alphastreet said:

mjscarousal said:

I literally just finished listening to the album and MY MY MY this is a great album!!!

Review

1. HOWEVER, I have to say this, I just have tooo...While the album is good, it is definitly not her BEST but ONE of her best. Its not better than Rhythm Nation or Velvet Rope....not even close! I am reading that a lot here and I respectfually disagree. With that being said, Unbreakable is a overall better than (All 4, U, Damita Jo, 20 YO and Discipline) that I will say. So I do think it deserves to be lump next to her legendary albums as among her best but definitly not her best album if that makes sense.

2. Janet sounds vocally AMAZING on this album. She is actually SANGGING like she use to in the Rhythm Nation days and she sounds so beautiful and her voice is so clear. I love her vunerability and emotion in her singing. I have always loved it in the past but it is so refreshing to hear her really let go in a song. Its beautiful.

3. This album is very emotional (it conveys emotion and pulls emotion out of you especially knowing all Janet and her family has experienced over the last 10 years in the industry)I almost nearly a cried a couple times listening to a couple of songs. This is has been the REALEST Janet album we have had in a longggg time. She is really opening up and honest on this album.

4. Favorite tracks:

The Great Forever- This is the best song on the album and one of the best songs she has ever done in her catalog. When I original heard the clips, I knew I was going to love this song. It reminds me of a late 60's pop song. Its SOOO catchy and I love how Janet gets gritty with her vocals and the funky production Oh and that break down I was not expecting that, its genius!

Gon B Alright- This is a CLOSE best second and a dangerously close second best song on the album! Ive read people insist this song sounds like Jackson 5 and I respectfully disagree. This song sounds like a Sly and Family Stone production. I am surprised no one hasn't said this yet. Janet is obviously channeling Sly on this record vocally and I was so impressed and blown away with the influence. When I heard this song I literally jumped off my behind and could not stop dancing I have never heard Janet sound so gritty and funky as she has on this record! Also, I LOVE the message in this song. It makes me feel I can accomplish and be anything I want to be and YES we GON B Alright! This is easily one of the best in her catalog!!! Jimmy and Terry REALLY put their foot in the song

After You Fall- I nearly cried listening to this. People can make what they want from it but I felt she was talking about the media and her fall from grace (impressed with the simplicity of the lyrics but it still envoke so much emotion)

Broken Hearts Heal- Beautiful and I think she was channeling Michael vocally and the production and harmonies reminded me circa 80's/ classic MJ Thriller.

Night- Reminded me of a 80's/90's house dance song. Brilliant production (Jimmy and Terry really did their thing)

Dream Maker- old school Janet, I love the adlibs and background vocals, AMAZING. I wish the song was longer.

Black Eagle- I love the social message and the song sounds like poetry, beautiful.

Promise- this is an interlude but it is so genius!!!I wish this was a song and it went on longer. This really should have been a song.

5. She probably won't get any recognition for it but this is easily the best pop album of 2015.

Agree with most of this! I did think of sly & the famiy stone too, along with the jacksons and stevie, and even the janet tour

I feel after you fall is about her and mj but she's put it out there in a tasteful way where she's not using his name to sell you know, cause it's about reflecting on her fall too. And I think great forever is about wissam and possibly dealing with outside forces of islamphobia, but that's just me.

[Edited 10/4/15 17:24pm]

[Edited 10/4/15 17:27pm]

i agree the great forever speaks about her marriage, especially the part where she says 'dont know why who she loves is so radical to you". its addressing the muslim issue.

lowkey said:

after you fall is clearly about michael imo, its a very emotional somber song, then she goes right into the upbeat broken hearts heal. the words indicate she is talking about him to me, she refers to him as 'brilliance' and his resilience', all the good he's done, not being able to trust, and at the end when she ask 'who's gonna be there after you fall' she says 'i will'. i think those 2 songs are her direct tributes to him, his influence is spinkled throughout the album.

Exactly, I really feel this song is for him, and broken hearts heal is for the masses mj tribute, I hear melancholy in it despite being an upbeat song, very much like how most felt with his death. And after you fall is very much a janet song, but I hear gone too soon, you were there, she's out of my life type of vibes from it, and it makes me think of the trial days :*(

[Edited 10/4/15 18:55pm]

One thing I like about Janet's albums is that her songs have a lot of different meanings and themes. They all don't just mean one thing and can be interpreted different ways which is what I get from this album as well. After listening to the songs again the ones discussed, I still think After you fall is about MJ and is self reflective kinda like her You song on TVR. I think its brilliant how she was able to tie those two things together all the while making it universal where people can also relate to falling and wanting someone to be there when in need. Listening to the Great Forever a couple more times, I do agree its more about her marriage but I also think its about her scolding the media about lies and truths. . Also, I was trying to figure out for the longest time what MJ song The Great Forever reminded me of and I finally figured it out. It sounds exactly like A Place With No Name. It reminds me of a MJ song too. There is alot of MJ influence and references in this album as I listen to it more and more.

