Tempting as it may be to compare the album to similarly sultry stuff like Madonna’s Erotica, it’s much closer in spirit to the unabashed emotionalism of Joni Mitchell’s Blue. That’s because the most revealing moments here have to do with loneliness and vulnerability, not sexual preference.
The Velvet Rope is a richly dark masterwork that illustrates that, amid the whips and chains, there is nothing sexier than emotional nakedness.
On The Velvet Rope, little Janet manages to spice up the world with references to sex, bondage, straight and gay sex, AIDS, sex and well, sex.
Pared down, The Velvet Rope would have brushed up against brilliance. Still, it’s a testimonial to the record’s merits that it’s ultimately stronger than Jackson’s sense of self-importance.
Disquietingly, it amped up the sex alongside songs about domestic violence, depression and her eating disorder. While the former was as unconvincing as ever, the latter were pretty compelling.
The Velvet Rope, is sexually explicit, offering tales of bondage, body piercing, and bisexuality. Not that you'd necessarily know that from listening to The Velvet Rope, since the album sags with endless interludes, murmured vocals, and subdued urban grooves .... For an album that wants to push the limits, it sounds surprisingly tame.
Despite the racy subject matter, The Velvet Rope is terribly dull.
An otherworldly sensational journey.
Janet Jackson and especially this album has been on my radar for a while now. Although I've heard a few songs on it, because I listened to quite a bit of Michael Jackson when I was a kid, so I heard some of Janet's work as well, I've never heard a full album from her. And well, this project is absolutely stunning.
Even though Janet has a few highlights in her respectable discography, like Control, Rhythm Nation 1814 and janet, The Velvet Rope is ... read more
This album was recommended to me by @mrmerle, a user who has shown me a lot of support on the site since November.
I've been trying to get round to hearing this album for such a long time but I kept pushing it back for no real reason, but I thought this would be the perfect chance for me to check it out now. Thanks again for the recommendation and the support over the last few months, hope you enjoy this review:
Sensuality and sexuality explored, driven with full emotional impact.
The Velvet ... read more
This is an album swap with @ZironReviews, who reviewed SOPHIE’s “OIL OF EVERY PEARL’S UN-INSIDES.”
Janet Jackson > Michael Jackson
I’ve been raised in a household where hearing music like this is very common. We’ve heard classics like “Rain” by SWV, “U Got It Bad” by Usher, and “Waterfalls” by TLC, but we barely ever hear anything from Janet Jackson for some reason.
I can’t get enough of this. If something like ... read more
10/10
An outstanding and futuristic sounding pop / R&B record. It influences albums TO THIS DAY
1 | Interlude: Twisted Elegance 0:42 | 82 |
2 | Velvet Rope 4:55 feat. Vanessa-Mae | 95 |
3 | You 4:42 | 91 |
4 | Got 'Til It's Gone 4:01 feat. Q-Tip, Joni Mitchell | 93 |
5 | Interlude: Speaker Phone 0:54 | 82 |
6 | My Need 3:44 | 92 |
7 | Interlude: Fasten Your Seatbelts 0:19 | 80 |
8 | Go Deep 4:42 | 94 |
9 | Free Xone 4:57 | 92 |
10 | Interlude: Memory 0:04 | 81 |
11 | Together Again 5:01 | 95 |
12 | Interlude: Online 0:19 | 80 |
13 | Empty 4:32 | 93 |
14 | Interlude: Full 0:12 | 82 |
15 | What About 4:24 | 94 |
16 | Every Time 4:17 | 86 |
17 | Tonight's the Night 5:07 | 89 |
18 | I Get Lonely 5:17 | 93 |
19 | Rope Burn 4:15 | 92 |
20 | Anything 4:54 | 87 |
21 | Interlude: Sad 0:10 | 80 |
22 | Special 7:54 Contains hidden track "Can't Be Stopped" | 87 |
#15 | / | SPIN |
#30 | / | Consequence of Sound |