it's the pleasure principle of the thing

janet jackson's still trying to recover from you-know-what and i totally admire her for it.

she's not the best singer, but you cannot deny her performance skill. it influenced an entire generation of the performers you see on TRL, 106 & Park and in the tabloids. while most of them pay respect to madonna or michael jackson, their styles reek of ms. jackson's head-microphone sweat.

her new single "feedback" is getting strong buzz, but i'll be annoyed if people start using "comeback" in reviews of her album when it's released next month.

janet never left.

after the you-know-what of 2004, she delivered the incredible dance album, damita jo and after that, 20 y.o. which had the thumper, "so excited" (unfortunately the lead single was that weak collaboration she did with nelly). both albums proved janet's still looking for ways to innovate. she's such a hard worker and you have to recognize her perseverance.

parts of "feedback" are like a pep talk she's giving herself after a rough day: "flyer than a pelican find another chick better than--i don't see her." that confidence is contagious. after i see janet's videos, i usually puff up my chest and try to reenact the choreography i've just witnessed.