midnightmover said:

@midnight.... Im not trying to take anything from mariah song writing... its good that she does..... but its total overrated by her fans... Her lyrics are so redundant, premature and sometimes corny.... THEY seriously are not that impressive... mariah's lyric writing isn't even close to Jill scott, erica badu, or even someone of that writing standard...

and DON"T even call my a hard core janet fan.. because I am NOT at all... I wish BOTH the best on their albums.. and have my criticism for both... just read my last comments on janet...

lastly... i don't care what anyone says... I still do NOT give rene ANY credit for janet's music.. he may have contributed to a few lyrics.... and maybe her dressing sexy.. but OH well..... JIMMY was the one producing the music. and writing the chorus.... without jimmy's producing the song... janet might not still have had those hits even being married to rene...

you guys give him way to much credit.. when it all goes to JIMMY.... tell me OUT OF all the 10 number songs janet has and even the top 25 five songs janet has under belt.. how many Rene has produced and wrote the chorus for... ?????


if you really want me to be honest on my opinions of rene.. he abused, used and pimped janet... HOW can a husband have a another man touching their wife....

Feedback powering up to #7 on iTunes!

I brought the new album on Wednesday, but I haven't sat down and listened to it until today. I think it's an exceptional record, but it isn't the total return to form many people are claiming it to be, in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy Discipline way more than I thought I was going to and I admire that she is going into the dance, electro-synth direction. But what troubles me is that Discipline sounds like any other urban dance-pop record that is made nowadays and some of the producers doesn't try much of anything new to freshen up Janet's style.

The album does have its share of consecutive bangers like Feedback, which took me awhile to warm up to, Luv, which sounds like it's going to be a big hit, Rock With U and 2Nite, which reverts her back to her club-diva days. And I hate to admit it, but the Daft Punk-inspired So Much Betta is the funkiest shit I've heard from Janet in years.

I also like The 1, What's Ur Name, the title track, and Can't Be Good.

The biggest offender of the album is that Janet's rampant sexuality is pushing the album's stability down a bit. Not that 41-year olds (particularly 41-year olds that look as fine as Janet) aren't having sex, but we've now had about five consecutive albums of Janet singing primarily about boning. I think it's getting pretty old and worn out.

So overall, Discipline is probably as good of a record as can be expected from Janet at this point, considering her best days are way behind her. I mean, it's basically everything 20 Y.O. should've been. I think Janet has a #1 hit on her hands, only if she gets out and promotes the album and tour again for the first time in a couple years.
[Edited 3/1/08 19:11pm]

Listening to Janet from "Janet Jackson" up until the current "Discipline" (not in actual years, I'm only 21) is quite an interesting musical ride IMO. I can't believe this woman has been able to maintain some sense of relevancy in a nearly 30 year span, and I mean that in a good way.

With that said, "Discipline" is quite enjoyable. My expectations were not the highest coming off her last two efforts, though I did find something in each to deem both fairly listenable.

Going off a vinyl standpoint, Side A of "Discipline" kicks an ass as big as Aretha's! It's nearly a return to form of the Janet of old, with an updated electronic twist. "Feedback" has had an energetic grasp on me since it's initial leak towards the end of '07, and now "Luv, Rock With U and Rollercoaster (to an extent)" are making their way in. After the slight disappointment of "Feedback" music video, I pray all is redeemed with the upcoming "Rock With U" project since it's too unbelievably magnetic audibly not to have the perfect visual accompanying the tune. "2Nite" is another easily enjoyable dance number that should find it's way to the mainstream audience.

Side Ballad (with the exclusion of So Much Betta, The 1 and What's Ur Name) is what I would consider the albums downfall. Twice is the maximum I'd say I've actually entirely listened to Janet whisper her way through a continuous array of pain/love/sex tracks. Maybe it'll take a few more listens before they eventually come around seeing as how Janet has quite a few memorable slow tunes, but as of now, "Disciplines" crooners are more like tedious tasks rather than listenable pleasures. Thankfully, the aforementioned tracks listed in the 1st sentence salvage this side of the record from being completely discarded at the moment.

I'm split on the interludes. Those that feature Kyoko are tolerable, but everything else I could live without. I was hoping she'd keep them to a minimum as she did on 20 Y.O., but I guess the powers that be assess them to be Janet's signature.

All in all, I believe Jan is seemingly taking steps in the right direction once again with "Discipline." Along with the interlude cutbacks, the next LP should stray from bogging its self down with such uninspired ballads. We know you're loving life and all these days, but please Janet, try to keep us dancing

Evvy said:

.. i can not get over this picture.. J Dupri better take heed lol .. after effects of leaving Janet lol

Flowerz said:

And God knows JD cannot afford to look any worse than he does now.

purplecam said:

Comes in at #16 in Australia, her highest-charting album since All For You cracked the Top 10. 20 Y.O. made #55.

TotalAlisa said:

I never thought I'd find myself defending Mariah Carey, but just this once I will. Her early material (which you might have forgotten about) was solid stuff. It wasn't groundbreaking or incredible, but it was solid, and she wrote it herself. That, combined with her vocal ability (which was also better in the '90s) puts her above Janet on the talent scale.

