Customer Reviews

Discipline

5 star:		(66)
4 star:		(32)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(13)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

Let me preface this by saying that this is Janet's best album since The Velvet Rope. And I genuinely mean that. And no offense to those three albums in between...I'm not downing them. Discipline is just better. All in all, this is a great album. Though I must admit that I AM a bit biased, I can't imagine why any level-headed "reviewer" here on Amazon would brand this CD as being one or two stars out of five. I'm guessing that most of this is spawned from the media and how it likes to give off the impression that Janet has no career to speak of. Which is sad, in my opinion because obviously these type people haven't experienced Janet at her finest. She's consistently put out great music...moreso than any other artist I can think of off the top of my head. Another thing I've noticed alot frequently is that Janet gets criticised for her "overly sexual" lyrics. Why is it that R. Kelly (along with other "aging" male R&B acts) can get away with nothing but praise when all they talk about on a single album is what Janet gets slammed for doing on two out of fourteen tracks? When Janet resorts to singing about "Booty Meat" (see Soulja Boy) then, by all means, flame away. But, as for now, kindly recognize that Janet is as dignified, strong, enduring, and strangely innocent today as she was when she was 20 YO.

Overall Grade: B+

Feedback: one of the albums best tracks is also it's first single. A straight-up dance song (and currently #3 on the US Dance Charts) this is pretty different than anything I've heard from Janet....which is good. In fact, the space age instrumentals sound like something that Kayne would gravitate towards. One of my favorites. B+

Luv: Another dance-oriented track and one of the more mainstream tracks on Discipline, this is actually better than Feedback in my opinion. It's hard to imagine any fan of modern pop music turning their back on this song. A

Rollercoaster: Very strange song for Miss Jackson. Sounds one part African-inspired, one-part modern dance, and one-part something else all together. As you can see, this is a very hard song to describe with my minimal writing abilities. But the word bizarre comes to mind. B+

Rock With U: NOT a cover of her brother's single. This track (the second single) is definitely a "chill" song. Futuristic, robotic, and sexy like a shiny, sleek, expensive car. A definite house-type song, destined to be heard in the clubs. Luv it. A.

2nite: A guilty pleasure of mine for sure...sounds like something Janet would've did in the eighties with Control. Not amazing, but it sure is danceable. Very fitting for the album. B-

Can't B Good: Possibly my favorite song from Discipline. I loved this song thirty seconds into hearing it for the first time. It's reminiscent of the "janet." era, for sure and another "chill" song. Reminds me of "The Body That Loves You" coupled with a modern hip hop beat. Amazing. Bordering on A+...not quite there, though.

Never Letchu Go: I can see why a lot of people would like this...but in all honesty, it's not for me. Very nineties...I can see Boyz 2 Men performing this. For me, the Japanese Bonus track "Let Me Know" would've been a better addition than this. Nice beat, though. C

Greatest X: VERY mainstream. Had this been a single, it would've reached a wide audience. Listening to this makes me picture a couple dancing cheek to cheek at their high school prom. Nice chorus, but the song really takes off more near the end. "Greatest X" has been compared by one music critic to One Republics "Apologize." Worth a few listens. If you didn't like it at first, it will surely grow on you. B

So Much Betta: The album goes back into dance tracks with this. It's a nice song, known for samplind Daft Punk. Not really much I can think to say about it. Janet's robot maid/assistant/whatever, Kyoko does the chorus. Interesting, short, and sweet, if not a tad repetetive. B-

The 1: Believe it or not, I used to hate this, but I must say that this is growing on me in a big way. It sounds like one of the better tracks from 20 y.o. And Missy Elliot might just catch you off guard with her opening rap. Watch for Janet to be flamed for the "seven inches" lyric as she was for Feedback's "period" one. B

What's Ur Name: Sweet, dreamy instrumentals and an all-around decent song. Kinda follows the trend of "good, not great songs" from the second part of this album, but it's still something worth hearing. I'm sure It'll grow on me. This is the closest thing resembling filler that you'll hear on this album. C

