V10LETBLUES said:

The first thing that struck me about this song is the restraint. I could predict every cliched little flourishes that I think ruined almost every post 80's track on first listen. I could predict them like clockwork, all the overdubbs and his litle tricks. Always. But on this track, THEY ARE MOSTLY GONE. I dig that. I dig that there is no chorus. I like that I couldn't predict every little nuance like I could on 20ten. Like I could on MPLSound.

I like that slight touch of sophistication. Sophistication had been thrown under the bus for most of his post 80's work. The vocals here have depth and emotion. The lyrics are clever and seemingly honest. Things missing from his recent work.

If you could predict the tempo changes in Beginning Endlessly, or if during the intro of Future Soul Song, could predict his deep voice to falsetto changes, and the unique vocal arrangement, the constant mix of old school Prince ballad with the sudden guitar parts, then you must be some clever high level genius we must all bow our heads to.

I can't say all his Prince's modern songs are classics or always stand up to his 80's masterworks, but considering the sheer amount of songs he has recorded, the man is awesome, and if all we had was his post 1996 works, we would be talking about how great he is. I still do talk about how great he is in the studio.

I just think many on here can't move forward with Prince, it's like some on here just assume they will not like the new material, and just dislike it....

It's like many of ya'll have a decision made before you even listen to a new track....

I call it the "Young Person's Tattoo Syndrome." (Many young people don't decide to get a tattoo or not get a tattoo, it's like they HAVE to get one without any thought or decision.)

This sounds really boring to me

Not exactly the sort of stuff that has you running to the record store, is it.

Love it!

Simple and catchy

I just tried to see if i can buy this track on itunes but it's not available yet I hope it comes out as a double cd with AA's. I'm also looking forward to AA's new album too. This is the most exciting it's been for me since prince announced he was coming to Australia for a tour. LIFE COULD NOT BE BETTER RIGHT NOW!! THANK YOU PRINCE!!!!!

NouveauDance said:

Also, as much as I like it, I think TRC has run it's course as defense of new Prince music 'of note' too - considering it's over a decade old. You wouldn't exhibit SOTT as defense that when NPS dropped Prince still had 'it'.

Good point, certainly. However, the reason why TRC could be still cited as a "defense" is that he seems to be still writing songs in the same style and is still more or less using the same production methods. Lotusflow3r and 20Ten aren't that far away from it. Between SOTT and NPS he really changed his sound constantly and the production methods used by pop / rock artists changed almost constantly. Those stylistic changes were often bound to changes in the technology, so that part of it wasn't anything "magical". So, really, I just think that he needs to concentrate more on what he is doing and get actually inspired by something (a book, movies, some other style of music than his own etc.).

You know what this track sounds like to me? That he hasn't really written or recorded too many songs lately. The different parts on it don't complement each other and it sounds like it would have been put together on ProTools (or some other DAW) without much of a thought on what the arrangements are going to be like. There's not the type of interaction between the different elements as on his older stuff - the drums just plod along and then there's some stuff thrown on top of it. To my ears it just doesn't work as a song and as a recording. It sounds... clumsy.

[Edited 9/18/12 22:19pm]

V10LETBLUES said:

Why do I think it's a good song and a vast improvement over most of his work in recent past? I think it's his restraint. Most of his recent new music, especially the atrocious MPLSound, is silly regurgitated music whipped together from a fridge like a hot dog in one minute. It smelled and tasted like it too.

I read Vainndy say he thought Symphonies and Operas were boring, and others dissing country music, while others thought it was bland. Yes, we all have different tastes, but if hot dogs is all you like and eat, then I what can I say? Only that maybe you should expand your horizons. Kinda depresses me vainandy can't enjoy a symphony.

While I love symphonies and Opera, and country music, and Motown and jazz and even silly stuff like LMFAO, I can appreciate this song for what it is, just a simple track that is a pleasure to listen to. Starfish And Coffee is a simple charming track, Sign O' The Times is a minimalist "Masterpiece" and Adore is a glorious R&B symphony. All completely different but I like them all.

