Retro Spins: Janet Jackson - Dream Street

 

When we last left Janet, she had just come off of her critically lackluster 1982 self titled debut. While things wouldn't ultimately fair any better with 1984's Dream Street.

Dream Street is not only the lowest selling album of all time for Janet, but also her only album which never spawned any hits. This to me is odd, because frankly, the title track is a powerhouse. Further, the opening track, Don't Stand Another Chance, had the benefit of being produced by brother Marlon Jackson, and featured backing vocals by Michael. That to me seemed like a recipe for airplay, no questions asked.

As I played through it, I got out of the album what I fully expected. Strong vocals from Janet, all laid across relatively throw away tracks. It's not a terrible record, it just wasn't what it needed to be to produce major label success.

Overall, it has a heavy pop sheen to it, which is better in my book to its soul R&B predecessor. What I won't do, is agree with Ken Tucker with The Philadelphia Inquirer, who stated it was better than The Jackson's Victory. That's going too far.

Personally, I think a lot of times the charm with hearing older, or forgotten albums, from artists after they've hit their biggest success is the familiarity of it. Basically, it makes it easier to appreciate, and even like, an album when you're already into that artist. Again, familiarity. Even when it's not their best work, it still finds a way to resonate. I think that's a benefit for Dream Street.

Two years after its release, Janet would eat a bunch of cake, and with more girth to her loins, return to the studio to rock out the powerhouse, Control. With songs driven by pure emotions from her recent divorce from James DeBarge, and severing management with her father, the autobiographical themed album would go on to be a major success. The album was so popular, that it spawned a sequel, of sorts, in the form of 1987's Control: The Remixes. 1989's Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 would then blast the artist into orbit.

I've already talked about Control, check that post out "HERE". As such, we'll dive into the powerhouse which is Rhythm Nation next time!

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THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
May 8, 1982