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Thread started 04/20/16 9:12am

TrivialPursuit

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Musicology is 12 Years Old Today

On this date in 2004, Prince released Musicology, an album that seems to still split the fanbase. Some love it, others hate it.

From allmusic:

Prince's star faded not long after he won emancipation from Warner Brothers in 1995, as he abandoned the mainstream so he could follow his whims however he liked. Which meant that he effectively started making records for nobody but himself, whether that meant triple-disc collections of new material or an all-instrumental smooth jazz album, and in short order, his fans started dwindling away to nothing but the hardcore, who themselves had their patience tried by such antics as Prince suing his own fanzine in the late '90s. It seemed that he was fated to permanently wander in the wilderness, making music for an ever more selective audience, until he suddenly decided in 2004 that he wanted to be back in the game, returning to the spotlight with acclaimed performances at the Grammys and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, announcing an all-hits tour, and releasing Musicology, his first major-label distributed album in five years. This flurry of activity suggests that Prince is treating this as an opportunity for a full-fledged comeback and, thankfully, he's seized this moment and delivered a vastly entertaining record. Unlike everything he's done since leaving Warner, Musicology doesn't alienate listeners; it's tight and lean, weighing in at 12 tracks and 47 minutes, yet that's still enough room for Prince to showcase his virtuoso versatility. He tries a little everything -- down and dirty funk jams, slow sensual grooves, and, happily, he revives the psychedelic pop of the mid-'80s with the deliriously catchy "Cinnamon Girl" -- but unlike on such overworked albums as Emancipation and Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic, it never feels like an attempt to dazzle or a series of stylistic exercises. That's because there's a clarity to his production -- dense, but never busy, proving once again that he's about the only musician who can make a one-man band sound as vibrant as a live nine-piece group -- and a focus to his writing that hasn't been heard in a long, long time. At its core, Musicology is essentially classicist Prince, as he makes a deliberate decision to play to all of his greatest strengths, but because it's been so long that he's made a record this confident and concise, it doesn't sound like a retreat. It sounds as if he's rediscovered his muse, which is quite a bit different than simply following his whims. Make no mistake, this isn't the second coming of Purple Rain or Sign 'o' the Times or even Parade -- in other words, it's not a masterpiece, more like a more confident and consistent Diamonds and Pearls without the hip-hop fixation -- but it's a strong album, one that impresses on the first listen and gets better with repeated plays. In short, it's the comeback that it was meant to be.

For me, it's not a favorite record, but I enjoyed the time of it a bit. His appearance on The Tonight Show (with that silly Mel Gibson question), and the huge ensuing tour. I've only listened to the record a few times, and it took me just until the last couple of years to actualy buy a copy of it. Then last year, I'm at my local wrecka stow, and find a copy that was handed out with purchased tickets at the concerts. So somehow, I now have two copies of a record I otherwise don't care much for. Such is the world is Prince collecting.

Your thoughts on Musicology?

"eye don’t really care so much what people say about me because it is a reflection of who they r."
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Reply #1 posted 04/20/16 9:26am

Empress

Wow, 12 years! Personally, I love this cd. My only complaint would be that Reflection isn't longer.

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Reply #2 posted 04/20/16 10:18am

Superfan1984

I love it.
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Reply #3 posted 04/20/16 11:16am

Guitarhero

Love it too

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Reply #4 posted 04/20/16 11:44am

feeluupp

2 b honest... it has aged well... it's not a great album, but it's not as bad as many members make it out to be... obviously the first half is solid, starts to slow down the second half.

a 3.5/5 stars in my book wink

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Reply #5 posted 04/20/16 11:49am

NorthC

I can agree with just about everything that article says. I gave up on Prince in his Jehova period. Preachy lyrics and jazzrock instrumentals that went in one ear and out the other. No, thanx. Musicology was a return to form. Not very original, maybe, but at least he went back to writing songs. No concept, no storyline, just songs. Hadn't heared something like that in a long time!
[Edited 4/20/16 11:49am]
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Reply #6 posted 04/20/16 2:03pm

MIRvmn

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It's not a great album but much better than 3121 smile
Welcome 2 The Dawn
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Reply #7 posted 04/20/16 2:22pm

feeluupp

MUSICOLOGY vs. 3121

My preferences, track by track:

1. MUSICOLOGY > 3231

2. ILLUSION, COMA, PIMP & CIRCUMSTANCE > LOLILTA

3. A MILLION DAYS > TE AMO CORAZON

4. LIFE O' THE PARTY < BLACK SWEAT

5. CALL MY NAME > INCENSE & CANDLES

6. CINAMMON GIRL < LOVE

7. WHAT DO U WANT ME 2 DO? > SATISFIED

8. THE MARRYING KIND < FURY

9. IF EYE WAS THE MAN IN UR LIFE < THE WORD

10. ON THE COUCH < BEAUTIFUL, LOVED & BLESSED

11. DEAR MR. MAN < THE DANCE

12. REFLECTION < GET ON THE BOAT

I prefer 3121 overall as an album, edges MUSICOLOGY out just by a lil imo.

