midnightmover said:

WTF: It's okay for MJ to work with Rodney Jerkins and Akon or Madonna to work with Orbit or Timbaland?

Get a better argument - You speak about Janet like as if she ran you over by a car when you were younger.

I'm a huge Janet fan but I never post as many comments about her as you do, pretty sad if you ask me.

mancabdriver said:

Firstly, when did I ever say it was cool for MJ to work with Akon? Secondly, your comparison is off base. MJ has always written his own stuff for the most part and genuinely collaborated with those producers, yet it seems like Janet had absolutely no role in this album, as even her boyfriend/cheerleader's comments reveal. There is no comparison to be made with MJ who's been whoring himself out for years, but who has also written his best songs totally alone, and who can perform on stage without calling a choreographer first.

mancabdriver said:

Dem's fighting words. But I agree. Double standard, lol. I don't know what they expect from Janet when Michael and Madonna are just as guilty. I love the Janet attention.
[Edited 1/15/08 12:10pm]

JANET-XONE



the full bio is below, the part in bold is the part that wasn't printed the first time. talks about some of the new songs, enjoy!


A Passion for Discipline


Sitting across from a roaring fireplace one winter afternoon in Vail, Janet is curled up on a dark leather couch as she discusses the unlikely topic of Discipline, the title of her new album. Beyond the floor-to-ceiling window, long graceful branches of towering trees are heavy with snow. In the distance, a lift carries skiers up an imposing mountain awash in white. Janet’s wearing a midnight-black sweat suit, her hair pulled back to the nape of her neck. Her body language is relaxed and her eyes are smiling. She’s trim, and also a little hoarse, having just fought off a cold. The whisper-quiet texture of her voice adds to the intimacy of the conversation.

“Discipline has been much on my mind,” she says. “It’s the idea that unifies the songs on this record. As a concept, and even a lifestyle, discipline goes extremely deep. It can be applied to so much about ourselves. In my case, I see it as one of defining aspects of my character. Discipline was there for me from the start. But it was not until this record that I began to understand its full meaning.

“In putting Discipline out front-- as both the title of the album and title of a song about sexual surrender--I wanted to announce that I was venturing into new creative waters. That meant working with producers like Jermaine Dupri, Rodney Jerkins, and Ne-Yo, whose songs spoke to the immediacy of my emotions. Like all my records, this one, whether intentional or not, has autobiographical roots. It’s difficult for me to work any other way. I don’t feel it, if I don’t believe it, I can’t sing it.

“So Discipline, as a storyline, begins in my childhood which someone could see as a classic study in discipline. Discipline was part of a family culture that I absorbed. I was born with it.

“I also believe that discipline has given me the confidence to jump out of the nest. When L.A. Reid, Chairman of Island Def Jam, and I discussed co-executive producing this record, we both agreed that the feeling had to be adventuresome and fresh. I was interested in exploring musical scenarios—some exotic, many erotic, but all deeply emotional. I wanted to push the envelope. And I’m glad that `Discipline,’ both as a song and an album, does just that.

“`Feedback,’ a Rodney Jerkins production, is a different metaphor that also explores sexual tension. It’s a provocative conversation that invites openness in an area where so many of us are closed off. The same could be said for Rodney’s “Roller Coaster,” a musical ride that reflects that up and downs of romantic/physical agitation and excitement.”

When asked how her concept of discipline has changed over the years, Janet reaches for her mug of hot tea, takes a sip and pauses several seconds before replying.

“Well, I guess if I go back to the beginning I see a little girl, 10-years-old, who’s appearing on `Good Times’ and sets her own alarm clock to wake up at 5:30 AM in order to be at work by 7. Then I think about a 15-year-old starting to make records. For the next 25 years, she makes an album every two or three years without fail. Going a little deeper, she learns that the music most connected to her heart has a rhythmic and harmonic complexity that requires work. That means hours and hours trying to compose lyrics and melodies that ring true; hours and hours in the studio layering the vocals that contain the different voices she hears inside her head. Then, of course, the months she spends planning and executing world tours, one after another.”

And does that artist see discipline as a burden?

