Customer Reviews

The Velvet Rope

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"It's my belief that we all have the need to feel special and it's this need that can bring out the best in us yet the worst in us. This need created the velvet rope."
-Janet Jackson

Ten years ago today, October 7th, 1997 Janet Jackson released what is her most profound and thought provoking piece of work ever, "The Velvet Rope." In my opinion it is the best and will always be the best album ever made. There is probably not a professional music reviewer anywhere who will agree with me but that's okay. Beside the musical merits of the album it has a much deeper emotional resonance with me.

At the time this album came out I was fourteen years old, a freshman in high school. I had already been a casual fan of Janet's since "Rhythm Nation 1814" and all throughout the "janet." years but I was still a kid and I really didn't get into her until then. Even at that time I was still young and was only getting $1.75 a day spending money for school, needless to say I didn't buy this album when it was first released.

My first memory of hearing it in it's entirety was laying on the floor of my eldest sister's house one Saturday afternoon listening to it on her portable CD player. I was so enthralled by the sounds of the album and the amazing graphic design, photographs and imagery of the album booklet. That day was the day that I fell in love with music. Finally at 16 years old "The Velvet Rope" was the first CD I ever bought with my own money.

"The Velvet Rope" is an eclectic opus with touches of R&B, pop, rock, dance, and classical music. It plays out like a theatrical production and is best heard in full. Every interlude, every word of all twenty-two tracks of this CD are all important. They all work together to cohesively bring forth the message, to tell of your need, my need, our need, the need to feel special. The need that brings out the best and yet the worst of us, the need that created "The Velvet Rope." The velvet rope that helps us hide our feelings, holds back our public and binds us up for our lovers.

Coming off of the most successful album of her career 1993's "janet.," which sold over 17 million records worldwide and was the first record by a female artist to debut at #1 in the United States in the Nielsen SoundScan era. She released six singles off of this album and toured almost two years promoting it. This was her first album with Virgin Records the company with which she signed a 40 million dollar record contract, which at that time broke the record for the largest record deal ever. "janet." was largely a happy, R&B/pop record which was a mix between upbeat catchy songs and slower more seductive songs. "The Velvet Rope", released four years later was a much darker record, reflective of the sadness Janet was feeling at the time. The album was panned by critics for being too controversial but was a fan favorite. It was and actually still is Janet's most introspective record.

This album embodies so many feelings and emotions: happiness on "Go Deep", hope on "Together Again", regret on "Got 'Til It's Gone", loneliness on "I Get Lonely", anticipation on "Tonight's The Night", pride on "Can't Be Stopped", self realization on "You", horniness on "My Need", emptiness on "Empty", anger on "What About", fear on "Every Time." There are so many subjects that Janet touched on the this album that had been seldom talked about ever in popular music: spousal abuse on "What About", sado-masochism on "Rope Burn", masturbation on "Interlude - Speaker Phone", homosexuality, lesbianism and bisexuality on "Free Xone" and "Tonight's The Night."

My two favorite Janet Jackson songs ever are on this album. "I Get Lonely" and "Rope Burn" are in my opinion two of Janet's best vocal performances coupled with live instruments and Janet's trademark background vocals that ooze sensuality. The title track "Velvet Rope" blends Janet's vocals with a most interesting array of background dings and tingles coupled with classical violinist Vanessa Mae's rousing violin solo that brings the song to its aural and emotional apex. "You" is brilliantly written song whose vamp remained an enigma to me for years until someone explained to me that she was spelling conscience backwards "e-c-n-e-i-c-s-n-o-c."

Besides being conceptually and audibly interesting the visuals for the album were dazzling. The album cover was different than that of her previous albums. It was hardly glamorous just a picture of Janet in a black shirt with frizzy red hair her her head hung slightly down, not looking into the camera. Her name isn't even conspicuously emblazoned across the picture. It is subtly spelled out in a blurred block formation embossed in the top half of the picture. You can only notice it if you tilt it and look at the picture in the light. The pictures inside of Janet sporting her nipple and septum piercings, covered in latex and tied up in bondage were indeed works of art themselves. The videos the Grammy winning, "Got Til' It's Gone" with it's African apartheid theme and "Together Again" set in the jungle in which she hugs herself and touches her own [...], "I Get Lonely" with it's almost futuristic feel and amazing transitions cemented Janet's status as not just a musical but a visual artist.

