Sounds promising.

I'll predict that the same critics that praised the mediocre Musicology as a Prince "comeback" will bash this (seemingly superior) album.Prince may have missed his moment in 2004.

Can anyone translate this Japanese listening party review? The Google translation was pretty useless.

http://blog.soulsearchin....00835.html

jcfii said:

I dunno...but I'm pretty sure I saw the Japanese word for "ferret" mentioned in there...

I don't think 1st hand reviews should be moved here.

You mods aren't doing Prince any favors by hiding some good thoughts on it by people who actually heard it!!! I agree if the review is amature, move it, but a pretty in-depth review of the album probably won't get much notice now.
[Edited 2/17/06 11:58am]

I'm getting a boner!

ufoclub said:

Sounds like a personal problem

I attended the London playback of 3121 this afternoon and have been smiling like a stupid kid since. This is the album that we’ve all been waiting for – it is simply SPECTACULAR.

Granted, BLAB should be replaced but, other than that, we’re talking about the sort of album you really won’t ever need to hit the skip button with. I know I don’t post much but I’m familiar with the strong opinions here on the org and I genuinely think this will be the album that will make you all shut the fuck up!

Personally, I think this album represents Prince embracing his past instead of constantly trying to run away for it. I don’t know if that comment will make sense to everyone but, for me personally, there were so many musical references to his 80s work that you can’t help but think he’s finally decided accept his former persona. There’s no obvious bible-bashing or preaching which is also a huge relief for me. Also, this is the first time Prince actually sounds “current” production wise. In my opinion, every time he’s tried to sound like he’s “down with the kids”, it’s just cringe worthy. This is a far cry from the plasticy overproduction of NPS, EMANCIPATION, RAVE et al.

I’ll try not to repeat everything that’s been said in the track-by-track descriptions so far.

1) 3121 – An absolutely phenomenal opener. Reminds me a little of “Crystal Ball” in its experimental structure, layering of instrumentation and production. There has already been a reference to the CAMILLE voice. I can see what this reviewer means but it’s not really the Camille of old, I don’t think. Where the original Camille was a bit of an “analog accident” for lack of a better description (I remember some story about his engineer recording the vocal way too hot by accident and getting the Camille effect), this vocal on 3121 is digital and crystal clear. It sounds like he’s just duplicated the main vocal and pitch shifted it up an octave in this case. There’s also a slamming drum loop that has the kind of thuddy-crunchiness of DAYS OF WILD. Lots of distortion, fuzz and slick guitar effects. An instant favourite.

2) Lolita – A bit too campy for me, personally. Lots of synth, very upbeat, very poppy. Not bad by any means – but just not my cup of tea.

3) TAC – You already know

4) Black Sweat – Ditto

5) All Night Long - Ok, now I can actually picture this track being played in a club…and I can’t remember the last time I heard a non-80s Prince track in public. Prince actually sounds really contemporary here. There’s some cool drum programming and a pseudo-reggae drum break done Prince style.

6) Love is Forever – Can’t remember the details here. I remember a very slick-funky verse that bled into a cheesier chorus. There is some SICK rhythm guitar here, though.

7) Satisfied –Unplug the phones, turn down the lights – this is the song to get busy to for a whole weekend. Nice blues progression with some awe-inspiring horn arrangements. Reminded me a bit of On The Couch in places. If anything, it ends too soon.

8) Fury – You all know this track already but I have to say one thing: I was sitting next to two stonefaced middle-aged music journalists… and their jaws just dropped when the guitar ripped in. Anyone who has a remote connection to the music press will know what a stubborn and cynical bunch of dickheads they can be. So that was a pleasant sight to see.

9) Let’s Do Something – Funky acoustic guitar riff at the intro and a vocal that has a lot of the low end cut out so it sounds like Prince is singing down the phone. It’s not overdone and the vocal melody is really simple and infectious. There’s a killer guitar solo and some nice percussion towards the end.

10) BLAB – Bleugh. Get rid of it.

11) The Dance – I never listened to the NPGMC version much but I quite like this one. It’s much darker and very cinematic with its use of strings. There’s a definite tango feel and some nice staccato piano work. It has as outro with Prince screaming and pleading.

12) Boat – Holy shit . Words cannot do this track justice. This is OLD SCHOOL!!! I was instantly reminded of TOWER OF POWER’S WHAT IS HIP. It’s also like PRETTYMAN meets THE WORK….yet better than both combined!!! Prince does James Brown – but better than he’s ever done it before. Nice solo from Maceo and some absolutely fucking insane bass and percussion work. Definitely an instant favourite for me. I had my funky face glued on for the whole track and would have got up and danced if my professional reputation didn’t depend on it.

OK, now rip me apart.

With all these reviews, HOW THE HELL AM I GONNA WAIT A MONTH FOR THIS CD????

I think I'm excited!

