After Musicology (the tour) and 3121 (the 5 Grammy nods), not to mention the Super Bowl put P back on the minds of "mainstream America" (even tho WE never forgot) do yall think he will release a "statement album" or some (obtuse) ambitious artistic masterpiece or more pop fluff (with one rock joint and one funk joint to appease his core audience). Now P's that good where i like most of his "fluff" (defined as songs he can write, arrange in his sleep), so i expect that i will. Or will he say with this next album, "now that i have yall's attention, i'm on some other stuff, ride wit me or don't hurt yourself as you jump off the bandwagon."

You know, I wouldn't surprise me if he did something along the lines of SOTT, filled with singles and artsy gems alike. Prince used to aim for the whole enchilada--I don't see why he could do that again.


Then again, it wouldn't surprise me if he just released a bunch of filler.

Just to shake things up a bit, how about we assume he never puts out another album?

He doesn't have to put an album out to cover any contractual obligations (least far as we know).

He doesn't need the money. Besides, my guess is that he makes a whole lot more money off of performing live than he does off album sales at this point.

He hasn't been performing new music at 3121. Please correct me if I'm wrong about that, but previously he was performing new music in concert at Glam Slam or Paisley Park or whatever prior to releasing the songs in an album.

Speaking of Paisley Park, reports are that he's not hanging around there much, so where is he recording? For a studio addict, there have been zero reports of him holed up on a creative spree of any kind. I suppose he could have a "batcave" at the Rio with equipment in it, but for some reason I'm seriously doubting that.

For someone who has released a new album just about every year for the last 26-27 years and was hot to release more than that if they'd let him, he's certainly slowed down. Creative dry spell? Loss of interest? The fan in me hopes its an indication of more thoughtful self-editing, but I wonder what would make the leopard change his spots after all this time?

So, what if the next album never happens?

HalluRain said:

there will always be a next album. kinda like a guitar amplifier that has a volume knob that goes to 11. 11's one more than 10, innit?

Haha... you're probably thinking "hey, you're a newbie, you shouldn't be here"

I know, I really shouldn't comment on this, cuz I really wouldn't know how to answer the question.

I'd be perfectly fine if he didn't release another album this year (I'm still absorbing 3121, which I've only had 4 a month)... It gives me less to worry about, I guess.

I know 8 albums that I definitely want in my collection. I don't want that list to keep growing...

but the thought of him never releasing another album ever would scare me a little bit... making me feel a little bad 4 for coming so late to the party.
I certainly don't want a repeat of Dream Street, a boyband I got into a year b4 they broke up.

ugh... Yeah, I'm just being stupid... ignore that last statement.

I do hope that his next album is a tighter package overall. I mean, 3121 was good, but the central message is very deep in there and I haven't really found it yet... and Musicology was united over a common concept, but I didn't feel the tracks connected to each other as well as TGE or PR.
After I get more albums, I might have more to say on the matter... but might further push me away from 3121 when I haven't gotten the true jist of it yet.

Prince's albums usually come in a trinity. The first two build on an idea, the 3rd one generally comes out of left field (think For You/Prince followed by Dirty Mind, or Controversy/1999 followed by Purple Rain). This is a repeatable pattern through most of his career (the era seems much more erratic). So given that Musicology/3121 feel like the first two points in that trinity idea again, I'm thinking the next one is going to be a little more wild or off the wall.

jtfolden said:

That would be so cool!

Not that I'm disappointed with Musicology or 3121... they have their strengths and weaknesses...
That would be pretty cool, though. Not that I'm one to talk... I'm still a newbie. Can't blame me for wanting 2 get in on the action. Although I'd rather him wait a while 2 release another album so I can get more w/o having to worry about picking up some new album... but he'll do w/e he wants, I respect that.

HalluRain said:

Second home for recording is Sunset Sound Studios in L.A.

I'd love something filthy and nasty and spiritual all in one. I miss that.

if u know Prince, you know he's PROLIFIC. so i agree, there will ALWAYS be another album. HE'D DIE first. contractual obligations nothwithstanding, he's already blazed a trail for other artists in the area of one album deals, effective use of the net, direct retailer deals, etc. so he'll never be BOUND by that. he doesn't record for money, so that's not a reason. he HAS performed at least 2 new trax in Vegas right. not counting Guitar or the Watchtower/Best of You hybrid. when it's all said and done, Prince's output, if he's blessed with long life, will be tremendous.

i like the trinity concept. i'm ready for a curveball. though i call Chaos and Disorder a turd, it's growing on me. strikes me as his "rock" (albeit rock-lite) album. I'd like to see a rock-flavored album with better riffs and songwriting.