Many of the themes of the album hit home for me. "Empty", a song about finding love on the internet was quite timely due to the fact that the internet and instant messaging had just started to rise in popularity. The emptiness that she felt when the person she talked to wasn't there and the questioning whether what they had could be real resonated for me as a person who has dated via the internet before. Lyrics such as these spoke right to me:

"I'm rushin' home to turn you on
Sometimes you're there sometimes you're gone
Wait for hours for your return
So tell me please, am I wasting my time?
Your phrases, descriptive, and through the textured words
With beauty, you post it, and use such colored verbs

So tell me you think that maybe we've gone insane?
To find a, a lover and through the words of pain
We've never met, ooh

When I close my eyes, I can see your face
When I lick my lips, I can taste your smile
When I see your name, my heart starts to race
If I can't read your thoughts, then I feel empty"

Songs like "Velvet Rope" and "You" spoke to the self confidence issues I was having with lyrics that brought forth truth and clarity and let me know that I wasn't alone. If a mega superstar like Janet Jackson can wake up sometimes feeling unloved, unworthy and empty and make her way through it, so could I.

You never forget your first love and though many albums have come along since, some poppier, some bluesier, some edgier but "The Velvet Rope" will always be my favorite and have a special irreplaceable place in my heart.

"The Velvet Rope" was released during a stage where Janet Jackson was forced to face her innermost demoms which have followed her for much of her lifetime. For the first time ever, Janet came forward and revealed her emotional problems, proving that even the most glamorous of stars have their own crosses to bear. However, they say that work can sometimes be the best therapy, and on "The Velvet Rope," Janet sounds amazingly strong and resilient. She tackles domestic violence on the hard-hitting "What About," makes a touching tribute to those who have succumbed to AIDS on the housed-up "Together Again," and challenges homophobia on "Free Xone." The disc isn't all about doom and gloom, though. Janet sounds even more sexually liberated here, as evidenced on "Go Deep" and her cover of Rod Stewart's "Tonight's the Night." In the latter song, Jackson still sings the "girl" bit in the lyric, giving this classic song a same-sex twist. Jackson just gets better and better with each record, proving that she's no faceless video artist. "The Velvet Rope" is a funky ride that cements her status as an r&b veteran.

This is definately Janet's most intimate and personal album yet. While we had hints of sexuality on Janet (If, The Body That Loves You) and controversial topics on Rhythm Nation, Janet now takes it to the next level. Most people say this album is her most sexual, but there are really only two sexual songs: Rope Burn, which discusses bondage, and Tonight's The Night. The real reason this album was so controversial is the other subject matter. Empty talks about the problems with online relationships, and Janet asks her lover how he can know all about her since he's never seen her. Together Again is her monster hit celebrating her friends who died of AIDS. Free Xone was created to fight homophobia, and is a pro bisexual song. Got Til' Its Gone, and the angry What About have the first major swear words in Janet's songs. Most of the album though is about expressing yourself and the need to feel special. You and Velvet Rope talk about that topic, while Special seems to be a letter to the former Janet discussing how long it's been since she's been in touch with her inner self. This album features outstanding guest artists including Q-Tip, Vanessa Mae and Joni Mitchell, and is full of samples. Some songs include up to three sampled songs in them. Overall, this isn't Janet's best (In my opinion, that title goes to Janet) but this is pretty damn good and will stay in my collection for a very long time.

8 years ago I was a scared 14-year-old kid with low self-estem, I was depressed, I was in so much pain. This album helped me deal with being gay, with all the pain that was inside of me, my fears and my loneliness. 8 years later as a 22 year old college student I cannot begin to describe how much this album changed my life.

