Janet Jackson
1989
Tracks
1. Rhythm Nation
2. State Of The World
3. Knowledge
4. Miss You Much
5. Love Will Never Do (Without You)
6. Livin' In A World (They Didn't Make)
7. Alright
8. Escapade
9. Black Cat
10. Lonely
11. Come Back To Me
12. Someday Is Tonight
Well that certainly hit close to home. Not that racism is ever irrelevant, but it was particularly powerful right now. I feel like when artists tackle political subjects it can come across as grating and preachy, but Jackson manages these conversations in her music very well.
This is probably because the songs are so damn catchy. I particularly enjoyed "Alright" and "Miss You Much." "Black Cat" was also great, and produced by somebody named Jellybean, which earns it extra points. And unlike some of the previous recent entries on the List, it doesn't scream "the 80s." It just softly whispers "the 80s."
Definitely the superior of the Jacksons.
RATING: 4/5
I liked some of the industrial beats in the first half, but found most of the music rather banal. I'd say they needed to involve more musicians in the process, there aren't enough good musical ideas here coming from just two or three people. Apparently this album was made in seclusion out of fear their label would interfere, wanting something more like Jackson's previous hit album Control.
ReplyDeleteMadonna's album from this year was heaps better, speaking of pop divas from the 80's.