Customer Reviews

Control

5 star:		(94)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Not many people realize this, but Control was Janet Jackson's 3rd album, not her first. Her first 2 albums, Janet Jackson and Dreamstreet, had forgettable sales totals and both are sorta rare to find these days.... This album only has 9 tracks but there's no filler here. This was Janet's first album with what would become her partners in writing and producing in former Time members, James "Jimmy Jam" Harris III & Terry Lewis. They do a great job in reshaping her image into a funky pop princess. This album had 6 top 20 songs with 5 of those songs hitting the top 5 and each one of those 5 landing in a different position. All the songs are good but the highlights have to be Nasty, When I Think of You (the only #1 on the album), Let's Wait Awhile, He Doesn't Know That I'm Alive, and You Can Be Mine. The last 2 songs I named weren't even hits, but they were still ... brilliant plus you had great slammin' tracks like The Pleasure Principle, What Have You Done For Me Lately, and of course, the title track. Only Rhythm Nation was better--it still sounds electric today, just like it did 15 years ago. If you don't have this album, you need to do yourself a favor and go buy it right away.

Prior to the release of Control in 1986, Janet Jackson was best known as an actress and the youngest member of the Jackson family as opposed to a singer. Few people probably even knew that she had released two albums as they both were flops. That all changed when Control hit the scene. By employing the Minneapolis production team of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, she released an album of mature songs that as the title suggests, her wrestling control of her life and career. The songs had a hard edge and a defiance to them that showed she no longer was a little girl and somebody's puppet. The title track, "What Have You Done For Me Lately?", "Nasty", "The Pleasure Principle", "You Can Be Mine" are all statements for sexual control. Even in the sweet "Let's Wait Awhile", Ms. Jackson is calling the shots on how the relationship is moving. The album shot up to number one, contained 5 top ten singles (including the number one hit "When It Think Of You" which ironically doesn't fit into the demand for control theme) and brought Janet Jackson out of the Jackson family shadow and made her a major star in her own right.

It was 1985, her two previous albums were commercial duds, and showed little hope of Ms. Jackson making it big and emerging from her brother Michael's shadow. However in January of the following year, that was all dispelled. Going from a goody-two-shoes girl, into a tough, mature woman with attitude, Janet came blasting into the music world with her first essential masterpiece "Control" and also began a streak of music that would continue for 11 years until after 1998 when she sold out to the masses. This whole album has breathtaking sonic punch and maturity that holds up to this very day. Oh how I wish that music would set the clock back to 1986. Of course most of already know this, but this album spawned five top 10 singles, all of which deserved the success they got. True, more than half of the songs on here have been yanked off onto the Design Of A Decade collection but the ones that weren't though are still great enough to make this album a must-have. One of the shining reasons for this is the title track. Where as the version on there sounds exactly like the original on this album, the narrating ambient intro and doing that robbed the track of a good portion of it's power. For me, I prefer this version on "Control" because the declaration of independence that Janet expresses makes the original so much more fun, meaningful, and enjoyable. "Nasty" and "What Have You Done for Me Lately" I must admit, can be quite campy and adolescent for my taste but even these two marvelous tracks are far, FAR more mature and sophisticated than anything on the joke known as "All For You" (Bleh). "The Pleasure Principle" is a classic 80s jam with light industrial beats with an awesome video to accompany it with her dancing alone in the warehouse. Like I said with the title track, I like the full version of this track with the pause in the middle instead of the DOAD version without the bridge. "When I Think of You" was a well deserved hit with its colorful mood and atmosphere. "He Doesn't Even Know I'm Alive" and "You Can Be Mine" are the other non-hit songs. "While the whole album is great these two tracks don't quite stack up to the others in my opinion. "Let's Wait Awhile" pretty much sums up to be the opposite to what Janet became known for in the 90s. The song is a gorgeous ballad with gorgeous keyboards, and 12 string guitars. The song preaches refraining from sexual activity. Personally, I wish Janet would somewhat go back to this instead of going into cheap "Erotica" throwaways like the awful "Would You Mind". My favorite song though, on this album isn't any of the hit singles but it's the final track "Funny How Time Flies". It's the one `sex song' on this CD but I don't think that it's graphic enough to be considered that but however, it's haunting, hazy, cloudy evening mood and it's lack of laughably graphic lyrics though make this track one of the sexiest and most beautiful songs that Ms. Jackson has ever made in her entire career and it still holds up as one of her best ballads to date. I just love it's dark, ambient, pink sunset ending as it's the perfect song to end the album. The song has aged very well. Personally, I prefer haunting, and eerie melody and attitude over sex talk any day of the week! She only got better and more mature with the following release "Rhythm Nation", her masterpiece to this very day. Ms. Jackson's gradual descent into factory-manufactured R&B dross after the Velvet Rope is probably one of the biggest musical tragedies of the past 25 years. To this day, I still find it hard to fathom seeing one of my favorite female singers on the planet, tumble from the dizzying heights of "Control" and "Rhythm Nation", down to Destiny's Child-level R&B-dross. While I have little against her going into more sexual territory in the 90s, I personally think that she was almost perfect as the `clad in black tomboy' with attitude. I know that I might be hated for this but for me, give me attitude, good songwriting, and musicianship any day over moaning, or sex talk! Buy this now!

