Janet . 2009

'Discipline' Reviews

Posted on 24 Jan 2008 by Mario

VH1 & Billboard posted both reviews of the previewed songs from 'Discipline'. Here we have both reviews for you to compare.

1. 'Luv'
Billboard: In contention to be the next single, this track sounds like a cross between Chris Brown's "With You" and Cherish's "Do It To It," aka very youth-like. On it, Janet is doing her usual whisper/talking/singing layered vocals over double drums, cooing "Got me caught in a web/I'm a mess."
VH1: An extended automotive metaphor (red lights/headlights imagery, the line: "He hit me with his love") makes this like a bumper-car rink for Janet's vocals, which bounce her constant refrain of "Luv, luv, luv, luv..." all over the place. Vocally, it's hyper like the chorus of Chris Brown's "With You," but musically, it sounds like a Southern-fried sequel to Kanye West's "Good Life." Reid played this one twice and after the second time, there was some murmuring about it being the next single. Commercially, that would make a lot of sense.

2. 'Feedback'
Billboard: Although this track, which is the first single, took some time to grow on folks, the beat - not to mention the video - is pretty insane. This week, "Feedback" jumps 72-38 on the Pop 100 chart.
VH1: The single, duh. It has a house beat, but it's the least house-y of the other 4/4 tracks. Oh yeah, Janet goes there. Also, I can't tell you how wonderful it was to hear Janet sing about her period amongst fine wood office furniture and expensive candles. A moment to remember, for sure.

3. 'This Can´t Be Good'
Billboard: If you ask J.I., we'd say THIS song should be the next single, hands down. Everything from the piano intro to the rolling bassline on "Good" is reminiscent of old Janet i.e. "That's the Way Love Goes" and "Anytime, Any Place," which we love. This track was written by Ne-Yo (kudos!).
VH1: Think Aaliyah's "Rock the Boat" with a more punishing beat, and you're halfway there. Another obvious reference point would be Michael Jackson's "Butterflies" and/or Janet's own "Spending Time With You" from Damita Jo. Lyrics are standard falling-in-love-too-deep fare, although the song is put together well: the thwack of the snare contrasts heavily with the layers of cooing vocals. The layers pile and pile so that by the bridge, the song is virtually dizzying. This one's extremely well-produced, but perhaps the least exciting track we were privy to.

4. 'Rock With You'
Billboard: The intro to this dance track features a robotic-sounding Janet saying the title over once. J.I. thinks this Madonna-esque song will be a favorite in the downtown clubs of N.Y. It features running piano keys, hard drums and layered vocals.
VH1: This one was rumored to be a cover of Michael Jackson's classic and/or to feature Michael himself. It's neither. It seems to have some melodic elements snatched from Mike's track, although the chorus is more, "Ooh ooh ooh ooooh oooh oooh" than "I wanna rock with you." Janet's vocals seem a bit detached and robotic, but that's not an insult: they're most reminiscent of Donna Summer's in "I Feel Love" without the operatic flair. This one is pure house music, with an electroboogie bass line borrowed from the '80s. It's bright enough so that it wouldn't sound out of place on one of those Beach House compilations released by Hed Kandi.

5. 'Tonight'
Billboard: This club/dance track is super flirty, which we think is a good look for Janet. "Something in the air has got me feeling like I want I tonight," she belts in the chorus. In other parts, Ms. Jackson sings, "Don't want to be alone / I need you to keep me warm... My body's here / I'm soaking wet / I wanna give you something that you won't forget."
VH1: Speaking of bright, this one just shines. It's another dance track - more or less housey (although the beat pattern has a slight twist keeping it from being straight four-on-the-floor for most of it). It has the filter-house thing of Rihanna's "Don't Stop the Music" going on (the second verse is virtually treble-free), but where that song has a darkish vibe, this one's up up up. Again, Janet seems detached, but that's only during the verses: she breaks out like the sun between clouds during the chorus, belting in her high register that immediately reminded me of "Young Love." The song only gets better as it goes, too: two killer bridges and an amazing breakdown ("Don't leave me alone tonight / Don't leave me tonight") close it out. Epic and brilliant: this is by far my favorite track that we were played.

