janet phoned it in...
357497
I am a huge Stephanie Plum fan - so much so that I even read the fan fiction on a regular basis.

The high water mark of the series was Twelve Sharp, IMO.  The series has steadily gone downhill from there.  It's like Janet no longer loves or cares about these characters.

All of the characters felt flat and one-dimensional.  AND, OMG, she actually recycled dialogue from Ranger to Stephanie on the comic relief/line item under entertainment.

Not to mention that while Stephanie has previously worked for/with Ranger and for/with Rangeman - Ranger actually told her that she was "unqualified" to be hired at Rangeman?  that was just insulting and so out of character.

I was glad to see Ranger & Stephanie finally again do the deed, but it just seemed weird.  No guilt on Stephanie's part and no warmth on Ranger's.  Those scenes read like an outline that hadn't been fleshed out.

That being said, I'm looking forward to November & #18.  but really, if it doesn't improve, Janet should just hire some of the FF writers to continue the series because, some of them are outshining the original.
3930861
Even though I didn't think the 20 Y.O album was awful I didn't think it sounded like Janet, but she definitely redeemed herself from this album and I love the album. In my opinion the weakest song on the album is Greatest X, other than that, every song needs to be blasted. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the title track "Discipline," and "Curtains" Those are my two favorite. I love you Janet and can't wait to see you on tour this time around, PLEASE COME AS CLOSE TO TALLAHASSEE, FL as possible. (I don't even know why I said that as if she's gonna read this, oh well)
3687705
Let me start by saying I'm a huge Janet Jackson fan of her music & acting :-)  I remember when this album came out way back in '86 its quite a treat in a half to say the very least! I had this on cassesette but my player broke so I had to RE-purchase it on cd most recently. This album(CD)is 1 of 2 great ones that Janet put out next to Rythem Nation1816. This album let the world know that she maybe Michael's younger sister but she has a voice of her very own & NOW is the time to express it because she's in Control :-).There are so many Great songs to listen to but my favs: Control,The Pleasure Principle,Nasty & Let's wait awhile. If your new to Janet Jacksons music ur in for a real treat & if ur a fan then U know how gr8 this album is already. Don't think BUY IT well worth every penny spent on it :-) -D.M. Switzer
4207180
After 4 albums that overall went in very different directions artistically, Janet seems to be settling into familiar territory once again.  The result is a fresh new album that utilizes perfectly the dance/funk/r&b masterpieces that Janet has been creating with Jam & Lewis for years.  "All for You" is an incredibly catchy pop number.  "Come on Get Up" is cute, but like Madonna's "Don't Stop" (from Bedtime Stories) seems like throwaway pop just meant to score an instant dance single.  It lacks the carefree groove of songs like Miss You Much and Love Will Never Do.
"You Ain't Right" is a scorching dance number with great vocal effects and a thumping bassline.  Similarly, "Trust a Try" uses unique, quick-dropping melodies to deliver a rather blunt (read: nasty!) message to the ex-hubby who tried to take Janet to the cleaners.  "Someone to Call my Lover" is a cute dance song.
I've never really cared for the slow songs Janet's produced post-Rhythm Nation.  Ooh'ing and ahh'ing for no other purpose than to talk dirty to music never does much for me.. and it's still hard to think of Janet as a sex object since she was so adamantly against being viewed as one in her earlier, pre-6-pack days.
Ultimately, however, "All for You" is a great collection of new Janet material, and I look forward to the accompanying videos and mixes of her material.  Well worth the investment.
1807004
On first listen, "Discipline" is a bit of a let down. Sure, the lead single "Feedback" is up-beat and rather pop orientated, but the lyrics seem all over the place, and at times, so does the entire album. Janet doesn't seem to take as many chances musically with this release as she has with previous ones. Is this 'classic' Janet, though? I'd say it is, simply because the sound echoes musical directions she's taken on older albums. There are many points when the album takes on an 80s or early 90s vibe. This, for me, made it a bit better because it doesn't suffer the problems that came with "20 Y.O.", her ode to her years in the business, a let down in that it sounded nothing like the songs and material that got her to where she is today.

