Each song is different, there is a different style for each song. "If" is the standout of the album because there is no song like it, and it happens to be my favorite too. "Where Are You Now" is an awesome ballad, like One more Chance (which is available on the If single), Where are you now should of been a single, it is one of Janet's best songs and her voice really shines on it.

Janet has done it again, I highly reccomend this cd, all the songs are awesome.


Oldie but a Goodie   August 20, 2003
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

I recently pulled this CD out for another listen, and almost ten years later from when i first heard it i was still impressed. This is definitely Janet Jackson's best work to date. These songs don't date, which is surprising for pop music, and there is such a wide range of styles here that can cater to many people's tastes. Janet's tracks are funky and upbeat, prompting you do get up and dance or at least bop around. "Thats the way love goes" will probably be most familiar, but "If", "What'll I do", "Funky Big Band" and "Because of Love" are also noteworthy. There is also the ballads "Again" and "Where are you now" which are sweet singalongs that would please any pop lover. This may be pop, but its pop done very well. It sets the bar, and basically makes all the recent pop/R&B divas look pale in comparison.


WOW, WHAT AN ALBUM!!!   March 27, 1999
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

It's a shame this wasn't released on vinyl-it would have sounded awesome! This, I think, is a vinyl-album. It has the sound for it.

Anyway, this is an incredible album: 75+ minutes, 27 tracks (about half of which are inturludes), very eclectic in its musical styles, and the moods it can set.

"Âoy!!"

This record kicks-off with "That's The Way Love Goes," (trk. 2) a very mellow, smooth, rhythmic song. It sets a great opening. Then "You Want This" (trk. 4) is where the tempo picks up. In this song, Janet sings against a cliché that has existed strongly in media for ages: that the women should give herself up for sex. Janet believes the man should "work it." 'Not anyone I'll just let in my heart/you have to be hungry for me/girls may have been easy/boy, you have to please/what makes me thing that I can say this to you/I know how bad you want me/if you want my future/then you better work it, boy/love won't come easy-no/I know you want this.' A very good statement! And it's true. "If" (trk. 6) is a fast, hard-rock song with an excellent beat! "This Time" (trk. 8) features the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra (YEAH, MINNESOTA!!!) and Opera-diva Kathleen Battle. When Janet has finished her part, everything just becomes silent, with only the strings humming low in the background....BOOM-the orchestra explodes beautifully and Kathleen Battle unleashes her amazing vocals, giving the song a pleasant, soothing, eerie sound. Then everything come together to a grand finale.

All is silent.

Then, "Throb" (trk. 10) opens with Janet moaning in sexual ecstasy, the bass-drum sets a beat, Janet says "Okay, here we go..." and the drums pound out a fast, damn fine, dance rhythm. Next up: "What'll I do," (trk. 11) a light Jazz song with nice instrumental accompaniment. "Funky Big Band" (trk. 13) is as the title indicates, funky. Nice vocals, and fun to listen to. "New Agenda" (trk. 15) is a loud song, with a twist of rap-another song with a good statement to make society better. Alice Walker would be proud.

Now, at this point, the album starts to cool down, and the softer songs start to play, each one becoming lighter and more melodic.

"Because Of Love" (trk. 17) is a light-pop song. It has a pretty melody, and a nice beat. "Again" (trk. 19)-everybody knows this song! I love this one a lot. It has no drums or beat, only Janet's beautiful voice and an orchestral and piano accompaniment. This is a song that'll get you in the heart, and God knows you'll love it again and again. "Where Are You Now" (trk. 21) is a beautiful song with a wonderful melody. This is a favorite of mine.

Now the cool mood turns sensual as well.....

"The Body That Loves You" (trk. 23) is very soft and very sexy. Be careful, this song might melt your CD player! Then, the hit "Any Time, Any Place" (trk. 25): a very easy, sexy song, and the improvisation after Janet's sung the song are very soothing. The improv lasts about three minutes and bleeds into a rain storm: "Are You Still Up" (trk. 26) only has two speaking parts for Janet: "Are You still up?" in the beginning, and "Sweet Dreams," in the end. In-between is a sweet instrumental melody which lasts a minute-and-a-half while the rain pours in the background, an occasional clap of thunder sounding. The track fades, and all is silent.....

About 25 - 30 seconds later, voices-Janet and her friends-fade in slowly. Then the piano starts playing notes. Then the drums establish a up-tempo rhythm, and "Whoops Now" (trk. 27-the last track on the album) starts to play. After about five minutes of a great song, it ends in talk about things to do on the vacation Janet and her friends are on. The conversation is amusing, but eventually comes to a halt, and Janet's ends this epic masterpiece by saying: "Oops!"

This is an album any Janet Jackson fan-or *anybody* in my opinion-should own! It is brilliant, and without a doubt Janet's best album of all time. I guarantee, you'll love it!

-Kenny K