Customer Reviews

Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814

5 star:		(122)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Control showed her to be a massive singles act, but Rhythm Nation: 1814 proved that Janet Jackson was not only capable of propelling a song, but fully conceiving a concept album as well. Rhythm Nation: 1814 was her most coherent artistic statement and, sadly, also her last truly great album: Edgy and diverse, dark but never completely forboding, Rhythm Nation combined tough beats, irresistible melodies and anthemic lyrics to build an R&B landmark.

The title track opens the album with a real kick, with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis' mighty rhythm track, the massive backing vocals and the stunning chorus. "State of the World" was a deserved radio hit (which but for the lack of a commercial release would've been the album's *eighth* Top 10 single); "Miss You Much" added a maturity and a harder-edged sound to her Control dance formula and triumphed in spades; "Come Back to Me" and "Lonely"'s Spanish guitars and moody keyboards helped Janet achieve her first good ballad performances ("Let's Wait Awhile" from Control came tumbling down into the syrup jug); "Black Cat" was "Beat It" updated with snarling guitar riffs and a growling Janet Jackson lead vocal; and "Escapade" proved that Miss J. hadn't lost her sense of fun.

Sonically this is the only Janet Jackson album that doesn't sound dated at all -- even The Velvet Rope and janet. heralded to an '80s sound, looking back instead of forward. Rhythm Nation: 1814, on the other hand, was a prophetic and important work, and ten years after its release holds up to scrutiny on all fronts -- vocal performance, arrangement, recording, groove.

Musically, 'Rhythm Nation 1814' is an ingenious blend of pro-social anthems, gorgeously beautiful ballads, and new jack swing dance cuts. To this day, I have yet to hear an album that pleases my ears, moves my feet, and lifts my spirit the way 'Rhythm Nation' did, and still does. What Janet Jackson, Jimmy Jam, and Terry Lewis put together at the end of the 1980s was sheer pop/R&B magic -- and it has endured the test of time oh-so well. Great music always does.

The 'Rhythm Nation' project had it all: substance, style, pop appeal, energy, and a socially conscious message. Amazingly, seven top five singles (U.S) were released during the 'Rhythm Nation' campaign, spanning from September 1989 until January 1991, when the majestic "Love Will Never Do Without You" became the album's fifth #1 single (something no other album has done since). Also, there was a double meaning to the "1814" tagged on to Janet's album. The well-known meaning is the fact that Francis Scott Key wrote "The Star Spangled Banner" in 1814. The lesser known meaning is that "R" is the 18th letter in the alphabet, and "N" is the 14th letter. Although these facts may seem trivial, I mean to include them to illustrate that RN 1814 was much more than a "pop" album in the traditional sense. Rather, the 'Rhythm Nation 1814' album (and tour) was a shining portrait of a caring individual employing her influence as a recording artist to spread an honest, pro-social message a la Marvin Gaye or Stevie Wonder.

Now, let's get to the music:

True to the mysterious cover art (black & white), the album begins with a tolling bell, a door opening, and then a recitation of the 'Rhythm Nation' pledge, ending with the line, "pushing towards a world rid of color-lines". An elevator sound descends into Janet's famous "5,4,3,2,1" -- and then we're off into the title track (2nd U.S. single), a gloriously funky anthem that still sounds as fresh, exciting and inventive as it did back in 1989. I really can't say enough about this song...

Next up is an interlude that introduces the listener to "State Of The World", an urgent dance number (almost the 8th single) addressing societal ills such as homelessness, violence, and world hunger. Following another interlude, we are led into "The Knowledge" which musically has Janet chanting over a wonderfully produced 'new jack swing' beat provided by Jam & Lewis during what I consider their creative peak.

After a "get the point?" interlude, we're off into dance-land with "Miss You Much" (1st U.S. single), a confident, carefree jam that nicely recalls her earlier 'Control' material. We hear a somber "Come Back To Me" interlude before going into "Love Will Never Do Without You" (7th U.S. single) perhaps one of the most beautiful midtempo R&B/pop songs ever recorded. The background vocals on "Love Will Never Do Without You" are incredibly uplifting, and make me miss the days when Jam & Lewis vocally contributed to Ms. Jackson's music.

