I.D.
A pointless introduction used to set the tone for a futuristic sound to the latest album from Ms. Jackson. Counts us down into:
Feedback
This song is an absolute stomper and one of the best things that Janet has ever recorded. The bass is banging, there are drum beats that could have easily been put there by the Neptunes. The verses, the choruses, bridges are all catchy as hell. The lyrics are a little risqué, the video brings Le Petit Prince not only up to date but sends it into the future; it's like nothing I have seen before. There's even a rap from Ms. Jackson. What more do you want?!
Luv
Feedback sets an incredible pace and Luv picks up right where that left off. This will be in your head for a long time after you listen to it and drive you insane as you wonder where you heard it. Another good track.
Spinnin
An spoken interlude from Janet liking love to a:
Rollercoaster
Darkchild is on production here and I remember that on first listen I was unsure about this. It soon works its way on to your good list, with another heavy bass line. These first four songs are definitely for the clubs.
Bathroom Break
Another spoken interlude, which serve little purpose. This is my least favourite but they last seconds so please don't allow them to put you off the album.
Rock With U
Another release from the album had a video that seemed to be recorded in one take. This track is also a grower and another great dance tune. Janets soft vocals compliment the hard bass well rather than sounding as though they do not gel. This is, as the lyric suggests, a sexy track and would not sound out of place either in the club or in the bedroom.
2nite
This song also has an electronic sound, with an interesting guitar rift. There is nothing wrong with the song but there is something missing that means that it doesn't quite stand up against what has come before.
Can't B Good
This is signature Janet and could easily have been lifted from the brilliant 'Janet' album. A slower-paced song, heavy on the bass so it does not sound out of place, the song deals with falling in love after promising yourself that you would not get hurt by it again. A return to the form of the earlier tracks.
4 Words
Another pointless interlude: Love, Fate, Hope, Destiny. That's it.
Never Letchu Go
A ballad with electic guitars and keyboards that can easily be overlooked. When you start as strong as Janet did with 'Feedback', you need to raise the bar with every subsequent song. This falls a little short.
Truth Or Dare
Another interlude...
Greatest X
A heartbeat serves as the introduction to another slow jam. It has a similar suject matter to the fantastic 'Still In Love With My Ex' from the average 'Damita Jo'. This is OK, a slight improvement on 'Never Letchu Go'.
Good Morning Janet
Another interlude with Janet's robot (I kid you not) asking how Janet is. It's still rubbish but since Kyoko (the robot) appears to sing the next track, it is a necessary evil.
So Much Betta
This is like nothing I have heard before, HEAVY on the bass with very little musical accompaniment. Kyoko raps the verses with Janet singing over everything else. I like it.
Play Selection
ANOTHER interlude!!
The 1 feat. Missy Elliot
You have to love Missy and she brings the comedy to this track. Think 'This Thing' by Amerie torn apart by bass, put in a 'warped' chorus (referring to the sound rather than the lyrical content) and you are somewhere there. Missy's rap in the middle of the song is good but she hits the nail on the head when she says, 'This is crazy, people'. I think it works though. The jury is still out on this one after two years. You decide if that is a good thing.
What's Ur Name
This is a nice bouncy Rn'B track with a catchy chorus. It comes as welcome relief following The 1's assault on the listener. You can simply sit back and relax to this track. Classic Janet.
The Meaning
These interludes are starting to wear thin now. This one is a definition of the word discipline.
Discipline
The title track from the album has a similar sound to 'Velvet Rope' from the album of the same name but does not quite live up to that. It gets better with each listen but whether or not you will give it the chances that it needs to engage you, I am not sure. I am still not quite there.
Back
Kyoko telling Janet it is time to go back and that's it. What for? Damned if I know.
Curtains
Part of the reason that I still don't feel as though I have given 'Discipline' the chance that it needs is that I am in a rush to get to this song. I missed it the first few listens but now this is amongst the most played songs on my ipod. This could only have come from Janet and is a slow jam with a fast, smooth, sexy lyric. I really like it. It talks about Janet's live shows and the lyric likens her performance in the bedroom to a stage performance.
Let Me Know
The robot pipes up again on this song, which is often overlooked by me. An interesting drum beat gets overpowered by the vocal that is a little repetitive. This is listed as a Bonus Track and if it wasn't there, I don't think it would be a bad thing.
Janet had failed to record anything that came close to 'Janet' or 'The Velvet Rope' in a while and still hasn't quite made it here. The album blows '20 Y.O.', 'Damita Jo' and 'All For You' completely out of the water and there is more then enough here to warrant the purchase of the album that failed to perform comercially. Feedback is a fantastic song and should have done much better. Janet did speak out about her annoyance with her new record label not to continue to promote this album and I do feel that it was worth another single or two before resorting to another Greatest Hits collection, with 'The Best' currently doing the rounds. There are songs on here that will blow your socks off on the first listen and other songs that need time but this IS a good album.
Janet Jackson's Official Website: www.janetjackson.com
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