Come on... anyone who seriously believes this album is any better than Rave or Emancipation is seriously deluded. And anyone who believes Musicology is a return to his eighties standards has been reading too many reviews from music critics who hail Diamonds & Pearls as a record all future Prince releases should aspire towards.

With the exception of the gorgeous On The Couch and the very MJ-reminiscent What Do U Want Me 2 Do, the album is very weak, especially considering it only has twelve tracks.

The title is a re-hash of a record he made three years ago, which wasn't even that special itself.

Illusion, Coma... is a straight out pop record disguised as a "funk" work-out, for those who actually know very little about the genre.

Life O The Party is the weakest and most offensive offering I've heard since Jughead.

Cinnamon Girl is yet another bland soft-rock stadium filler that would sound better off on a Bon Jovi album where it really belongs.

Call My Name is nice, but when you compare it to something like U Make My Sunshine with Angie Stone, you realise how below par it is.

And Reflection is trying to be Circle Of Amour and falling flat on it's face everytime.

If Musicology had tanked the way Rave did, it would not get the appreciation many of the fans give it - I'm sure of that much.
[This message was edited Thu Jul 8 9:28:24 2004 by MattyJam]

I know they do.

But I don't feel the need to start every statement with "In my opinion..."

MattyJam said:

MJ?

Supernova said:

Just wot i was thinkin?

If you can't hear Off The Wall era MJ in that record you need to clean yo' ears!

MattyJam said:

Ok i haven;t heard "off the wall"! but just cause this song may song like a song from "off the wall" it dont mean prince trying 2 copy him!!! If anything u should be pleased 2 no that prince likes the sound MJ was pulloin off bak then
[This message was edited Thu Jul 8 9:42:42 2004 by andykeen]

Musicology is not his best album no..but it is not as lenthgy and programmed as "Emancipation" (wich cudda left out alot o trax)...and Rave (which also cudda left out SOME trax..maybe if i ddnt hear High also i wished some songs from there was on Rave instead).

Musicology is enjoyable...though it is kinda tame.

Illusion Coma Pimp and Circumstance's sound is dated like a 1998 out-take, but it still has some 'lite-funk' considering the album doesnt have that much funk.

Life O The Party is the JAM! I dont know what yall crazy mutha funky's talkin about. People other than Prince die hard fans seem 2 really enjoy this one, and it is the only real hardcore heabanger on here other than "Man In Your Life" which jamms.

Call My name is pretty, and may have 2 grow because it is kinda hard 2 get really in2. But the video is starting to make me like it more.

What Do U Want Me 2 Do, is a nice pop take..bringing back the Linn Drum is like a reunion, and the lyrics are nice.

And Reflection is tryin 2 be like "Circle Of Amour"? U know what i never thought of that...but it does kinda have that same vibe. But still Reflection is starting to be it's own classic by itself. Although Circle Of Amour is even better i agree..(i wish that song was on here )

I didnt like On The Couch version on te album, it's dull compared to it live. ANd Cinnamon Girl... i didnt like that much either.

I disagree with everything you said. From the MJ reference (off the wall???) to the dis on Reflection, which is a very beautiful song and one of my favorites on the album.

I have no clue what you mean by a title re-hash of an album he did 3 years ago...which one was that? Rainbow children, News, Xpectation, wiat..was it Rave Un2the Joy Fantastic...yeah, that sounds like Musicology.

And....I have listened to it WAY more that Emancipation or Rave...which I skip through many of the tracks on those.

MattyJam said:

My ears are fine, thanks. I hear SOTT era in WDUWM2D.

superspaceboy said:

Supernova said:

As do I. Nothing about this song reminds me of "Off The Wall," an album I know quite well.

Like paisleypark4 said, Musicology might be tame compared with other Prince releases, I don't find it the least bit dull. It's a sweet, enjoyable record, with some truly ass-kicking moments. Five years later, I barely listen to Rave, but Musicology grows on me more and more. I have a feeling it will become a classic of sorts in its own time.

Dude, where do I start?
First off, I totally disagree.

MattyJam said:

Rave has some cool moments, but I think Musicology is a lot more unified and cohesive as an album.



What Do You Want Me To Do is MJ reminiscent??? In MJ's dreams



I kinda felt that way when I first heard the recording. The live version (especially on Leno) totally changed my mind.



I beg to differ here. I see it as a light-hearted take on power and money in relationships, with very clever lyrics. I don't understand why so many folks here associate Prince with "funk". He brings so much more to the table than that.



I'm not really feelin' it either, but c'mon, Jughead? I'll still take Candy over Tony M, bro!



I was actually surprised at how many people like this song. I don't really dig it a bunch, but I do appreciate the lyrics.



Well, that's convenient . Why not let it stand on it's own? I personally think this tune flows better and is more focused than U Make My Sunshine



O.k., right here is where you hurt my feelings (sike ). These are two totally different tunes! I really love Circle of Amour Matt, it's one of my favorites from The Truth. I just feel that so many people (including music critics) are quick to overlook Reflection because of its laid back, breezy vibe. These are some of the most personal, from the heart lyrics dude has ever spoken! I admit, I do dig the live version with Wendy a lil' more, but the recording still has it's merits. The groove almost reminds me of The Isley Brother's For The Love Of You.
Honestly, I think the focus on this album was the lyrics, which in my opinion are some of the coolest and funniest I've heard in a while. The live show is focused on putting on a great performance, which no one here can disagree with. Together, you have the Musicology concept. It works for me.