One thing that really distracts one from "Discipline" are all of these unnecessary interludes (do we really need an interlude titled 'Bathroom Break'?). If you remove them (via a music player or iTunes) and listen to the whole album, then yes, it does sound a lot better. With these criticisms, there are some good things that are praise worthy coming from this disc. The first half of the disc is really strong and upbeat (a usual for Janet it seems). Some of her best songs from this album are the bouncy "Luv", an upbeat love ballad of sorts with Janet proclaiming that her man has crashed into her heart and how she's tangled with him. "Rollercoaster" has some good vocals in my opinion with Janet playing with harmony and the actual music taking a backseat to her voice and the vibe of the song really feeling addictive. "2Nite" closes out this set of upbeat songs with Janet's vocals making this entire track sound like a B-side from one of her 90s album.

This is, for me, when the album becomes a let down because we enter into a slow lull with songs that sound the same and aren't as exciting. "Never Letchu Go" and "Greatest X" are the best songs from this section, featuring, get this, Janet actually SINGING instead of doing her usual cooing, whispering, baby talk. "So Much Betta" is a sassy track with a computerized voice proclaiming that she's so much betta than the other girls and is highly addictive, definitely single material. The other songs, including "Can't B Good", the overly sexualized and corny "The 1" featuring Missy, the messy title track "Discipline", and the forgettable songs of "Curtains" and "What's Ur Name" really sound distracting and as if they were after thoughts to the great selection featured on the first half of the album. It left me feeling as if she didn't think out a real direction and just tried to string some random songs together and for me, it didn't work.

In all, "Discipline" is average. I can't help but to compare this to her other releases and think of this as being a very tame, safe, almost quiet cd. It loses steam in the second half and the profusion of interludes is distracting and takes your attention away from the actual songs. They do, in some way, give an indication of the twists and turns of the music, but in the end, they feel as if they're simply filler to make it look like the consumer is purchasing a 22 track cd when really there are just 15 or so. I wish more thought had been put into the direction or theme of the album because without listening to some special commentary or interview, it almost feels as if there are two or three ideas competing for attention on this cd, making it seem like an average, amateurish attempt rather than the strong effort we're all aware Janet Jackson can accomplish. One thing I am pleased with is her decision to limit the overly sexual content to just one or two songs, mainly being 'The 1'. It helped this cd, and the artist, feel like a real professional rather than someone trying to compete for attention. In all, "Discipline" is okay but nothing out of the norm.
1062884
This is Janet's best album ever.  She did a good job with the style of music and her vocal.  You will not be disappointed! One of her best songs in my opinion is Thinkin' Bout My Ex.
29773
Just when you are thinking you know what Janet is going to tell us, she shocks us with a unexpected heroine! I loved this even a little more than #8, my favorite until #22.
1457229
I have been an avid fan of Janet Jackson for many years, but over the years my view of her has changed.  In the 80's and 90's she made truly innovative music that set the trend for Pop/R&B/Dance music, but recently Janet and her record company seem more preoccupied with making money than making cutting-edge music.  It seems as if everything Janet does these days is a publicity move or strategically planned out by her backers.  Her public persona has become a whole different person than the Janet we knew 20, even 10, years ago.  Now at the age of 40 she seems more interested in making music that the will keep her relevant rather than music she truly wants to make.

With her last cd, Damita Jo, being a flop she has the added pressure of recreating another hit, as well as the fact that she is older, and her main audience is a good 15 to 25 years younger than herself.  She is trying too hard to prove she is still youthful and sexy, which explains all of her recent barely clothed magazine covers.  At 40 she looks better than any woman I know that age, but too much publicity has been placed on her super sexy physique, rather than her music.  We get it Janet, you look good, but that alone doesn't sell CD's.

But I digress, back to the music.  20 Y.O. is a CD that tries to appeal to the current Pop trend rather than make it.  The songs here are good R&B and Dance songs, but the problem is that any of the current Pop Divas could be heard singing them (i.e. Ciara, Beyonce, Rhianna)  The list goes on.  Janet has lost her unique sound in favor of radio play.