Discipline: Janet's already gotten some heat for the lyrics on this one. Not one of the albums stellar tracks, but very interesting and memorable. Memorable for it's sensual lyrics and S&M themes. Overall, though, it's very nice and smooth. C+

Curtains: Sexy is the first song that comes to mind. Sexy instrumentals, sexy lyrics, and, as always, sexy vocals from Janet. Another one that had to grow on me though. A nice closing song for an album that could've been The Velvet Rope part 2 had the second half been as strong as it's first. B+

4 stars for the album, 1 for it simply being Janet. :)

As a fan of classic janet(control, janet album), I am so in love with this new cd. Its exactly what I wanted from her. At 30 years old, janet is still making me get up and get my groove on...

FEEDBACK- this is the first single, loved it right off. The beat is amazing. For me it has a club/european/rnb vibe all smashed into one, and just makes for a great club banger that makes u get up and dance(just what u want from janet)

LUV- a lot of people are feeling LUV.. it hasnt grown on me yet. The song uses a car accident or traffic as an analogy for love/relationships. I just dont like it, its a generic rnb song to me...just a little boring for me. Its too slow for me to choreograph to, but not slow enough to get good sex too. I enjoy it driving down the street with the windows down, not much else

ROLLERCOASTER- Rodney jerkins KILLED this beat.. this is by far my favorite dance track on the cd. Its an rnb club banger with SERIOUS bass.. The intro alone is soooooooooooooo sick. When I first read the lyrics to this song I thought it was corny and I was going to hate it.. But the beat is so amazing meshed with janets vocals, its everything i could ask for in a song, and the chorus.........LOVE IT.... just a great song

Rock With U- Rock with U is janets house type song. I dont care for this type of music so its definately not one of my favorites. It doesnt make me want to dance, but it does make me feel rather sexy...so its not that bad:-)

2Nite- is another favorite of alot of people. Sorry I just dont get this song. I like the chorus, but i HATE HATE HATE the beat. The beat is just wierd and odd, and ugh i just dont like it.....moving on

CANT B GOOD- This song is so mellow, its like classic mid tempo janet song. It just makes u want to sway from side to side. This is the song that i put on and walk around my house like im filming the video... its a good mellow song.. strong track

NEVER LETCHU GO/GREATEST X- im reviewing these two together because I dont like them for the same reason. They are ultra boring, corny ballads and a bit cheesy for me. there is no redemptive value in either of these songs. These are the only two tracks on the album i skip while listening.

SO MUCH BETTA- this is a hot song, it samples daft punk(so ive been told, i dont know their music). The chorus is crazy robotic rnb at its best. The beat is simple yet hot and makes u want to dance.. good solid track, short and sweet.

THE 1 FEAT MISSY- When missy is on a track u know its crazy. Janet kills the chorus, missys opening rap is crazy and off the wall..the beat is HOT AS HELL..u cant help but get up and shake that dunk to this song....this is def a fave of mine.

WHATS UR NAME- This song is just magical to me. its a mid tempo rnb song about janet wanting to get this guys name and number..its just a hot, i want u kinda song. we have all been in this situation. Janets voice is amazing, and the beat is just strong yet it doesnt over power her vocals...its smooth rnb at its best

DISCIPLINE- the title track.. NE-YO FREAKIN MURDERED THIS SONG...its freaking amazing. Its an S&M song, janet wants to be tied up and punished. The beat is sex and janets voice is orgasmic. If u dont make a few babies to this song, ur medically friged.. one of her best baby making songs by far.

CURTAINS- last song, rnb vibe, using the closing of the show as an analogy to what shes doing with this guy or what she wants to do..its a fun song, sexy beat, u can keep the sex going from DISCIPLINE thru this track, so it keeps the grown and sexy vibe.

All together, im LOVING this album. Its a great solid effort... so go pick it up..... If u arent happy with it.. U can come over and DISCIPLINE ME

I've been a fan of Janet Jackson since the early days and will typically buy whatever new CD she releases. That being said, I have to admit that I wasn't too crazy about either Damita Jo or 20 YO. I am really enjoying "Discipline". It's not Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis but it is Janet in a new direction. It sometimes takes me a while to get into a new Janet CD. I hated "Rhythm Nation" on the first listen but it grew on me after listening to it a while. There are several cuts on this CD which I love and I know that the remixes are going to be fierce.