As for Jimmy and Terry, I don't think anyone is in any doubt they produced the music entirely and probably came up with most of the melodies. It was the concepts, imagery and lyrics that Rene did. Many of the video ideas were his too. Janet herself mentioned his major role just a few weeks ago. Her fans are ignoring her own comments on the matter. I feel sorry for them that they have been worshipping a puppet for so long and I understand their resistance to the truth.
[Edited 3/2/08 6:37am]

OfftheWall said:

You've posted the wrong clip. I've seen that program and Rene did indeed talk about his role, but that's not it. In the actual clip he said one reason he didn't take credit for the songs he wrote was because he didn't want her family thinking "Right, this guy's come into her life and now he thinks he's a songwriter". Rene was still with Janet at this time so I can only assume he had Janet's blessing to spill the beans.

New photoshoot

The video 4 ROCK WITH U premires on BET Wed 6:30 pm central

midnightmover said:

DON'T assume anything.. because I know of her old work... before glitter... and i have her first album.... and those lyrics were corny and redundant for example "theres got to be a way"..HOW CORNY IS THAT.... singing about love... that is VERY TYPICAL... i was in elementary school writing poems myself about love and nature.... its NOT that difficult or deep... the reason why i liked her songs..so much in middle school was because of her fun childish, highschool girl lyrics that were so cute....

Like i said her writing ability is seriously overrated... its good that she wrote it but... she is not going to win awards for most of it... and WHY ARE YOU BRINGING UP MARIAH IN JANET'S THREAD.. ????? what does she have to do with janet???? they are two different artist... and mariah could NEVER accomplish things janet has.. vice versa.. NOR perform or put on a great dance tour...

and RENE... is a loser... that sorry excuse for a man.. looks like he doesn't even know how to read or have common sense... NO i do NOT believe he created any of those videos... I want to find out more about the directors.. because I know for a fact she got her rhythm nation Idea from michael jackson captain EO>.....

and without the dancing the videos would be NOTHING... without the songs produce and chorus.. it would be nothing... WHO cares if he wrote a line or two.. those songs weren't that deep anyways.... JImmy produced and wrote the chorus and that is the most important part of any song....

DISCIPLINE IS AT NUMBER 63 ON THE UK ALBUM CHARTS


The same as 20 y.o
[Edited 3/2/08 12:42pm]

OfftheWall said:

I am sure that will improve when she visits for promotion this month. 20 Y.O. had a single and a lot of promo behind it.

Discipline debuts at #16 in Australia (20 Y.O. was #55).

and even if rene came up with a few video ideas... he mooched off of janet.. and didn't have a job.. so he had all time in the world to sit around eating cheetos and coming up with ideas... so IM NOT impressed...

TotalAlisa said:

It's boring having to fill the gap in people's memories, but it seems I have to. You asked why I bought up Mariah? I mentioned Mariah in reference to a specific point made by vinnyywhat'shisname. He said women who don't stand there with a guitar always have their authorship questioned because of sexism. I mentioned Mariah because it demolished this silly argument in one stroke. I could have mentioned Cyndi Lauper as well, but the talent gap between her and Janet is so huge it would be an embarassment to Janet so I picked Mariah instead. The reason we are still talking about Mariah is because you have interrupted to give your unwanted opinions.

And finally, quotes like this "RENE... is a loser... that sorry excuse for a man.. looks like he doesn't even know how to read or have common sense", and this..."That weak, ugly, skinny man...I know he never loved Janet"... illustrate that you are over-emotional and completely biased on this subject. They also illustrate that you are slightly unbalanced. I fear for the safety of your hamsters.
[Edited 3/2/08 13:45pm]

Luv is a crazy joint!!!

midnightmover said:

you don't have to fill in any memory gaps because i know all about her writing ability.. and its NOT even close to Jill scott.... anyways... thanks for responding to my unwanted opinions.... and You should definitely know your statements are DEFINITELY YOUR opinion..

and lastly... The only reason why i speak of rene like that is because its seriously annoying when people give him too much credit... TRUST ME is nothing to do with being unbalanced.... its being annoyed..

you are very typical just like man males on this forum who are sexist, think they know it all.. and try to make sexist insults about a woman being emotional... because someone doesn't agree with you...and hardheaded....

still have yet to prove or have proff to what rene really did for janet.... and you got upset when i corned you...

TotalAlisa said:

midnightmover said:

awww that fake laugh is cute.... and i can obviously tell you are trying (KEY WORD)trying to antagonize me.. by pretending to laugh at my above statement..

but its NOT working... you just obviously have nothing to response to NOR prove that rene helped janet's career....

so continue to fake laugh...

TotalAlisa said:

There's nothing fake about it. You're hilarious.

On iTunes USA, "Feedback" is #6. Discipline is #2.

