I've been playing this album for some time now and I think it's a pretty good album that could've been better. First of all, the album sounds more pop oriented and it's a big return to her Control/Rhythm Nation days. The production was great also, but in some parts, it was kind of mish-mashy. The special part about this album are the ballads. Yeah, those songs Love Scene (Ooh Baby), Would You Mind?, and Feels So Right are hot and steamy. There are also some good ones on here too like, Doesn't Really Matter, Truth, Come On Get Up, and the title track, All For You. But with the other songs, she kinda lost me. Overall, I would give this album 4 1/2 stars. Let me tell you all something: JJ will never create another album like her masterpiece, "THE VELVET ROPE". Although that album was more personal, sexual, and raw, I was expecting something new with this album, All For You, and I did but it really didn't excite me much. I like her latest album, "Damita Jo" much better. So, has anyone been listening to this gem lately?

4 & 1/2 stars is a lot of stars for only liking half the songs.

all for you is my least favorite janet album (well, maybe dream street is but the verdict is still out on that). damita jo was much, much better and far more consistent.

SassyBritches said:

here is where we part ways...

GangstaFam said:

don't get me wrong, i think the subject matter is more played out than a five dollar crack ho's coo, but i love the sound of the record. i've never liked her slow jams more and songs like don't stop, rnb junkie, slolove, damita jo, strawberry bounce, and sexhibition...damn, they pop my coochie!

GangstaFam said:

Well, GangstaFam how did you like it?

SassyBritches said:

I don't know. I'm a huge fan of her ballads. Usually. Her slow, sad stuff like "Come Back to Me" and "One More Chance" is just gorgeous. I love her jazzy, sexy ones too like "Anytime, Anyplace". But this latest batch like "Warmth", "Moist", "Thinkin' Bout My Ex", etc. is just totally lifeless and not sexy to me. I probably played the album like 5 times and was like, Yuck! Enough!

I feel like the more she keeps going in this direction and the less she relies on her team, i.e. Jam & Lewis, Tina, even Rene, the more generic she becomes. She's like a faded copy of all her least interesting ideas from better times. Bums me out. I wanna like her again.

GangstaFam said:

After Moist went off Damita Jo got kinda lost in Kelis' Wanderland though it was in my opinion better than All 4 U

All 4 U got slow jams put squaah in the middle it began good then after Trust A Try, got kinda mid-tempo or sumthin'....just left me wantin more uptempo trax. U Aint Right is the JAMM!!!

I loved the live per4mance of love Scene/Would U Mind

"Damita Jo" sounded half-baked in areas and the sexuality really is played out but I DO give it props for tight production.

Back on subject, I haven't listened to all the songs from "All For You" yet. I really love the smash single "Doesn't Really Matter", though. Why some people don't like it, I don't understand.

silverchild said:

I liked "All For You" a lot at the time. It's kinda fallen off for me in recent years, but I think there were a lot of good songs on there.

Scorpion said:

Blasphemy

jayaredee said:

Well understand how SOME people could say that but velvet rope cudda done without "Tonight's The Night" and "Anything" kinda boring.

I think Damita Jo and All 4 U are better suited ofr dancing and fun. Where velvet Rope's jagged hardcore beats and strange oddities like "Free Xone" and "Empty" are better heard jamming on headphones. U get the message better.

paisleypark4 said:

I love that song "Anything". I play it everytime it rains...
[Edited 6/5/05 12:00pm]

SassyBritches said:

I completely agree with you. Damita Jo could've been a good record if she'd taken out all the interludes and a few of those awful slow songs. In my opinion All For You is one of her worst records, too many boring fillers and not enough hits. The title track is one my least favorite Janet songs.

GeishaGirl said:

All For You's dance songs are much better then Damita Jo's..

Damita Jo is just rot...

and i agree 100% with Gangsta Fam:



breaks my heart because out of all of the pop artist i enjoy (madonna, janet, fivestar and well..thats it i think)..janet was the one who was always consistent with her work....then All For You & Damito Jo hit...

and her boob fiasco....(and to a degree prior to that with her oprah apperance..ROT)...and well, Janet just became another freaken freaky jackson..

i want the ole janet back (not soundwise) but mentality wise...

sosgemini said:

squiddyren said:

i LOVE it!!! i think it's one of the best songs off the album. if not the best.

Chico319 said:

Those ballads on Damita Jo sound excellent. Has anyone heard that song, "Spending Time With You", becuase I'm just wearing that one out...

Delete.
[Edited 6/5/05 14:02pm]

sosgemini said:[quote]

GeishaGirl said:

I'll take All Nite, Sexhibition, Strawberry Bounce, Damita Jo and Slolove anyday over All For You, Someone To Call My Lover, Come On Get Up ( I couldn't stand this song until I saw her perform it live) and Doesn't Really Matter. Even speaking as a Janet fan the latter is a little too much pop for me.

This is a good cd, but was expecting more after the critically acclaimed TVR. I felt Janet took a step backwards with All For You. My favorites on All for you are When we ooh(this song grew on me), Come on get up, You Aint Right, Trust a Try, Truth, and Better Days. It's not a bad cd, but felt Janet could've done better. I feel the same with Damita Jo. Hopefully, Janet will bounce back after she gets out of this New Power Soul and Rave Un2 phase.

this is the album where the banality of the forumula for all 90's/00's Janet albums became all-too-apparent.


there are some good songs on here, but really, it's the beginning of the end as far as Janet's creativity goes. it's got a leg up on DamitaJo simply by virtue of having a few songs that stand out as distinct and memorable. but this is the one where you begin to realize that Janet really has no more ideas, nothing left to say, and really just doesn't want to put in the effort anymore.


here's to hoping that she's heard the wake-up call and that this new one that's coming out is a return to form.

silverchild said:

i didn't really care for "Damita Jo". apart from "R&B Junkie", "All Night", "Put Your Hands On", and maybe 1 other track..it was disappointing. IMO, i don't think ballads are a real strong point for Janet. at least not on her last couple of releases.

to add:

i do think "All For You" was a much better album over all.

I adore All for You. It's my second favorite album of hers after Rhythm Nation 1814. I merely like Damita Jo and that says a lot considering how much of a fan I am.

All for you is probably her worst album (excluding the first two) but could have been stronger if it only 10 or 11 tracks were included. for example:

1)you aint right
2)all for you
3)come on get up
4)who
5)when we oooo
6)china love
7)trust a try
8)son of a gun
9)truth
10)feels so right
11)better days

ok and maybe "doesn't really matter" because it was a hit, but if it had no interludes or "sex songs" then it would be better recieved. On the other hand "DJ" had strong songs all the way through (although i would replace "warmth") In fact i think janet made plenty of great tracks that could have been included on the album such as "put your hands on", "could this be love?", "i'm here" and "pops up", just get rid of a few of the terrible interludes and i'd be happy.

GeishaGirl said:

I would too.

IMO, Janets music just gets better & better. Velvet Rope was a low spot IMO then AFY came & although the wasn't GREAT, it was better than "Velvet Rope". IMO, I firmly believe "Damita Jo" is the best work she's had to offer since 1993 "Janet." album, there's no problems w/ Janet in my book.

Scorpion said:

I really consider Damita Jo as an updated and steamier sequel to her 1993 "Janet." album, which was entertainly great to me.
[Edited 6/5/05 16:50pm]

mancabdriver said:

oh crap i forgot "someone to call my lover", maybe 13 songs then, or get rid of "come on get up" it's too "poppy for me"