I actually quite enjoyed Planet Earth, but what always bothered me about these three aforementioned albums is that they lack the individuality of his other albums. Throughout the 80s and even most of the 90s, every single new album sounded like a departure from the last - even if he wasn't always covering new ground you would never get too bored because he'd always surprise you.

Musicology, 3121 and P.E. all sounded alike. He was starting to turn into one of those artists whose albums have a rigid structure which they never deviate from. You'd have the obligatory fun rocker like Guitar or Fury, a few middle of the road R&B-lite tracks such as Incense & Candles and Mr Goodnite... it was all getting a bit predictable.

Regardless of whether you like the new songs or not (and I'm digging them all except for Never B Another Like Me - which is woeful), it is good to see him breaking out of his formular and trying new things again...
[Edited 12/20/08 15:57pm]

I still haven't heard them, but this sounds promising.

I Love all of those albums...

These songs are great, but I liked some of the Musicology/3121/Planet earth songs too. he's got some really powerful messages this time around.

MattyJam said:

I agree wit that!!

MattyJam said:

do i know u cuz i had this same conversation with someone tonight.

he knows, but he should also know how to change the plan...we know the plan, that was the falloff on 31 and PE.

I need to hear some of the old arguments...lady cab...international....all the critics....dirty mind....that's where we are now. we argue....get with us, then show us the way.....


musicology, on the other hand, was more personal...marrying kind ! ! ! ! ! WOW! it moved, it was personal, observant...he spoke to me on that. mother, sister.....smh....awesome work lyrically and muscially....

he ain't rich right now....he's going through a struggle.

that could be a cry for something. noooo....make him get better!

Tame said:

Me too....

There were great songs on these records....
But it`s always good to see Prince changing a bit his direction....

MattyJam I agree w/ you 110%. It sounds like now P's doing it for himself rather than the radio. That's what made his 80's stuff great.

I dug "Musicology" (and "NEWS") but the last 2 weren't hittin' at all. Looking foward to his new joint in 2009.

myfavorite said:

What struggle? Cry 4 what?

After a couple of days, Im still loving the four new tracks after a few days heavy listening, so that's the good news, bad news is 'There'll never b' is not in the same class and he should vault that right away, get a stepladder and throw that thing to the back of the highest, dusty shelf in there, break the stepladder so he can't reach up there, and just forget he ever made it!

.
[Edited 12/21/08 12:25pm]

where can i hear the new tracks?

To me, the first four tracks are a progression of the direction he took on "Planet Earth" minus "SHOE", "FBM" & "Mr. Goodnight". But you could tell his mindset was to move forward with a more raw, psychedelic guitar-driven sound. And that's cool with me. I like 'em all...very loose and uninhibited.

"Planet Earth" was a great album to me, some hated it. I really don't get the hate though, he basically mixed his '85 sound with his '95 sound, which were the periods that influenced me the most. ("Chelsea Rodgers" would've been huge if released & promoted properly). "3121" is among my faves as well; most of it is very funky & loose, the flow of the album was very well put together.

vM
http://stereofame.com/victormckoy
http://myspace.com/escapefromtrapcity
[Edited 12/21/08 20:26pm]

.. ..i told u so..u can never let me go....how many x's u try 2 leave me.. and u never go.....how many x's u say that u hate me..and u . me soo.....u ca never..never..never..never let me gooo!!...

-THE DELFONICS..i told u so...

...mzsexybaby

i gotta go look that one up ...

rebelenterprise said:

Planet Earth was the first record by Prince that I can honestly say I didn't like at all. It was such a huge peice of corn. Butthe weird part about it is that one of my all time favorite songs from him is on that record (Somewhere here on earth). Leave it to Prince to give you gold wrapped in shit. Quick song by song breakdown (and this is just my opinion)

Planet Earth- Not a bad opener, but when I think it's gonna grab me it gets cheesy (bridge)
Guitar- enough said about this. It's pretty fluff.
Somwhere here on earth- perfect in every way.
The one u wanna c- not bad, it a second rate So far So Pleased.
Future Baby's Mamma- This is actually a good track. I like this one as well.
Mr. Goodnight- Uh, no.
All the Midnights in the world- Really...?
Chelsea Rodgers- I don't see what is so great about this song. It's not bad, but it's no sexy dancer (well maybe that was the point). I'm confused.
Lion of Judah- This has to be one of the corniest songs P has ever written (next to The Holy River)
Resolution- I couldn't even finish this one. I have tried several times.

Just my opinion, but that is why I HATED Planet Earth.

Well I actually enjoyed Planet Earth, but these new songs are the most exciting and fresh sounding tracks I've heard from him since TRC.