Janet Jackson - Control

 Control
Janet Jackson really knows what gets people moving with her songs. Keep up the great work. April 5, 2008

 Janet Jackson Need to Listen to This CD
This was back in the day before Janet starting singing the same old "sex kitten" tunes. It albums like this and "Rhythm Nation" where she was singing real songs. March 15, 2008

 "Control"-A Breakthrough Classic
The 80s! Virtually where music was at it's finest and some of the world's biggest artist broke out to become legends. The biggest without a doubt was Micheal Jackson who by 1984 broke dozens of records with his monster hit "Thriller". From his videos to his performances, Micheal was everywhere and crowned the one of the greatest artists to ever live. It seems that there was no room for any of the other Jackson siblings to follow in his shadow, especially the youngest of the family, Janet! By 1985Janet was at an ultimate career low with both her albums "Janet Jackson" (1982) and "Dreamstreet" (1984) being huge flops. But Janet never let the overwhemling success of her big brother get in her way, firing her father as her manager and collaborating for the first with legendary producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Janet took "control" of not only career but he rlife and created one of the finest albums of the 80s. Filled with infectious beats, outspoken lyrics, wonderful arrangements, and Janet's sassy vocals, "Control" is an album that made the masses take notice at is scored Janet 5 top 10 singles, her first #1 hit, and selling over 14 million albums worldwide (5 million in the U.S.). This wonderful album can be sumed up like this:

Control-Beginning with the unforgettable monologue about her "control", the song takes off to pop paradise as the 80s funk and the bold lyrics mix mash to make great statement about what the album is all about.-5/5 stars

Nasty-One of Janet's first signature songs, with her declaring herself Ms. Jackson...if you're nasty for the first time and her sassy attitude as she sings through the pop/r&b groove, this is an undenible catchy hit and classic.-5/5 stars

What Have You Done For Me Latey-Very catchy and showing for the first time a very take charge side of Janet, it's no wonder this was her very first hit and it still wonderful to this day!-5/5 stars

Can You Be Mine-A very sweet and bubblegum pop song! Janet sounds so cute, the lyrics are nice, and I can't help but sing along.-4/5 stars

Pleasure Principle-Hard to believe this rock/r&b classic never made it past the top 10! Janet's vocals are strong as well as the arrangements being flawless. The guitar solo during the middle of the song is so perfectly placed. Truly one of Janet's best and most memorable hits!-5/5 stars

When I Think of You-Becoming Janet's first #1 hit, the song is a fun-filled jam with upbeat lyrics and Janet's usual charming singing.-4.5/5 stars

He Doesn't Know I'm Alive-Probably the best non-single song on the album, Janet's impressive vocal range and her sweet lyrics are a perfect blend of excellence.-5/5 stars

Let's Wait Awhile-Who says Ms. Jackson can't sing a ballad? A song with a very significant message about waiting for your first, Janet shows that she is an artist with class and her vocals are sweet.-5/5 stars

Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun)-A very sensual yet mysterious ballad that has Janet speaking some well spoken french and expressing sadness as her fun has just ended. One of the first indications of Janet's sexy side, this is solid ender to this album.-4/5 stars

"Control" is unforgettable statement of independence that jump started Janet's amazing career. Hard to believe this is only the beginning of the incredible music this women would release to the masses. February 6, 2008

 Step Aside Michael, here comes Janet!
Look before she did a stunt at the Superbowl, she broke through the ranks of pop selling music star with this album entitled Control. I love the songs but I love Let's Wait a While because it's my favorite of hers. In all honesty, I prefer Janet over Michael. She has a great range in music, she sings about love, relationships, and being a woman of the 1980s and of the modern age. I hope she still sings these songs at concerts. She is equally talented as Michael and maybe more so because she is also a talented dancer as well. January 23, 2008

 Unparalleled and here's why
This album is Janet Jackson's "Thriller" and is undeniably the absolute essential JJ album any hardcore or even more casual fan must own.

CHART-TOPPING HITS
Nine tracks on the entire album and six were breakout hits!

REPLAY VALUE
It's 22 years later and this album has retained a timeless quality -- something few albums of any genre of music have done. I still love this album and so does my seven-year-old brother who can get into this despite being enundated by the flavor of the month pop/hiphop/R&B songstresses of the day.

GENRE-DEFINING INFLUENCE
Give equal credit to Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for creating a (at the time) new sound by laying Janet's gentle, soothing vocals over their high energy beats, producing a cutting edge combination at the time. Janet broke out at a time when all the best singers of the time had flair and five octave voices (Whitney Houston, Tina Turner, Patti LaBelle, Anita Baker, Stephanie Mills, Teena Marie) though decidedly more refined styles. Janet couldn't compete vocally with any of these fine ladies, yet she outsold all of them and gained invaluable radioplay -- two factors that made the industry take notice and crank out cheap knockoffs with the same formulaic approach for the next 20 years (and counting).

"Control" is Janet's masterpiece. It remains as refreshing and exciting as feel-good music goes.

Pleasure Principle, Control, Nasty, When I Think of You, Let's Wait Awhile, What Have You Done For Me Lately. Fantastics songs and fantastic videos, each and every one! Love, love, love!

This album makes me feel like a kid again.

Paula Abdul, Jody Watley, Tiffany, Debi Gibson, Shanice, Aaliyah, Britney Spears, Mandy Moore, Ashanti, Ciara, Rihanna--did I miss anyone? They all should thank Janet for opening the lane that gave them careers!

It all goes back to this album. Period.

January 20, 2008

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