Adorecream said:

Having listened to the whole album 3.5 times, I can say it has grown on me more, but I still like AOA more, overall this is a Good album and it has some great songs on it.

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WOW - I really like, introduces the group and the musical sound - guitar heavy chanting, democratic vocal chores and live party feel. I love the sweeping guitar feel at the start which for some reason evokes memories of the opening scenes of Under The Cherry Moon?

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PRETZELBODYLOGIC - A definitely more polished version and clearer sound of this fairly good chant. The hooks are mesmerizing and instantly memorable lyrics. Not sure what the song is actually about, being on each others tongue or playing blistering guitar driven rock with some hot white girls. Anyway its fun!!! But I like the rawer version of that appeared on several leaks last year.

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AINTTURNINROUND - More bizarre song title, this is some solid rock guitar soloing and again more weird lyrics here. There has not been this much rock in a Prince album since Chaos and Disorder. Its nice and polished, but there has been better. I see this being a skipper in years to come. The Lotusflow3r like sample cut at end is quite amusing too.

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PLECTRUM ELECTRUM - Quite a nice piece of Hendrix like guitar soloing, it proves all along that at the heart of things, Prince is still the big bad axe man, but here Hannah, Donna and Ida are playing along. Donna is bashing the shit out of those drums and cute rhythm guitar solos are great too. I actually like this instrumental as I feel the music is carrying you.

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WHITECAPS - This is brilliant and a great slow down from the guitar driven freneticism of the first 3rd of the album. The lyrics are believable and instantly evoke images of a lonely person sitting by the sea on some rocks watching white capped waves hit those rocks. Harmonies are nice and Prince's backing vocals to Hannah's (I think it is) just add more cream. Just a beautiful piece of music.

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FIXURLIFEUP - Another favourite, a great message song with driving guitars and Prince delivers some frantic vocals. Nice stuff and again the drums set it off.

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BOYTROUBLE - Just not feeling this, it feels like filler and a bit plastic compared to the rest. It could have bot been here and the superior Screwdriver added instead. Not feeling it. Silly chants make it feel more like Lady Gaga meets Gwen stefani rather than anything in the Prince.

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STOPTHISTRAIN - This again is not the strongest track, but the melody of it is addiqtive, there is something about that bass lick that grabs me and makes this track instantly memorable and then Prince croons along. This is not Grade A, but its definitely a strong grade B track. I can actually see the teenage wasteland that listens to chart music dig this.

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ANOTHERLOVE - This is more Prince rock and I just don't really get it that much. Its alright, but becomes a bit forgettable, I find the 2nd half of the album less satisfying than the start.

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TICTACTOE - Like Stopthistrain, this is another naggy hook laden pop song. I like the vocal harmonies and some nice strings/keys, but yes this is pretty sugary stuff here.

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MARZ - Another funny track, some angry lyrics served up with a frantic feel and again like Anotherlove, more a Prince solo joint rather than the 3rd eye girls. Its quite good.

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FUNKNROLL - I really like this version except for the extra samples, do we really need that fake clapping at the end, it sounds like he's playing a scout hall (The clapping and talking is similar to "I can't get next to you" a 1969 smash hit for the Temptations. It works much better there. The vocals are strong and I like the drums.

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OVERALL - I like the fact, this feels like a band album and a rock band, but 2 o 3 of the songs are pretty fillery (Tracks, 3, 7, 9) and the rest is great. I would have loved to have Screwdriver, Fall in Love 2nite and Ain't gonna miss u in those slots instead. Also it becomes more a solo joint at the end (Not that it is bad). Still this is the closest Prince has come to a true "I am just one of the band members sound". The joy is that here is a successful marriage of a Black male funk musician with a White female rock group and from that perspective, this is a killer from start to finish.

Couldn't say it any better.

But ANOTHERLOVE is my fav track.

