Seriously why did Prince put so many tracks on that album? I think alot of it was unnessary filler. Alot of the songs seem so lazy to me. It sounded like he just layed down a track and then put it on the album. I do like some songs on there though:

Jam of the Year
Let's have a baby
Betcha Bye Golly wow
Holy river
Somebody's Somebody
Sex in the summer
Emancipation
Sleep Around

Those are definatly keepers and I really do like those songs but all the other stuff I think was could of been scratched.

i made a version of it called "Abbreviation" that i cut down to 12 tracks, and i'm happy listening to that. every now and then i pull out the three disc set just to give some of the stuff a new chance...sometimes i'll find that i like a song or two a little better now than i did in the past.

I really got the feeling that he had the idea to do a triple album with each CD being exactly 60 minutes long, and he recorded to fit. Almost like writing to fit a designated space if you're a copywriter.

It's not even worth 1 CD

'Did Emancipation have to be three CD's?'

No, but that was the point. he was free and could do whatever the fuck he wanted--including releasing a 3 disc album to a bunch of bitching and moaning fans who wouldn't realize that the album was still far and away a more dense, diverse, and well crafted "pop" album than most others would dare to release.

Emancipation is odd, because it went from ultra beloved (c'mon don't front most of you dug it HARD when it came out) to the hip thing to shit on. There are a bunch of great songs on that album. Songs that could run with any of what is considered "his best." Joint 2 Joint, Face Down, The Love We Make, Sex in the Summer,etc. Catchy, funky,inspired tunes are abound. I think if he'd have switched up some of the instruments he used on it (ie not Kirky J's programming) people would like it better. The actual songs are good-the production seems to let people down.

If he'd would've released it as a single disc and used the rest as b-sides etc, people would be falling over themselves with it.

Doozer said:

Exactly. There was something about a theme for the whole album, I think he mentioned this in a couple of interviews (although in a very cryptic way, as usual). It was something about Egypt, and about the pyramids - which are very symmetrically constructed, and somehow influenced the structure of the album.

skywalker said:

please, the rationale and logic of your post is lost in this jungle of whiners who all know better than everyone else.

I think Emancipation was an amazing artistic success and I am constantly bemused by people's negative reactions to it.

What's even more bizarre is that over half the songs Krystal has listed as the "keepers" are actually, IMO, the weakest tracks on the album!!

You know, some "artists" only release 3 cds in their entire career, let alone as one single, new (ie not a greatest hits collection) release!

Emancipation was a statement of just how prolific Prince is. Personally, I love the whole album, with the exception of that one song with Scrap Doodle.

skywalker said:

Problem was he couldn't release it as a single disc because he was still under contract with Warner Bros. If he had wanted to release it as a single disc WB would have had first rights to it.Thats one reason Emancipation is 3 discs. WB had no claim on a three disc set. A single disc yes - a triple disc no.

Krystal666 said:

If those are the only songs that you like from the album, then yeah, Prince should've made it 3 discs.

why complain about it being 3 cd for. There is only one throw away track and that is DA DA DA!!!!!

neontelephone said:

i like 'da, da, da'.

there's a LOT of it though - especially on disc II - that i don't like.

Yes godd@!*#@!!! And its ALLLL beautiful!!! Except for WE GETS UP, most of DAMN IF I DO, BETCHA BY GOLLY WOW and maybe JAM OF THE YEAR! The rest is awesome so nah!!!

everyone always lists really different songs that they like and don't like from emancipation, i've noticed. i think that says really good things about the album overall, regardless of what we like and don't like on it.

I think I could bust it down to a 2 disc set, personally. But I will never complain about the release. that set had my head spinning for months after it's release. Joint 2 Joint remains one of my all-time fave tracks to this day

endorphin74 said:

see, i didn't like that track at all until maybe last spring or last summer, when i gave it a listen with fresh ears and realized what an interesting track it was. i think there are all kinds of little time-release gems in prince's music for folks - it's just a matter of being receptive to them when you're ready to hear 'em. if that makes any sense.

Anxiety said:

Does that mean when I'm like 50 or something I may finally be able to appreciate Mr Happy? That scares me. I must throw away that CD before it happens.




Seriously, though. Different album, but I HATED "The Morning Papers" until about 3 years ago. Now I really dig that song. I love when that happens.

I love Emancipation...however I do think it would've been a great 2 CD set...there are a few tunes that are pretty weak. Mr Happy, Get Yo Groove On, We Gets Up, Emancipation, Betcha By Golly, and a few others suck. But on the other hand there are some real classic moments on here too...Face Down, Joint 2 Joint, Holy River, Savior, The Love We Make, Sex In The Summer, Sleep Around, Right Back Here In My Arms...so many more.

It wouldn't have been as good as SOTT or 1999...but I think if he edited it down to a double CD...it would rank higher on my list than it currently sits.

Anxiety said:

Krystal666 said:

true enough, those are good cuts, but please take into account "the love we make", cos frankly, i think this is a fucking amazing cut

peace!

Pagey said:

I totally agree.A 2-CD set would have worked so much better.

neontelephone said:

So you actually like "We Gets Up"?

Maybe some of the songs on Emancipation are too long but this is one of his best creations ever. IMHO.

I listened to it on Tuesday and it's amazing for the most part. I personally don't care for the surypy ballads but c'mon... the songwriting on that record is very strong overall. He's also experimenting on many tracks a great deal.

Anxiety said:

Oh c'mon, disc 2 is the best one!
all that Mayte worship now thats love

I don't mind that it was 3 CDs, something for everybody

thekidsgirl said:

Disc 2 is my favorite too.

Pagey said:

Co-sign