NOTHING sounds complete though, including the title track. (which I completely dig right now) I have this purple pimple prickel feeling that we are still in for a suprise come 3/21. Could be wrong, often I am ... But ads saying things like "Historic new album?" Pretty bold statement for what I've heard thus far.

Don't get me wrong, Love what I've heard. It will hang with today's mainstream, but isn't that the problem? Today's mainstream kinda being ... well in a rut?

HISTORIC to me would be if this album broke a mold. So far it is the album's diversity of "genre" that makes it stand out from today's acts but so did Musicology. Not that the Musicology and 3121 sound alike, all are good songs, but it's not like Prince to duplicate an album format back to back. He never has in his entire career. Then again, he was sportin' the "3121" clothing during the Musicology performances so this album could have very well been recorded during the same time or imediately right after the previous one.

HISTORIC just doesn't sit right with me as 3121 being just an album. There has to be a much bigger project to this. Think about it. Way more promotion, thus far as Musicology. The whole "3121 mystery" has been hinted at for over a year. To me, Musicology has been a set up for this the entire time. Why did he suddenly "come out of hiding" in 2004 with so much hype. All the 3121 parties in L.A.? The news reports, Oh LEAST NOT FORGET WENDY and LISA, all the celebrities, all these "conforming to the system" appearances in which he has went out of his way to reject for years unless he's got something to say?

These 3121 downloads don't say much that he's already said. So where does "HISTORIC" come in?

HISTORIC might play in a packaging game. (Been scratching my head on this for a few days, so bear with me) What if the album was a double sided disk that had a DVD on one side with a lot of videos? Given the JW life he's now a part of, I wouldn't put it past him that he'd have this entire "pop" album as a smoke screen to spread "The Good News" whether it's in a video format or additional downloads of Watch Tower literature on the disc. Now THAT would be HISTORIC. I can't think of anyone who's done that before. Ads saying things like "The album everyone will be talking about" just doesn't sit right with what we've heard. Sure WE'RE talking about it. (When I should be working) But we're the hard-core fans.

HISTORIC surely isn't the "Purple Ticket" although very cool and somewhat unique for an album release. I'd be flippin' thrilled to get one myself, but ...

HISTORIC just sounds a little too bold unless this is a much BIGGER project than what I feel we are being lead to believe.

What do you think? Is Universal or Mr. P's PR camp getting a little delusional or do we have a lot more suprises in store? Just seems like a lot of effort with a new band, new label, new websites ...

Something's UP! That just can't be all there is to it, surely ... "It ain't over"
[Edited 3/9/06 19:00pm]

i don't think it's over by a long shot. he's just waiting on summer.

i dunno...right now, 3121 feels to me like the 1999 album passed through a musicology filter. it's definitely a party album, but without the edge of 1999 but with the refinement of his growth as a musician. that's how i feel TODAY, anyway...ask me a month from now and my opinion is likely to be different.

yamomma said:

Don't go by what a record industry ad says. "Historic" sounds like mere label hyperbole to me.

I predict this album will be released just as folks have already heard, with no changes.

There is zero chance of a dvd being included with this album. Otherwise, we would see a "dual-disc" listing for 3121, probably at 2$ more, like many other artists have done. Thre is no dual-disc listing anywhere for 3121, although one could happen in the future.

As for the ad campaign)

1) Prince had a comeback two years ago, with renewed awareness in the public's mind. A large ad campaign by a major label now seems like a less risky propisition money-wise, as Prince is again a platinum artist, and

2) Prince's deal with Sony for "Musiclolgy" was largely just a distribution deal; the presence of Prince on Universal's website for the past year or so was already indicitive of a deeper business relationship.
Make no mistake: this type of ad machine (full page ad in Usa Today, large store displays etc) is not coming out of Prince's pocket...Universal is actively promoting and hyping this album out of pocket, and there is more to this deal than "distribution".

Either way, sorry to burst your bubble, but I think you already hit the nail on the head: the Purple Ticket is the most "historic" thing about this album.

I think "historic" is just the music industry talking smack.
Maybe it's historic becuase he's joined a "major label" even though he's done one-off deals before. Maybe it's historic becuase of the type of deal.

Who knows.

I do feel that after 2 years in waiting 3121's 12 songs can't possibly be the only in Prince's arsenal that he's interested in giving us. It would be very strange indeed for 12 songs to be the whole of this entire effort.

My hunch is by the time he's kicked off his tour something else will be released. I mean, Lisa and Wendy joined him on stage for cryin' out loud--it's not too difficult to picture them glazing over Roadhouse garden or something entirely new.

How did this album leak anyways? The versions I've heard are 128bit which leaves me thirsting desperately for the "official release" so I can get a better sounding album.

Of course, I'm a geek--I must buy all his albums whether I like them or not, becuase it helps to support the "Prince" machine.

