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!
[Image via Celebrity Babylon.]
Review by Discopop:
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).
who cares they are both fatass no talent hasbeens
Re: Shabang-bang – shut up bitch hope u die mariah rules im sure your ugly and fat but still be happy ok
JANETS IS GOING TO BE BETTER DUH
Heavy MTV rotation? MTV doesn't play videos.
Mariah's album will tank. In her prime, she was good, but not great. She was overrated because she could hit the whistle register. She had no stage pressence or artistry. She's not even a fraction as talented as Christina Aguilera. Mariah's music doesn't appeal to people as it once did because her voice has changed (lacks power, poor control, no color, and she screeches and sounds pitchier with every tune) and she has moved into the hip hop forgetting her true R&B soulful roots. Mariah hasn't had a good hit song in 10 years. No offense.
Janet Jackson will never compete with her brother Michael in talent and artistry. Michael Jackson invented pop music. He may be creepier than crap, but the dude is a musical genius.
I can't wait for Janet's new album. I'll just download Mariahs. Her albums never have more than three good songs on it.
Why is Rhianna famous? She has no talent what-so-ever.
ok, so I am so sorry to say this. But, Why is everybody so sick of Beyonce? Mariah is someone to be sick of. The woman is almost 40 years old. The older she gets, the more clothes she takes off. I will admit her songs are catchy but her voice is not there anymore. She is not NEARLY as good as she used to be. Janet on the other hand is HOT and she is older than Mariah and still working it. She is FINE. Feedback is a great comeback for her. But in the reviews did you read, that they don't compare to Rihanna or BEYONCE? I bet Perez is screaming. Hate to break it to you, beyonce may be overdone but she has what these girls need (and she is 15 years younger) I love Mariah, but she needs to retire!
have you seen Beyonce's new locks? She is looking GOOD. She seems to be losing weight she gained as well. Get ready, cuz she is coming back (not that she has ever left) and she will be giving these oldies (but goodies) a run for their money!
Why is she back!? I thought we were rid of her.
At least when she flipped out on TRL on MTV she hid for a few years instead of going nuts in front of the world like BRITNEY.
She's the resident Perez Hilton racist troll that posts the same racist shit over and over and over and over. I guarantee you, if one day she leaves, 95% of the RACIST and HOMOPHOBIC posts on this ENTIRE site would disappear.
She's mad because she has a wrinkled old nutsack face. In fact, anyone that responds to her should address her as NUTSACK FACE REGAN, like "Hey NUTSACK FACE REGAN", "FUCK YOU NUTSACK FACE REGAN!" because she's possessed like that girl in the Exorcist. One demented nutbucket that posts like a lunatic, no life, no man, you understand?
MARIAH is incapable of producing bad music. I'll LOVE all the tracks and hope everyone will go out and buy her new record. As for Janet, hopefully she will stun us with some good hits as she is known to deliver.
both need to RETIRE! and so do madonna and celine dion. SERIOUSLY!!! dont get me wrong, i grew up loving all 4, and i still do respect everything that they've ever done and like all the old stuff. but enough is enough. they're all still trying way too hard to be hip.. and for petes sake, dress your ages women!
mariah rulez
Mariah seems so real and genuinely sweet. Does anyone out there know her personally who can back this? I bet I'm right!
The only thing I know about her is my figure will never look as amazing as hers and her voice is like an angel. Oh - and she loves butterflies. That's it. If anyone's heard anything about her - give me the scoop. Reply, okay? 
- Also, how old is she and do you think she'll ever have children? Does she have kids already? Thanks
i can hardly wait 4 Mariah's album,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
i'll give Janet's album a listen, but HELL YA, MARIAH IS THE BEST.. CANT WAIT 4 THE ALBUM !!!!
I'M THAT CHICK U LIKE !!!
to answer your question…
Mariah is 37
Janet is 41
Madonna is 49
Celine is 39
Whitney is 44
Beyonce is 26
Rihanna (who does not compare to the rest) is 19
Shes a man…. shes showed me her penis! DISCUSING! Perez please STOP posting pics of her! her butterface makes me sick!
Who cares about these albums? Janet Jackson has been OVER for many years now.I don't think she'll be able to make a comeback.The world is tired of the Jacksons and their odd behavior.Perhaps Janet should get pregnant and become a mother?
As for Mariah,she need to GROW up,put some more clothes on,and act like a mature woman for a change.She's trying to be some young hip-hop diva.Why is she calling her album That Chick? Isn't she a little too old for this? She needs to go have a baby and stop trying to appeal to youngsters who don't give a shit about her.