"Livin' In A World (They Didn't Make)" is a powerful ballad primarily inspired by the Stockton school playground killings of 1989, and the last full-length song to address social issues on the album. Its message -- addressing youth violence, adult hypocrisy, and protecting children -- is as relevant today as it ever was. One word: "colors" (a reference to gangs), is censored from the album; this was an interesting move by A&M Records...makes me wonder why?

Then we get to dance again in the form of "Alright" (4th U.S. single), a new-jack-swing number in every sense -- so much so that rapper Heavy D contributed to the video (along with legends Cab Calloway, Sid Charese and the Nicholas Brothers). Next we go into the explosively fun "Escapade" (3rd U.S. single), which I still hear quite often. Both "Escapade" and (especially) "Alright" had great videos.

After an anti-drug interlude, we're led into "Black Cat" (6th U.S. single), a scorching rocker that actually has a much better single version (which can be found on 'Design Of A Decade'); but it's the next song, "Lonely" that I consider a true work of art. It's a misty ballad featuring delicate percussion, a tender spanish guitar, and the most vividly plush background vocals I have ever heard. Jam & Lewis were able to create this 'quiet storm' magic a year earlier in 1988 when they wrote and produced "Can You Stand The Rain" for New Edition. "Lonely" is this reviewer's favorite song of all time.

The beauty continues in the form of the oh-so-somber "Come Back To Me" (5th U.S. single), which follows perfectly in the footsteps of "Lonely". This is the Janet Jackson I fell in love with, and came to look up to during my youth: pure, sweet, caring and beautiful. Right after "Come Back To Me", Janet invites the listener into her bedroom, and sings "Someday is Tonight", a sequel of sorts to her earlier pro-abstinence ballad, "Let's Wait Awhile". Featuring a steamily muted trumpet by Herb Alpert, "Someday is Tonight" is an intensely sensual finale to this long and eventful journey of an album...

We close 'Rhythm Nation 1814' with a 'morning after' final interlude ending with the line, "don't let your eyes deceive you" and a tolling bell - leaving the listener with a haunting, almost disturbingly unresolved ending to a perfect album. 'Rhythm Nation 1814' is a seamless work of pop/R&B brilliance. The subsequent 'Rhythm Nation 1814' world tour still maintains the record of being the most successful debut tour in history.

Grade: A+

Andrew Knyte

This is really terrific. I listened to this album a lot in 1989-90 while all its hit singles were spinning into the charts and playing from the radio.
Janet Jackson was 23 when she made this excellent album, and it remains her best work. She had really good producers on her team, wrote strong social-comment lyrics, and made stylish videos , usually with squads of well-drilled dancers performing funk workouts in formation . The mission statement on Track 1 of Rhythm Nation is the dream of a "nation with no geographic boundaries... free from colour lines" and this admirable ideal is promoted on funky title tune. The lead single Miss You Much also funked out with a staccato beat and hit US #1 in October 1989. Further hits were also squarely in the dance/pop tradition , such as the upbeat Escapade, the happy-sounding Love Will Never Do ( Without You ) and the groovy Alright . Social injustice is highlighted on the rather-good ballad Livin' In A World ( They Didn't Make ) and the uptempo State Of The World , while the rocking number Black Cat really works very well, with its heavy rock guitar sound precisely capturing the song's raunchy sentiments. The Knowledge is an angular funk groove all about getting a good education. Janet's albums always balanced funky and smooth elements, so here we had the nice, stately love ballad Come Back To Me and the seductive bedroom tune Someday Is Tonight to represent the softer side of her music. Interspersed throughout the running order of the disc are sound snippets and fragments of commentary that help to link the songs together rather like a sound collage. A very good idea !

Every song here succeeds - that's why Rhythm Nation 1814 deserves a 5 star rating.
Highly Recommended to all music fans.

Janet Jackson turned into a star with her album "Control", but this was what rocketed her into mega-stardom. This album was brilliant back in 1989 when it was released, and is an absolute classic today.

