What do you know? Outside, we have the makings of a nice big April snowstorm just beginning.

I slept a decent amount today. Now awake.

Damita Jo. When Janet's new album appeared on my preferred legal music download site (at least for mainstream stuff), I couldn't resist downloading the whole thing, especially for the paltry sum they were charging. (After the worse than mediocre All For You, I wasn't about to run out and pay full price for what might potentially be another pile of crap.)

Verdict? Two thumbs sideways. There's some catchy stuff on there. There's also quite a bit of bland filler. I don't mind music that's formulaic, as long as it's got spice, heart, energy, or any combination thereof. A lot of the songs on Damita Jo are not only predictable, but come off as half-hearted.

The best track on the album is "Sexhibition". Nothing ground-breaking, but a fun pop tune. Ditto for "Damita Jo", "Strawberry Bounce", "All Nite (Don't Stop)", and "Just A Little While".

I can't say this without bringing to mind the superbowl incident, and I don't mean it as a criticism, but look at the freakin lyrics! The portrayal in this album is one of somebody with a serious stripper/hooker impule.

Again, I'm all for advancing the cause of the sex industry. So on that front, I want to say, "Go Janet!" But honestly, it's not really doing that much for me.

There's a lot of interludes, decent to mediocre ballads, a batch of songs which are supposed to sound intimate and sexy, but they sort of fall flat.

My advise: To hear Janet at her best, go back and listen to Control and Rhythm Nation 1814. Sharp focus, not soft. Spirit, not fluff. When the music mattered more than a few inches of exposed skin.

Now I can't think. Thinking about going back to sleep. Just for a little while. Then I'll wake up again. Yes.