Customer Reviews

Dream Street

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've seen it too many times. Magazine articles, interviews, documentaries, and even talk shows making the same mistake over and over: "Janet Jackson's 1986 debut album, CONTROL blasted the star to success..." I'm not sure why, but many Janet Jackson fans have overlooked her sophomore album, 1984's DREAM STREET, as well as her '82 debut, JANET JACKSON. If you're one of those people who are under the impression that Janet Jackson started out being in control, I advise you to check out DREAM STREET for yourself. Not only are there some killer hooks here, but many songs worthy of radio in the 80's. Although "Don't Stand Another Chance" hit number nine on the R&B chart in 1984, none of the singles charted on the Billboard Hot 100. Don't let this stop you from buying the album, which is available everywhere on cassette at about $4.99. I'm not sure why you can only find the CD as an import, but I guess life's not fair. Highlights include the slammin' title track, "Don't Stand Another Chance," "Fast Girls," and "If It Takes All Night." Here's the complete tracklist since Amazon.com doesn't have it posted: 1)Don't Stand Another Chance 2)Two To The Power Of Love (with Cliff Richard) 3)Pretty Boy 4)Dream Street 5)Communication 6)Fast Girls 7)Hold Back The Tears 8)All My Love To You 9)If It Takes All Night

I'll admit it's nothing compared to JANET JACKSON'S RHYTHM NATION 1814, but DREAM STREET delivers. The only drawback is "Communication," which may be the worst Janet Jackson song ever recorded. Bottom Line: If you're a Janet fan, DREAM STREET should not be overlooked.

I would recommend this album for hardcore fans only. Many critics will dismiss this album as her weakest, but I do feel there are some fine moments. I like the melody from the Cliff Richard duet: "Two To The Power Of Love". "Communication" and "Don't Stand Another Chance" are the best songs because the songs were constructed correctly with the melody.

However, was this album a sophmore jinx for Janet? Reasons: 1) The world was STILL living off the "Thriller" album so there was no way for Janet to get recognition. 2) People who bought her first album probably did not like it and decided not to buy "Dream Street", fearing that Janet's voice did not mature. She was 18 years old in 1984. 3) A&M Records did not give her enough exposure to help sell the album.

Overall, I like the album, but no more than her first. If you have never listened to this album and looking for some "hidden gems", then you probably won't be disappointed. It will certainly be something different from a Janet Jackson that existed before "Control". I would not mind listening to this album 2 or 3 times a year!

This album has been overlooked too long. It's a great CD that just didn't get the push other Janet CD's have. True, Janet's voice hadn't been fine tuned by this point, but how can anyone not like the lighthearted tunes she sings. If you want a fun album that'll brighten your day, this is the one for you. If you are a Janet fan, you should probably get it too, because, well, what kind of fan doesn't own EVERY Jan album (okay, okay, you don't have to have every one, but it's nice to have them all).

This is the album prior to "Control". It has a lot of good songs. Giorgio Moroder produced some great songs. The title track is one of them. Janet gets funky with "Fast Girls" and "Pretty Boy" both produced by Jesse Johnson, from the Prince camp. Of course, her brothers contibute a couple songs here. "Don't Stand Another Chance" written and produced by Marlon has that classic '80s Jackson sound. This was a hit on the R&B charts in '84 and it does make you dance as does the other Marlon song "All My Love to You". Not a bad buy and you can get it cheap. Get it.

on janet's second album, she shows that she has grown from her debut. the album cover proves it. the songs are much better and the sound has that 80's appeal. i feel the album failed because no one wanted to pay janet any mind. like it was said in another review, everyone was still coping from michael's 'thiller' album and madonna was hitting it big @ that time also, i feel janet's first single 'dont stand another chance' was the wrong choice simply because it has the jackson trademark sound. janet needed to show that she has her own style and that song wasn't going to establish her, maybe 'dream street' or 'pretty boy'would've done the trick. the album was great except for two songs that should've gotten sheleved: 'commuication' and 'two to the power of love'. those songs shouldve been replaced with 'start anew' and 'french blue' as a bonus. well, the album flopped anyway but it was a great album and like all of janet's popular albums, some songs have great messages behind them. 'drean street' shows that 'control' was the next step. so if u wanna see what was leading up to janet's sucessful third album, buy 'dream street' i thought it was worth my $35 for the japanese import. i listen to it when i wanna hear something by janet that hasnt gotten burned out by radio.,

this is much better than her debut album, though it's nowhere near what the janet albums from control through velvet rope are. This music on this album is a period piece, and it contains production from her brother marlon jackson, the producers of Fame and a protege of Prince. The best songs on this album are Dream Street, Hold Back the Tears and All My Love To You(definitely michael jackson sounding). So if you're interested in janet's early work before she became successful, purchase this.

The way I expected everything to sound was weird 80's music but it's pretty good, very good, so I'm here to say, consider it, it's not so bad, and if your a Janet Jackson fan you might just love this one, but if you would like to purchase a janet album for the first time I wouldnt recomend this, I'd Recomend Rhythum Nation

One of Miss Jan's best albums, spawning excellant hits like "Two To The Power", "Fast Girls", and "Don't Stand Another Chance", plus a great megamix of "Pretty Boy" and "Fast Girls", "French Blue", (not on the album). My favorite song is "If It Takes All Night". The 80's sound is most obvious on tracks like "Communication", but is still strong throughout the entire album. Definately a great buy for anyone.

Dream Street is a nice album, very overrated. She was still young but these songs are infectuous. The songs are very poppy and fun oriented, that will make you want to dance. While the album may not show Janet's stronger vocals, it doesnt matter as these songs are what they are, FUN! Songs like Dream Street, Two To The Power Of Love, If It Takes All Night, Pretty Boy, Fast Girls, etc will make you sing, dance and make you want to relive those memories all over again!

Some people say this album didn't sell well because it was overshadowed by her famous brother's 'Thriller' and even by the Jacksons album (Victory) that came out in the same year, or her eldest sister Rebbie's debut, 'Centipede'.
Well, maybe that's true, but don't judge this album because of the bad publishing-timing... In my opinion, it comes very close in quality and music-style to the 'Control' album, which was very fresh and excellent also. This one, from 1984, is a little-bit more pop-oriented, but still there is this magical Jackson funk groove you cannot be mistaken with... It's a short album, only nine songs, but enjoyable from start to finish. Sure, Janet don't posses the most powerfull voice in the world, but she have her own special voice and she certainly can carry a tune. Plus, the beats makes you jump and dance, and that's what good funk music is all about, right?
I especially like the title song, 'Dream Street' (it could have been a big hit if better promoted), 'Hold Back The Tears', the michael Jackson penned 'Don't Stand Another Chance', and the sweet duet 'Two To The Power Of Love' (one of the most underatted duets in all times, I think) with Cliff Richard - which sound at first like a strange collaboration, but it really works out well in the result. If you like Janet's music, escpecially the early Janet, don't think much further about purchasing this one - even if you must look for a used copy. It's really worth your time & money! Also I recommend Rebbie's first solo album, 'Centipede' which is super underatted also, and not fairly, if I must say so.
Janet, please, return to your old style, because that's what you do the best!
I'll always cherish your first 5 ones!