alphastreet said:

I did not connect with VR. Is discipline like from 2 years ago? If so I didn't connect with that either

oh ok

It took a couple of listens for me to get into it but I love it. I remember people complaining about how depressing she was, and these were the same people who were crazy about her during the janet. album and looking forward to the next. But looking back now, I respect janet more for taking risks and going outside the box, which she doesn't really do anymore. Although her current music is good and has that jackson sound, anyone could have done her current songs. Anyone like Britney or Rihanna could have done a lot of songs she did on Discipline, and Ciara could have done songs she did on 20 YO, even though Ciara may have been copying Janet of this decade too heavily.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I have never really been a fan of JJ music, although albums like Control do make me all teary eyes at times, just thinking about my youth. The only album JJ had me hooked on was Janet, that was her most matured and sensual album to date: from "again" to "anytime, anyplace" to "throb" I loved all her song.

it's so funny how most people can't name a Janet song even though she broke records with having number 1 tracks off albums, but most could name mj or madonna.

alphastreet said:

Most people can't name a Janet song? I strongly disagree with that.

Anyway, I have cried a lot with this album. I still remember watching the Got Til It's Gone video for the first time when it was released and thinking about what striking work of art it really was. One of the most beautiful Afrocentric videos ever. My favourite shot comes just before the bottle strikes the "Europeans only" sign, with Janet refocusing her gaze right into the camera.

If they do, it's mostly something from Control, that's what I've mostly seen in recent years. Maybe someone who's really young or in their 20's can recall all for you or together again and I just roll my eyes cause I wonder where they were when she released her super-awesome stuff.

alphastreet said:

if they're 20 they weren't even born!

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I didn't say 20, I said 20's. I know some people who are 25-26 and are completely clueless cause they think backstreet boys were their generation and I always looked down at them from day one. I think those in my age group who were into r&b/hip hop more as I was as a teen were a little more familiar.

whatsgoingon said:

I've never heard of the suicide attempts several times, though it could have been. LaToya is nutty as a fruitcake herself, but hell she might have been telling the truth. That crazy ex-husband was just trying to cash in on LaToya big time, he probably had her saying all kinds of cazy crap to exploit her family.

A lot of Janet's depression was from her bad marriage ending. Rene Elizondo was verbally abusive to Janet. He put her on blast talking about her sexuality with her female dancers. Rene was bitter because they were divorcing. He said Janet would be all quiet around the ladies, but when she warms up to you the freaky side comes out! She told Oprah when wind blows, she gets sensations in certain places, because of where some of her piercing are located. Oprah was speechless... Janet will tell you she is not shy she's just quiet.

I'm curious to know how much it has sold since 1997. A few years ago I was at hmv and overheard some girl with her friend looking at janet's section and she picked up velvet rope and said it was a classic. I even heard Got Till It's Gone at a store a few years ago so I guess it has aged well. Out of all of Janet's albums, I think Velvet Rope has aged the best. I used to think Janet was timeless but it screams 90's to me though it's still a classic.

Intersting topic.

I've always thought this album was from her depression's "well", so to speak.

Being a manic depressive myself, I could resonate with alot of the lyrics from "Velvet Rope".

I didn't know you have manic depression (or are you bipolar?), there are a few depression topics on the non prince forum, so I thought I would give it a different spin on the music forum since a lot of us are facing it and are big music lovers.

ehuffnsd said:

I do.

My mother used to suffer from it badly, she kicked the disease(IT IS a disease despite what alot of people claim).

The process was ugly, and deeply effective to all of us,,,,but the result was fruitful.

I don't blame Janet for refusing the medical treatment, good for her. I've seen some friends of mine on the prozac and the sight was ANYTHING but pretty. It alters their minds & body to the point where they can't function without them.

And while we're on the subject, its a HELL lot more of a "getaway drug" than marijuana

I'm glad she did it without the drugs too. In the past I was on Paxil and Celexa and when I weaned off them, though I was doing better, I was not being myself either and becoming aggressive and was so worried the drugs did them, even when I was on them. I think they do more harm than help in the long run and this is why I'm refusing to get back on them though I need them now and my crying spells come and go. Instead, I got referred to a couple of recovery groups and will resolve my issues, but it is so painful right now and the past month, everything I liked were things I no longer liked and I'm only starting to be myself again now.

alphastreet said:

Herbal treatment is good

Its a slow process, mind you. But side effects-free(as much as its hard to believe ) and quite comforting.

Thanx to my orger friends who introduced me to it. I've been on the herbal for a year now, and so far so good.

What should I start with and what would happen if I got off them? I've heard fish oil/omega 3 is good.

Harlepolis said:

Chic35 said:

I think several of her family members have dealt with depression

LaToya talked about how after her brothers came and got her in New York after Jack Gordon beat her, she wouldn't leave her house

Michael has definitely dealt with it too over the years

I think her mother dealt with it to some degree some years back

alphastreet said:

I'm personally on the St. John's wort, and it has been smooth sailing so far.

I was never on the chemical stuff, so I can't make a comparision,,,,but they made a balance to my mood swings, it took me a week till it kicked in my system(thats why I said its a slow process), but it the effect differs from one person to another.

And I've been slow on them these days since I'm on a vacation,,,,and nothing happend.

Harlepolis said:

Yeah the chemical stuff is not always the best for people. Herbal treatment is alot safer and more healthy

bboy87 said:

I'm always paranoid when it comes to medicine, I probably wouldn't take the chemical way if it was my ONLY option

Harlepolis said:

me either. I used to look at Robitussin sideways

I heard medicine when using it for depression can fuck you up mentally. It never solves anything, it just only makes it worse. I can only imagine what you guys go through trying to get through depression.

Never saw the VR as a connection to depression, though I know Janet has been going through her own things and this was done during that time. I guess I'm shallow, I just find it to be the perfect CD to play while walking.

This album is a MASTERPIECE! Each song holds a sentimental meaning to me *tear* This album really did help me through some rough times
LOVE YOU, JANET!

Timmy84 said:

before last friday i hadn't left my apartment in 2 weeks.

ehuffnsd said:

Damn, really? But yeah that must be a pain tho.

Other natural things like exercise, sex, support groups, talking to someone about your problems also helps a great deal.

ehuffnsd said:

Shit

I know how it feels there're days when I can't even pull the strength to get up from bed.

Its def an inconvenience

Harlepolis said:

monday was stay in bed all day and not answer the phone day.