Reviews (page 4 of 8)
Pretty fun album. I don't have a ton to say about it other than that 7.5/10
First time listening to Janet, and was pleasantly surprised! I was unsure at first, and then on came 'Miss you Much'. I knew this song from this reel I saw a while back of 5 middle aged ladies dancing in this red carpeted, oak panneled basement. This sounds weird now that im typing it out... but the video was fucking awesome, wish I could send it here. Their moves were very average at best, but that's what made it so good. They were slaying the house down, boots mama. Anyways the song was a large part of the video for me, so hearing the OG version was a crazy occurrence. Usually I dont love 80s drum machine kinda stuff, but this album went hard!
Starts very strong but absolutely peters out by the end of the album. Admittedly a poor headphone album, the breakbeats and synth here is supposed to be listened to on a big stereo system with a heavy subwoofer. The album's real struggle is that in sequence, it's too long and is reliant on the same couple of (excellent) drum loops in all its major dance singles. New Jack Swing as a genre has that problem, generally which is part of the reason it's never experienced a revival, instead being incorporated as a sonic aesthetic into Remember the 80s/90s retro acts. But what's here is undoubtedly the best on offer from the genre. The major songs on here; Rhythm Nation, The Knowledge, Love Will Never Do, and Miss You Much and even some of the Interludes (like Let's Dance) are surefire hits on any DJ set. The emphasis on the industrial tinged New Jack tracks has a negative effect on the more pop/R&B tracks which fade (like Lonely) into the background. The balance is poor and suggests to me that the curators of the album - whether that was Jackson herself or company executives - had split loyalties between making an artistic work or making something that would have multi-market appeal. The title single "Rhythm Nation" is a barnburner - dance floor ready. The Rhythm Nation 1990 tour was probably one of the danciest sets of all time. The other songs all follow suit and the interludes are interspersed throughout so that the political consciousness of the singles are totally inescapable. It is fascinating that Jackson opts to include lines about child starvation, institutional racism, and escalating violence in the world in her complete jams. Jackson spoke often before and after the album's release about how she genuinely hoped that Rhythm Nation 1814 would change the world for the better, that it would awaken some sort of global humanist conscience. The major global socio-cultural topic on everyone's mind during the recording was the movement against Apartheid as well as the seeming unthawing of the Soviets - the optimism of the moment is reflected in Jackson's dream for the album. Needless to say, that probably was not going to happen but for a pop album, Rhythm Nation is a great document. It's an album swelling with hope and weighed down with heavy, focused bursts of noise - a poppier industrialism, dancing through the end of the world.
It was fine but too long.
Best Song: Rhythm Nation. Steel drums and a danceable rhythm counts for something. Worst Song: Livin' In A World. Who are these cheesy ballads for? When would I want to listen to this? Were people in the 80s just looking through rain-speckled windows, feeling heavy emotions? Overall: This feels like a distillation of late 80s pop. Nothing really sticks out. It all just reads as a continuous panache of big 80s production. Some might say too big. I am some. I didn't like this.
É um bom álbum. Bons vocais e partes instrumentais muito competentes. Gostei. CVJ Aria.
There is some nice stuff on here but it's all a bit relentless, compressed, and LOUD!
Pretty fire
rhythm nation is the correct name for this, electro-woozy soundscape that encapsulates the late 80's/early 90's. Some of the lyrics are eeeeh I will say. favorite track: Escapade
This album has been made over and over and the world is still a shithole in the brink of demise. Consciousness is music can be cool, but there is a fine line and the 80s wasn’t it.
Interesting listen. Feels very 80s. The music is pretty nice. The interludes seem kind of pretentious to me. Nothing I'd likely revisit, but not an unpleasant listen.
Love it!
Ha, I had this record when I was like 11. I listened to it somewhat regularly until I discovered Poison and Motley Crue, and I don’t think I’ve ever come back to it until now. Sometimes it’s interesting when you remember your 11-year-old self’s understanding of something and compare it to your 47-year-old’s understanding of the same thing. For instance, at 11, I understood that this was supposed to be some kind of important record where Janet took on some of the day’s hot-button issues with her singing and dancing, but finding myself pretty much unmoved about the issues of poverty and education. I remember that it had a handful of songs that I preferred to the songs in between that handful of songs. I remember thinking that Janet was easy on the eyes. At 47, I think the reason I was unmoved by these critical issues of the day is because most of these songs are really pretty dumb surface-level treatments of the topics; 11-year-old me must have understood that. I still think there are a handful of decent songs on here, but the filler is really pretty bad (and now I understand why none of those songs stick out to me now…I fast-forwarded 80% of this record when I was a kid). This record absolutely did not have any business being an hour and 4 minutes long; the fact that it takes this much time to get through is a testament to Janet’s ability to take herself too seriously. I still think 1989-era Janet is pretty easy to look at though. The funniest bit about this record for me though is realizing that some music is truly timeless. But this isn’t that kind of music. You can tell some producers and engineers put in a ton of work on this record, but it sounds like a distillation of the lamest parts of 1989 slick studio production. I’m not sure there’s a real drum anywhere on this record, the samples are multilayered and ubiquitous, and the synthesizers are out of control. Janet can sing, but less would have been more here as far as everything else is concerned. I appreciated the walk down memory lane here. But I also understand so well why 11-year-old me found other musical avenues to explore. I guess I can say that I appreciate Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814 because it was pivotal in my discovery of better music. 2.5/5
A very unique pop album that blends mainstream genres like dance pop, R&B and Prince's style of funk rock with new jack swing and industrial. It sounds like a mess but it blends together very well. Many of the songs (such as Love Will Never Do, and Miss You Much) are longing and loving R&B songs over a punchy electro industrial beat and I think it sounds fantastic. Towards the end it starts to mellow out into more traditional R&B, but it's still pretty good. Unfortunately this sound didn't catch on, and as a result if you like this style of pop you really only have this album. It's probably my favourite album and one of the most unique pop albums on the list.
Strong pop album
It sounds very 80s due to the electronic drums and synth. I like the interesting rhythms on each song and the music is very fun and upbeat, in contrast with the serious themes of social injustice tackled in the lyrics of many songs. Every song seems designed to be a chart hit. Highlights: Black Cat, Escapade.
in my opinion in an attempt of trying to be fancy adding too many interludes and the songs are annoying
The first time I heard Rhythm Nation, I was blown away. It felt bold, unified, and unstoppable. On a second listen, it still holds up as an iconic statement, but the momentum starts to drag a bit. The songs are strong individually, yet the album’s nonstop intensity and similar production textures make it feel a little repetitive front to back. It’s still a landmark in pop and R&B, just one that works better in moments than as a full straight-through listen. Dropping my score from a 9.5 to an 8.5 feels right.
Always loved Rhythm Nation as a song, but this album is just a little too long for me and no other song delivers the way RN does
This was definitely heavily produced in the studio and a little long, but I like the ideas
Funky!
Not my bag at all
Meh, its very 90s but nothing that really sticks
Very catchy tunes ...drums...good voice
Some good early Janet Jackson music. I remember all the hits from this album from back in the day. These were popular at school dances. It wasn't really my thing so I never really listened to this album before today. Not bad, it follows sort of that early 90's pop formula all the way through. Nothing really unexpected but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.
I remember when this album came out. It was huge and I admittedly didn’t understand why. Now, listening to it, I get it. Janet had been living in the shadow of her legendary brother. This was her break out, which ironic considering she was mimicking/sharing his militarist wardrobe at the time. This was a lyrical look at the world around her, everything from love songs to race to poverty, though I don’t know how much she experiences directly. The album starts feeling long close to the end but finishes before it gets annoying. Key tracks are—of course—Rhythm Nation, and Miss You Much, which had a really solid bass line from Terry Shaw. Love Will Never Do is also great. Some of these songs sound like they were very much Prince inspired. This one has a strong historical resonance more than a timeless feeling but is a quality album. I look that it’s not as sexualized as a lot of her later work, though I understand the context of why it was necessary. I don’t know how often I would come back but I definitely could come back.
