I know there is a thread comparing song for song of the two albums but after listening to 3121 about 20 times, I am just convinced that the new album is so much better than Musicology. The events surronding the Musicology project heavily colored that album's reception and perception. Prince just seemed to emerge from the netherworld he had been hiding in for several years and Musicology was a pleasant enough offshoot. There were some good songs but none that you would call "classic Prince". In hindsight, the album almost seems half-done now, like he laid the tracks down and left out some of the hooks that would put the album over the top. Overall, it was a good but not great Prince project, ranking in the middle of the pack but not something I really feel a compulsion to listen to these days.

Compare this with 3121. The Prince that many of us became fascinated by in the first place is back. The experimentation, the weirdness, the funkiness, the melodies that stick in your head and just linger. Okay it's not Purple Rain and it sure as hell is not Sign O The Times but hell, what is? It is just a really really strong Prince record with a handful of songs that compare favorably with his best works and not really a complete loser in the bunch. 3121 sounds like Prince; Musicology sounded like Prince trying to sound like Prince. There is a definite difference.

No.

3121 sounds like Prince; Musicology sounded like Prince trying to sound like Prince.

i agree with that

rainbowchild said:

Fair enough.

Definitely

No way...

I definitely enjoy it more, but Musicology deserves some praise as well. Keep in mind as well that the newness of 3121 may be causing us to see it through rose-colored glasses the same way many of us viewed Musicology upon its inception. I truly feel that 3121 is a more solid, enjoyable effort and I'm pretty confident that I will always feel that way. However, opinions and perceptions are succeptible to change and 2 years from now, the same conversation may happen comparing 3121 to Prince's latest offering.

I was dissappointed with 3121. Prince could have done better. Musicology is a much more listenable and enjoyable album.

Musicology shits all over 3121.

That's like calling a chicken wing a full meal.

No. Musicology edged out 3121 by two songs..

DEFINITELY 3121 is a BETTER EFFORT....Prince is BACK to his FUNKY THINKING....I think there was a PURPLE FUZZTONE INTERFERING and making him write CALL MY NAME.....NOW, it's BLACK SWEAT.....HOPE it STAYS BLACK and WET!
[Edited 3/27/06 21:37pm]

3121 wins hands down

Musicology was a grand entrance however 3121 is the main event...or is it?

No we can't agree that.

I don't know, personally I might lean toward 3121, it seemed less hostile, but Musicology was a diffrent beast.

rainbowchild said:

Yes...

Yes I agree, never cared for Musicology much; I only like 3-4 songs on that album. Not so with 3121 which I've been playing constantly for the last 2 weeks or so.

I wouldn't say that 3121 kicks Musicology's 'ass' but it is fresher sounding and has more appealing songs.

For its purpose.. Musicology got its point across. the longevity of the quality doesnt last for me.. its now very mundane and bland.. but the editing was better than the new one..

I, however, dont really like too much off either. a song here and there..
[Edited 3/27/06 23:19pm]

GottaLetitgo said:

3121 kicks Musicology's ass so hard it's not even funny.

There's no pretentious shit in 3121. Prince is singing about what's on his mind, what's in his heart, not contrived stories to make him appear mysterious and cool. I grow tired of songs that are designed to bolster his persona or genre songs intended to fulfill some quota for his fabled "versatility."

He's tapped into his spirit again. You can hear the warmth in BL&B, the smart aleck charm in Lolita, his faith in The Word. There's joy there. It's wonderful to hear.

3121 kicks Musicology's ass so hard it's not even funny.

There's no pretentious shit in 3121. Prince is singing about what's on his mind, what's in his heart, not contrived stories to make him appear mysterious and cool. I grow tired of songs that are designed to bolster his persona or genre songs intended to fulfill some quota for his fabled "versatility."

