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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Honest, emotional and powerful., 20 Jul 2002
What a reversal. When I first found this album and listened to it, I heard it but I didn't listen to it. I hated it. And because of that, I had a wasted experience. A week later I picked it up again and decided to listen to it properly - a month later and it's my favourite album.It is a grower. For those who don't like those type of albums, then don't buy it. Those prepared to give their time to it will be rewarded substantially. The album opens with the title track 'Velvet Rope', a thick, heavy ballad with many layers of different sounds intertwined to make a unique track. Here a theme is placed down, the theme of everyone to be special. 'You' follows this up - gritty and powerful, one of those songs you just want to throw at the people who hate you. 'My Need' follows, which is like a slower version of her brother's 'Thriller'. 'Go Deep' and 'Free Xone' follow, the former a 'Nasty'-style 80's groove, the latter an experimental dance-style track. The album's stand out 'Together Again' follows, a soulful, bouncy r'n'b hit single. The rest of the album is a much-more slowed down, ranging from the soulful (I Get Lonely, Special) to the sexual (Rope Burn). A highlight is the acoustic uptemp romp 'What About', another song where you just want to jump around, throw it at the haters and get all the agression out. But that's the beauty of the album. So many emotions are stirred not only by the powerful lyrics, but the way the music reflects this. There is uplifting happiness (Special, Go Deep), sadness (Empty, Everytime) and even revenge (You, What About.) If she was to improve the album, one thing would help - take out the interludes! One is about 4 seconds long and adds nothing to the album. Overall, the album is a sensational, powerful journey that will last you a long time. Like I said, it is a grower - but what a grower.
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~ Janet Jackson
~ Janet Jackson
~ Janet Jackson
~ Janet Jackson
~ Janet Jackson