THIS is what that new album was celebrating. The 20th anniversary of Control. This album is janet's landmark album that took her to great heights and made her the second biggest jackson superstar. Not only that, but it also set a blueprint for dance/r&b divas from then on: Jody Watley, Karyn White, Paula Abdul, Debbie Gibson, Mary J.Blige, TLC, SWV, Aaliyah, Mya, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Pink, Beyonce, Ciara, Cassie and a list that is going to continue to get longer. As janet said at the recent Billboard Awards performance "it's all about control, and I STILL got lots of it!" damn right janet!

Just kidding. We're making sure you're paying attention. Now that you've come this far into my review, let me first state that "Control" is a landmark album that gave Janet the fame she worked so hard to obtain. Janet will be the first to tell you that the name "Jackson" isn't enough to give you platinum sales and Number One records. Although her first two records were reasonably decent, they clearly lacked the personality to make a huge splash on the charts. In a last-ditch effort, she teamed up with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and the result was a working partnership that's so far lasted for over 15 years. "Control" still has the stuff to make you shake your thang. "Nasty" has a timeless groove that never sounds dated and is a fierce jam that's miles away from anything on a Britney record. The single "Control" is the declaration of independence Beyonce thought she was composing on "Independent Women." And the single "Let's Wait a While" is a gentle pro-abstinence ballad that amazingly avoids being preachy. "Control" is a great album which finally made Janet a househould name in r&b and still holds up after all these years.

The 80s! Virtually where music was at it's finest and some of the world's biggest artist broke out to become legends. The biggest without a doubt was Micheal Jackson who by 1984 broke dozens of records with his monster hit "Thriller". From his videos to his performances, Micheal was everywhere and crowned the one of the greatest artists to ever live. It seems that there was no room for any of the other Jackson siblings to follow in his shadow, especially the youngest of the family, Janet! By 1985Janet was at an ultimate career low with both her albums "Janet Jackson" (1982) and "Dreamstreet" (1984) being huge flops. But Janet never let the overwhemling success of her big brother get in her way, firing her father as her manager and collaborating for the first with legendary producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Janet took "control" of not only career but he rlife and created one of the finest albums of the 80s. Filled with infectious beats, outspoken lyrics, wonderful arrangements, and Janet's sassy vocals, "Control" is an album that made the masses take notice at is scored Janet 5 top 10 singles, her first #1 hit, and selling over 14 million albums worldwide (5 million in the U.S.). This wonderful album can be sumed up like this:

Control-Beginning with the unforgettable monologue about her "control", the song takes off to pop paradise as the 80s funk and the bold lyrics mix mash to make great statement about what the album is all about.-5/5 stars

Nasty-One of Janet's first signature songs, with her declaring herself Ms. Jackson...if you're nasty for the first time and her sassy attitude as she sings through the pop/r&b groove, this is an undenible catchy hit and classic.-5/5 stars

What Have You Done For Me Latey-Very catchy and showing for the first time a very take charge side of Janet, it's no wonder this was her very first hit and it still wonderful to this day!-5/5 stars