mjscarousal said:

One thing I like about Janet's albums is that her songs have a lot of different meanings and themes. They all don't just mean one thing and can be interpreted different ways which is what I get from this album as well. After listening to the songs again the ones discussed, I still think After you fall is about MJ and is self reflective kinda like her You song on TVR. I think its brilliant how she was able to tie those two things together all the while making it universal where people can also relate to falling and wanting someone to be there when in need. Listening to the Great Forever a couple more times, I do agree its more about her marriage but I also think its about her scolding the media about lies and truths. . Also, I was trying to figure out for the longest time what MJ song The Great Forever reminded me of and I finally figured it out. It sounds exactly like A Place With No Name. It reminds me of a MJ song too. There is alot of MJ influence and references in this album as I listen to it more and more.

We think so alike, cause I always felt janet had double meanings and it worked well. I think the end lyric of after you fall is so brilliant too "I will" implying self-care, looking out for one self when applied to herself, continuing to go on....or if about her brother, showing support, even if not in ways fanatics expect of her unfairly.

I agree great forever is like her Leave Me Alone, but applying to years of media scrutiny and in recent years, possible naysayers about her life choices. I first thought of the way you make me feel when that snippet came out, but now I also hear leave me alone and a place with no name, though I also hear many other shuffle songs. I really love her low register

Its been a minute since I've thought about Miss Jackson(in a musical sense). But with all the positive reviews on here, I'm buying Unbreakable, ASAP.

Shoot, I ain't even gonna preview it before i purchase it. I trust y'all's judgment that much(as it relates to the awesomeness of Unbreakable).

[Edited 10/4/15 23:36pm]

I'm not one to post on board often, but Damn. Welcome back Janet. I missed you. Album is fantastic.

This whole album is straight up FIRE.

Can't pick a favorite yet, but...NIGHT - with its silky sexy dancer vibe is so HOT!

mjscarousal said:

One thing I like about Janet's albums is that her songs have a lot of different meanings and themes. They all don't just mean one thing and can be interpreted different ways which is what I get from this album as well. After listening to the songs again the ones discussed, I still think After you fall is about MJ and is self reflective kinda like her You song on TVR. I think its brilliant how she was able to tie those two things together all the while making it universal where people can also relate to falling and wanting someone to be there when in need. Listening to the Great Forever a couple more times, I do agree its more about her marriage but I also think its about her scolding the media about lies and truths. . Also, I was trying to figure out for the longest time what MJ song The Great Forever reminded me of and I finally figured it out. It sounds exactly like A Place With No Name. It reminds me of a MJ song too. There is alot of MJ influence and references in this album as I listen to it more and more.

yes i agree about the different ways you can interpet the songs, there was a discussion on her board about dammn baby, is she talking about the industry as a whole, current artists or herself. 'the great forever' reminds me of 'leave me alone', i didnt think about 'place with no name' could be a combination. this is really the first time she has embraced her family's influence in her music and i love it, it really ties into what she says the theme of the album is. i really want a documentary on the making of this album, i dont need her to do interviews where they will spend 2 minutes talking about the music and the rest on her personal life.

lowkey said:

alphastreet said:

Agree with most of this! I did think of sly & the famiy stone too, along with the jacksons and stevie, and even the janet tour

I feel after you fall is about her and mj but she's put it out there in a tasteful way where she's not using his name to sell you know, cause it's about reflecting on her fall too. And I think great forever is about wissam and possibly dealing with outside forces of islamphobia, but that's just me.

[Edited 10/4/15 17:24pm]

[Edited 10/4/15 17:27pm]

i agree the great forever speaks about her marriage, especially the part where she says 'dont know why who she loves is so radical to you". its addressing the muslim issue.

The true value of this album is not only how it speaks volumes about Janet's own experiences but also how much the listener can relate it to their own personal experiences, too. IMHO

terrig said:

This whole album is straight up FIRE.

Can't pick a favorite yet, but...NIGHT - with its silky sexy dancer vibe is so HOT!

Easily one of my favorites.

purplethunder3121 said:

lowkey said:

i agree the great forever speaks about her marriage, especially the part where she says 'dont know why who she loves is so radical to you". its addressing the muslim issue.