The leadoff single was "Miss You Much" - a wise choice for first single. Janet exercises her vocal ability and was a good indication of things to come. "Rhythm Nation" followed this up. Probably the most powerful track on the album, a force to be reckoned with (which showed her strong side). How could you possibly follow this up? By releasing the best song of 1990 -"Escapade". 11 years after its release, it still sends shivers down my spine. This was probably the song that really sparked my interest in music. A tough act to follow, "Allright" managed to do so, yet another great song (with one of the greatest videos ever!).

After four solid pop-dance releases, the ballad "Come Back To Me" continues where "Lets Wait Awhile" (from Control) left off. "Black Cat", the sole pop-rock song on the album continued the string of successful hits. The final single lifted off "Rhythm Nation" was "Love Will Never Do Without You", which was an excellent release, and today almost seemed like a transition to her "Janet" album. After seven vocally strong releases, she removed any doubt that success came from being a Jackson.

One of the more notable songs on the album has to be "State Of The World". It was almost released as the 8th single, but I guess after seven releases, it was finally time to wrap up what was an already highly successful project.

Overall, "Rhythm Nation 1814" easily deserves 5 stars. I have a feeling that Janet Jackson (or anyone else for that matter) will never produce another album that tops this, and its difficult because this borders perfection. Her vocals were excellent, the production team of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis was bang on, and this combination is a force to be reckoned with. I had intially bought the tape to this back in 1990, but having listened to it countless times, the tape wore out and I promptly bought the CD. A testiment to how valuable this listening experience really is. I would say this is definitely Janet's best work. "Janet", "Control" and "The Velvet Rope" are all excellent albums, but I would say that the consistency throughout this made it her best.

In 1986, Janet Jackson burst onto the music scene with the cd Control. In 1989, Rhythm Nation surpassed it. I don't believe Janet has made such a consistently pleasing cd since. 1993's Janet and 1997's The Velvet Rope didn't quite match the consistency nor the great songs that Rhythm Nation had. Half of Rhythm Nation is hits: "Miss You Much", "Rhythm Nation", "Escapade", Love Will Never Do Without You", "Alright", "Black Cat" and "Come Back To Me." Janet and The Velvet Rope lack these kinds of remarkable songs. Control is more adolescent in nature than Rhythm Nation. This is a must have for any rock collector.

It's a damn shame how I'm a Janet fan and I didn't got this cd sooner. When I got this cd, the memories did come back. I love this cd Rhythm Nation! All the songs are very good. Very danceable beats with soul mixed into it. I always like how Janet has a theme to her albums. I love the 80s!

1. Pledge
2. Rhythm Nation- Who hasn't heard this song??? I remember watching the video where Janet wears this black military like outfit and video was all black and white. 5/5
3. Interlude:TV
4. State of the World- I love this song. It's so hot. It's just like Bobby Brown's music. 5/5
5. Interlude:Race-This is the first time I ever see them include any lyrics to the interlude.
6. The Knowledge- Cool funky beats to dance to. 5/5
7. Interlude-Let's Dance
8. Miss You Much-OMG! When I was younger, I would dance to this song. 5/5
9. Interlude-Come Back Interlude
10. Love Will Never Do Without You- I love this song! I grew up listening to this song. Janet is a great singer. I love the video too! It's the first time we ever see Janet come out of her shell. 6/5
11. Livin' In A World (They Didn't Make)-This song focus on violence and gangs. 5/5
12. Alright- Hey, what happen to the rap part with Heavy D. I grew up with this song too. 5/5
13. INterlude: Hey Baby
14. Escapade- I remember this song, too. Janet looked so beautiful in the video. God, I miss those days. 5/5
15. Interlude:No acid
16. Black Cat- This song rocks. It has a rock and roll edge to it which really stands out from the rest. Love the lyrics and the singing! 5/5
17. Lonely- My favorite song! I love it how she says" cause everybody needs a friend to be there when they're lonely". I love the music. It just sets a perfect mood to it.I always love Janet for that. I love soul music. 6/5
18. Come Back To Me- OMG! This song makes me cry and feel desperate and pathetic. But I love it so much. 6/5
19. Someday Is Tonight-Here, we go with the sexual fantasies again. But I have to love Janet for that. It's very sensual and sexual. It makes you want to be intimate with someone. And I love the trumphet playing in the middle. It's just so right for it. Janet may had a conservative look back then, but the sexual fantasies were hidden beneath it. You had to knew that was coming. 6/5

