The Main Idea:
All For You, Janet's highly anticipated follow-up to 1997's The Velvet Rope, is by far Janet's happiest effort to date. It has a unique, upbeat sound that hasn't been heard from her before, which is due in part to the collaboration with hip-hop heavyweight producer Rockwilder on four of the album's thirteen songs. Janet has said that this record is a reflection of where she's at in her life right now, and it's obvious that this newly divorced thirty-something woman is enjoying every minute of the single life. Of course, in true Janet fashion, there are a couple (but only a couple) of slower, more serious songs that deal with the struggles she's gone through in life, but, for the most part, this album couldn't be any more different from The Velvet Rope.

Song-By-Song Breakdown:
1. INTRO - Janet always feels some weird need to put a completely pointless intro on every one of her albums. This one is no exception; it's just her and a background singer talking or something like that - 0/0

2. YOU AIN'T RIGHT - Janet tackles backstabbing friends on this edgy rock-tinged tune: "Hurts so bad when I talk/Wanna take something/Numb the pain I know it ain't right/Come face to face with her/Gotta tell her how I feel inside." It's a little overproduced and can become really irritating after a while, and some of the vocals are really mediocre, but, overall, not a bad tune. Not one of my favorites, but I thought she made a good effort at it - 4/5

3. ALL FOR YOU - I loved this happy, upbeat little ditty the second I heard it and it now ranks as one of my all-time favorite Janet songs. The melody and background vocals are excellent and I like the sampling a lot. Most of all, I love the catchy, carefree lyrics and playful production. This is definitely a different, more pop-friendly sound for Ms. Jackson, but I think it really works for her. Her personality shines through brilliantly on this first single - 5/5

4. 2WAYFORYOU (INTERLUDE) - I'm jealous - I want an "All For You" ringtone!!! - 0/0

5. COME ON GET UP - I love the tribal-sounding drums of this tune and the simple but infectious hook: "Come on get up baby/Before you make me change my mind/Come on get up baby/So we can dance all through the night." The guitars and background vocals are nice as well and create a great dance vibe. It's actually got a tiny bit of a disco vibe to it and is another one of my favorites, even though some of Janet's vocals are slurred and hard to understand at times - 5/5

6. WHEN WE OOOO - Despite being about sex, I really like this song, mostly because I love the way the vocals are layered and arranged. I'm not a fan of the production, as I think it sounds a bit awkward and doesn't suit the melody, and the lyrics aren't much to write about either, but, overall, it's not a band tune. It's fairly simple and to the point, which is also a bonus. Not one of my favorites, but it's definitely the best babymaking song on the album - 4/5

7. CHINA LOVE - This track has extremely corny lyrics - "I see the sunshine/When I look into your eyes/They speak of worlds gone by/We loved another time/My heart was empty/Till you came to be" - and, as the title suggests, definite Asian influences in the melody and production. The strings and harp are okay, but they make the song sound a little overdone. It's not catchy at all and, though it's not terrible, it could have and should have been a lot better - 3/5

8. LOVE SCENE (OOH BABY) - I think this is one of Janet's worst songs ever and it's a shame it was even put on here because it really takes away from the rest of the record. Janet tries way too hard to sound sexy and her vocals are really screechy and incoherent on the verses. The production and instrumentals are bland and predictable and the lyrics are cheesy and just like those from songs on the Janet album. It sucks how one song can really f*ck things up for an entire record - 1/5

9. LAME (INTERLUDE) - Janet simply complains about how lame men can be at times, and ain't it the truth? - 0/0

10. TRUST A TRY - I love the fast-paced lyrics of the refrain - "Trust/Not an easy thing you say/Never thought the game of love/This way you'd play/By the tings you do/Never thought these things/I would go through with you" - and the edgy guitars. This is one of my favorites because it's so different. It starts out elegantly with some strings, and then turns into this heavy "Black Cat"-like rock song. It's got a lot going on, but that's actually not a bad thing in this case - 5/5

11. CLOUDS (INTERLUDE) - This prelude to the next cut features some random verses from Carly Simon. It doesn't suck, but I don't think it's essential to the album - 0/0

12. SON OF A GUN (I BETCHA THINK THIS SONG IS ABOUT YOU) - Janet samples Carly Simon's "You're So Vain" a bit too heavily on this major f*ck you to ex-husband Rene Elizondo. I prefer the remixes of this tune, but this version is nice as well. Some of the lyrics are questionable and I don't like the way Janet is simply talking her way through the verses, but it could have been a lot worse. Excluding Carly Simon's vocals would have made it a five - 4/5

