Duke it out!



"edit."
[Edited 7/31/05 21:38pm]

Sorry to be a party poop, but...

http://www.prince.org/msg/8/155204

GangstaFam said:

oh hey I missed that one, thanks!

CinisterCee said:

It's not too late. Hurry, switch it to Like a Prayer vs. Rhythm Nation.

GangstaFam said:

Or "Music" vs. "All For You"...of all their album releases close together, those were similar in the fact that they were both older and came criticall acclaimed albums but were doing somewhat younger music to reach massive audiences.....

And then there is "Erotica" vs. "Janet."...is that a fair fight?

GangstaFam said:

A thread like that would surely EXPLODE

VinnyM27 said:

We could do Erotica vs. Janet vs. Bedtime Stories. That might be interesting.

CinisterCee said:

And you can be the proud owner! Take the plunge!

Yay! You did it!

This is actually a tough one. I'ma let it marinate a bit.

Fammin' on Janet like a mutha... this one goes to her too!

It's the album Michael wishes he had made!

CinisterCee said:

Michael singin' "Someday is Tonight".

This is an awfully difficult choice. Both albums are their best, in my opinion, and both rank easily within my top 10 of all time.

I have to go with Rhythm Nation 1814 (my number 4 of all time) just beating out Like a Prayer (my number 6). Both meant a great deal to me then as they do today, but I think RN is a little more consistent. Here's my review for Rhythm Nation 1814:

By 1989, Janet Jackson had made a name for herself with the overwhelming success of 1986's mega-hit Control. Nevertheless, Janet was still viewed as Michael's little sister. Rhythm Nation 1814 changed that and launched Janet into megastardom.

A 12-song masterpiece, Rhythm Nation 1814 stands as the best Jackson album ever recorded. It was beyond a mere pop record both sonically and thematically. Never had pop had such hard, industrial beats ("Rhythm Nation," "State of the World," "The Knowledge"). Never had its messages captured a nation's plight in such a public forum with such a marquee name. Rhythm Nation 1814 rallied around a unifying cry of racial, gender and generational harmony. While contemporaries like Jody Watley and Karyn White saw their careers come and go, Rhythm Nation 1814 has withstood the test of time; 15 years later, it still sounds edgy and relevant.

Perhaps this is due to the fact that it at times plays like a well-sequenced greatest hits record. Indeed, there were plenty of hits. Rhythm Nation 1814 broke records in that 7 of its singles hit the US top 5, topping the seven top 10 singles of older brother's Thriller. But unlike Thriller, each of Rhythm Nation 1814's hit singles has become etched in the collective consciousness of pop music. Who will forget "Miss You Much" with its Princely Minneapolis funk? Or "Rhythm Nation" with its hard beats, inspiring call for order and undeniably memorable, influential and seminal video? Or "Escapade" with its ecstatic chorus and glee? Or "Alright" and its laid back, urban vibe and irresistible fun? Or "Come Back to Me" with its solemn plea for reconciliation? Or "Black Cat" with its roaring guitar hook written by Janet herself in her anger directed at gangs? Or "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" and its sexy glimpse into Janet's future?

Although anchored by a solid succession of hits, Rhythm Nation 1814 features five other strong songs. The first, and strongest, of these is the infectious "State of the World," which chronicles the turmoil and tribulation of a poverty-stricken teen mother and a homeless boy on the verge of suicide. This has never been typical fodder in the realm of pop music, but in 1989 it really was pioneering. The socially conscious "The Knowledge" with its industrial, thumping beats and "Livin' in a World (They Didn't Make)" further underscore the importance of education and social order and responsibility. Near the end of the album, the morose "Lonely" echoes solitude while also managing to be inviting. The closer "Someday Tonight" is one of the album's highlights and serves as an appropriate sequel to Control's "Let's Wait Awhile." There is not an ounce of filler on this album, and although interludes have become commonplace in today's overwrought albums, in Rhythm Nation 1814 they were new and innovative snippets that neatly prefaced and served as a backdrop to the music rather than a distraction from it.

While Janet Jackson has been caught in a bit of a repetitive, albeit thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable, cycle for the past decade or so, it was with Rhythm Nation 1814 that she cemented her legend. Under the wing of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Janet harvested a truly landmark album in the history of music. The black and white videos. The key earring. The militaristic choreography. Those hard beats and irresistible funk grooves. This is Janet Jackson's bread and butter. And all of this at the age of 23.

GangstaFam said:

He could have recycled the intro from "I Just Can't Stop Loving You"

you're so beautiful
your eyes are so lovely
your mouth is so sweet
alot of people misunderstand me

Moonbeam, do you have a LAP review too?

GangstaFam said:

Not yet. It's in the works.

Moonbeam said:

Hop to it, journo boy!

ahh I wanna read a LAP review too

LAP... moments in it make me cry feel empowered and remind me of growing up Catholic

this is impossible...

i didn't start this thread on purpose because...there's no way. i could never decide. it's like saying "would you rather bone christina aguilera or cameron diaz?"

badujunkie said:

neither. they both have had Justin up in them. still...no!

Chico319 said:

definetly like a prayer, its one of my favourite albums of all time. its absolute perfection, i dont reckon janet has ever done anything as good as this

GangstaFam said:

Had to do Parade first.

Gotta go w/ Janet again...

"Like A Prayer"

Chico319 said:

[Edited 7/31/05 23:21pm]

Chico319 said:

U are just as crazy as ur avatar.


Rhythm Nation starts of better, ends better, and leaves you pop-ly, thought-fully and sweating-ly satisfied.

Like A Prayer...neither.

paisleypark4 said:

Oh, thank you, thank you!!!