Can You Be Mine-A very sweet and bubblegum pop song! Janet sounds so cute, the lyrics are nice, and I can't help but sing along.-4/5 stars

Pleasure Principle-Hard to believe this rock/r&b classic never made it past the top 10! Janet's vocals are strong as well as the arrangements being flawless. The guitar solo during the middle of the song is so perfectly placed. Truly one of Janet's best and most memorable hits!-5/5 stars

When I Think of You-Becoming Janet's first #1 hit, the song is a fun-filled jam with upbeat lyrics and Janet's usual charming singing.-4.5/5 stars

He Doesn't Know I'm Alive-Probably the best non-single song on the album, Janet's impressive vocal range and her sweet lyrics are a perfect blend of excellence.-5/5 stars

Let's Wait Awhile-Who says Ms. Jackson can't sing a ballad? A song with a very significant message about waiting for your first, Janet shows that she is an artist with class and her vocals are sweet.-5/5 stars

Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun)-A very sensual yet mysterious ballad that has Janet speaking some well spoken french and expressing sadness as her fun has just ended. One of the first indications of Janet's sexy side, this is solid ender to this album.-4/5 stars

"Control" is unforgettable statement of independence that jump started Janet's amazing career. Hard to believe this is only the beginning of the incredible music this women would release to the masses.

Who cares what Janet Jackson did before this album, none of it was important. This was, as far as I am concerned, one of the finest non-Classical albums of the 1980s. It contains music I can still listen to and still feel excited about it. "Control", "Nasty Boys", "What have you done for me lately?" and "When I think of you" were amongst the best songs Janet Jackson and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (her producers and musicians on this album) ever released. Most of what Janet Jackson has done since seems very ho-hum to me - in "Control", she was a singer fronting a group of musicians - in later albums, she was a singer first and the instrumental music was incidental.

Control has to be heard and experienced through a good sound system. It needs to be considered in relation to what was around at the time. It needs to be danced to.

This music was "cutting edge" at the time and, considering how we've retrogressed, it is even more potent now.

One of masterpieces of Jam and Lewis.

Yes, it's hard to be in the shadows of THE Michael Jackson, especially when you are his little sister but Janet made her mark as the poster child for all younger sibs to even, shockingly, outdo their older siblings. It's a shame that today when we think of Janet we think of Super Bowl, no airplay and Jermaine Dupri-gross...but before all that Janet came out with an album that shocked the world and made Madonna sit in the back burner for awhile.
With two failed albums prior, Janet had recruited top-notch funk producers, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (who had done some awesome stuff with Cherrelle, SOS Band, Alexander O'Neal and Patti Austin beforehand)to help her reinvent herself for her thrid effort. What came out of that was a top-notch pop, R&B, dance outfit that spawned six hit singles and of course Janet Jackson frenzy.
With the opening chords of "Control" with Janet stating her posistion, you know that this album is going to be hard. With strident beats and smooth vocals, Janet delivers. "Nasty" follows with the sharp, "Gimmie Beat!" and it sure does give a beat! Catchy lyrics and a song that women love to sing (I've done it on many occasions:) and men love to hate as well as "What Have You Done For Me Lately?" with it's punchy chords and driving keyboards. My favorite song off of this whole CD (and favorite Janet song for that matter) is "The Pleasure Principle". I absolutely think this is THE dance song and if you've seen the music video, it makes the song even better. The keyboarding is slick and the drum machine is slamming. If you haven't gotten up to dance, you sure will when this tune pops on. The beautifully done, "When I Think Of You", is a mid-tempo track that has some dancable beats to it and slowing down with the slow groove of "Let's Wait Awhile" which actaully ::gasp:: talks about waiting to have sex! Poetic and Janet sings with much confidence and proves that she can sing a ballad, this is one of her shining moments.
Filler on here is not bad such as the gritty and raw "You Can Be Mine" which has a great jam session on it from the band. "He Doesn't Even Know That I'm Alive" is out of place and is the cheesiest. The lyrics are cute but seriously this is something that I think Debbie Gibson would do (no offense to Debbie who has great songs too!)but this song just doesn't fit Janet. "Funny How The Time Flies" is gorgeous, very well arranged and very haunting but ends kinda dull with Janet's signature moaning.
"Control" is a classic and it's crazy for me to call it that because I was born when this album hit shelves! I'm 18 and even though my dad has a copy of this on vinyl, I have it on CD and it's one of the best dance albums of the 80's, hands down. It's fun, entergetic, with a little sass and funk thrown into the mix. This was the beginning of Janet's step into the music world, and she took it in the right direction.