I hear what your saying eugnj420, but I just can't help but think of our "modern, prolific artist" stepin' to the side of mediocracy. His abilities and resources are all too "in place" for what I feel I'm being lead to expect.

There was just too much hype in those 2004 tour interviews with statements like "Last time you'll hear 'the hits', wait until next time we come to your town, this is just a warm-up, we have too much new material to waste time on the older material".

Remember, Emancipation was marketed as "The Album He Was Born To Make" and look how that turned out! Just because they say it's "historic" doesn't mean a thing... it's just advertising, man.

Prince's albums have always had an underwhelming element to them... some good tracks, others somewhat filler material... that's why the public can't give him successful singles, because his albums aren't consumable for average folk.

Prince knows this I believe, which is why we're getting increasingly watered down material like Te Amo and much of 3121, which actually goes against the appeal of Prince's music for his core fan base.


.
[Edited 3/9/06 19:35pm]

yamomma said:

We all know Prince has made these types of statements since well before Musicology, (Prince told one columnist in '91 that "Diamonds and Pearls" was his best work ever), and I'd wait to hear them again before thinking we won't hear hits on this new tour.

For one thing, Musicology never made it overseas, and those folks will be expecting hits at their arena/stadium shows this year, and you bet prince will deliver.

For another, there are 12 songs on the album, ala Musicology. Even if Prince plays all 12(unlikely), that leaves space for about another 12-15 for a 2-21/2 hour show. That means at least half a dozen hits, probably more.

I've only heard "TAC", BS" and BLB" so far, and I'm rather underwhelmed. My hopes for this album reside on what I've heard about "3121" "love" and some of the other funky stuff.

But you must prepare to seperate the initial hype from what will likely be a replay of 2004: A decent, non-gorundbreaking album followed by a major tour with some hits.

Not that there's anything wrong with that...

After you hear the full album I think you'll realize that those songs aren't that bad....I'm bummed by this album, hoping what I've got isn't the real thing.

eugnj420 said:

Where do people get the idea that this isn't the full album thats due in a few weeks?


Trust me.. this is what will be on silverback.. these aren't demo's.. this is the album in its complete form...


this is the "Historic" new album...

I am hearing you. Makes me think. Yeah there has been this hinting and hinting. A whole plan as back as Musicology? Not sure. I mean why did he wait 2 years to put this out. It would have made more sense to put it out closer to the last one and at least announce it was a project. Though EVERY time he announces a "project" something happens and it's not what he thought and then it gets scratched. There have been hints though that this was in the works for a long time. i.e. Satisfied. The promotion seems a bit heavy for as something like what we've heard so far. Also by giving us this...has shut us up and stopped asking or looking for more (if there is)...good ploy.

Now on the styles you mentioned of a back to back for this one and the last one. I think many have over looked the Rave project. As well as CHocolate invasion and SLaughterhouse. Not as wholes, but the music contained. This sounds a lot like all three of those and Musicology too (TRC is an aside). Me thinks these are very akin to SOTT in their variety. He seems to be wanting to hit that gold again. I can say this...you'd be able to pluck 16 songs off of his albums Rave on and get something VERY CLOSE or even better than SOTT...just it'd sound more modern. But the likely hood of a double album now...not sure he'd do that for fear of being called indulgent.

I say indulge. Stop trying to be a hit and garner new audience like back when and play for your fans and do what you want cuz we'll love it and if not...we'll love the next thing. He thinks he's still playing/making albums to the mainstram and he's not. ANd that's part of the problem. He refuses to throw all the chips in. Unless of course this album turns out to be something else or more than we are thinking.

Anx said:

I do feel it's more modern and "up" than musicology..but I don't think it's all that much party. Too many ballady/slowish songs.

In that case, it's PERSONALLY HISTORIC as far as the first time I personally will feel "bummed out" by a commercial release from Mr. P. as so many on this board before me that I've always thought to myself "what's wrong with some of these guys? There's some GREAT stuff here!"

Then again, I've really surrounded myself with a lot of jazz fusion artists over the years and witnessed what I feel has been some ground breaking stuff musically, but lacked a lyrical message to which my friends reply "why does music have to do that?" So I ask myself: Is that musical maturity or taste in genre? Maybe I'm getting over "pop music" in general.

Like so many P. fans, I suppose you anticipate the latest album to fit your current expectations.

I just can't understand some of the decisions with the songs.. for example, "The Dance"... what a great song..
But why use so much plastic? the piano isn't even real in this.. its a flippin keyboard...

would have been damn near perfect with the real instrumentation... it just seems like he stamped a big fat date on it from the sounds...

yamomma said:

Oh and I don't think he "came out of hiding" it was his year 2 years ago. He made bast of what was going on.

don't call it a comeback

yamomma said:

I just expect it to be of good quality and enjoyable. If it ends up curling my toes a few times, cool. I've never fully enjoyed most of his albums in their entirety. I can think to a song on each that I like to skip or that doesn't move me at all. Or is cheesy or schmaltzy. I wonder which album is the golden one for fans that has geeked them so far out that all they expect is a show stopping record. I mean has he really ever? Completely and utterly?

