: An improvement from her recent efforts.
Hit: 4 Stars
First of all, I wouldn't consider this a full on comeback album but thats not a bad thing. It has some of the best dance songs to come around in a while.Disipline has a futuristic feel to it instead of the bland r&b that was "20 Y.O" which is good she needed a change of pace but the one thing that still hasn't changed was the sexual overtones which seem to be all over her newer music but its nowhere near as explict as Damita jo was. Greatest X is probably her best song in YEARS! It would definitly chart if released as a single.
Over all id say its a good record to listen to but its still not strong enough to push janet to the top again but shes going in the right direction. Shes just not quite there yet.