I really hope that it's a big, sprawling effort that either fills an entire CD or spreads over two.

I was disappointed in the 'safe' Musicology album. It was like a collection of Prince-By-Numbers songs that seemed to work merely as a tool with which to base a tour on. In terms of bringing Prince back into the public eye, I'm glad it did its job and brought a few more peeps into digging Prince's music. I still enjoy listening to the album, but that's about it. There's nothing on there I feel particularly passionate about.

Pre 3121 and I was hoping that we were going to get something a little different to get our teeth into. However, yet again we were met with another 'safe' album of 12 songs designed for the masses that, whilst a more cohesive and inspiring album than its predecessor, still felt like Prince-By-Numbers. I like it much more than Musicology and there's a few tracks on there that stand up to some of his finest, but there was still no edge to it: no feeling of Prince pushing any boundaries.

So I'm hoping for a CD to really explore this time around. Something that, whilst may in the long term contain a number of less-inspiring numbers, at least forces you to explore it for longer, trying to take in a large number of songs at once.
The album and Emancipation, in my opinion, don't stand up to the test of time, but at the time of their release, I didn't get bored of them for weeks and weeks because there was so much to take in, a lot of it didn't really hit me until many, many plays later. Yep, there are many duffers on both albums, but at least they provided something challenging during those first plays and those two albums still divide fans into which songs on them are good and which aren't, so at least between all the tracks on those albums there's kind of something for everybody.

And I also hope that by the time the new CD gets released we haven't already heard half the songs through some official means or other (singles, live performances, etc). Yeah, I know that you can avoid doing so if you want to, but really, who in their right mind would deliberately have not listened to the pre CD release performances of Fury? I know some people will download a leaked version of the album anyway, but that's their choice. But for me personally, one of the things that softened the impact of the first listen to 3121 was that by the time of its release, we could have (and most probably did) already heard, through official means, Te Amo Corazon, Black Sweat, The Dance (albeit a different version), Fury and Beautiful, Loved and Blessed. Some people had also heard live 3121 and Satisfied too (and others, maybe?). And when your new album is only 12 tracks long anyway. . .

Anyhoo, just a few Haystack ramblings.

Ditto.


Prince used to b a fan of testing his fan's taste...wasn't scared of loosing a few to make other's more concrete...hasn't done that in a while...

Haystack said:

Yes!!! I agree with U on everything, but a double album would b gr8.

BobGeorge909 said:

Actually, it seems he's doing just that. It just appears now, that the fans who wanted "different" "unique" albums. Are getting "safe" and "pop" albums. I believe that's how you would define testing your fans taste and not being scared of loosing a few.

Recently I listened to The Black Album again, and wished that he would release another 8-song 45-minute album to allow each track to get a full workout - be really selective about which songs make it onto the album.

On the other hand, I also listened to Emancipation again, and thought that, while I didn't really enjoy the production on the album (in fact, it was my first major disappointment as a fan), I'd love another long, sprawling album, as long as it's recorded with a full band (with a strong drummer).

So yeah, I guess I agree. But I also disagree.

I'd like something other than a 12-track trying-to-cover-every-territory-and-failing album, though.

I hope the next album is mind blowing.....but I will still buy it whatever it is.

P2daP said:

U're a funny guy...unless U're a girl...in that case, U're a funny girl.

theodore said:

Why would that be great? Emancipation was way too long and that was his last multi disk offering.

superspaceboy said:

U said Emancipation (3 CDs). I'm talking about a double album... like Sign "o" the Times. Not 2 many songs. But I think 20 would b gr8.

personally i'd rather have an album with 10 soungs that all kick ass, than a double album with 20 songs that are only so-so

I already know I'll love whatever he releases!

Babydubistzuschnell said:

I agree but, what if they r 20 songs that kick ass!!!
It's Prince --- U never know

looking back though, i can't help but wonder why Musicology was hailed
as such a good album by critics.

just because it was short and seemed more focussed? what's that all
about?

to me, the songs are only so-so and i never listen to it anymore but
for the few songs i've added to my playlists.

half the album is some of his most mediocre stuff in ages and some
parts of it make me cringe even.

i mean, people supposedly didn't "get" prince during the come/gold
era and his reviews suffered from it.

now, just by playing it safe and releasing a commercial album with
lots of media hype, musicology all of a sudden becomes a critic's
darling?

i just don't understand that. if an album is great, it's great, no
matter what the artist is up to at that time.

the focus these days is far too much on the persona instead of on
the music, where it should be.

theodore said:

I really don't thing he can thoughtfully put together a 2 disk set. Although he is known for that, I just don't see it. I see some killer and filler.

Not that he can't do it. I really though if he had taken the best material from Chocolate invasion, The slaughter house and Musicology, you'd have a rival to SOTT. If he went out and tried to do a double album, I think it wouldn't be all that good as He wouldn't allow the 2-3 year time frame it takes (for him) these days to churn out 2 disks worth of good material.

about the new album though, i really hope that one day
in the future he will in fact be able to put together
a double cd release filled to the brim with good tunes

he's never deliberately put together a two CD album in
the past and i always wonder what it would be like.

it would give him room just to stretch out a little bit
more than a single disc (say 10 songs per disc) and yet
not let him go overboard like his 3 or 4 disc sets.

enough room for commercial, hit friendly songs and also
for the more unique, weird type of stuff that his long
time fans have come to love so much from him.

Musicology - Diamonds & Pearls
3121 - symbol
New one - Undertaker/Glam Slam Ulysees

Appears to be 93/94 again.

-SUPERB-

origmnd said:

that correlation is hauntingly correct!

BobGeorge909 said:

Heres hopin Im right

origmnd said:

Where I have to sign?!?!?

And all-soul album would be nice, something that he has never done before

I don't think Prince is going to go out on a limb musically for now. If the Superbowl's a trailer for a new album/tour, he'll deliver something fairly safe and conventional again. I'd be surprised if we don't get more of the same - Prince shooting blanks.

Right now i would suspect.

3121 part II with a bit more anger and guitar...

Gold7 said:

I'm with you!

I will always hope for the best, but still appreciate I got anything at all.

Later
[Edited 2/2/07 7:13am]

So what happened? Was that "email" ever verified?