The true value of this album is not only how it speaks volumes about Janet's own experiences but also how much the listener can relate it to their own personal experiences, too. IMHO

janet was always awesome for that, and yeah I can definitely empathize with her on some of them though really and truly to me, its a narrative on her experiences and enlightenment

I slept on the last few releases as they were just ok but this is EXCELLENT!

The whole time I just kept thinking if only Jam & Lewis produced HNR...how AWESOME it would be

My favorite is The Great Forever. She totally sounds like her brother on this track and I really dig the transition that appears at 1:50 where she now kinda sounds like Prince...niiiiice

So many great tracks its gonna take a while to digest...top Fall album going....

lowkey said:

mjscarousal said:

One thing I like about Janet's albums is that her songs have a lot of different meanings and themes. They all don't just mean one thing and can be interpreted different ways which is what I get from this album as well. After listening to the songs again the ones discussed, I still think After you fall is about MJ and is self reflective kinda like her You song on TVR. I think its brilliant how she was able to tie those two things together all the while making it universal where people can also relate to falling and wanting someone to be there when in need. Listening to the Great Forever a couple more times, I do agree its more about her marriage but I also think its about her scolding the media about lies and truths. . Also, I was trying to figure out for the longest time what MJ song The Great Forever reminded me of and I finally figured it out. It sounds exactly like A Place With No Name. It reminds me of a MJ song too. There is alot of MJ influence and references in this album as I listen to it more and more.

yes i agree about the different ways you can interpet the songs, there was a discussion on her board about dammn baby, is she talking about the industry as a whole, current artists or herself. 'the great forever' reminds me of 'leave me alone', i didnt think about 'place with no name' could be a combination. this is really the first time she has embraced her family's influence in her music and i love it, it really ties into what she says the theme of the album is. i really want a documentary on the making of this album, i dont need her to do interviews where they will spend 2 minutes talking about the music and the rest on her personal life.

It does sound like her Leave Me Alone lyrically with her scolding the media and false and truths. I think the beat and musical production sounds like a A Place with no Name. The sound is so unique I can't even put my finger on what it sounds like but its definitly got that late 60s and early 70s vibe. I agree, I rather her discuss her creative process. This album sounds like she really worked her butt off and put some thought into it.

2020 said:

I slept on the last few releases as they were just ok but this is EXCELLENT!

The whole time I just kept thinking if only Jam & Lewis produced HNR...how AWESOME it would be

My favorite is The Great Forever. She totally sounds like her brother on this track and I really dig the transition that appears at 1:50 where she now kinda sounds like Prince...niiiiice

So many great tracks its gonna take a while to digest...top Fall album going....

I sense a lot of Prince inspiration on this album musically too more than in a long time. Musically, I hear it on Shoulda Known Better, Take Me Away, Well Traveled, and when I listened carefully a second/third time, Night.

2020 said:

I slept on the last few releases as they were just ok but this is EXCELLENT!

The whole time I just kept thinking if only Jam & Lewis produced HNR...how AWESOME it would be

My favorite is The Great Forever. She totally sounds like her brother on this track and I really dig the transition that appears at 1:50 where she now kinda sounds like Prince...niiiiice

So many great tracks its gonna take a while to digest...top Fall album going....

What does HNR stand for?

All hail Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis...this album is just genius. It interweaves all kinds of 80's references into one seamless all Janet sounding album...while Janets not a vocal powerhouse...she's always done this very very well. smart, sensitive, sexy, sweet without being anyones pushover. the music is sophisticated and mature with her just being herself, as herself. She sounds comfortable in her skin

LOVING IT SO MUCH.


Burn it Up < white horse .. missy loves her some club culture yassssss!

Night < sexy dancer all the way - you're crazy if you dont hear it

Take Me Away < big sweeping fleetwood mac/stevie nicks vibe - the guitars here sound so good!

Black Eagle -- beautiful. 'helping someone to feel human again' --- damn isnt that what it all boils down to in this ugly disgusting compassion-bereft society?

Gon B Alright - Jackson 5/Sly Stone -- MY GAWD HORNZZZZZZZZ! So HAPPY!

Everything in between is the slinky RNB Janets always done so well.


The whole thing is just spectacular.

I know I'ma get bashed for this but I'm guilty of pigeonholing Janet, especially after "Rhythm Nation".

Because after that album is when Janet became way more explicitly sexual. I was used to the more tomboyish, shy, anthem-y Janet.

To me this album if anything is more in line with that Janet then the Janet that wanted to directly compete with Madonna.

I know she was becoming more comfortable with her womanness as time went on but I got used to the girl you couldn't do enough for who danced like a boy.

