"But while "3121" might suggest that, at 47, Prince isn't looking to change the face of music anymore, he's clearly still more than capable of delivering classic Prince albums."
-- Dot Music

I think this sums up why we, as Prince fans, are so often disappointed by Prince albums. Yes - they might be good, and listenable, but they're no longer experimenting or pushing the envelope - they are "classic Prince" not "Prince" - he's sticking to the same old safety net rather than pushing the boundaries as he once used to.

Do you agree? Here's my opinion:

I am genuinely disappointed at knowing this, since it's his most out-there stuff that I like the most. I find it amazing to think that the same man who comes across as the ultimate in cheesy pop music (I'm thinking of D&P) also creates songs such as Rebirth of the Flesh. Most musical geniuses tend to end up getting sick of pop and sticking to the experimental. Prince has, and hasn't - NEWS is experimental, but isn't new; it's been done before, which Rebirth of the Flesh clearly hasn't been. It's timeless as a result. I wish Prince had kept the arrogance of a genius rather than a pop star and created more camille - can you imagine where he could take that given the technological advancements in music production over the past 20 years?

not all Prince fans are disappointed. Prince can and does change his mind and his sound continuously. There's new ground to break because it all hasn't been done before.

I think the internet/fan-sites often makes it seem that the majority of Prince fans are dissapointed, when in fact they (the really dissapointed ones) are the minority.

For example, it's easier to talk about something you don't like than something you do like. I find I do it myself sometimes when talking/posting about albums etc. I'll say "yeah, that's a good album, but..." when in fact I still love it despite the small annoyance. Often it comes accross as though I'm dissapointed, but in reality that's far from the truth...

Anway, I'm rambling - just my opinion.

"But while "3121" might suggest that, at 47, Prince isn't looking to change the face of music anymore, he's clearly still more than capable of delivering classic Prince albums."
-- Dot Music

I think this sums up why we, as Prince fans, are so often disappointed by Prince albums. Yes - they might be good, and listenable, but they're no longer experimenting or pushing the envelope - they are "classic Prince" not "Prince" - he's sticking to the same old safety net rather than pushing the boundaries as he once used to.

Do you agree? Here's my opinion:

I am genuinely disappointed at knowing this, since it's his most out-there stuff that I like the most. I find it amazing to think that the same man who comes across as the ultimate in cheesy pop music (I'm thinking of D&P) also creates songs such as Rebirth of the Flesh. Most musical geniuses tend to end up getting sick of pop and sticking to the experimental. Prince has, and hasn't - NEWS is experimental, but isn't new; it's been done before, which Rebirth of the Flesh clearly hasn't been. It's timeless as a result. I wish Prince had kept the arrogance of a genius rather than a pop star and created more camille - can you imagine where he could take that given the technological advancements in music production over the past 20 years?

Spookymuffin said:

If it weren't for the boots and seeing him live, I probably would've bailed awhile ago. I like Musicology and 3121 is ok, but they wouldn't be enought to keep me interested by themselves.

I am a bit dissapointed cause he's no longer being creative, just recyling himself- which he does ok but now, instead of placing new ideas he thinks more of the arrangements and the way things are packed.
One thing I don't like about his musicianship is that he plays his drums instead of hiring a drummer- I think some songs could sound much better if the groove was taken more seriosuly. He is not a good drummer, that's all.. I don't understand his lack of self-judgment.
Although he is still way up, considering the quality of today's music world..

U r right about that.. But listen to the album 3121; some songs there could use some good drums in order to sound better.. Those with a drummer and a drum machine are fine but others not so.. Lolita could sound better for example..

hey prince fans .as prince woud say lets just wait it out ,u dont know whats gonna happen next,as he said to the reporter in his last interview timing is everything ,

maybe, they're just like their mothers?

alwayslate said:

What's that I hear in the distance? Sounds like....LAME!

KelleyG said:

I agree. Clearly this was aimed at those who are disappointed, since I want their opinion - I wonder if this is the reason why they are disappointed, or do they just want to see him super-famous and accepted as the greatest by everyone again?

There are reasons some fans are disappointed, both valid and hollow.

1. His "pop" standing : he himself plays it up for different projects, presenting his music as likely to have mega mass appeal, then he often literally abandons the record if it doesn't catch on right away. While this doesn't mean the music itself isn't great, fans are understandably disappointed because the project was supposed to be for the masses and he often hardly promotes it.

2. His reinventing side : this one I think is hollow. Fact is : no one has consistently reinvented their pop music without the help of astute co-producers already influencing the charts of the day. It is unrealistic to expect Prince to be this wonderboy forever. Prince today is best appreciated as an artist with a very large palette that expresses himself masterfully in different idioms. If you're bored with that, then so be it. I just don't know anyone that provides what you're looking for.

Considering those two aspects, disappointment is kind of built-in in the kind of career he had. He made his name putting his own stamp on diffrent idioms and a lot of fans are disappointed when he fails to throw them off their couch with jaw dropping creativity. He's the ex wonderboy of Pop turned Pop craftman. In my opinion, he has plenty to offer in that capacity. If you're still waiting for wonderboy, you may need a musical reality check.
[Edited 4/27/06 20:18pm]
[Edited 4/27/06 20:18pm]

U r right about that.. But listen to the album 3121; some songs there could use some good drums in order to sound better.. Those with a drummer and a drum machine are fine but others not so.. Lolita could sound better for example..