The First Review!

Filed under: Janet Jackson > Mariah Carey

Exciting news diva lovers!

DefJam had a listening session in London on Wednesday, where they played most of Mariah and Janet's new albums.

CLICK HERE to get a detailed review of each record!

Janet and Mariah - First listen!

So, Def Jam were showing off the two female jewels in their crown today with playbacks of the new Janet Jackson and Mariah Carey albums.

Label Boss Antonio "LA" Reid seemed very excited about both of them, although that is his job, and mentioned plans for six singles from Mariah's That Chick, which hits the stores in April.

First up, though, was Janet's Discipline. If you've heard the single, Feedback, you'll have a pretty good idea of what to expect from the album. It's crisp, danceable R&B lavished with Janet's trademark velvet harmonies.

The stand-out track was probably Tonight, a bubbling club track which can only be Jackson's response to Rihanna's Don't Stop The Music. Reid mentioned that some of the tracks weren't finished - and this one sounded like it was missing a sample somewhere in the mix. Once that's added, this could be Janet's biggest dance success since Together Again.

Love, Love, Love and This Can't Be Good saw the lyrical return of the sweet singer who first raised her head on Let's Wait Awhile - all coy and bashful while falling head over heels in love.

But the sleazy siren of 20 YO is also present. Title track Discipline is a gruseome plea for fetishistic S&M sex - with Janet referring to her lover as "Daddy" while asking to be tied up and disciplined. Given that her father is a well-documented control freak who used to beat his kids, this is more than a little uncomfortable.

Speaking of family connections, there's long been a rumour that Janet and Michael will team up again (as they did on 1996's Scream) this year. Well, nothing I heard today confirms that rumour - but there is a track called Rock With You that appears to sample the single of the same name from Off The Wall. Could the finished version feature guest vocals by the former King of Pop? I genuinely hope not.

The remaining two tracks, Rollercoaster and Greatest Ex Ever, didn't really set my world alight - but you never know what'll happen on repeated listens.

The main thing seems to be that Janet is back on form, vocally and lyrically. The record is very safe and commercial, although I'm not sure where they'll go for the third single (Tonight surely has to be the second). But as a first step towards career rehabilitation Def Jam have made a strong play for their newest diva.

Their old diva (in terms of contract, not age, of course) is Mariah, who is riding high after the 7xPlatinum-selling Emancipation Of Mimi.

We got to hear 10 tracks from the follow-up, That Chick, which I have to say sounded more polished and commercial than Janet's effort.

One track in particular is set to make big bucks, and that's Bye Bye - a torch song for people "who lost they grandmothers". I guarantee that Simon Cowell will be sick of hearing badly-realised auditions of it by the end of the year.

Lyrics were never Carey's strong point, mind you, so her paean to loss is summed up with not-very-insightful Hallmark platitudes like "I'd give the world to see your face" and "Life goes on". Profound, eh?

Still, at least it's better than when she desperately attempts to prove how bang up to date she is. In Touch My Body, she purrs to her lover: "If there's a camera up in here then I best not catch this flick on youtube (youtube)". Not exactly the sexiest boudoir come-on you've ever heard, is it?

But there are plenty of good tunes to counter the awesomely bad lyrics. Migrate, about a night out with Mariah while she wears jeans ("yeah, they fit", she informs us) is sure to be a candidate for heavy MTV rotation, although I hope to god they excise T-Pain's hopelessly strained vocals. Lovin' You Long Time, meanwhile, is a strutting uptempo number very much in the style of It's Like That.

So, what have we learnt from this listening "event"? Well, I wasn't overwhelmed by the music - despite (or perhaps because of) the fact it was played so ear-splittingly loud that it felt like I was being punched repeatedly in the ears by a cyberman. Both artists have turned in a tuneful, competent set of R&B songs, but I'm not sure that any of them have the charisma or vitality to compete with the Rihannas and Beyonces of this world.

Both albums: 6/10 (scores may go up or down after further listens at levels tolerable to the human ear).

Posted: Jan 16, 2008 at 8:17 pm / Email this »

See All 158 Comments

158 comments to “The First Review!”