Very positive reviews, looks like P's best effort since SOTT

I'm looking 4ward to "The boat" "3121" and "FURY!"

eyeronic how the Sun bashed Prince before the Brit Music awards, and now everyoneeeee loves him. I'm looking forward to 3121. Anddddd
I miss Anxiety's moderation

GoldenGlove said:

Let's not go crazy here (LOL) with the SOTT hopes...I'm just asking for his best release since Gold with a little '80s mojo thrown in...And from all accounts, it seems to be working out that way...

3121 Tour Predictions...



Gonna be a hot line up and let's play "what if!"


After watching the Brit awards... what if Shelia E., Wendy and Lisa join him on this tour!?


And I'm loving Tamar and the twins! Loved them on SNL, love them on the Brits! They're smoking! I especially love their erotic hand holding dances!


It's going to be pretty cool having a stage of female players.



Oh- I'm digging the new material! I'm most excited with the prospect of a tour featuring new material and LESS hits! More like the ONA (American) tour and less like (a LOT less) like the Musicology tour.


I'M SO THERE!!

I am completely ok with Prince keeping hits in his setlist but I have 2 simple requests.....

1) mix it up with different "hits", not the same ol' ones everytime

2) play most of 3121 live, not just a couple cuts

the 3121 reviews have been awesome, the album is set to be a classic (Can't wait for fury. I will start heavely promoting 3121 from the 10th of March. TO ensure that the songs get the airplay and success they deserve... anyone care to join me?

With the propper promotion 3121 will put prince back on the map. Currently 50% of 10 - 16 year olds don't know who Prince is. We can change this and introduce P 2 a whole new generation through 3121.

On the 10th of march i will post a host of phone numbers and e-mail adresses for varius radio station we can call/e-mail to get 3121 airplay!

Thanks,

But 4 now (UK ORGERS)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/feedback/
sara.cox@bbc.co.uk
chris.moyles@bbc.co.uk
jo.whiley@bbc.co.uk
edith.bowman@bbc.co.uk
colin.murray@bbc.co.uk
spoony@bbc.co.uk
vernon.kay@bbc.co.uk
trevor.nelson@bbc.co.uk

GoldenGlove said:

Thats not the case in the U.S. I teach high school and they may not see him as current or whatever, but most know who Prince is. In fact, I saw a few Musicology T Shirts after his tour hit Sacramento.....

Universal Germany have now let the cat out of the bag...

The official tracklist for 3121 is...


1. 3121
2. Lolita
3. Te Amo Corazon
4. Black Sweat
5. Incense And Candles
6. Love
7. Satisfied
8. Fury
9. The Word
10. Beautiful, Loved And Blessed
11. The Dance
12. Get On The Boat



Thanks to Serpan99 for the heads up.
[Edited 2/19/06 12:48pm]

Good job fellas!

NewFunk said:

Bear with me on this, I am so happy that most reviews have been saying that BLandB is the weakest track because I think it rocks, so that really gives me hope for this album!!!

CynthiasSocks said:

Well with only 12 tracks on the album, hopefully he can do like the old days and play all the tracks off the new album in full, a dozen or so of the major hits and throw in some album cut/b-side gems from the past (ie when u were mine, she's always in my hair, the ladder, the future, i like it there, don't play me, acknowledge me, hot thing, joy in repitition etc.
But what do i care, I live in NZ and he ain't ever been here and ain't ever comin', not even if the cinnamon girl invites him. Just as long as he releases a dvd of the tour (unlikely) or some good-quality boots become available.

Okay my apologies but I have been out of the loop for quite some time... School has been kicking my tail but when does "3121" come out? Or has it already? I didn't have time to read this thread... Again, my apologies... Thanks...

March 21st!

calldapplwondery83 said:

Marked on my calendar already

i just have one effin question,
will this album get a vinyl release.
why didn't musicology get a vinyl release.

tripp said:

Not sure if this will be of any interest to you, but I saw Musicology on vinyl at a record store in Washington DC about a year and a half ago. It wasn't even a small shop - it was, I want to say, a Virgin Records or something like that.

calldapplwondery83 said:

THANK YOU !

luv4u said:

I will mark it on my calendar too and set a reminder on my cell phone ... I can't wait.... Thank you...

I' can't wait for "3121" & "Fury" that is where my excitment lies!

art said:

Ok. I'm not a major francophone but I did understand most of the review and any reader here should have been able to find how absurd these two translations are!
When Raphy wrote "No comment" for each of these trax, he was talking English!!!! ("comment" in French means "how"). How did "TAC" get translated to "Tap" (maybe "tac" means something in French)? "Rave" was not meant to be translated either (and if so definitely not as "dawdles", although that reflects what the album sounded like to me!).
The TAC line should probably read something like: The only surprise is that this title doesn't really resonate within the whole of the disk.
[Edited 2/21/06 6:06am]