The first thing that struck me about this song is the restraint. I could predict every cliched little flourishes that I think ruined almost every post 80's track on first listen. I could predict them like clockwork, all the overdubbs and his litle tricks. Always. But on this track, THEY ARE MOSTLY GONE. I dig that. I dig that there is no chorus. I like that I couldn't predict every little nuance like I could on 20ten. Like I could on MPLSound.

I like that slight touch of sophistication. Sophistication had been thrown under the bus for most of his post 80's work. The vocals here have depth and emotion. The lyrics are clever and seemingly honest. Things missing from his recent work.

No it's not a banging party track, nor a R&B ballad or any other traditional thing you would expect from Prince nowadays, but it's Prince doing what I love Prince does, changing things up. That's what I love about it.That it's NOT a party song or an R&B ballad. That it's not a hot dog and Pepsi. And if that's what you want and like you know exactly where to get that. But for me Prince has never been about hotdogs and Pepsi until recently. It's always been a buffet of things I had not expected, of flavors and tastes that I thought I would not like together but did.

If you watch the performances he did back in 83-87, he was musically talking up to you. He was playing jazzed up music with Sheila with bongos and horns and all kinds of stuff in long extended versions right on national TV like the Grammys and American Music awards. Talking up to you musically. He was enthusiastic about what he was doing, respected himself and his audience and didn't musically talk down to us.

This decade he took it as low as you can go, was talking down to us right at floor level on American Idol, with shitty ratty kids tracks like Lolita and Love. YIKES! What happened?

Like I said, if you find it boring and bland, and can't listen to anything other than your usual palette, then this isn't for you. That's not a bad thing, but some of us do. It's nothing ground breaking but it sure sounds good. To me at least.

[Edited 9/18/12 21:42pm]

Well said! It's a song that reminded me that Prince can write a song without a drum machine loop, pro tools, and extraneous instruments that sound dated. The music and his singing is just as "Prince" as any song from the Take My Fans Obsessed With My Sound From The 80s album "20TEN". I'm a fan of Prince's abilities as a musician and songwriter and not just one period from his catalogue.

I think people are rationalizing and deluding themselves about the quality of this piece and why some aren't impressed.

Let's not make the song more than it is. No, the lyrics are not clever, they are on the nose and the characterization is thin. Story is told with no conviction. The attempt at figurative language is thin, such as the sexualized metaphor of the table. Not impressive.

It's fun, but throwaway. It's not memorable or unique in anyway. In fact, it's rather cliche.

I can appreciate the music touches noted by @V1OLETBLUES, but not much else. Calling RnR simple and then calling "STarfish and Coffee" simple seems to create an undeserved paralllel. If S&C is simple then this is frickin' basic. It doesn't even rise to the simplictic beauty of Eye Wish U Heaven.

This pushback has nothing to do with people wanting Prince to do the same style, as Prince has always been experimental and his fans have diverse taste. This has to do with people wanting the same CALIBER, of whatever style.

As noted by @NoveauDance:

Prince is still playing in the f-ing sandbox here, he has the life experience and musical ability to create something of note even now - Now I said 'of note', not 'shit hot fresh mindblowing.'

Plus, this was a man who once laced eclectic philosophies in his music. Now, he's a man with nothing interesting to say ...except for what the Jehovah's Witnesses told him. He's lost his "voice." This song is not saying a damn thing.

.

[Edited 9/18/12 22:32pm]

Spinlight said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

You single-handedly up the crazy/creepy quotient within every thread that you drop your BS in.

I thought U we're gone 4 good! I guess my wish wasn't granted....

I like it. Yes, the keyboard stabs are Take Me With You, but the song sure the hell isn't. Can't comment on the lyrics as I never pay attention to them. It has a nice breezy feel to it. I would buy it without hesitation. More enjoyable than any of his recent material. For me at least.

