Both of these eras were tough to get a grip on. Janet came out, newly single - and Tina-free - and went into talking about dating, being single, baby making music, and a lighter sound in many areas (especially compared to the richer texture and lyrical weight of The Velvet Rope). It was a new Janet that I wasn't used to seeing. I wasn't overly thrilled with "All For You," but I didn't hate it. It was a sample I'd not heard before ("The Glow of Love" by Change), so that was a quick education to find the original.

I got hooked more with "Someone To Call My Lover." What a catchy fucking song. That America sample was cute, but the remixes (especially the one by Hex Hector) showed it didn't need that hook to remain a catchy, hook-heavy tune. It was six months between STCML and "Son of a Gun" singles! Long time.

SoaG sorta threw back to the "fuck you" moments (eg: "What About") on The Velvet Rope. ("You Ain't Right," and "Trust A Try" did, too.) It was also a hard pill to swallow given that one verse was likely about Rene, and the next one was about Tina. Jimmy Jam also mentioned that some of the lines were about record company folk and lawyers. I dug the original, but the remix with Missy, "I'm a lover not a fighter but I'll crack ya teeth..." OMG I fucking love it. The video could easily be outtakes from MJ's Ghosts. Same look and feel in many, not all, ways. So I got into the project more by this time.

It pains me that "Come On Get Up" was only released as a promo single. But I was at a radio station and snagged a copy of that single. Even Janet says the song was begging for a slew of dance mixes that never happened. I mean, there are some, but I feel like there could have been a more diverse group of them or at least released as a proper single.

I really struggled with Music. She was fresh off the success of Ray of Light's electronica sound being so well embraced, that it came out even more on Music and American Life (the latter of which I still can't deal with). I didn't think "Don't Tell Me" was a strong enough single, and perhaps "What I Feels Like For A Girl" would've been a better second single after "Music." Strangely, those were the only three singles with - again some long ass period - five good months between the 2nd and 3rd. But really, what other radio worthy songs were there? "Impressive Instant" was a killer track, but barely got a promo release, and even that was a year after the album's release, because Warner was halting singles after a disagreement with M. I couldn't tell you one lyric or note from "Runaway Lover," "I Deserve It," "Gone," "Nobody's Perfect," or "Amazing."

Both had amazing tours, and both were halted due to 9/11 in 2001, but resumed shortly after. They were both released on DVD, Madonna's just shy of a year before Janet's. I've probably watched both shows equally. Drowned World had pacing problems after "Frozen" until "Don't Tell Me." Janet: Live In Hawaii also had lulls during a "Got 'Til it's Gone" and "That's The Way Love Goes" medley of sorts. The Nasty medley picked the pace up again.

So for me, Janet won this round, by far. More interesting album, interesting videos, better written song, more engaging tour, better styling & aesthetic overall.

TrivialPursuit said:

I loved Janet's hair during this time. That shag cut that makes you think of Farrah Fawcett. It was sexy, summery, flouncy, feminine. A very different look for her. It really was a freshened up image.

TrivialPursuit said:

Hate the album cover for AFY, the tacky font, and cheesy smile. She was so cool on the first four albums and this felt like a very uninspired look.

Musically, there's some great stuff on AFY. Trust A Try, Son Of A Gun, Doesn't Really Matter, When We Oooo - all great songs.

Would You Mind and Love Scene are just nasty though and should never have been recorded. Two of the most unlistenable songs she ever recorded imo and not because I'm a prude, but they're just more gross than sexy and really weak songs.

Even Moist from Damita Jo, which has to be one of the grossest song titles ever, is at least musically satisfying. But the sex songs on AFY have no redeeming features and chepean the album imo.

Music was a dip in quality from ROL. Best songs were Paradise Not For Me, Gone and Impressive Instant. Not really mad on any of the singles from this album.

I would say they are both on a par - both offer decent moments and a small handful of great songs, but both are a dip in quality from each artists previous efforts.

MattyJam said:

MattyJam said:

Hate the album cover for AFY, the tacky font, and cheesy smile. She was so cool on the first four albums and this felt like a very uninspired look.

Musically, there's some great stuff on AFY. Trust A Try, Son Of A Gun, Doesn't Really Matter, When We Oooo - all great songs.

Would You Mind and Love Scene are just nasty though and should never have been recorded. Two of the most unlistenable songs she ever recorded imo and not because I'm a prude, but they're just more gross than sexy and really weak songs.

Even Moist from Damita Jo, which has to be one of the grossest song titles ever, is at least musically satisfying. But the sex songs on AFY have no redeeming features and chepean the album imo.

The Limited Edition cover of AFY was better, IMO. But her dark hair laid out on the rug and hugging that pillow on the "AFY" single was primo. I tell ya what should've been a cover for any album was that one in the opening of the Hawaii DVD. Below - that's a muthafukkin' photo!

As far as unlistenable dirty songs, we could go on for days with Prince stuff. But I would agree that "Moist" and "Warmth" are on the list. There is no real structure to either of the songs. I don't think they cheapen Damita Jo, but I wouldn't miss them if they weren't there.

"Would You Mind" takes a minute to grow on ya, but it's worth it. That drum pattern, with all its echo and reverb is just UUHHHHH, love it.