Design of a Decade: 1986-1996

iTunes Review

Design of a Decade puts the spotlight one of the most audacious sonic signatures of the ‘80s. Janet Jackson’s Control (1986) and Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989) spawned an astonishing total of 13 hits. More crucially, the albums completely changed the rules of pop music. Working closely with a tight knit production unit — consisting of producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, A&R man John McClain, and multi-instrumentalist Jellybean Johnson — Janet crafted a sound that, for distinctiveness and inventiveness, was rivaled only by her brother Michael and Prince. “Escapade,” “Miss You Much,” and “Love Will Never Do (Without You)” offer an unlikely fusion of ultra-sweet melodies with heavy, almost industrial percussion. “Rhythm Nation” is even harder to categorize — a mix of Funkadelic, Michael Jackson, and Nine Inch Nails, the song is easily one of the boldest songs to ever chart. Janet would continue her domination long after 1996 — the sultry “That’s the Way Love Goes” and the unreleased “Runaway” give a sense of her ‘90s output — but Design of a Decade is a focused summation of her breakthrough ideas.