Byron said:

And for me it's the pro-tools beat and synth. It sounds straight out of today's MTV urban-how-to book.

After listening to this album several times this week, I decided to give my review. (Hey mods if you reading this maybe we should have a sticky org review thread.)


3121-4/5. I like this song and how he used that Camille voice or whatever that type of voice he used on the song Housequake.

Lolita- 4/5. This song reminded me of Soft and Wet a bit and this song you can able to dance at the club. I can imagines Pharell and Usher sing this type of song.

TAC-2.5/5 When I first heard this song back in December, I despised it. Despite I since come to appreciate this song like it is as nice and sweet, it isnt enough for me to play it constantly.

Black Sweat-5/5 Oh yeah! This song still rocks.

Incense and Candles-4.5/5 I like this song. This is like a seduction type of song and you can easily play this song while making love to your special someone.

Love-[/b]4.5/5 Another song you can dance to. For some reason this song slightly reminded me of You got the look with the guitar.

Satisfied-4/5 His voice reminded me of Insatiable. This is a slow jam and yes the best slow song that Prince has done in years. This even better than Call My Name.

Fury-4/5 This song rawks. Okay so what it isnt the same version as the one on SNL and that Prince used less guitar on this one but I still like the song.

The Word-3.5/5 This is his preachiest song on this album. Overall this song is okay.

BLB-4.5/5 I like this song. Its very great and Tamar is doing her thing on the vocals. I adored the singing chemistry that her and Prince has.

The Dance-5/5 My favorite song on this mutherfucking record. I like how he screams toward the end and that gave me goosebumps. I never had that feeling since listened to the Beautiful ones. I also love the piano on here.

Get On The Boat-2/5 My least fav track on here. I wasnt feeling for this song. I got the impression that Sheila E did some drums, but we wont know for sure til after the 21st. That is the only thing good about the album is the drums and that is why I gave this song a two.

Overall I give this album so far 8.5/10. This happened to be the best album he did in over 10 years. Although this album isnt groundbreaking or innovative, at least I wont be skipping songs with this one. This album has something for everyone. I dont understand why some people dislike this one but I guessed everyone has their own taste. The last time I like a Prince album entirely is Gold Experience. I cant wait what other suprises Prince has for us.

Wall said:

Thank you guys for responding. As I listened to Love after I wrote that, I can see how you could find Britney or someone "hot" today doing something like this. I still love it but it gives me another view of the song I didn't have before.

I have heard three:

Black Sweat, Beautiful-Loved-Blessed, and Te Amo Corazon.

Black Sweat is an awesome old-school funk jam that has some linn drum sound to it- I LOVE it.

BLB is okay, if you are into the smooth neo-soul stuff.

Te Amo Corazon is very good for slow latin style music- it's not Prince's style, but it is very well arranged nonetheless.

But Black Sweat is the JAM!

z7

purplecam said:

I love it, too...and Britney or some "hot" current pop star's version would never have that funky rhythm guitar just beneath the groove propelling it, nor could they hold a candle to Prince's attitude and charisma vocally. Even when he says a simple "alright" or "good God", it's a million times cooler and more assured than anything Justin Timberlake or Usher could possibly put on record.

Everyone simply needs 2 thank God and thank Prince 4 the song "3121". It doesn't need 2 compare 2 earlier "Camille stuff", 'cause this is now, and it exceeds even the greatness of the past... Every instrument, every detail, every voice... and the solo is straight outta and of some the greatest Lovesexy guitar. There can be no complaining on this, or on this album. "3121" is a pure Prince Funk masterpiece. Also check out the dark, low, windy swell sound that weaves in and out. This sound is straight outta the 1986-1988 sonic bucket. U all should be creaming over that alone... Again, this is new, fresh, and now...a perfect melding of the past and the present, with a futuristic guarantee of longevity.

"Love" is the BOMB.

"The Word" (beautiful,with the breakdown at the end, and finishing with a primal scream)

"Satisfied" (organic classic old school slow jam. comparable 2 some of the best)

"The Dance" (2 beautiful).

"Black Sweat" is infectious. I'm a sucker 4 a Black Album era Linn drumbeat, yeah, but the whole arrangement kicks, and it's length is perfect in context of the album.

