Product Description

Little did you know that the American national anthem, "GodBless America", was written in 1814. Janet did, and she sets out in RHYTHM NATION to dish out a bit of "let's all work together for a better world and improve our way of life" type thing. This vein continues for a number of tracks, and admirable though it is, she sounds so much more convincing singing a good old-fashioned love song. The Jacksons were meant to dance, not to sermonise. That said, "Miss You Much", "Lonely" and "Come Back To Me:" are fabulous. Slick, sweet soul sung and played perfectly.

Track Listing

1. Rhythm Nation
2. State Of The World
3. Knowledge
4. Miss You Much
5. Love Will Never Do (Without You)
6. Livin' In A World (They Didn't Make)
7. Alright Alright
8. Escapade
9. Black Cat
10. Lonely
11. Come Back To Me
12. Someday Is Tonight

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4972 in Music
• Released on: 2000-09-07
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Import

From Amazon.com
Picking up where the breakthrough funk-pop of Control left off, Janet Jackson and her production team of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis laced Rhythm Nation with high-minded references to societal ills--seldom the favored province of dance music, but a daring attempt nonetheless. Songs like "State of the World" and "The Knowledge" follow in the tradition of "free your mind and your ass will follow." Still, aside from the title track, it was the pure pop fare and dance music that stormed the charts: "Escapade," "Love Will Never Do (Without You)," "Alright," and "Come Back to Me" concentrate on the politics of personal relationships, not public policy, while "Black Cat" burns the place down with a fierce burst of hard rock. Rhythm Nation 1814 doesn't necessarily hang together thematically, but it's so chock full of hits, you scarcely notice. --Daniel Durchholz

Customer Reviews

The lovely JJ really can sing!
Felt like writing a review of this one, after giving my copy a play last night. JJ's "1814" album is really worthwhile, successfully welding a "state-of-the-nation" social commentary and a good dance ethic.

JJ grooves her way through "Rhythm Nation", "State Of The World", "The Knowledge", and the irrepressible "Miss You Much" before slowing things down a touch on the tremendous "Love Will Never Do". (And is that Herb Alpert doing a trumpet intervention?) The poignant "Livin' In A World" closes out the original side one of the original LP.

Then it's a question of going back up through the gears for "Alright", "Escapade" and the rockier "Black Cat" before my favourite part of "JJRN 1814". That is the breathtaking sixteen and-a-half minute "suite" of slushy songs which bring the album to a close. It would be impossible to tire of the majestic trio of "Lonely", "Come Back To Me" and "Someday Is Tonight". The last, in particular, is quite divinely sensual, with its synthesiser interplay and muted trumpet solo. They form the absolutely PERFECT late-night listening experience. A whole-heartedly recommendable album.

PS. Shock horror. Just took a look at the inner sleeve of my vinyl copy of this one. One Herb Alpert is credited with the Tijuana brass on "Love Will Never Do" and the trumpet solo on "Someday Is Tonight". Almost enough to justify a total reappraisal of the Herb's middle-of-the-road career!

An album that brings society together!!!!
Janets 1989 release Rhythm nation (her 4th ablum) is an emense big seller shifting 14 million copies, but is this shocking? Not likely the album speaks to a person in so many ways that its bound to sell loads. This album is almost for everyone ranging from different artistic styles like Rock to hardcore dance. Although the main concept of the album is social issues that surround modern day, the record does have more contempary songs about nights out and love. The highlights of the album have to be (in my opinion) are "The knowledge", which is a song encouraging the path of education and effective it is, very inspiring. "lonely" is the other choice as this song speaks to me the most, there have been many a times when i have felt alone and that the world is against me. Listening to this song almost feels like janet is speaking to me personally and i then dont feel quite so alone (duno y), which many songs never accomplish with me. I feel it a definate plus if an album or song touches you. All in all this album is worth the price payed One of janets finest hours most certainly.

A thought provoking and an album way ahead of it's time.
This has got to be in my opinion one of the best albums ever made. Even after 15 years, the issues raised by Rhythm Nation are as true to life now as they were then.

So much research was done to bring the facts of real life to people's attention. The main songs you need to look out for are "Rhythm Nation", "State of the world", "The Knowledge" and the emotional "Living in a world they didn't make".
It was written at a time where talking about real life issues was the in thing.

One interesting aspect of Ryhthm Nation 1814 is the different musical styles in it. You have Rap, Hip Hop and oddly enough grunge rock, which you will find in the song "Black Cat".
There are also quotes in the album which also talk about the state of the world as it was then and still is.
My favourate quote comes at the very end of the album.
"In complete darkness we are all the same, it is only our knowedge and wisdom that separates us... Don't let your eyes deceive you"