I mean,

The guy has been attempting to get 'mainstream appeal' again with his last three albums, by performing with Beyonce and during the Superbowl.
But somehow the (commercial) results were so-so: the albums (and singles) didnt seem to be promoted properly, the hardcore fans complained about the albums being to 'lacklustre' and the music journalists just offered a lot of clichés when reviewing those albums.

Next to that his 'original' approach to selling and promoting his 'art' in general, didnt really seem to pay off.
Planet Earth was distributed for free with an english newpaper, which mostly led to complaints about: when its free, its probably not a good album. And i am sure most of this giveaways are no to be buyed for a bargain at second hand record stores.
His fight against fansites 'using' his material, but also popular sites like Youtube and Videogoogle has set a lot of 'bad blood', not only among his hardcore fans, but also with the general public. The general consensus seems to be his a whining old jerk who cares more about the money, then about the music.

To conclude, what in the beginning (the release of Musicology in 2004) felt as an commercial and artistic comeback, in hindsight comes over as a disaster. To me it feels he has made some of the dumbest decisions (marketingwise) he could have done.
Next to that, musicwise those last three albums may sound more disciplined, less self-indulgent on the surface. But in the end they didnt really connect with the hardcore fans as well as the general public, because Prince most of the time sounded he was holding back, and not truelly being himself (IMO that is).

So, i think 2008 could be a crucial year from him. Most of his hardcore fans surely wont appreciate a new album in the vein of the last three ones, i think. And the general public just couldnt give a damn, probably.
I think his career will suffer more if he releases a Rainbow Children part two type of album (obscure, alienated lyrics with 'weird' music), or some halfbaken Crystall Ball-like boxset.
He can turn things around when he might release some album like Diamonds and Pearls was, containing at least 3 or 4 songs that have written 'hit' all over them.
Another option is a brand new album that is both innovative and daring as well as commercially appealing: a new Purple Rain or Sign of the Times.

What do you think about 2008? what will be the value of this year for Prince career?

I think this year, he has to clean up for what happened near the end of last year. He looks really bad to some people and has left them with a bad taste in thier mouth. Its like he's been building up blue sky since o'4 and then decided to piss it all away.
I have no idea what he can do to clean up manhandling fansites, though. Act right and hope everyone forgets?
I dunno.
as far as the records go
I kinda doubt anyone is expecting another Dirty Mind or 1999 or whatever. But I think he needs to go the musicology route in terms of music and promotion. I mean, he was really advertizing back in o'4 and I think Musicology was a solid, mainstream little album. Just don't do his next album like he did Planet Earth and pretend it doesn't exsist.
He can still sell, I think 3121 got to nunber one once. He just needs to promote his stuff.
[Edited 1/2/08 11:23am]

ToraToraDreams said:

He needs another hair style.

Riverpoet31 said:

I know it's hard to believe, but Prince will be 50 this year! I'm sure that Prince wants to remain successful in his future projects, but at the same time, it's not like he's just starting his career, you know?

it's time 2 face facts tho, he's not 30 anymore and artists of his age don't "sell" like it was in the 80's. personally i've always questioned how rod stewart makes a complete covers album and it gets 2 #1 on the charts!

as 4 his fanbase, well i will have 2 agree that he has 2 make amends with us 1st and 4most 4 his actions and not just one song is going 2 erradicate that awful slap upside the head.

As he becomes more settled as an accomplished musician and knowing his new limits, he is bound to expand and make even more beautiful music that can only come from a beautiful soul.

Apart from the odd gig here & there, the release of london show dvd, & trying 2 flog SHOE, i hope p becomes a bit leisurely & finally finds the 'truth' in 2008.
i think he will need 2 meet tht special person 2 share his life & then we will b in 4 a treat musically.

What exactly are this 'new limits'?

And what is a 'beautifull soul'?

I think you've given it too much thought. Just take this year for as not good, bad, crucial or indifferent - take this year for what it is.

TANKAEFC said:

I totally agree and if I may add on to this, the year isn't even a full 2 days old yet, at least not in the U.S. as I'm writing, so chill out and be patient. Hopefully and again I say hopefully, Prince will razzle and dazzle us again in some wild special way.