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Reply #8 posted 04/20/16 2:41pm

SPYZFAN1

Wow..has it been that long? Cool record but I haven't listened to it since..2004 was a good year for him.

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Reply #9 posted 04/20/16 3:06pm

luv4u

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moderator

Temp sticky cool

I totally love the entire album and the Musicology video

canada

Ohh purple joy oh purple bliss oh purple rapture!
REAL MUSIC by REAL MUSICIANS - Prince
"I kind of wish there was a reason for Prince to make the site crash more" ~~ Ben
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Reply #10 posted 04/21/16 4:19am

Bohemian67

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Great album. Only songs I don't like are 2, 4 and 8. My favourite track is 'What do u want me to do" which seems like it would have fit better on the Vault. But overall, solid album imo. Wish I'd been a fan at the time. The video footage I once saw on youtube looked fabulous.

"Free URself, B the best that U can B, 3rd Apartment from the Sun, nothing left to fear" Prince Rogers Nelson - Forever in my Life -
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Reply #11 posted 04/23/16 12:23pm

MattyJam

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I think Musicology was his best album of the 00s. Although I wouldn't particularly rate any one song from the album amongst his best work, I think the album as a whole just works. One of his only albums from the 00s that I could happily listen to from beginning to end without pressing the skip button.

Oh, and Life O The Party is an underrated funk jam!
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Reply #12 posted 04/23/16 7:58pm

onediva

Omg! Time truly flies. 12 years? No way! I went to every LA Musicology date including Anaheim, San Diego and DC dates. It was a fun time in Prince history. I camped out to see Prince on Jay Leno during Musicology promotion. Ha! RIP Prince
[Edited 4/23/16 20:02pm]
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Reply #13 posted 04/23/16 8:00pm

onediva

feeluupp said:

MUSICOLOGY vs. 3121





My preferences, track by track:






1. MUSICOLOGY > 3231


2. ILLUSION, COMA, PIMP & CIRCUMSTANCE > LOLILTA


3. A MILLION DAYS > TE AMO CORAZON


4. LIFE O' THE PARTY < BLACK SWEAT


5. CALL MY NAME > INCENSE & CANDLES


6. CINAMMON GIRL < LOVE


7. WHAT DO U WANT ME 2 DO? > SATISFIED


8. THE MARRYING KIND < FURY


9. IF EYE WAS THE MAN IN UR LIFE < THE WORD


10. ON THE COUCH < BEAUTIFUL, LOVED & BLESSED


11. DEAR MR. MAN < THE DANCE


12. REFLECTION < GET ON THE BOAT








I prefer 3121 overall as an album, edges MUSICOLOGY out just by a lil imo.




I really enjoyed the 3121 phase too.
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Reply #14 posted 04/24/16 2:56am

vladimir

Played it for the first time in years on Saturday evening and even though I'd always liked it, I'd forgotten how good it is. I love it.

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Reply #15 posted 04/24/16 3:09am

MattyJam

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vladimir said:

Played it for the first time in years on Saturday evening and even though I'd always liked it, I'd forgotten how good it is. I love it.

A Million Days is such a good song.

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Reply #16 posted 04/24/16 6:09am

MIRvmn

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MattyJam said:



vladimir said:


Played it for the first time in years on Saturday evening and even though I'd always liked it, I'd forgotten how good it is. I love it.




A Million Days is such a good song.


yes it's the best song on the album imo
Welcome 2 The Dawn
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Reply #17 posted 04/24/16 1:25pm

Unpronounceabl
eSymbol

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This is the album that started it for me. Musicology was one of the first Prince songs I ever heard. Dad used to bop along to the CD in the car. Bringing back those childhood memories. I ended up stealing his copy for myself and still have it to this day, sorry dad.

Rest up true funk soldier.

Style is not biting style when U can't find the funk chatterbox
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