Janet Jackson's 10th studio album, "Discipline" is very good in my opinion. It is my favorite album of hers of this decade. I think Janet's problem or her labels is that they don't pick the right singles. "Rock With U" is being toted as the next single when its clear "Luv" ought to be (and currently "Luv" is #46 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Tracks charts right now and climbing). I love this album and what I like most about it is the songs stick out and they are always in my head which makes me want to pop this album in. My favorite songs are "Luv", "Rollercoaster", "Rock With U", "So Much Betta", "What's Ur Name", "Discipline", "Never Letchu Go". Janet has so many potential singles on this album to make this go a long away. I just hope her and her team makes the right decisions to ensure the album's success.

This album is amazing! I have no clue why it isn't getting as much respect! I know alot of people were expecting, a funky dance album from Janet after hearing Feedback, but that definately wasn't the case. Instead we got a little dance, and mostly ballads, which I can definately appreciate!

*Indicates Album Skit/Interlude

1. I.D. (Interlude)*

2. Feedback- The first single off of the album! And everyone knows it. I think feedback is a very good song. It has every aspect of it to be a dance track. The beat is amazing and the vocals are very poppish, which allows for a very well made dance track. The meaning of the song is a little iffy in my book, but it is totally janet. The best part of the song to me are the Drums at the beginning. This is phenominal Janet work at its best! 9/10

3. LUV-Luv is expected to be the third released single off of the album, and I cannot be anymore excited! This song is extremely catchy, and would be a huge summer smash! The lyrics could be a bit corny to somee people, but I think that they are pretty clever. I love how the entire song is in the context of a car accident. It's pretty awesome to me. One of the best songs on the album! 10/10

4. Spinnin (Interlude)*

5. Rollercoaster- This song is an extremely different sound for Janet! It doesn't seem like she would make a song like this at first, but after a few listens you can tell that she made it her own. The beat is excellent, and the overall melody of the song is just so catchy! It's not quite a dance track, but it is something to nod your head to on the way to work. It can give you qite a bit of energy too. I love this track, and it is up there with one of the best on the album. 10/10

6. Bathroom Break (Interlude)*

7. Rock With U-This is to be the second single, which I am kind of upset about. Rock With U is not a bad song by any means, it just isn't commercial enough to catch peoples attention. The background "ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh" that Janet does is the only catchy part of the song, the verses and the lyrics are pretty much forgetable to the average listener. I don't think it is a bad song, but it isn't the best, and definately not single material. 7.5/10

8. 2nite- 2nite is extremely catchy! It is very disco modernized 80's Janet! I like it alot. Alot of people say it's the best song on the album, I wouldn't go that far, but it is an extremely excellent song! Very fun, and very dancable. It is one of the best, but not the best. 9.5/10

9. Can't B Good-This is the first of the ballads on the album. It is very catchy, and very classic Janet. I love the song alot, it reminds me of the break of dawn on Michael Jackson's 2001 Album Invincible. It is very catchy, and very comforting. 10/10

10. 4 Words (Interlude)*

11. Never Letchu Go-Another ballad on the album. This song is also very melodic and relaxing! I like it alot. It has very good lyrics and avery soothing beat. This really nothing special about the song though, that stands out. It is a very good song, but it may soon be a forgetable one within the album. 8/10

12. Truth Or Dare (Interlude)*

13. Greatest X-The third and probably best ballad on the song. Never Letchu go and The greates X have alot of similarities in sound, and I have no clue why they put them back to back on the album. Nevertheless, the song is amazing! Janet already had another great song on Damita Jo called "Thinkin bout my Ex" So obviously she loves her Ex..lol! But regardless of all of that, possibly the second best song on the album. It would make a great ballad single. 10/10