I think he will try Kabbalah this year

This is a good question

While I agree he has building quite well on the momentum he started in 2004 he has kinda put an end to that with his latest attack on all the fansites with bad press that will be hard to overcome

Honestly, I think that each of the 3 CD's since 2004 all had at least one potential "hit" ihowever it cant and wont happen simply becuase modern radio will never play it because they are too busy playing crap that only resonates with the lame current state of music. (for example - are we all really going to be saying (and singing) the top single of 2007 Rhianna's Umbrella is a classic song 5, 10 years from now?? NO - modern radio is a waste of time.

Therefore, for him to create a CD that creates interest he has to be creative (once again) and I think his creative juices for innovative new ways to make and market music are all but dried up.

Strange but True

This is a good question

While I agree he has building quite well on the momentum he started in 2004 he has kinda put an end to that with his latest attack on all the fansites with bad press that will be hard to overcome

Honestly, I think that each of the 3 CD's since 2004 all had at least one potential "hit" ihowever it cant and wont happen simply becuase modern radio will never play it because they are too busy playing crap that only resonates with the lame current state of music. (for example - are we all really going to be saying (and singing) the top single of 2007 Rhianna's Umbrella is a classic song 5, 10 years from now?? NO - modern radio is a waste of time.

Therefore, for him to create a CD that creates interest he has to be creative (once again) and I think his creative juices for innovative new ways to make and market music are all but dried up.

Strange but True

NO...its not a crucial year.

Prince's "crucial" career years are well behind him.

Naww, he's just coasting now, he made his career l-o-n-g ago,...
79-88 "MADE" his career.

Just coasting,....But he sure does work his ass off touring like he does.
Not too many people his age are willing or able to work as hard as he does, regardless of the field they work in.
-)
[Edited 1/2/08 17:46pm]

Rhondab said:

he's made it through too many ups & downs when the spotlight was REALLY on him. He's a legend no matter what, and I don't think most people really have any idea about PFU or youtube suits, free cd's in england, etc.

They know he's a great musician whose albums they generally don't buy, but maybe they should break out 1999 this weekend...

Not trying to be a smart-ass, but i really believe Princes next big hit will unfortunately be posthumous.

No, I don't think it will be crucial either.

Absolutely NOT.

on if he comes out of the closet.

Other than that, business as usual.

Imago said:

NastradumasKid said:

if he does, than you can't have him anymore, kid.

purplepolitician said:

yeah right

It's nice to see ya

NastradumasKid said:

I predict it to be a huge year. Up for two grammy's and the 30th anniversary of his first studio record, I wouldnt be surprised by a Grammy performance or something of that magnitude to kick off the new year with a new album and perhaps American tour.

Sometimes you never know. With the seemingly apparent work on the 3121 website, it seems like more is to come once the website is worked out. That should be interesting.

Oh, and that's right, the Grammy's are coming up soon isn't it?


.
[Edited 1/2/08 22:04pm]

well I think this year if he puts out music the only thing fans and media alike will pay attention to is him turning 50 it started already post Planet Earth review with songs such as Mr.Goodnight with sounding like he's giving reasons why a woman should be with him ( when he is still is one of the sexually charged beings being referenced and copied) the journalist focused on age only. The point is he'll be damned if he does or doesn't you'll either hear not bad for a 50 year old ! or you'll hear he should go somewhere and sitdown.


My musical wish is that his next project and actions will get the music and fans back to a positive musical exchange.Now if Prince take the road of playing for the wealthy only ... then it is what it is.

I agree with Love4ona he's not 30 any more whilst we secretly wanted him to get nasty one last time if not that then get back to writing lyrics creating music which make us think! there is no DOUBT HE IS THE BEST LIVE PERFORMER so I guess we all have to wait and see... is it crucial ? NO he has nothing to prove but the latest web fiasco certainly has loose ends and a dark website

IT'S A NEW YEAR YAWL let the wondering and speculation begin
[Edited 1/2/08 23:15pm]

utopia7 said: