Is "The Velvet Rope" an Underrated Janet Jackson Album?

Janet Jackson – The Velvet Rope (1997) Album Review

So recently, my family and I were preparing ourselves to get ready to have a garage sale. While we were cleaning some stuff out of our garage, my dad came across a box of CDs he was willing to sell. I decided to look through the CDs. Some I kept, and some we decided to sell. While looking through the box of CDs, I came across what I consider an underrated Janet Jackson album. I came across the Janet Jackson’s The Velvet Rope. The Velvet Rope is the sixth studio album by Janet Jackson. The album was released on October 7, 1997 through Virgin Records America.

Now I was always aware of this album, but now I just want to do a quick review on it. The first thought I want to get off my chest is in my opinion this is an underrated Janet Jackson album. I feel like other people talk about her other albums, and seem to skip over this one. This album is a little more mature. It deals with some of her more personal issues, and was an evolutionary change for the artist.

This album deals with more of her personal issues. Meaning she discusses her sexuality, friendships, her childhood, mental issues, social issues, and overcoming depression.

This album strongly deals with sexuality. For example, one of the songs on the album is called “Tonight’s the Night”. The song deals with Janet, and her possibly being bisexual. A line from the song goes, “loosen up the back of her pretty French gown.”

Another example would be her eighth song on the album, “Go Deep”. A line from that song goes, “We go deep, And we don't get no sleep, Cause we be up all night, Until the early light.” Which I absolutely loved the song “Go Deep”. It has interesting lyrics, and it’s cool pop hit.

This album deals with friendship and I got that from her songs “I Get Lonely” and “Together Again”. The song “Together Again” is actually a tribute song to her friend who died of AIDS.

Janet also samples Joni Mitchell on this album, and collaborates with Q-Tip on the fourth song on this album, “Got ‘til it’s Gone”. Which was nice to hear, and made Janet seem like she is not afraid to experiment.

This album is a fine listen throughout, she has great vocals, has good songs, it’s edgy, open minded, and an album I wish more people would associate Janet with. She truly did experiment, and try new things to do on this album. I don’t think it is her best album, and that is why I’m going to give Janet Jackson’s – The Velvet Rope album a...