Speaking of which, the sequence of the tracks make each track make perfect sense.

I already dug "Te Amo Corazon", but now I really dig it, again, with the context.

U all should be elated at the synth sounds, background atmosheric sounds, etc.

"Fury" shouldn't be compared 2 the live version... When listened 2 on it's own, it kicks. I dig the odd, distant sounding vocals.

Don't tell anyone, but "Lolita" is growing on me...

Thank U Prince.

3121 is actually a very good album. similar sounds to musicology but slightly superior.

its a grower, so when you do buy it on Mon 20th March, give it as many listens in its entirity as possible!...

Giovanni777 said:

Agree totally. Especially on 3121. I can't hear that track without an ear to ear grin.

Giovanni777 said:

Didn't you already post this?

Byron said:

You are so on the money with that one.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

Well I've heard 6 tunes from the cd and no songs sound like an obvious hit. I expect to find the cd in the cut out bins in a few months after he hype dies. I'll just wait for the tour and enjoy that.

Thumparello said:

Not to be a dick, but why are you looking for a hit? Even if there is one (I think there are a few) they won't be big because of how radio is. It's pointless to search for something he'll never have anyway.

okay, I've been listening to the album....

As a longtime Prince fanatic....and as someone who thought "Musicology" was maybe his worst release ever...I am incredibly THRILLED with 3121. It might be one of his most listenable, enjoyable, funkiest, most cohesive group of satisfying songs since....shit, I don't know when.

All I know is, this is a PRINCE album. It is Prince being Prince....he's doing what he does best on 3121. End of story.

"Love"? --this shit reminds me of something from 1999 or Purple Rain era. I can imagine him synchro-dancing in that cold metallic style with his band. The song is a JAM, Prince-style all the way.

"The Word"---already one of my altime favorite Prince songs. It has a light, dreamy feeling...acoustic guitar, funky horn hook, groovy beat...AWESOME.

"Lolita"---yup. sounds old, sounds new. Fun as hell.

"Incense and Candles"---damn that's sexy.

"Get on the Boat"---nice lyrics! And just TRY to not groove to that.

Unlike Musicology, where for the first time I only liked two songs on a Prince album, 3121 is packed with songs I love---song after song. The only ones I'm not wild about are "Satisfied" because we've heard him do this so many times...and "Fury", which is kind of boring. I haven't latched onto "3121" the way some of you have...I wasn't impressed...but maybe time will tell.

Overall---Prince is back!! And I'm so happy.

It's a more poppy effort than I had expected. It sounds comtemporary, but still very Princely anyway. I think the songwriting has definately improved over Musicology, and the production is more 2006. I hope it will bring Prince the succes that he so obviously wants to have with this album.



3121- Great opener, reminds me of an 80's experimental b-side track. Love it! 9/10

Lolita- Big ol' chunk of cheese, but oh so catchy! The synth is too loud in the mix though, sounds distorted even, and there's too much delay on it. Still a very nice pop track. 7.5/10

Te Amo Corazon- Doesn't work as a single but is a very chilled track, the instrumentation is lush. 7.5/10

Black Sweat- Great minimal electrofunk track in the best Prince tradition. Deserves to be a hit but probably won't. 9/10

Incense and Candles- Many people hate on it, but I kinda like the track, although it's cheesy in parts. Very modern production, maybe this would make a great single. 7/10

Love- Like this one a lot, the chorus is so Princely! But it's not as good as some of you claim. 8/10

Satisfied- Nothing new like most of you have already said, but wel executed and very enjoyable. 8/10

Fury- Of course the SNL performance was more exciting, but this track is still very good. Without the SNL performance people would have gushed over this track. 9/10

The Word- Reminds me of songs like 7, would have fitted on the Symbol album. Very nice Princely chorus again. 8/10

Beautiful, Love, & Blessed- Nice song, like the funky ending. But as a whole a bit too long and a bit generic. 7/10

The Dance- Didn't like it the first time I heard it but has grown tremendously on me. Vey good I think, would have fitted nicely on Parade. 9/10

Get on the boat- The JB funk track. Nice but nothing special. Doesn't really fit on this album stylistically IMO. Would have fitted better on Musicology or TRC. 7.5/10

Overall- It's a good Prince album without any real clunkers, but I would have liked it a bit more "far out" as I love experimental Prince best. But a very enjoyable pop album for sure! I am not complaining at all.

