241 Points
Number of Voters: 19
Highest Voters: madonnas (#1); DrownedWorld (#2)
Billboard 200 Peak: #2
RIAA Certification: 2x Platinum
October 16, 1992
Dance-pop/Lounge
Quote:
ECNEICSNOC:This album isn’t as sexual as the title would have you believe. A better title for this album would be something like Consequence, because that’s exactly what this album is about overall: the potential consequences of sex (most of which are negative). Sadness, anger, and confusion permeate this album much more than lust, making it Madonna’s most sincerely personal album. The unnecessary length of most of the tracks, the annoying nasally quality of Madonna’s voice throughout the album, the spoken vignettes on most tracks, and the lifeless quality of most of the vocals all come together perfectly to tell a story of woman who has done wrong (and been done wrong) by constantly chasing carnal pleasures.
Erotica – This song sounds like a Justify My Love redo but less sexy. It’s still good, though, and it sets the more downbeat tone for the rest of the album. – 8.5
Fever – While there are many better covers of Fever, this one works well for this album. – 8
Bye Bye Baby – Sounds a bit like lounge music, but there’s more to it than that. Madonna is waving good-bye to an unfaithful lover. There’s such a subdued anger present throughout this entire song, and it comes out at the end when an answering machine beep conveniently censors the line “You f**ked it up” – 9
Deeper and Deeper – Yes, it sounds like a Vogue rehash as much as Erotica sounds like a Justify My Love rehash, but look beyond that for a second. That flamenco section? Genius. Those vocals? Some of Madonna’s best up until that point. The gay boy lyrics? This song ranks among Madonna’s best. – 9
Where Life Begins – Overtly sexual, but that’s not a bad thing here.
Bad Girl – This song isn’t quite as horrible as I once thought it was, but it still sounds a bit too weepy for my taste. I’d never just randomly listen to it on my iPod, but it fits on the album. – 6
Waiting – On this jazzish track, the protagonist exhibits self-loathing for constantly going back to a man that continues to do her wrong. She knows this man will never change because of his own insecurities, but she can’t find the strength to leave him for fear of being along. Awesome storytelling. One of my 5 favorite Madonna tracks for sure. – 10
Thief of Hearts – I love the deep, dark dance beats Madonna used on this album. And I love the different emotions she brought to the table (anger in the case of this song). – 10
Words – Explosive. I love the Middle Eastern influences. And the monologue at the end is interesting. – 10
Rain – This song has really grown on me as of late! It’s one of the few songs on the album with a strong melody and the lyrics are gorgeous! – 8.5
Why’s It So Hard – It’s cheesy and overlong. I’d probably like it more if it wasn’t so repetitive in the last minute and a half or so. – 6.5
In This Life – Madonna was probably the first pop star to make a song dealing with HIV/AIDS, particularly in the homosexual community. The ending monologue is a bit heartbreaking. – 10
Did You Do It – The instrumental from Waiting + rapping from some no-name. It fits the theme of the album I suppose, but it could’ve just been left on the cutting room floor. – 6
Secret Garden – This song is perfect. It’s jazzy and Madonna sounds enamoured with the idea of having a child but also afraid that it may never happen. Lyrically it’s arguably her best song. And that piano solo at the end?! Amazing!! – 10
madonnas: All I'm going to say is that I'm VERY disappointed in none of you (besides me) choosing Where Life Begins (Madonna's BEST SONG) as the best from this album. Otherwise, good job getting it into the top 10.
edit: Ive been meaning to listen to that Erotica, I will get to it eventually, ive heard most of her others, this one should be good too.....also glad to see Lauryn Hill get some love, her one and only album, wish she made one more like Maxwell, but thats not happening anytime soon
247 Points
Number of Voters: 18
Highest Voters: tcweh & NatePhoenix (#1); primo. (#2)
Billboard 200 Peak: #1
RIAA Certification: 6x Platinum (Should Be 7x Platinum)
May 18, 1993
R&B/Dance-pop
Quote:
This album’s biggest merit is the way it can float between so many different musical influences while never truly leaving behind it’s core R&B sound. There are influences of house, hip hop, rock, and even opera! Many of today’s acts would do well to study this album in that respect. Some of the songs do drag on after awhile (the stretch of the album after What’ll I Do and before Where Are You Now lasts for decades!) but this album is such a moment in pop music history in that we get to see a child star finally grow into her sexuality. The constant sex wasn’t boring at this time, partially because she had never done it before, and partially because she truly seemed enamored with the subject at the time (like a dog in heat!). A great album.