Random thoughts: * What a nostalgia blast this album was! * Janet and Michael Jackson sound so much alike! I could have swore Michael was on "State of the World" but it was just Janet. * I really haven't listened or thought about these songs in 35 years. But some of them came on, specifically Miss You Much, and I immediately started bopping just like I did when I was 12 years old. * I forgot how many songs were hits off of this album and then I found this trivia nugget on Wiki: "It is the only album in the history of the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart to have seven commercial singles peak within the top five positions." * Black Cat and Escapade were also nostalgia hits. * The production by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the Timbaland and Pharrell of the 80s is really key in this album. It really stands out! * This also brought back the memory of a babysitter who dubbed Janet Jackson onto a cassette for me. I know I'm really dating myself. * It might just be the rush of memories coming back to me but this is an awesome album!
This was a HUGE record. It was huge in how it was made, the topics and how successful it is. Janet was already successful but certainly sealed her career on how big this record was. The result was 4 #1 hits and 3 more top 5 hits. HUGE.
Chill
We love Janet
amazing
I really liked this, not sure if it's just because I've been R&B deprived doing this list. Very unfamiliar with her work so took me by surprise, probably not a bad song on the album. Having so many interludes was pulled off surprisingly well too.
Dated production, but the songs themselves hold up.
3.5
I liked this so much more than I thought I would! Sure, it's dated. The interlude gimmick doesn't always work. Some of the songs are laughably bad (Livin In A World). But when it all comes together, it's pretty fun. Highlights: Rhythm Nation, Escapade, Black Cat, Someday is Tonight.
R&B leaning pop
1814. I write you from the western front. Or is the eastern front? Southern back? It has been six days since the raid on Rhythm Nation. What started as an innocent flash mob dance battle devolved into something slightly worse; a bloody conflict that has left my comrades strewn across the once pristine hills of our Rhythmic Nation. I fear I don’t have much time left, so I will close in saying please don’t listen to Janet’s description of the horrors that transpired here. The story shall die with this letter and the once proud Groovers of rhythm nation. Where there was once popping and locking with great frequency, our crunking is now muffled by the blood soaked soil beneath our moon boots. Remember us as a nation of heroes. Tearfully, your noble reviewer, Cornelius P. Smokestack IV. Rhythm Nation - uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh does the rhythm nation have mandatory conscription? If so, are there any pacifist neighbouring nations? State of the World - Tell it like it is, Janet. Things are scary out there and we need a takedown on it, set to a sweet synth funk groove. This is dumb pandering but that funk is undeniable. The Knowledge - I am ignoring the interludes. What do you want from me? A Janet Jackson themed civil war letter AND a review of tv channel flipping? PREJUDICE - NO. Bad music? YUP. Miss You Much - I don’t know if I got that. She misses something? Perhaps it’s the crack songwriting staff, because this shit ain’t working. Grooves remain funky, songs remain terrible. Love Will Never Do (Without You) - They said it wouldn’t last? This album has lasted 68 minutes and we’re like 4 songs in. Livin’ in a World (They Didn’t Make) - The second pandering “way of the world” track. Snoozer. Alright - I wish this album was alright, but instead I’m here listening to extended mediocre electro-funk cuts. Escapade - Hey google, what rhymes with escapade? Thanks. I’ve got the song now. Black Cat - AND I HATE MYSELF FOR LOVIN’ YOU. Joan Propeller plane on the beat Lonely - ughhhhh Come Back to Me - Come Back to Me? Ugh this is always death. Someday is Tonight - Is this sexy or creepy? I’m not sure of the vibe. Considering the family name, you never really know where those wires get crossed. Too much groaning in this one. NEXT! Hoo boy. I was but an innocent youngster when this thing started. Now? I die bleeding in the battle of 1814. Rhythm Nation versus the onrushing anti-bad taste society. I now realize I die in vain as any group that opposes this kind of music must truly be the protagonist. Wrong side of history. For the remaining few who limp away from this ghastly affair, we know that maybe forming a pop group with all of your children leads to some emotional damage somewhere. For both the artist and future listeners. May the echoes of the synths be a solemn reminder. Never again. 1 HIGHLIGHTS: The silencing of the gunfire (synth stabs)
#725. Like all old pop music, its a bit outdated, but its fine. 3/5: acceptable
Still holds up well. A lot of the social issues are still here and getting worse unfortunately.
Over produced poor lyrics
5/10 Enjoyed the synth bass on the first couple of tracks but then it became stale very quickly. Highlights: State of the World Miss You Much
Janet Jackson is definitely talented, and I like the 80s sound here even though it seems super dated, but my god I think an hour was a little long. Mostly because it seems like every song is 5 minutes long. A bit too long. But there's also so many bangers. Low 4 for me
Banger
Never heard anything like this before i love it
Really great pop album. Somehow sounds very 90s yet has that distinct 80s drum backing on alot of it. I do have to say, though, that not every song needs an interlude; just too distracting. 8/10
Production was definitely something to get used to. It can be a bit much at times. But really, I did like some of the composition on this album. And it's so strange to hear MJ's sister sing. I find their voices hvad a lot of similarities in their timbre. She, at times, sounds like a female version of MJ (bump?)
Surprisingly political, not at all what I expected. Heavy synth and drum sounds, very 80s hip hop, but edgier. Lots of social justice issues addressed. I wasn't sure about this one as it is not something I would usually listen to, but it surprised me. To make such a politically engaging album this danceable was quite a feat. Progressively gets more dancy and lighthearted as the album goes on. The last track, Someday is Tonight is baby-making music for sure, top five, haha. Ends with a reminder of the beginning.
This was a pretty listenable album from a time where not much commercial pop has aged well. Yes the dry as dust production and the Jam & Lewis sounds are of their time - but so is the production on the Beatles early albums. It's too long, even without the skits, and the last couple of songs tail off, but it delivers a fistful of pop classics beforehand.
A few of the tracks on this album are true greats, but as a whole, it doesn't move me enough to want it in my collection. It's all a bit too perfect and mainstream for me, I guess, but well worth four stars.
I always loved Michael Jackson, but never knew his sister's amazing abilities with her voice, and damn I must say I'm pretty impressed. This is definitely the music I'm gonna listen to in a car, with my girlfriend or in any confortable atmosphere.
This is #day410 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… I have to admit I first heard of Janet Jackson through the notorious 2004 Super Bowl incident; hard to believe I was just 14 back then. I don't think I've ever listened to her music, really, let alone the whole record. So this is another first-timer. Rhythm Nation 1814 is unapologetically late-'80s: funky, rhythmic, and catchy, if also a bit too R'n'B for me. As a concept album that tackles social issues, it leaves a footprint. I also like the artwork. This is a 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day411.
2.6
Probably heard a bunch of these back in the day but didn’t remember anything outside ‘Escapade’ (and that one only somewhat). Nothing crazy bad or good, 3/5
Rhythm Nation was lifted from G Clinton, but that was my favorite track. Many tracks sound dated now.
This is one of those albums where almost all the songs are strong. Could do without the interludes, but at least they were short. Songs: Miss You Much, Escapade
This really felt like a good album that overstayed it's welcome. I like the 80s pop sound. It just gets old after a while.
The opening track makes her sound like AM I really liked it!
Janet wants to talk about the issues in the world, but there's a tipping point where it overwhelms her and she just want to dance it out.
Best Jackson family album I've heard yet.
6/10
На самом деле, реально крутой альбом. Я скажу, я прям кайфанул от него. Начинается он такой весёлый, туц туц туц танцевальный и немного даже хипхоповый, но где-то в середине настроение резко меняется и он становится атмосферным, немного загадочным и очень лиричным. Это один из лучших альбомов, из тех, что я услышал в этом генераторе. Фаворит - треки Black Cat и Someday is Tonight.
Phuuu mir isch das zu vill. Wie de michi (wo mir wu nöd so pässlet) aber mit biz weniger banger potential. 2 banditos für die 2 jacksons
Hyvää poppista. Aika kasaria herkkistä ja jortsuu 3/5
Varsin hyvä pop-levy! Hieman ehkä pitkä, mut toisaalta näin nää tänä CD-aikana oli.