“No, I see it as a blessing,” Janet is quick to say. “As a child, I took it for granted. That’s who I was. As a teenager, I wanted to sing and dance. I realized that required concentration. I wanted to reach people, and I had the good sense to see that couldn’t happen if my skills weren’t crafted with precision. But as I came to adulthood, I was hard on myself. Discipline is one thing; perfectionism is another. Perfectionism is a kind of punishment. It leads to permanent dissatisfaction and heartbreak. It’s wonderful to strive for excellence, but demanding perfection only leads to heartache and frustration. It took me years to learn that difficult lesson. But in finally learning it, I now see discipline in a new light.”

The light of the winter sun breaks through the grey sky and floods the room. Janet gets up and finds a copy of “Can’t Be Good,” a song written and produced for her by Ne-Yo, who also did “Discipline.” She slips it into the CD player. The sensuous groove stops the conversation; it’s all heavenly harmonies and sweet romantic ambivalence.

“The ambivalence and the discipline are in conflict,” says Janet when the song stops. “I can relate to the story. In fact, I can imagine myself in the story. After a long relationship that ends in pain, I turn to my old friend, discipline. I discipline myself not to get involved, not to be vulnerable, not to fall in love. My discipline protects me from any more hurt. My discipline keeps me on track. But here comes someone who’s so real and right that, as the song says, `This can’t be good.’ So discipline really isn’t discipline. It’s just self-protection and fear of being hurt. It’s resistance. Thankfully, the heat of pure passion melts the resistance. And the result is free-flowing love.”

“Listen to `Letchu Go,’” Janet continues. “It was written and produced by Jermaine. When I read the lyrics by Jermaine and Johnta Austin, I couldn’t help but cry. The more I thought about the story, the more I saw how it reveals another aspect of positive discipline, especially as it relates to relationships. The song says that we can’t stop trying just because we hit rough times. It’s not too late; we can’t give up on our fate; we can’t let go of that discipline that allows us to work through problems and find a way to the wonders that come with open and honest love.

“The album expresses what I need to express at this moment of my life,” she says. “It says that discipline, rather than being a problem, can bring pleasure. Discipline is a key to freedom. Discipline allows me—allows all of us—to focus. And the focus must be on thoughts and feelings that nourish our physical and spiritual lives.

“Funny, but my first big album also had a one-word title—Control. I was naïve in thinking that I could control every aspect of my life. The only one who really has control is God. But it took discipline—the discipline of thought, the discipline of action, the discipline of creating music—to make me see that. Finally, discipline has to do with faith. I have faith that a gentle but steady discipline will let me continue to grow as an artist and a woman.”

Damn! I love the concept and hopefully that means that JD is only on ONE song. Great! Thanks, OffTheWall.
[Edited 1/15/08 12:13pm]

Timmy84 said:

NO PROBLEM... and I know who you are, you posted the Janet pic before me in the KOP Janet thread... I beat you to it this time.



I wonder if Janets writing on this album....

OfftheWall said:

LOL! Yeah I know that.

But, yo, maybe Janet has a few co-writes. If not, it'll be her Afrodisiac with better promotion, lol.

Timmy84 said:

Both of them write their own material. Going by "Feedback" and Jermaine's comments it seems Janet had no role in this album other than singing. Since leaving Motown, Michael has never released a solo album where he was just the singer, and Madonna, much as I dislike her, was always her own person through and through. There was never anyone pulling her strings. Oh, and neither of them ever had a secret songwriting partner either.
[Edited 1/15/08 12:29pm]

midnightmover said:

OfftheWall said:

Sounds like a great concept. I'm very excited!

These are only 5 tracks, and I'm sure Janet has cowritten some of the material on the album.
[Edited 1/15/08 12:32pm]

midnightmover said:

How would you know if they did if it's a secret ???

midnightmover said:

I actually wouldn't mind Michael, Madonna nor Janet to write on their own album but Michael is probably the exception. Dude in the writer's hall of fame, so of course he's gonna write.

But he's difficult when it comes to finishing albums and on the strength he's at. Janet and Madonna's albums will both be at number one while he's still supposedly working on his next one.

But this is all about Janet.

**
[Edited 1/15/08 12:43pm]

Timmy84 said:

Most of the writers mentioned in the article have mentioned (in interviews last year) that they were writing with Janet, not for her, so I'm sure she is a cowriter on some of these tracks. The article doesn't mention every author, just the primary, however. Same thing happened when Damita Jo was publicized and Just A Little While became a Dallas Austin song.
[Edited 1/15/08 13:08pm]

VoicesCarry said:

True.