He's tapped into his spirit again. You can hear the warmth in BL&B, the smart aleck charm in Lolita, his faith in The Word. There's joy there. It's wonderful to hear.[/quote]

Well written. With the exception of Reflection, Musicology felt forced and the phrasing awkward. The way he sang the songs, it was herky-jerky, enunciating syllables. I did not feel it, and would not recommend to non-Prince fans. To me it felt like a Prince impersonator, not quite the real thing. As the original contributor said it felt like Prince trying to be Prince.

3121 sounds like a breath of fresh air. Loose, fun, and meaningful. An excellent effort (with the exception of the contrived "The Dance"). I just love most of these songs, varied and well sung. To me it is a minor "Sign of the Times". Many of the songs are almost as good as the music from The Rainbow Children, without the segues, and some lesser tracks like Mellow. But overall 3121 feels consistent and I am certain will have lasting power.

Speaking of segues, here's hoping they have disappeared from P's CDs. They definately put a damper on solid releases like the Rainbow Children, the Gold Experience and the Symbol record.

3121 kicks Musicology's ass more than 1000 times. I must say that Musicology is one of Prince most borring & dry album ever. It's down there with C&D & NPS. But 3121 Is up there whit TRC & TGE. It's a great album

padawan said:

True enough, I couldn't have said it better. There's such an honesty and fresh quality to the songs on 3121 - It stomps on Musicology. While that record was pleasant at best, for the most part it was fairly non-descript.

runningbear said:

I don't follow your criticisms. I don't see how herky jerky is a negative. Some of his best songs are herky jerky. Lolita is herky jerky and it jumps. And enunciation is a good thing. Your argument makes no sense.

The problem with Musicology to me is it sounds too calculating, a cynical rehash of the old Prince sound without recapturing the spirit. Too much craft, not enough passion. This kind of preprogrammed approach yields perfunctory product. There's a sterile, clinical gloss to the whole thing. Lifeless.

Fun requires spontaneity and living in the moment. You can't fake that.



With 3121 Prince got his head on straight and found his footing. His new work is surprisingly straightforward, no gender mixups, none of his patented crypto-mysterio juice. He relies less on studio tricks and manipulations, and more on plain old conviction and emotional honesty--which are rare qualities in the world. Not many people say what they mean and mean what they say.

Speak straight and true! Don't matter how deep your bag o' tricks is, if your soul is starved, you're just another hungry fool.



Whatever. I don't let seques bother me. They break up the flow, but I'm free to skip them.
[Edited 3/28/06 2:42am]
[Edited 3/28/06 2:43am]

runningbear said:

I prefer Musicology. And I really can't see how the lyrics of "The Word" or "BLB" (or even 3121, for that matter) are any less pretentious than anything on Musicology. If anything, that was one of his most down-to-earth albums.
[Edited 3/28/06 5:56am]

I think both albums are equally as good as each other. Both have the same good song to bad song ratio IMO. But I guess there are more classic-Prince type song on 3121 (there are also more classic-MJ type songs on 3121, but that's a whole other thread).

3121 = Musicology Pt. 2 IMHO.

'dre

I agree! Although I really do like Musicology I was just listening to it the other day its a damn fine CD. But 3121 has some layers of depth to it that Musicology didn't have imo. Also 3121 is newer but it just seems to have some righteously funky tracks on it that are new Prince classics. I mean Black Sweat! Love! Incense and Candles! The Dance! Te Amo! even the studio version of Fury (yes I agree weaker than the SNL version)! I love this CD

So I vote yes it kicks some serious ass!!

3121= Prince back on top!

Musicology was perfect for 2004. The world wasn't ready for Prince to let loose like he normally would so he had to "break them in gently". Kinda like a parent to a baby. Musicology was for the non-fans but 3121 is for us. I knew Prince was going to let loose on whatever was coming after Musicology and thank God for 3121. I've had so much joy listening to 3121. I never had this with Musicology and to tell you the truth I haven't had this joy since The Gold Experience. 3121 whups Musicology!

Musicology =

3121 =