Album Showdown: Like a Prayer vs. Rhythm Nation

I probably should think of "Ain't No Big Deal" as throwaway Madonna, because it is - almost literally, since she only used it as a B-side. It's a pretty light, piffly song.

But I kinda like it. Maybe it's just whenever I hear/think the phrase "no big deal", I launch into the song!

I also paid big bucks to get that one on CD back in 1987. It was available only on an expensive import CD EP - I think it cost me about $25 to get it with the "Dress You Up" extended mix. And it was worth it, even though $25 to me back then would be the equivalent of like $250 to me now!

 

Rhythm Nation, without a doubt. Not really understanding the Janet V Madonna comparisons. And why Madonna is winning, for that matter.

 

I prefer "Rhythm Nation" because, as good as "Like A Prayer" is, the album's songs are too long, and bore me.

I understand that, for many on this forum, it's a musically stylistic issue.

 

Not a shocker to me at all. Janet was on top of the world in 1989/1990. Janet had the hip-hop-influenced sound that was popular during that era. Madonna seemed old-school by then. It was like, by then, her only real competition was Paula Abdul and Prince. No wonder she published that book and pushed more buttons in 1991. She was looking for attention in a top 10 full of hip-hop.

LAP had hits too, but it's success faded rather quickly, and it seemed that the record company tried to keep it alive with singles from it.

IT grew on me very slowly, but I still say the songs are too long.

 

I think that's because this forum doesn't like hip-hop or R&B. Janet fans post in her defense, but others just silently vote for Madonna.

 

I don't own any Janet Jackson albums so "Like A Prayer" gets my vote.

 

Miss Janet...if ya nasty

 

And for some of us, we just like Madonna more than we like Janet!

And some of us just like Madonna more than we like Janet!

 

I view the longevity of Janet's output similarly to how I view the longevity of Madonna's. Madonna clearly took more artistic risks, for better or worse. Bedtime Stories is my favorite Madge record.

 

I'd pick Rhythm Nation over Like a Prayer (which I do like). RN is jam-packed with great singles, and continues the album streak from Control to The Velvet Rope. Of course, a lot of the credit goes to Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.

 

Like a Prayer. Much more longevity for me over Rhythm Nation.

 

I agree. Rhythm Nation 1814 is a pretty tough album to beat, both sonically and conceptually. I hate to be cliche, but it's essentially her Thriller moment. Even though I think it lacks the vulnerability and ambition that Like A Prayer exhibited, it stands up pretty well. Of course, Janet was at the peak of her powers from 1986-1997. I am confounded about which album I'd give the edge to, but they were both touchstones in popular music.

 

Like a Virgin
Ray of Light
Confessions on a Dance Floor

Control
Rhythm Nation
Velvet Rope

IMO they both have three pop masterpieces.
You could throw in albums like Janet and Like a Prayer but that's debatable.

 

madge, always and forever. arguably her best album.

janet? pfft. not even her best album - control, velvet rope and janet. all sit ahead of it, and not a one of them compares to like a prayer.

 

Like a Prayer is full of throwaway tracks. (Love Song,Dear Jessie,Keep it Together,Act of Contrition)
Control is Pop perfection.

 

Well, I'll give you Love Song and Act Of Contrition, but you really need to play LAP more!

 

It's also sounds extremely outdated. I hope one day it finally clicks with me.
Do you consider this her magnum opus as well? Because many do.

 

I still like True Blue and Bedtime Stories best. LAP would be maybe 6th or 7th on the list...

 

Bedtime Stories is definitely in my top 5. What a wonderful R&B album.

 

Surprised by lack of love for "love story".

It's awesome.

 

I voted for LAP on the strength of the title song... it's probably one of my top 3 favorite Madonna songs. As a whole though, I prefer RN.

 

Like a Prayer is starting to grow on me. 6/10

 

About time! Another of your many reversals!