I like the 1982 debut better than any of her other albums. Although I don't know why the original Say You Do was replaced with the remix when it was later reissued on CD. I still have the record though. I occasionally hear Come Give Your Love To Me on the local R&B oldies staion.

The problem with Unbreakable is just the age in which we live. Music is consumed and considered so differently than two decades ago. It's worthless to most people. So it's not that it's underrated - because fans and critics alike gave it high praise - it's just been released in a new era of music. But that's the only problem with Unbreakable.

For me, her most underrated is probably The Velvet Rope. It had a dark mood to it, it was released in the fall and winter months. And I sometimes think people consider albums by the season they were released. In contrast, All For You was released in the spring and summer, and feels like a bright album. The artwork is mostly bright, summery, etc. The Velvet Rope's imagery is dark, saturated, moody.

I believe sometimes people sorta set those albums aside for specific purposes, like feeling dark and moody, needing an angsty or emotional outlet musically. And while the album and tour were hailed as successes, I still think most of the general listening public probably couldn't name a song from it; not even "Together Again," much less "I Get Lonely" or anything else.

On the tip of content, it's certainly Janet's most personal album until Unbreakable, which is why they feel like sisters or cousins. Rhythm Nation had a message, janet. was about love, All For You was about being single again, purging ex's. But The Velvet Rope was some seriously heady shit, exploring self-hate, bisexuality, BDSM, masturbation, death, AIDS, and more.

Sometimes deep shit is tough for people to take. Sometimes, it's just listeners that don't wish to go down that road, either out of being triggered, not liking the music style, or being too lazy to want to go that deep with the artist.

As far as the first two records, I don't believe they're overly underrated. They are what they are. They're bubble gum pop, very 80s, and they fit right in the year they were released. They're not timeless. They're fun to go back to listen to, but Control is arguably the real beginning of her singing career.

Things get a bit muddled during 20 Y.O. (a failed attempt at a throw back), Damita Jo (y'all know her titty is exposed on some covers?!), and Discipline. Sorta sucks that Island Def Jam dropped the ball on Discipline because there was some potential there. I don't think those are underrated, though. I don't think they're overrated or regarded, either.

Rebbie, Janet, & LaToya was supposed to put out an album as a group in the late 1970s. They even shot a few publicity photos, but nothing became of it. Janet did record a duet with Randy called Love Songs For Kids that was the B-side to his solo song How Can I Be Sure. The logo on the left (Ivory Tower) was Papa Joe's label.

MickyDolenz said:

MickyDolenz said:

I like the 1982 debut better than any of her other albums. Although I don't know why the original Say You Do was replaced with the remix when it was later reissued on CD. I still have the record though. I occasionally hear Come Give Your Love To Me on the local R&B oldies staion.

REALLY Dolenz!? I know u have eclectic taste, but that just seems a bit contrarian LOL. The debut, despite the aforementioned gems is SOOO imbalanced and lacking of an "identity"

datdude said:

REALLY Dolenz!? I know u have eclectic taste, but that just seems a bit contrarian LOL. The debut, despite the aforementioned gems is SOOO imbalanced and lacking of an "identity"

The last one I listened to the most when it came out was the 1993 Janet. I thought Velvet Rope & All For You were alright. I haven't listened to them or Dream Street in years. I do sometimes play the maxi single for Don't Stand Another Chance. I bought the 3 after All For You, but other than a few songs I don't know what most of the rest of the songs are looking at the titles. I listened to those 3 albums once or twice when I first bought them. I know the song with Nelly because it got played a lot on the radio. I've never heard the most recent one at all, didn't buy it. I heard the song with Daddy Yankee. No Sleep also got a lot of radio airplay on the adult R&B station. The first album is the one I listen the most often to today and maybe Control after it. Well actually the More Control remix album and the maxi singles I have. The songs I usually play on the original Control are the ones that weren't singles. My mom bought Janet's debut and Thriller at the same time for me, so maybe I link those 2 albums together. Janet's 1982 album is not overplayed on the radio like Thriller. I still hear all of the songs from Thriller on the radio today (including the 2 non-single ones). I don't hear The Girl Is Mine much though.

automatic said:

My choice would be Unbreakable. I love this album. I think the songs just all flow together so well. It reminds me of those four great classic albums in a row by her(Control, Rhythmn Nation, janet., The Velvet Rope). I really feel Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have done their best work with Janet. I don't know what it is but the three of them just have a magical chemistry together. Favorite song is Take Me Away, followed by The Great Forever, Night, Shoulda Known Better, Well Traveled and Black Eagle. Really though this is an album I can put on and not skip a track. [Edited 11/11/21 14:29pm]

Totally agree. Very much enjoy Unbreakable still to this day better than All For You, 20 YO Discipline, Janet Jackson and Dream Street. Kind of a tie with Damita Jo

The first one.

vainandy said:

The first one.

Yeah her debut sound a little dated but Say You Do, Love and My Best Friend and Young Love are fire

Damita Jo
If you wanna get close
Baby, you can't
Til' U get to know
Damita Jo