Together Again, Got Til' It's Gone, I Get Lonely, Go Deep and Every Time are the highlights, but every song speaks to me on this album. Musically, the production on this album is the best production anybody could expect. This was the album that made me love Janet Jackson and even though she's no longer the same person I'm forever grateful to her for the Velvet Rope.

Janet seems to have a lot of artistic control in this album. Maybe the morons at Virgin Records let the leash loose a little. More experimental than the bland Janet album and more out there than the radio-friendly 1814 album(#275). She puts alot of feeling into this one as well, which speaks volumes above the pop trash of nowadays. Maybe 10 years from now this album will be properly recognized. Best cuts Velvet Rope and Freexone.

In 1997, Janet Jackson went throught one of the toughest times of her career. Suffering from severe depression, Janet ran to her music and used it as her therapy. Unknowingly, Janet would create one of the most bizarre yet incredible albums of all time. Rivaling even the epic powerhouse "Rhythm Nation 11814" as the best album of her career, "The Velvet Rope" has such a significant depth in it's music that most artists dream of. Like "Rhythm Nation", Janet covers a vareity of strong topics like depression, loneliness, domestic abuse, AIDS, death, homophobia, even bondage! The music is so surreal and one of the few albums that I've truly idenfied with as I too have suffered from severe depression. This flawless album can be summed up like this:

Twisted Elegance-Janet utters the title and declares that we have a need to feel special and that it create The Velvet Rope.

Velvet Rope-A haunting, thought-provoking track that has Janet singing mysteriously. The lyrics are poetic and the arrangements are stunning with Vanessa Mae's great input.-5/5 stars

You-One of the most bizarre songs of Janet's career with a flashy yet retrospective beat and Janet singing in a very deep even inhuman. A song about self-reflection, it song that has you wondering about you you think you really are.-5/5 stars

Got Til' It's Gone-One of my favorite songs from Janet's career and one of her most underrated, this is a dreary yet soulful r&b groove that's about yearning for the things you lost and wished you had again. With an exceptional rap solo from Q-tip, Janet's whispery yet chilling vocals, and an ingenuis sample of Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi", this is musical bliss!-5/5 stars

Interlude: Speaker Phone-A dirty yet hilarious coversation between Janet and (possibly?) Lisa Marie. "You're cooche gonna swell up and fall apart", lol!

My Need-A fast paced r&b track that has Janet singing about her sexual desires for the night. It's very cool and well arranged track that is catchy and matches the mood of the album perfectly.-4.5/5 stars

Interlude: Fasten Your Seatbelts-A funny intro to the next song with Janet and her friends telling listeners to fasten their seatbelts.

Go Deep-A great fun-filled club groove that is a refreshing change from the darkness of the album with great arrangements and an undeniablly catachy chorus.-5/5 stars

Free Xone-Another bizarro song with the track shifting from a subtle beat to swinging uptempo beat. Janet hardly sings but the lyrics are strong as it speaks on homophoia and the arrangement truly handled flawlessly-4.5 stars

Interlude: Memory-Janet gives touching quote about memory and pain.

Together Again-One of the greatest songs of her career with an infectious beat, Janet's wonderful vocals and touching lyrics about losing her friend to AIDS. It's no wonder it was her most successful single worldwide!-5/5 stars

Interlude: Online-The sounds of internet use fill the background.

Empty-A breathtaking song beyond it's time which is about the emptiness of online chats since it was relatively new in the late 90s. Janet just excels throughout the song.-5/5 stars

Interlude: Full-Janet gives another amazing quote: "How empty of me...to be so full of you."

What About-The most intense song Janet has ever done! It switches from a calm, soothing beat to an raging rock/r&b flare with jaw-dropping lyrics. Janet give one of the best vocal performances as she switches from vuneraable state to an enrage siren with such ease. A powerful song with a heartbreaking message about domestic abuse, this is an unforgettable masterpiece!-5/5 stars

Everytime-A beautiful ballad that sees Janet showing that vunerable side of herself so well.-4.5/ stars

Tonight's The Night- An effortless and refreshing rendition of Neil Young's 1975 classic.-4.5/5 stars.