14. Good Morning Janet (Interlude)*

15. So Much Betta-This song is so unique! It samples Daft Punk's song Daftendirekt. The song is amazing and my favorite song on the album. My only complaint about the song is that it's really short. Another verse would have done this song some justice. Overall, a very good track, and my favorite one at that! 10/10

16. Play Selection (Interlude)*

17. The 1 feat. Missy Elliott-I think this is an okay song, but it is way too mainstream. Even though it is a great tune, it really isn't janet. It sounds like Amerie or Beyonce would sing it. I am definately not bashing Amerie nor beyonce, because I love both of them and I have all of there albums. But Janet has been so much more unique than this in the past, and this just doesn't cut it. It is an okay song, it isn't bad by any means, but just not my favorite. 7/10


18. What's Ur Name-Love this song. I don't think I could classify this song as a ballad, but probably mid-tempo. It's another one of the shorter songs on the album, which is a bummer. I like the song alot. It's really catchy, and a more "Modernized" Janet tune. Very good! 9/10

19. The Meaning (Interlude)*

20. Discipline-Another slow ballad and the titile track, and I love it!!!! It is so sensual without being too sexual! I like it alot! It is longest song on the album at a whopping 5 minutes exactly. But the entire song is worth it, and not boring at all! I love it. Definately baby making music. 10/10

21. Back (Interlude)*

22. Curtains-The is my least favorite song on the album. It is another ballad. And it just hasn't clicked with yet I guess. I am going to try to listen to it some more and see if my thoughts on it would change. Some parts of it is catchy, like the chorus, but the rest of it is pretty forgetable. I think it may grown on me, but right now it is my least favorite on the album. 6/10

121/130=93% which is an A rating. I really like Discipline more than Damita Jo and it is up there with 20 Y.O. Alot of people think that her last three albums have been bad, but I would have to disagree. Alot of people thought she made a huge change with All 4 U, but I felt that aside from the singles, that, that was one of her weakest albums to date. But everyone is entitled to their own opinion. All I ask is please go out and buy albums, and do not download! We need to show more support to our artist. Because if we can't support them and make their carrers thrive, then we don't get any good music back in return.

Janet,

I do LUV U and there is a lot I like about this album, but listen to me. I'm your friend and your friends should always be honest. I'm here to give you a little discipline.

1. Axe the interludes. They are interesting for the first listen or two, but they are essentially filler. There is a reason why people throw away the packing foam peanuts after they get a present -- they want the actual object in the box, not the non-biodegradable stuffin's.

2. Get your head out of your va-jay-jay. It worked for "janet" and it's been downhill from there. There is more to the world than getting laid. The bondage look and title track aren't extreme enough to appeal to real S&M afficianados and I'm not sure they would be of interest to the vast swath of America. I don't think people were really buying it during "The Velvet Rope" and I sure as heck don't think they are buying it now.

3. Not unlike "Damita Jo", "The Velvet Rope", "20 Y.O." and "All for You", this album has many pop/dance/r&b pleasures. What it shares with all of those albums is an unwieldy length and a lot of chaff with the wheat. Hip-hop is not your strong suit, girl.

4. To prove that I'm generous, I'm going to tell you that I love me some "LUV", "Feedback", "Rock With U", "So Much Betta" and "The Greatest Ex". Keep that good stuff coming!

5. I was nervous about you leaving the Jam-Lewis collaboration -- the results aren't bad, just not as exciting as they could be. How about you step out of the same ol'/same 'ol R&B producer mix and get with some real pop/dance producers. Clearly you are in a rut on the last several albums and the formula essentially seems to get re-shuffled. Don't make me spank you.

In summation, Janet, I do LUV U and that's why I care. If anyone can turn this ship around, it's you. I'm not looking for you to repeat your "Control", "Rhythm Nation" and "Janet" heyday. Embrace your pop diva roots (note that your last huge hit was "All For You" which was essentially a dance club/disco jam) and ditch the sexed-up, hip-hoppy R&B that has been bogging you down. Get a little fun on us!