This cd is definately a must have for hardcore Janet fans.

top 5 rhythm nation picks:

love will never do without you
alright
state of the world
the knowledge
living in a world they didn't make

honorable mention: come back to me, this ballad is too beautiful to be ignored

Three years later after her third and successful album "Control", in 1989 Janet was ready to release her fourth, "Rhythm Nation 1814". It was a timeless classic back then and still to this day. To this day, it has sold over 15 million copies worldwide, sold over five times platinum, it was a big US #1 (#4 in the UK where it spent 43 weeks on the albums chart), all seven singles in the US went into the Top 5 (four of them were US #1s). If that wasn't enough it also won a total number of 23 awards including eight American Music awards, nine Billboard Music awards, two MTV Music Video awards, and four Soul Train awards! As I said above, timeless classic...

The album begins with the Interlude "Pledge". It is only 47 seconds long where Janet says: "We are a nation with no geographic boundaries, bound together through our beliefs. We are like-minded individuals, sharing a common vision, pushing toward a world rid of colour lines." By this point, you can tell Janet is in very political matters. After this, comes the hit "Rhythm Nation". It hit the Top 5 stateside and #23 in the UK! It is a great song through-out the five and a half minutes and she speaks that we are all, equally, part of the Rhythm Nation. The Interlude "TV" is next. This is just lots of channels leading on to the next song, before a bleep at the end of the song. "State Of The World" is up next and speaks of how we need to change the world. Janet speaks of children who are homeless and need some where to stay, aswell as that this puts pressure on the parents, who are also poor. "Race" is next - another interlude. (There are eight) Just five seconds where Janet says: "We are in a race between education and catastrophe". "The Knowledge" is up next and is definately one of my favourites from the album - then again, I have many. Janet speaks of the knowledge that you really need and want. "Let's Dance" is another interlude - the fourth on the album. Before leading into the dance section of the album. ("Get the point? Good. Let's Dance".)

"Miss You Much", the next song from the album was another hit single for Janet. #1 in the US and #22 in the UK, where the single spent almost two months on the Charts. It's a great dance song, where Janet speaks of missing her lover. "Come Back" is another interlude. It's a brilliant piece of music though, just an orchestral/instrumental part of the song "Come Back To Me", which appears later on in the album. "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" is the next song from the album and is probably my favourite Janet song. This nearly six minute track was yet another single. It reached #1 Stateside and #34 in the UK. It is another song about Janet and her lover. "Living In A World (They Didn't Make)" is another song about changing the world. I listen to this song depending on what mood i'm in. Sometimes it is far too despressing to listen to and sometimes I stop to listen to it for the lyrics. Everyone across the world should hear this song for themselves. It needs to be heard, rather than reviewed. At the end, there is a scream and a gun shot and I don't really like that part at all, I always turn the volume RIGHT DOWN. As is stands, this song is still nice. "Alright" brings back the dance part of this album, which is also probably one of my favourite Janet songs. This six and a half minute dance stomper hit the Top 20 in the UK and the Top 5 Stateside. It's a great track! "Hey Baby" - the best interlude? Maybe. It's rather hilarious. Janet and some one else are having a conversation and they say: "Baby. Hey Baby. Don't Get Me In Here Acting Silly Now. You're Not Taping This Are You?!", before the two of them start laughing. "Escapade" is up next and is another one of my favourite Janet songs. It hit #1 in the US and #17 in the UK, where the single spent seven weeks on the Top 75. It's another great song, one of her most popular. She speaks of taking her lover on an escapade.

