theodore said:

And I thought I was the only person who said that... haha

It's totally fetch.

A lot of people say 3121 'ain't the greatest'. I know it ain't the greatest, but it's not a complete washout.

The Word is definitely one of the album's best written, as adorable said, it's production is very clear & crisp... I see that quality in 'Money Don't Matter 2night'... a good, clear & crisp Prince song is definitely a good one.

But I've found that the song sounds better while listening thru the album than on its own... for some reason, it just doesnt work the same way. It doesn't come off as brilliant on its own than it does in its "home".
3121 is kinda like a journey of experimentation, trying out new modern sound techniques, but slowly seeping back into the familiar.
Get on the Boat sounds like it could be Musicology material based on its use of instruments, but it's also new & fresh compared to Musicology's material. The Dance is sophisicated like 'Money' & 'Diamonds and Pearls' in its musical arrangement... there's a slow progresion thru it like 'Money'... but there's a wonderful use of balance. All of the instruments used in it make it work and sound beautifully.

The Word has a nice mix of instruments that create a sophisticated atmosphere. It has a slow progression throughout and the transition from one "scene" to another is great, nice and smooth. Prince was definitely in his element or "in the zone" when he wrote it.

Jakeasaurus said:

That's one of the most common things I've heard about it.

When I wrote my review of 3121 after my first listen, I don't think I noticed it too much. I think people's comments on it influenced me, but regardless, it's a really good song.

I know what you mean. I know you haven't been a fan long enough to remember, but I actually wrote the world's first review of 3121 after I was invited to the listening party about 6 weeks before the album dropped. If you google the phrase "I was there. Here's my review" - you will find it, since the search function here isn't working!
Anyway I basically wrote that I didn't remember much about it afterwards, but I liked it. It then grew on me a lot and became one of my favorites on the album. It's definately a low-key grower of a song.

It is one of the few decent things on that shitty album of half masticated turds. Your newbie slip is showing.

It is one of the few decent things on that shitty album of half masticated turds. Your newbie slip is showing.

2freaky4church1 said:

are you implying i am any sort of newbie??
you are VERY wrong, if that is the case. I kind of agree about the album in general, not bad, but certainly not great.

bonedaddy said:

I thought that comment was directed at me. haha
But it shouldn't really be a secret to anybody here... I've only been on this road as a loyal follower of Prince 4 a little over 2 months.

But that is true about the album. It's good, but not extraordinary.

I would have Worded it mediacore, myself.

The Word aint the worst song on 3121
Incense and Candles is.

Flawed album. Its one I recon I will love in years to come. Just not right now.

To me, it feels like 3121 was written with a big audiance in mind and catered therfore for that audiance. I think the songwriting is very self concious and nervous. Unlike something like The Rainbow Children, an album that dispalys a Prince with his hair down and enjoying himself. I concider that album to be his last masterpiece.

darlingomo said:

Know way man...jmo I I&C and The Word

babooshleeky said:

Agreed.
The Word stands out from the other tracks on the album simply cuz there's nothing else like it. It's very special and I've got a feeling that it's also one of most cryptic tracks (if not the most) on there. I think I got a little glimpse of the message behind it yesterday. Somehow, it just sounds so much better when I hit while listening thru the album rather than alone.
I wouldn't say there's a worst song on the album, but Satisfied is one I don't get into very much (I did for the first time last night... that was a little weird).
And there's something I like about 'Incense & Candles'... I like to label it "seductive" cuz you know how irresistible his Greatness can be when he talks like that.
I don't know about the self-conscious/nervous songwriting you're talking about... I mean, Prince is never any of those things.

I don't know about the self-conscious/nervous songwriting you're talking about... I mean, Prince is never any of those things.

The Word is so fetch!

DreamyPopRoyalty said:

Well, correct me if I'm wrong, but was'nt 3121 his first major release in a long time. With a major label I mean... Maybe I feel too much for the guy, but I certainly got the impression that the pressure was on not as much as a songwriter, but certainly for sales. Thats gotta effect your songwriting, or at least the selection process...

I mean, in my part of the world (Ireland) it was the first time I had seen Prince posters in the windows of wekka stow's in many, many years. It was billed as a "comeback" of sorts... and I just felt the record was tainted because of that.

Its still a belter of an album. But The Word is weak (He has done much better). And as for Insence and Flowers, he should never put a vocoder on his vocals ever ever again. It's gimmicky and it does'nt suit him. Its awful.

i like the little guitar loop thingie but that's about it. i think this song and the damn boat song are wildly overrated.

You must really hate Incense & Candles if you go out of the way to misspell it like that.

DreamyPopRoyalty said:

No, that was a mistake... I'm not very good at spelling... I must have that disease... Whats it called?