J-Q's

To be honest, I straight up hated Janet's, "20 Y.O". But if you don't know by now, I am happy to report that sheeeee's back! This one's hot.

Fave tracks after first listen:
1. Feedback.
2. Rollercoaster.
3. 2nite.

Rock on, fellow JJ fans!

More and more I'm noticing that my undying love for Janet, a Taurus, born Janet Damita Jo Jackson in Gary, Indiana on May 16th year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and sixty-six is based more on my childhood memories, nostalgia and her groundbreaking achievements as a black woman than her music, especially as of late. This, her third album since that terrible thing that happened in 2004. The thing that has seemingly marred the sales and promotion of her last two albums, okay more the first one of those two, that second one just wasn't all that great. Well, it's a brand new day and like Mariah she gotten the Virgin Records monkey off her back and has signed a new deal with Def Jam. Let's see if the third time is the charm.

Janet didn't exactly explode back on the scene with her first single from this, her tenth album, the D'Mile and Rodney Jerkins-produced "Feedback". The sparsely promoted song, which in my opinion is her hottest in years was received well by critics, but wasn't the radio smash it deserved to be and is still fighting it out on the charts. The response to the accompanying video though has been lukewarm, even from fans. These early events did not giving me confidence of a looming "MiMi-like" comeback for Ms. Janet. Her lack of visibility for the last month or so, having performed the single basically nowhere doesn't help either, but I'm not giving up yet. At the end of the day it's all about the music right, so let's get to it.

The album starts off with the "I.D." interlude. Yes, the interludes are back, but they are back a la "The Velvet Rope", so they actually make sense and are listenable, unlike the ones from every album since then. Again like "The Velvet Rope" the this album is almost like a movie or a theatrical show, the interludes like movements, unifying the songs, all flowing one into another. They all have a basic theme which I won't give away here. Also like "The Velvet Rope", this album is also best when listened to as a whole.

Next is the first single, "Feedback" which flows directly into "Luv", the third single from the album, tailor made for urban radio. The crunk, bouncy number which at times seems a little more Ciara, than Janet, smartly uses the metaphor of a car crash, litigation and all, for falling in love:

"...I should sue ya.
I shoulda stopped at the red light cuz,
Now I'm like a deer caught in headlights, oh
He hit me with his love, la-love, la-love, love...
Got me caught in a wreck I'm a mess...
He crashed into my heart..."

Then there's "Rollercoaster", an upbeat number featuring Janet's world famous robotic layered vocals over a busy Darkchild beat. The second single, the electronic "Rock With U", co-written and produced by Jermaine Dupri & Ne-Yo is tailor made for pop radio and can be best described as Kylie-lite, a surprising feat from that particular writing and production team. Being Kylie-lite is hardly a bad thing here though as Kylie is Janet-lite on "All I See" from her latest album "X", coincidentally Kylie's tenth as well. I see it as returning the favor. Even with that Janet makes this track all her own with her trademark layered "oohs". "2Nite" produced by Stargate adds a little 80's throwback flavor to the album. The best parts are the bridge and short the breakdown at 3:27. Janet, I love that part, why didn't you make that part longer?

This time around Janet decided to slow things down in the middle of the album and not toward the end like she usually does. The next three songs, "Can't B Good", "Never Letchu Go", and "Greatest X", produced by Ne-Yo, Johnta Austin & Jermaine Dupri, and The Dream respectively, seemingly drag the album down at first but upon a second listen they contain small bits and of pieces raw soul and vocal progression from the small-voiced diva, especially at 2:58 on "Never Letchu Go". Even with all that, the only single-worthy track out of the three is "Can't B Good", no "Again's" or "I Get Lonely's" here.