Rave may have tanked commercially, but I still dig several songs from that album. I listened to it a great deal when it came out. I still play Silly Game when I'm on the freeway sometimes. If Musicology had suffered the same fate, I seriously believe I'd feel the same way about these songs that I do now. So many of us have had totally different reactions to the same songs for years. That's the beauty of art.

MattyJam said:

Hell, if the dudes who wrote the Bible didn't feel the need, why should you?

MattyJam said:

.

Prince hasn't put out one great album since Lovesexy which was just ok.

Face it.

MattyJam said:

Paint me deluded! I think Musicology is a more solid, entertaining album than Emancipation and consider it to be FAR, FAR better than Rave!



Sometimes Critics Hail in April.



Funny you name one of the songs considered to be the weakest on the album (What Do U Want Me 2 Do) as one of the best. And it's also funny how you state your opinion like it is fact. Well, I guess that really isn't THAT funny.



So you should probably love it!

Now you name the song that many, many people consider to be the best and slam it. You also slam those people's taste and knowledge of the genre, in the process.

I'm starting to think that you just went through the post of a couple days ago, asking what people's favorite songs on the album were, and used it to raise folk's ire on the board. Being that your post is obviously trolling for a response, I'm going to stop giving mine.

Luv & Peace,
Alex
Clubbin' in Mpls/A Night w. Prince

Double post.

Retard alert.
[This message was edited Thu Jul 8 11:26:29 2004 by MattyJam]

Nothing like defensive fanatics without an ounce of objectivity...

Musicology is a commerical record for commercial means. It was blatantly calculated for airplay. And it worked. "Goody" for Prince.

But a classic? I'm sorry, Sign O The Times it will never be.

Sloopydrew - In regard to Illusion, Coma... I guess most fans are a sucker for an instant pop hook. If I wanted that I'd buy a Britney album.

MattyJam said:

There's a bass progression in What Do U Want Me 2 Do? that is VERY similar to one in I Can't Help It from Michael Jackson's Off The Wall record, but to say that WDUWM2D sounds like OTW is a sweeping generalization. Additionally, I Can't Help It was written by Stevie Wonder, so, if anything, Prince was emulating a Stevie Wonder joint not a Michael Jackson one. And to complain about that fact is missing the point of this project to begin with. Musicology is ABOUT returning to Prince's musical roots, so every song has some element of a sentimental yearning for return to or of some past period.

Jestyr said:

PaisleyPark said:

If that were true...we would not be here. And he wouldn't be where he is today. I mean it's almost a few years shy of SOTT turning 20...that's giving him a LOT of steam to keep going off of that.

PaisleyPark said:

Make up your mind. Was Lovesexy great or "just ok"?

MattyJam said:

This statement would have worked better for your opening. I agree in comparison to Prince's previous work, Musicology is lackluster. In terms of Prince attempting to reach a new audience, the album works. However, for those of us who were able to experience SOTT as a new release, what sense does it really make to continue to compare Prince to his old catalog? Nothing will ever be another Sign O The Times.
[This message was edited Thu Jul 8 11:51:03 2004 by psykosoul]

Musicology is a stripped down album with relateable lyrics
and it is simply lovely.
I was ready for a less conceptual album that I could just
pop into my car and sing along with.
Its not revolutionary, but its fun and light hearted

Some people are always looking for the deeper meaning of
any obscure, rare song that the public is "too stupid to see"

Those people loose alot of time and miss alot of good music

i don't understand why so many want to hear prince do songs like he did in the 1980's. those songs are all good, but the new more mature prince is much better to me. the music has grown with the man. i'm glad that that 1980's synth pop is gone from most of the songs. asking prince to do that old sound in the 2000s is not fair to the artist. it's nice to revisit the warner brothers era. Musicology is an easy listening album. and in my older age, i like easy listening music. i truly enjoy prince in this era because the band is much tighter than the revolution ever was. i love the revolution too, blackwell alone hitting that drum the shit.

OdysseyMiles said:

So true... especially the part about Silly Game. It is such a nice gem in itself... Classic material, which will always have a special place in my heart, alongside Player, Electric Intercourse, Last Hear, etc. P has written so many beautiful songs...

On Musicology, I know for sure that I will forever like A Million Days, Life 'O' The Party, Cinnamon Girl, WDUWM2D, If I Was..., On The Couch and Dear Mr Man.

Man P is the Masta!!!

simply put

This is not his best...nor his worst. There are songs which I absolutely love..and those which I can do with out.

I tire of peeps always comparing each album to its predeccessors so harshly. Enjoy it for what is is...and you will sleep a lot better knowing somebody really digs this music...even if you don't. Its still Prince and we are showing him support. He isnt perfect. And he cant please all the poeple all the time.

So just be satisfied..you're not pleased...but dont look so shocked cause other peeps have different opinions and a lot are.

Come on Mattytoejam, in my opinion Musicology is better than Rave. In my opinion it's not as good as Emancipation. In my opinion people who don't understand the concept of various opinions amongst each other is completely idiotic.

p.s. MJ sucks ass!!.....In my opinion.

MattyJam said:[quote]Come on... anyone who seriously believes this album is any better than Rave or Emancipation is seriously deluded.




your wrong

MattyJam