Didn't like It. For one, a lot of the content seems preachy and shallow, and a touch insincere. Something about the mega-label pop machine putting out a melodramatic album like this rubs me the wrong way. Ultimately, I feel like singing about the world’s problems like this ultimately creates more distance between the public and those problems. It drives a wedge between the artist + the listeners and the problems. “They”, the children with the problems, are different from “we”, the famous pop star and contemporary music listeners. I much prefer music that unifies the listener with the problems since, after all, most of us are closer than we think to a dark path. Art and music are about sharing and understanding different perspectives that can’t be captured with simple language, and the best of this helps expand your mind to understand those lives that are different than yours. And maybe once we understand those that are different at such an intimate level, we can truly empathize and understand how to make those problems a little better.
I really loved The Velvet Rope, and this one was also great - probably not quite up to that standard but still a very fun album
Such classic 80s R&B sounds from the talented Janet Jackson. She really helped to define the genre at this time and propel it further into households around the country. Production is so quality and her voice is angelic throughout; mesmerizing at times. Solid record.
Everything she does sounds the same to me. Fine for what it is, not my cup of tea, and certainly no where near as talented as her brother.
Why does this have a 2.99 average it’s not inaccessible or bad
She achieved just as much fame as her brother - she had so many hits and impact in music. Growing up in the MTV era, I guess it's no surprise how familiar I am with a lot of her music - from her appearances in films/soundtracks - she was a cultural powerhouse. And then the bullshit over the Superbowl. She deserves more respect than that. While the "New Jack Swing" may not be a style I seek out, her album is damn catchy and socially conscious, so it deserves all the love it gets.
How many interludes is too many interludes? Now I know.
Girl power comin' on strong
'Love Will Never Do (Without You)' is an all-time favorite banger. The rest of the album was fun to listen to, but felt a little rambling at times with interludes that made you want to skip ahead to the good parts.
I’d consider myself a fan, but I don’t think the few bangers here successfully made it out of 1989. Also always love when uber wealthy musicians sing about poverty and the woes of society…
I like that rhythm nation sounds like we’re in a wet basement bangin on pipes and trash cans
The super outdated 80s production made this a tough listen
Never listened to any of the Jackson siblings before this. Really good, like the voice the vibes and the lyrics.
I fully appreciate the intention behind this album, and I can tell how much effort was put behind it. However, it suffers from some of the worst cliches from the 80's. I guess for people that were around that time it must have been groundbreaking, but sadly I think it has stayed on its time.
Some decent songs but way too many interludes/ filler to love it. 6/10
Voce insopportabile, canzonette ridicole. Come cazzo fai a fare una canzone di quasi 5 minuti ripetendo sempre i soliti 2 versi e senza che la base cambi minimamente? Neanche Philip Glass approverebbe
Powerful messages, great beats - gotta be her best album, it's so good!
Cool eclectic tracks, didn't listen to all
Highlights: Miss You Much, Rhythm Nation. In a nutshell: "it's time to give a damn" I can't believe this was released in 1989! It has such an early nineties sound- that R&B infused pop. The title track is punchy and a call to arms. Livin' A World (They Didn't Make) could've been covered by Stevie Wonder. So heartfelt yet ends tragically. Kinda odd that Janet or The Velvet Rope isn't in the book either. Someone rectify this by adding both or either on the user list please and thank you. Overall: 5/10
Nice album but nothing out of this world. Good when it came out but a bit outdated just pure dance-pop. Love a few songs bit the skits I hate and just a few songs that are diferent from the others
A mi się nawet podobało. Lubię rytmiczny pop, a głos Janet jest nieziemski. Nie jest to płyta z jej największymi hitami, ale doceniam koncept i spójność. 7/10
Lots of Pop music.
this did not hit
No thanks !
Say what you will about Michael Jackson, but one thing is clear: there were two helpings of talent bestowed upon the Jackson family. Michael got one whole helping plus a half and his siblings shared the other half helping. Listening to Janet feels like listening to a Michael impersonator that bluffed their way into a recording contract only to find themselves in a studio with Jellybean Johnson but without a clue about what to do next. On the whole, it's too disjointed and erratic. Some see things as a plus, but it's just not for me.
First, this is too much 80s Janet Jackson for me. It's probably too much for anybody in 2025. Still, that's not her fault. Some of the songs were legitimate bangers. Some were really good at getting an important message across. Some sounded like generic 80s Janet Jackson. It was a mixed bag with pretty high highs and low lows. I would give half the album four stars, and I'd give the other half two. This isn't a three-star album. It's a four-star and two-star mixed together. Just want to make that clear.
Not really my thing - but enjoyed it
не особо впечатлило, ничего почти не запомнилось немного awkward на томных вздохах и стонах в некоторых песнях, в общем не прочувствовала
This is such a Jackson album - songs about rhythm, the state of the world, and saving the children. There are some bangers on here, but unlike an MJ album the ballads just don't land for me.
It is a dead eyed, soulless album. She cannot sing. There is a thread of dreadful, sanctimonious “earth song” lyrics running through it and it is overproduced and polished to death. An empty product.
Not my favorite but a, nice time capsule of the late 80s.
The first fee tracks are really solid, and I liek the overall vibe. It does overstay a bit for me, the tracks kinda blended together at the end. I’d listen to this more if it was on tho, I’ll say 3 almost 4 stars.
Favorite Track: Rhythm Nation
Pop, with the funk/soul/disco roots, similar to later MJ. With heavily political/social justice lyrics. It's okay, but the pounding drums and heavy handed subject matter is a bit relentless. With the interludes and seamless transitions, I guess it counts as a concept album? Livin in a World has a powerful ending Escapade has a classic pop feel, could be Madonna or something Lonely is interesting, latin infused pop/neo soul, about 10 years before it became huge! Second half of the album is generally more pop/love songs. Best track - Livin in a World (They Didn't Make), Escapade 3 stars
It's just pop, not a big fan.
*throw your hips to the left* People can't find enough to eat *throw your hips to the right* That's the state of the world today *hands up* If I ever was in the mood for rhytmical music, I'll now know what to look for, but I don't think I ever was.
I did not use a private Spotify session for this one. In 1995 I shared an office with an older gentleman, we both liked to listen to the radio while working but our tastes were different so it was set to a non-offensive, bland station. I must have heard Escape 3 times a day then and this is six years after this album came out, the point is that this album got played a lot. Keyboard heavy, in your face rhythms, very digital and 80s. Escapade is at 44 million plays on Spotify. Ken(the dude I shared an office with) and I never went an Escapade together despite the constant encouragement from Miss Jackson, I do feel we missed out.
Please, educate me on the burdens of the poor. I echo reviewer sentiments about the production. To me, for being so overwrought it sounds kinda flat.
Vocals on point. Lyrics not. Production not. Felt abrasive at times; probably shouldn’t have listened to this one on headphones. I liked ‘Escapade’, but not the heavy stuff.
This is definitely a bit heavy-handed overall, but to be honest, I love Janet, and I'm rating this a 4 because Love Will Never Do Without You and Escapade are suuuuch baaangers.
Started well but tailed off. Again, probably ahead of it's time and led the way for what came after - which excuses some cringe moments
Good rnb
Very slick. Great voice. Great songwriter. She’s a very talented musician. But, the production is just too over-produced for my tastes.
3.5 rounded up to 4 for nostalgia reasons
The geniuses behind this album are Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, producers and songwriters extraordinaire. I have a great 4 CD promo of a bunch of the songs they wrote during the New Jack Swing era (New Edition, Karyn White, SOS Band, Boyz II Men, etc.) as well as tracks from Human League, Robert Palmer, and Herb Alpert). This album is a 4.5 rounded up to 5 due to the total banger quartet of Miss You Much, Love Will Never Do Without You, Alright, and Escapade. These are love/relationship songs, in contrast to the more political/social songs like the title track and State of the World. The remixes I have for these 4 tracks are among my faves of all time — I’ve sold most of the Janet CD remixes I had (after ripping the CDs into FLAC files) but still have all the vinyl, and that’s at least 50 items. At 75 minutes, this could be pared down to a totally solid 5 without the interludes (7 of them, but only about 3 minutes total) and 2-3 of the message tracks (e.g. State of the World and Living In a World). Her next 3 albums were pretty good, too. This is the only one in our 1,001 though, although I’m surprised that her album before this, Control, didn’t make the list.
