Reviews (page 6 of 8)
A lot of these albums have little interludes between the songs. Like little folk song narrative calibrations.... This album has always been a mystery to me. When it dropped, I loved it. It was danceable, intense, angry, determined, and seemed powerful. During this morning's reunion of ear and sound, I giggled more than once at its goofy self-confidence and interventional optimism. Danceable politics...get em with the groove and they will join the rhythm nation. Music will heal all (in addition to militaristic choreography). I think I was intrigued as a kid by the Trojan horse of these tunes. Songs that sounded like her brother, Michael's, but which contained culturally reflective and politicized thought that seemed broader and more socially concious than his pop hits. Janet was trying to differentiate herself, stand out, assert a feminist social compassion. To be taken seriously. But then this group of songs hits the listener: miss you much, love will never do, and alright, escapade, come back to me, someday is tonight....back to softpop and love. (Until the guitar and independent strength of Black Cat) So how does this all fit together? Does this all fit together? This album is a declaration of independence from Michael's overwhelming celebrity. It's a younger sister trying to be taken seriously: politically, musically, artistically, sexually. Asserting her diversity. Asking us to dance with HER. Black cat
I’m some very 80’s synth sounds… not always bad. Definitely an album to be choreographed about with a stage full of dancers
I’ve never heard this entire alb but remember hearing the singles all the time from my youth. Definitely had a late 80s vibe- I don’t mind the new jack sound, it just become background for me after a while. It’s like eating candy-good at the start but leaves you wanting something more substantial. Definitely important in the evolution and scale of pop - for good or bad.
Somehow I've made it this far in my life without really hearing any Janet Jackson. I don't know why that is - did she really drop off the cultural radar *that* hard after the Superbowl fiasco? Regardless - this was fun in that punchy, overproduced, hypersincere 80s way. All the people complaining that it sounds dated are missing the point - that's what makes it good and compelling! A nice surprise, and a rare treat to see a woman on the list again (lol. :| )
i dunno if it was being born too late or growing up around other mostly suburban, mostly white folks, but somehow I completely missed Janet Jackson on my cultural radar. i only really know her from the superbowl wardrobe malfunction (which I always felt was stupidly overblown) and two of her songs ending up in Weird Al's polkas, which probably says more about me than anything I've written up to this point. anyway, this album was awesome. lots of haters in the top comments but not all music has to be timeless! sorry that a black woman made a great album and now you have to listen to it once, there will be plenty more led zeppelin and the eagles in this list for you. i basically liked every other track on here (which ends up being most of them minus the interludes) and found the subject matter and genre explorations cool and unique. some songs felt a bit heavy-handed in their message (see: livin' in a world (they didn't make)'s school shooting news report at the end) and i didn't really care for the ballads, but beyond that, this album slapped. the seamless pivots between 80s synthpop, industrial, hard rock, R&B, and more kept me engaged until the last few tracks and I'll definitely come back to this! favorites: rhythm nation, state of the world, the knowledge, miss you much, love will never do (without you), alright, escapade, black cat
Vrolijke eighties drek opgebouwd uit een combinatie van Madonna en broer Michael, af en toe met super geëngageerde teksten maar steevast met oerlelijke drums. En dat dan een uur lang. Het is niet totaal kut, maar ik ga dit normaal gesproken natuurlijk niet vrijwillig zitten luisteren. Overbodig.
Allt í lagi lullarablús.
I thought it was gonna be mid but it was actually really good
Nej. Jobbigt. Ville bara att det skulle ta slut. Blev minimalt bättre mot slutet (iaf de lugnare låtarna).
Även om det är lite väl svulstigt och bombastiskt ibland - och förstås väldigt mycket 80-tal - så är det väldigt välproducerat. Även sångmässigt mycket bra. Problemet är dock att låtarna trots detta i de flesta fall inte är så mycket mer än okej. Det blir också lite väl enformigt under en dryg timme. För ovanlighetens skull tycker jag att andra hälften av skivan är klart bättre än den första.
Lkkr jaren 80 weer, maar ook weer niet zoo bijzonder
leuk album, janet legend
definitely a very percussive and groovy album - somewhat of a more sensual and laid back version of the 80s pop sound.
80s pop. Kind of a snore. I didn't outright hate it though.
Love love love this album
Absolutely love this album .
I had to stop in the middle. Why would anybody want to hear it? There is so much better sounding Electro-Funk/R&B music from that era.
# Playlist track - Rhythm Nation # Notes - I expected *nothing* of this and found the album to be pretty solid! I like the beat! - There is too much filler and empty space in the album. Useless interludes that don't really add to the experience and a couple of meh tracks. - All in all, way better than I expected and definitely worth checking out!
Furchtbar!
again not my thing
rhythm nation. banger? ich bi definitiv nöd en new jack swing guy. aber de shit goht no dumm. ok has churz abgstellt welli d annika troffe han im tram und s ischmer döt scho nogloffe. ich bin part of the rhythm nation. uiii de radio skip time "a pain reliever -neus radio- are bullets" hobla. oder TV halt okay. staat von der welt macht sie de jackson flüsteri. sie het afoch au d nase glich operiert wie de michael schono weird. de sond state of the world isch chli preachy? ok sie macht sich sorge umd welt i guess. production chönt nervig werde. das wissen. okay sie weiss? education wichtig? i miss you mötsch? okay. i guess cool. aber find das ganze so mässig stimmig irgendwie mega nervös. love will never do het en harde beat. aber s isch scho vorallem orchestral hits und so. find de etz no cute. living in a world aaaah scho janet was sie het au en song wo alright heisst. maltschik alright isch besser. chli en filler song. escapade isch reeecht geil. well have a god tiiiiime schwarz katz rock time??? rieeeese banger?? Lõnely? d 808 cowbell funny. aber de song chli lame. ha so r&b ballade nöd so gern. schmusemusig nai danke "te quiero tanto" ich dich au janet. come back to me het hübschi chords und bgvs aber wieder son huere schliicher someday is tonight tönt noch stevie wonder (aso overjoyed). isch cool het irgendwie tension ide akkörd.
funny intro FUCK DA SBANGT also ich bin chli am büecher ihrume und die beats gönd absolut dumm und stönd au ih somene geile gegesatz zude mega schöne melodie wo gsunge werded miss you much isch iwie es slay lied???? chammer das sege??? lieber nöd aber bis jz s beste lied wie so hüfig stellt sich d frag: wiso 1h? so gege endi haut de bass nümme so krass inne und es isch echli weniger speziell (für mich) aber immerno sind die drums so geil gitisoloooo aber ja luca mier hends scho besproche, die schnulzene sind echli heavy BRO JZ HANI GMEINT COME BACK TO ME ISCH FERTIG someday is tonight würkli sehr geil ABER chli z vill stöhne? omg isch de schluss schön jaaa also ich han sehrsehr freud gha, und denn geg de schluss ischs chli langwilig worde. öppe 3 schnulzene hetted chönne ussecuttet werde aber für mich ganz klar es 4i
Rhythm Nation is cool, and some of the new jack swing beats is representative of the style.
Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 has so much substance! I appreciate a Black woman singing unapologetically about romance and she has such a sultry voice that isn't over the top. But more than that, the interludes include social commentary and act as the glue to bind the album together. This album is mostly pop but incorporates funk and r&b, so it's a super smooth listen. I wasn't the biggest fan but do recognize the album's importance on this list. And, of course, that iconic outfit!