I Get Lonely-Probably her best r&b song since "That's The Way Love Goes". With a heavy soulful beat, Janet's smokin vocals, and lovely lyrics about loneliness, it's all so good!-5/5 stars

Rope Burn-The most controversial song on the album that finds Janet for the first time pushing her sexual limits! The lyrics are very risque and ratchy yet Janet still pulls it off...this time anyway.-4.5/5 stars

Anything-A very dark and soothing ballad that sees Janet still sexually frustrated and urging her lover that she would do about anything to get some. The smooth arrangements and Janet's quality carm make this irresitible!-5/5 stars

Interlude: Sad-"You must learn to water your spiritual garden." Nicely siad, very poetic!

Special-A graceful ballad that has Janet sounding so sweet and vunerable as she explains that she has the need to feel special by singing about her life.-4.5/ stars

*Hidden Track* Can't Be Stopped-A glamourious uptempo track that should have been an offical track. The beat is cool with Janet singing with confidence about being invunerable when it comes prejudice, her gender, etc. A perfect finish!-5/5 stars

I can't explain it in any other words how incredible this really album is. To this day, it's timeless and is better than ALL of the crap these young artists are putting out today. "The Velvet Rope" is an album that makes you think about the music you're listening to instead lsiteners just jamming to it. Janet truly created her finest and unfornately, last truly classic album as her albums of the 2000s just can't touch the brilliance of this phenomenal effort.

in a world of tedious and predictable r'n'b /hiphop/funk/soul, [let's name no names r kelly and puffy daddy], ms jackson can be depended on to give us what is a breath of fresh air in an indian summer. shimmying along with long-time uber writers/producer jam and lewis [along with former lover rene elizondo] into her 4th opus, TVR lifts off in a new direction from any other of jan's works, hence indicating her originality.

what control gave the world in terms of fresh funk and disco while simultaneously giving voice to female emancipation, and what rhythm nation delivered in dance and social commentary, and what 'janet' delivered in sex [so hot it shoulda come with a rubber], the velvet rope takes you on a further journey into the multi-faceted world of ms jackson. purporting to be a personal, self-lacerating and forgiving album all in one, this forray into the world of a diva becomes a glance in the mirror:

musically it is more diverse than any of jan's previous albums incorporating leaden guitars, mike oldfield samples and classical violinist vanessa mae in the album's opener, further guests including joni mitchell samples married with rap [got til its gone], unashamed dance and joie de vivre [together again and go deep] and finally eroticism and love [everytime and rope burn - as kinky and sensuous as it sounds!] which then becomes self-assertion in how we feel the need to feel special [special].

a veritable pot pourri of sounds to make the feet and the heart come together as one, the album is full of more surprises than a jerry springer show, essentially highlighting that janet is a woman with a clear voice, and lucid musical vision, able to predict musical trends before anyone else has.

unfortunately a track left out of the album [although included in the japanese version] called 'god's stepchild' is perhaps the most personal and beautiful song ever written by a woman deemed infallible. it is a loss to the world that she should not reveal herself so openly in a dramatic song about refusing to accept that she is not loved by god when the world arounfd made her feel meek, this song has the power, the emotion and the inspiration to save bring people down from window ledges.