I also got a stevie nicks vibe with that song, and when she performed...I feel like she performed Take Me Away, but can't remember.

terrig said:

All hail Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis...this album is just genius. It interweaves all kinds of 80's references into one seamless all Janet sounding album...while Janets not a vocal powerhouse...she's always done this very very well. smart, sensitive, sexy, sweet without being anyones pushover. the music is sophisticated and mature with her just being herself, as herself. She sounds comfortable in her skin

LOVING IT SO MUCH.


Burn it Up < white horse .. missy loves her some club culture yassssss!

Night < sexy dancer all the way - you're crazy if you dont hear it

Take Me Away < big sweeping fleetwood mac/stevie nicks vibe - the guitars here sound so good!

Black Eagle -- beautiful. 'helping someone to feel human again' --- damn isnt that what it all boils down to in this ugly disgusting compassion-bereft society?

Gon B Alright - Jackson 5/Sly Stone -- MY GAWD HORNZZZZZZZZ! So HAPPY!

Everything in between is the slinky RNB Janets always done so well.


The whole thing is just spectacular.

SAME! Glad you are enjoying it

im glad people are actually taking the time to listen to this album, even if they didnt get it on first listen so many people are saying 'after a couple more listens its now on repeat'. it feels good to see an album being discussed for the songs instead of everything else around it.

amit1234 said:

2020 said:

I slept on the last few releases as they were just ok but this is EXCELLENT!

The whole time I just kept thinking if only Jam & Lewis produced HNR...how AWESOME it would be

My favorite is The Great Forever. She totally sounds like her brother on this track and I really dig the transition that appears at 1:50 where she now kinda sounds like Prince...niiiiice

So many great tracks its gonna take a while to digest...top Fall album going....

What does HNR stand for?

HIT N RUN

Now trending higher in sales with an estimated 100-110k first week in the US and a #1 debut.

This would make her only the second female artist after Barbra Streisand to have #1 albums in each of four decades (80's, 90's, 00's, 10's).

Damn, y'all got me stoked. Be glad when payday gets here.

mjscarousal said:

One thing I like about Janet's albums is that her songs have a lot of different meanings and themes. They all don't just mean one thing and can be interpreted different ways which is what I get from this album as well. After listening to the songs again the ones discussed, I still think After you fall is about MJ and is self reflective kinda like her You song on TVR. I think its brilliant how she was able to tie those two things together all the while making it universal where people can also relate to falling and wanting someone to be there when in need. Listening to the Great Forever a couple more times, I do agree its more about her marriage but I also think its about her scolding the media about lies and truths. . Also, I was trying to figure out for the longest time what MJ song The Great Forever reminded me of and I finally figured it out. It sounds exactly like A Place With No Name. It reminds me of a MJ song too. There is alot of MJ influence and references in this album as I listen to it more and more.

Before I listened to the album I read a review somewhere where the reviewer also thought After You Fall was about MJ. I don't know if I would've picked up on that otherwise, but with that in mind it sounded almost like a response to Will You Be There. I mean, sonically the two are nothing alike, but the lyrics struck me as a response to WYBT. I really thought that at the end when she said "I will," but I also like another poster's interpretation that it's about self care.

.

Correct me if I'm wrong, because I know there are people here who actually know about music rather than pretend (like I do!) but I think The Great Forever and The Way You Make Me Feel are both in 6/8 and have a similar tempo (I believe Madonna's True Blue is as well). That sort of stutter-stop percussion in the background gives all of those songs a pretty distinct vibe, I think, which also might be where some people get MJ vibes on TGF.

Also, does anybody have any theories on the end of The Great Forever, when she says "I wish me being happy didn't make you so sad"? The most obvious answer would be the media, but it sounds like somebody specific, and I think people in the media come across as more angry or vindictive when celebs they've targeted seem to be doing well. (Of course, this may be one of those Janet things that we could discuss endlessly and never even get close to a conclusion!)

And ooooh, Shoulda Known Better. Speaking of the media, I have some angry thoughts on that one. (Not angry at Janet, but at all the fuckknob critics in the 90s who thought it was cute to sit in their offices bashing a woman half their age for trying to make a difference in the world. I'm convinced that 90% of Internet trolls are the children of those bitter-ass music critics. ) Maybe when I get time I'll go off on my rant about that one.

[Edited 10/5/15 17:54pm]

JoeyC said:

Its been a minute since I've thought about Miss Jackson(in a musical sense). But with all the positive reviews on here, I'm buying Unbreakable, ASAP.

Shoot, I ain't even gonna preview it before i purchase it. I trust y'all's judgment that much(as it relates to the awesomeness of Unbreakable).

[Edited 10/4/15 23:36pm]

I have not had an album move me quite like this one in a while. It makes you wanna dance, sing, cry, it makes you think, it's relaxing, sensual...BRAVO!

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