Funky, wild, loose, happy, depressing and Michael Jackson’s baby sister all describe Janet Jackson’s latest release, The Velvet Rope. This is definitely not what anyone would expect from the woman we have all grown to love over the years.

With an overload of 15 tracks and seven interludes on this album, Miss Janet could have done a lot better especially considering the success of past albums.

Sounding like Michael Jackson on several songs, including You, What About and Tonight’s the Night, Jackson has paved a promising route to falling off (in the music industry).

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Following a string of hot, sultry and sex-related tracks, Jackson makes the attempt to tell the world about how special everyone is with the song, Special. And it is, coincidentally, the last track on the album.

Like usual, Jackson has a few up-tempo tracks for the dance floor, including the wild and wacky track, Free Xone. This track is definitely for a new audience.

The objective to be free is obvious, but a bit too much. After listening to this collaboration of every instrument known to man, your head is liable to be screaming for Excederin.

The song starts off mellow with the lines He was on the airplane/sittin’ next to this guy/said he wasn’t too shy/and he seemed real nice/until he found out he was gay/that’s so not mellow. Then the explosion occurs.

But, every song on the album is not a bummer. Reminding us of the Janet we all know and love are the tracks Go Deep and I Get Lonely. Jackson may have done a better job if she would have stuck to the structure of these well-produced tracks.

Well, the fat lady may be getting ready to sing because Jackson’s singing career may be over after this one.