On iTunes Canada, "Feedback is #2. Discipline is #5.
[Edited 3/2/08 19:30pm]

midnightmover said:

Maybe if Rene had been around for this project, we wouldn't have gotten Janet jumping off of the moon and dancing with milk in the feedback video.

midnightmover said:

Please...don't encourage her any more. She is one of the most annoying members of this board.
[Edited 3/3/08 0:29am]

I thought the milk thing- ya know- you guys would like


...But Rene did have his hand in Janet's video production- and he was almost always on the set of Michael's videos for Dangerous just taking in everything - basically learning the craft- he was intelligent and adaptive but the truth is he let the "lights, action, camera" of it all pull him away from his relationship with Janet.

His head got big and he started treating her like crap.- even on tour when she needed medical attention- he was there but nowhere to be found.

TotalAlisa said:

Let the haters hate girl, I got your back!!

Another review

http://www.chicagotribune...?track=rss

Jackson's 'Discipline' is an empty exercise in raunchy cyber-pop
By Greg Kot | TRIBUNE CRITIC
March 2, 2008

Between them, Janet Jackson and her brother Michael have sold more than 850 million albums worldwide. Those are serious numbers, but they mean little in the currency of pop, which is all about "What have you done for me lately?"

That's a question Janet Jackson herself asked on her 1986 breakthrough album, "Control," and she tries to respond this week on her 10th studio album, "Discipline" (Island Def Jam). It follows the latest release from Michael Jackson, "Thriller 25th Anniversary Edition" (Epic), an expanded version of his 1982 landmark. Both serve as reminders that two of the most formidable hitmakers in pop history are still in business. But, unfortunately for the House of Jackson, that's about all they do.

Coincidentally or not, Janet Jackson's career hasn't been the same since her overblown "wardrobe malfunction" at the 2004 Super Bowl. The two studio albums she released since then both failed to sell 1 million copies, a major fall-off for a singer who dominated the charts for nearly two decades. Blame Nipplegate if you must, but the bottom line is that the music on "Damita Jo" and the 2006 follow-up, "20 Y.O.," wasn't very good. Against a batch of R&B newcomers, from Rihanna to Beyonce, Jackson simply didn't sound distinctive enough to warrant the mega-sales of her youth.


The shortfall of inspiration continues on "Discipline." She works with the usual A-list producers, including Rodney Jerkins, Ne-Yo and Jermaine Dupri, who sound as if they were under orders to update the "Control"-style electro-funk of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.

Mechanized beats and layered vocals reign on tracks such as "Rollercoaster," which most explicitly evokes the long-departed Jam and Lewis, and "Rock With U," a not-so-subtle nod to Michael's 1979 hit "Rock With You." Cyber-Janet is best showcased on "Feedback," which arrays strings and synthesizers around a robotic chant, and the prancing Stargate-produced extravaganza "2nite."

But there's an emotional hollowness at the album's core that Jackson never overcomes. She's always been an actress (in three movies, and as a child star in the TV sitcom "Good Times" and "Diff'rent Strokes"), and she frequently spackles her albums with brief monologues designed to create a false sense of intimacy.

On "Discipline," she includes no fewer than eight "interludes" long on enigmatic pronouncements, chit-chat with anonymous girlfriends and snippets of dialogue with a robot alter-ego, Kyoko.

For Cyber-Janet, intimacy ultimately equates with sex, the kinkier the better. The title track might as well come equipped with bondage straps and a riding crop. "You be the teacher; I'll be the student," she coos.

Early in her career, she was the somewhat underestimated girl-next-door with better producers (back then, Jam and Lewis were as hungry as Jackson to make a name for themselves). She had an exuberance that couldn't be denied, whether she was chirping about racial unity or getting nasty. Once she grew up, the focus narrowed, and she started churning out soft-porn soundtracks.

Here's the problem, though: Singing about sex isn't necessarily sexy. For Jackson, the failure to recognize the difference has been costly. Yesterday's wardrobe malfunction has become today's boring exhibitionism.

'Thriller' revisited

The news isn't much better for Michael Jackson; it's been nearly seven years since his last studio album, "Invincible," was released. So the third major repackaging of "Thriller" (there also was an expanded reissue in 2001) is designed to remind us of the Jackson we knew, the gifted singer-songwriter-dancer who once made an album that has sold an extraordinary 104 million copies worldwide.

The original nine-song release remains a flawed but still-potent package of singles designed to be sold to every demographic. It synthesized soul, schlock, ballads, classic rock, synth-pop, disco and metal, and then videotaped Jackson dancing to all of it. "Thriller 25" affirms that Jackson's greatest moments were as much visual as musical: It includes the still-thrilling videos for "Beat It" and "Billie Jean," and the singer's signature "moonwalk" performance on the "Motown 25" special.

But the expanded track list is a waste of time. Kanye West, will.i.am, Fergie and Akon take turns tinkering with "Thriller" tracks, and the results are forgettable. In his remix of "Billie Jean," West even erases the track's original bass line. That's like wiping the smile off the "Mona Lisa."

If a repackaged 100-million-seller can be deemed a flop, "Thriller 25" qualifies.

paisleypark4 said:

thanks...