Timmy84 said:

Yeah, also because no one writes a song alone these days . You've always gotta have 4+ writers. They seem to be crediting the first one listed.

VoicesCarry said:

The article says "written for", not "written with", and Janet herself explicitly states that the Jermaine song was written by him and someone else. Her main emphasis here seems to be on making the "discipline" concept sound more deep than it really is.

midnightmover said:

And similar marketing materials from previous releases said the same thing - one or two writers on a track that wound up having 4 or more, not including sample credit. I will wait until I see album credits, because I will not be surprised if there are more writers on than are mentioned here.
[Edited 1/15/08 12:58pm]

VoicesCarry said:

That usually indicates that deals have been done, as with Beyonce getting writing credits on the NeYo-written "Irreplaceable".

midnightmover said:

Or that the authors of the piece didn't want to say, "co-written by Lyles, Murphy, Zanzibar, Flute and Perry, with additional lyrics by Enya." Kinda interrupts the flow.

I wonder if any of the Polow club tracks he mentioned last year made the cut. Likely, since the record is supposed to be dance-heavy.

VoicesCarry said:

I think it will. I hope more goes down on the album. In that article, Janet is talking about the mid-tempo introspective, sexy songs.

If it's gonna be dance-oriented, I expect at least NINE songs on the tracklisting to be uptempo and fast and easy to dance to as "Feedback" is.

"Feedback" US Radio Update- January 15th, 2008 - AFTERNOON Update:

POP: #38, 1093 spins, +557 plays, 7.169 million impressions
URB: #35, 612 spins, +189 plays, 4.000 million impressions
RHY: #35, 866 spins, +435 plays, 5.022 million impressions

Total Spins: 2938
Total Audience: 17.567 million

New biography reveals three more song titles from Discipline

A new extended biography that Island Def Jam today began sending out to the media provides the titles of three more songs off of Discipline.

The newly revealed song titles are "Roller Coaster" (Produced by Rodney Jerkins), "Can't Be Good" (Produced and Written by Ne-Yo), and "Letchu Go" (Produced by Jermaine Dupri, Written by Jermaine Dupri and Johnta Austin).

The only other known song titles from the album at this point are "Feedback" and "Discipline," the latter of which is also revealed to have been written and produced by Ne-Yo.

The full biography in its entirety:


A Passion For Discipline

Sitting across from a roaring fireplace one winter afternoon in Vail, Janet is curled up on a dark leather couch as she discusses the unlikely topic of Discipline, the title of her new album. Beyond the floor-to-ceiling window, long graceful branches of towering trees are heavy with snow. In the distance, a lift carries skiers up an imposing mountain awash in white. Janet's wearing a midnight-black sweat suit, her hair pulled back to the nape of her neck. Her body language is relaxed and her eyes are smiling. She's trim, and also a little hoarse, having just fought off a cold. The whisper-quiet texture of her voice adds to the intimacy of the conversation.

"Discipline has been much on my mind," she says. "It's the idea that unifies the songs on this record. As a concept, and even a lifestyle, discipline goes extremely deep. It can be applied to so much about ourselves. In my case, I see it as one of defining aspects of my character. Discipline was there for me from the start. But it was not until this record that I began to understand its full meaning.

"In putting Discipline out front-- as both the title of the album and title of a song about sexual surrender--I wanted to announce that I was venturing into new creative waters. That meant working with producers like Jermaine Dupri, Rodney Jerkins, and Ne-Yo, whose songs spoke to the immediacy of my emotions. Like all my records, this one, whether intentional or not, has autobiographical roots. It's difficult for me to work any other way. I don't feel it, if I don't believe it, I can't sing it.

"So Discipline, as a storyline, begins in my childhood which someone could see as a classic study in discipline. Discipline was part of a family culture that I absorbed. I was born with it.

"I also believe that discipline has given me the confidence to jump out of the nest. When L.A. Reid, Chairman of Island Def Jam, and I discussed co-executive producing this record, we both agreed that the feeling had to be adventuresome and fresh. I was interested in exploring musical scenarios--some exotic, many erotic, but all deeply emotional. I wanted to push the envelope. And I'm glad that 'Discipline,' both as a song and an album, does just that.

