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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Janet Gets Her Groove Back, 27 Feb 2008
Ever since Janet's infamous career suicide live at the sacred Superbowl, negative perceptions have clouded her every effort since.
The 'Damita Jo' project was met with stern ears from critics and public alike, who seemed determined to punish Jackson for her over-sexualized sound - or 'obsession' as they percieved it.
With Janet blacklisted by the broadcasting industry, 'Damita' stuggled to get past 2 million in sales. Had the Superbowl not occured, the album would have surely continued her multi-platinum trend, as altho far from the creative highs of 'Control' or 'Rhythm Nation 1814' - it was hardly the flacid flop many claimed, at least no more so than the patchy pop of 2001's 'All For You'.
Then came the '20yo' fiasco.
Still blacklisted by MTV and with very little radio support, Janet unleashed her collaboration with r&b mogul and current beau Jermaine Dupri. Public and fans alike were largely underwelmed by the this flat urban set. Janet's voice was thin and Dupri seemed ignorant of both Janet's fanbase and how to cultivate her harmonious melodic sound.
Along with severe mismanagement by then label Virgin 20yo sank without trace with barely a million copies sold.
Now, under the watchful eye of Island's L.A Reid comes 'Discipline', Janet's metaphysical essay on how the force of self-control threads her existence.
Structurally it resembles 93's blockbuster 'Janet' (still her biggest selling album) while thematically Janet implores a stark futuristic motif, with many of the interludes depicting her exchanges with robotic servant/confidant and therapist Kioko.
This is also reflected in the albums heavily electronisized production and vocals.
Stylistically its a triumph. The songwriters navigating the shuttle (Ne-yo, Tricky Stewart, The-Dream, Rodney Jerkins and Dupri) have created a retro 80's/90's Janet sound where at times Janet seems to parody her own back-catalogue (particulary on 'Greatest X', 'Never Let U Go' & 'Discipline') but with such strong and vibrant production the approach not only works but triumphs.
We find futuristic pop-funkery on 'Feedback'; frenetic, jamming beats on the hit-and-run SOS anthem 'Luv'; and Janet peering down the looking glass to whirling,acid-tripping kaleidoscope beats on 'Rollercoaster'. Then we're off to Gay Town, Europe, for some house-tinged pop delights with the sublime electro of 'Rock With U' and swirling party anthem '2nite'.
Down tempo we go with some of her best mid-tempo jams for 10 years plus.
'Can't Be Good' is the best of them - its production infused with sadness and self doubt, perfectly accompanying Janet's soft, melancholic harmonys.
'Never Lechu Go' is a curious track: Vintage early-90's cheese with a hint of the 90210. It would be a crime, if it wasnt so refreshing to hear such an unashamed melodic pop ballad of the kind a Casio 500 would be proud.
Likewise 'Greatest X' treads into this welcome retrospective territory - childish, anthemic nonesense from 1990 it may be - but its honesty, simplicity and innocence are startling - gorgeous. Its the best pop-love song i've heard all year - and will no doubt gain a cultish following for all the right reasons.
Then we take a dark turn, courtesy of some smart Daft Punk sampling on the albums dirty dance pulsating jewel 'So Much Betta' - possibly her best track in 10 years - this is the creative, underground Janet we have been missing.
Then Missy pops up on 'The 1', a semi-realised altho somehwat wasted opportunity. Janet's vocals are thin against the energised beats - a real shame considering its filthy synthesized chorus lick and dramatic melody potential.
After another fine Mid-tempo turn on 'Whats Your Name?' we're back to the divisive janet territory - sex.
Only one baby making capsule this time - but 'Discipline' ranks alongside her darkest, knee trembling cum-fests - redolent of the sado-masochistic themes explored on 'The Velvet Rope'. Its a fascinating exploration of a deeper, more complex facet to the albums theme, 'take out your frustrations on me' - and the chorus bangs (if you pardon the ... never mind)
Then with our orbit nearly complete, Janet bids her robotic confidant farewell and closes the 'Curtains' on her discipline.
This final track finds Janet in an upbeat melodic groove rooted right in the present. With its tight, sparse production Janet waves goodbye to her inner exploration, sails from the void and looks into the joy and possibilties of the 'now'.
Its a fitting and suprisingly uncliched ending to the journey.
Most fans know that Janet has been on a creative down spiral since the glory days of 'The Velvet Rope' and its true that this is hardly the creative opus some have hungered these last 10 years.
But 'Discipline' is the best pop-Janet we've had since '93 - and it marks a refreshing change to hear her tackle such energized (if at times uneven) material with young, fresh producers pressing all the right buttons.
It may not be 'Control' but 'Discipline' proves to be a quantum leap in the right direction - Finally!!! And for that Janet deserves some long overdue credit.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Weird Science On Planet Janet, 1 Mar 2008
It's been a while Janet and in many ways it's good to have you back in the box once again. 'Discipline' presents us with the accumulative synthesis of much that has gone before. Familiar territory, deconstructed, reconstructed, repackaged and rebranded. The credits remind us that we are witness to a refined product here - 'Janet Jackson is a Registered Trademark of Janet Jackson'- ( Imitators beware ! ).
So what are we getting this time around ? Big beats, febrile electronica, state of the art production techniques and whizzkid studio talent combine to create a pretty dazzling array of punchy new material. The obvious limitations of Ms Jackson's vocal abilities are, however, well known and never far from view but the technology does a damned fine job of papering over the cracks.
Kinky chanteuse, sex kitten, S&M latex diva, nasty girl - perhaps it's a mark of constraint in my own imaginative ability but somehow I cant quite swallow the persona depicted here ( She's always struck me as a good girl playing at being bad - but perhaps that's the point and I'm missing it).
Missy Elliott's ubiquitous presence is however no guarantee of increased urban credibility.
The album is big fun none the less and a creditable addition to the Jackson canon. (Girlfriend you're looking good by the way ! ).
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
With Discipline how can Janet fail to impress?, 27 Feb 2008
Having been a Janet fan for over 20 years I can safely say that Discipline is a fantastic album and I would highly recommend it to anyone whether you are or aren't a Janet fan. There is something on Discipline for most music tastes and Janet has never been afraid to experiment with genres, tempos and especially lyrics! In my opinion Discipline is the best album Janet has released since All For You. Many critics dismissed Damita Jo and 20YO (both platinum albums) far too quickly in my opinion as I still enjoy both albums to this day. However, as Janet says Discipline is "classic Janet with a modern twist" and I think this is what will make it a successful album. Tracks that I really enjoy are "Feedback", "Rock With You", "Can't Be Good", "Greatest Ex", "So Much Betta", "The 1", "Whats Your Name?, "Discipline" and the bonus track "Let Me Know" - and thats me being really strict with choices! An album collection without Discipline, especially if you have bought Janet before will certainly be lacking! Go buy Discipline today people and help Miss Jackson have the success she surely deserves!
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