Janet's Sophomore Effort Suffers

Dream Street (1984)

1. "Don't Stand Another Chance"
We begin with this mid-80s R&B tune that became the lead single off the album.  I like the infectious tone of the song as Janet sings this with a lively vocal inflection in her voice. The production is also fairly good.  I also like how you can hear Michael adding in some background vocals which match well with baby sister Janet! :) This is another indication of Janet's sassy side which wouldn't come into fruition until her breakthrough, 3rd album! But so far, so pretty good! :)
(B-)

2. "Two To The Power of Love"
A rather lousy duet with her  then"Fame" co-star at the time, "Two To The Power of Love" is mid-80s teen pop to the T! But it just isn't a great song; feeling very boring with karaoke-style singing (Sorry JJ!) I've never been a fan of this song as it just feels so generic; blending into many songs that were released at the time and not really sticking out for that reason. Blah!
(C-)

3. "Pretty Boy"
Even as far back as 1984, Janet couldn't help but mumble sing her way through a song! lol Janet is just singing about a "pretty boy"....and that's about all I can say about the song. I can't understand what she's saying and the beat is rather bland; once again having a sound that' not very distinct and just blends into your memory.  You can tell Janet wasn't really interested in this one and if she was, I'd be surprised...seriously! O_O
(D)

4. "Dream Street"
How ironic Janet would be singing of a girl dreaming of the days of super stardom as she's pretty much singing about herself. A struggling actress trying to leave her mark on pop culture...but unfortunately the song's inspiring message gets lost in another production that feels bland and generic af. I mean for the title track, this should have really been a standout on the album but it "fades away"as Janet so innocently sings!
(C)

5. "Communication"
I always found this track so disappointing as it starts off like it will be this infectious, inventive song but just ends up being more filler than anything else. I don't care about communication Janet! I just want a good song on this album already instead of these throwaway tracks that don't to anything to entertain or amuse! -_-
(D)

6. "Fast Girls"
Ummmm, I just could never get how this song was pitched in the studio! "Let's do a song about how girls like to give it up easy to men and make it catchy! Yay!!" I mean seriously, for a then 18 year old Janet, this song is just inappropriate with Janet singing how "fast girls are all you really need" and how "it will make you happy!" Wow, I just can't! Even back then, Janet was a little freak in training but this isn't fun or fast paced pleasing, it's just boring as usual for this album!
(D-)

7. "Hold Back The Tears"
FINALLY!!! A song that really invigorates some needed energy to the album with a solid vocal performance from Janet, a pulse pounding production and some great melodies! Now why couldn't the majority of the album be like this! Now, this is no where near some of Janet's best work but it's above average from the material that has been lazily and poorly handled on this album. I mean poor Janet couldn't get a writer or producer who understood how to bring out the best out of her. :(
(B+)

8. "All My Love To You"
Once again, another strong track after a run of some really bad ones!!! I really like the fast paced production and the vocal structure that Janet sings the song with.  It's a song about devotion and I like the melody of the song as well as the incorporating background vocals as well as harmonies. I justn once again wished the majority of the album had this kind of relentless energy to it because this is a nice turn around from the dire work earlier on it.
(B+) 

9. "If Takes All Night"
As the album concludes we get this sweet, if not slightly average ender. I mean it isn't a bad song by any means, it just doesn't have any fascinating production cues as the beat is funky but fairly generic as well. As the last track to the album, Janet and her team of producers as well as writers should have left a better impression on listeners. But then again, that could be said about the album in general, just so much missed opportunity here! :(
(C)

1984 was not a good year for Janet. Her role on "Fame" only lasted one season as she departed soon after. Her secret marriage to James DeBarge lead to a tumultuous relationship that ended in a quick divorce. Brother Michael's "Thriller" was still the hottest album to come out at the time; still on the charts after almost two years and selling like crazy.  Then you have a little girl named Madonna finally made a HUGE breakthrough with her second album "Like A Virgin" and there was no room or attention for Janet. You got to give Joe Jackson credit, he is very persistent with making his children successful artists! But the problem again is that Janet is having no say in these projects and is simply there to sing songs given to her.  For "Dream Street", brothers Marlon and Jermaine took control of the projects with Michael coming in to provide some background vocals.  The results are more mixed and messy than her debut/  Songs like "Pretty Boy" and "Communication" are so tiresome and forgettable; making you wonder why they were released in the first place.  I mean even the message of "Fast Girls" is highly questionable and severely head scratching at times. It's like no one knew how to give Janet some strong material to work with.  I mean there are fewer stand outs here than her first album and that's just pitiful. An artist like Janet should be evolving at this point, but her music is just going backwards. It's no wonder the album debuted MUCH lower on the Billboard charts; landing at #147 and selling less albums than her first. I'm just glad this is her last album to suffer in quality before her official declaration of independence with her 3rd album. But in the meantime...

"After her slightly above average debut with her self titled "Janet Jackson", "Dream Street" is sadly an even worse outing for the potentially great artist at the time. This is by far some of her worst material with horrible productions, sloppily written lyrics and overall tone to it that just meanders about until it's very mediocre conclusion!"
(D-)