I have just listened to clips of the new album and all I can say is; what a return to form. It harks back to the propper song writing he used to do in the 'Dirty Mind' to 'Lovesexy' golden age!!

I agree with you kidsherriff... Some people in here dont tho...

hsh said:

Opinions are like arse-holes, everybodys got one.

What I will say though, is that there are some here who wouldn't be satisfied if he put 'Sign of the Times' out today.

Diamonds and pearls was a real return to form. Rainbow Children was a real return to form. Planet Earth isn't a return to form because Musicology and 3121 aren't bad records.

JoeTyler said:

Yes they are.

I agree, PE is a very strong album.
As for me, his best since Lovesexy.

Most of them who now are telling that 3121 was better than PE, are the same ones that 1 year ago was telling that Musicology is bettter then 3121, the same ones that in 2004 was telling One nite alone is better than Musicology... and so on...

I appreciated very much TRC (apart from the JW lyrics and that bothering slowed voice) and also the solid Musicology, not so much 3121.
But PE is definetely an impressive and inspired "back to te basics".

Good work, P. My vote is 8,5/10.

I have only heard the short clips from PE (and full versions of FBM and Guitar), so I won´t judge the album yet. But in my opinion The Rainbow Children was the only Prince-album in the last 7 years that I would rate as a masterpiece. "Musicology" disappointed me. "3121" was much stronger (There are some songs on it that I really dig, such as "3121", "The Dance" or "Te Amo Corazon"), but not a masterpiece.

Nightcrawler said:

Just because TRC was different and experimental, it doesnt mean its a masterpiece. I personally think that the experimental aspects of the record are there to coverup the weak songwriting. With the exception of She Loves Me for Me, there are no strong songs on there, just sounds, narrative, preaching. Secondly, if the preaching actually meant anything... its meaningless!

I agree with a lot of what has been said. I thought aspects of pretty much all of Prince's albums had moments of glory but since Lovesexy they have lacked a certain cohesiveness and consistance somehow. Other than TRC and the Jazz stuff they have sounded a bit disjointed and there have been some truly awful tunes on most post Lovesexy releases. That said there have been some real gems too. This album just seems more focused somehow so I think the harsh comments were a bit over the top but hey....whatever!