Design Of A Decade 1986-1996 - Janet Jackson > Reviews > 10 years of hits

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	Mixed
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	Stacks of hits
Disadvantages:	Songs are in random order, lots of songs missed out

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Janet's first two albums didn't do very well but then she released "Control" and the rest is history, as they say. Many of her hit singles since then are on "Design of a Decade".

This album was released in 1995 and I actually borrowed it from the library!

Track 1 is "Runaway". This was a new song from this album and it had an elaborate video but it's quite a boring song, despite being about Janet's travels around the world, and I can't actually understand what Janet is singing a lot of the time. It's a bad start to this album.

Track 2 is "What Have You Done For Me Lately?" which is a fine slice of 1980s dance taken from "Control". Janet is in demanding mode here, wanting to know why her man isn't putting as much effort into their relationship as he used to. "You seem to think you're God's gift to this earth.."

Track 3 is "Nasty" taken from the "Control" album. I'm not keen on this and it sounds like style over substance.

Track 4 is the lovely "When I Think Of You". It's simple pop, taken from the "Control" album. It would be better without all the moaning and screaming and laughing in the middle but the song is pretty good.

Track 5 is "Escapade". This is taken from the "Rhythm Nation" album and I really enjoy it. It's about just escaping for the weekend and having fun. "We'll make the rules up as we go along, and break them all...".

Track 6 is "Miss You Much". This is a nice simple dancey love song which was the first UK release from "Rhythm Nation". I like it!

Track 7 is "Whoops Now" taken from the album "Janet". Janet didn't want this released as a single but the record company got their way. It's a light hearted, slightly silly song about going out with your friends and it was a pretty big UK hit in 1995. I think it was released as a double-A side with "What'll I Do?"

Track 8 is "Love Will Never Do Without You". It's a mid tempo, R 'n B pop song taken from "Rhythm Nation". It's about your love affair surviving even though people keep trying to knock it. "They said it wouldn't last..."

Track 9 is "Alright". It has a slight house music feel to it and it's about how friends should stick together.

Track 10 is "The Best Things In Life Are Free", which is a duet with Luther Vandross. This single was actually released twice, including a re-mix but the original reached number 2 in the singles chart in 1992. It's taken from the soundtrack to a rather dire film called "Mo' Money".

Track 11 is "Control", taken from the album of the same name. She wants control over her own life and career and she's going to get it!

Track 12 is the boring "Pleasure Principle". It does nothing for me at all. It's a tedious dance track with breathy vocals. My least favourite JJ song.

Track 13 is "Black Cat" and this is where Janet goes rock! It's a guitar based track and Janet has harsh vocals. Her man is staying out late and getting up to hell knows what and she's worried. "You're a rebel now, don't give a damn."

Track 14 is "Rhythm Nation". It's a loud, thumpy track and it's a call for a better world. "Let's work together to improve our way of life".

Track 15 is "That's The Way Love Goes". It's a sexy little number from the "Janet" album and it's very R 'n' B.

Track 16 is the tearful "Come Back To Me" taken from "Rhythm Nation". Janet's vocals sound very low here but it's a nice song. "My abandoned heart, just doesn't understand".

Track 17 is "Let's Wait Awhile". It's about not taking love too far, too fast. It's a beautiful ballad and it shows how Janet's style has changed over the years. This is quite a virginal song!

The last track "24 Play" demonstrates this as well. It's another smoochy song about sex!

This album is quite good but it's far from a decent collection. The best Janet Jackson song "Again" is not even here. Also, sometimes Janet's singing isn't as good as it could be. I can't quite make out the words in lots of places.

It's worth noting that sites such as Amazon sell imports of this album and there are better versions of it around. The British release that I've reviewed actually has a picture of a leather-clad Janet with short hair and a cheeky smile. The Ciao picture is from an import.

"Design of a Decade" is £13 in HMV but I don't think I'll be investing in a copy. I might look around for an imported version with different songs on. But the version I have reviewed is a must for any Janet fan.