Janet Jackson- Discipline (10th studio album)- 25 Feb 08

[James]

Hey guys, just letting everyone know that Ms. Janet Jackson has a new album out soon, and it's called Discipline, and it releases on the 25th of Feb, 2008, in the UK, and a day after in the US. It'll feature her hot new radio hit "Feedback", which has been getting rave reviews, citing that her Nipplegate incident is sure to be far behind her with the success of this. The song features the inspired lyric "something heavy like a first day period". Aside from that, it's great, in my opinion, here's a snippet of the official clip- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5fSLwVq-oQ. The full clip premiers tomorrow.
-James

[Lazario]

Well, a new album from Janet Jackson is always welcome in my opinion. I'll be interested to see what she comes up with.

[Poody]

I haven't really liked any of her albums since "All For You," (other than a few tracks) but I'll be checking this one out for sure. Feedback sounds alright. I'm still waiting for her supposed duet with Mariah!

[my chicken is infected]

her Nipplegate incident is sure to be far behind her with the success of this

That is if MTV's willing to let it go as well and actually play her videos, unlike what they did on her last two albums. Funny how she got hung out to dry by them, yet they continue to lick Justin Timberlake's ass.

[Simba3]

I LOVE Janet Jackson, she is one of my favorite artists. However, with that said, her "20 Y.O." album was disappointing to say the least. I really liked "Damita Jo" but the sales were less than spectacular. I think the lead single, "Feedback" is pretty decent. Hopefully this album will be great and Janet can make a good comeback. I'll be picking this one up for sure!

[Lazario]

That is if MTV's willing to let it go as well and actually play her videos, unlike what they did on her last two albums. Funny how she got hung out to dry by them, yet they continue to lick Justin Timberlake's ass.

That's so sad. Especially since I hear Madonna is hooking up with him now... In the studio, that is.

That being said, it could also be said that part of the reason Janet wanted to do the whole stunt is because her 2004 album wasn't doing so well. The critics didn't write well on it, it didn't have any hit singles, and... what other video were they going to play? They only show new videos in the 10 minutes a day they show music videos on MTV.

[my chicken is infected]

That'd be pretty lame if she thought her album was flopping since they hadn't even released any singles from it yet when she did the stunt. (Just A Little While did get "leaked" though the following day. )

[Lazario]

She did that song on SNL. That weird "shake it" song. The one where she sings "don't stop, don't stop" quickly and quietly. You have that album?

Anyway- didn't the "incident" happen in 2005??
(Nevermind - I did the Wikipedia, and they said it was in 2004)

[my chicken is infected]

I loved her on SNL. She even took a couple of opportunities to make fun of Nipplegate.

I do have Damita Jo downloaded, but I never bought it. It's not my favorite.

[Lazario]

Is it anyone's favorite?

[my chicken is infected]

Unfortunately, not only do I know a few people who say it is, but it was for a short while MY favorite.

[Simba3]

I actually thought Damita Jo was a pretty good CD, overall I think I even liked it better than All For You. I'm really hoping that Discipline will be good for her. I heard "Feedback" on the radio the other day, and it was so good to jam out to it in my car.

[James]

Guys I'm checking out the video for "Just A Little While", isn't t cool how she can poke fun at herself? Click it- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDHKLDd3Yvg
Here's the cover for "Discipline"-

, here's some thoughts on 9 of the tracks on it, by VH1, previewed at a private listening held by L.A. Reid-

1. "Luv" - 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" - 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" - 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" - 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" - 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" - 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" - 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" - 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" - 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.

, some thoughts by Janet on the albums concept-

"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."

"In putting Discipline out front-- as both the title of the album and title of a song about sexual surrender--I wanted to announce that I was venturing into new creative waters. That meant working with producers like Jermaine Dupri, Rodney Jerkins, and Ne-Yo, whose songs spoke to the immediacy of my emotions. Like all my records, this one, whether intentional or not, has autobiographical roots. It's difficult for me to work any other way. I don't feel it, if I don't believe it, I can't sing it."

"So Discipline, as a storyline, begins in my childhood which someone could see as a classic study in discipline. Discipline was part of a family culture that I absorbed. I was born with it."

and the title of the second single of it-



Luv.