This album sounds really dated by today's standards, but there's still something about that to be enjoyed. Namely, the hard-hitting drums and synth create such a fun atmosphere -- despite this being a distinctly 80s sound, this particular sound didn't see really heavy use before the music scene moved on into the 90s. But that's not the only thing that this album offers; Janet shows a lot of range on this album, dabbling in a few different areas and creating a diverse album. In fact, Michael would go on to be inspired by a lot of the sounds on this album. Again, this album is no doubt a product of the times, but it was certainly a defining moment for Janet, pushing her into stardom outside of the shadow of Michael -- no doubt an important moment when you are his sibling and seeking fame of your own.
great album! Rhythm Nation is one of those hits that make their way around to me time and time again. my only gripes with the album are the interludes. Outside that its a great listen with a message.
Loved it! Great dance music. Rhythm Nation is a friggin BOP! Lyrically it’s still very relevant unfortunately. It’s sad to see not much has changed for folks.
not bad
Much like Bad, it’s a quintessential Jacksonian late 80s power pop tour de force. Holds up, too. I especially like how Janet flexes her stylistic muscles with Black Cat. And then, there’s the visual art of the album as well. That deserves love, much like Sgt Pepper’s, KISS, or anything by Devo.
So much overproduction on this album. The drums and synths don't need to be that loud to be impactful. Drowns out a lot of Janet Jackson's voice at times. The lyrics, often just outright cheesy or filled with platitudes about changing the world from a privileged woman, and production here are super dated. The love songs really stick out against the ones about social issues and I would have preferred an album full of them, they're all great. BUT Janet Jackson is a legend and I can really see her socially conscious approach must have been inspiring at the time, especially as a black woman. Tracy Chapman did it better though.
I can see how this would appeal to the pop heads of the late 80’s but in 2024 it kinda sounds like an after-school special. I don’t have anything against the message Janet is going for, it’s just a tad on the nose. As for the synth beats, I’m down for it. The album ran a bit long and the ballads could definitely be cut to clean this up. 3 stars
Nothing memorable, good for background music.
1000000% better than her bro
Disappointing
I was very much about this lane of music when I was a younger man - a great mix of Michael Jackson without the narcissism and lunacy, and Prince without the lunacy and narcissism. This album isn't control, but Janet doesn't get enough credit for being Beyonce first
i dunno, it's pretty good, but i can't really stand the very very 80s pop sound on full display here. i can appreciate that she's touching on the subject matter she is (including the sample of the newscast about a shooting is a pretty legit move for an album this big and mainstream) but it doesn't really feel like she has anything specific or novel to say. I'm a broken record on this, but it's also too long, I'm now thoroughly convinced that CDs, digital formats, etc were all mistakes since at least when everything was on vinyl artists had to know how to exercise some restraint. it's good, but it has a lot of flaws that keep it from being a heavy rotation album for me
really good. so new jack swing
Way back machine... If you want to hear what 80's pop is listen. This isn't a knock on the album, opposite this is extremely well done.
Fun pop album that I could see myself throwing on again.
Respect it for what it is but not really something I vibed with
I have more of fond memories for the album than fondness for the album. Music really sounded the same throughout and was really one note
I always wondered how an artist so popular in her time and with so much cultural influence doesn’t seem to have any staying power today in 2024. After listening, it’s immediately obvious it’s the new jack swing that poisons this to be “of a time”. That said the songs are decent, particularly the rock oriented ones. I can see me liking this album a lot more if I was 20-40 when it came out
Ah, what idealism we had in the 80s. Yes, the world is terrible, but we can imagine a world of peace and harmony where we stop hating each other and just dance! It's an obviously optimism worldview, but it's very tempting to let yourself enjoy it. Though I have far less optimism in 2024 than Janet Jackson did in 1989, it still makes for nice escapism. Despite that, she was addressing very real social issues, which did feel a bit risky for a major pop star at the time so I have to respect that. The music is very typical of the 80s, including very big, fun dance numbers with heavy drum machine beats, alongside ultra smooth ballads. I'd pass on the latter but some of the pop songs could develop into guilty pleasures if I was ever gave it a chance.
So not interested.
Boring, nothing special. Prefer Michael.
Loved it. All good, and some really great songs on here. I remember when it came out - I fell in Love with Janet!
Absolute fire
I prefer Control as an album but this one did grow on me after a couple of listens. As a millennial, a bit of nostalgic new jack swing makes me nostalgic. Rhythm Nation is great and the Come Back To Me has that Janet vocal magic <3
This reminds me of Prince, but a lot less fun / funky. Also Prince was doing this stuff a decade before and moved on to new sounds, so isn't this sound a little dated for 1989. Overall it is fine, but not much to write home about. I would have rather added something like Controversy or Dirty Mind to the list in the place of this record. But this record does have some historic significance so its inclusion makes sense. low 3
It was okay.
Sounds way too much like Michael
Mildly fun album.
Utter rubbish. Doesn’t stand the test of time.
Definitely a concept album. Most of the interludes are there to add ambience rather than be good songs. Everything else is solid. I like a lot of the stuff on this album even if I never fully fall in love with it. 4/5
Well produced. Some catchy tunes. Every song feels too long and I couldnt get through it.
This album is plagued by the very dated sounding instrument kit used. The synthetic bass and drums and the horn stabs are really a product of its time and were wisely abandoned years later when the sound went out of style. Jackson's singing is excellent but the songs really aren't there to overcome the sound for me. I realize it's subjective but I just can't get over it. The first half of the actual songs are overrun with it. That said I thought about this in the scope of modern popular music, and I'm sure that lots of albums we listen to now are going to sound like this to people in the future. What I can say is that the lyrical content is refreshing for a pop album. An equivalent artist of Janet's popularity is not writing songs like this now. It's not insanely deep or anything but it covers ground that is limited to less successful commercial artists these days. I appreciate that. The love songs on here are the Janet Jackson I'm more familiar with but they also suffer from the dated sound. It's not a bad sound at all, it's just so weird sounding now. I can't deal.
Didn't care for this. I was surprised I didn't recognize any songs. I did laugh that this album thought it needed interludes between the songs. INTERLUDE: NO ACID
Rhythm Nation 1814 is big on social commentary but bad on music. So. Much. Snare. Just a load of generic sounds from an artist capable of so much better, just feels like she wanted a vehicle to be able to speak on things and didn't care as much about the music. 2.
This is not a good album, really. There's not one song on it that's really good, plenty that are quite bad, and the less said about the interludes the better. Very focused on the social commentary piece, which doesn't really land (which is fair 35 years later...), but the music is not good. 2/5.
Such an undeniable legendary pop album. Listened to it twice today because I was having so much fun with it. Miss You Much is my fav I think, such a banger. I feel like Janet Jackson is often overlooked when talking about the greatest pop stars of all time, but you can see that a lot of what she did is in the DNA of many of the modern pop stars we love.
Janet Jackson was ahead of her time creating a social justice album. So many good songs and it's wild how the themes still resonate today. This is a classic and should be on everyone's list.
Unsanely good. *I* am a part of the rhythm nation ☝🏻
So good. Unique sound, deeply emotional and political and moving!
Album rocks and its deranged but also epic to put an interlude between every track
I am about 99.9% sure I owned this cassette tape when I was very young, so listening it now was such an awesome experience. I was able to connect and sing along because I remembered it all, but old enough now to process what she was talking about. Janet Jackson does not get enough credit for her contribution to the musical world. Great album and so many amazing one off songs. She really weaved it all together into a wonderful album.
I wore the hell out of this cassette in the late 80’s. It’s the Janet album I always go back to. There is not one bad song, though I will say that Escapade has a hissing sound in it that always makes me feel queasy. I can’t explain that. This is Janet at her best: catchy dance bliss.
