Prince's last few albums have a very serious problem: the drums - they're dead and they're flat. They are boring. They are lame and uninteresting. Listen to the drums on chelsea Rodgers, on musicology, on any new album. Michael B - we need you.

(I can't wait for folks to get mad at me personally for writing this post instead of responding to its substance!!)

Really? That's laughable!

Michael B is a Bad Mother...Shucho Mouth!!!

Jatrig said:

Interesting observation/opinion about the drums on the last few albums! Whether it is true or not,...I hope you realize that it is direct critizism of Prince's musicianship and ear. He usually does the majority of recordings himself and has final say on the sound mix. I'm not mad at your opinion,...just don't start a thread stating that "P is best at everything he does musically."

Jatrig said:

I agree but he's never had excellent drumming showcased on his records. We are, after all, talking about a man who became famous for programming a drum machine. How many fans on this site still get all giddy just at the thought of the linn drum machine? Goes to show how much they know of "Musicology."

Fact is, Prince has no clue how to properly record in studio so someone like Michael Bland or John Blackwell ends up short changed on record when they are actually recorded. But of course, we'd all prefer the linn to give us that 1984 vibe.

Wall said:

Ya damn skippy!!!

I don't quite agree that Prince has no idae how to record in a studio... I rather think he captured both Michael B and John Blackwell's sound rather well.

But I agree that the drums seems to be the first thing laid down and then left rather than refined/augmented... which is odd considering the importance he places on percussion in his live performances.

Oh... addendum... let's just hope that now he's back on board with the Girl Bros, he'll put a call in to Susan Rogers and all will be well in the world once again!

Jatrig said:

....IT SEEMS that MB and Sonny T are on 3121 the song and Planet Earth the song

BoySimon said:

100 % right

BoySimon said:

Right, because two average musicians with the chops of a white belt and the range of a blind sniper will get him back on track lickety-split.

"Right, because two average musicians with the chops of a white belt and the range of a blind sniper will get him back on track lickety-split."

Yep.

"Average"? Sorry, I'm pointing and laughing at the screen now. You're funny.

BoySimon said:

Don't apologize for having a good time. It's good to know that not all are minions and actually agree to the point of audible mirth with my criticism. Cheers.

Once again your Opinion is like your asshole, sometimes it STINKS!

Michael B and Sonny T average? Wow!

Jatrig said:

Both Michael B & Sonny T are credited on Planet Earth. I haven't seen any specifics of what song(s) they contributed to, but it's there.

rebelsoldier said:

I think that the reference was to Wendy & Lisa

I think it's a conscious decision to not have intricate drumming lately, and especially on this new album to stick mostly with a plain drumkit sound with simple raw acoustics.

I think he felt the musicianship/ jazzy drumming was tired, and uncool for him right now for this new album.

There are a lot of parallels between this new Prince album and Paul McCartney's new album in terms of theme and style choice.

variety is the spice of life.

also, understated musicianship lets the songs breath on their own as songs as oppossed to recorded tracks.

Not to mention it makes Prince's guitar playing stand out more.

Sorry, but i strongly disagree.

Have U listened 2 the album on CD yet?

I don't know who is playing drums on "Guitar", but that really works.

On "Chelsea Rodgers", Prince's drumming is exquisite and powerful, also adding the perfect amount of room reverb on the kick drum.

On "Planet Earth", well, that's just perfect.

I understand what U mean about sometimes sounding 2 dry, and the 'Musicology' album as a whole was fairly dry (lack of reverb), but U had Blackwell bangin' the &$#% outta the skins on "If Eye Was The Man In Ur Life", and I actually liked Prince's drumming on "Cinnamon Girl" and "A Million Days".

Wall said:

This is interesting 2 me, because there R alot of folks around here who think W&L actually contribute 2 Prince's songwriting, which is false. They may make him feel more comfortable bringing out other styles that he writes, but that's about it these days. He loves Wendy's energy, and it inspires him, yes, but Prince has written stuff like what we hear on 'Planet Earth' 4 years and years without W&L.

I do like the fact that Wendy is playing some acoustic guitar, and providing some background vocals, but I don't want 2 hear people saying that the reason this album rocks is because Wendy (and possibly Lisa) R making an appearance.

Giovanni777 said:

.....maybe u'r right Giovanni...i did not listen yet the New Album ...i can't say to much...but it seems that the Good Tracks on this album are with W&L...this is for me a Fabulous news because my favorite Prince Era is The Revolution era...so i pray for other albums with the Girls and i wish 4 a Release of ROADHOUSE GARDEN....this would be a Great Present for an Old Fan Like me!

Serena said:

Which could very well mean the songs were pulled from the vault.

Haven't heard PE, but I think the drums are what really made TRC sound special. I didn't understand why he didn't use John B more on record.

TheMatrix said:

Well, Michael B. said they had worked together again. I don't recall exactly when, maybe a year or two ago? Although, Prince could've used bits of old stuff and credited them for it.

I'm not one to be able to pick out who's drumming in songs. Does anyone hear something that sounds specifically like Michael B. in anything on PE?

Giovanni777 said:

Hopefully no sane person is saying this album "rocks." At best it meanders and fluffs its way towards complacency.

Meanders and fluffs, yes. It's just so encouraging to hear thosr harmonies and the chords and shit. People need to get over the Prince/Wendy&Lisa debate... he's just, in the main, better with them. They inspire and move him and make his sound sound better, more accomplished and interesting. It is no accident that the interesting tunes on the new album include these two revolutionaries.

Well, I only heard ´Guitar´ and the drums sound real flat. But it´s probably Prince there, which is a shame. Because Prince can play real nice drums when he wants to ("Crystal Ball" for example)

he wanted a young, cool, live, simple rock-n-roll drum sound, not the jazzy hifi sound. He is trying to break a stereotype of how his music normally sounds with most of these tunes.