Customer Reviews

Janet

5 star:		(135)
4 star:		(33)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

"Janet" heralds a new Miss Jackson who's come a long way from her cutesy days as Penny on "Good Times." Gone are the robotic dance beats of her last two records. Say farewell to those all-black costumes she constantly wore in her videos. This album shows Janet at her most relaxed, and it features her most mature work at the time. Janet once crooned, "Let's Wait Awhile," but it now seems that she is willing to explore her sexuality, as evidenced in the hot singles "That's the Way Love Goes" and "You Want This." Elsewhere, she dabbles with house ("Throb"), non-drippy ballads ("Again," which is one of her best singles ever), rock ("What I'll Do"), and straightforward pop (the hidden track "Whoops Now"). For all that's good, I have to complain about the handful of unnecessary interludes that pop up in between songs. If they were removed, "janet" would have been a near-flawless record. But as it is, it's still a winning release that shows growth and depth from the most exciting and musically consistent member of the Jackson family.

This album marked the end of "Miss Jackson" and the debut of "Dominatrix Jackson". She mostly forgoes her funky dance beats, social commentary and personal statements of past albums. Instead stressing R&B, sensuality and straight on dance grooves. It's quite a startling change but she mostly pulls it off. "That's The Way Love Goes", "You Want This", "If", "Because of Love" and "Any Time, Any Place" are the best of the bunch with much of the rest being either average or filler ("Funky Big Band" is neither funky nor interesting to listen to). Still the entire album comes together and presents the most honestly sensual Janet Jackson we've yet seen. The crass and almost pornographic Janet Jackson of late is barely noticalbe on this album. The closest she gets is the sexually charged "If." Of particular note, tracks 20 through the end of the disc make for great music for romantic get togethers.

Although unexpected after her funkier first two albums, "Janet." is a nice change of pace and one of her strongest sets.

Janet has made a winner here. Unlike her previous cd's, Janet drastically changed her image, for the best. The songs still have the heavy beats that we've expected from her. Each of the songs are awesome, but some of the "weaker songs" could have been left out, and been replaced by those wonderful b-sides of the album "One More Chance", "And on And On" and "70's Love Groove"

Each song is different, there is a different style for each song. "If" is the standout of the album because there is no song like it, and it happens to be my favorite too. "Where Are You Now" is an awesome ballad, like One more Chance (which is available on the If single), Where are you now should of been a single, it is one of Janet's best songs and her voice really shines on it.

Janet has done it again, I highly reccomend this cd, all the songs are awesome.

I recently pulled this CD out for another listen, and almost ten years later from when i first heard it i was still impressed. This is definitely Janet Jackson's best work to date. These songs don't date, which is surprising for pop music, and there is such a wide range of styles here that can cater to many people's tastes. Janet's tracks are funky and upbeat, prompting you do get up and dance or at least bop around. "Thats the way love goes" will probably be most familiar, but "If", "What'll I do", "Funky Big Band" and "Because of Love" are also noteworthy. There is also the ballads "Again" and "Where are you now" which are sweet singalongs that would please any pop lover. This may be pop, but its pop done very well. It sets the bar, and basically makes all the recent pop/R&B divas look pale in comparison.

It's a shame this wasn't released on vinyl-it would have sounded awesome! This, I think, is a vinyl-album. It has the sound for it.

Anyway, this is an incredible album: 75+ minutes, 27 tracks (about half of which are inturludes), very eclectic in its musical styles, and the moods it can set.

"Âoy!!"

This record kicks-off with "That's The Way Love Goes," (trk. 2) a very mellow, smooth, rhythmic song. It sets a great opening. Then "You Want This" (trk. 4) is where the tempo picks up. In this song, Janet sings against a cliché that has existed strongly in media for ages: that the women should give herself up for sex. Janet believes the man should "work it." 'Not anyone I'll just let in my heart/you have to be hungry for me/girls may have been easy/boy, you have to please/what makes me thing that I can say this to you/I know how bad you want me/if you want my future/then you better work it, boy/love won't come easy-no/I know you want this.' A very good statement! And it's true. "If" (trk. 6) is a fast, hard-rock song with an excellent beat! "This Time" (trk. 8) features the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra (YEAH, MINNESOTA!!!) and Opera-diva Kathleen Battle. When Janet has finished her part, everything just becomes silent, with only the strings humming low in the background....BOOM-the orchestra explodes beautifully and Kathleen Battle unleashes her amazing vocals, giving the song a pleasant, soothing, eerie sound. Then everything come together to a grand finale.

All is silent.