StarSprinkles Top 5
1. The Pleasure Principle
2. When I Think Of You
3. Nasty
4. What Have You Done For Me Lately?
5. Let's Wait Awhile

When Janet Jackson became a superstar in 1986, many people saw her as an intruder; a silly girl trying to cash in on the Jackson family name. Michael was huge worldwide - nobody thought that 16 years later she'd be almost as popular as him. After her first two albums ("Janet Jackson" and "Dream Street") bombed shifting just 600,000 copies worldwide, Janet decided to lay down the law in the studio with now legendary record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis - a working partnership that still stands today. The album become a phenomenal success in the US, selling 14 million copies worldwide and spawning five Top 5 US hits - only one, however, reached No.1. A young female singer who had such strength and independence intrigued America - Janet was exactly that. Control is now a classic record and is just one of those albums that proves the Eighties weren't so bad after all.

Control kicks off with the album's title track, "Control." This superb song is a brilliant way to start off this legendary album. The bassline is just so darn catchy and the lyrics are very symbolic - symbolic of the changing times, which introduced female independence. Control is more than a song, it's a key that symbolises joy, self-fulfilment and reminds us that life doesn't always entirely suck. "Nasty" is such a famous song, that people know it even if they don't know that it's by Janet. One of Janet's most popular songs, Nasty is a timeless classic that still sounds as fresh as it did 16 years ago. The beats are very funky and catchy - the lyrics were (as with Control) successful in promoting female independence and that women don't need a man to keep them happy. Janet's tongue-in-cheek line, "Miss Jackson if you're nasty," is just a classic.

"What Have You Done For Me Lately" was Janet's first single in the UK. Another superb Janet song and a huge hit in the US, this superb slice of R'n'B pop funk makes a big impact with its hard hitting beats and confrontational lyrics. "You Can Be Mine" is the best non-released song from Control. When you listen to the first two seconds of You Can Be Mine, you'll think you've got the repeat button on as the intro beat sounds identical to What Have You Done For Me Lately. After this, however, there's a superb and tingly four-note bassline that makes this another excellent Control song. "The Pleasure Principle" is one of Janet's most popular songs. This superb song strengthens the message of independence and basic fun that Control conveys. The bassline is a little different from the rest of the songs, but that's not a bad thing. A little diversity never did anyone any harm.

Control continues in spectacular fashion with "When I Think Of You." This superb song was a massive US No.1 for Janet and is a firm favourite amongst fans. The song has a brilliant introduction and throws in more and more beats and basslines as the song swings along. "He Doesn't Know I'm Alive" is another great song. This mid-tempo ballad of teenage angst is very different from the rest of the album. This is on a par with You Can Be Mine as the best non-released single from Control. The message it sends out is one that practically every teenage girl can relate to; a guy that the girl is crazy about doesn't even know that she's alive. "Let's Wait Awhile" is the slowest track on the album and was a massive worldwide hit. Destiny's Child sang this to Janet at MTV Icon: A Tribute To Janet Jackson in March 2001. "Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun)" is probably the worst song on Control. This song is the worst on the album, yet is still an above average track from Janet Jackson. The lyrics are rather good, as is Janet's bittersweet voice.

OVERALL GRADE: 10/10

Control is not just an album of big hits; it's a legendary breakthrough album - one that Janet should feel proud to be the creator of. I'm so glad that this album was a massive success, as A&M Records would have almost definitely dropped Janet were Control to flop. If they had dropped her, then the brilliant albums that followed in the form of Rhythm Nation, janet., The Velvet Rope and All For You would never have been created! Learn something, intrigue yourself and buy Control now.

The first time that I heard this album was in 1986. I have been a huge fan of Janet Jackson ever since that time! I played the album so many times on my sister's record player and I also lip synched with the songs! Her songs on "Control" are really great. Almost every song on the album was a hit. I definitely recommend this album to anyone that is interested in Janet's music or wants to hear great dance music!!