6. 'The Greatest Ex'
Billboard: At first listen, J.I. thought this song, which begins with the sound of a heart pounding, was redolent of The Dream's "Nikki" off his debut. Come to find out, the singer/songwriter penned this one for Janet. Typical Dream riffs are noticeable on the set, including a few repetitions and scattered "eghs." "I loved you and you loved me / I just couldn't see tomorrow," Janet sings over bass drums and slow running piano strokes. J.I. thought Janet's vocal ability sounded the best on this track so far.
VH1: A departure for Janet, this one's most akin to OneRepublic's "Apologize." Like "Tonight," there's this epic sensibility, but this time it's applied to the power-ballad template. Timbaland-esque beats skitter around Janet's confession (this definitely seems like the most personal song on the record): "In my heart, I know you'll always be the greatest ex ever." I pointed out to L.A. Reid after that this is the pop smash, the Z100 crossover and he agreed. It's not the best track, but it has tremendous potential to kill at radio. Seriously, if Janet can't get a hit with this one, it isn't her fault; it's the world's.

7. 'Discipline'
Billboard: The sexy title-track was one of J.I.'s favorite and should be considered for third single from the album, but that's just our two-cents. On the sultry track, Janet sings, "I touch myself even though you told me not to / I can smell me on your sheets / I can taste you on my skin." Hot yet? There's more. "Now I want you to come punish me / I need some discipline tonight / I've been very bad / Daddy, make me cry." Still not feeling tingly? How about, "Did I make you mad? / Take out your frustrations on me," which leads to the grand finale of Janet's heavy breathing and sexual cooing, a la Intro on "Come Inside." Straight steamy!
VH1: The baby-making track (though in an interview conducted with Janet today, she told us about "Curtains," which is faster but with a sexy vibe). It's similar in theme to Velvet Rope's "Rope Burn," but not in sound. This is slower and sparser, like a Prince song that's not purple, but black and blue. "I misbehaved / I touched myself even though you told me not to," coos Janet to her "Daddy" before asking him to "take out your frustrations on me." It's heavy stuff, but probably not as dark as it sounds. The snare is made to sound like a whip, which is a pretty brilliant touch.

8. 'Rollercoaster'
Billboard: This Darkchild-produced song starts with what appears to be African drums. The beat is big, full of thumping bass line and Swizz Beatz-like adlibs. J.I. thought it appropriately sounded like the noise you hear when inside a bumper car, taking us back to our Ride Playland and Coney Island days. Ahhh, the memories.
VH1: One of the most bizarre things that Janet's ever done, it wouldn't be surprising if this one ended up being left off the album. It's extremely layered and tough to get your head around: the melody never seems quite right until the bridge and then after, it's more topsy-turvy. Rodney Jerkins produced this one and though it shares virtually no musical ideas with it, it has the same woozy effect as "What About Us?" which he produced for Brandy.

9. 'Let Me Know'
Billboard: This track sounded a little Dream-ish too, although we aren't hating (Team Dream!). We ain't mad at the fact that it sounded like a mix between Robin Thicke's "Wanna Love You" and Lloyd's "Get It Shawty" - two songs that we love.
VH1: A Miami-bass-esque ballad that's somewhat indistinct, but nice all the same. It sounds more like filler than anything else we were played, but it's pleasant enough.

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New bio & more song titles

Posted on 15 Jan 2008 by Mario

Janet´s promotion team send us her new full biography which provides more titles from Janet´s upcoming album 'Discipline'!

The new revealed songs are 'Can´t be good' [produced by written by Ne-Yo], 'Roller Coaster' [produced by Rodney Jerkins] and 'Letchu go' [produced by Jermaine Dupri]

A passion for Discipline

Sitting across from a roaring fireplace one winter afternoon in Vail, Janet is curled up on a dark leather couch as she discusses the unlikely topic of Discipline, the title of her new album. Beyond the floor-to-ceiling window, long graceful branches of towering trees are heavy with snow. In the distance, a lift carries skiers up an imposing mountain awash in white. Janet's wearing a midnight-black sweat suit, her hair pulled back to the nape of her neck. Her body language is relaxed and her eyes are smiling. She's trim, and also a little hoarse, having just fought off a cold. The whisper-quiet texture of her voice adds to the intimacy of the conversation.

"Discipline has been much on my mind," she says. "It's the idea that unifies the songs on this record. As a concept, and even a lifestyle, discipline goes extremely deep. It can be applied to so much about ourselves. In my case, I see it as one of defining aspects of my character. Discipline was there for me from the start. But it was not until this record that I began to understand its full meaning.

[Read full bio here]

[very special thanx to Amina | TT]

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