Customer Reviews

Discipline

5 star:		(59)
4 star:		(37)
3 star:		(28)
2 star:		(19)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

For me, The Velvet Rope was Janet's masterpiece, though I didn't feel that way at the time. It wasn't until later that I realized how often the CD found its way back into my CD player. Velvet Rope seemed to culminate all the ideas and concepts Janet had been toying with since she first came on the scene. It represented Janet at her most personal, vulnerable and sexy with songs that ranged from an abusive relationship, to loss of a loved one to being tied up (presumably with ropes that were velvet) during sexual encounters to a bunch of emotions that ran the gamut of chaste to...not so chaste. It was expressive, dark and moody. Since then, her releases have been very cheery, which isn't a problem in and of itself.

Here's the thing. I've been listening to Janet Jackson since Control, when I was a young kid in the 80s. I've loved every single album she's released and even when the last two haven't been so great, I've still enjoyed them. The problem is, ever since All For You, the CDs have begun to run together. While I really enjoyed 20 Y.O., I was hoping for further evolution of Janet as an artist and I placed my hope in Discipline. Unfortunately, what I'm finding is an artist that seems to be trying so hard to gain a hit again that she's giving up everything that makes her unique.

It starts with getting rid of Jam and Lewis, her cohorts in crime since the beginning. When 20 Y.O. came out, I had thought that maybe finding new producers might help her freshen her image, but that has backfired. The songs on Discipline are...well, a lot of them are boring. They feel like any of the other nameless R&B artists out there, pumping out music that anyone of them could sing as opposed to personal songs that have defined Janet over her 20+ year career.

"Feedback" is a fun song; I was hoping that it was a sign that Discipline would be a great, daring new CD. But, after that song, I found myself stuck in music that wasn't exciting, daring or different. The only songs that really stuck out to me throughout my listens were "The 1" with Missy, "The Greatest X," and the aforementioned "Feedback." Those are ones I've listened to on a few occasions because I've enjoyed them and they remind me of some of Janet's fun, good songs. A few songs in the middle, like "Rock With You" are enjoyable, if easily forgetable. Then there are the ones that simply are crud. The title track, for instance, is probably the biggest misstep of Janet's career. It's not the sexy, sultry song she wants it to be and he use of the word "daddy" just adds to the weirdness. Honestly, at 40, shouldn't Janet be past the father-figure authoritarian fantasy? Even if not, this was done much better...in the Velvet Rope with "Rope Burn."

Instead of being the comback album Janet and friends have been hoping for since 20 Y.O., Discipline finds Janet so desperate to make a comeback album that she's willing to sacrifice her soul to do so. Melodramatic, I know, but this is the first time I've seen her singing songs she didn't write. Granted, Janet's not exactly the great poet of R&B, but it was her words, they came from her heart and they were about things she was facing. Instead of writing her album, she hired "hitmakers" to create songs and it shows. None of the songs really feel like a Janet song; they could just as easily be sung by any of the countless other R&B performers out there. What's worse, a lot of the songs feel like filler and I'm having trouble, looking at the song list, trying to remember how some of the songs go. By trying so desperately to make a comeback, Janet gave up what made her, her.

I know this isn't going to be a popular review and I'll have to be content with that. Believe me when I say that I'm sad that this is my first non-glowing review for Ms. Jackson. Before I bought this album, I was hearing a lot of less than stellar things being said here and elsewhere, I just told myself that these people were the haters and that her album would be good. Unfortunately, that's not the case and I've been seeing some fans, both longtime fans and new, saying similar things.

In a career that spans more than 20 years, everyone is entitled to a dud. As a fan of her work, this would be that one for me.

2.5 stars

Janet Jackson returns with her tenth studio album, "Discipline", hoping to regain the chart glory she once had before that infamous Superbowl incident. Ditching long-time producers Jam and Lewis, she's hooked up with a slew of producers and songwriters (she doesn't write anything this time, she'd previously co-written most songs on every album from "Control" to date) such as Rodney (Darkchild) Jerkins, Ne-Yo, Tricky Stewart, Stargate, and boyfriend Jermaine Dupri, to mention a few. More upbeat (and much better) than her previous release "20 Y.O.", the moods range from club bangers, mid-tempo numbers, edgy funky numbers, and chilled out baby making music.