KingSausage said:

After soaking all this in spinning the new albums since Thurs, I'm finally ready to opine. Already dropped my thoughts over in the AOA thread, so here's another fan babbling about PlectrumElectrum:

Wow - Fantastic laid back rocker, love the slow build up, hadn't heard Liv's version till after hearing this one and definitely like Prince's better although her vocals are beautiful, wish she did some backgrounds here, that would be nice, love the lyrics, the loud parts are of course mastered too loud resulting in unnecessary distortion and ear fatigue, terrific guitar solo, great opening to the album - lovin it

Pretzelbodylogic - I did not like this as a single, but then I didn't give it many spins, in context I'm mostly digging it, I still don't like the vocals in the chorus and strongly dislike the acapella opening, other than that though, I'm surprised I slept on this funky rocking groove, lovin' Prince's vocals in the verses, this track has that Chaos & Disorder vibe - strongly liking this now

Aintturninround - not feeling the lead vocals at all (Hannah?), actually I don't like anything about this song except the breakdown in the last minute, and even that sounds a bit like a retread of something Prince And The Revolution were doing 30 years ago, and doing it better - don't like

Plectrumelectrum - I dig this rock-n-roll instrumental jam even it is derivitive of Led Zeppelin, so what? they were derivitive all the time, it's got a cool vibe anyway - strongly like

Whitecaps - opening drums remind me of Phil Collins' I Don't Care Anymore, pop rock lite, don't like Hannah's lead vocals, catchy melody but too moody for me - don't like

Fixurlifeup - I've gone back and forth with this rocker since the single was released, it kind of sounds like something Lenny Kravitz would do, I like Prince's lead vocals in the chorus, I like the guitar, I like the breakdown, I like the song, even if it is preachy, I strongly dislike the recording and/or the mastering, in terms of sonic fidelity it sounds really bad, I'd like to hear another recording of this sometime down the road - like it but it sounds bad

Boytrouble - funky groove, chorus and vocals in the vein of other female acts he has produced over the years, even the cringeworthy rapping reminds me of Monie or Carmen etc, silly lyrics, as a "protege" track this song works just fine, as a track on a Prince album, even a band album... unworthy - like with reservations to it's inclusion here

Stopthistrain - catchy laid back pop tune, Hannah's vocals work better here, sounds great - lovin it

Anotherlove - Nice pop-rock cover with great lead vox by Prince, still haven't heard the original, catchy, excellent arrangement, unfortunately (again) when it gets loud sonic fidelity goes out the window, great song though - like a lot, could love if it sounded better

Tictactoe - melancholy pop rock, not my taste at all, is this a duet between Prince and Hannah?, not feeling this at all, skipper - don't like

Marz - classic short frenetic Prince rocker, Chaos & Disorder vibe again, right down to Prince's lead vocals and the lyrics - like a lot

Funknroll - this version of the party track is appropriately funkier and more organically rock and roll than the version on AOA, and therefore superior IMO - like a lot

Overall, this album is a mess. There's a lot of great stuff on here, but there is a lack of cohesiveness resulting in an album that doesn't know what it wants to be. Some of the tracks would make for a terrific rock oriented Prince album featuring the girls as his band. Some of the tracks would make for a strong first album from 3rd Eye Girl as a protege project. Together it just seems like a mixed bag. That said, there is some fantastic music by Prince on here and I'll buy my CD this Tues with a smile on my face as it will be money well spent. Might even pick up the vinyl when/if it becomes available. Perhaps the mix/master wll sound better on wax.

In my not-so-humble opinion, of course...





edited to upgrade Stopthistrain... it's infectious!!

[Edited 9/28/14 21:53pm]

Another opinion. After 7 listens (On my 8th) my opinion has not changed much, but now I will give each song a mark out of 10 and a comment of my opinion has changed much.

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WOW - 8/10 Still a tight opener, really opens the guitar sound up. Engaging

P'LOGIC - 8/10 Also very good and despite what my detractors say, it does sound more polished than my raw bootleg I got earlier this year.

AINTTURNINROUND - 9/10 This has really grown on me now as well

PLECTRUM ELECTRUM - 8/10 Good piece of rock guitar playing here, to appreciate this instrumental, more turn it up loud!

WHITECAPS - 9/10 I love 2, but like most of you wondering how it would sound with Prince's vocals (There must be a boot floating around out there with them)

FIXURLIFEUP - 8/10 Still love it

BOYTROUBLE - 5/10 This is the stinker on the set, very girly and almost a squeaky sex kitten protege type song. Some better guitar saves it from being truly Everybody loves me material!

STOPTHISTRAIN - 8/10 The naggy pop rhythm gets me all the time, the cute vocals and despite its "fluffy" sound, somehow I seem to skip to this track a lot I have noticed.

ANOTHERLOVE - 6/10 Has its moments, but still one of the lesser tracks here.