It’s an hour of similar sounding 5-6 minute typical 80s dance tracks about love which in isolation are fine but get repetitive when it’s 10 of them back to back. 3 stars which is maybe generous honestly
Janet just never quite had the same impact that her brother did. Not a bad album, but nothing special.
I want to immigrate to Rhythm Nation.
Super cool
Though I never owned this album, I remember when the various videos from this came out and were all over MTV right at the turn of the decade. But I must admit I had forgotten how many really great songs were on this record. I think I recognize no less than 7 singles off of this album, if I am counting correctly, which is pretty incredible. Personally, I have always liked Come Back to Me the best. There's something about this song, whether it's the groove or the despair / vulnerability of Janet's voice throughout, it definitely moves me more than anything else on this album. That said, the other singles are really excellent songs. And if you think about how she made huge hits out of Escapade, Love Will Never Do Without You, Miss You Much, Rhythm Nation, and others all within months of each other? Consider how different some of these songs are from each other, whether it's tempo, tone, complexity, etc. It's really quite an amazing effort, and a testament to the writing. Of course, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have worked with so many different great R&B artists, but I think Janet wrote (or co-wrote) a lot of the big hits on this record, and she's the one that really makes them come alive. There's some other songs on here that are excellent as well. The best of these to me is State of the World. Though the theming is a ton different, the sound of this one reminded me a ton of Johnny Gill's Rub You the Right Way - Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis probably borrowed from themselves, since they wrote both. I was instantly drawn in by this one. While this album has 20 tracks, that's a bit of a misnomer since 8 of them are just interludes. The core 12 songs on here individual and collectively are great. This is easily a 5 star album for me. Frankly, this is one of the few complete albums I have listened to so far on this list.
I like Janet but I feel this album does not age well. It was my first time listening to it, some parts were insteresting others boring. I was annoyed by the random instrumental sounds in some songs, which distracts you from the song (example all right with a bird or monkey sound).
Well, this very much sounds like it came out in 1989, and it very much sounds like something from the Jackson family. I don't think it holds up terribly well, but this album hit its mark for the time (per the Wikipedia blurb: it's the only album with 7 top-5 songs). However, I was 4 at the time so I have no memory/nostalgia related to these songs, so I can't go any better than "it's fine for what it is."
Well, that was a first. Although I was 14 when this record came out, I didn't bother listening to pop music, with the exception of Prince - partly due to his uncompromising reinvention of funk/pop music and his sublime guitar playing. That said, I can clearly hear Prince's influences on this album, not surprisingly, since it was produced by Lewis and Jam, members of a Prince spin-off band, The Time. It's not an album I'll listen to again anytime soon, but I found it surprisingly comforting to hear the New Jack Swing of the late '80s/early '90s. Apart from the ballads, these are considerable tracks, so I'll rate it 3/5.
nije mi ovaj arembi+world s generičnim porukama nešto
I think overall I liked this record. I honestly had a hard time keeping attention on it but I remember thinking the production was nice and I appreciated the variety in sounds throughout. It didn't really bore me but it didn't totally captivate me. The heavy bit about the mass shooting was a jump scare. Probably won't seek this one out again but I enjoyed it.
I was pleasantly surprised by this one. The social conscious lyrics and themes are super cool. It kind of elevates this pop record in a way that say, Mariah Carey, doesn’t. Musically, it has some cool variety. Some rock songs, some pop and r&b songs. It’s probably about 4 songs too long and you kind of get sucked into the 80s dance trance for awhile, but when it does break through the noise, it’s pretty good!
Lots of good varied pop in here. Some of those 5 min tracks need tightening to 3 to make it a masterpiece
Meh
I might give this a 3.5, as a fun pop and R&B album, upbeat and lively. However, I do think it is a bit more important than that, so I'd round up to 4 anyway. There are a couple great songs, but most of it really isn't my thing, though I can appreciate it and just picture the coordinated dancing in my head...
Listened through - perfect album
Some nice tight pop sound that you could expect with access to Michael Jackson and his sound. It definitely hits a sound of a decade.
State of the World is a giga banger, whole album is good
Meh although I used to like this album I think. I was just bored by it this time
This is the most difficult review I've had to write so far. Parts of this album were really fun, and other parts were a real drag. I wasn't old enough to appreciate it, but it was nice that the big socially conscious things to talk about at this time were staying in school and using condoms. Compared to today, that feels so light and care-free. I get why this album is on the list, but it doesn't really do anything for me. I think the highlights were all captured in the singles, and that means I'll get to revisit all the relevant pieces through the radio or on random playlists.
This is a really solid album. I love how it mixes protest songs with love songs. The interludes are a nice touch that help tie everything together. There are so many tracks that just make you want to move. I was hooked from start to finish!
Feels like a very good representation of it's style and that Janet more or less succeeded in what she wanted for this album. There should probably be some sort of warning for this, however. I was NOT expecting to hear the sounds of school children screaming while they're being gunned down and you won't either... (Livin' In a World (They Didn't Make)
Austria?
justice for janet…she has always deserved so much more recognition and this is such a fun album
2/5
this is not bad and is my style
Llegas y te dicen, puedes comer todos los días en este local de completos gratis. Piensas, oye pero que buena onda. El primer día te comes un completo italiano, ves los puestos vacíos y te preguntas por qué no hay más gente ahí. Todos los días es lo mismo, los juguitos de relleno con mensajes pseudo políticos entre medio no son suficiente para pasar la acidez que te da la combinación del pan y la salchicha que hace un tiempo atrás amabas.
Not for me. Wouldn't buy.
Soul and rap influences on typical 80s production. Socially conscious content.
Would you just combine the interludes into the previous track
it was so good i truly HATE oppression!!!!
MYYYYYYYYYYYY GIRLLLLLLL MY ALBUMMMMM. famous words from my clown man "i can't wait for the racism and the cumming"
Good but a little too Rock and roll and listening to the whole thing felt repetitive and gave me a headache
just amazing. a must-listen
Surprisingly really good. Throughout, the tracks were interesting and cool. Fave song: Rhythm Nation Honorable mention: livin' in a world
Lyrics very meaningful and the vocals were great. Interludes to weave a complete story just a very good album. Favourite Song: Escapade Honourable Mentions: Rhythm Nation, State of the World
I enjoyed this, a solid album. got some good moments, solid 3, maybe a light 4
It seemed as though Janet wanted to try something new, but she wasn't quite confident enough to really commit to the bit.
Some bangers on here
Pop comercial, la mejor Interlude:Let's Dance
When you finish the album thinking the electronic drum programming was good, it kind of says it all.
I forgot how oppressive the late 80s - early 90s drum machine sound could be. In this case, it undermines what is otherwise a strong record.
I don't think I'd ever considered a Janet Jackson album before. A lot of sameness, relentless, but also infectious.
I find it very bland.
I have fond memories of dancing to the industrial-strength bangers, but I wasn't aware of the social justice angle. Sure, there's some filler (I kind of tuned out toward the end) and the drum sound is ridiculous, but it's still a 4 for me.
Easy listening. Would give it a 3.5
Side 4 is boring ballads. Some other duds. But this is 1990. Like it or not
It’s not the album I was hoping for on my birthday, but it’s fine. Certainly a product of its time. I was two years old when it released so I don’t exactly remember its cultural impact, but I know it was huge (6x platinum!) and the best selling album of 1990. Its title track has amazingly bleak and socially critical lyrics for a major pop star, and sadly it is still relevant today.
Kind of all over the place. She did separate herself from her brother which I admire and you can hear the Prince influence. But it is dated and it is the sound of 1989. Overall, slightly better than I remembered and she got screwed over by Justin Timberlake at the Super Bowl. So a passing grade from me.