Falling into the Upbeat club bangers category are lead-off Darkchild produced single "Feedback" (with stomping beats, intermittent rolling marching band drums, and distorted vocodered vocals), "Rock with U" (not big brother Michael's hit, but a funky song with bubbly 80s sounding synths, and Janet cooing over the beats, penned by Ne-Yo and Jermaine Dupri - the interlude before this song, "Bathroom break" is quite funny with a Daft Punk song playing in the background), and the club friendly Stargate produced "2nite" (with great bubbling synth breaks). Taking the tempo down a bit (and still highly danceable), we have the lovely "LUV" (nice echoing chorus and harmonies and a heavy bassline), and "Let me know" (a bonus on the Japanese version, as well as on iTunes) which is cut from the same Pop fabric as her hit "Runaway".

The edgy funk numbers are the rather atonal and sparse Darkchild produced "Rollercoaster" with percussion giving a spinning sound (faintly reminiscent of "Escapade" and it's catchy and grows on you), the Prince-like "So much betta" with chipmunk vocals and a sample from Daft Punk (who really must remember to buy Kanye West a nice "Thank you" card) it reminds me a bit of "Nasty", and the sexually charged "The 1" with Missy Elliott, nice percussion, chiming sounds and bursts of electric guitar. These three sound most like Janet's Jam/Lewis stuff of the past.

For ballads, there's the soothing lite-jazz of "Can't be good" (which reminds me a bit of "I can't help it" by Michael), the catchy "Greatest X" (she must have an ex fixation, there was "Thinkin' bout my ex" on "Damita Jo"), "What's ur name", and (for the first time on a Janet album) the title track "Discipline" which is the best of the lot; A steamy slowed down Jodeci/R Kelly style soulful ballad with lovely harmonies, (again) sexually charged masochistic lyrics about "having misbehaved and wanting her daddy to discipline her and make her cry", and heavy breathing at the end. What was her crime? "I touched myself/when you told me to wait". Surprisingly, it works very well, and is her most memorable ballad since "I want you".

The other ballads; "Never letchu go" (with sprinklings of electric guitar), and "Curtains" are not bad, but I get the feeling they would sound better sung by someone like Mary J Blige or Mariah Carey. They are so-so songs which need someone with powerful vocal chops to carry them off, Janet sounds lost in the mix here. I feel these could have been replaced with more upbeat songs, but like I said, they are not bad.

Good to see that she has toned down the overt sexual nature of her lyrics that appeared in her last 3 albums (we really didn't need to know about the temperature or humidity of her hidden body parts, "Warmth" and "Moist"), she doesn't have to be an oversexed android all the time. I think this album could bring Janet back on top, IF radio gives her a chance. So far, "Feedback" has been given a wide berth, but that doesn't detract from the fact that this is a very good fun album which should give Janet her 6th #1 album.
P.S. I do not like the album cover photo; she looks like a bad drag queen. :-)

Listeners of expertly crafted, perfectly packaged dance-pop have a quick - if temporary - fix in "Discipline," Janet Jackson's new comeback effort. Results are mixed, but the set sports a handful of high-energy morning pick-me-ups frothier than a Starbucks latte. Recent LPs like "20 Y.O" and the full-on porn of "Damita Jo" may have yielded lackluster results, but Jackson has been an established figure in the pop game since today's college crowd was in diapers for a reason: given the right material, she is a formidable performer.

The album's feel is icy, distant and thoroughly modern, complete with Jackson's customary interludes, this time including a computer named Kyoko that gives her pep talks and even duets on the bizarre "So Much Betta." Despite such oddball moments the effusive, ultra catchy lead single "Feedback" and the roller disco-ready duo of "Rock with U" and "2nite" sizzle with flavor and catchy beats. With its instantly unshakable hook the sensuous "LUV" should be a massive hit, and "Never Letchu Go" is a pleasant slice of lovelorn r&b with 80's-inspired guitar work.

It's only when she gets sentimental about her finest orgasm ("The Greatest X") or objectifies male genitalia ("7 inches? Yup, that'll do!" on "The 1" featuring Missy Elliot) that the collection drifts into clumsy sexual perversions and, importantly, amelodiousness. The pretense climaxes as Jackson coos "Did I upset you daddy? Take out your frustrations on me." on a BDSM-themed title track that would make Madonna blush. Somewhere out there Ron Jeremy's ears are burning.