Mariah's CD will end 2008 as the Top Selling CD of the Year…VOCALLY she is UNMATCHED, Whitney Houston is probably the only female singer to be able to outsing her..in her day (80's). Janet, Beyonce, Rhinnea use sexually, visually incredible videos and dancing to sell music…Image. Mariah Carey is a VOCALIST AND HER name should not EVEN be mentioned with the other ladies. She is a Vocal Legend. Who has paid her dues, and deserves respect.
"Lyrics were never Carey's strong point"
…WHAT?! Mariah has written multiple No.1 songs for over a decade! Who is the clown reviewing albums??
Did i read wrong or did they just say Mariah and Janet will have to compete with the Rihannas and Beyonces of this world. As much as i detest Mariah, you can't even begin to compare her to beyonce, Mariah is tons better and can sing the pants off Beyonce. If you're looking for boring lyrics, check B's songs.
I am a fan of both Janet and Mariah there is room for both of these ladies, although Maria is the better singer Janet is the best female performer ever and has huge stage presence and star quality that you can not fake as for all the haters both these ladies are extremely talented and look great for their age the so called divas of 2day ie beyonce, ciaria and rhianna have nothing on them as they lack originality and will never apeal to me especially beyonce who has to resort to endorsements to get notice not taking away that she can sing but there is such a thing as overkill best of luck to both Janet and Mariah hope you both do well and shut all the haters up who does not recognize true talent as they are both musical legends and icons
I am a fan of both Janet and Mariah there is room for both of these ladies, although Maria is the better singer Janet is the best female performer ever and has huge stage presence and star quality that you can not fake as for all the haters both these ladies are extremely talented and look great for their age the so called divas of 2day ie beyonce, ciaria and rhianna have nothing on them as they lack originality and will never apeal to me especially beyonce who has to resort to endorsements to get notice not taking away that she can sing but there is such a thing as overkill best of luck to both Janet and Mariah hope you both do well and shut all the haters up who does not recognize true talent as they are both musical legends and icons
I am a fan of both Janet and Mariah there is room for both of these ladies, although Maria is the better singer Janet is the best female performer ever and has huge stage presence and star quality that you can not fake as for all the haters both these ladies are extremely talented and look great for their age the so called divas of 2day ie beyonce, ciaria and rhianna have nothing on them as they lack originality and will never apeal to me especially beyonce who has to resort to endorsements to get notice not taking away that she can sing but there is such a thing as overkill best of luck to both Janet and Mariah hope you both do well and shut all the haters up who does not recognize true talent as they are both musical legends and icons
I am a fan of both Janet and Mariah there is room for both of these ladies, although Maria is the better singer Janet is the best female performer ever and has huge stage presence and star quality that you can not fake as for all the haters both these ladies are extremely talented and look great for their age the so called divas of 2day ie beyonce, ciaria and rhianna have nothing on them as they lack originality and will never apeal to me especially beyonce who has to resort to endorsements to get notice not taking away that she can sing but there is such a thing as overkill best of luck to both Janet and Mariah hope you both do well and shut all the haters up who does not recognize true talent as they are both musical legends and icons
I like who Mariah was back in the 90's. She doesn't ever even hit that high E anymore…her songs are still alright for what they are and the times we are in now musically, but I miss that genuinity of her songs from the 90's…and that amazing singing ! she was more in touch with her white side back then, when now it's all this 'boo hoo im mixed!'
ill just wait until madonna's r&b influenced album drops
She really should remove those hard, fake-looking breast implants. They make her look overweight and robotic.
FUCK ALL YOU HATIN' ASS UGLY GREASY BITCHES WHO KEEP HATIN ON JANET. If it wasn't for Janet, these other hoez would even be around and they'd have nobody to copy. I will be buying both Janet and Mariah's album. Fuck what you other slut pigs have to say!!
More reviews are coming in and they're pretty positive, especially for Mariah! Can't wait to hear the new material.
cant wait for janets album should be amazin! good to see her back on form just hope she publicizes it well. mariah can fuck off fat pig…
Another photo of perma-teen Mariah with her t*ts hanging out; go figure.
When does this songstress graduate to self-confident and mature classy attire?
When she does, she'll attract a better class of man.
Re: ken – IF U LIKE MARIAH WHY DO U HAVE TO WISH DEATH ON OTHER PEOPLE U DO NOT EVEN KNOW?? ARE U RETARTED??
WHORIA WILL AND ALWAYS LOOK LIKE A FAT PIG , GEEZ MISS PIGGY LOOKS SO MUCH BETTER THAT THIS SKANK AND MISS PIGY IS NOT EVEN A REAL PERSON
'Lyrics were NEVER Carey's strong point..'