More comments: [1] 2 »

amaranta says – reply to this

1

1!
timothya says – reply to this

2

first muther fuckers
sdlfkQFDS;LDFKLG says – reply to this

3

firs
Shabang-bang says – reply to this

4

Can't stand Mariah. Janet's okay, but honestly I think a little over-rated.
KATHLEEN says – reply to this

5

FIRST GO OBAMA
Rebecca says – reply to this

6

First
sdfsd says – reply to this

7

first
ryan says – reply to this

8

boobies!
costamesaboy says – reply to this

9

does she have any kids???????? seriously
OPRAH says – reply to this

10

OBAMA 08
OBAMA ROCKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
cheese says – reply to this

11

1ST?
lc says – reply to this

12

bitch
meme says – reply to this

13

love both of them good luck
mcfan says – reply to this

14

first?
hstew says – reply to this

15

first
Tiffani says – reply to this

16

divas make me happy!!
t_baby918 says – reply to this

17

first
joh says – reply to this

18

go mariah!!!
Tiffani says – reply to this

19

divas are exciting!
Tin says – reply to this

20

first?
GOD says – reply to this

21

first?
first says – reply to this

22

first
SAI'S GOLDEN AGE ANGEL says – reply to this

23

I CAME TO HAVE A PARTY
So what's it gonna be???

Om Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu
me says – reply to this

24

first
adv says – reply to this

25

first
RC says – reply to this

26

Can't wait 4 new Mariah!!!
Slut says – reply to this

27

hahahahahahahahahaha first review and it's bad!!!!! What did you expect???
Jill says – reply to this

28

Love her! She is such a talented singer and has such class.
dyaln says – reply to this

29

1st!, yea i luv mariah
mizar says – reply to this

30

first
sara elizabeth says – reply to this

31

I wont be buying either… or obtaining them illegally.
cock says – reply to this

32

SnM yay
kyle says – reply to this

33

these are lame reviews. says barely anything about either album.
Ross says – reply to this

34

I'm so excited for Mariah's new album!!!
yu says – reply to this

35

first!!
j says – reply to this

36

can't wait for mariah's album
Frances says – reply to this

37

first ? =S
abby says – reply to this

38

talk to me on aim! ahbeeex3
Dan says – reply to this

39

1st
abby says – reply to this

40

talk to me on aim! ahbeeex3
abby says – reply to this

41

talk to me on aim! ahbeeex3
abby says – reply to this

42

talk to me on aim! ahbeeex3
soulja boyy says – reply to this

43

FIRSTT wat now?
abby ! says – reply to this

44

talk to me on aim ! ahbeeex3 !
Cody Alaniz says – reply to this

45

I love Mariah!
BeyonceLover says – reply to this

46

1st!!!!!!
mina says – reply to this

47

they will suck
DRB says – reply to this

48

This seems very un-Mariah. I'm calling b.s. All that they reported could be gathered from existing rumors and old material. & listening parties are usually big news, while I only saw this in a small report once the other day.
Probaly not true
gean says – reply to this

49

how am i first
gean says – reply to this

50

how am i first
M says – reply to this

51

ha.
cdub says – reply to this

52

first?
dan says – reply to this

53

god… i dont like neither
jillian says – reply to this

54

hope mariah dies! first!
yoyoyo says – reply to this

55

first
aymami says – reply to this

56

good for janet… i hope the album gets some finishing touches and gets some positive reviews, because she never really went away.

As for that fat cow, I'm sure she'll have plenty of collaborations, remixes and featured rappers and whatnot, plus her people doing payola to guarantee her a couple of #1 singles, so I'm not worried.
Marina says – reply to this

57

56th
motorola says – reply to this

58

Mariah will probably reign supreme again and well….janet will suck as usual…..just my prediction;) s ince Rihanna amd Beyonce hit the scene, janet is more like recycled overkill.
Marc says – reply to this

59

Mariah looks so weird in that picture..must be the cheekimplants. I wish she would do something drastically different with her music..it's always they same songs.
bitch says – reply to this

60

I hope whoever wishes someone death, like you did to Mariah, will whither up and dry in hell.

How dare you fucking insult someone like that you don't know.

You obviously don't have God in your heart, you're pathetic and lonely you fucking scum bag.

Mariah is the best, she obviously doesn't need the haters sales because what…she's the biggest female seller any how bitches. Did you buy her last album??? NO! and it still was the BIGGEST ALBUM OF 2005!!!!!!!!!!!! AND HAD A 14 WEEK NO. 1 SINGLE AND A FOLLOW UP TO MAKE IT HER 17TH NUMBER ONE.