It's usually A few gems/a few great song/ some good ones/ and 1 or 2 where I go eh. It's how it always is. But I usually mine them for the gems. ANd there is always at least 2 or 3. This one has about 5 for me.

Im tired of hearing everyone say they are dissapointed and
they hope the version that was leaked is not what is coming out
3/21. I have not heard the leaked album and dont want to. I will
wait....all yall talk like Prince needs you advice...these are
his babies and he will do with them what he pleases.
Just enjoy,dance, smile, cry, shake it...stop comparing each song
with past songs and making your recommendations cuz u aint on P's
board of directors. It kills me when I read all these posts about
what he should do or what we think he is trying to do...he is just
making music..simple....and since none of us can do it even close
to what he has...we needs to lay back and appreciate.

meaning ... I think I've "expected" Prince to be the one to fuse that "lyrical message" with some GREAT musicianship and break that god-foresaken pop mold. Ain't nobody gettin' back to their roots lately kinda thang.

Maybe I should get back to the music lessons then, right?

Sdldawn said:

Are u a musical genious? That explains why u dont understand
what he is doing....

thepope2the9s said:

has everyone said they are disapointed? I think I have heard the vast majority frame it like this. A strong Pop record. Better than Musicology...much better than NPS & Rave and comparable if not better than D&Ps
[Edited 3/9/06 20:45pm]

To me ... we're in this 70's "disco" like era. Bunch of meaningless junk, really. All "The Greats" conformed to it. Stevie, JB, Stones, Zap, Zep, (almost, if Bonham didn't die) Sly ... or Graham Central Station, (same band, different name, to me) Marvin MF'n Gaye, Chaka, and on and on ...

ALL Great artists but there was this decade more or less of "forgetable" material that people will only remember that song if it got them laid one night. Nothing really thought provoking.

Then again, even Larry Graham's GSS 2000 had songs like "Don't let 'em change you" that said "THERE IT IS!" that tells me these guys can get past fasion.

thepope2the9s said:

wow.. great, and thanks for that wonderful input..


and by the way.. its "genius"

Alexandernvrmind said:

Heck yeah! I dig the songs I've heard. I just don't feel like our "Funk General" is moving the music forward like I was anticipating. Every professional musician I've ever met has GREAT RESPECT for Prince but always asks "When is he going to get past pop music?" Everyone knows he's capable of doing much more that what we've heard already.

It's pretty clear in the music industry that he's a master at fusion meaning ... he can do The Temtations' harmonies, the P-Funk synth licks, Curtis Mayfield smoothness, Larry Graham bass slaps, Jimi and Vai-ish guitar solos, Stevie and Joni writing caliber, The James Brown band leader, and an AWESOME drummer to boot ...

So ... I'm waiting to get my A** KICKED!
[Edited 3/10/06 6:41am]

Honestly, there were a few "better" songs on rave than this one...


I Love You But I Don't Trust you Anymore
The Greatest Romance


those two alone are better compositions than anything on this new album..


This all of course isnt saying too much..

Only in retrospect from a futuric time can something be percieved at historic. Thus, the understanding of this meaning is and might still be hidden from the eyes of you all now.

I'm thinking the histroic nature of the "unmasked" album from K.I.S.S. might be a worthwhile comparison.

thepope2the9s said:

Sdldawn said:

yeah and Chaos & Disorder is better than Purple Rain

By getting my A** kicked, It doesn't even have to do with this music that I've heard already but what he does with this entire "3121" project ... to put this back on topic.

The album alone just doesn't seem to justify all the effort put into all this hype unless the majority of the hype is coming from Universal to get their investment. I do know enough about the corporate world that "the bottom line" weighs more than "artistic expression" when it comes to inking a financial backing deal.

Maybe I just answered my own question.
[Edited 3/9/06 21:39pm]

Alexandernvrmind said:

I realize Rave wasn't his best pack of songs.. but come on, that was the worst comparison ever...


and besides.. I am at least talking about two albums that are pretty bad.. i'm not comparing a superior album to an after thought..

Anyone remember those NPGMC posts saying things like:

"What does 3121 mean to you?" and "What do you think 3121 is going to be"

People were responding to the mod's questions like "oh it's a new album, a movie, a concert DVD, a this and that" ... Like I said before, there has been just waaaay too much hype on this whole "3121" thang for waaaay too long to be what we seem to be lead to think right now. I think 3121 is a much bigger project than just an album and tour and even the purple ticket thing. HISTORIC would have to mean a little more than that.

Got some sleep. Gonna put the CD back in the case and wait for 3/21 before I open my big fat mouth again.

Those liner notes better wow the sh*t out of me.