Janet Jackson's 20 Y.O: Two Decades After Control, Jackson Hopes to Capture the Same Vibe

Just about every artist who's been in the music business long enough to release multiple albums has made a statement to explain how their most recent work differs from what's come before. Few are us up front about it as Janet Jackson, who tells her fans exactly what she's setting out to do on the first track of her new disc.

On the intro to 20 Y.O. - so named because it's release comes two decades after Control catapulted her to superstardom - Janet reflects on the serious topics her music has tackled through the years. This time, she wants to keep it light and have fun. In her own words, "there's something to be said for not saying anything."

If that's the sole criteria on which to judge the CD, 20 Y.O. has to be considered a smashing success. Setting aside the political musings of Rhythm Nation 1814 and the introspection of janet. for the time being, Jackson turns in a collection of mostly uptempo songs intended to make bodies move without taxing the grey matter too much. Songs like "Show Me" and "Do It 2 Me" are representative of her current state of mind, which seems to be don't worry, just dance.

Of course, while she might not be as forthcoming about it, Janet also has her heart set on the "c" word - as in comeback. Jackson has gone platinum each on each of her last two outings, but without the parade of number one singles that used to be her trademark. That's why she enlisted the help of her current beau, super-producer Jermaine Dupri, to add to the talents of longtime collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.

It's tough to tell who deserves credit for what, but the old school hip hop influence heard on "So Excited" and "Get It Out Me" probably wouldn't be present without JD. Ironically, though, the song with the biggest Dupri stamp on it is lead single "Call On Me" (a duet with Nelly), and radio stations greeted it largely with indifference.

Maybe Jackson's best chance to recapture her status on the charts is with songs that more directly recall her past. The interactive booklet that comes with a 20 Y.O. download on iTunes states that "Daybreak" was intended to bring back memories of "Escapade," and it proves to be a pretty reasonable facsimile both musically and lyrically. The next track, "Enjoy," does the best job of combining Janet's classic sound with a current beat, and seems like the best bet to be a hit if it's packaged as a single.

Janet and her team are executing an all-out publicity blitz in support of her new album, with the singer making the rounds on the talk show circuit and gracing the cover of numerous magazines. While that kind of effort should prove effective drumming up awareness for 20 Y.O., the music itself will ultimately be responsible for accomplishing Jackson's twin goals. Chalk one up for keeping it light, but a return to the days of ruling the pop airwaves might have to wait until the 25th anniversary of Control.