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Critic Reviews
100
Although Janet Jackson had released two records in the early '80s, they were quickly forgotten, and notably shaped by her father's considerable influence. Janet's landmark third album, 1986's Control, changed all that.
11y
87
Control is exactly what the title says: It is not just a nurturing of identity, it’s a demand to never lose it ever again.
2y
80
With a scintillating shrug of her shoulders, Jackson asserted her newfound Control.
11y
80
The album simply feels so much like Janetโs moment of entrance that pop cultureโs selective amnesia can be easily forgiven.
11y
๐๐600 Followers Review Special ๐๐
" 'Cause privacy is my middle name
My last name is control
No, my first name ain't baby
It's Janet, Miss Jackson if you're nasty"
A trailblazing emancipation that sees Janet reinvent herself after a string of two forgettable bubblegum pop flops. With her father dropped as management Jackson entered a new age, one that would see her go on to have consequential commercial and musical influence on the pop music of not ... read more
#42 On Apple Music's Best albums of all time list
Really fun album I love Janet Jackson's vocals on here her voice is just so amazing the album is really consistent every track is great I also love the pop production fits her vocals so well lots of catchy tracks on here as well overall a great listen that is really consistent with amazing vocals and production throughout the whole project
Best Tracks
Control
Nasty
He doesn't know I'm alive
What have you done for me lately
Janet Jackson's first success came with her third studio album. It begins with the perfect intro; the title track "Control" gives the listener all they need to know before they get into the record. The topic matter is how Janet wants to be in "Control," and how the heavy, bashing drums will be a staple of the record. It's a great, catchy, dance-pop album that never bores me. The repeating lyricism isn't bad because of how beautiful her voice is and how ... read more
janet jackson... you are just really the one. this record makes you wanna go to 1980s and force the dj to play this album front to back. so addictive, so magnetic, so crazy. it's the second album that I've listened from the one and only and I just keep getting blown away by her artistry and the ability to be so creative and fun while being serious about herself
The start of an album run that may just give MJ a run for his money. It's no wonder she is pretty much the only Jackson not to be overshadowed by her brother.
Despite not particularly being my taste, this album sounds like a product of its time in just about the best way possible
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Track List
| 1 | Control 5:53 | 90 |
| 2 | Nasty 4:03 | 88 |
| 3 | What Have You Done for Me Lately 4:59 | 85 |
| 4 | You Can Be Mine 5:17 | 79 |
| 5 | The Pleasure Principle 4:57 | 87 |
| 6 | When I Think of You 3:57 | 86 |
| 7 | He Doesn't Know I'm Alive 3:32 | 83 |
| 8 | Let's Wait Awhile 4:37 | 84 |
| 9 | Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun) 4:29 | 81 |
Total Length: 41 minutes
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6d
synth funk secondary makes zero sense when minneapolis sound is already a primary and there’s no synth funk here that isn’t minneapolis sound
3mo
plus, just because an album is more ambitious doesn't make it inherently more valuable artistically. this album remains cohesive all the way through with its sound and themes while being a concise and fun pop record. a similar thing happens with Madonna's debut imo. it's a quintessential and gigantic dance-pop record (perhaps one of the most important albums in the genre's history) that gets underrated on this site bc of its modesty, in favor of her eclectic 90s work.
3mo
this album is very much historically significant. not only in terms of launching Janet's career, but also, a lot of the cross between dance-pop beats and soulful contemporary r&b vocals that have occured since the 80s, can be attributed to an extent to this album. she wasn't the only one, of course the pointer sisters were also pioneering that. but by the late 80s, everyone was copying the sound of this album. you can hear it on michael jackson's bad, jody watley's debut, pebbles, shanice wilson, even sheena easton during this time. all of them wanted to sound like Control in one way or another.
3mo
why is it this album that's always chosen by critics for greatest albums lists? i haven't heard it yet, but was rhythm nation not both way more commercially successful and way more artistically accomplished?
i like this album a lot, i just find it kinda strange. it's like ranking the bends over ok computer on one of those lists (not that you can't prefer the bends, i just mean from a standpoint of cultural significance)
i like this album a lot, i just find it kinda strange. it's like ranking the bends over ok computer on one of those lists (not that you can't prefer the bends, i just mean from a standpoint of cultural significance)