That’s The Way Love Goes – A classic 90s R&B track and Janet’s most successful song in America (and the UK as well if I’m not mistaken). This song slinks along at perfect pace. – 9
You Want This – Janet is such a cocktease! On this upbeat track Janet tortures the man she knows wants to get with her, but doesn’t put out in the end. – 10
If – An eclectic mix of R&B, rock, and dance. Janet’s chanting in the verses is alluring (even though you have NO idea what she’s saying unless you’ve looked at a lyrics sheet). The lyrics are designed to tickle your fancy (“Your smooth and shiny feels so good against my lips”) And that breakdown?! Who else can include a breakdown in an album version of a song? Just amazing. – 10
This Time – This is like the watered down version of What About from The Velvet Quran. Opera singer Kathleen Battle features on this song and definitely gives it a dramatic edge. - 8
Throb – This house influenced track is guaranteed to get you moving (in a couple different ways). – 8
What’ll I Do – A great song. This horn driven track describes Janet’s confusion about what she should do with herself until her man can come back and give her some good D. I didn’t know it was a cover until recently. – 10
Funky Big Band – The only filler track on Janet’s four classic albums. Boring and adds nothing to the album. – 4
New Agenda – A somewhat forced attempt at the social awareness from the Rhythm Nation album. Corny, but cute. But corny. – 7
Because of Love – This is a sweet uptempo love song with great vocals (and I love those shoo be doo be doos) but ultimately it gets lost with Janet’s better singles from her prime. – 7
Again – The fact that sappy songs like this used to rule airways is just This and Mariah’s Hero are arguably their most boring songs, but somehow they managed to become hits. – 6.5
Where Are You Now – Again upgraded. This song would’ve snatched the wig of all the mid-90s girls had it been released. It’s not quite as saccharine as the previous track (but it is supposedly about a lost dog). As far as boring AC ballads go, this one is a killer. – 9
The Body That Loves You – A sleepier version of Any Time, Any Place – 8
Any Time, Any Place – One of the most sincere declarations of pure lust that pop and R&B music have ever seen. Janet oozes sex on this song moreso than on anything else she’s ever done. – 10
Whoops Now – A fun album closer in the vein of songs like When I Think of You. Cute. – 8
BLaCKPoWeR: janet. is Janet's second best album in my opinion. It's an excellent representation of the mid 90s R&B/Pop sound. The beats are a bit repetitive, but the overall production is splendid and the lyrics generally deal with sex and romance very poetically. But TVR > this.
That's the Way Love Goes, If, This Time, New Agenda, What I'll Do, Because of Love, Anytime Anyplace and AGAINSUS >>>>.
270 Points
Number of Voters: 20
Highest Voters: skyler & bobbymfw (#1); Whatevaaaaa & supaspaz (#2)
Billboard 200 Peak: #1
RIAA Certification: 16x Platinum (Diamond)
June 13, 1995
Alternative Pop Rock (Is that even a thing?)
Quote:
My expectations were really high for this album, but it didn’t quite deliver. I was expecting 10 across the board and groundbreaking, legendary ****. What I got was a standard breakup album. Maybe I just can’t relate to it because I can’t really relate to the heartbroken lyrics, but I do really like her voice and I enjoy a strong, fierce woman. Maybe I’ll like it more upon subsequent listens.
All I Really Want – A stunning album opener. Alanis reads her hypercritical boyfriend to pieces. She’s damn near giving him a character analysis about himself! And I LOVE her vocals and the guitar riff. – 10
You Oughta Know – Sterotypical woman done wrong anthem. A bit overrated, but still great. – 8
Perfect – Musically a bit stale, but I do enjoy the lyrics. – 6.5
Hand In My Pocket – Ehh…. – 6
Right Through You - This song’s softer sound and passionate vocals lend themselves well to this vengeful breakup anthem. – 8.5
Forgiven – Sounds like she’s confronting God throughout this song (she was really pissed when she made this album; was she mad at me too? ) which is nice, but all and all I can’t really get into this song either. – 6
You Learn – I never knew this song was Alanis! It gets a lot of recurrent airplay on my local stations. I always enjoyed it without knowing who it was. – 8
Head over Feet – This song is beautiful. I love the key change and the harmonica solo that accompanies it. It’s more optimistic as well, which I enjoy. – 9
Mary Jane - Beautiful song about a woman struggling with depression. – 9
Ironic – Wait this is her signature song? But…. There are better songs on this album. This is average at BEST. – 6
Not the Doctor – I think this song is interesting in that Alanis expresses a desire to NOT be idolized by others. It’s strange because that had to have been exactly what happened to her once this album blew up. – 7
Wake Up – - 4
Recommended To: People who like the likes of Liz Phair or PJ Harvey but feel that they’re just a little too rough around the edges. Fans of the pop rock of P!nk and Kelly Clarkson.
This and Mariah’s Hero are arguably their most boring songs, but somehow they managed to become hits. – 6.5 
) which is nice, but all and all I can’t really get into this song either. – 6 
Beautiful song about a woman struggling with depression. – 9 
- 4