I'm not sure how many people would actually agree, but let's face it:

Sonically groundbreaking funk/dance/pop whose steely themes centered around independence upon reaching adulthood and the principles of relationships were revolutionary in the pop/R&B world at the time and have spawned many imitators since, and a Janet Jackson record that, for once, is nice and cohesive, interlude-less, sample-free, and possessing of sex appeal done RIGHT. Even "He Doesn't Know I'm Alive", the one corny, out-of-place number on the album, arguably isn't the WORST thing she ever recorded and features what is probably her best vocal performance ever, and "Let's Wait Awhile", syrupy as it gets towards the end, is still beautiful in its own right and is an eternally relevant message of abstinence.


How can you possibly get any better than that?


It's always her epics, "Rhythm Nation 1814" and "The Velvet Rope" (and sometimes even "janet."), that are heralded by her fanbase, but while I understand all the hype for "RN1814" and would consider it a masterpiece as well (even if it initially struck me as overproduced and ear-splitting upon buying it on CD; I must have just not been in the mood at that time), "janet." and "The Velvet Rope" are immensely enjoyable, but overlong, conceptually inferior, IMO, to their predecessors, and hardly much without their jacking from old-school hits.


And "AFY" and "Damita Jo" aren't much different from what we orgers diss frequently on current mainstream pop radio. No further comment necessary.

squiddyren said:

Yes, they are. Some of the songs still have what was once known as "melody". Remember that?

VoicesCarry said:

They DO have melody, but some of the other songs on radio from other artists that have melody I still see trashed or dismissed, and I see nearly nothing on either album that distinguishes her of her music from other pop/R&B acts of the '00s.

I like this one the best. Though Janet is her best album.

squiddyren said:

Like what - Ashlee Simpson? The pop field is very thin right now, so I'm glad we have Janet. Ciara came out and released the same midtempo song 3 times in a row and no one noticed. Who's doing good uptempo pop/R&B these days? I along with vainandy am very saddened by the loss. There is at least a chance Janet will go back to her roots for the next album, and I'm all for it. I liked Damita Jo - there were some good joints on there: Island Life, All Nite, I Want You, R&B Junkie, SloLove.....I'd rather hear those on the radio than 99% of today's crap.

And Sexhibition had some funk
[Edited 11/5/05 8:34am]

VoicesCarry said:

Alicia Keys' songs have melody, yet she's dissed almost like any other R&B artist would be dissed right now. How is her derivative nature as an R&B star any different from Janet's? Janet's last two releases have been your typical, generic brew of the Jam/Lewis partnership, a few hot current producers, obvious, repeated samples of old-school joints, and mindless, often vulgar lyrics.

squiddyren said:

Do you want to know why Alicia is dismissed on this board? Because Alicia was hyped to be this genius of the musical universe to succeed Stevie Wonder or some shit like that, and she winds up lifting melody lines wholesale from James Brown. We expected major talent, and we got a piano player with an OK voice. LAURYN HILL would be where it's at if she bothered to make music anymore.

And, yeah, I agree Janet needs to change it up on her new album, but I still enjoy those records more than whatever's on the radio (because All Nite and R&B Junkie weren't). At least she bothers to sample joints that have some funk.
[Edited 11/5/05 8:41am]

VoicesCarry said:

Okay, then. Debate sealed.

lilgish said:

I agree, Janet is her best album. It's spotless. But so is this one, except for maybe "HDKIA"
Classic album, and an amazing breakthrough for Ms. Jackson.

I'm not a huge fan of AFY or DJ despite some great tracks, but i feel Janet is going to nail it with her next effort.

Even though I think Rhythm Nation 1814 is a much better improvement over Control, Control is a very rewarding and groundbreaking classic and it does have alot of my favorite 80's tunes like Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun), but The Velvet Rope will always be her best album though, in my opinion. The 1993 album, Janet, had a number of throwaways and the interludes killed me, but it showed that she was a well-rounded artist doing different styles of music and I will always give the Janet album 4 stars.
[Edited 11/5/05 16:34pm]

i see it this way....

Control=1999
Rhythm Nation 1814=Purple Rain<-----

by the time this album dropped, EVERYBODY knew who she was if they didn't before(Good Times,Fame and playing Willis Jacksons'girlfriend Charlene on Diff'rent Strokes notwithstanding )

As much as I like Control (and I do), it can't hold a candle to Rhythm Nation 1814.

Moonbeam said:

Agreed.

it's good. Velvet Rope still my personal fav

Rhythm Nation 1814 is her best album.

Control is the best!

GangstaFam said:

Co-co-sign. 1814 will always be Janet's crowning achievement.

people diss "he doesn't know i'm alive" but its so cute, the vocals are great and i think its janet being cool without knowing it.

but i feel the same about alot of other artists, madonna's whole first album is cooler and funkier then anything she has ever done.

Does Janet have a new "greatest hits" album planned for the near future? I could have sworn that I saw rumors about a post 1996 greatest hits coming out. Any help would be appreciated.

Scorpion said:

With the triple assault of Lonely, Come Back To Me and Someday Is Tonight, you can't go wrong.


Ecnirp84

avatarfunk said:

Good comparison.
And..
Janet = Parade
The Velvet Rop = SOTT
All 4 You = Diamonds & Pearls
Damita Jo = Rave...

yeah Control is but id have 2 go with RN or VR...

VoicesCarry said

We expected major talent, and we got a piano player with an OK voice. LAURYN HILL would be where it's at if she bothered to make music anymore.


Are you suggesting that Janet has a better voice than Alicia? Does Janet play any instruments? Alicia Keys is more of a musician than Janet Jackson. Janet is a dancer, she IS NOT A SINGER. As far as hooks and beats that's all Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. I'm sorry, I think you people give Janet way too much credit.

[Edited 11/5/05 8:41am]
[/quote]

wonder505 said:

[/quote]
Janet plays the piano...but im not saying she can play like Ms.Keyz,that girl is crazycool

Control and RN1814 are some of the best album I've heard. Especially Control. If I ever had to explain to somebody what was the music like in the 80's I would simply play Control.

Paisley4u said:

yep.

"Control" is her funkiest shit. "Velvet Rope" is always number one for me but
you can't beat "Nasty" or "The Pleasure Principle."

I love the singles from "Rhythm Nation" but I don't really dig some of the other tracks. "Janet" is also spotty in the second half IMO. "Body That Loves You" and "Where Are you Now" are bland as hell.

Just my 2 cents. "Control" is a pure classic and I can't wait for the motherfuckin remaster.

badujunkie said:

I feel very similar about all the albums, especially Janet. The first half is good the second half, mediocre. All the albums have gems but TVR is the most daring and even still it has weak spots, IMO.