I'm a bit conflicted on this one. On the one side, it sounds great. But on the other, I'm not quite convinced by the execution of the concept. The production here is excellent, they nail the new jack swing sound perfectly, and the mixes are super clean and well done. Janet's voice is also excellent, she carries the songs with her delivery. The result is that a lot of the songs sound very good pop: catchy, funky and fun to listen to. The execution of the concept was a bit of a let down for me though. First, I applaud Janet's intention to release a socially conscious album and to have a relevant message regarding the issues she considered relevant. But I felt a bit of a cognitive dissonance between the lyrics and the production. "State Of The World" is a great example of this, as it feels a bit weird to have such a great dance track while singing about crime spreading and people not having enough to eat. I'd say this applies to most of the first half of the album. I think she could've handled the balance between pop and socially conscious a bit better. Nevertheless, there are great songs here. "Rhythm Nation", "State Of The World", "The Knowledge", "Love Will Never Do", "Escapade", and "Alright" were very good tracks. She can definitely deliver pop of the highest quality. But some of the other songs felt worse, and there are a lot of interludes too. I ended up feeling the album was a bit overlong because of this.
thoughts: i love interludes in albums when done well, and they’re done impeccably here. this is THE janet jackson sound refined over about an hour, she sings the entire way like she’s smiling and/or hopeful, and i get why this was so huge when it came out songs: “rhythm nation”, “miss you much”, all the interludes rating: 9.0/10
If Control was Janet Jackson laying out her intent to map out her place in the music scene, then Rhythm Nation 1814 was her big bang. Militant, informative, propulsive and ambitious, the baby sister of the Jackson clan creates her own looming shadow and mythos in the course of an hour, crafting some of her most terrific ideas at that point. Credit also goes to Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, whose genius instrumentation and compositions lead the way in easing Janet to the 90s where she'd gain more importance in stature, which wouldn't have been possible if Rhythm Nation wasn't made. An important record for Janet and a milestone in pop music.
This almost feels like a 1 but I didn't HATE it. I struggled and it was a chore to get through. Just not catchy enough for a revisit and just not feeling it.
A five for musicality and the love songs but a one for how fucking bored I was by the bleeding heart toxic positivity cumbaya lectures.
This made me realize that I don’t think I ever bothered to actually listen to Janet Jackson before! There were some bright spots, but too much snare for me.
This was a fun ride. I don’t have much else to say.
I quite enjoyed it, altough I will always hear Michael behind.
Impecable groove. Historical reference in terms of music production. 10/10 snares.
Justin did her dirty, but this is so very 80s and hasn't aged well for my ears. So cheesy and artificial, couldn't wait for it to end, 2*
Extremely 80s, highly produced but not so much that it’s not enjoyable. The central core of hits are solid, but the remainder of the album falls flat for me. Just background 80s pop. Also too long and with some songs that are absolutely too long for pop songs.
Not sure why I was so averted to listen to this, it wasn't horrible. Just very 80's
Couldn't get past the pushy political/sappy save the children lyrics to give this a fair shot, and then I did and was sexually assaulted at the end. What a twist. Giving this a two because someone worked hard on the beats and those were at least fun at times.
I find this album okay for a song or two and then I am completely bored of it. 2 stars or D+.
Maybe it was listening to it in the morning - it felt like too much. I can appreciate that these are bops, but I felt too overloaded.
It may have had its time, but at this point, it just reminds me everything I dislike about late 80s/early 90s top 40 music. Good riddance.
Wow does this one capture that late 80s-early 90s sound that hit the airwaves. That drum machine is still getting royalties. I remember when Michael's baby (hot!?!) sister showed up with an attitude and a hopeful message, and for a while it seemed like it could work. For those of us who were there, this one has radio hits all throughout, and we believed in Janet's belief that we could all be better people. Ah, but leave it to people to shoot the messenger, though Janet definitely played a part in that. Still, this one exists out there as a testament to an optimistic time when two talented siblings from a super fucked up family were a couple of the biggest acts on the planet, and the music was actually pretty good.
Lets go Janet Jackson! I've seen people argue that she's the Better Jackson than Michael, and While i don't agree atm, she seems awesome and album is sick! New Jack Swing is pretty cool and this is the best I've heard of it. There's just so many great songs here It's amazing! 94/100
This album is just a few bangers and then at the end a sound clip from a news broadcast thats like "a gunman in Idaho killed 27 school kids"
I am so glad the 80s are over
Seemed decent. Kinda busy, so didn't hear it all. Actually sounded like what I hoped a Michael Jackson album would sound like.
I liked this better than I expected. The end dragged a bit with slower songs but otherwise kept my interest throughout.
I am a part of a Rhythm Nation.
Feeling like Cassie from Skins when she says “wow”.
3/5.
I appreciate the musicianship and the talent...just not my thang
I get it. It's really good, especially for 1989. I don't love how many interludes there are, but those are easily skipped. Apparently, it was a massive commercial success that produced seven top-five singles on the Billboard Hot 100, and is the only album in history to have number-one hits in three different calendar years (1989–1991). I always associated Janet Jackson with cousin Mary, which lets me sit in comfortable, warm memories.
Some of these definitely send me back to my youth.
Would have been huge back in the 90s
Everything about this carbon dates it to 1989 (including the reference to Tiananmen Square, which sounds so jarring amid the “children are our future” level of social commentary in the lyrics). That being said, it’s a lot of fun, and if Janet did bite off slightly more than she could chew, I respect the ambition.
Wow. Unexpected but a banger for sure. The production is amazing. Its exactly what I would think the mid 80s sounds like. I saved a bunch of tracks just on the production alone. And Janet's voice is incredible. Although in black cat she sounds exaclty like her brother. I couldnt hear the family resemblance until then. Not a lyrics guy but it feel conscious and on the bleeding edge. Tough decision now though. Its pretty ballad heavy. Alot of slower stuff and that's not really my think but damn that production is immaculate. Its a very high 4 if I had that kind of granularity but its close enough to get full marks in my book
Got some bangers on the front end and peters out a bit at the end. The slow jams beg for comparisons to her brother (I'd call them 'Jacksonian') but she tended to emphasize the different approach from her brother later in her discography. However the ones that go, go pretty hard.
But I don’t want to listen to Janet Jackson
Sorry but I don’t really care for it, Michael might be a creep but he’s sure a better musical artist than Janet and always was 2/5
Very uneven album. Starts off really strong and socially charged, then almost forgets itself and morphs into a very generic pop album; very tonally inconsistent. Also has some of the most egregious filler tracks usage I've ever seen. Definitely needed stronger editing in the studio. Top tracks: Rhythm Nation, State Of The World
It's like a hodge podge of someone trying to be Michael and Prince at the same time, and I like it
Doesn’t quite leave a lasting impression for me. It’s an enjoyable listen, but I can’t see it making it into my regular rotation.
Janet Jackson can write a HOOK! Also, I didn't know she wrote such meaningful songs with powerful messages! I really enjoyed this album more than I thought I would! This was solid! Her vocals are strong!!! Some of these songs are LONGGGG tho. Also, I hate interludes 99.999% of the time. "Black Cat" was AMAZING! That solo too!!! Liked Songs: "Rhythm Nation" , State Of The World" , "Miss You Much" , "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" , "Livin' In A World (They Didn't Make)" , "Escapade" , "Black Cat"
liked songs: Black Cat Vocals were good. Otherwise, rather long and same-y with the drum machine used getting very repetitive. 2.25
Fine
Ik had verwacht het veel kutter te vinden maar dat viel reuze mee. Niet echt mijn ding alleen.
This vibe isn't mine
Thoroughly enjoyed this one. The political messages were still relevant to our times.