Jackson's 1997 release broadened her sound, while still remaining commercial enough, not to alienate her fans. She started to incorporate different styles of popular music in her records with her 1993 blockbuster album _janet_.
_Velvet Rope_ is similarly ambitious, though artistically not as successful (nor did it meet the commercial expectations set by the 1993 release). The album is ponderous, dark and moody. The songs are well-crafted, and immaculately produced, but lack the spark or creative fire that fueled Jackson's previous releases.
In terms of topics, the album is something to be commended. The songs tackle such difficult issues like homophobia, AIDS, domestic abuse, and in a particularly fine song, domestic abuse.
When Jackson earlier attempted to be a social critic on her 1989 hit _Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814_, the results were at times, utopic and overtly simple, making Jackson's social posturing a bit embarrassing.
This time, however, she covers topical issues with intelligence and grace. The rage behind "What About" her song about domestic abuse, fuels the guitar-heavy dance song. The offset of the calm, tranquil intro, to the angry cresendo of the chorus gives the song a stunning resonance.
Her cover of Rod Stewart's "Tonight's the Night," is well-sung, and Jackson's implied bisexuality (she keeps the "she's" in reference to the lover), sparks interest in the song. Also good is her "Free Xone," in which over a James Brown/Prince-like drum beat, she slams homophobia, by calling for a world, in which love is love. Also good is her collaboration with Q-Tip and Joni Mitchell on the groove-heavy, "Got Til It's Gone," an interesting song, with a minimal vocal participation by Jackson, but a catchy beat. The album's highlight, is her disco-romp dittie, "Together Again," an anthem for those of her friends she lost to AIDS. The song is a swirling slice of dance-pop, with beautiful lyrics celebrating the memories of her departed friends. This shows Jackson at her best--stunningly humane and sympathetic.
The other songs that work are what Jackson and company do best -- party songs. "Go Deep" is particularly fine. Also good is the slinky "I Get Lonely." "Everytime" is a memorable piano ballad, butis a pale copy of her Oscar-nominated hit, "Again."
The songs, when at Jackson's best are great, state-of-the-art dance-funk. However, much of the songs have an affected "honesty," that ironically rings false. Her pleas for "specialness" are especially laborous to listen to -- most notably in the messy title cut, as well as, the treacly closing ballad, "Special," which gives brother Michael Jackson a run for his money in "The Schmaltziest Uplift Song." The interludes are tedious, and the sexed-up songs sound forced, as well.
There is a hidden track, which is a funky slice of dance-pop that shows Jackson at her mature best. When she wants to be, Janet Jackson is one of the most interesting figures in popular music. "Special" is interrupted, abruptly, with Jackson saying, "work in progress." Judging from this record, the assertion is very true -- but the progress is fascinating to listen to.

1997 & 1998 seemed to be years when many of the dance pop divas turned inward & introspection was the subject of day. From Madonna's "Ray of Light" to Kylie Minogue's "Impossible Princess" (favorites of mine by those artists), it seemed that they were all on roads for self-enlightenment.

Janet joined them on this course with "Velvet Rope" in the latter half of 1997. Coming as it did after 1993's "janet" that found Janet basking in the glow of her own youthful womanhood, "Velvet Rope" is a bit darker than "janet", right down to the album cover. "janet" found a confident Janet gazing out sexily at her audience, topless, in a calmed washed out beige photo. Here, Janet is clothed in black; her gaze tilted downward, her hair now frizzy & manic. The color tone a sharp, almost blood toned red lets the listener know what the record is about.

Musically, the record is probably Janet's most "urban" record (pre-"Damita Jo") which uses a wealth of elements. From hip-hop, to jazz lounge, deep funk, sparse piano led ballads, & electronica are just some of the sonic forces here. All are helmed by her producer team Jam & Lewis with ease. The styles manage to convey the manic, yet calm confessional space Janet was in. "You" that uses a sample of "Cisco Kid" by War comes off as cool, but sharp jam about one's personal responsibility with its rolling beat & punchy horns. " 'Got 'Til It's Gone" which samples Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" would work as a ballad, if it weren't for the laid back hip hop stride of it's beat. Q-Tip (of A Tribe Called Quest fame), drops in for a wicked little rap as well

Lyrically, Janet covers a wealth of topics. Most of the subjects deal with love, relationships, & one's self-love albeit from a reflective view. Of course she takes a socially conscious tone on "Free Xone", but here it doesn't seem as contrived as some of the political material from "Rhythm Nation". Rather, even when angry, Janet seems relaxed. "What About", a rocking number about domestic abuse could be the cousin to the seething "This Time" from "janet". Though there she was saying goodbye to an unfaithful partner, here Janet is faced with a dilemma of staying with a man she loves, but one who abuses her in everyway. The verses remain calm, in almost sing-song manner, whereas the chorus angrily spills out every wrong the partner has committed.