So many iconic songs on this album, and some great messages too. It’s one of those albums that feels like a greatest hits compilation. The interludes are a nice little touch to help with smooth song transitions. Really love this as a whole package!
Pop hit after pop hit. Well made messages about the state of the world. One of the first, if not the first breakthrough socially conscious pop album correctly aligned with What's Going On. It's the overly synthetic stuff that I don't love, but I have a great reverence for this albums effect on society and its' mass appeal
First half was really good. Rhythm of the World and State of the Nation are really dope. I actually thought the way that this album was laid out, being that we had skits that were relevant to each song before it played was unique and cool. I found the second half of the album wasn’t as fun, but overall I enjoyed it
Thoughts before listening: Janet Jackson and especially this album have taken on a new level of respect that I feel was never really the case when it was released...or maybe he just lived in her brother's shadow. I remember this album being popular, but I don't feel like it was ever mentioned with the levels of critical acclaim it has garnered in recent years. All I know of the album is that "Black Cat" is a banger. Review: Okay, I recognize a few more songs than "Black Cat", but thats by far the best song on the album. Maybe it was just the sound of r&b at the time, but I don't like the production on these songs. They sound so fake and cheesy. This is what a lot of Michael Jackson's songs sound like, but I feel he had better songs. Or at least more songs that I have a nostalgic connection to. I found myself pretty bored with this album....until "Black Cat" came on and I cranked it up. 2-stars.
There’s a few good songs on here but most of it is rather bland and the album is further marred by all the interludes
Dårligere versjon av Michael
Wow this album is good. Starts strong and maintains it throughout. Even with the ballads towards the end.
Rhythm Nation Miss You Much. Too political with her messaging. Sounds just like MJ.
I was really looking forward to this album as I didn’t really remember it. However, it doesn’t seem to have aged well.
One of my favorite albums of all time, truly cohesive and flawless !
Solid album ushering in a particular early 90's sound (what's up ghost notes on snare drums???). Nostalgic listen that holds up decades later. Solid, soulful, and very enjoyable album.
Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 is an iconic album that captured the late 80s with its blend of socially conscious themes and New Jack Swing beats. Songs like Rhythm Nation and Miss You Much were groundbreaking at the time, combining R&B with hip-hop rhythms, making them feel like a call to action. Tracks such as Escapade and Alright showcase Janet's knack for creating upbeat, feel-good anthems perfect for the dance floor. The production by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis was innovative, layering synthesized sounds with punchy drum machine beats. At the time, these tracks were exhilarating, setting the stage for future pop and R&B artists. However, listening today, some of the New Jack Swing tracks feel less groundbreaking, more nostalgic. Despite this, the album's infectious energy and Janet's charisma keep the songs entertaining. The themes of unity and social justice remain relevant, giving the album enduring significance. While the New Jack Swing sound has aged, Rhythm Nation 1814 remains a testament to Janet Jackson's artistry and vision, reflecting the excitement of its era and the timeless appeal of its messages. NUMBER OF BANGERS - 7 STAND OUT TRACK - Rhythm Nation
meh
Listened Before? N One of the greatest mainstream pop albums of the 80s - approaching at at times surpassing her debatably more famous brother's works from the time period. The concept album with social commentary was a breath of fresh air and - as I remember - caused a large social movement within the youth of the time. She meant business, and we noticed. It helps that there's lots of great songs on here as well. Love this one. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Rhythm Nation, Love Will Never Do
Fantastic blend of pop, funk and social consciousness. (The dancing in her videos takes it to a whole other level.)
Not my favorite. I don’t think I’m a big fan of the slow R&B. I did really like the song black cat though.
I get the message but the disco late 80s music is not the way to send the message to the people
Interlude: Pledge n/a Rhythm Nation 2.3 Interlude: T.V. n/a State of the World 2.4 Interlude: Race n/a The Knowledge 2 Interlude: Let's Dance n/a Miss You Much 1.8 Interlude: Come Back n/a Love Will Never Do (Without You) 1.6 Livin' in a World (They Didn't Make) 2 Alright 1.8 Interlude: Hey Baby n/a Escapade 2 Interlude: No Acid n/a Black Cat 2.4 Lonely 2.2 Come Back to Me 1.7 Someday Is Tonight 1.6 Interlude: Livin'…In Complete Darkness n/a Score: 1.983333333
LUV JANET
If this album was shorter and there was less going on, it would be a masterpiece. I am a sucker for late 80s/early 90s preachy songs, it makes me feel so nostalgic and it fills me with hope, even though everything has gotten worse LOL Very good album, enjoyed
good concept album with some catchy tracks, for me, there’s not much replayability but i did enjoy the album off first listen
The vocals just seem so strange sometimes
Mom, I really want that Prince album! We have a Prince album at home. The Prince album at home:
I get it, but was never a fan. Tried again, feel the same way now as I did back then
All time classic.
Ooo escapade
Fun album but not too much really stands out.
It was ok, i liked the beats and sounds more than the lyrics but janet did sound good! Surprised me with this 3 star!
An okay album. It didn't do anything for me personally, but it wasn't bad. More of a background noise with the upbeat songs 3 ⭐️
Nostalgic
Sure it was big for its time, lyrical content obviously good and still rings true today, but musically pretty generic 80s pop noises
Favourite song - livin in a world
If you like discos, it's great. Otherwise it's hopelessly overproduced music by marketing men. I can't really tell one track from another. The beats are brilliant, but that's all they really are: beats. No discernable tunes. Very much of the 1980s, but if you want real talent in this genre, try Prince's 1999 or Robert Palmer's Addicted to love.
It was ok, 3 stars
I'll be honest this album on the front half frequently hit the same emotional response for me as the portion of Happy Xmas (War Is Over) where the children are singing "war is over if you want it". Which is to say I both couldn't take it seriously and also it makes me lowkey want to bash my head against something because I hate it so much. I don't mind social commentary in my music at all but there's just something about the delivery here that makes it somehow insincere to me. It probably doesn't help in me taking it seriously that the back half of the album seems to kind of abandon that theme after being so aggressive about it up front. The portions of the album where she wasn't singing about starving people/poor people/etc where fine enough but only a couple songs really grabbed me (Escapade and Black Cat). That all said, the sound of this album really "feels" like a specific time in pop to me so from that perspective maybe still worth a listen. Just not my personal cup of tea.
this album is far too long and overproduced. some gems for sure, but i wish she would’ve picked going full social commentary or full pop. the back and forth is unfulfilling.
Iconic singles, though the second half of the album is not the strongest
This was kind of a tough one for me to grade. It's an incredibly famous and influential album. It has some of Janet's biggest songs, and it's one of the albums responsible for bringing New Jack Swing into the mainstream. That said, it's fairly uneven as an album. You knew Michael was probably going to have at least one political song on most of his later releases, but it never took over to the point where you would mistake him for a protest artist. But Janet can't seem to decide if she wants to make a political statement or a pop album here and ends up splitting the difference in a way that's not very satisfying for either direction. The first half is front-loaded with political songs — some of them really good, some of them a little fluffy. But then the back half is mostly love songs, which range from straightforward slower songs to — for some reason — Spanish guitar, Latin-style ballads that wouldn't be out of place on a Selena album. The other issue I had is that, for me, Janet was always more of a performer/artist than singer. It was the dancing, the music videos, the fashion that made her a standout artist. Her voice, while pleasant, is fairly thin, especially considering her contemporaries like Whitney and Mariah. So just listening to the songs in isolation isn't the biggest draw for me. The best tracks on the album are Rhythm Nation and Black Cat. Everything after Black Cat is honestly pretty weak. I'll give it a 4 for influence and the singles (and Black Cat), but it's probably more of a 3.5/5.
