Janet Jackson

On their latest albums, two members of pop music's first family move in markedly different
directions. While Jermaine regresses toward unmitigated sap, Janet steps out and boldly
states that she's not the Jacksons' baby sister anymore. As usual, Jermaine's is a case of
wasted potential. The general consensus was that once he broke free of Motown, he
would undergo some kind of creative metamorphosis and develop the writing an... More >

I scoffed at Janet's claims of autonomy--figured Jam & Lewis wrote her in as collaborator for a price she could afford. But she must have had some input--otherwise what would be not to like? Great beats here, their deepest ever. If her voice ever changes, she may even live up to them--and convince the world she's her own woman. Till then she's just playing, which does have its entertainment value. (Grade: B)