Rhythm Nation 1814

the take

When I first listened to this album many moons ago after "borrowing" it from my pop's via his gigantic CD book ("borrow" meaning ripping the songs to my computer before adding it to my own library), younger me liked it. It's crazy what maturity does to you in the years since because I fully understand the concept of it now, and that's why I love it even more today. Janet Jackson was already certified in making R&B/New Jack Swing bangers from her previous album "Control". This album is no different in terms of production, but "Rhythm Nation 1814" adds a sociological element to it, something that was, and still kind of is, not too common in music. On here, Janet shows her versatility by singing about the state of the world today (sorry, had to include that lyrical pun) while still having the music making the listener want to dance. Aside from the title track, it's kind of hard to pick a clear favorite on here, because every track is different from one another yet still accomplishes the same goal. "Alright" has always stuck out to me as my constant second favorite on here, while "Livin' in a World (They Didn't Make)" hits me more now than before because of my everyday growing understanding of the world. Hell, even the ballads that kind of feel out of place (to me) toward the end of the project are still amazing, especially "Someday Is Tonight". Somehow, I'm still able to do a poor rendition of the Running Man dance to half of these, and Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation 1814" is the reason why. Is it her best project ever? I can't say yet, but I do currently have it above "The Velvet Rope", be that as it may.