Tiene un pasaje muy bueno, pero en su generalidad es un pop ochentoso medio de minita.
If you told me that this was from a year other than 1989, I'd call you a liar. It is as unambiguously 1989 as any album possibly could be. 1989 permeates this album, written indelibly through its very core, as if it were a stick of 1989 rock. Taylor Swift has nothing on the 1989-ness of this. It's kinda alright, in a terribly over-the-top and brash poppy kinda way.
4.5 - Was it the Super Bowl nip slip that caused Janet's star to fade? I see that she's playing in my city in a few weeks. She's booked the massive sports arena, which is good. But tickets are still plentiful, and cheaper than I expected -- just $33 snatches up a nosebleed? This album is a banger, and probably my favorite example of new jack swing (though I’m hardly an expert). The synthesized percussion does much of the heavy lifting in the bass and middle registers, creating a clean, minimal, bold sound. Also, this record is absolutely stacked with hits. Seven of them were on regular rotation back in the day, and many still get considerable airplay. Of these “Love Will Never Do…” is my favorite — equally vulnerable and assertive, sweet and sassy. I love that single pulsing bass, insistent and propulsive. I love the call and response breakdown near the end, and how it gradually incorporates some surprising jazz chord structures, little variations that keep an otherwise repetitive set of elements sounding fresh until the very end. Phenomenal. But, the real surprise was hearing “Black Cat” for the first time in years. It’s a stone-cold rocker that reminds me of some of Heart’s power balladry of the late-80’s. That guitar solo goes hard. What an unexpected surprise that lifts the tail-end of an already impressive record.
Njeeeh
No shame, this is great.
She was already a Jackson, so she was fame-adjacent no matter what. “Control” was a fun record. But this one made her a giant in the Pop world. What an incredible mix of Pop, R&B, Funk, Soul, sampling beats and Hip-Hop influences. Just a mature statement as well as a vehicle for Janet to shine. Plus, it fits the concept album definition, so kudos to Janet for trying on so many hats and so successfully presenting herself as a multifaceted artist.
Старушка в принципе недалеко от братца ушла, удивила. Единственное, что эти синты и драмка на протяжении часа все таки начали меня утомлять. Поэтому ниже немного оценю
Not my go-to for music but I think it was a decent album
The album flowed very well and felt cohesive.
Bra plate!
Really couldn't finish this one, way too bloated with interludes and then the tracks themselves weren't very impressive.
You can't listen to this and not be amazed by the songs and production. A Jam/Lewis masterpiece! Play loud.
Good this, listened too long ago to be more insightful
Van die muziek die je zus vroeger leuk vond, en je vrouwelijke klasgenootjes van groep 6. Maar zowaar enige maatschappelijke onderwerpen, en ondanks de hopeloos verouderde electronica (en dat rare Egyptische fluitje dat toen in alle platen zat!) nog best aanstekelijk.
Hé, leuk! Een artiest waar ik een aardig beeld bij heb. Maar waar ik weinig van ken. Een ongefundeerde mening is modern natuurlijk. Maar nu kan ik er toch eens een kleine basis eronder leggen. Mijn beeld vooraf: Prima luisterbare pop, die de jaren 90 alvast inluidt. Wat meer nadruk op beats dan tijdgenoten. Tegelijk nooit ergens bovenuit springend. Nou, luisteren maar dan. Eerst even wat twijfel wegwerken, want mijn playlist begint en eindigt met een interlude. Heb ik dan niet het hele album voor me? Toch wel. Daarna wordt het hierboven geschetste beeld gelijk bevestigd. Een lekker jaren '90 beatje volgt, zonder iets echt interessants erbij. Dat horen we ook bij veel volgende nummers. Het zakt naar de achtergrond. Ah, vandaar al die interludes. Die zijn echt nodig om de luisteraar ervan bewust te maken dat ze ook nog eens een boodschap te delen heeft. Die attentiewaarde blijkt ook uit de constatering dat het niet de nummers, maar het juist de interludes zijn, die door andere artiesten later zijn gebruikt. @ Janet: Got the point? Good, let's dance!
Vanaf de eerste klanken spatten de jaren '80 er van af. En dan vooral de 80s van de familie Jackson. Moddervette breakbeats van bombastische drumcomputers en synths, aangevuld met gilletjes en kreuntjes van Jackson. Waarom iets zelf verzinnen, als je het gewoon kan afkijken binnen de familie? Dit lijkt me ook wel het einde van de 80s sound geweest te zijn. Want die synths zijn zo ongelooflijk aanwezig, alles ademt de ultieme climax van hoe ze in de jaren 80 populaire stadionmuziek maakten. En wat moet je daarna nog maken? Toen was het tijd voor een ander geluid. Qua album zijn de liedjes volledig overgeproduceerd. Het is mij allemaal ook iets te druk en te bombastisch, een enorme laag afleiding tov de nummers an sich. Als ik de hoeveelheid namen ook zie die hier aan mee hebben gewerkt. Al die interludes hoeven van mij ook niet, maar geven het op zich wel een volledige album ervaring. Verder zitten er best funky bas en gitaarstukken in, en zoals gezegd de breakbeat drum. Het is overduidelijk gedateerd en het is niet mijn muziekgenre, maar ik kan moeilijk zeggen dat het geen goed album is. Een 4 is te veel gevraagd, want ik ga het niet zomaar nog een keer opzetten. Maar ondanks het bombastische gebeuk, kon het prima op de achtergrond staan zonder te storen.
I genuinely tried, but it was too overproduced to enjoy
Bring back Micheal
I like Janet, but was dreading listening to a whole album by her. This one was pleasant though! I enjoyed it. I think in general I will stick with singles from her. And Poetic Justice of course.
I was worried about this one pretty early on. The industrial synth rock from the 80s rarely ages well, so this being so heavy on it early was starting to drag. But the ballads on the back half of the album absolutely save the whole thing. I also get that the interludes do exactly that, bridge the gaps between songs, but I don’t know that eight interludes including the bookends of the album is really necessary. Overall, there’s a couple hidden jams on this album that I might come back to, but other than that it’s a bit forgettable. It’s like a 2.75. And goodness, Someday Is Tonight is gonna make people in our group make some more babies.
Don't worry everyone. Janet Jackson has solved: racism, world hunger, illiteracy, drug use, gang violence, and poverty. Honestly, I can't really make fun of someone for trying to use their success to try and make the world a better place. It may be a little naive of her to think that an album can change the world, but she's still going to try one boob at a time. I didn't dislike this album at all. I would be lying if I said that I would listen to it again, but it's not bad. A perfect 3 for me.
This takes me back to riding in the car with my mom when I was a kid. You all know Escapade is a jam. Good album, I get why it's on here.
Beter than expected
It wasn't bad but I really didn't pay much attention to it because it was so Bland. Probably due to overexposure when I was younger
High energy. Fun and familiar. Felt like a time capsule to high school.
Like a fourth-graders current events report set to a drum machine. I expected more bops out of this.
We really are all part of the Rhythm Nation
Not a big Janet Jackson fan. The album is ok, not my taste. Passing grade 3/5
Inoffensive but otherwise meh. Owes a lot to Prince and Michael Jackson (no relation). Black Cat is a cool song, others are mostly unoriginal and weakly executed.
So that’s rhythm nation
Its a pop album. But a great one at that. Long time since i listened to this but really enjoyed listening to it again
I wanted and expected to like this a bit more than I eventually did. It's fine, but didn't get me wanting to dance in the way I had hoped. Definitely dated in sound and style too.