That being said, many of the songs are well made for Urban radio (because, of course, that is what is reining the charts recently). 'So excited', 'show me', 'get it out me' are well produced JD tracks, but do we really want to hear 40 year old Janet Jackson singing about things a 20 year old would, regardless if she still 'feels' 20?  As we all know, youth is golden in Hollywood.  At this point in her life, I would expect wiser, more knowledgeable lyrics.  When Madonna turned 40 she did just that with the very mature 'Ray of Light.'  What 40 year old musician do you know is still naked in her videos as with 'So Excited.'

Don't get me wrong, I really like the playful 'Daybreak' and the laid back 'Enjoy' because those are true Janet joints.  But for the most part Janet seems more interested in staying as close to the top as long as she can, rather than making true Janet tunes.

In the end, 20 Y.O. is a well produced CD, but the Janet we all once loved is no longer here.  She has so much money riding on her that her record company will do anything to have her keep selling CD's.  20 Y.O. is a CD made to make money, not to make groundbreaking music; and as long as you keep that in account you will enjoy this CD, but don't expect another "Rhythm Nation" or "Velvet Rope."  In todays society age is such a big factor that she can no longer take any chances with her music.  She has to make exactly what is popular now.  Janet is one of the oldest R&B stars still around which is great for her, but her music is therefore made to try and keep her seem young and just as youthful as her fellow Pop competition.  At the ripe old age of 40 Janet is still lucky to be in the business and I suspect we will never again see another classic Janet CD because of this fact.  So for now, hold on to those "Control's" and "Janet" albums and remember what she once represented.  A truly one of a kind, creative artist.  This CD is a must for fans, but all others might be disappointed.
1271569
I don't know how she does it. Just when you think Stephanie has to be done, Janet finds a way to put her in another situation that makes you literally laugh out loud. I find I can't read in bed with her books-I keep waking my husband up, and I always know what my daughter is reading if she starts laughing when she's reading her Kindle. I'll be sorry to get caught up, she needs to learn to write faster!
4961667
I think most women already know about this language barrier, or behaviour barrier, or do we? I don't think we want to know most of the time. Maybe it is more comforting, in the short term, to think that a promised call REALLy means that he is busy, gone to china, or dropped dead on his way to call us. It is probably no surprise to finally know that was not the case. I am so happy that Greg wrote this book. I think it is about time we all say what we mean, and mean what we say!! How idealistic of me!!

Happy reading!!
3974777
Tony Dunbar could make the phone book interesting to read!!
4270736
I'm a huge fan, but this was just phoned in...literally.
554602
The fact that I can block 300 calls is what appealed to me during this political fiasco. There is some static, not all the time but occasional.
1328259
Love Janet. However, beyond Sleep I am trying to get into the other songs. This has never been a struggle on any other Janet album. However she is an icon and I will support her regardless because I know her quality of work.
3243774
There are 2 reasons that I read this book; first I had just met Janet and learned she had written this book and the second reason was the cover and title of the book. Both reasons very appealing! The book was a fun read, both funny and thought provoking. I have passed the book along to friends in HR as well as my book club. We have all related to the book in various ways. Well done, Janet. I look forward to the next book.
3300400
I'm a firm believer that you don't have to be vulgar to display artistry. In Janet's early works,you would never imagine her doing some of the things she did on this album. On one track...I believe it's "Would You Mind" she gets...a little too excited to put it lightly. Also,the Carly Simon track is repulsive. But,the album does have its gems that make it worth buying. Of course the wonderful (but overplayed) "All For You" with its great beat and catchy chorus. "Someone To Call My Lover" is another great track and so is the 2000 single "Doesn't Really Matter" (although it is not the radio version) Anyways,there are some good tracks and if you like the singles,I say go for it. I just want to stress,though that this album is not for children by any means. But if you repulsed by recorded sexual simulations and certain four letter words,I think its best to stay clear and buy "Design of A Decade."
2465530
I am taking  the book with me to enjoy some of that which Janet has written. So nice to have some
inside information!