Then, "Throb" (trk. 10) opens with Janet moaning in sexual ecstasy, the bass-drum sets a beat, Janet says "Okay, here we go..." and the drums pound out a fast, damn fine, dance rhythm. Next up: "What'll I do," (trk. 11) a light Jazz song with nice instrumental accompaniment. "Funky Big Band" (trk. 13) is as the title indicates, funky. Nice vocals, and fun to listen to. "New Agenda" (trk. 15) is a loud song, with a twist of rap-another song with a good statement to make society better. Alice Walker would be proud.

Now, at this point, the album starts to cool down, and the softer songs start to play, each one becoming lighter and more melodic.

"Because Of Love" (trk. 17) is a light-pop song. It has a pretty melody, and a nice beat. "Again" (trk. 19)-everybody knows this song! I love this one a lot. It has no drums or beat, only Janet's beautiful voice and an orchestral and piano accompaniment. This is a song that'll get you in the heart, and God knows you'll love it again and again. "Where Are You Now" (trk. 21) is a beautiful song with a wonderful melody. This is a favorite of mine.

Now the cool mood turns sensual as well.....

"The Body That Loves You" (trk. 23) is very soft and very sexy. Be careful, this song might melt your CD player! Then, the hit "Any Time, Any Place" (trk. 25): a very easy, sexy song, and the improvisation after Janet's sung the song are very soothing. The improv lasts about three minutes and bleeds into a rain storm: "Are You Still Up" (trk. 26) only has two speaking parts for Janet: "Are You still up?" in the beginning, and "Sweet Dreams," in the end. In-between is a sweet instrumental melody which lasts a minute-and-a-half while the rain pours in the background, an occasional clap of thunder sounding. The track fades, and all is silent.....

About 25 - 30 seconds later, voices-Janet and her friends-fade in slowly. Then the piano starts playing notes. Then the drums establish a up-tempo rhythm, and "Whoops Now" (trk. 27-the last track on the album) starts to play. After about five minutes of a great song, it ends in talk about things to do on the vacation Janet and her friends are on. The conversation is amusing, but eventually comes to a halt, and Janet's ends this epic masterpiece by saying: "Oops!"

This is an album any Janet Jackson fan-or *anybody* in my opinion-should own! It is brilliant, and without a doubt Janet's best album of all time. I guarantee, you'll love it!

-Kenny K

Janet at her best. what makes it so good? This album has everything R&B, pop, Jazz, Gospel, Rock,hip-hop, country, even opera. Incase your confused (as a heads up #27 has a bonus song Whoops now)
2.that's the way love goes- R&B
4.you want this-hip-hop (the album version is good but I prefer the remix with MC Lyte)
6.if- rock,R&B,and Hip-Hop(my favorite on this album)
8.This time- rock opera
10.Throb-Hip-hop,and R&B
11.what'll I do- pure country (that actually sounds good)
13.funky big band- Jazz,R&B
15.new agenda- personally I think it's Gospel with R&B
17.because of love- R&B
21.where are you now-slow jam R&B (my second favorite song)a
23.the body that loves you-R&B (my least favorite)
25.anytime anyplace-R&B(album version good but R.Kelly Remix better)
27.Whoops now-pop

I think this is probably her best cd. It is amazing and there are some fantastic songs on here. They run the gamut between fast and slow and funky too.
I love That's The Way Love Goes. It's stunning, and sexy and beautiful. Then I love the ballad Again. It's a beautiful and emotional song and you should check out the video for that one. It's great. There is the funky If. That is very hot and suggestive and it's the style that suits her best. And the last of my picks is Because of Love. It's boppy and fun. With these songs and all the ones in between, there is a style for everyone. This is such a fantastic cd and I hope her future release is along this line because it will be another hit.

Janet Jackson's "Janet" is an amazing album. It basically takes you through her sex life and love life in many different ways and in every style of music imaginable.