Didn't like this one
the musical talents run through the jackson blood. not just michael, but her sister too. my god. imaginative catchy new jack swing, but don't get too distracted by the amazing beats, plenty of lyrics about the human condition and the issues of the world today, the good, bad, and ugly. ah who am i kidding the music itselfffff it's so good not to ignore. few artists actually know how to do the new jack stuff right.
Ok album, not anything I’d say someone NEEDS to hear.
Alright 80s pop album,but certainly nothing special. and the 47 interludes detract.
I kind of like Alright, Escapade, and Black Cat
I learned a new genre today: new jack swing. I also learned that this genre sounds incredibly dated to me. Honestly, I'm a little stunned at how good of critical reviews this has (and incredibly strong commercial performance). This thing has a bunch of top hits from the time and I honestly thought it was incredibly mediocre. Here's my issues. First, she went with the "social commentary" route on quite a few songs here, and seems to have gotten a lot of acclaim for this. These songs all sound so insincere to me at best though, and incredibly cringy and cheesy at worst ("We've gotta teach our kids to read and write / That's the only way to win this fight for life"). I'm fine with a social commentary album, but this felt half-baked to me. And the "love" songs were more fine to me, but nothing crazy inspiring lyrically. And then the beats. While there are some reasonably catchy moments here and there, on this whole this is dated-sounding at best and grating at worst. I also thought the interludes were a bit distracting and unnecessary. I just really don't get this one. Some music just doesn't age well and I think this is in that category for me. I'm willing to concede that I'm not the target audience for this at all (R&B-pop social issue concept album) and it probably hit different 35 years ago than it does today, but I really didn't like it very much. One positive I'll say is that I actually think Janet Jackson seems really talented. She's an interesting one generally, since it seems like she was massively popular for awhile but has almost completely fallen off the map in modern times. The Super Bowl incident played a role I'm sure, but she has had basically no staying power compared to other major artists from the time. I'm tempted to give this a 3 based on the critical reviews, but I'm sticking with my guns here. This one wasn't for me, but I'm glad I heard it and I'm glad it resonated more with other people. Favorite song: Escapade Other: Miss You Much, Love Will Never Do (Without You), Come Back To Me 4/9/24
Like it 3/5
It's sort of interesting that this album is pitched as a concept album about social issues, but all the hits are more traditional love songs. This isn't meant as a criticism, Jackson absolutely addresses the social issues she is interested in. It's just kinda funny that like ever single fun love song on this album was a fucking gigantic hit. I'm honestly surprised that this album doesn't get talked about more, given how well it's held up. I think that some of the negative attention to Michael Jackson stuck on Janet, and of course there was that time when she accidentally showed America her bare breast, and we all decided that we were furious about this for reasons that I've never understood. Hell, she's almost 58 years old, and I would still pay good money to see one of the girls again. I digress. This is a good album, and I will fight anyone who talks shit on Janet Jackson's breasts 4/5
I remember this one being crazy popular. Hearing it now, it strikes me how much of the era's music sounds similar to this album. Ms. Jackson did it better than any of them though.
I really didn’t care for any of these songs and I found the interludes very annoying and totally unnecessary.
Not for me. Most of the first half of the album all sounded the same. There are a couple of ballads on the second half that helped mix it up a little. Surprised how much she sounded like Michael at times.
The sound is original and the album is well put together. Refreshing
Not an album for me.. Forgot I how hate those late 80's synthesizers, this album goes heavy on them. The interludes seemed fake and contrived. Oh and way too long.
Mid 80’s synth/R&B/pop with a few tracks that occasionally surprised me because I liked them. But overall pretty standard stuff for the time with annoying between track bits.
A lot better then i was expecting. The dance tracks held up better for me then the ballads. The singles were a nice bit of nostalgia.
Not a bad album. Some really good songs. A few songs are a little bit of a drag, too. But the interludes are terrible, and take me out of the listening experience. May have been a 4 star album without them (and maybe without one or two of the slower full on 80s/90s R&B songs in the back half of the album.) I probably haven't listened to this one in 30 years, and it might be that long before I listen to it again.
Monotone and preachy
Quintessential Janet! So many great songs here. My only real gripe is how unnecessarily long some of the songs are. But overall a spectacular album!
Rhythms out of time, thin voice. The album was certainly quite nice when it was released, but nothing for eternity.
I found this pretty dull, bland and annoying to be honest. The drums sounded bad, and production overall was pretty rough. On top of that I found it a bit repetitive, and it's simply just not my cup of tea.
There's nothing particularly objectionable here, but it is pretty bland. It's mostly highly produced R&B with some dance elements. Her voice is good, but this genre doesn't appeal to me much so there's not much here for me. I was ready for it to be over halfway in.
Escapade rocks
I was hoping years of nostalgia would help with this album but no. I don’t like New Jack Swing. At all. I don’t had Janet Jackson at all and I respect the themes of the album but this genre is not for me. It sounds artificial and soulless.
This sound like every other dance/pop album from the late 80s, early 90s. All its nostalgic value has outstayed its welcome around the 40 minute mark and then it’s just annoying.
It feels very indicative of an era. In otherwords, cool but outdated
Loved it. “Is that the end”!!!
Prejudice: knock it off Ignorance: knock it off Bigotry: knock it off Illiteracy: knock it off She can sing, I'll give her that, but most of the songs aged so badly. The ones that are not dance songs still sound good
pointless but at least listenable
Going out on a high at the end of an era. The production values scream mid 80s pop. Perhaps this is a chicken and egg situation. Perhaps this simply set the bar and everything that sounds like it is an imitation. (But that's not true.) She does a good job coming out of her brother's shadow here. I didn't like the musical clichés of the genre when I lived through them, and they don't really get better with age. The arrangements make most of the album quite danceable , but that works against it as a "sit down and listen" experience. The rhythm section alone is very repetitive and homogenous across tracks. It's a hell of a dance album. Taken as a social commentary? No. When I can hear the lyrics at all, the arrangements ultimately come off as busy, indistinct, and muddy. Not my favorite.
Janet did well to come out from the shadow of brother Mikey and the other four brothers of the Jackson 5. This album showed she had something to add to the pop music of the day. The dancing and music videos made this project stand out visually. Of course, how can anyone forget the wardrobe malfunction Super Bowl incident? That got everyone’s attention!
Wel lekker funky maar niet bijzonder
4/10
Songs were pretty good, but a lot were too long.
Most tracks are ruined by the obnoxious, overbearing drums. Black Cat (easily the best song on the album) is the only up-tempo track that doesn’t suffer from this. The songs are too long without really going anywhere. I like long songs, but not when they are just repeating themselves. The album is too long, as a consequence.
One of my roommates in college played this so much that I know all the songs, and although I don’t love it for any musical merit (sorry Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis), it was a good listen.
Fun 80's album, but I more a fan of Michael.
Fun album that ushered in the 90s. Definitely replayable. I’ll give it a solid 4. Rant time. What’s the point of the interludes between EVERY SONG? I see a few angles… 1 - if they aren’t important enough to be part of the song, why include them? 2 - do these count as more plays for the artist on Spotify? If so, for a person in 1989, that’s great insight into the far off future! 3 - if you are making a playlist, it’s great that you can easily cut out the crap… unless you like the content of an interlude, in which case it’ll piss you off. End of the day, a few interludes did enhance the songs (so just should’ve been on the track itself) others were just space fillers and unnecessary. Cut them. Rant over.
