CD Review
Artist: Janet Jackson
Title: Discipline
Label: Universal Music/Island Records
Released: February 25^th 2008 

3 Stars

Reviewed By: Kindah Mardam Bey

Between my junior high and high school years Miss. Janet Jackson (as she was formerly called) was hugely popular. Every girl wanted to be part of the socially conscious Rhythm Nation. With such outstanding tracks on a single album as ‘Rhythm Nation' ‘Black Cat' ‘Escapade' ‘Miss You Much' ‘Love Will Never Do (Without You)' and ‘Alright' (which had a fabulous zoot suit music video) all helped to solidify Miss. Janet Jackson as a megastar. When I went to the Rhythm Nation 1814 concert, it was a site to behold. Then the Miss. Jackson was dropped and she became simply known as Janet for her fifth album, which brought us a more sultry sound with ‘That's The Way Love Goes' ‘If' and ‘Again.' Then we lost that bright star somewhere between The Velvet Rope and All For You. Of course she still sells a mammoth amount of albums, but her style has diminished greatly. What I realized when listening to Discipline that in the fifteen years since Junior High I appear to have matured, but Janet has digressed from maturity; even from her former self.

Discipline, Janet's tenth album, and first for Island Records after her contract completion for Virgin Records, was intended to bring a new sound from the Janet camp. Jackson worked with producers such as Rodney Jerkins, Jermaine Dupri (the beau), Ne-Yo, Shea Taylor, Stargate, Johnta Austin, Tricky Stewart and The-Dream on Discipline. Sometimes too many cooks in the kitchen can be a problem. The question should be, what do the cooks want from the cake? As all these producers seem to be amply alright with Janet erotically pouring out songs best suited for the stage of a strip club. What woman of flesh and blood and even an ounce of self-respect would want to make this album her own state of mind? Even collaborating with Missy Elliott, who has a strong grasp of vernacular and was paired with Janet on their hit ‘You're So Vain' (a cover of the Carly Simon hit) seems to be equally mislead by the boys club on this album. I was disappointed with the Missy Elliot track, as she always seems to elevate an album, but not this time. 

We've seen the slow decline of Janet's music go from strong beats, unique and socially conscious sound to songs that are reminiscent of ‘love cooing,' very bland and ineffectual. If you have heard albums six through nine and you loved them, you will love ten. If you have managed to mature at any rate within that time frame, the tenth album might not be what you are looking for. 

‘Interludes' like ‘Truth Or Dare,' didn't Madonna do that a decade ago? Or ‘Rock With U' had me remember a song title similar to this one sung by her brother over a decade ago! But that was when track titles used to be spelled correctly. ‘So Much Betta' samples the track ‘Daftendirekt' by French house duo Daft Punk.

The most self-abasing Janet could get was the title track Discipline, which was a virtual peek show into her S&M love life (with Dupri? I dread to imagine). Now I'll never get those five minutes back! Oh well, I suspect it will be very useful for teenage boys on their IPod while they are in their parents house, in the bathroom for long periods of time. For the rest of us, the lyrics like ‘Daddy I disobeyed ya, now I need punishing' just makes us remember those ‘rumours' about how
the poor Jackson kids were treated by their Father.

How did Janet come to this? She was so vibrant and intelligent, and now she seems to be mislead, and somewhat of a sex toy? With strong female examples within the music industry like Mary J Blige, Alicia Keys, and Missy Elliott, why doesn't Janet take a page out of a younger notebook on self-worth? Janet's music used to be sultry, sweet and sexy, but now they just seem nasty.

1. I.D. (Interlude)
2. Feedback (R. Jerkins)
3. LUV (R. Jerkins)
4. Spinnin (Interlude)
5. Rollercoaster (Terry 'The Maddscientist' Thomas)
6. Bathroom Break (Interlude)
7. Rock with U (J. Dupri, Ne-Yo)
8. 2nite (Stargate)
9. Can't B Good (Ne-Yo, D. DoRohn Gough) featuring Ne-Yo
10. 4 Words (Interlude)
11. Never Letchu Go (J. Austin, J. Dupri)
12. Truth or Dare (Interlude)
13. Greatest X (The-Dream, T. Stewart)
14. Good Morning Janet (Interlude)
15. So Much Betta
16. Play Selection (Interlude)
17. The 1 (featuring Missy Elliott) (J. Dupri)
18. What's Ur Name (J. Dupri)
19. The Meaning (Interlude)
20. Discipline (Shea Taylor, Ne-Yo)
21. Back (Interlude)
22. Curtains (R. Jerkins)
23. Let Me Know (Ne-Yo) (iTunes, Australia and Japan bonus track)
24. Feedback (Ralphi Rosario Electro Shock Radio Edit) (Japan bonus track only)