"Janet" heralds a new Miss Jackson who's come a long way from her cutesy days as Penny on "Good Times." Gone are the robotic dance beats of her last two records. Say farewell to those all-black costumes she constantly wore in her videos. This album shows Janet at her most relaxed, and it features her most mature work at the time. Janet once crooned, "Let's Wait Awhile," but it now seems that she is willing to explore her sexuality, as evidenced in the hot singles "That's the Way Love Goes" and "You Want This." Elsewhere, she dabbles with house ("Throb"), non-drippy ballads ("Again," which is one of her best singles ever), rock ("What I'll Do"), and straightforward pop (the hidden track "Whoops Now"). For all that's good, I have to complain about the handful of unnecessary interludes that pop up in between songs. If they were removed, "janet" would have been a near-flawless record. But as it is, it's still a winning release that shows growth and depth from the most exciting and musically consistent member of the Jackson family.

This album marked the end of "Miss Jackson" and the debut of "Dominatrix Jackson". She mostly forgoes her funky dance beats, social commentary and personal statements of past albums. Instead stressing R&B, sensuality and straight on dance grooves. It's quite a startling change but she mostly pulls it off. "That's The Way Love Goes", "You Want This", "If", "Because of Love" and "Any Time, Any Place" are the best of the bunch with much of the rest being either average or filler ("Funky Big Band" is neither funky nor interesting to listen to). Still the entire album comes together and presents the most honestly sensual Janet Jackson we've yet seen. The crass and almost pornographic Janet Jackson of late is barely noticalbe on this album. The closest she gets is the sexually charged "If." Of particular note, tracks 20 through the end of the disc make for great music for romantic get togethers.

Although unexpected after her funkier first two albums, "Janet." is a nice change of pace and one of her strongest sets.

everyone loved how she could work it on the dancefloor, sound sweet and edgy over dance beats and put out the most awesome music videos and looking gorgeous as ever. It seems that ever since this album she's been stuck in the shadow of this album and can never match up to it's greatness although she came very close with velvet rope.

Janet has really scored with this CD. It combines all of what she does best: songs with social issues, songs with sexual tones and catchy mainstream dance hits. There are some awesome classics in this CD, and it shouldn't be missed. Here are my individual reviews of each song:

2. That's The Way Love Goes - This was Janet's first single from the album. It is mellow and sensual, and is a beautiful song. The video was great as well. 5 out of 5.

4. You Want This - As funky as you can get. She sampled two songs and put them together making this jamming dance track. Yet another awesome video to go with it. 5 out of 5.

6. If - In my opinion no other Janet song (And very few other songs by different artists) come close to this. She combined R&B and rock to make an outstanding song with a killer chorus. The video for this was fabulous, especially the dance break. This is her best work yet. 5++++ out of 5.

8. This Time - This unusual combination of Janet and Kathleen Battle, the opera star, may sound strange at first listen, but once you hear it a few times this will be on repeat. Too bad it wasn't a single. 5 out of 5.

10. Throb - Hmmm . . . This was her first sexual song. It wasn't very good (She's improved since then) but you have to give her points for being artistic. 3 out of 5.

11. What'll I Do - I have mixed feelings about this song. It's just kind of there, if you know what I mean. It's nothing to skip over, but it isn't exceptional. 4 out of 5.

13. Funky Big Band - I love this song! The title says it all. The intro before it works well with it. 5 out of 5.

15. New Agenda - This song sounds like it came straight off of Rhythm Nation (Which is a good thing) and it deals with racism. It's nice and funky, with great hooks and grooves. 5 out of 5.

17. Because Of Love - I love this song as well! 5 out of 5.

19. Again - One of her two #1 singles from the album. It's a beautiful ballad, and she performs it very well. Great video! 5 out of 5.

21. Where Are You Now - Another great ballad. Janet sings well on this track, and it should have been a single. 5 out of 5.

23. The Body That Loves You - Not too sexual, but getting there. This is a medium song, and sometimes I even skip it. 3.5 out of 5.

25. Any Time, Any Place - God, could this be any more sexy? This is an awesome song. I give it 5 out of 5.

HIDDEN TRACK!! Whoops Now - This track should never have been discovered. Janet could have easily done better than this. This is a cheesy song about going on vacation. 2 out of 5.

This is the perfect album for fans of pop and R&B. I'd definately suggest it, even if it is kind of old right now. You will find so many songs you like on here. I guarantee it.

Janet has made a winner here. Unlike her previous cd's, Janet drastically changed her image, for the best. The songs still have the heavy beats that we've expected from her. Each of the songs are awesome, but some of the "weaker songs" could have been left out, and been replaced by those wonderful b-sides of the album "One More Chance", "And on And On" and "70's Love Groove"

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.