Before Ms. Jackson started calling herself just Janet, her music and her image remained outside the mass popularity that it has come to know. That is until she dropped her fourth CD, Rhythm Nation 1814. This disc saw the former child actor making music that carried an identity all her own and left listeners reeling on the dance floor.
As Janet Jackson has matured through time, she has come to be looked at as a sex symbol, a passionate artist and one hell of a dancer. The beginning of all this is rooted in her 1989 release. Rhythm Nation 1814 presented the young singer as someone finally realizing her potential and not being afraid to show it to all who would listen.
Janet also distanced herself from her late 1980s contemporaries with this CD. Where singers such as Paula Abdul and Whitney Houston were holding onto trite pop stylings and predictable music, Janet strained herself beyond the norm and established herself as a dedicated artist. She has continued to do so with her subsequent albums.
On the lighter side of Rhythm Nation 1814, Janet gets the blood flowing with songs such as "Miss You Much" and "Escapade."
"Alright" does the best job of lifting listeners out of their seats and giving them no choice but to enjoy. Its driving beat is matched with Janet's melodic vocals and up-tempo feel. It even comes complete with instrumental breakdown midway through, giving no opportunity to get bored and stop moving.
The single "Rhythm Nation" is yet another strong dance song on the CD, and one that just doesn't stop at the music. In the song, Janet sings passionately about breaking down social and cultural walls with the help of music as a universal language. This message is carried through the rest of the CD, but makes its best argument on this song.
The song itself flows perfectly in terms of the music. Hitting from every side, the chanting refrain and powerful beat propels raw energy though the speakers and right into attentive ears.
Not limiting herself to dance and pop songs, Janet also has some more low-key tracks on this CD. "Come Back to Me" melts off the speakers as Janet's soft voice lulls the listener into a trance of plush acoustics. The strongest ballad on the album, "Come Back to Me" shows Janet as a vulnerable artist revealing some weakness amid a predominantly confident collection of songs.
The variety of songs on the CD testifies to the diversity and range Janet is capable of delivering to her fans.
Packed with great dance songs and powerful ballads, Rhythm Nation 1814 is a timeless classic that will please all those brave enough to dig it out of their tape collections.