WHAT THE HELL??!! Hello…who is this shiteous album reviewer? He should be shot right smack in the head. Mariah has written like almost all of her No. 1 songs. Hero, We Belong Together, One Sweet Day, ……and some really great unreleased songs like Through the Rain, Can't Take That Away, Anytime You Need A Friend, Butterfly..and the list goes on. DAMN, he must be living under rocks for the past 20 years.
I respect both ladies immensely; they are the reason that Beyonce and Rihanna are successful in the first place. But I have to agree, I think Janet's album will bomb just because of the response to her first single (which I actually do like). I will definitely buy both albums and I am excited for Mariah's record. And for someone who said that Mariah needs to go back to her R&B roots, I think she still is R&B. She mixes in Hip Hop because she was one of the first people in her genre at the time to do so (besides the fab Ms. Mary J. Blige, who is the Queen of Hip Hop soul and not Hip Hop R&B). Either way, I'm totally anticipating Mariah's record, and I hope she comes back with the fierceness in terms of her look for this album. And though yea, she's almost 40, the girl can pull off any hot look. Afterall, she is the VOICE.
So excited about Janets new CD and now that I know the names of most of the songs I am even more excited!!! Lets just hope her label put the right backing on it…if I know JD at all they will! =)
Re: RudeDude – YOU ARE A DUMBASS
WHORIA IS A FAT PIG AND JANET IS A PLASTIC BLOW UP DOLL COPY CAT
THERE I SAD IT
Re: RudeDude – YOU AARE A DUMBASS DOUCHE BAG
WHORIA IS A FAT PIG AND JANET IS A PLASTIC BLOW UP DOLL COPY CAT
SO THERE I SAID IT
WORK IT MAMA! I LOVE ME MY SASSY MOMA!! TEE HEE HOLLA! WORK IT GIRLFRIEND…TO THE LEFT TO THE LEFT
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TEE HEE I JUST WANTED TO WASTE SPACE! TO THE LEFT TO THE LEFT
I'm very excited for Mariah's album!
Ok so the review was kinda flaky. I don't trust or believe all of it. I am 100% sure the albums will be great. The person who reviewed the albums admits the speakers were too loud to appreciate the tracks, so all of you hating on our two favorite Diva's need to step back and listen for yourselves and make an opinion for yourself instead of feeding off one persons mixed opinions. He admits he has to listen to the tracks on lower volume and a couple times to have a definite opinion. Mariah always gives it 100% and Janet I am sure will come through for us as well.
How dare he compare them to Rhianna and Beyonce! The will never be Mariah!
*yawn* I've listened to all of Mariah's albums and NOTHING can top Mimi. It's an Urban Pop masterpiece and I thought she was finally beginning to grow up, but with this album it appears that she's making a giant leap backward into 1999.
Janet's new album, on the other hand, sounds very sexy, kinky and hot. It makes me want to actually buy a copy of Velvet Rope.
it is so funny to me that people are saying the Beyonce will never be Mariah. Really? Mariah WAS good in the 90's. She is past her prime and not looking that great. Beyonce HAS a voice. I understand that Mariah HAD an extensive range but she can't do the things Beyonce can do with her voice. Beyonce has endorsements because she is smart and a business woman. People who say she has nothing going for her, so she does the endorsements are completely retarded. If Beyonce wasn't talented and beautiful, she wouldn't even get endorsements. Mariah has a voice, but it is LESS existent than it used to be and so are her clothes.
This album is going to be part of a fun summer!
mmmmmmmmmm boobs
Love that title for her album.
Im super excited about MARIAHS NEW ALBUM!!! I hear its going to be yet another banger!!! WoOOOoooO!!! I love janet too..but im 100% a LAMB!!
'That Chick' sounds like it will be the cd from her ever!!!!!!!
'That Chick' sounds like it will be the *BEST* cd from her ever!!!!!!!
"That Chick" seems to be being billed as her *BEST* efforts to date!!!
Yeah!!! Come say hi at HQ room 302!
Re: Shabang-bang – DONT HATE ON MARIAH YOU ARE JUST A LAM ASS HAHAH THATS IS TRUE SO GO FARAWAY AND NEVER COME BACK UNTILL YOU LIKE MARIAH IF NOT HAVE UN SOME WHERE ELES LAM ASS
Haha, the idiot reviewer compared Mariah Carey to Rihanna & Beyonce, them two bitches can't even come close to Mimi. Her voice alone puts her on another level.
I have to admit Mariah Carey has been bringing good music on a steady basis.