"'Feedback,' a Rodney Jerkins production, is a different metaphor that also explores sexual tension. It's a provocative conversation that invites openness in an area where so many of us are closed off. The same could be said for Rodney's "Roller Coaster," a musical ride that reflects that up and downs of romantic/physical agitation and excitement."

When asked how her concept of discipline has changed over the years, Janet reaches for her mug of hot tea, takes a sip and pauses several seconds before replying.

"Well, I guess if I go back to the beginning I see a little girl, 10-years-old, who's appearing on 'Good Times' and sets her own alarm clock to wake up at 5:30 AM in order to be at work by 7. Then I think about a 15-year-old starting to make records. For the next 25 years, she makes an album every two or three years without fail. Going a little deeper, she learns that the music most connected to her heart has a rhythmic and harmonic complexity that requires work. That means hours and hours trying to compose lyrics and melodies that ring true; hours and hours in the studio layering the vocals that contain the different voices she hears inside her head. Then, of course, the months she spends planning and executing world tours, one after another."

And does that artist see discipline as a burden?

"No, I see it as a blessing," Janet is quick to say. "As a child, I took it for granted. That's who I was. As a teenager, I wanted to sing and dance. I realized that required concentration. I wanted to reach people, and I had the good sense to see that couldn't happen if my skills weren't crafted with precision. But as I came to adulthood, I was hard on myself. Discipline is one thing; perfectionism is another. Perfectionism is a kind of punishment. It leads to permanent dissatisfaction and heartbreak. It's wonderful to strive for excellence, but demanding perfection only leads to heartache and frustration. It took me years to learn that difficult lesson. But in finally learning it, I now see discipline in a new light."

The light of the winter sun breaks through the grey sky and floods the room. Janet gets up and finds a copy of "Can't Be Good," a song written and produced for her by Ne-Yo, who also did "Discipline." She slips it into the CD player. The sensuous groove stops the conversation; it's all heavenly harmonies and sweet romantic ambivalence.

"The ambivalence and the discipline are in conflict," says Janet when the song stops. "I can relate to the story. In fact, I can imagine myself in the story. After a long relationship that ends in pain, I turn to my old friend, discipline. I discipline myself not to get involved, not to be vulnerable, not to fall in love. My discipline protects me from any more hurt. My discipline keeps me on track. But here comes someone who's so real and right that, as the song says, 'This can't be good.' So discipline really isn't discipline. It's just self-protection and fear of being hurt. It's resistance. Thankfully, the heat of pure passion melts the resistance. And the result is free-flowing love."

"Listen to 'Letchu Go,'" Janet continues. "It was written and produced by Jermaine. When I read the lyrics by Jermaine and Johnta Austin, I couldn't help but cry. The more I thought about the story, the more I saw how it reveals another aspect of positive discipline, especially as it relates to relationships. The song says that we can't stop trying just because we hit rough times. It's not too late; we can't give up on our fate; we can't let go of that discipline that allows us to work through problems and find a way to the wonders that come with open and honest love.

"The album expresses what I need to express at this moment of my life," she says. "It says that discipline, rather than being a problem, can bring pleasure. Discipline is a key to freedom. Discipline allows me--allows all of us--to focus. And the focus must be on thoughts and feelings that nourish our physical and spiritual lives.

"Funny, but my first big album also had a one-word title--Control. I was naive in thinking that I could control every aspect of my life. The only one who really has control is God. But it took discipline--the discipline of thought, the discipline of action, the discipline of creating music--to make me see that. Finally, discipline has to do with faith. I have faith that a gentle but steady discipline will let me continue to grow as an artist and a woman."

Feedback video now available for purchase on iTunes:

http://phobos.apple.com/W...6&s=143441

Timmy84 said:

I agree and so do I. And, yes MJ and Madonna are just as guilty and those two along with Lionel Richie, Prince and Janet ruled the 80s. Artists always have help at one end or the other.

OfftheWall said:

So do I. I'd be too pissed if she isn't. But, oh well...

banks said:

Good one, banks!

VoicesCarry said:

Aww, okay. Thanks for clearing that up, VoicesCarry.

WTF?

Um anyway, I hope Janet is doing some writing on the album.