Favourite tracks: rhythm nation; state of the world; miss you much
Nicht schlecht, trotzdem kein Favorit
Just the thought of listening to this makes my stomach hurt. It's playing now. I'll see how far I can get into it. Okay that's enough. Got about 5 songs in. I find no pleasure hearing these sounds. I'm sorry.
no.
Not for me. Dislike most aspects of this
cool album. reminds me of paula abdul but with more wholesome lyrics. i was bopping along
This album was pretty mid to me for the most part. I had never listened to Janet Jackson before, and her songs are well produced, but this does feel pretty disingenuous. Maybe Janet really does feel that music can save the world, but Rhythm Nation, State of the World, and The Knowledge all seem to trivialize the real state of things. Though the ending of Livin in a World is pretty haunting, given the amount of shooting issues we've certainly had since this album came out. As for the actual songs, I did actually like Alright, Come Back to Me, and Someday is Tonight.
Rhythm Nation the song is really very good to be honest, and not a song I knew. Seems to have aged really well despite/because of(?) the very period production. Several songs in and it's all polished but the similarity in production is leaving me tired and feeling I'm listening to the same thing over and over. That changed with the syrupy Living in a World... which I hated. Commendable message of course but nope musically. Then that production is back in force! All the same noises. Alright is... alright, as it happens. Escapade always reminded me of Jump for My Love by The Pointer Sisters. Another thought, Janet Jackson ballads and Michael Jackson ballads sound way too similar to eachother. Somewhere between a 2 and 3 for me, see how moody I am in the morning when it's ratin' time. Well I woke up and my cold is worse than yesterday, sorry Janet, those are the breaks.
I have to admit I was not at all excited to listen to this album. It doesn't help that Janet looks ESPECIALLY like Michael on the album cover (it's the nose, isn't it???). I've never been a fan, which isn't to say I don't like her music, I just never felt particularly interested in listening to her. I don't like her voice. Rhythm Nation is....just ok. I was much more interested in listening to MJ's music growing up (including the Jackson 5) but not really Janet. Sorry, Janet!
Big on drums. It's funny the way I've always associated Janet Jackson's songs with a certain type of hard-hitting, rhythmic drum beat. There are some pretentious interludes, but I guess they kind of set up the next song? Meh. Distinctly late 80s and definitely has a few songs I can bob my head too. Obviously, the title track, "Rhythm Nation" is probably the best song on the album.
No Notes!
Interlude: Pledge - 7/10 Rhythm Nation - 8/10 Interlude: T.V. - 7/10 State of the World - 8/10 Interlude: Race - 7/10 The Knowledge - 7.5/10 Interlude: Let's Dance - 7/10 Miss You Much - 7.5/10 Interlude: Come Back Interlude - 7/10 Love Will Never Do (Without You) - 8/10 Livin' in a World (They Didn't Make) - 7.5/10 Alright - 7.5/10 Interlude: Hey Baby - 7/10 Escapade - 8/10 Interlude: No Acid - 7/10 Black Cat - 7.5/10 Lonely - 8/10 Come Back to Me - 7.5/10 Someday Is Tonight - 7.5/10 Interlude: Livin'...In Complete Darkness - 7/10 TOTAL - 141.5/200
89 was a monster year for hip hop. 3rd best only beaten by 3 feet high and rising and Pauls Boutique.
Enjoyed this a lot more than I expected.
Nope
I had forgotten this album existed…listened, and will forget.
A wild fever dream of intense over produced synth sounds. Intriguing though I must admit. Prince like at times but the instruments sound so tinny. It’s so weird. I like the vocals. Especially the harmonies and catchy double vocal parts/backup singing
Pretty dreadful. Sounded like the backstreet boys
Nothing much to it. Poor beats.
A lot of the 80s sound has come back in fashion but this Casio keyboard basic drum beats hadn’t yet. Probably for good reason as it all sounds way too basic.
Did not enjoy. Low 2.
Vacillates wildly between danceable funky all-time bangers, and very dull R & B
Not my thing
kinda boring, not my type of music NNN
love this album!!!!!!! Janet is a queen and there are so many classic bops on this record!!!!!!!
During State of the world I had a feeling this was gonna be a tough one to get through. Love will never do is a fun song, from there on it gets better. Not really my thing but not bad 2.1*
Vapid and boring
Many of these sound like "Equal Rights" from Popstar. Lyrically, this is rough.
La voce assomiglia tantissimo a quella di Michael! Bello!
Classic
80-90s pop vibes here other than her brother is some of the best of it too. I maybe could’ve only done without one track and definitely had some 👍s.
Liked it more than I thought, but also wasn't going to listen to an hour of it
God I hate albums that kick off with "Interlude"! Even a prelude ;) Pop dance music ain't my thing - I prefer more substance And I can't stand senseless drum machines, mindless ooh aah lyrics Anyway, I listened to the entire album and didn't even find a single track I liked. A very disappointing one star.
Surprised how much I liked this!
Iconic album, but I really hate how the snare drums sound in these songs.
It was good to hear. Some songs i even might take into my playlists… llets see
Background music, but not unpleasant background music
2+
Very ahead of it's time for an album released in the early 1800's. ⏩⏩⏩⏩
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Tiene algunos temas que superan la sobreproducción ochentera.
shes so young! i hope it's something I can get behind. Kinda a bummer, her music is overwrought for me. 3. I can see why it's top rated though. its like, so much of music now.
production and composition are excellent, especially the transitions. the variety of themes in the lyrics can be a bit jarring, and some songs are a bit longer than necessary. overall really strong album, but it's missing songs that are simply catchy
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 great album! Still relevant 35 years later! Such a fun treat for your headphones/ears.
It was a good pop album. I liked the stylization of this with all the interludes but nothing stood out to me
Not bad, a bit corny lyrically but instrumentals bang. dare i say, sexy?
•Owned •An album that frantically (often coldly) jumps between social commentary/breaking news and ballads/dance pop, Rhythm Nation expects you to dance to the hits but demands that you hear the message it's brought along. All with love and no cynicism. The New Jack Swing palate may feel dated, but hey, these goosebumps are still happening. •5/5
It's a good album but I didn't like ot as much as a lot of my other 3's so it gets a 2. Good voice tho
A proper gem
This is probably one of the albums when people ask what surprised me from the list that I will use as an example. I always wrote this off as it came out when I was quite young and as it wasn’t in my typical genre I summarily wrote it off. Turns out I really like the theme and execution. This is the type of record that I was hoping to find in this 1001 journey.
Perfekt produziert. Überragender Sound.
There's some fat funky beats all over this thing, but it does drag on a little bit, especially as you get towards the last stretch. Nice that she tried to have some meaning to her lyrics, don't see myself returning to it much though.
I did not care at all for this. Too long and all sounded the same.
This was quite dull, just the same sort of thing all the way through, wasn't bad, but it just wasn't anything interesting.
Not sure what to make of this one. I remember Miss You Much and the tilte track as singles, liked them both causally at the time. Very original and unrelenting sample based production. Does have that thing of telling us all we need to pull together to make things better whilst being a very comfortable and successful person. Comes across a bit lame and preachy. It's the gritty midlle bit to Janet's excellent purple patch though.
I love this album. It’s incredibly over produced and LOUD….but that was the sound of the time (‘Purple’ Jack Swing). So many hits that will now be stuck in my head for the next year. 2 stars EACH for Jimmy Jamm and Terry Lewis. Long live ‘The Time’!!!