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Plz don't bootleg Prince's new "MasterPiece" or link it!...................

Jesus, what do you think Firefox is for? Soundcloud and DLHelper are peas in a pod. I've been home an hour and it's now in my iTunes. Hell, give me something to buy and I'll buy it. For heaven's sake I spent ten quid on Slash's album last night at work! Prince could have had that money if he chose the right route (pronounced root not rowt America!)

IstenSzek said:

why are people still saying "prince can do anything and create mindblowing music so i don't

understand why he releases this shit".

first: it's not shit. it's a solid composition. simple, yes. but deceptively so. it's clever. and nice.

but that's all just personal taste, you like it or you don't. fair enough.

second: can prince still do anything and create mindblowing music?

the evidence the past decade or so has been that prince can still make albums that are very

cohesive and well constructed start to finish - IF he takes his time with them (TRC/LOTUS).

but most of the time prince's albums post emancipation have been nice collections of songs,

except when he's really working on a theme or, again, taking his time.

however. brilliant as, imo. TRC and LOTUS are, and The Truth, for that matter. they are not,

and seldom even come close to being, "magic" prince, the prince who "can do anything".

i've learned that if i want "magic" prince, i'll have to listen to Mountains or 17 Days. i've also

realised that if i want the prince who can do anything, and who sounds inspired, alive and on

fire, i'll have to listen to Endorphinmachine, Pheromone, Days Of Wild, Dolphin....

but if you listen to post 1996 prince, you should know by now that what you get 3/4 of the

time, is just well crafted music that is a cut above the rest out there. nowhere near his past

glory days and instant magic, but still solid efforts. enjoyable songs. and sometimes even

enjoyable albums. and still more rarely, a glimmer of that past magic.

yet why some people act like they're still holding out for something as exciting as Erotic City

or Computer Blue or The Ballad of Dorothy Parker, in 2012, i don't really understand.

all these comments about people who hate the song go something along the lines of "again,

a piece of shit", "once again it sucks", "i should have known it would be a crock of shit since

he hasn't written a decent song in 14 years" etc etc.

we all know that his output is different. it's no longer magical. so what. no magic does not

equal "absolute shit" or something that hurts your ears just to listen to

unless he's going to release some discs full of WB era vault material, we're not going to hear

from the 'genius, untouchable prince who can do anything' ever again. he's gone. replaced by

something similar, but more formulaic, more predictable and less daring.

so if i want adventure and new daring productions, way out there songs and themes and what

have you, i'll just go listen to the people who are doing today what prince did in the 80s which

is creating music that is ahead of the curve or way above anyone else's reach.

and then once in a while prince drops a new album and i actually enjoy it. i still like to listen to

20Ten, for instance. i know it's not even top 20 album material, but that's besides the point. it

plays like a nice enough album.

etc etc etc. i'm going in circles. i always forget what i wanted to say in these convoluted over

long answers. excuse me, once again, for going off on a rant.

all i wanted to ask is: how can people still be holding out for the prince with the 80s drive and

mindset and production/composing/arranging hunger to return and create similarly brilliant

music? it's not going to happen. will it take another decade before people act like prince slaps

them in the face personally if his new song isn't better than She's Always In My Hair....

Exactly. This should be put at the top of any thread re new music.

I like the new song.
I'm pleasantly surprised.

People saying it hasn't got a chorus... so what?, this is what makes it intriguing. It's less predictable this way.

I like the meanderings of this style of songwriting. it's there in Wall of Berlin.

I can't wait for the coming album if this is it's teaser.

ok different opinions, but after 6-7 listenings the new song is going nowhere, becomes more and more boring.

I am very surprised some fans here actually likes the new song, did someone call it a masterpiece?

haha..

My guess is those fans weren't around in the 80's, back when Prince had some originality.

the new song is crap music to me... sooo booringg...

it makes me sad that Prince can't make good songs anymore..

