Well, here it is...the last day of February. I'm listening to TAC, BS, BL&B and Fury throughout the day before starting my Prince fast tonight at midnight.

Until I have the retail CD of 3121 in my disc player I'm avoiding these tracks. Hopefully this will restore their "freshness" when I play the album for the first time.

Anybody else on a Prince and/or 3121 blackout until March 21? Any other things you're doing to get yourself prepared for the album? Talk to me, folks. I need the distraction.

Peace, David

Hmmm...had actually gotten off the computer when the thought struck me that I might log back on in the morning to see this thread locked.

Mods, if you feel this should be in the 3121 sticky, so be it. Just let me know where it's going if you move it.

(On another note: what's with 9 views and no comments yet? This post ain't for gawkers. I'm lookin' for the talkative types. *cue GoldenGlove*

Peace, David

I agree with the concept. I have not purchased singles/downloads from 3121 for the same reason. Plus, sometimes I have to alter the way I read these threads on the org. Depending on what you read, the TAC is the worst thing ever produced (not true) and Black Sweat is a Pharell reproduction (not true). Hyper-criticism of an organic art form can psychologically reduce the pleasure.

I haven't listened to the new songs in about a week for the same reason, I want them to sound a little "fresh " when I hear the new cd

I played the 3121 songs a few times last night...now it's cold turkey until the CD is in my hands.

As I was listening through the last time, it struck me that probably the best benefit of this blackout will be its affect on my appreciation of the studio cut of Fury. The SNL version is so amazingly raw and powerful. Like everyone else, I'm concerned that the album track will seem muted in comparison. This 20-day break from the song should help ease the transition from one version to the other.

My release day plan is to pick up 3121 on my lunch hour at a large independent music store here in Charlotte called Manifest. I'll grab the Ultimate collection at the same time. Because I traded in a bunch of CDs for store credit a month ago, these acquisitions won't even be paid for out-of-pocket. After work I'm hosting a listening party at my house for a few fans. We've all sworn to remain 3121 virgins until we hear the music together that first time. To avoid temptation, I'll probably keep the CD wrapped at work. I'm not sure I can be trusted to have the disc in my hand and not slip it into my computer for a quick preview.

I am so -- March is finally here. This is the home stretch. What are your 3121 release day plans?

Peace, David

For me, I planning on listening to Prince more prior to the release of 3121 to get me even more psyched. I haven't been this excited for a Prince album in a long time. It makes me feel like a teenager again!

I will also be picking up Ultimate Prince on the 14th. Hearing those songs in their remastered glory will be absolutely amazing!

On a side note, I agree with jdcxc about avoiding reviews before listening to an album. I want my ears to judge the music independently of anything that I have read, and I find the best way to do this is to avoid reading reviews. Moreover, should the album leak prior to its release, I will not listen. I'm ornery in that I feel I have to listen to album in its CD format for the first time.
[Edited 3/1/06 7:35am]

Moonbeam said:

I completely agree. I want my first experience with 3121 to be the full enchilada -- hearing the music in perfect quality, poring over the CD booklet with its pics and credits and that wonderful ink-y smell that I love. Having no idea (for the most part) what I'm going to be hearing from one track to the next

Speaking of which, I absolutely have to listen to each track of a new album in full on first listen. I know some people skim through the beginning of each song -- to me that's like peeking at your Christmas presents before opening them. All the anticipation is gone.

Peace, David

ive just obtained some new prince material
after thinking i already had it all
so, haha
aint no way im not going to play this stuff

i dont think it will make any difference for when 3121 and ultimate prince comes out. im going to buy them both on the morning of their release rain hail,shine,thunder,end of the world.

nothings going to stop me on my journey to the music store on the 14th and 21st

livewire said:

If 3121 is going to be released at Midnight at one of these record stores here in NYC, then I'm going there. I'll just listen to it on the way home on the subway. I normally have to listen to the whole CD in one sitting and then listen to it again. It's what I did with TRC and Musicology. I'm so excited about this. I was thinking about this today, where are we going to see Prince pop up on TV this month? I hope he is EVERYWHERE! Prince has got to go on all the talk shows and music shows and let the world know about this CD. I hope Universal do their job too. I e-mailed them and asked if they could put ads on all public transportation across the world. This CD just feels special.

thats the main thing hey?
the publicity
why not make it known

to be honest here in australia
other then online i havent heard a mention of 3121
nothing at all

doesn't that suck
[Edited 3/1/06 9:24am]

not a problem to stop listening to the songs since each of them sucks . . .

I have been on a P kick for weeks now. Made even worse by the Tamar show last weekend. But, thankfully I have a few other shows to "prepare" for, so Prince is now out of my CD player. But, I may get weak, specially when I pick-up "Ultimate."

Enjoy the lead singles. There's meant to be a prelude to the album.
[Edited 3/1/06 19:10pm]

livewire said:

LOL. I thought you were gonna say you were giving Prince up for Lent or something.

I'm hyped about 3121 even if I listen to Prince everyday so I don't think I'll change my habit.

babynoz said:

I've given up fried foods for Lent (true). As far as avoiding the singles, I was feeling like I had played them to death. This break -- as HARD as it has already been after just the first day -- will make my enjoyment of 3121 just that much greater when I finally hear the album in full.

Peace, David

Safe to say, those songs will be as "fresh" for me as N.E.W.S. and NPS.

I'm waiting for the CD to drop since I don't bother with downloads.
[Edited 3/1/06 21:01pm]

I've been trying to avoid playing the songs much too. Like you I want them to sound fresh when i play the whole CD for the first time.

Fury makes me weak though. That mother is hard to resist!

Can't stay away that long( will go through Prince withdrawal), but good luck though, livewire .

I've been immersing myself in D2, Adam Ant and other Brits while working on a paper for school... so by the time the new album is out, it'll seem to pop up out of nowhere like a nice surprise.