TICTACTOE - 7/10 Another naggy squeaky song, again it is memorable, a lot like STOPTHISTRAIN, but not as good

MARZ- 7/10 Whizzes pass so quick you nearly miss it, but I like it, its the quirky Prince song we expect on every album.

FUNKNROLL - 8/10 Can't get enough of this jam on either album, but it sounds better here than on AOA.

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OVERALL - 76/100 (91 marks out of 120), its on the same level of most of his post 2004 output, better than Musicology, Planet Earth, 20Ten but lesser than AOA, Lotusflow3r, MPLSOUND or 3121.

Another Love is my shit...LOVE IT!

NDRU said:

EddieC said:

I'd always assumed the references to being "live" meant that the band played the basic tracks together, rather than isolated, and then vocals (at the very least) and other overdubs followed. But that the core had come from a group recording as a group. Which is certainly unusual enough in Prince's history (or in the industry at all anymore, as far as my limited understanding goes). That doesn't mean that I necessarily believe that's how all these tracks came about, anyway--but obviously they aren't "all live all together."

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There's no way that Prince would ever have done more than a track or two (if any) without overdubbing. Or at least, I never expected it.

Yes, I suspect you're right. That might be unusual for Prince, but I don't think it's too unusual for rock bands to record like that. It definitely helps give it a live feel, but no, they're not going to capture usable vocals that way

Wasnt half of Purple Rain recorded that way?

Both this album and AOA seem to be albums of two halves. This one is pretty much an in your face rocker (Whitecaps notwithstanding) in the first half and more mellow and pop orientated in the 2nd half (MARZ notwithstanding). I like both halves equally and think this is a really strong album. But I think in time I will rearrange the tracklisting just to give the ears a break in the first half and to pump it up a bit in the 2nd.

I've just recieved the CDs in the post. My hand (the 111 near the bottom of the symbol) is on the back of the booklet!

Oh man... this is no where near as good as AOA... How disappointing on a 1st spin. Way too much hype, some stinkers.. Title track and WHITECAPS are great though... humm...

Overall I'd say I'm pretty disappointed with this album. It has some highlights but, for the most part the album falls flat for me. Prince's vocals are strong throughout the album, but it suffers from Hannah's vocal delivery, song choice, & harsh choruses (both in the lyrics & delivery). The music is relatively spot on, but it gets bogged down by being bad songs.

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WOW: One of the better songs, but I think I prefer Liv's performance. 7/10

PBL: Great track, but suffers from the chorus. 7/10

ATA: This one is growing on me but the singing still holds this one back for me. Hannah sounds like she's struggling with the delivery on this imo, but the music behind it is stellar. 6/10

PE: Great track, but I almost hate say that I prefer the orginal from Donna's debut album Suites. 9/10

WC: Singing kills this song for me even though there's beautiful music going on. 4/10

FULU: I like the song, but don't care for the chorus. 6/10

BT: One of my fav tracks on this album, even though most people don't seem to like this one. 8/10

STT: This one is grower. Prince saves Hannah's voice, but he shouldn't have to. 6/10

AL: I don't care for this song choice. I think it's a great cover, I just don't like the song. 6/10

TTT: Really? 'A bunch of blind people playing tictactoe?' The music is dreamy but the lyrics aren't.5/10

Marz: It' s ok. 6/10

FNR: I like it, but I surprsingly prefer the AOA version. 8/10

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My problem with this album is probably my high hopes for it, where as I had no expectation of AOA & love that album & prefer it by leaps & bounds, but I really wanted to like this album way more. Such a bummer, but at least I got one album I really enjoy even if wasn't the one I was expecting to like. Hopefully after some repeat listens I'll change my mind, but after a few spins this is my take for time being.

[Edited 9/29/14 5:25am]

nosajd said:

Overall I'd say I'm pretty disappointed with this album. It has some highlights but, for the most part the album falls flat for me. Prince's vocals are strong throughout the album, but it suffers from Hannah's vocal delivery, song choice, & harsh choruses (both in the lyrics & delivery). The music is relatively spot on, but it gets bogged down by being bad songs.