SHUT YOUR FUCKING MOUTH AND BOW DOWN TO REAL ARTISTS YOU FUCKING WHORE AND I HOPE YOU FUCKING DIE IN HELL.
Mirked says – reply to this

61

FAKE……….FAKE>>>>>>FAKE
W says – reply to this

62

SO EXCITED FOR JANET'S RECORD. NOT SO MUCH FOR MARIAH'S I BOUGHT MIMI AND I ONLY LIKED LIKE 2 SONGS (I WAS PISSED)

JANET WILL OWN 2008!!!!!!!!!!
sarah says – reply to this

63

Mariah is hot shizzzzz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:)
enlightened white girl says – reply to this

64

mariah sucks. go janet!!!!
DRB says – reply to this

65

This story is FAKE.
They reviewed nothing, just told of stuff people are speculating from rumors. The only song we know of is Migrate, which she played on New Years. Bye Bye is a ringtone she did for Pepsi in 2006. If you listen to all her music, you see she is a very strong writer and none of that sounds like something she would put down.
bitch you so STOOOOPid says – reply to this

66

Re: bitch – okay….read the first and last sentences of your post. DUMBASS hypocrite! lmao
FREE SPEACH says – reply to this

67

Love Both
Chantelle says – reply to this

68

yay love mariah
JohnPete says – reply to this

69

Mimi gonna drop YET ANOTHER disc about what life is like when you're born a mixed-race girl. 'Bye-Bye' is dedicated to her black grandmother.

OK OK Mariah, we get it already. You're mixed race, not black and not white- and how painful it must be (pain of having millions of dollars, many large beautiful homes, diamonds, etc etc)
Miss Jackson returns...no says – reply to this

70

The best years are far behind her. Janet is going to flop. I don't care what anyone says. Her fans will buy it, and it will last about a week…maybe two. After that, she will fade quickly. She's just too lame.
keri says – reply to this

71

L.A. Reid is full of shit. rihanna is over-rated. anyone can compete with her. not to hate but if she wasnt pretty she wouldnt be as big as she is..she's a prime example of how you dont have to be talented to be famous these days.
MariahslambMary says – reply to this

72

I am soooo excited for MC's new album. I know it's gonna be off the hiz-ook.
Katherine says – reply to this

73

Mariah looks like a hooker with those huge implants. Whose are worse, hers or Posh?
ken says – reply to this

74

mariah is going to rule 2008!!! DIE: janet, madonna, celine, beyonce, and mary!!!! LAMBS rule!!!!
me people says – reply to this

75

we need more voices out there in the industry like mariah carey and christina aguilera and alicia keys cause those gals can sing nothingover rated about any of them so many artists today are just so manufactured and not at all really good voices
me people says – reply to this

76

we need more voices out there in the industry like mariah carey and christina aguilera and alicia keys cause those gals can sing nothingover rated about any of them so many artists today are just so manufactured and not at all really good voices
*Anonymous* says – reply to this

77

Huh? Why did you write "Hi Lambs!"???
true dat. rihanna sucks (jay z's dick) says – reply to this

78

Re: keri – so true. rihanna is very pretty, but girl cannot sing for shit. sounds like a dying sheep waiting to be put out of its misery!
Austin#1 Fan!! says – reply to this

79

When listening to Mariah you kinda forget about all other female singers! I guess thats why shes the best female artist of all time! Almost better than Elvis and The Beatles. So if you cant compete with them ( Beyonce and Rianna) then it really dosent matter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Austin#1 Fan!! says – reply to this

80

And the guy that wrote this must be a black gay guy or a lesbo!
daisk says – reply to this

81

For the love of God, Mariah cover dem titties girl! Those silicon sacks are way too big. Mariah you look like an old porno whore who gets bigger tits each time a new birthday rolls around.
piazzasbuttplug says – reply to this

82

Wet dream (nightmare)

Me in the middle of that sandwich, while I fuck Mariah doggy, after Janet inserted me into Mariah's dripping wet canal de luv, Janet is underneath licking my balls, while Mariah licks Janet.

But oh no, here cums Rosie O, and she pulls down her trous and takes a big heaping dump on all of us, while screaming how sorry she is that she is annoying.
sue says – reply to this

83

she always wears half a dress
canadian says – reply to this

84

you wanna know who is annoying?
Mariah

Lambs….oh please
I would not go a see anything to do with her
me makes ma wanna puke
Jill says – reply to this

85

Re: sara elizabeth –
Who buys cds anymore? stoneage.
ange says – reply to this

86

Hey! Listen to this: Simla Taak is a thief.
Tobby says – reply to this

87

This Mariah album is gonna be so Hot!!
Mariah is a great song writer.

Janet will do great, cause she's an ICON.
Simla Taak is a thief says – reply to this

88

Hey: if you want me to steal your money put your house on my books and I won't pay your rent!
bullshit says – reply to this

89

Excuse me, but Mariah is a lyrical genius and she certainly does write bad lyrics. Who could come up with something like, "Images of rapture creep into me slowly, as they go into my head?" She knows lyrics as well as music.
RockOfLove says – reply to this

90
NiceTry says – reply to this

91

only dumb down AMERICANS/=80% of the Lambase give 1/8 of a SHIT about Mimi and her vapid, souless voice, sell out/formulatic music, whorin it out "only" to score them last 3-4#1s to beat the Beatles LOL.
warm xplosion says – reply to this

92

i didnt get the line that said not sure if janet or mariah have the charisma 2 compete with b or rhianna did j and mimi just fall off a pickle truck damn when did music become so like a battle,can i get a witness amen! i liked songs by all of them.this is my last comment on this site because if u really read these comments from the haters which is so few to the many janet,mariah etc. fans they read like they came from relatives from the movie WRONG TURN just think about it, when u go to respected sites it may be some dislikes which is normal dont get me wrong but its done in class just watch WRONG TURN the movie, read the comments and u will c what im sayin keep bringin the funk j,b, mimi and the rest of them i luv 2 b entertained!!!!! in more ways than 1 lol feedback on that haters
DRB says – reply to this

93

Re: bullshit – or
"And then you casually walked in the room
And I was twisted
In the web of my desire for you
My apprehension blew away
I only wanted you
To taste my sadness
As you kissed me in the dark"

"Slipping into dreams
I feel my love surround you
My subconscious seems
To weave itself around you
Do you care for me
Beyond idolization
Tell me how you feel
But don't keep me at bay
'Cause I won't be waiting long"

"So starry eyed
On the flowery hillside
Breathless and fervid
Amid the dandelions
As it swept over me
Like the wind through the trees
I felt you sigh
With a sweet intensity"

"Baby can you feel me
Imagining I'm looking in your eyes
I can see you clearly
Vividly emblazoned in my mind
And yet you're so far
Like a distant star
I'm wishing on tonight"
Georgie says – reply to this

94

Janet is 40 and needs to stop doing that sex kitten shit.
DRB says – reply to this

95

"When you love someone so deeply
They become your life
It's easy to succumb
To overwhelming fears inside
Blindly I imagined
I could keep you under glass
Now I understand to hold you
I must open up my hands
And watch you rise"

"I have learned that beauty
Has to flourish in the light
Wild horses run unbridled
Or their spirit dies"

"It's hard to explain
Inherently, it's just always been strange
Neither here nor there
Always somewhat out of place everywhere
Ambiguous
Without a sense of belonging to touch
Somewhere halfway
Feeling there's no-one completely the same"
DRB says – reply to this

96

I was a wayward child
With the weight of the world
That I held deep inside
Life was a winding road
And I learned many things
Little ones shouldn't know

But I closed my eyes
Steadied my feet on the ground
Raised my head to the sky
And though time's rolled by
Still I feel like that child
As I look at the moon
Maybe I grew up
A little too soon

Funny how one can learn
To grow numb to the madness
And block it away
I left the worst unsaid
Let it all dissipate
And I try to forget

As I closed my eyes
Steadied my feet on the ground
Raised my head to the sky
And the time rolled by
Still I feel like a child
As I look at the moon
Maybe I grew up
A little too soon

Nearing the edge
Oblivious
I almost fell right over
A part of me
Will never be quite able
To feel stable
That woman-child falling inside
Was on the verge of fading
Thankfully, I woke up in time

Guardian angel
I sail away on an ocean
With you by my side
Orange clouds roll by
They burn into your image
And you're still alive

As I closed my eyes
Steady my feet on the ground
Raise my head to the sky
And though time rolls by
Still I feel like a child
As I look at the moon
Maybe I grew up
A little too soon
Kyle says – reply to this

97

I can't wait to hear them for myself to see. Janet should make it to the top again since people seem to be over the Superbowl & she has a new record label that cares about her music! Mariah already stablized things last go round. I know people love to HATE but I love them both!
Luc says – reply to this

98

Mariah will beat Janet. No doubt about that.
Morbidly Obese Gummi says – reply to this

99

MUST she ALWAYS have her fake tits popping out of her shirt? She is just fug.
DJ says – reply to this

100

JJ ANYDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!