That's The Way Love Goes (4/5) - A mid-tempo R&B/Pop song, this was her biggest hit. It is nice and soothing, and is the perfect song to begin the album. It repeats itself a lot at the beginning though.
You Want This (4/5) - A nice song, it seems a bit dull, but there's nothing really wrong with it.
If (5/5) - This is an amazing mix of Rock, Rap and R&B. Janet raps a lot of the song, the guitar lines are amazing and the hook is one of the most memorable I've ever heard. Also, the video, which is set in some sort of strange Cirque d'Soleil is spectacular. The best song on the album.
This Time (5/5) - This song shows Janet mixing Classical, Opera and Pop. It has some beautiful opera vocals, mixed with Janet's voice at just the right time.
Throb (4.5/5) - This song reminds me a lot of Madonna. A hardcore euro-dance song. Janet does a great job at this, the song is simple, but very listenable.
What'll I Do (4/5) - This song is odd, and sounds a bit out of place for Janet, but I'm glad she tried it. It's a country/rock song and for this being so far away from what she usually does, she did it well.
Funky Big Band (4.5/5) - Yeah, it's funky big band. A nice song, goes on a bit too long though.
New Agenda (5/5) - Along with the best rapper of all time, Chuck D, Janet makes a statement about racism. A great song with a great message.
Because Of Love (4/5) - This was another one of her singles, it did well, but I don't think it should have been. It sounds too much like You Want This to me anyways.
Again (5/5) - Another hit, her voice sounds angelic and the song can make you cry. A wonderful ballad.
The Body That Loves You (4/5) - A slow jam that just has a traditional R&B sound, it definitely lets you know that the album is winding down, this is a nice one to fall asleep to.
Any Time, Any Place (5/5) - Another slow one, with more of a jazzy feel, I've fallen asleep to it several times, but it is still a great song.
Spoken Parts (5/5) - I'm just going to combine these because I think they are actually noteworthy. Janet targets many things in her short sentences in between songs. Love, Sex, Racism, Anger etc. They sound really good and she sounds very sexual yet at the same time she knows exactly what she's talking about. They make a nice addition.

Overall, an excellent album with a lot of great material.

In 1991 Janet signed with Virgin and started paying back her advange in 1993 with the smooth and sexy album Janet. The album lifted a total of seven singles(depending on where you live in the world, followed by numerous ambitiously music videos to accompany the music. Indeed the Janet album was a hit across the world, generating sales of that of 17 millions.

With the Janet album her image changed as well. From being the girl next door, Janet turned into a sex-kitten over-night. Who can forget the sleeve with La Janet? Having two hands cover her breasts whereas her hands are placed on her head. A statement one might say and indeed it seemed so.

The album opens with the smooth and silky That The Way Love Goes, which easily became a hit across the globe and making it one of her biggest hits to date. Its share of funky elements and a great beat hit a card with public, making the song top the US chart for a whopping 8 weeks as well as earning Janet a Grammy for Best R&B song in 1993. Perhaps not the most obviously choice as a lead single though its passionate lyrics had everyone singing along.
If was the second singles lifted from the Janet album giving her another top 5 to her earnings. The guitar-driven song brings back memories of a more edgier Janet Jackson doing Black Cat. Yet If has a softer twist to it than its leader. The video accompanies the song has become a favorite among music video lovers appearing on many 'all time greatest music videos of all time' shows and I certainly won't agree against that.
Again continued the triumph tour for The Janet album helping it selling by the truckloads and making it one of Janet Jackson biggest records ever in Europe. You couldn't turn on radio in 1993 and not hear Again. It was simply massive everywhere. Again is a nice ballad of heartache. Something that everyone can relate to one way or another, yet the song doesn't really appeal all that much to me and never has. I always thought Janet has recorded other ballads that were stronger in hooks, melody and lyrics. Where Are You Now is one of those. The song is reminisce of Janet's earlier ballad material such as Come Back To Me and Let's Wait A While.

On The Janet album we have fast sex such as Throb with its mourning sounds and You Want This. Seductive songs That The Way Love Goes and The Body That Loves You. The delight of love Because Of Love and a tribute to African-American womanhood New Agenda. Basically you have it all and more.

Overall the Janet album is an haughty record from Janet Jackson. Sure one would agree Janet Jackson limited vocal appeal makes the record less enjoyable, but Janet Jackson doesn't rely on a big voice such as other artists. Janet and her team have realised that well-produced songs with a good beat will get you everywhere. Janet knows how to use what she got in terms of vocal and the Janet album clearly displays that a big voice doesn't matter if you don't have good melodies and great hooks to work with.
The interludes work well on the record in my opinion. They tell a little story of the track following and therefore they are somewhat relevante for the album as well.

I prefer the Janet album over Rhythm Nation and The Velvet Rope anyday though I suggest a non Janet fan to start with Design Of A Decade to get a feeling of her earlier catalogue.

Janet's album janet. is a treat, very lovely to listen to. The sexual nature of the cd with the balance of love and joy, is the right mixture for hit records. janet. has the perfect balance of pop, disco, r&b, opera and rock. This 27 song collection takes up 75 minutes on the cd (bonus track Whoops Now). This cd spun off 8 singles out of the actual 14 songs (other 14 are interludes) Janet Jackson has outdone herself with this one. Best tracks: If, This Time, Again, Where Are You Now, The Body That Loves You, Any Time Any Place.