Esquisito, errático. Essas são as palavras que eu escolhi pra descrever e resumir este álbum. Completamente estranho do começo ao fim. E não o tipo bom de estranho. Tematicamente, ele é desordenado demais. Em tese, era pra ser um álbum conceito sobre o sofrimento das pessoas nos tempos modernos e blá blá blá… Já seria um tema tosco se fosse propriamente implementado. É dissonante demais uma diva pop cantando sobre o que açoita as classes baixas, não curto. Ela definitivamente não é um Marvin Gaye. Mas, dito isso, não é como se o conceito do álbum importasse, visto que, ela completamente abandona o tema lá pela metade do disco, e começa a fazer canções mais genéricas sobre amor e separação. A produção do disco também complementa a estranheza que senti o ouvindo nesta manhã de domingo. Algumas faixas aqui parecem que saíram de um Sega Genesis, ou de um Mastersystem, ou talvez até mesmo de um Playstation 1. Pelo que já ouvi, parece ser um tema sônico (hehe) comum para Janet, e também foi uma via sonora explorada pelo Michael em alguns dos seus álbuns posteriores. Na verdade, por este álbum ser de 1989, podemos até dizer que Janet estava levemente à frente do seu irmão mais velho nesse estilo de produção. Em alguns momentos essa estética sonora funciona muito bem, em outros não. É inconsistente. E claro, pra completar o combo de coisas que me agravam plenamente, temos a duração inflada, e também uma quantidade absurda de interludes. Pior que já está ficando chato eu sempre reclamar de interludes, mas fazer o que?! A maioria dos álbuns que os utilizam fazem isso de forma porca. Consigo pensar sim em interludes que gosto, como por exemplo, Fitter Happier no OKC. Aquele é um bom interlude. Os daqui são inconsequentes e desnecessários, como de costume neste meio. Em suma, um disco cansativo de se ouvir, com uma temática besta que é rapidamente abandonada, produção esquizotípica que as vezes é legal mas outras vezes não, e uma duração exagerada. Só sendo muito fã da Janet pra aguentar esse álbum inteiro do começo ao fim mais de uma vez. Dito isso, algumas canções aqui são interessantes e agradáveis, então não é como se o projeto inteiro fosse irreparável. 2/5
Quality Pop, but not anything more important than that.
2.5
Great album, loved all the songs and ill def check out some more Janet Jackson after this
Zak u would like Paula Abdul if u liked this
"Get the point? Good. Let's dance." Cannot fathom why there's so many negative reviews for this record. Janet Jackson is a queen and this record goes unreasonably hard. Great lyrics paired with incredibly groovy instrumentals and thoughtful sequencing. This has gotta be considered a classic, man. "Black Cat" is 100% the standout track on here for me. What the hell is a hard rock song doing here and why is it so damn good?? It doesn't even feel out of place on the record which I think is the most impressive part. I will say that I generally prefer the harder-hitting tracks in comparison to the softer cuts, but I can't say that I particularly *dislike* them. Amazing overall.
Basically, it's 80s dance music. I'm not really much of a fan. But you have to hand it to Janet for hitting the mark in terms of genre and decade.
Kinda good I liked it more than expected
Really enjoyed this one when it was new, and again now. A couple tracks feel like filler, but the majority are really fun.
2.17
I did not like this one. First, I think Janet has a good voice, and the beats are good. However, the first problem is with the beats because they all sound alike. Also, the interludes make me dislike the album even more. They are very preachy and make Janet seem out of touch, especially as a celebrity who was pretty much born into the industry. I still think her brother Michael is a better musician.
Quite boring pop
Interesting record. Production is fun and very emblematic. Lyrically I felt like the social justice and social commentary was a little too on the nose and felt corporate. Not my favorite Janet record but not too bad
Ese año publicaba Madonna Like a virgin, Lenny Kravitz su debut y Queen Latifah, Neneh Cherry, Jungle Brothers o De la Soul eran un soplo de aire fresco que apuntaba a una nueva e ilusionante década. Sin embargo la reina por todos los méritos era Janet con esta monumental obra. Una síntesis de Prince (se nota la mano de los productores y el sonido que ella quería para su disco) y Michael Jackson, pero en mujer. Entre Madonna-Prince-Jacko estaba esta figura que recogía lo mejor de los 3 y suponía un modelo para empoderar a la mujer en todos los aspectos: estético, musical, audivisual, lírico y de gestión del éxito. Solo Madonna aguantó el envite, aunque le costó varios años (muchos), los otros dos no supieron entender los nuevos tiempos. Antecedente claro de todo lo que vino después desde Britney hasta Beyoncé, pasando por Laurynn Hill, Charlie XCX, Jamie Lidell, Martika, Rosalía y todo lo que se ponga por delante. No es Control, su gigantesco paso adelante apenas 3 años antes. Es mucho mejor. Hay de todo, y con mucha coherencia. Grande? Enorme.
Large variety of songs here, enjoyed it.
3.5
The album is held back by the hokey, preaching "socially conscious" interludes, and the songs "State of the World" and "Living' in a World (They Didn't Make) is eye-rolling in their pretension (and yes, I did skip past them this time), but the jams are outstanding on this album! There was a reason why those 7 singles went into the Top 5 of the Singles chart. While others have categorized this sound as New Jack Swing, I personally think it is actually an artful blend of soul and new wave and it actually (thankfully) is bereft of actual hip hop. After Janet's album CONTROL and their production of Human League's CRASH with diabolically funky "Human" and George Michael's "Monkey" (the first song I learned to play on my first drum set) this is, in my opinion, the defining production chops of Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam. One of the reasons that this album went stratospheric was the incredible music videos supplied to MTV at the heights of the network's power. Visually stunning with fantastic choreography, they were hard to forget. The bangers: "Rhythm Nation", "Miss You Much", "Love Will Never Do (Without You)", "Alright", "Escpade", "Black Cat" and "Someday is Tonight". But it also certainly didn't hurt that Madonna, the clear Queen of Pop at this time in the 1980s, released LIKE A PRAYER six months earlier. This helped Janet Jackson in two ways, it didn't compete for the same audience by being released earlier in the year, and it help stoke a hunger in pop audiences for more female led dance pop music that Janet Jackson was able to capitalize on, and boy did she. It would be one of the final great 80s album before R&B/ Pop was stuck with an endless number of boring New Jack Swing, Philly Swing, and Hip Hop records.
Very good music
Has its funky moments, dont think i want to hear about mass shootings in my pop album interludes - Fav track: "Black Cat" - Honorable Mention: "Lonely" very specific vibe i'm nostalgic for.
Беспощадная попса конца 80-х.
3.0 - Ok
Boring.
Favorite Track: Escapade
I was genuinely surprised by how strong 𝘙𝘩𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘮 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝟣𝟪𝟣𝟦 still sounds decades later. The ambition, message, and energy are undeniable. But it suffers from a common late-’80s flaw: the overly uniform, mechanical drum sound that flattens the dynamics and makes too many tracks blend together. A bold, important album — just weighed down by its era’s production choices.
A product of its time, maybe a late 90s version would be less... cheesy?
Damp lyrics and modest funk - not my scene.
I never really clocked how many of these songs sound exactly the same as each other.
i'd choose Velvet Rope over this. The 80s production is pretty dated and the lyrical content is heavy-handed but she has a great voice no doubt.
Its not a bad album at all, its probably quite good. It was just so long that it drained we hard. Not good music to listen to while working. Maybe my opinion will change after I have listened to it in a different settin
This album was so good from start to finish. I usually hate skits or interludes on projects but it helped her carry her story forward so I didn’t mind them this time. Something was in that water in Gary Indiana boy!
Really obnoxious & repetitive 80's music. Sounds like a 3 year old wrote the lyrics.
Opens strong with Rhythm Nation. But then the album lapsed into some kind of cliched lament about the harm humans do to each other - problems that existed centuries before the songs were written, and have no signs of abating in the 30+ years since. Nothing deep, nothing insightful. So, palatable human tragedy? Other artists have done it much better. But then came Livin' in a World (They Didn't Make). Blah song til then end, then holy crap, a graphic news segment about a school shooting (Stockton, CA, 1989)? I get that the song is meant to be shocking, but it resonates differently in a post-Columbine, post-Sandy Hook world. Anyway, the album does have some great songs in addition to Rhythm Nation, but overall I don't think it holds up well. My score is on the strength of the good songs.