I wouldn't want to bet on it, must be due for an album that will lose all his hang-on, new found fans. (pop fans)

jtfolden said:

Huh? I always grouped prince-albums in pairs. Foryou/Prince are very similar. Dirty mind has nothing to do with the former, while Controversy is in the same vain: underwear/raincoat.
1999/purple rain: commercial, accessible.
ATWIAD/parade: more fun/psychedelic/less rocky
SOTT/black album: darker/richer/funkier
lovesexy/batman/grafbridge: unfocused
D&P/: very similar, new style/90's production/starts rapping.
Musicology/3121: "back to form"/rehashing

The new album will definitely have an entirely new approach. Perhaps even more electro/synth, since he has done the band thing for a while now. I hope not though, I like the band-feel...

same concept Sander. the person was sayin the third album deviates completely from the two that are similar. so while you paired those that are similar, they just referenced the third album as the "curveball".

now back to the "opinion" realm (versus wild speculation LOL). i don't think the symbol album and D & P are particularly alike. also Batman and Graffiti Bridge were soundtracks. Lovesexy is classic. the Prince songs from GB might enable you to pair it with Lovesexy, his MOST cohesively themataic album.

johnart said:

sounds a bit right, although more of the latter

Wanna bet?

jtfolden said:

Now u are TALKING.

Graycap23 said:

funny...but true. think of it this way too. what makes those cycles? relationships. he gets into a relationship/marriage it goes good..he writes the first two stemming from that...then the relationship/marriage blows and the third one is wild or off the wall as you put it.

Imago said:

thats what i hope too. the artsy gems not the filler.

datdude said:

Not really, controversy was linked to 1999, with Purple rain as the curveball. That clashes with the paired situation.



Well, I paired most albums according to a)sound (band/electro) b)style (fashion) c)overall theme.
1999 and PR are very much family, as are and D&P. They got the NPG as a band, prince with the curly (facial) hair, same (over)production and Prince wanting to tell a story with the video's (D&P and 3 chains of gold).

txladycat said:


Mmh, if a band is a relationship as well, than maybe. If it's about a woman, no not really. Mayte was introduced since , and Rave being the curveball? That's more than 2/3 albums...
[Edited 4/18/07 9:54am]

Sander said:

That's why the 3rd album is the 'curveball' as datdude put it so succinctly.

For You / Prince - late 70's disco pop, rather conventional

Dirty Mind - curveball, earned him critical kudos and a loyal fan following.
-
Controversy / 1999 - Controversy is a template for what's to come both musically (Jack U off > Delierious), and thematically (Annie Christian, 1999). Each feature tracks with deep grooves that go on for days (Controversy, DMSR). Together, they established the Minneapolis sound.

Purple Rain - curveball, commercial/mainstream appeal
-
Around The World in A Day / Parade - Psychedelics and experimentation

Sign O' The Times - the curveball, more critical kudos and fan building
-
The Black Album / Lovesexy - sex vs love, godless partying vs salvation. Prince himself links them in the LoveSexy tourbook.

Graffiti Bridge - the curveball, intended to be another commercial success
-
Diamonds & Pearls / - "real instruments played by real musicians" both credited to "Prince and the New Power Generation"

For here on out, things get a little more fuzzy because of the maneuvers with WB.

jtfolden said:

Thanks, I follow your reasoning, except for the above. I align 1999 much more to PR. He already turned towards mainstream with 1999. Controversy was still looking for the dirty shock effect, much like dirty mind, and 1999 for a thought out shock effect. While jack u off and delirious do match, 1999 and LittleRC could never have been placed on controversy.

How about a r3volution of sorts and do something TOTALLY unexpected?

most of them are. of the ones released in record stores as a PRINCE or album all but TRC were commercial and he wanted them to be hits. no matter what he says now he was disappointed with the emancipation sales figures. (remember on oprah said there are X singles and it would group and down on the charts a few times)

Sander said:

Well, we might have to agree to disagree. I think the difference between Controversy and 1999 are down, mostly, to the growth in Prince (both as an artist and in maturity). Musically, however, they share many more motifs than does a 1999/PR comparison. Indeed, with PR, Prince was already on the cusp of leaving the "traditional" Minneapolis sound behind.