I absolutely agree Matt. Janet and this album are underrated. I think one of the reasons is that she never equalled Rhythm Nation with her other albums. The first albums for Virgin are also great but not of the trendsetting kind. Rhythm Nation was made for cd. It's an album that you had to listen to in it's entirety. And to add to your remarks on the quality of the songs. The remixes are among the best of this era. Shep Pettibone did some of his best work on the many singles/remixes for this album. I've got at least 4 singles of this album on my shortlist for future episodes of The Twelve Inch. I really don't understand why Universal hasn't yet re-released Rhythm Nation in a remastered version. This album is deserving of an uplift to today's sound quality and they must have enough material to make a very appealing deluxe multi cd set. The remixes alone can fill three cd's easily. My favorite is the title track.
Thank you for bringing this full album back into my awareness! These songs are so deeply etched into my childhood consciousness, I still find myself singing bits of them before I even recognize what I’m singing. Definitely time for a full re-listen.
Escapade was probably my favorite at the time, but I vividly remember being blown away by the idea that a pop singer could also sing rock on Black Cat, and that song continues to influence my own music and performances today.
I think this album -- the song, especially -- deserves some kind of viral redux. i was obsessed with it as a kid. it was right up there with en vogue's never gonna get it. and where are these songs now? just lost in our collective consciousness? hopefully i'm wrong and everyone is actually still talking about them.
While I was a bigger fan of Control I recognize how significant Rhythm Nation was (and is.) I also know that the album went deeper but my favorite tracks were: Miss You Much, Escapade, Love Will Never Do (Without You) and Come Back to Me - perhaps the biggest hits. Has she ever been as adventurous as she was on this album??
Great picks Dan, all classics for a reason 👍 I’d say 1993’s is adventurous in different ways, but this is certainly the most in-your-face experimentation of her career.
Janet is fantastic, and for me Rhythm Nation is one of her finest songs for its lyrics, production, and the video itself (and I have just put the song on now!).
I am currently reading 'Toxic' by Sarah Ditum, which is about some female artists/celebrities who have been affected by well, the toxicity of fame. Janet is one of the people included, highly recommend as the book explores the Super Bowl debacle, and her influence on the music world.
This is a fabulous review. I was only 17 when I went to the Rhythm Nation tour and was running across Melbourne's Botannical Gardens with my best friend at the time to make it to the opening song. We raced in to hear the last notes of Black Cat. Devastating. I don't really remember it but I loved Janet, the self titled album that came soon after so much. It became a lesbian musical strong hold. 💪 I still know all the words and appreciate her as an icon and revolutionary artist in her own right. Taylor Swift references Janet in Snow on the Beach but I'm not sure the connection other than her name being said.
Thanks for all the effort in this piece. Am sharing it around.
I absolutely agree Matt. Janet and this album are underrated. I think one of the reasons is that she never equalled Rhythm Nation with her other albums. The first albums for Virgin are also great but not of the trendsetting kind. Rhythm Nation was made for cd. It's an album that you had to listen to in it's entirety. And to add to your remarks on the quality of the songs. The remixes are among the best of this era. Shep Pettibone did some of his best work on the many singles/remixes for this album. I've got at least 4 singles of this album on my shortlist for future episodes of The Twelve Inch. I really don't understand why Universal hasn't yet re-released Rhythm Nation in a remastered version. This album is deserving of an uplift to today's sound quality and they must have enough material to make a very appealing deluxe multi cd set. The remixes alone can fill three cd's easily. My favorite is the title track.
Thanks for the great comment sir! I agree completely RE: a remaster/reissue. I’ll be on that preorder list if it’s announced.
Thank you for bringing this full album back into my awareness! These songs are so deeply etched into my childhood consciousness, I still find myself singing bits of them before I even recognize what I’m singing. Definitely time for a full re-listen.
Escapade was probably my favorite at the time, but I vividly remember being blown away by the idea that a pop singer could also sing rock on Black Cat, and that song continues to influence my own music and performances today.
Thanks for reading and sharing Colleen! Two great tracks that I’ve certainly enjoyed hundreds of times over the years. Cheers!
What's your frequency, Janet? https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/janet-jackson-rhythm-nation-crashes-old-laptops-1235130134/
Well that’s a technology problem, not a Janet problem 🤣
I think this album -- the song, especially -- deserves some kind of viral redux. i was obsessed with it as a kid. it was right up there with en vogue's never gonna get it. and where are these songs now? just lost in our collective consciousness? hopefully i'm wrong and everyone is actually still talking about them.
That’s honestly one of the reasons I wrote this piece. The culture needs more Rhythm Nation conversation.
While I was a bigger fan of Control I recognize how significant Rhythm Nation was (and is.) I also know that the album went deeper but my favorite tracks were: Miss You Much, Escapade, Love Will Never Do (Without You) and Come Back to Me - perhaps the biggest hits. Has she ever been as adventurous as she was on this album??
Great picks Dan, all classics for a reason 👍 I’d say 1993’s is adventurous in different ways, but this is certainly the most in-your-face experimentation of her career.
Janet is fantastic, and for me Rhythm Nation is one of her finest songs for its lyrics, production, and the video itself (and I have just put the song on now!).
I am currently reading 'Toxic' by Sarah Ditum, which is about some female artists/celebrities who have been affected by well, the toxicity of fame. Janet is one of the people included, highly recommend as the book explores the Super Bowl debacle, and her influence on the music world.
Hi Sarah, thanks for reading and the book recommendation! Adding the latter to my list. 😁
It is a landmark album in 20th century R&B history.
What a great essay, and what a monumental record. I love Janet, and especially this album (close second is janet.). I know what I’ll be spinning next!
🙏🙌🎉
This is a fabulous review. I was only 17 when I went to the Rhythm Nation tour and was running across Melbourne's Botannical Gardens with my best friend at the time to make it to the opening song. We raced in to hear the last notes of Black Cat. Devastating. I don't really remember it but I loved Janet, the self titled album that came soon after so much. It became a lesbian musical strong hold. 💪 I still know all the words and appreciate her as an icon and revolutionary artist in her own right. Taylor Swift references Janet in Snow on the Beach but I'm not sure the connection other than her name being said.
Thanks for all the effort in this piece. Am sharing it around.