Sounds very dated in a genre I don’t really like anyways so will not be returning to this one. Love the cover art tho Rating: 2.3
This is just not my thing. At over an hour long this was a slog. WAY overproduced. I found myself trying to figure out if there were any actual instruments played on this album. Everything sounded like it was done on a synthesizer or so overprocessed that it didn't sound like the instrument that was supposedly being played. Electronic drums are one of my pet peeves and they made too many of the songs sound the same. There's nothing here that I'd want to revisit.
First song was fun, but they almost all sounded the same after that. The heavy, synthetic drums got really old. I don't watch the videos now, however I remember they were fun back in the day for the dancing. But I'm rating the music now, not the visuals.
Sorry, not my type of music
Drum machines, sappy lyrics about love, at least 2 songs about don't do drugs, and the songs are much too long, "Alright" is obnoxiously long.
It’s Rhythm Nation. What is there to say. It’s a fantastic exploration for Janet. As an artist, as a woman. She clearly found a little of herself with this album. It’s a full fledged pop masterwork. It might also be her crowning moment.
I had forgotten how many of these songs I knew. (Dumb moment: I always thought "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" was called "They Said It Wouldn't Last". My mistake. The ultra-serious moment: "Livin' In A World (They Didn't Make)" seems forced right after "Love Will Never Do". There needed to be a better transition, which should have been interludes between every other song. And the ending (with the kids screaming) to it is creepy not powerful. Top songs "Miss You Much" (always one of my favorites of hers), "Escapade," the title track.
Difficult album to rate. First, persisting, and overall impression? A 3.5. Why? I'll start with the bad. It is so stereotypically 80's with the production and musical engineering - from the repeated use of that synth drum slap sound (Miss You Much, Love Will Never Do, Alright) and other cheesy drum track effects (State of the World, Escapade, Black Cat) to finger snaps (Lonely, Come Back to Me), those short shrieks made famous in It Takes Two (Rhythm Nation, Alright), that howling/whistling synth sound on Lonely (you know the one, can't place which other 80's song does the same), and some Kenny G-sounding sax to close out the album (Someday is Tonight). But the 80's was also fun if not eccentric, and this album is that too. And Janet brings the energy. Rhythm Nation, Miss You Much, Alright, Escapade, and Black Cat in particular - with her borrowing her brother's move on that last song and going with a pure rocker (courtesy Extreme's guitarist). She is also fierce - not just her delivery but she went with her lyrics and her message and mostly brought it (some of the interludes or songs are too light-hearted). She does the soft stuff pretty well (Love Will Never Do, Come Back to Me, Someday is Tonight), almost as much as the heavier social commentary songs (State of the World, Livin' in a World). No doubt the album is uneven and Janet let the producers get too much say in its sound. But she was told don't do this and it'll bomb, and she did it her way and instead became a superstar. Kudos to that.
Not one of my favourites. But I like to hear it again.
This album was in its heyday when I was in early elementary school. A lot of it sounds dated, in my opinion mainly due to the drums, but there’s no question of the impact this album had on pop music at the time.
Very mixed feelings about this one. Sometimes it hits, but most of the time it's very bland. Even annoyingly bland.
Jackson's immaculate vocals contrast with crunchy, aggressive electronic pop to amazing effect. The complete opposite of the rather bland and unchallenging pop of the 70s and 80s. And you can just feel how this was produced from the ground up to sound great on a CD hifi.
Love Janet + The Minneapolis Sound. The “quiet storm” type songs were not my thing, however.
Disco con muy bien ritmo de un icono de la música de baile de finales de los 80. Sensual y un tanto hip-hop
I couldn't really get into this, Janet. I'm sorry 2
Worst one so far holy shit.
Ugh.
"I thought it would be great if we could create our own nation" hmmm. That sounds like marketing BS to me but it didn't seem to hurt sales. Rhythm Nation was the best selling album of 1989. It was also released the same year Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing hit theaters, and also the same year that Public Enemy released It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back. PE and Spike Lee, not the most mainstream at that time. But Janet, had released Control three years earlier and was a 'Jackson' was definitely mainstream. A year later, Marlon Wayans launched In Living Colour, an edgy sketch comedy show with a majority black cast on the new FOX network. I think anything with a 'Jackson' name on it during that time would've been a hit regardless of the marketing speak. But I also think her sloppy attempt to tie this album to 'social issues' may have increased its timespan of relevancy, and possibly even staved off some critics growing weary of more Jacksons hogging the limelight. This is a straight 80's album with weird synth-y percussions and dancing. There's no shame in it unless you try and label it something its not.
For a concept album addressing social issues, “Rhythm Nation” spent way too little time on addressing social issues. A “Rhythm Nation” that actually used music to unite people in a borderless and hateless society of belonging would be powerful, if that concept was pushed beyond the album’s music. However, Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation 1814” doesn’t do that. It doesn’t even push the concept through the album. Most of the tracks are typical R&B love and longing, and don’t rise to the occasion of a “sociopolitical utopia.” The idea behind it is brilliant - “I thought it would be great if we could create our own nation,” Jackson said, "one that would have a positive message and that everyone would be free to join.” That goal was made clear in the album's first lines - “We are a nation with no geographic boundaries, bound together through our beliefs. We are like-minded individuals, sharing a common vision, pushing toward a world rid of color-lines.” But that utopian nation was not the one described throughout the album. Instead, it was the ills of the United States in 1989 that were dissected. If the sum of the vision of the Rhythm Nation is labeling what is wrong with our present society, then the dream is unrealized. The furthest Jackson takes us is in “The Knowledge” which is unable to provide us with the depth of vision that the knowledge should be able to provide us, beyond the platitudes of “Prejudice (no); Ignorance (no); Bigotry (no); Illiteracy (no).” In spite of all that, the title track, “Miss You Much,” and “Escapade” still hold up decades later. But not much else makes an impact, other than the hard rock departure of “Black Cat.” Things quickly petered out though, as “Lonely” and “Come Back To Me” were boring and killed the album’s momentum. Taking the Rhythm Nation from conception to reality both in music and community would be truly monumental, but unfortunately Jackson does not meaningfully pursue that.
I almost bumped this up to a 4.5 because of Antonio sabato jr in the video for love will only do bc I thought we can all agree he’s a perfect ten and then Rob informed me that he’s now a trump supporter so here we are.
General Jackson coming in hot! While this album distinctly sounds like the late 80s pop era, it’s probably because this album helped define the sound. It does not sound dated though. I like the drum machine beats and the rock-ness of Black Cat. This album is carried by Miss You Much, Escapade, and Black Cat. This album is a historical achievement and definitely deserves to be heard by all before they die. It holds the record for the album with most Billboard Top 5 singles (7). It resides with the crowning female musical accomplishments along with The Go Go’s, Adele, amongst others. For that, I salute Ms Jackson.
This album feels dated, though it has a lot of heart. I’m sure this is s great album for someone else, but for me, it’s kinda meh. Nothing particularly exciting about it. 3/5
Starts well sounding a little bit like Prince from the same era. Last few slower songs are a bit schmaltzy. I love the "got the message, let's dance" bit!
I used to work with a woman who loved this album and spent literally hours telling me how Janet Jackson was the "greatest living talent", a "visionary", and how this album was the most perfect music ever made. I resisted all attempts from her to lend me a copy of this album and there was not much in the way of internet in the late 80s, so I never listened to Rhythm Nation. It turns out that my attempts to avoid this album were more successful than even I realised. I read that there were seven top 5 singles from this album and I had never heard any of them, even the title track was new to me. Turns out I wasn't missing much.
Pretty fun album. Great concept album. Mix of pop and softer ballads.