"Black Cat" is another great song, another of my favourites from Janet's whole career. The single went to #1 in the US and #15 in the UK, Janet's highest (!) charting position of singles from this album in the UK. It shows her rock star talents, as she sings about staying in on her own, because her lover is out with his mates, and the Black Cat is coming to "get him"... (The interlude "No Acid" takes place BEFORE "Black Cat".) The next are all ballads. "Lonely" is the slowest on the album, as is "Someday Is Tonight", which shows the more sexier side of Janet, and is the "introduction" to her 1993/94 self titled album. While "Come Back To Me" was another Top 20 hit for Janet in the UK and Top 5 in the US. The interlude "Living In... Complete Darkness" starts with children singing the chorus from "Living In A World They Didn't Make". Janet then says: "In Complete Darkness we are all the same. It is only our knowledge and wisdom that seperates us. Don't let your eyes deceive you". It ends with the sound of a bell and lasts for just over a minute.

Overall score - 10/10

Many people say Janet's later effort "The Velvet Rope" was Janet's most difficult album to complete. However, Janet speaks of more political and social messages and situations on this album. She also sings her heart out on these songs the most, which makes her all the more better for it. Janet's best albums are (in no order): Rhythm Nation 1814, Design Of A Decade and The Velvet Rope. I'd strongly reccommend you pick up these three alnums, aswell as the rest of them.

Albums like Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation 1814" are a throwback to whole different time and mindset. This was a time where more artists were writing and performing music with a sense of social consciousness and intelligence. Admist the mindless, misogynistic and lewd images of many of the pop divas of today (I am not going to mention any names, but I think you know what I am talking about), "Rhythm Nation 1814" is a really refreshing change of pace.

For starters, this was a time when Janet cared about something besides her sex drive. Janet cared about race relations, the future of our children and building strength in interpersonal relationships. This is evident in both the lyrics and subject matter of many of the songs on this album, as well as the compelling interludes that occupy a space between some of the music (Interlude: Pledge, Interlude: TV, Interlude: Knowledge). Though, this album was originally released in 1989, it was an ominous prelude of the race riots to come on the streets of Watts in South Central Los Angeles, just a couple of years later.

The title track examines the rift between people in the United States and the "divided but separate" mentality that remains today even following the the Civil Rights Movement and the push for more intercultural education, as well as the social inequality that so many poor and unrecognized people face in the world. As she says, "It's time to give a damn/Let's work together.:" I couldn't agree more, Ms. Jackson! "State of the World," "Knowledge," and "Living in a World (They Didn't Make) present more of the same perspective, set to lively hip hop backbeats, as well as the strong R&B influence. I also think the love songs on this album are absolutely luscious! Many of us who remember the time this album first came out will recall the numerous hit songs that emerged from it. They include "Miss You Much" (with the stirring percussion and danceable beat), "Love Will Never Do (Without You)," (which is a great showcase for Janet's vocals as she sings in both lower and upper register--no, it isn't a duet! Also, it was voted one of the sexiest videos of all time! If you watch it, you will probably agree) "Alright" (warm, hip hop beats, positive lyrics and a great video inspired by the musicals from the era of the 1950s), "Escapade," (it makes you feel like taking a little vacation, yourself--very catchy) and "Black Cat" (a great, rock and roll inspired track with booming electric guitar---I think Axl Rose is the guitarist on this song).

In short, this album is definitely one of the most innovative, engaging, eclectic and original albums from 1989 and definitely stands the test of time fifteen years later.

I had the fortune to see Janet interpret this music live, during her European tour. I even got a piece of Johny Gill's (her opening act) towel, when they played in Paris! (although it totally got ripped to shreds). Needless to say, I had a great time, and my review of this album is based not only on my assessment of the music but of the entire vibe of 1989/90.

This is an excellent record, the best comprehensive showcase of Janet Jackson's performing skills, and the best overall concept she ever brought to an album. Whether it is the insistent and heartfelt march of "Rhythm Nation," the skillfull groove of "The Knowledge" and "State of the World" or the wonderful, sweet, and lovely vibe of "Escapade," and "Alright" this album just works from beginning to end. The interludes do not distract from the feel of this record, they are part of the organic whole.

Janet's choreography on this tour is also worthy of note. Hugely influential, there is almost NO video on MTV today that hasn't taken a page out of that book.

This is Janet Jackson's masterpiece, an album that holds up well fifteen years later, and should remind her of the true standard she should be living up to.

Get out of the bedroom Janet, we know you're sexy. Start saying something again and it will all fall back into place.