I agree the song is not a masterpiece, but it was cool hearing Prince play some country style chords throughout the song. Reminded me of the chords from the Dirty Mind album.

thedance said:

ok different opinions, but after 6-7 listenings the new song is going nowhere, becomes more and more boring.

I am very surprised some fans here actually likes the new song, did someone call it a masterpiece?

haha..

My guess is those fans weren't around in the 80's, back when Prince had some originality.

the new song is crap music to me... sooo booringg...

it makes me sad that Prince can't make good songs anymore..

I have been a fan since 1982 and I quite like this tune. Nothing groundbreaking obviously but very pleasant and well written and performed.

By the way, i really love the lyrics

and not 2 mention the storyline...(hard way 2 follow own's dream)

...and I don't think there is anything wrong with playing in the sandbox and having a good time. Sometimes that's all you need.

[Edited 9/19/12 4:05am]

stillwaiting said:

If you could predict the tempo changes in Beginning Endlessly, or if during the intro of Future Soul Song, could predict his deep voice to falsetto changes, and the unique vocal arrangement, the constant mix of old school Prince ballad with the sudden guitar parts, then you must be some clever high level genius we must all bow our heads to.

If you are impressed with my ability to spot contrivances in pop music, you should see the drawing of Hello Kitty I made on a post-it note here on my desk. It will BLOW YOUR MIND!

[Edited 9/19/12 4:50am]

TwiliteKid said:

IstenSzek said:

why are people still saying "prince can do anything and create mindblowing music so i don't

understand why he releases this shit".

first: it's not shit. it's a solid composition. simple, yes. but deceptively so. it's clever. and nice.

but that's all just personal taste, you like it or you don't. fair enough.

second: can prince still do anything and create mindblowing music?

the evidence the past decade or so has been that prince can still make albums that are very

cohesive and well constructed start to finish - IF he takes his time with them (TRC/LOTUS).

but most of the time prince's albums post emancipation have been nice collections of songs,

except when he's really working on a theme or, again, taking his time.

however. brilliant as, imo. TRC and LOTUS are, and The Truth, for that matter. they are not,

and seldom even come close to being, "magic" prince, the prince who "can do anything".

i've learned that if i want "magic" prince, i'll have to listen to Mountains or 17 Days. i've also

realised that if i want the prince who can do anything, and who sounds inspired, alive and on

fire, i'll have to listen to Endorphinmachine, Pheromone, Days Of Wild, Dolphin....

but if you listen to post 1996 prince, you should know by now that what you get 3/4 of the

time, is just well crafted music that is a cut above the rest out there. nowhere near his past

glory days and instant magic, but still solid efforts. enjoyable songs. and sometimes even

enjoyable albums. and still more rarely, a glimmer of that past magic.

yet why some people act like they're still holding out for something as exciting as Erotic City

or Computer Blue or The Ballad of Dorothy Parker, in 2012, i don't really understand.

all these comments about people who hate the song go something along the lines of "again,

a piece of shit", "once again it sucks", "i should have known it would be a crock of shit since

he hasn't written a decent song in 14 years" etc etc.

we all know that his output is different. it's no longer magical. so what. no magic does not

equal "absolute shit" or something that hurts your ears just to listen to

unless he's going to release some discs full of WB era vault material, we're not going to hear

from the 'genius, untouchable prince who can do anything' ever again. he's gone. replaced by

something similar, but more formulaic, more predictable and less daring.

so if i want adventure and new daring productions, way out there songs and themes and what

have you, i'll just go listen to the people who are doing today what prince did in the 80s which

is creating music that is ahead of the curve or way above anyone else's reach.

and then once in a while prince drops a new album and i actually enjoy it. i still like to listen to

20Ten, for instance. i know it's not even top 20 album material, but that's besides the point. it

plays like a nice enough album.

etc etc etc. i'm going in circles. i always forget what i wanted to say in these convoluted over

long answers. excuse me, once again, for going off on a rant.

all i wanted to ask is: how can people still be holding out for the prince with the 80s drive and

mindset and production/composing/arranging hunger to return and create similarly brilliant

music? it's not going to happen. will it take another decade before people act like prince slaps

them in the face personally if his new song isn't better than She's Always In My Hair....

