DJ Mike Biggz: The 1 Jackson that still matters...A Review of Janet Jackson's "Discipline"

Music Reviews

Tracey Thorn: Out of the Woods
When i heard Tracey Thorn was putting out a solo record, i got very excited. Then i heard the first single and was pleased to say the least. Tracey is one of my favorite vocalists, even though i wasn't an EBTG fan until they got all electronica. I'm a big fan to this day. I'm glad that on "Out of the Woods" Tracey didn't copy cat the EBTG/Ben Watt uber deep soulful house and downtempo sound. I got a little scared when i heard the opening track...very EBTG pre-electronica and not the best way to open up. Then the down beat heavy bassline track A-Z comes on and my trunk is rattling. Great song, tight beat. On "It's all True" Tracey Thorn gets production that sounds very Metro Area(great Group and CD, BTW). Her vocals compliment the synths so well it gave me chills. The album is a bit of a rollercoaster, not sticking to a particular tempo but remains consistent being feel good music...ironic since Thorns Lyrics are so freaking sad! The song writing is very good as usual but some of the song titles are a little odd. I think Tracey has been hangin' in the Hip-Hop clubs, with titles like "Hands up to the ceiling" and the Album closer "Raise the Roof". Ok the record s have no hip-hop flavor but still, we've stopped raising the roof years ago Tracey. But musically Out of the Woods is brilliant and vocally Tracey is as amazing as ever. Key cuts other than "A-Z" & "It's all True" are Grand Canyon which is another electro soulful house cut and the downtempo joint "Get Around to It". Out of the Woods is not classic but still a very good release. (****)
LCD Soundsystem: Sound Of Silver
I love LCD Soundsystem, loved the first albums and all the singles that came before it. With the new album "Sound Of Silver", i wont be tuning out any time soon. S.O.S.(I wonder if James Murphy hates the acronym) is much more consistent with the four to the floor beats than their previous effort. I was kinda wanting another "Too Much" but, it's all good. This album satisfies. The beat keeps going and going and doesn't slow down till the album closer "New York, I love you but you're bringing me down". And for LCD this is their best non dance track yet. But for you disco punks and DFA fans Sound of Silver delivers the good. S.O.S's opener "Get Innocuous!" is brilliant, with it's super long intro, giving all those lovely electronic sounds to fade in Individually. Vocally S.O.S. goes in many different directions which i like and especially since his voice is not hella great and at times Mr. Murphy can be a little odd on the ears. For some reason it just works here. For the fans of "Daft Punk is playing..." we now have "North American Scum" which is the lead single. I think most US citizens who are conscious enough to know whats wrong with us can get a kick out of this record and dance to it as well. I love the line at the end that we can't blame Canada. It's funny because it's true. The standout song for me is "Someone Great" which is perfect from start to finish. Sound of Silver is one for the collectors of this dance rock movement that was starting to fade out until James Murphy decided to keep it alive and interesting. (****)
San Ilya: They Died for Beauty
I actually bought this one on I-Tunes, couldn't wait to hit the stores next morning. So I heard "Bellissimo" for the first time in full 2 weeks ago and that's when it hit me, that's the song from that revlon commercial. I've seen this record on the shelves and passed it up, probably because there was no listening station and I'd never heard of them. Straight outta Bristol, the place that gave birth to such acts as Portishead and Massive Attack(and much more), San Ilya are very melodic and moody in some sections, but over all have an amazing sound. Singer Joanna Swan, has this thick bassy voice that's deep and sexy. Probably the best female voice in electronica since Tracy Thorn. As for the songs itself, they are nothing short of brilliant. "Quatta Neon" is a stunning track with it's funky bass, drums and percussion that are just so alive. Slow songs like "Bliss" and "Pretty Baby" are beautiful and haunting at times. "Heavenly" is one of my favorites, if not my favorite. The horns, the drums, her voice, the progression of the song is amazing. "Happy and Weak" is sweet and epic. The final cut which is the title track "They Died for Beauty" let's Joanna's voice really be heard as she belts out this tune ever so perfect. Portishead was my favorit group to come out of Bristol and I still olve them to death, but San Ilya is the group to replace Portishead, assuming they won't release a new album. Just take out the pain of beth and replace it with a more loving sound. Buy it!!! (*****)

No, Michael is still the man but Janet Jackson cannot be stopped. Discipline which is set to be released next week is her best album since 1997's "Velvet Rope"(no disrespect to Damita Jo). Discipline brings back a certain flow that has been missing in pop music and in what made up classic Janet records. It's not just a bunch of songs thrown up in the air and placed carelessly. Some time was taken into placing every track in it's right place. The production, consistent, solid from top to bottom along with the interludes(there are a lot) that provide the perfect bridge between most tracks and at times gives a futuristic feel. Basically Janet has this super high tech sounding computer/music player "Ki-Oko" which requires voice command(which all the ridiculously rich have, right?). Listen to the album intro "I.D." and you'll see what I mean.

Discipline kicks off "Feedback", the album's lead single. The energy of this track is classic Janet. Darkchild is bananas for this one. I'm even willing to forgive the T-Pain vocoder. The harmony of the hook is really what makes it work for me. "Rollercoaster" is one of the best songs Janet has ever cranked out. The sick electronic percussion compliment the 808 clap that drops hard every time it hits. The song is brilliant from the bridges to the beautiful and again very harmonic chorus. If this is not a single, I will protest, I need to see a video for Rollercoaster.

"Rock with U"(Which has nothing to do with her Brother's timeless classic) is a bright, warm and kinda glittery cut. It's pretty much a house cut. DJ's should play this with Rihanna's please don't stop the music. The feeling of "Rock With U" and especially the bassline is infectious. As the second single, unless the video is groundbreaking, this will be mega hit overseas and in good clubs worldwide. The following song "2 Nite" is another up tempo house flavored cut that's a bit more pop electro.
As for Ballads, there are a fair share. But thankfully there is not are not a flood of them which usually for me, kills an R&B record. We do get some very beautifully soulful mid-tempo cuts on Discipline which I miss from Ms. Janet. "Can't Be Good" is a mid-tempo bouncer that brings back memories of her Michael's "I can't Help It". Must be the Rhodes keyboards in the track. I get the same vibe off of "What's your name" which is another amazing mid-tempo cut. These two will become the DJ's choice to play in those chill out neo-soul sets.

Discipline spices up with "So Much Betta" a track that samples some early Daft Punk(What's going on with all the Daft Punk samples?). My only problem is, I wish it went on for another minute and a half. The beat has some serious head nod factor going on. Then we have "The 1" featuring Missy Elliot who kicks off the track by saying "7 inches, yup, that'll do". Thanks Missy, I really needed to know that. "Curtains" The album's closer is by far the best of the slow jams on Discipline. It's a classic Janet slow jam that closes what I think is another classic Janet album in the books.

In Stores Feb. 26th

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The 1 Jackson that still matters...A Review of Janet Jackson's "Discipline"

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