jonylawson said:

actually all the reviews are kinda bugging me too. i don't click on those threads but still...

what really amazes me is how people are cheeky enough to STEAL the album before it's release date then air their opinions publicly on the internet.

"hey! lookit me! I stole the album and now ima write a review and tell the world i'm a thief!"

I think as much as there are criticisms on here, there are people raving about it, it just depends on what you want to focus on. You don't really get threads with the title, "this love you have for 3121 - I'm getting angry!' but it would be just as valid, everyone is entitled to their opinions and not even Prince is above criticism. No, I probably wouldn't say it to his face, but then I probably wouldn't even tell my best mate his breath smells either...

Gauging whether an album is 'good' or not is a difficult proposition. If you asked someone on the street whether they expected Prince fans to like the new Prince album, their response would likely be, 'Well, yeah, they're fans, aren't they?!' but in fact, as seen on here, the opinions vary hugely and criticisms can be scathing.

Here's an analogy: ask someone if they liked a particular painting, they might say, 'Yes. It's got pretty colours'. Ask someone who has some background knowledge, they might expound on the history of the artist, themes they can see in the painting from previous work, put it in the context of his body of work. That to me would be a far more valid and worthy critique, looking beyond the immediate surface imagery. And that is what fans on here do - they basically use 'comparitive analysis', putting this album in the context of all the others, plus plain just saying whether they enjoy it or not. All that adds upto quite a balanced set of reviews, in my opinion. There's no way Prince can please all the people all the time, but if he pleases you, then why should someone else critiquing him effect your opinions? And why is it important to frown on theirs?
[Edited 3/9/06 4:55am]

XxAxX said:

"I stole the album, and now I'm gonna tell you how bad it sucks, and how I feel cheated as a fan!"

Over 90% of PRINCE FANS MOAN.

All they do is wait anxiously for new product so they can moan and complain about it.

That is one of their main characteristics and is probably a scientific fact (somewhere).

The remaining 10% who do not consistently complain and just 'go along for the ride' are classified as 'ass kissers'.

Over 90% of Prince fans always predict the next Prince release will be a 'failiure' yet at least 89% of them buy the disc.

They also download it early, because they cannot wait until the retail release to begin complaining and critiquing the CD in detail as if they are a music magazine journalist.

In addition, Prince's career always continues, although these 'failiure' accusations first began in 1990, then re-started in 1996 and have not abated on every release since.

It is now 2006.

These kinds of happenings are now ritual and have a certain amount of enjoyment to them. It is almost as religious experience.

See you next year!

Peace
Mr7

what really amazes me is how people are cheeky enough to STEAL the album before it's release date then air their opinions publicly on the internet.

"hey! lookit me! I stole the album and now ima write a review and tell the world i'm a thief!"

you can make up your mind to unconditionally love everything that Prince does if you want to. I haven't heard 3121 yet. But, if I don't like it so what?

I haven't liked a single thing Prince has done for the last decade. who cares how MUCH music he puts out if it all stinks? People have been fussing about that for years.

ah nevermind that though. The people that have heard 3121 have given both good and bad reviews. most of the opinions i've read about the album have been good.

go ahead and have your Prince pity party if you need it. just know that he ain't never lost any sleep over duping you into pay big bucks for shitty ditties since '96, though.


i've decided i will buy 3121. i promise. a legitimate purchase, with a sales receipt and everything. it will be the first time since Rave that i have paid actual money for Prince's music..and imma tell you this, i work damn hard for MY money and if I don't like it, I'm coming to the org and raising hell. i betta like this shit. i
swear. or it will be the final time i pay for Prince's music.

XxAxX said:

I guess you never heard of promo CD's...

Neversin.

Neversin said:

i guess you never heard of copyright law

Neversin said:

i guess you never heard of copyright law

XxAxX said:

You never made a mixed tape in the old days? Or taped of the radio?

XxAxX said:

What does listening to a promo cd have anything to do with copyright law?

Neversin.

Neversin said:

oh. i see where you're coming from. listening to the elgally available tracks is ok. i'm talking about the people who downloaded the entire album from unauthorized sources.

XxAxX said:

I don't even have a problem with that, as long as folks plan on buying it when it is officially released. I don't even have a problem with folks reviewing it. What bugs me is the people who get on here and bitch about how Prince has somehow let them down when they didn't even pay for the disc (and don't plan to). They act like Prince owes them something, when they didn't even shell out the dough. I really think these folks are in the minority, but they are a very VOCAL minority that doesn't see what is wrong with their actions.

I downloaded the album, and I'll in line at the wreckastow on 3/21 to grab me a copy as well. I own bootlegs, and if he ever releases that material I'll buy it again. To me, it's an issue of making sure that the artist gets paid for their work.

roanmairin said:

i own no bootlegs.

same with those. none

XxAxX said:

What! Making mixed tapes, now cd's (although tapes was funner somehow), is one of the funnest ways to enjoy music.

Like getting a new album.

roanmairin said:

sure. and i heard stealing gum is the funnest way to enjoy a good chew, too

XxAxX said:

That's not what I asked.

If you taped a legally purchased album or cd you broke copyright laws.

roanmairin said:

Actually, US copyright laws allow for you to make a 'back-up" copy of any recorded work you own. You can also legally make a "mix tape/cd" so long as you don't try to sell it.

JediMaster said:

So why is file swapping a problem if you aren't selling the tunes?

tricky99 said:

wow you nailed it perfectly.. Actually i'm glad P isn't totally giving in to the 1,2 seconds attention-span generation.. Indeed there's a lot to be enjoyed in TAC, even more in the dance perhaps, which has to be rated among the best stuff he's ever put out

I'm sure that people will start appreciating 3121 a lot more as time passes by, if they can get to giving it half a chance..

You're angry? I've been tired of the whining and complaining for years lol. Some of these folks are hyper-critical. I swear its like these folks feel they are the genius an Prince is some sort of extension of there desires. Like a puppet that won't move right sometimes.

It kills me how often I read the words 'cringe' and 'embarrassed' in reference to Prince. Or how this or that song is one I'll be skipping. Maybe I'm old school (from the vinyl days) but we didn't spend so much time skipping to the "good" songs. When you let a CD just play you may find years down the road the beauty of something u originally thought was "bad" or just ok. Plus u appreciate the high points more when there are low and medium ones too.

I guess with this instant gratification era and the stripping of songs just for their best parts (i.e. sampling) people have gotten used to only having the most intense experience. What happened to subtlety? That's why so many can overlook something as beautiful has TAC. They are so intent on being blown out of the water that they can't hear it. It doesn't give them the rush they desire.