It's amazing to hear an album this ambitious, conceptual, and confident from a 23-year-old; even more unbelievably, this was only her fourth proper album. I feel like I've missed something from the one listen, so I'd like to revisit this and commit to closer listening. There's the 1989 of it all: the massive drums, glossy backing vocals, and synths. "Dated" tends to have a negative connotation, but I don't mind that I can hear the year on this one. The songs stand up to time. Highlights: Rhythm Nation, Livin' In A World (They Didn't Make), Black Cat
I don't think I've ever listened to or cared about Janet Jackson at all before. So I went into this one without much in the way of expectations. Most of it I ended up liking quite a bit. The album is immaculately produced and pretty varied, with a bunch of different influences but most tracks being pretty nice (the two last songs being an exception, boring). So now I know that JJ is more than only MJ's sister. 3.5 rounded up.
It's a fun dance album for sure, but 64 minutes of a fun dance album is entirely too much time. A lot of the social commentary, which itself is fairly enlightened, has its impact cut short in this format for me too. Favorite track: Rhythm Nation
I miss listening to this album!
Dated so badly
Didn't do much for me.
Solid album!
Very industrial sounding beats Overproduced "concept" album about social issues I guess its a Funk/Pop/RnB/HipHop mashup? Every Song feels like it's one minute too long Good intentions, but ultimatly not for me
I struggle with this type of sound, I never liked the 80’s computerized keyboards and drum machines. Not enough unique sampling or interesting beats to draw me in. New jack swing style isn’t for me.
pretty good but too long. too much interlude stuff. i get it. capitalism bad. some really great songs in here though.
Fed disko. Synes det er meget fedt, måske stor 3er. Men sniger sig op på lille 4 fordi Janet er cool og har noget på hjerte, selvom det nok er lidt banalt
Not my cup of tea
I'd forgotten how good this album was, in many ways Janet always lived in the shadows of Michael and that's a shame as she was a good artist in her own right.
Fine
Janet Jackson largely created a classic here in ‘Rhythm Nation 1814’ that sounds more like her, and less like a Prince album. That influence is still there, with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis producing, but it’s not as overt as on the ‘Control’ album. Instead, we get a New Jack Swing classic with a strong pop-twist, energetic dance songs, and some nice slower rnb love songs/ballads that still swing (To be honest I didn’t know Janet could get that sensual and seductive, but I was pleasantly surprised). Meanwhile, the social commentary is mostly confined to the opening part of the album, and just about works without getting too preachy. It’s not perfect and sounds over produced to modern ears, but I still really like ‘Rhythm Nation 1814’. So did her brother Michael it seems, who basically ripped this off for his own ‘Dangerous’ album in ’91.
Pop. Sintético
She looks like a hip hopper. I don't like hip hop. really not my type of music.
The more uptempo the better. While ambitious thematically it does not feel as ambitious when the songs slow down.
Classic 90s sound, very prince. Some cool off beat drum patterns, interesting high end synth hits. Can see the influence on subsequent pop sounds like nsync, bruno, kimbra even
Lots of powerful lyrics and messages, sound doesn't feel as timeless but I'm sure I would have liked this more if I was a teen when it came out.
Crazy how her career kind of ended because of a wardrobe malfunction that she had no control over. This is how you know the music industry aint shit. Sometimes I like her style of singing, other times I don't. It feels like she could be less soft in how she sang. The production is very of its time, but it is really good. A lot of similarities to Michale Jackson for some reason... Pretty good overall. Production Carries this for sure, but her singing isn't bad just not something I enjoy a lot. Feeling a strong 3 to light 4
Nice vibe, can see a lot of Michael in this, not my sound but I didn't mind it.
Awesome.
Not my vibe. Janet Jackson is definitely talented but the music didn't really resonate with me. Unfortunately after this I probably wouldn't listen again. Maybe her other albums would speak to me more but this one just didn't cut it for me.
Their first or second beat album
Not very good as an album, but some good songs in it. Nice slow eighties pop.
Surprisingly more into this than I thought I'd be
Bangers Galore, and I'm not just saying that because Bangers Galore is also my mom's stripper name.
Why do artists like this "interlude" stuff so much?
I don't remember any of these songs but I do remember when she flashed her breast at the Superbowl. That probably says more about me than it does about this album.
A couple of the songs, like "State of the World" are okay. The production sounds dated, especially when comparing it to Soul II Soul, which came out the following year, though this has the same sound as Madonna's "Like a Prayer" from around that time. Also, some of the "interludes" are annoying. That said I'll bump it up point for her tackling of social issues.
pretty dated orchestration. Fun and got me moving, but I won't listen again
Not for me
It’s nice to hear Janet Jackson, as it really feels like she was blacklisted and is barely heard ever since the Super Bowl incident which is such a shame. Her talent is on full display here, with catchy beats, socially conscious lyrics, and beautiful singing. There’s some great hits here, and while I’ve definitely heard “Escapade” I don’t think I’ve ever attributed it to Janet. However, the music just sounds dated overall. Very 80s, very heavily produced. And the socially conscious lyrics and general concept of the album is a bit cheesy.
один раз только послушала, можно ли делать вывод? не моё, но вокал приятнее чем у другого Джексона
More than a bit too long but there are plenty of bangers and I'm going to go against the grain and say the production was great.
Damn fine album. Fuck Justin Timerlake. 5 stars.
Fun album. The social commentary was a bit heavy handed at the beginning but after the first 3 tracks she said, "Get the point? Good. Let's dance." Afterwards followed more typical songs
So 80's
enjoyed, peak 80s
Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 is the fourth album by American singer-songwriter Janet Jackson. She considered it a concept album about social issues including racism, poverty, substance abuse, and romance. Rhythm Nation is a fusion of pop, R&B, and hip hop collectively known as new jack swing. Critically and commercially acclaimed, the album topped the Billboard 200 chart, is certified 6x platinum (reached double platinum in its year of release), was the best-selling album of 1990, and is considered Janet Jackson's musical career peak. It's the only album ever to have 7 top-5 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. This album was a perfect follow up to Jackson's third album Control. She capitalized off the hype of Control and set the bar higher with Rhythm Nation. The music is great and seems to break down barriers between listeners. Jackson wanted us to all feel the same thing when we listened to this album, and she did a wonderful job at making an awesome album.
"Now our kids can't go out to play / that's the state of the world today" Hmm I don't know about that...I was a kid when this came out, and I played outside unsupervised all the time, as did my same-age American friends, as they've told me. I used to play by myself at a park three-quarters of a mile from our house when I was 5. It was a little jarring hearing upbeat pop songs with lyrics about what's wrong with the world. I like pop music so this was fine, but I wouldn't listen to it again. It also sounded very dated, and I like 80s pop. Good for her for writing the album she wanted to write, and sticking it to the record company. I guess it paid off!
Did not like it one bit.
Lijkt wel of dit album is gemaakt met één drum machine, wat een 80’s bak. Lyrics slaan nergens op in vergelijking met het doel van t album maar whatever. Klinkt wel geinig voor de rest. 3.2
Did you ever notice you never saw Michael and Janet together at the same time? And since he passed away, Janet no longer performs? Coincidence? I think not. I'd rate this a "2" but there is some wicked guitar work mixed in throughout this album so +1.
I wasn't sure what I was going to think of this one, but I loved it beginning to end. I was surprised how many of the songs I'd known although I'd never listened to them in album form. I enjoyed the flow from song to song and even the bits between. The title track is such a good funky intro to the album. "Escapade" remains one of my all-time favorite songs. I drove a few extra miles to keep listening to it while driving. Perfection. "Black Cat" was a song I didn't remember much, but I really enjoyed the heavy metal feel. That was unexpected. I could listen to it all over again today.