"Discipline" is typical late career Janet with obvious singles and equally obvious padding with overbearing sexual themes. This time, however, the singles rank among her best.

I have to begin by saying that i have every album Ms. Jackson has ever done. I have all her videos on DVD, all her movies, and I've been to her last two concerts, The Velvet Rope and All for You. My opinion is that from a long-time Janet Jackson Fan.
This album IMO, is in the same category as her last two, totally forgettable. I dont know what happened to her, but everything since All for You, has been the exact same. Her last three albums, including Discipline could have all been recorded by Ciara, or Rihanna, or any other 20yr old pop singer. Her lyrics in all her songs could have been written by anyone in their early teens. Her voice is whispery on every song. Her music used to say something. She used to have messages in songs. Her music was always so unique. Her songs were not like anything you could've heard from anyone else. Now shes trying her best to fit in with the "new young divas" and making music, that appeals to a much younger generation. Its almost as if, shes a completely different artist from the past. All her music from Control to All for You sounded like they came from the same person who's growing and evolving into more and more maturity. Damita Jo, 20 Y.O. and now Discipline sound like something a brand new artist would make. All the songs are about sex. No depth, no meaning, just about hooking up. As a long-time fan, I'm incredibly disappointed by this album. I guess if I didnt grow up on Janet, I might possibly like it, but when you know her previous work, and here the new stuff, its like, "What Happened?!?!?!" Not sure what was going on in her life around the time she recorded Damita Jo, but whatever it was, she hasn't been the same since.

On the inside of the booklet Janet said: "Also, most importantly, I would like 2 thank all of my fans 4 the never ending support U give me... Thank U, this record is 4 U!" Isn't that so sweet of her. And such a rare act to see a successful recording artist behave so humbly. (Madonna could learn a lot of from Janet, like how to treat her fans and her public.)

This is one of Janet's greatest CDs!! There are so many imitators and duplicators and haters, but there's only one woman who is the real thing! That's Janet, of course! My favorite song is "Feedback." It sounds so modern but also has a very edgy R&B sound to it. I also really enjoy the interludes. As you know this is something that Janet is now famous for. It is this touch of class and an attention to detail that popular music these days lacks. And, I love how Janet looks on the cover of the CD. She is so beautiful. I love how she always changes her look. She always has her finger on the latest trend and style before anyone else. If you're a fan of Janet's, don't miss her on Larry King on Thurs.! You know, I heard an ugly rumor about Janet (heaven knows there's been so many about her and her family) that she's in her 40s! That can't be true. She doesn't look a day over 27.

With her first album not to feature hitmakers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Janet gives us a sound that differs frim the sound than that of her last album. Since I have a huge bias for Jam & Lewis I can say their trademark sound is missed but with current heavy weight producers Ne-Yo, Shea Taylor, Stargate, Johnta Austin, Tricky Stewart and The-Dream all contrubting tracks the album has it share of winning tracks. Stargate gives us a club bouncy track entitled 2nite which is harkens back to Junior Vasquez's mix of Someone To Call To Lover while The Dream & his producing partner gives us Greatest X. Greatest X is one of the many ballads I found enjoyable on this CD along with Can't Be Good written by wonder kid Ne-Yo. Can't Good isn't the most sensual Janet song on the CD that titles belongs to the album title track also written by Ne-Yo. However my first ballad on this CD is Never Letchu Go written by Johnta Austin, it's the closet thing we have to a Jam & Lewis song on the CD and it deserves to be a single. I've always been partial to Janet's ballads but there are some other culb bangers on the CD besides Feedback,LUV and Rock With U with the strongest being The 1" featuring Missy Elliott. Save for a few interludes all in all this is a fine album and I hope Janet gives us her first tour since 2001.

After I saw in the paper today that Janet was launching a lingerie line, I was just irritated enough to come here to write a review of "Discipline". Too late--Terry Mesnard has just about taken every word out of my mouth. I would add to what he wrote that Janet was at her best when she was addressing social issues and laying down fierce, hard tracks.

