I so appreciate this article, especially your eloquent assessment of janet. This album was, in a sense, quintessential for my own development before I really knew that it could be, and after rediscovering it a year or so ago I was STUNNED that a 1993 mainstream release was so forthright about sex, so genuine in its emotion. You describe its achievements beautifully here, and make me wish it was part of a lengthier discourse.

Never had the Janet album, but those other two are masterpieces...probably in my top 10 of all time.

I'd maybe add Salt-N-Pepa's Very Necessary to that list, too.

PJ Harvey is, to this day, my favorite musician, and Rid of Me and 1995's radically different but equally stunning To Bring You My Love are my favorite records of all time. I also know Exile and janet. by heart (I've always been musically omnivorous but partial to women) and having all three hit their 20th anniversary has made me feel proud and old at the same time.

@ 2, in a way your comment makes me sad. It shouldn't be stunning that 1993 saw, in your words, a mainstream release that was so forthright about sex. After all, Madonna had already blazed that trail in 91 and 92. But 20 years later and nothing's different. Even though Mylie Cyrus twerked on national (well, basic cable) TV, she got a lot more slut-shaming than "whoa, that was daring."

@6, please, don't compare miley and janet.

I remember really hating Exile in Guyville when it first came out. At that time, there were so many great women making music that was not about how shitty it was to be a woman (because in the 90's, it was actually really awesome, at least where I grew up). We had The Throwing Muses, the Deal sisters, Kim Gordon, Elastica, Daisy Chainsaw, The Lunachicks, PJ, Lush, The Sundays, Mazzy, Juliana, etc...

So when Liz Phair came in as this pretty, conventionally hot woman only singing about her bad choices and being dicked over by stupid guys, my friends and I sort of felt like it was a step back for women and did not enjoy the message at all. I guess she was like the Marie Calloway of music at the time.

I actually liked it better in my late 20's once things did turn back to shit for women and I could relate more.

my Aunty Hailey recently got a very nice Toyota Camry by work using a lap-top... more helpful hints....... w­w­w.j­o­b­s­2­5.C­om

I have all three and people who know me are surprised that I have the Janet Jackson album but it really is a masterpiece in its own right. Top selling pop, yes, but with an honesty and sensuality that my hubby and I still use sometimes.