There are the dirty jams, which are well...sexy. "Rope Burn" & "My Need" both burn with a genuine sense of physical need that only a lover could fulfill. A lipstick lesbian affair on "Tonight's the Night" hinted at an already rumored bisexual Janet. Personally, this ranks as the only "low point" in the record. Not because of its subject matter, but it just didn't do too much for me. Still...a fascinating listen nonetheless.

Not everything is bleak though. There are still several uptempo jams whose lyrical content (barring the deep grind of "Go Deep"; with a title & lyric suggesting more than clubbing) is hopeful & vulnerable. "Together Again" is a stirring pop tribute to a fallen friend who dies of AIDS, "Every Time" a moving ballad about the insecurity love brings.

Vocally, Janet has never sounded better. Fully embracing her own unique vocal sound & manages to cover ground on every song. Clocking in at almost seventy minutes, "Velvet Rope" is a record that found Janet aware of her talents, but still willing to push herself at what seemed like a very difficult time. The bare honesty (in my eyes) makes this Janet's most personal record & her own personal opus. Not on stitch of filler, even the interludes compliment the unfolding layers of the album.

From here, Janet went on auto-pilot as far as her music was concerned. Not that "All For You" & "Damita Jo" were in anyway bad, but she never pushed herself as hard as she did here.

I recommend this to any Janet fan that hasn't experienced this musical opus. Also recommended for those who may be looking for something to chill to & think; be warned it gets moody at times, & explicit.

This is Janet's best work to date. Unfortunately the album was overshadowed by the Spice Girls hype at the time, thanks to her stupid record company promoting them instead of the true talent, Janet Jackson. This album has helped me deal with life, musically and lyrically.

Velvet Rope-It has a freestyle vibe to it with a beautiful violin solo by Vanessa Mae. A good choice as the lead off single of the album

You-Janet experiments with using different vocal techniques over a sample of the cisco kid.

Got Till It's Gone-This one grew on me, but it is very funky and uses a great Joni Mitchell sample.

My Need-Very mellow and relaxing, and yet you can dance to it. Another great track

Go Deep-A danceable, party track that just gets you in the mood on a Friday night when you can forget all your worries and just party

Free Xone-Janet preaches about different sexualities over a dancybeat containing James Brown samples

Together Again-A bright cheery song about accepting that your friends are gone but you'll see them again in Heaven.

Empty-This is Janet's most original song, since this one came out, I've heard r&b songs today that use computer sounds and telephone sounds. Janet has set a trend...again

What About-An angry song about abusive relationships with a blend of mellowness and then angry guitars in the chorus. This one is great too

Everytime-One of Janet's best ballads to date. A beautiful song with pianos and guitars. If you liked Again, you will love this one.

Tonight's the Night-Janet did a nice cover, but I feel that she should have put in Accept Me(the b side to Every time single) instead. It would have flowed more nicely with the album mix

I Get Lonely-This is a beautiful, sweet melodic r&b song with lyrics that add class to the piece.

Rope Burn-Very sensual and a lot more classic than Would You Mind. You have to see the Velvet Rope concert performance!

Anything-I Don't listen to this one much, but it's still a very nice song. Very romantic as janet gets playful. It's like the continuation to The Body That Loves You

Special-This is a very sweet song abou Janet looking back on her childhood. I'm sure every can relate to this one if they sit down with the lyrics booklet and really listen

Can't Be Stopped(bonus track)-A very powerful message lies in the song about believing in yourself no matter what anyone says

If you don't have this album, you need to buy it. If you are just getting into janet and want to buy an album, make it this one, and REALLY listen. Enjoy!