Everyone has an opinion. I suggest that you make up your own mind about 3121 (and all kinds of art) by experiencing it for yourself, rather than letting a critic dictate how you feel. Critics are generally divided when it comes to Prince anyway. Here is an example of a review from when 1999 was released:


PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

Sunday, November 21, 1982
Section: FEATURES ENTERTAINMENT
Page: L14

By Ken Tucker
Inquirer Popular Music Critic

"...Prince's new album, "1999," begins on an apocalyptic note, as the author suggests that nuclear war is imminent and there isn't a single thing we can do about it - even the protest that he advocated on "Dirty Mind" now strikes him as useless in the Reagan era. Indeed, "1999" is a disconcertingly listless Prince release: two records-worth of warnings, sighs and moans about the state of the world and the state of Prince's mind - when he sings "Let's Pretend We're Married," the phrase takes on an air of desperation.

A DISHEARTENING WASTE

Like all his previous records, "1999" has been written, produced and arranged entirely by Prince, and he's played most of the instruments on the album. Until now, he has avoided all the self-indulgence that sort of freedom often inspires in an artist, but "1999" has its lapses, such as a tedious funk-guitar coda appended to a trivial tune called "Lady Cab Driver" and a vague slap at some of his most enthusiastic supporters in a diatribe called "All the Critics Love U in New York."

It's disheartening, because Prince is squandering the most prodigious gifts of any current pop performer. He's flirting with foolishness, and he didn't even put his best new song on "1999." If you buy the single of that title song, flip it over and play the B-side, "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?" It's an extraordinary performance, one that confirms Prince's amazing gifts -- a slow, passionate ballad featuring rich piano playing and a romantic croon that we've never heard from him before. It's a classic song, and a year from now no one will know that it existed.

As disappointing as "1999" is, however, I would unequivocably recommend Prince's show at the University City Center. Despite the uneven new material, and despite that skating-rink's poor acoustics, Prince is likely to put on an exciting show. I've seen him under even more trying circumstances -- such as a performance in a crammed, trendy roller-disco emporium in Los Angeles a year ago -- and he and his terrific touring band delivered a wonderful, provocative show...."





***Thanks to prince-in-print(http://princetext.tripod.com/)***

but you sure will trust the ones that write positive reviews right? biased simpletons . . . .





"...Prince's new album, "1999," begins on an apocalyptic note, as the author suggests that nuclear war is imminent and there isn't a single thing we can do about it - even the protest that he advocated on "Dirty Mind" now strikes him as useless in the Reagan era. Indeed, "1999" is a disconcertingly listless Prince release: two records-worth of warnings, sighs and moans about the state of the world and the state of Prince's mind - when he sings "Let's Pretend We're Married," the phrase takes on an air of desperation.

A DISHEARTENING WASTE

Like all his previous records, "1999" has been written, produced and arranged entirely by Prince, and he's played most of the instruments on the album. Until now, he has avoided all the self-indulgence that sort of freedom often inspires in an artist, but "1999" has its lapses, such as a tedious funk-guitar coda appended to a trivial tune called "Lady Cab Driver" and a vague slap at some of his most enthusiastic supporters in a diatribe called "All the Critics Love U in New York."

It's disheartening, because Prince is squandering the most prodigious gifts of any current pop performer. He's flirting with foolishness, and he didn't even put his best new song on "1999." If you buy the single of that title song, flip it over and play the B-side, "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?" It's an extraordinary performance, one that confirms Prince's amazing gifts -- a slow, passionate ballad featuring rich piano playing and a romantic croon that we've never heard from him before. It's a classic song, and a year from now no one will know that it existed.

As disappointing as "1999" is, however, I would unequivocably recommend Prince's show at the University City Center. Despite the uneven new material, and despite that skating-rink's poor acoustics, Prince is likely to put on an exciting show. I've seen him under even more trying circumstances -- such as a performance in a crammed, trendy roller-disco emporium in Los Angeles a year ago -- and he and his terrific touring band delivered a wonderful, provocative show...."
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***Thanks to prince-in-print(http://princetext.tripod.com/)***[/quote]

I usually don't trust critics! Most of them are snobs and pseudo-intelectuals that
have the notion that they are above mere mortals!

The best critics is oneself!

"...but you sure will trust the ones that write positive reviews right? biased simpletons . . . ."

Not at all- I have already discussed the stupidity of critics who's postive reviews equally display their ignorance. That being said, that's not what my post is about. Either way, people should make up their own mind.

Hey Skywalker...cool idea to post this, it´s funny , it reads just like a review for TRC, Musicology or 3121. I mean you could easily replace the song titles in that review with more current songs, and you would think you´re reading a review about TRC or 3121...
So in a nutshell, this all boils down to :

1) He ain´t as great as he used to be back in the day.
2) What a waste of talent ! It breaks our hearts to know that he really could be great if he just tried to, the potential is therem but he doesn´t make any use of it.
3) He´s still a great live performer though, so definitely go check out one of his shows.


Man , this is REALLY weird, isn´t it ?

Could´ve been written two days ago.
I appreciate the old and the new music.

KoolEaze said:

Wow !

I thought that the negativity started after Purple Rain but now it was after Controversy.

You are 100% correct about it could have been written about him 3 days ago.