Dead on. This single post needs to sticked to the top of this forum for future reference.

Exactly. This is level-headed, considerate, and mature posting. No human being no matter what level of genius they may be be can stay at the peak of their creativity forever. That's not to say they can't still be creative. Prince will and can produce good to great music. Just because it doesn't have the urgency and abandon of youth does not make it "shit".

Again Prince scores BIG time.

This song gets played everywhere, and shows that Prince still got it.

Once he set the trends by leaving out da bass (no slappin da bass), then he left out a pronounecable name, now his futuristic side shows them young 'uns how it's done.

He left out a chorus before but had some guitar/synth melody replacing it, now he leaves it out completly (like he did in Dorothy PArker but that was not an otherwise "normal" popsong but as the name says a ballad in the tradition of minstrels and bards delivering stories/news).

Here we have a popsong per se but it has no chorus, which is genius on top of genius, as the first genius thing is that it has no rocknroll despite its title (playing with expectations).

Mindbending genius, just like WaltervandeVogelweide was in his era, Prince put out his hands and sucked the state of today'S world (not just music world) in with his fingertips, and he felt... emptiness, lack of direction, reliance on invisible (non-existant) forces, the cacaphony of phonies spreading false truths out there

and so he came up with this heartfelt story about love and music and had the current social currents lie undercurrently as a no-strings attached musical basis for his tale of confusion and passion and he takes it with him willingly and he is able to end it with very nice cymbal sounds, maybe the chimy fanfares to a new dawning.

Well done is better than well said!

I hope this will kick off a new album, maybe followed by the new version of Extraloveable, and we might tap-tap.tap into another great work by the greatest musician that ever was.

[Edited 9/19/12 6:05am]

I played it a couple of times this morning before I went to bed (I've been on nights) and enjoyed it. I've now got up and just played it and I still like it. He's a pop star at the end of the day. Admittedly one of the last great pop stars but pop star nontheless. And this is a pop song. It's perfect therefore.

Come on, he's over fifty so to still be making something poppy that could get airplay (Radio 2 would play this to death) is an accomplishment. He could have given us something serious, of concept, but would it have been fun to listen to? No. If this is a sign of an album to come then I'll be happy. The last couple have been good but I like his pop music. I mean, how many years since we had something pop from him? It's all been about Prince trying to please his fans. And crowd appeasement is the worst thing an artist can ever do. I never knew what I wanted from him when I got into him during the 80s and I sure don't know what I'd like him to do now. Well, I do actually. Prince play what you want to play, with who you want, when you want and how you want. Just make sure to release the fucking thing where I can buy it easily. Like a shop

MIRvmn said:

well Ive been listening 2 this song alot and it groves on me, its better than anything on 20ten.It proves that he still have ability 2 make good songs

Your last point is the point to make. Songs. He's been missing them from so many albums for so many years. Music with a lyric is one thing but to write a good, catchy pop song is another. And he used to do it so fucking well.

RnR Love Affair is playing as I type. AND I REALLY, REALLY LIKE IT. So nice not to hear him wailing away on the guitar as usual. His brand of rock was getting so tedious.

Can someone post a link on where I might here the new song??? I have searched everywhere and would love to hear it!!!!

Nevermind

Deleted - langebleu - moderator

Okay, I've listened to the song numerous times and it has a nostalgic sound that definitely brings you back to the mid 1980s, however Prince seems bored and not at all into it. I think that's why many people find it boring because prince sounds bored. He doesn't sound into it at all. The song itself is actually pretty damn good it's just that Prince isnt that enthusiastic about singing it. He seems tired or something. IDK, I give it 5.5/10 rating. I'm just excited that there is new music, I mean how can any prince fan complain about new music, especially when we've been waiting for 2 years!!! thats a long time for Prince Fans!!