Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Let me preface this by saying that this is Janet's best album since The Velvet Rope. And I genuinely mean that. And no offense to those three albums in between...I'm not downing them. Discipline is just better. All in all, this is a great album. Though I must admit that I AM a bit biased, I can't imagine why any level-headed "reviewer" here on Amazon would brand this CD as being one or two stars out of five. I'm guessing that most of this is spawned from the media and how it likes to give off the impression that Janet has no career to speak of. Which is sad, in my opinion because obviously these type people haven't experienced Janet at her finest. She's consistently put out great music...moreso than any other artist I can think of off the top of my head. Another thing I've noticed alot frequently is that Janet gets criticised for her "overly sexual" lyrics. Why is it that R. Kelly (along with other "aging" male R&B acts) can get away with nothing but praise when all they talk about on a single album is what Janet gets slammed for doing on two out of fourteen tracks? When Janet resorts to singing about "Booty Meat" (see Soulja Boy) then, by all means, flame away. But, as for now, kindly recognize that Janet is as dignified, strong, enduring, and strangely innocent today as she was when she was 20 YO.
Overall Grade: B+
Feedback: one of the albums best tracks is also it's first single. A straight-up dance song (and currently #3 on the US Dance Charts) this is pretty different than anything I've heard from Janet....which is good. In fact, the space age instrumentals sound like something that Kayne would gravitate towards. One of my favorites. B+
Luv: Another dance-oriented track and one of the more mainstream tracks on Discipline, this is actually better than Feedback in my opinion. It's hard to imagine any fan of modern pop music turning their back on this song. A
Rollercoaster: Very strange song for Miss Jackson. Sounds one part African-inspired, one-part modern dance, and one-part something else all together. As you can see, this is a very hard song to describe with my minimal writing abilities. But the word bizarre comes to mind. B+
Rock With U: NOT a cover of her brother's single. This track (the second single) is definitely a "chill" song. Futuristic, robotic, and sexy like a shiny, sleek, expensive car. A definite house-type song, destined to be heard in the clubs. Luv it. A.
2nite: A guilty pleasure of mine for sure...sounds like something Janet would've did in the eighties with Control. Not amazing, but it sure is danceable. Very fitting for the album. B-
Can't B Good: Possibly my favorite song from Discipline. I loved this song thirty seconds into hearing it for the first time. It's reminiscent of the "janet." era, for sure and another "chill" song. Reminds me of "The Body That Loves You" coupled with a modern hip hop beat. Amazing. Bordering on A+...not quite there, though.
Never Letchu Go: I can see why a lot of people would like this...but in all honesty, it's not for me. Very nineties...I can see Boyz 2 Men performing this. For me, the Japanese Bonus track "Let Me Know" would've been a better addition than this. Nice beat, though. C
Greatest X: VERY mainstream. Had this been a single, it would've reached a wide audience. Listening to this makes me picture a couple dancing cheek to cheek at their high school prom. Nice chorus, but the song really takes off more near the end. "Greatest X" has been compared by one music critic to One Republics "Apologize." Worth a few listens. If you didn't like it at first, it will surely grow on you. B
So Much Betta: The album goes back into dance tracks with this. It's a nice song, known for samplind Daft Punk. Not really much I can think to say about it. Janet's robot maid/assistant/whatever, Kyoko does the chorus. Interesting, short, and sweet, if not a tad repetetive. B-
The 1: Believe it or not, I used to hate this, but I must say that this is growing on me in a big way. It sounds like one of the better tracks from 20 y.o. And Missy Elliot might just catch you off guard with her opening rap. Watch for Janet to be flamed for the "seven inches" lyric as she was for Feedback's "period" one. B
What's Ur Name: Sweet, dreamy instrumentals and an all-around decent song. Kinda follows the trend of "good, not great songs" from the second part of this album, but it's still something worth hearing. I'm sure It'll grow on me. This is the closest thing resembling filler that you'll hear on this album. C
Discipline: Janet's already gotten some heat for the lyrics on this one. Not one of the albums stellar tracks, but very interesting and memorable. Memorable for it's sensual lyrics and S&M themes. Overall, though, it's very nice and smooth. C+
Curtains: Sexy is the first song that comes to mind. Sexy instrumentals, sexy lyrics, and, as always, sexy vocals from Janet. Another one that had to grow on me though. A nice closing song for an album that could've been The Velvet Rope part 2 had the second half been as strong as it's first. B+
4 stars for the album, 1 for it simply being Janet. :)
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"A PASSION FOR DISCIPLINE" by Janet "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. "I also believe that discipline has given me the confidence to jump out of the nest. When L.A. Reid, Chairman of Island Def Jam, and I discussed co-executive producing this record, we both agreed that the feeling had to adventuresome and fresh. I was interested in exploring musical scenarios--some exotic, many erotic, but all deeply emotional. "I wanted to push the envelope. And I'm glad that Discipline, both as a song and an album, does just that." "Deluxe Edition includes the same CD as the regular edition, plus a DVD."
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