Things perk up with the Jermaine Dupri produced "So Much Betta" which features a fun chopped and screwed vocal on the chorus and a soaring layered vocal channel. At only two minutes and fifty-three seconds as soon as you start getting into it's over, prompting many rewinds. Next is "The 1" which features two witty rap verses by Missy Elliott. Though produced by Dupri as well the beat sounds a lot like something Rich Harrison would do. This Harrison jacking though isn't as blatant as frequent Janet collaborators Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis' last year on "Disrespectful", the first single from Chaka Khan's last album. 2:47 into the song Missy exclaims "This is crazy!" referring to the beat I guess. Unfortunately, I can't fully agree with Missy. Yes the beat is indeed crazy, but it would have been crazier in 2005. If there was such a great need for the Harrison sound why didn't they resurrect "Pops Up!" or "Speed It Up (Put It On You)", which are Janet tracks actually produced by Harrison that were cut from the "Damita Jo" album. Another Dupri joint, the mid-tempo, summer single-worthy "What's Ur Name" is a favorite of mine on the album with Janet's vocals riding the beat perfectly. Even the reference to the T-Mobile Sidekick smartphone in the chorus is non-obtrusive enough to not be cringe inducing. The shortest track on the album at a meager two minutes and thirty-four seconds, also prompted multiple rewinds. They should shoot this and "So Much Betta" together as a dual single video a la the videos from Missy Elliot's "Miss E..." album, but more than likely if this is miraculously chosen as a single the label will more likely throw in the rapper du jour of the moment to lengthen things.

Next is the title track, "Discipline", the only "baby making" track on this album and unlike some of the ones from the last two albums this one is actually sexy and very soulful, it's right up there with "Any Time, Any Place". Yes, even though there is a little moaning on this one, it's tasteful. There are no swear words and the song rather than being blatant and explicit is filled to the brim with cleverly written double entendre. As you guessed this song is sort of a bondage S&M metaphor, think "Rope Burn" 2.0, except with whips and things. At 0:52 Janet coos:

"Daddy, I disobeyed you,
Now I want you to come punish me..."

with such conviction that I feel like I'm in her bedroom with a whip in my hand. That was some of her best acting since Chip Fields burned her with the iron on "Good Times" back in the day. Closing my eyes listening to this I can almost see Janet tying up and disciplining some lucky audience member, whipping him on stage in front of 80,000 screaming fans. Or better yet having that lucky guy whip her. The chorus almost melted my speakers with the lyrics:

"I need some discipline tonight
Don't hold back
I've been very bad
Make me cry
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Daddy make me cry..."

The song ends with eerie chants of "Take out your frustrations on me..." which is sexy, but a little scary. In fact at 2:00 Janet actually exclaims "I'm scared..." and you know what Janet I'm scared too, but I'm also turned on. I've got some disciplining to do.

To end the album is "Curtains", a midtempo number laden with guitar and horns especially dedicated to the fans, another of Janet's more soulful tracks. I cant wait to see this one on tour. I could see her closing things out with this one.

If you haven't figured it out already, this is Janet's best album in years and even though it's probably not gonna pull in "MiMi" numbers the first week especially since they just started promoting it yesterday. But it's a quality record that I actually believe in. Hopefully LA Reid and Def Jam nurture properly because it has the potential to be a huge hit. Because Janet needs it, scratch that, I need it, for my own sanity. If this record doesn't go #1 I'm gonna lose it.

If you must download, download: "Feedback", "Luv", "Rock With U", "What's Ur Name", "Discipline"

We have to admit that the classic days of Janet Jackson are over with. But that isn't bad. I just want people to stop placing impossible standards on Janet. Janet is at another point in her career now.

This CD is excellent. It has a good amount of mid-tempo R&B songs that remind me of the ones from The Velvet Rope.

The dance tracks are great and I wish she had put more on here. I took off one star because she could have used more dance tracks. But I think there are about 4 or 5 dance tracks on here.

2Nite is awesome! Is right up there with Together Again!

Best X is a really outstanding mid-tempo power ballad.

All the rest of the songs are worth checking out depending on your tastes.
The only problem with the music is the lack of turn tables! How could they not use turn tables?

Discipline sounds great. Her vocals are amazing and nobody can harmonize like Janet. As for everybody who wants to hear 'classic' Janet: listen to Rhythm Nation or Control, if that's what you want to hear. Otherwise, stop complaining. BTW, what's up with these long reviews, do people actually read them??