With "Janet" she shed her clothes and inhibitions--bravo for you Ms. Jackson--I always thought you might be harboring the need to get just a little nasty! Then "The Velvet Rope" took that a step further and I was wowed by the funk party she threw. Since then I've felt that she has gone the way of Mariah Carey in the "make the world my gynecologist" department. Pretty much every song has to have that "I Feel Love" vibe to it. Ok Janet, we get it, you're sexually liberated--MOVE ON!

Say what you will about Madonna--and don't forget, Janet did have her say about Madonna's sexually explicit material--but Madonna did at least have a point to make with all of her sexually in-your-face moments. Janet and Mariah are just sexual in the "Look at me, I'm a butterfly, moth, whatever--dancing in the flames of love, making shadows on the wall...la, la, la!" Ok--we get your point--NEXT!

There might be a reason Janet's been on such a slippery slope with her career for the last several years--it all sounds and looks like rehash--hardly anything she does doesn't sound familiar like you might have heard it on one of her other albums. Even in her videos she has the look of someone who is only concerned with all that is superficial--even the way she looks smacks of overproduction. And, if I hear her tell me another nickname she had as a kid or call out the names of her friends in another song...don't even get me started on those "I'm sick of them by the second listen" interludes! Doesn't she have anything to say about "the state of the world today" anymore...or are her sexuality and physical perfection the only things that are on her mind? And then there are all of those lip-synced performances, which really irritate me when you've paid the purchase price to see a show--be it live or on dvd. Having a little help is one thing, but when your mouth doesn't even move with the sound--please!

I haven't given up on her, but she better find a new groove if she ever wants to be as relevant as she once was. I know the girl still has a care for something in the world besides sex, and that there's probably still a slammin' album in her somewhere, but this mess ain't a workin'!!!

I love Miss Janet as much as the next person but I think it's time to bow out gracefully. With each new album her voice and creativity is wearing thin.
YES SEX IS GREAT WE ALL AGREE ON THAT but does she have to talk about it on every album since R. Nation 1814?
I gotta go............. I wanna listen to Pleasure Principle.

Being a true die hard fan of Janet's, after purchasing this album I was left very depleted. This was a shock after all the hype that J. Dupri threw around about it being her BIG comeback, and the album being a front contender for Mariah's album.

With Discipline, many of the songs sounded like they belonged on the Damita Jo and 2.0. Year Old albums. There was no evolution of sounds. Even the themes that she tried to cover with this album were themes that she had previously covered with the aforementioned albums.

In my opinion, I think Janet should do away with J. Dupri and his producing, because they do not share the same chemistry as he and Mariah share. Her voice would be better suited with the same producers that Brandy, Ciara, Mya, etc. utilize.

For those looking for Janet to actually sing on this album, you will be disappointed. On most of the album she coes and seductively whispers over the tracks. There is no real singing done, which leaves one to wonder if she can actually sing. There is little to no emotion on the tracks and most appear as if she was lying in bed, on her back, with a microphone above her head singing aloud to herself.

I know for many of the songwriters involved on this project, this album had to be a disappointment. Many of the songs have the potential of being hits with the right producing and the right VOICE. I'm not sure if Janet will recover from her lackluster record sales and bless us with another album. If she does, hopefully we'll get a chance to hear a more mature and evolved Janet. A Janet that introduces us to her feminine/sexy side, while remaining classy and one that isn't afraid to show emotion as she exuberated on Velvet Rope.

As a longtime Janet fan, I want her to succeed and she is the only artist on a major label whose music I still actually purchase. The best thing about this CD is that it has its moments: "Feedback" (with its bazillion authorized and unauthorized remixes) is the party/workout/dance class anthem, "Rollercoaster" is just plain funky, "Can't B Good" is classic Jackson (if you like "I Can't Help It"), put on your favorite designer outfit and werk to "Rock With U". "What's Ur Name" and "So Much Betta" are finger-snapping mini-bites of music and I actually still find her interludes tolerable. If only horrendous urban radio would come along...

For those who believe Janet should have more mature lyrics, that sentiment is ridiculous. No one says that about R.Kelly or any male artists, frankly. I want my pop music to simply carry me away and this record does that quite well.

Get the damn record, stop intellectualizing and enjoy the ride!