PurpleKnight said:

Is it four out of five yet?

PurpleKnight said:

I missed missed the hoo ha, but that's fine by me. I've been going through some old videos and new mp3's ramping up for the album. My wife calls Prince OD time.

I have the opportunity to listen to all the tracks, but haven't (sick?)I like the feeling of buying, opening the liner notes/pics, and playing in the car by myself. No distractions or unneccessary comments.

I did sneak a peak at "fury". I think I'm the only person that thought the SNL performance was just OK. His microphone presence was less than professional for him. Pulled away to early and stuff. I was also distracted by Tamar and trying to gauge if she was worth listening to.

I liked the album version

Rev said:

Nothing wrong with that at all. That version rocks!

I have been lucky enough to hear a copy of the album and I personally haven't enjoyed listening to a new Prince as much as this for years !!

I really like the album it has enough sparks of Prince brilliance to keep it on my Cd player come the release date, the people knocking it kinda confuse me.

What kind of record they want him to make ?

He has covered so many styles over the years its hard to imagine what they want from a performer whose always moving forward, you want old stuff put the old records on thats what they are there for. Least he doesn't chase fashion like Madonna who always tries to compete with the new dance craze, kinda sad really, I would sooner Prince release this than try and get into that rat race.

I remember from about 1987 to present day Prince albums have always taken a lot of critical bashing and this will be no different, he has so much to live upto in the eyes of the critics, but to himself he needs to prove nothing, or indeed to us. I think 'N.E.W.S.' was a difficult album and indeed 'The Rainbow Children' but this compared to them and even to 'Musicology' is just worlds apart, this has focus and some great new songs !!!

The so called critics are now calling albums like'Around The World In A Day' -'Diamond And Pearls' classic records, but I remember a time when these same magazines and writers were knocking them back in the day saying the tracks were not consistent etc..Or not up to the standard of 'Sign 'O' The Times'. . Funny how time tells us just how good material is.

Give '3121' time, if you still dont like it. . . Well, what can I say ? Each to their own I guess, or put on 'New Power Soul' and then then think again about '3121'. . I say thank god for '3121'!!! . . I wanna move forward with him and '3121' is a great party to join, so don't U wanna come ? . . . I know I do.

People who compare 3121 to Emancipation have a point. However, I think they miss another. The albums are somewhat similar in the approach to production, but 3121 sounds like what Emancipation could have sounded like if the production had been better and he had picked only the best songs off the three cds. It is also the kind of album he tried to do subsequently with Rave and Musicology, but this time with better editing.

As such it does not compare to Prince's work up to 1989. Despite some touches, it lacks the rebellious musical spirit that made you wonder what he'd dream up for the next album. This is the mature, accomplished Prince, confident in his place in popular music, picking some fine examples of his recent compositions, and avoiding most of the mistakes that plagued some of his releases in the 90's and 2000's.

It's a fine addition to his discography and his most balanced effort since the eighties, the modern pop record he's been trying to make for a while. If you were expecting SOTT, the return of the Revolution, TRC without the Darth Vader voice, etc., you are probably not going to be impressed, though if I were you I'd check out The Dance and the opening and closing tracks.

Another thing about this record is that I can't help but think Prince did the record MJ is supposed to make. It has quite a few MJ elements that range from obvious (Love) to more subtle (Lolita is the kind of song MJ has done many times).
[Edited 3/11/06 12:35pm]

PurpleKnight said:

The chorus is damn infectious ...and you're stealing my MJ comparisons...lol
[Edited 3/11/06 12:36pm]

Aerogram said:

You are, too!!...lol (altho I didn't link "Lolita" to MJ, but I can see why you could... )

Byron said:

It's the whole "sex as danger/female semi-predator" angle (Billie Jean, Diana, etc.).

As for the comparison, it's as if all the talk to the intense rivalry was true and that Prince decided that after the trial and exile to Dubai, this was his chance to take over the position of lead falsetto of Pop.

Aerogram said:

Even beyond the similar themes I can hear a musical similarity (or maybe I can just easily imagine MJ singing it, just without the cool attitude)...