Enjoy guys, this should be a return to form, I'm reckoning. And by the way, I absolutely loved "All Nite (Don't Stop)". It is one of her best songs, and clips. I love it.
-James

[MutantEnemy]

hey guys, http://www.janetjackson.com has full clips of two new songs off her new LP: Luv and Rock With U!!! click on launch jukebox to hear them!!!

[James]

Hey guys, it's getting closer to the release date of her 10th studio album, Feedback, which is an absolute milestone, and both of the two new songs posted on the official website of Janet are apparently singles.
Luv, the soulful jingle, which has been likened to Chris Brown's With You, will be sent to Urban radio stations, while Rock With You, the electro-pop rnb ditty, which again employs use of a vocoder will be sent to all pop and rythmn radio stations. I think both will be released as major official singles, as Luv has been touted as it by L.A Reid, and is being sent to radio, and Rock With You has been released to iTunes, and is also at radio.
Rock With You is more likely at this stage, as it's on iTunes, and sounds very radio-friendly, much like Kylie.
You can also preorder Discipline at iTunes, and get a few tracks, and the bonus video "The Genesis of Discipline". Cool, huh?
Also, wanna answer the poll guys? It's about which of you favourite eras of Janet is your favourite, all relating to her album at the time.
Mine is All For You, she was just releasing great songs at the time, was at a physically good time, and was just in overall, a great space. Any thoughts guys?
-James

[Simba3]

Um, hot!! That's what I have to say about Janet's new album! Such an improvement over her last album, "20 Y.O.", which in my opinion was her worst studio album by far. This new CD is well written (unfortunately, not by Janet herself) and well produced as well. Overall, I would say the CD is one of her best in a long while. I really loved "Damita Jo" even though it didn't really do well. Hopefully having Jermain Dupri, Ne-Yo, and Missy Elliott on this CD will help give her some momentum and help this CD do well. "Feedback" is a great lead single, and thankfully there are a lot of other great tracks on the CD. I personally think "Luv", "Rollercoaster", and "Rock With U" would all make pretty good singles. Overall I have to say I'm really happy with this CD. After her last album, I really picked this up with low expectations (despite my lover for her) and I was pleasantly surprised.

[The Little Merman]

Just picked it up today. As a loyal Ms. Janet follower, I must say that this is easily her best album since "All for You". I'm gonna have to go with her "Velvet Rope"-era however as her best.

[Simba3]

Just picked it up today. As a loyal Ms. Janet follower, I must say that this is easily her best album since "All for You". I'm gonna have to go with her "Velvet Rope"-era however as her best.

Same here. This is how I would rank her CD's overall

1. Velvet Rope
2. janet.
3. Rhythm Nation
4. Control
5. Discipline
6. Damita Jo
7. All For You
8. 20 Y.O.

I didn't rank Janet Jackson or Dream Street because honestly they weren't very good and Control is where her career really took off.

[James]

Cool guys, glad you're all happy with it. I unfortunately haven't gotten it yet, pre-ordered the CD/DVD Deluxe Edition off Amazon.com, and fast-shipped it, but it still hasn't arrived yet. Argh! I really want it, now that it's getting so many good reviews. I hope it does well on the charts worldwide, I wasn't sure it would considering Feedback hasn't exactly taken off anywhere, but it has gotten so many good reviews, she has so many fans, and it's already no. 4 on the Aussie iTunes, so hopefully it does well. Maybe it could debut at no.1 in the US? That'd be cool, her first since All For You, I think.
I can't exactly rank all her albums, haven't gotten any of them yet, but from hearing the singles off them, I really do still like the All For You era. So good. But she's always been great.
-James

[Simba3]

I watched the "Rock With U" video premiere, and I thought the video was HOT! Much better than the "Feedback" video, which I didn't much care for. I'm really excited that Janet debuted at #1, I'm hoping this album will be a huge hit for her. Can't wait for the tour. I saw the "Velvet Rope Tour" in 1998, the "All For You Tour" in 2002, and I will DEFINITELY be seeing this tour - no matter what!!