Disco de Janet Jackson: “Discipline”

For me, The Velvet Rope was Janet's masterpiece, though I didn't feel that way at the time. It wasn't until later that I realized how often the CD found its way back into my CD player. Velvet Rope seemed to culminate all the ideas and concepts Janet had been toying with since she first came on the scene. It represented Janet at her most personal, vulnerable and sexy with songs that ranged from an abusive relationship, to loss of a loved one to being tied up (presumably with ropes that were velvet) during sexual encounters to a bunch of emotions that ran the gamut of chaste to...not so chaste. It was expressive, dark and moody. Since then, her releases have been very cheery, which isn't a problem in and of itself.

Here's the thing. I've been listening to Janet Jackson since Control, when I was a young kid in the 80s. I've loved every single album she's released and even when the last two haven't been so great, I've still enjoyed them. The problem is, ever since All For You, the CDs have begun to run together. While I really enjoyed 20 Y.O., I was hoping for further evolution of Janet as an artist and I placed my hope in Discipline. Unfortunately, what I'm finding is an artist that seems to be trying so hard to gain a hit again that she's giving up everything that makes her unique.

It starts with getting rid of Jam and Lewis, her cohorts in crime since the beginning. When 20 Y.O. came out, I had thought that maybe finding new producers might help her freshen her image, but that has backfired. The songs on Discipline are...well, a lot of them are boring. They feel like any of the other nameless R&B artists out there, pumping out music that anyone of them could sing as opposed to personal songs that have defined Janet over her 20+ year career.

"Feedback" is a fun song; I was hoping that it was a sign that Discipline would be a great, daring new CD. But, after that song, I found myself stuck in music that wasn't exciting, daring or different. The only songs that really stuck out to me throughout my listens were "The 1" with Missy, "The Greatest X," and the aforementioned "Feedback." Those are ones I've listened to on a few occasions because I've enjoyed them and they remind me of some of Janet's fun, good songs. A few songs in the middle, like "Rock With You" are enjoyable, if easily forgetable. Then there are the ones that simply are crud. The title track, for instance, is probably the biggest misstep of Janet's career. It's not the sexy, sultry song she wants it to be and he use of the word "daddy" just adds to the weirdness. Honestly, at 40, shouldn't Janet be past the father-figure authoritarian fantasy? Even if not, this was done much better...in the Velvet Rope with "Rope Burn."

Instead of being the comback album Janet and friends have been hoping for since 20 Y.O., Discipline finds Janet so desperate to make a comeback album that she's willing to sacrifice her soul to do so. Melodramatic, I know, but this is the first time I've seen her singing songs she didn't write. Granted, Janet's not exactly the great poet of R&B, but it was her words, they came from her heart and they were about things she was facing. Instead of writing her album, she hired "hitmakers" to create songs and it shows. None of the songs really feel like a Janet song; they could just as easily be sung by any of the countless other R&B performers out there. What's worse, a lot of the songs feel like filler and I'm having trouble, looking at the song list, trying to remember how some of the songs go. By trying so desperately to make a comeback, Janet gave up what made her, her.

I know this isn't going to be a popular review and I'll have to be content with that. Believe me when I say that I'm sad that this is my first non-glowing review for Ms. Jackson. Before I bought this album, I was hearing a lot of less than stellar things being said here and elsewhere, I just told myself that these people were the haters and that her album would be good. Unfortunately, that's not the case and I've been seeing some fans, both longtime fans and new, saying similar things.

In a career that spans more than 20 years, everyone is entitled to a dud. As a fan of her work, this would be that one for me.

2.5 stars

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

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.

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

After I saw in the paper today that Janet was launching a lingerie line, I was just irritated enough to come here to write a review of "Discipline". Too late--Terry Mesnard has just about taken every word out of my mouth. I would add to what he wrote that Janet was at her best when she was addressing social issues and laying down fierce, hard tracks.

With "Janet" she shed her clothes and inhibitions--bravo for you Ms. Jackson--I always thought you might be harboring the need to get just a little nasty! Then "The Velvet Rope" took that a step further and I was wowed by the funk party she threw. Since then I've felt that she has gone the way of Mariah Carey in the "make the world my gynecologist" department. Pretty much every song has to have that "I Feel Love" vibe to it. Ok Janet, we get it, you're sexually liberated--MOVE ON!

Say what you will about Madonna--and don't forget, Janet did have her say about Madonna's sexually explicit material--but Madonna did at least have a point to make with all of her sexually in-your-face moments. Janet and Mariah are just sexual in the "Look at me, I'm a butterfly, moth, whatever--dancing in the flames of love, making shadows on the wall...la, la, la!" Ok--we get your point--NEXT!

There might be a reason Janet's been on such a slippery slope with her career for the last several years--it all sounds and looks like rehash--hardly anything she does doesn't sound familiar like you might have heard it on one of her other albums. Even in her videos she has the look of someone who is only concerned with all that is superficial--even the way she looks smacks of overproduction. And, if I hear her tell me another nickname she had as a kid or call out the names of her friends in another song...don't even get me started on those "I'm sick of them by the second listen" interludes! Doesn't she have anything to say about "the state of the world today" anymore...or are her sexuality and physical perfection the only things that are on her mind? And then there are all of those lip-synced performances, which really irritate me when you've paid the purchase price to see a show--be it live or on dvd. Having a little help is one thing, but when your mouth doesn't even move with the sound--please!

I haven't given up on her, but she better find a new groove if she ever wants to be as relevant as she once was. I know the girl still has a care for something in the world besides sex, and that there's probably still a slammin' album in her somewhere, but this mess ain't a workin'!!!