Janet Jackson is a legend. She can work with whomever she likes; she can get the hottest producers for her album; and she has performed all over the world. With that being said, it's disappointing to see her compete with newcomers like Beyonce, Britney Spears and Ciara, because somehow, someway, she feels as if in order for her to properly compete with them she needs to completely alter her musical style. For someone who hasn't been in the business as long as Janet, and hasn't built her own style and does not have a platform of loyal fans, this change may be suitable. However, with the new album, Discipline, Janet decided she was going to go techno. That was a big no-no.
What Discipline provides is the same soft-voiced Janet over loud music, but this time, the music is not even the usual R&B sound, which can be tolerated with her voice. It is more of a techno/synthesized/rave-ready vibe. Not fitting for an R&B Queen like Janet. Then there are the interludes where she talks to some computer pet or robot. What is probably supposed to sound futuristic and boundary-pushing comes off as Janet trying to hard to do something different.
Songs like "Rock With You" are filled with computer-voiced synthesizers and repetitive pounding beats. It is horrible. It makes the listener wonder if Janet has reached her creative musical end. There are also the usual sexual innuendos that Janet is known for sprinkling throughout her albums. There is nothing fresh about it, and Janet doesn't evolve the now clichéd-concept into any new ground. The "Greatest X" is Janet's ode to a past love. The track is lucky enough to not be boggled down with a techno beat; instead it takes a softer approach with some fragile piano keys. Yet it's still mediocre at best.
"The 1" features Missy Elliot, while Janet offers up her aforementioned sexual overtones. This track is more radio friendly and takes her back to her R&B roots with its heavy bass. Missy's quirky rhymes also aid the song. "Curtains" is another a sexual song, but the production on this track is more tolerable because its contemporary R&B sound that features heavy horns and guitar riffs.
Overall, Discipline is a disappointment. Janet's time seems to have passed and her competition has taken over. Unfortunately, listening to her music just makes you pensively reminisce about her platinum past. Hey, at least we were able to enjoy her music for over a decade.
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