Forgettable.
She had to put the interludes in. The fragile human mind could not handle this many hits in a row without some kind of buffer. This may be the ultimate culmination of new jack swing, which was such a cool genre with such a unique and fun sound. I very much enjoyed this album by an artist who I am required to refer to as Ms. Jackson. Cause I’m nasty.
Poeeeeh, soms hoor je een album dat gewoon nog steeds zo gemaakt zou kunnen worden(Oxygene, Kraftwerk? ) En soms hoor je een album dat echt alleen toen gemaakt kon worden. Dit valt helaas in de 2e categorie want mijn god, wat is dit een vroege 90s album zeg! Je hoort er bijna uit dat computers meer een ding worden, wat een overgeproduceerd zooitje is dit zeg! Hun poging om het meer futuristisch en modern te laten klinken valt naar mijn mening compleet vlak, want dit klinkt zo ontzettend gedateerd ondertussen! Beetje alsof we Sorry for Party Rocking van LMFAO hier ook op een lijst zouden zetten, omdat het die tijdsgeest zo goed zou samen vatten. Weet je wat? Het zou zelfs best terecht zijn, want net als dit album is dat geen goede muziek, maar als iemand vraagt hoe 'moderne productie' klinkt in die tijd was dit wel het beste voorbeeld. Janet kan wel een stuk beter zingen dan Redfoo, dat dan weer wel. Verdomme, op het einde word er een ruk naar R&B/Soul gemaakt en dan merk je dat het toch wel ontzettend zonde is dat dat niet meer gedaan word... De rest is prima, maar de R&B nummers zijn FANTASTISCH! God, wat doet die productie toch eigenlijk pijn. FAVO: Love will never do without you, Alright, Escapade, Come back to me
Just a fun pop album. Nothing too deep at all, but my toddler liked dancing to it with me.
Interlude: Pledge - sets this up as an album that intends to make statements in addition to pop music. A mission statement that blends not entirely seamlessly into the pop hook production of… Rhythm Nation - …the lyrics follow through on the promise of the pledge - “with music by our side, let’s work together to break the color lines.” Even as the lyrics have a call to action, they make the idea of social progress seem deceptively easy. However, perhaps it is as simple as enjoying music together and passing the test of “no struggle, no progress, lend a hand to help your brother do his best.” The sample from "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" by Sly & the Family Stone gives the song such a great pace and beat to keep your foot tapping. Interlude- TV : leans into the concept of this album but doesn’t do a lot to clarify its message I’m not loving my structure of song by song reviewing. Overall the production and vocals are great on this album, and I appreciate what Janet is doing while also finding that it has aged in a way where I wonder how it fits in the cynicism of todays landscape in America.
Boring pop with delusions of profundity. Tim: “1989? Really?”
Wayyyyy too long for the level of craft here.
Classic 80s pop. Catchy, makes you wanna dance.
Not for me
Leaning on interludes to make your album cohesive feels very... artificial, I guess? It's hard to explain why I'm not a fan of interlude tracks, but I'm not. They take up runtime and drag album flow to a halt in most cases, including on this album. Are they trying to tell a story? Continue the riveting plot of the preceding tracks (which don't seem to have any storyline in common to begin with)? And in this case, 8 out of 20 tracks are interludes. Pretty bad. Fortunately, they don't take up much of the 64-minute runtime. And a good few of the full-length numbers are actually pretty good. The backing vocals and thick bass part in Miss You Much make it a highlight, though some effect is placed onto the vocals that mar them significantly. Same problem for Escapade: the backing vocals are great on paper, but they have this metallic filter that makes the sound a heck of a lot less appealing. Rhythm Nation 1864 is a slightly tough listen because it's overproduced. Jackson throws the whole kitchen sink into the percussion and SFX, and it's more distracting than it is particularly exciting. The high-pitched "whoo" in Alright is the best example of this, but distracting SFX show up everywhere on this record. I understand how this might have appealed to audiences from back in the day, but it comes across as extremely dated even relative to other 80s entries. The only track that (for the most part) dodges the terrible 80s sound is Livin' In A World (They Didn't Make), making it easily one of the highlights. Black Cat has a pretty sweet electric guitar part, including an excellent solo, so it ekes out a spot in my key tracks. 2/5 Key tracks: Miss You Much, Livin' In A World (They Didn't Make), Black Cat
Heard the title track before (banger). I think I just find late 80s sound boring because listening to this I can tell it's a well produced album but... nah. I think the fact that there was an interlude between almost every song didn't help 2/5
She wasnt Michael. Kinda sucky
Rating: 7.5/10 It sounds so 80s that it is almost cliche and corny, but damn is this enjoyable. A nice combination of slower ballads that are catchy and upbeat songs that slap.
I had almost forgotten this album existed. I’m sure I will again.
mu jing swack
not for me
3.5
3.5
2.5
I'm about with everyone else on the 3½ train. I, however didnt mind the slow song in that it breaks up the somewhat samey beats of the New Jack Swing, the sound which Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis were known for. I don't necessarily hate the sound, but it was so ubiquitous of the late '80s early 90s R&B pop to the point it just makes me roll my eyes now. ( I think historically I did not like the sound, but these days when I come across it it just reminds me of a time) Honestly as far as examples of this genre this album kind of excels more than most. The title track is still a banger. "State of the World" actually kind of reminded me of what Michael Jackson would do on *Dangerous* two years later. Except for the slow songs most of the beats are somewhat interchangeable, which kind of made the slow songs a little release. Though they did cram too many of them at the end, though I really liked "Come Back To Me" which kinda had a female BIIM feel to it, two years before their debut. Go figure. 7.6 ★★★½
Too long, not y favourite sound, but some fantastic pop sensibilities. 3.5 stars
I think this album has a few issues. First, I think it sounds super dated. You don't hear a lot of these songs in the wild anymore, and I think there's a reason for that. Secondly, I think it's kind of samey. I'm not entirely sure "Love Will Never Do" and "Escapade" aren't the same song with different lyrics. Thirdly, I'm pretty sure whatever fondness I have for any of these songs is just from hearing them a million times when I was a teenager. Still, it's pretty well-crafted, so I can't hate on it too much. 3 stars.
3.5
More like a dribbly Rhythm Archipelago. Quite a few smooth, silky slow jam and jacktastic new jack swing islets with a lot of searing social conscience in the sea air (plus a Human by Human League sounding islet as well) but overall too long and spaced out and could have done with shoring up into a more compact and impressive rhythm land mass. Mid 3.5 stars.
3.5 stars, great singles with ok filler
Very sensual
Good, very 80s/confusion about what the 90s are gonna be-coded
ik vond het vrij vervelend en saai... een beetje het gevoel van eerste keer op een familiefeest te zitten nadat je 10 jaar niet geweest was... het is druk, er is niks dat je interesseert, en je kijkt meer op je horloge dan je lief is
Do not dig. This is the pop music equivalent of excessive plastic surgery, just fakey and overdone and obvious. The concerns about the world and for the masses feel contrived and not exactly in synch with dance music generally and cheesy synths particularly, not to mention the mass excess of the production. The readymade beats sound dated and make the whole thing feel utterly disposable. The reason such records are this are measured in units is that they sound mass-produced and manufactured as artificially and soullessly as consumer goods. Would’ve been interesting to hear what Janet could have gone in a less false and synthetic production approach, but this is such dreck one confesses to writing her off entirely and never giving any of her other records a chance (and not regretting it either).
Loved this back in the day. Great to revisit. Energy!
Too long. But got into it.
A tad too long, but enjoyable nonetheless
Most songs sound quite similar And it being a long album Doesn't bode well But then black cat comes along Great song
I was happily surprised by this. I went in assuming I was going to hate it. Some catchy tunes - not necessarily my jam but pleasant enough. I would give it a 3 just based on the songs but the production earns it another star.
I think this album is really well done for what it was in its own time and place. There are a bunch of hits on here and deservingly so. I would give it a five for the song Alright all by itself. That said I think it’s probably a four overall.