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WOW: One of the better songs, but I think I prefer Liv's performance. 7/10

PBL: Great track, but suffers from the chorus. 7/10

ATA: This one is growing on me but the singing still holds this one back for me. Hannah sounds like she's struggling with the delivery on this imo, but the music behind it is stellar. 6/10

PE: Great track, but I almost hate say that I prefer the orginal from Donna's debut album Suites. 9/10

WC: Singing kills this song for me even though there's beautiful music going on. 4/10

FULU: I like the song, but don't care for the chorus. 6/10

BT: One of my fav tracks on this album, even though most people don't seem to like this one. 8/10

STT: This one is grower. Prince saves Hannah's voice, but he shouldn't have to. 6/10

AL: I don't care for this song choice. I think it's a great cover, I just don't like the song. 6/10

TTT: Really? 'A bunch of blind people playing tictactoe?' The music is dreamy but the lyrics aren't.5/10

Marz: It' s ok. 6/10

FNR: I like it, but I surprsingly prefer the AOA version. 8/10

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My problem with this album is probably my high hopes for it, where as I had no expectation of AOA & love that album & prefer it by leaps & bounds, but I really wanted to like this album way more. Such a bummer, but at least I got one album I really enjoy even if wasn't the one I was expecting to like. Hopefully after some repeat listens I'll change my mind, but after a few spins this is my take for time being.

[Edited 9/29/14 5:25am]

Give it a few more listens. i found coming from AOA to this was a little jarring at first and the tracks just flew over my head. But after giving it a bit of time in its own right, I now really enjoy it.

nosajd said:

STT: This one is grower. Prince saves Hannah's voice, but he shouldn't have to. 6/10

You'll be happy to know it's not Prince's voice, but Josh.

Marco81 said:

nosajd said:

STT: This one is grower. Prince saves Hannah's voice, but he shouldn't have to. 6/10

You'll be happy to know it's not Prince's voice, but Josh.

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Interesting. Thanks for the info. So Josh recognized that it needed some tweaking as well.

Marco81 said:

nosajd said:

STT: This one is grower. Prince saves Hannah's voice, but he shouldn't have to. 6/10

You'll be happy to know it's not Prince's voice, but Josh.

So I'm curious, while performing live, does Hannah sing her lead vocals while playing the drums? Has anyone here seen them live to confirm?

nosajd said:

So I'm curious, while performing live, does Hannah sing her lead vocals while playing the drums? Has anyone here seen them live to confirm?

she gets her picture taken at the beginning of the show before making everyone put their phones away .. she certainly does not sing live and most of us know she cant play drums either

This album is fantastic. I absolutely love Tictactoe, magnificent little pop song that just appears out of nowhere amongst the rest of the record.

Aside from Stopthistrain, which I have no time at all, I really can't fault it

Funknroll gets gets better every listen, at first I thought it was miles off the energy it gives live but now I think its fairly close. I can't listen to it without turning it upppppppp

One word review. Wow

TrevorAyer said:

Anotherlove is stellar. I just recently got tunred on to Alice Smith so the timing couldnt of been more perfetct. P really gives this compostion some teeth. Great version.

https://soundcloud.com/chameleon-circuit

nosajd said:

TrevorAyer said:

she gets her picture taken at the beginning of the show before making everyone put their phones away .. she certainly does not sing live and most of us know she cant play drums either

What do you mean, please explain? Do you mean she gets her picture taken by everyone with camera phones while she's asking them to put them away. . Also, she can obviously play the drums, however it may not be to your liking as well as several others I'm sure, but the drums aren't the weakest link on the album IMO, her voice on the other hand...

Hannah can play the drums in the sense that YES, she can make contact on the head with the sticks. What she can't do, however, is keep a beat. Watch any of their television performances for proof.

I can't get enough of Ida's bass playing on Boytrouble.. she is just badass. She saves that song for me.

I love just about everything about this album. AOA is good to me, but PE is more my speed/style.

As a lifelong Cocteau Twins fan I can't help wonder what Robin Guthrie and Liz Fraser think of TicTacToe. That may become my favorite on the album (along with AnotherLove).

I think I like this album about as much as LotusFlow3r.

There are a couple of very weak songs on PE. Why he let these women sing is beyond me. AOA is the better of the two. After listening to both albums a few times my take is that if you take the best from both you get one decent album but it would still pale in comparrison to his 80s/90s output. I'd rather just listen to his live recordings.

Screwdriver and 2Young2Dare instead of BoyTrouble and AintTurninAround would be a massive improvement IMO

I guess I'm in the minority, but I much prefer Plectrumelectrum to AOA. I personally HATED the latter, but found the former to be quite refreshing. Yes, Hannah's singing is terrible...but it ain't like P hasn't had some awful female singers on his stuff in the past!

Noodled24 said: