I feel like I'm in an elementary school dance recital: TWO of my favorite divas of yore are back with new videos: Janet Jackson and Taylor Dayne. Cowabunga!
Okay, okay... I know that Janet was popular throughout the '90s, too... and that she's released plenty of decent music in the 00's. But really, has she ever been as cool as she was back in those Control Days? Screw that whispy voice and nympho posturing she does now. I like OLD Janet: militaristic, fierce and take-charge. No, this is not a reaction to Nipplegate! I could give a hoot about seeing her boob - the only thing that pissed me off about infamous performance was watching her follow-up an old-skool, empowering performance of "Rhythm Nation" with a lame, objectifying publicity stunt.
Of course, we all know that her career suffered after that (even though Justin's soared - sexism much?). Her last two albums, Damita Jo and 20 Y.O. were commercial stinkers. Some blame Nipplegate, I blame her focusing her attention on hip hop producers instead of the hip POP producers that made the music people actually love her for.
Seems that she got the message. Her new single, "Feedback," (from her upcoming album Discipline) is shaping up to be one of her biggest dance-pop hits in YEARS. Even if I, personally, am not a fan.
The video just got released this week... check it out!
Okay, not to start a war of divas, but does anyone else think she's totally (AGAIN!) copying Madonna? You know how Madonna always reinvents herself for every album? I've always felt that Janet basically does the exact same type of look, but one reinvention behind Madonna. As in, right now she's doing her version of Confessions on a Dancefloor Madonna: "Oops! My last album didn't sell? Better go back to my disco -dance roots!"
Check out her outfit from her new photoshoot in the January issue of Prestige magazine:
Okay, cover the head, imagine it purple instead of black... it's basically Madonna's "Hung Up" era look of fishnet, leotards, and corsets.
Grr. Never been much of a Janet fan. I like her music, but she's drawn me in.
On the other hand, I've always liked Miss Taylor Dayne ("Tell it To My Heart," "Prove Your Love," "With Every Beat of My Heart").
She's been missing for a while, though she did release a single this past year "I'm Not Featuring You" that was ... eh.
Check out her new video for "Beautiful," the first single off her new album Satisfied!
Hmm... interesting! Not a dance song, but the Hex Hector remix of it is out there and already growing in clubs.
I think she's a pretty great singer. She actually sounds even better live, from what I recall.
I also kind of like the song, though it's nothing special. Strangely, I think I like it more WITHOUT the video. The video does a poor job presenting it. You've got Taylor Dayne - who looks just fine, but not exactly like she's still 25 - writhing around making kissie faces on a bed... half naked guys jumping around and flexing... it's put together like a Britney-esque pop song, which is totally at odds from what it actually sounds like.
My suggestion would have been to market the song differently. Instead of putting her in a video better suited for Rihanna, embrace that she's an older but still beautiful and talented singer who has been out of the spotlight for a while. They should forget about trying to win a new (and younger) audience (at least for now), and get the CD stocked next to Amy Winehouse and Lilly Allen at your local Starbucks stores. All the soccer moms inside will be excited to see "Taylor Dayne!... Hey, she was my Class of '88 Prom Song!"
But who am I to say? ;)
So... which diva comeback are you more in the mood for? Janet or Taylor??
JADE
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