Peak New Jack Swing. Some of the "social commentary" gets a little heavy handed, but still great.
Not as bad as I thought. I can tell why it was popular, but not for me.
I guess fine, not the album for me tho Will I listen to again: 1%
Eh some good bops
I have a soft spot for the early 90s production and some of the songs are fun, but the boring r&b ballads weigh it down.
It's pure late 80s R&B pop
some real HITS and MISSES could i write poetry to this? n
A fun game for bored college students in 1990 to play while listening to this album: Take a drink every time the high-pitched "Hoo!" vocal sample is used. Do a shot every time the "Orchestra Stab" synth sample is used. Safety not guaranteed. Ahhh... The nostalgia value alone is worth half a star. This album enjoyed a long and inescapable life cycle in the mainstream consciousness of the early 90's.
This is a killer album that I’ve never fully listened to
There's some garbage on here, but the hits are undeniably great.
I should’ve been listening to Janet Jackson all this time
Quite good
It was good. Janet Jackson has a sort of timbre in her voice that is iconic.
It was a bit strange at points but decent
Some of the absolute most generic shit I’ve ever heard. First couple songs sound like banging on trash cans.
This album marched so I could run… away.
Has the ‘1814’ always been there??? Please stop messing with me. I have no firm feelings on this. The hits are hits.
not my thing
Escapade is a banger and the rest of the album aint it
"Rhythm Nation 1814" is the fourth studio album by American singer Janet Jackson. Yes, Janet is the sister of Michael. Pop, R&B, new jack swing and funk are the Wiki-listed genres. That fits. Record executives wanted Janet make something similar to her previous successful album "Control." Janet insisted on a concept album addressing social issues including racism, poverty, substance abuse and themes of romance and she worked with producers James "Jimmy Jam" Hartis and Terry Lewis to do that. Commercially, it did very well reaching #1 in the US, #4 in the UK and had seven singles reach the top five on the Billboard Hot 100. It received critical acclaim and was noted for its use of sampling and swung synthesized percussion. In 2021, the album was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress into the National Recording Registry for its artistic significance. The album opens with "Interlude: Pledge" and Janet talking about a new world "without color lines." There are a number of these short interludes which introduce the subject matter of the next song. And with that, we enter "Rhythm Nation" and greated by those loud synthesized beats. Janet screams and yelps. A lot of Michael Jsckdon-esque yelps throughout this album. Guitar, synths and a large chorus. It's got a nice funky groove. Janet wants color lines removed and was inspired ( so to say) by various tragedies at the time. Those percussion beats continue in the first single "Miss You Much." A hypnotic beat and synth melody. Catchy lead and backing choruses. A straight-forward song lyrically with the title explaining the meaning. The third single "Escapade" is more an R&B pop song. Electronic piano keys and synths. Some more catching beats and melodies. Nice layered vocals. It's 1989 and we better put in a glam/hair metal band song. "Black Cat" has a heavy guitar throughout including a solo. A song on substance abuse and gang violence. She calms it down a few songs later in "Come Back to Me." Smooth R&B, actually a ballad with strings. She's trying to rekindle a love. My first reaction after hearing this for the first time in a long time, was, wow, this sounds very dated. Those synthesized beats and random yelps and woahs really reminded me of the music you heard in the dance clubs of 1989. Not really a great memory. I did warm up to this after awhile. There is no dying the catchy hooks and, yes, beats. There is a decent variety in the music (dance, ballads, R&B pop, funk and rock) and lyrics (homeless, racism, drug abuse, gangs but also romance and love songs). Heavily produced and I thought they did a nice job with the vocals and choruses. So, an album that will take you back to the late 80's dance/pop era with a number of very catchy songs.
This is my first time listening to a Janet Jackson album, so I didn't really know what to expect. It's a very solid pop album that's very of it's time. The crispy production in particular dates it - it reminds me a lot of Prince and Madonna in places. There are some great songs on here though, especially the title track, State of the World, Miss You Much, Alright, and Black Cat. I also surprisingly enjoyed Someday is Tonight, even though I usually hate those kind of sensual ballads. At times the lyrics are a bit cheesy, even though I do agree broadly with her views. But if you see it as a product of it's time it makes more sense. I think today's world is so cynical that this album wouldn't be too well received if it was released now. I can see why it was so influential at the time though, and also how it influenced Kendrick Lamar a bit on TPAB.
Meh.
Not without merit but I don't want to listen to it.
janet cooked mutta ei ansaitse aplodeja..
I’ve really been looking forward to reviewing this album. I’ve known “Escapade” since I was a kid, and it’s been one of my favorite songs of the 80’s for over 35 years, and I know this is supposed to be a really good album. I hadn’t really given much thought to Janet Jackson’s music until a few years ago when I heard a podcast episode that talked about her song “Together Again.” I went through some of her big hits, and I’d completely forgotten just how many great songs she’s had. In addition to that, I have a soft spot for pop music from the late 80’s. I think it’s such an interesting time for music, when so many different things were influencing popular acts. Let’s become citizens of Rhythm Nation! Well, I didn’t love this album like I was hoping to. I think it’s a very ambitious record with some really good songs on it, but the overall experience is a bit on the bland side. Based on “Escapade,” I wanted a sound that was bigger and bolder, but as I started listening to this, it felt like Janet Jackson was using a lot of restraint in her sound. Granted, as the album went on, those production and musical choices made more sense when I was able to take in more of the album. However, Rhythm Nation feels really dated, and not in a way that I find endearing. It feels over-polished, and this wound up being some nice pop songs. Again, I think the concept was great, and there’s definitely a bit of a futuristic feeling to this album, which goes along well with the lyrical themes of reckoning with social justice issues and building a better world. But to me, the overall message feels less like a call to action, and more like a work of ‘music and art will save the world if we all just love one another.’ Granted, pop music at this time was largely falling short in meaningful and serious political and social messaging, a fact that was only exacerbated by punk and hip-hop’s ability to check that box really well. Despite my criticisms, there are some really great songs on this album: “Miss You Much,” “Alright,” and “Escapade” are definitely some of the standouts on Rhythm Nation. “Livin’ In A World” was really great too, and featured my favorite songwriting on the album. That burst of gunfire sound effects scared the hell out of me. But back to “Escapade.” It’s easily my favorite song on the album, especially in terms of musical sound. The synthesizers and vocals are absolutely fantastic. The drumbeats give it the perfect punch, and it’s always a fun song to sing along to in the car. As much as I loved those songs, I felt like the interludes on the early part of the album really killed the pace and felt unnecessary. And even though I appreciated this album more as it went along, I felt like the last few songs were a touch too long. This album was a bit of a letdown for me, but if it sounds like I'm being overly critical, I think it's just because I had really high hopes for this. Despite my fondness for some of the songs, I wouldn’t listen to this in its entirety again.
Good artist. Good music from the late 80’s. Proved herself in a family dominated by males. Stamped herself as a iconic female artist.
Great voice. A little boring, but not bad.
Despite the late 80's production and a few samey ballads at the end, this was better than I expected. A little too much of trying to be socially conscious and relevant but forgiven by a song like "Black Cat," her attempt to out-beat her brother's "Beat It."
Da sam morala slušati samo jednu, bilo koju pjesmu s albuma, imala bih daleko bolje mišljenje. Ovako cijeli album ubija. I koliko glasni bubnjevi mogu biti, šta je ovo. P.S. nakon što sam u 5:20 jutros vidjela da mi je ovo album dana izuzetno sam lako opet zaspala.
Great energy up front before settling into ballads in the back. What I hoped prince’s most recently reviewed album would be. Ahead of its time (or, at least, still relevant today) lyrically.
Janet slams so damn hard, i cannot stop dancing. Literally. Amazing work.
This was a journey for sure. Super long album in a genre that I'm not versed in or particularly drawn to. A concept album that just seemed like a lot of the same to me.
It was a lot of things I don't particularly like in music but somehow I loved every song. Except for ballads. This album could do without ballads.