13. TRUTH - This moody, jazzy cut is one of the more personal songs on the album and a departure from most of the album. It probably would have sounded better had it been included on The Velvet Rope, but it works here as well. I like the piano and guitars as well as the lyrics, which also seem to be addressing Rene. It's rather somber and serious, but I think it's a necessary addition to the record. It shows that Janet isn't just about the single life now - 4/5

14. THEORY (INTERLUDE) - This interlude is friggen retarded. You don't even find out what her theory is. I've decided I'm done rating interludes from hear on out - 0/0

15. SOMEONE TO CALL MY LOVER - *Squeal* I love this song! It's so happy and fun and catchy, how could you not sing along to the chorus?: "Alright maybe gonna find him today/I gotta get someone to call my lover/Yeah baby come on/Alright baby come in/Pass my way/I gotta get someone to call me love/Yeah baby come on." I love the sampling of "Ventura Highway" and this is yet another spirited tune that ranks as one of Janet's all-time best. I can't tell you enough how much I love this song! - 5/5

16. FEELS SO RIGHT - This is a nice, fairly easygoing cut that's a bit sexual, but doesn't throw it in your face. It's pretty simple and understated, which makes it a good departure from most of the record. It's not too terribly catchy, but I think that's a good thing in the case of this song. The vocals are also simple and sound very clear and smooth. A really good way to slow down the album a bit while still keeping with the overall carefree theme - 4/5

17. DOESN'T REALLY MATTER - This single was originally released on the soundtrack to "The Nutty Professor 2" and is equally infectious as any song on this record. This version also includes a sample of the Rockwilder remix, which isn't absolutely necessary, but a nice addition nonetheless. The lyrics are really fast-paced and the production is bubbly, creating a great danceable atmosphere. I've loved this song since it came out in 2000, so I'm quite partial to it - 5/5

18. BETTER DAYS - Once again, Janet ponders past experiences in this more contemplative but still happy tune: "I used to sit and wonder/ Would I ever be happy/Life was so bittersweet/So many disappointments/Too many ups and downs for me/When you live a nightmare/It's hard to dream." There are more strings here, and the song really picks up for the uplifting chorus. Not one of my favorites, but a good way to close the record as it really sums up its overall theme - 4/5

19. OUTRO - Just a simple little thing where Janet asks her producer is he likes it. Nothing special yet again - 0/0

For those who are interested, there are two remixes of "Son Of A Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)" featuring Missy Elliott included as bonus tracks. I won't go through the pain of describing them because the Flyte Tyme remix (4/5) is basically the same as the original and the Bad Boy remix featuring P. Diddy (5/5) is much funkier and edgier. There's also a DVD of all of Janet's videos from 1993 to 2001 as well as some behind the scenes footage and whatnot. Nothing special, but a good collector's item for fans.

The Big Picture:
Light and carefree, All For You is a breath of fresh air after the rather harsh landscape of The Velvet Rope. It shows Janet in a flirtatious new light that, though not totally mindless, is more radio-friendly and bubblegum than her previous efforts. It has all the makings of a perfect pop record: catchy hooks, pleasant melodies, and danceable production. Of course, Janet still has a lot more substance than today's average blonde pop starlet, but she does backtrack a little bit to get in touch with her younger, fresher self. It's evident on All For You that she's having the time of her life right now and is taking her newly single state and running with it. She does sound a little bit like a slut in spots, but that can be forgiven. For the first time, it sounds like Janet has had some pure, unadulterated fun while recording an entire album.

Of course, not all fans may like the new sound of All For You. Since Rhythm Nation, we're all used to hearing the more serious, political side of Ms. Jackson. I think the fans who can keep an open mind and realize that Janet is just speaking exactly what's on her mind right now will really enjoy this record. Basically, you have to take it for what it is - a fun dance album - and not try to look into it too much. I've heard some people say this was Janet's "sell-out" record and that she's just trying to keep up with the Britneys and J. Los and whatnot, and maybe that is a tiny bit true. All For You sounds like a well-orchestrated career and sound change that is the perfect way to usher in the new Janet era. I'm still torn between Rhythm Nation, The Velvet Rope, and this record as my favorite of Janet's, but this one is definitely the most lighthearted and enjoyable.

Final Notes:
Average Song Rating: 4.133
Best Songs: "All For You," "Someone To Call My Lover," "Trust A Try," and "Doesn't Really Matter"
Worst Song(s): "Love Scene (Ooh Baby)"

How Would I Rate This Record's...
Vocals? 3 stars
Lyrics? 4 stars
Production? 5 stars
Timelessness? 3 stars
Artistry? 2 stars

Also Recommended:
Jennifer Lopez - J. Lo
Amerie - All I Have
Joy Enriquez - Joy Enriquez

Recommended: Yes