WetDream said:

I saw your pre edit statement

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Getting the correct spelling for a song title?...The nerve!!!...lol

LondonStyle said:

I've read loads about how Bowie lost it in the 80s and put out a load of shit, much like we read about Prince in the 90s. Same can be said about Stevie Wonder. No one is above criticism, and no one's output is constantly stellar, never mediocre.



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[Edited 4/2/09 13:02pm]

NouveauDance said:

Indeed...

But no one is saying that they (Bowie and Stevie) were making "generic" rock or generic "R&B"....The fans were mostly criticizing the artistic levels of their music not the genre of music they were doing...

murph said:

YOU GUYS were the ones dragging genre into it.

murph said:

YOU GUYS were the ones dragging genre into it.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Nah...I'm my own man homie...I recognize that fans are going to like what they like...But when some of those fans make laughable statements, I have to call them out on it...lol

murph said:

I will reveal something very embarrassing here. When Diamonds and Pearls came out, I actually told someone that I hated LIve for Love and wish Prince wouldn't do white Music. R&B is my natural musical base and I didn't get into rock music til I was 25 years old.

So all these accusations that I'm just a rocker who can't handle R&B are stupid and hilarious. I love R&B but the rock songs are better than the lame attempts at current R&B relevancy.

That's a sane AND refreshing point of view!
No matter what he puts out there, a lot of critics will immediately slash it (fans included) and apparently he can never live up to anyone's expectations.

I for one, enjoy his music. Some albums more than others but that all depends on personal preference.

I understand and completely accept that every one of us comes to the table with our own set of musical prejudices and preferences. I also think comparing quality is a hazy subject and is also largely subjective. I definitely used to be in the camp that trashed music simply for its genre. However, thankfully I've grown up a bit and have widened my own horizons. I'm a big Prince fan, and he will always be my favorite, after all.

Nevertheless, I do feel that certain albums are intrinsically better than others, on the basis of inspiration, hunger, and unity. I'm not saying that I'm the best judge (or even a good judge, perhaps) of these things, but I'd venture to say it's a fair statement to suggest that Lovesexy is a more inspired, hungry, unified album than NewPower Soul. I know some folks dig NewPower Soul and some probably prefer it to Lovesexy, but I think the point still stands.

What attracted many of us to Prince is that he seemed to defy categorization and was capable of transforming any whim into a bold, previously unheard-of musical statement. I feel that as a songwriter and studio musician, Prince amalgamated his influences and inspirations into the most cohesive and unified works (my own opinion of "best") in the 80s. However, I still really enjoy (and in many cases, flat out love) most of his material since then as well. The fact of the matter is that Prince was so on fire in the 80s that sometimes I feel that its monstrous shadow affects even him, and as such he at times seems to try to recapture the magic (Musicology being the most preeminent example), whereas back then it seemed like he was breaking new ground, or at least new ground for him. I think that is in large part the reason that Prince's 80s material is so celebrated by fans, the general public and critics. A hungry Prince playing with new toys carries a charm that can't be topped.

As a fan for over 20 years now, I'm content to let Prince do whatever he wants to do, and I'll definitely still tune in for the ride. I'm not expecting another 1999 or Parade, but I do expect to enjoy his new music. Most of the time, I really do, including these new albums. He's had an excellent career, and with a discography that is so colorful, varied and lengthy, I feel he's earned the right to rest on his laurels if he so desires.

That said, I feel that those who aren't enjoying these new albums have every right to express their views, and their opinions don't necessarily indicate that they want to pidgeonhole Prince into a particular genre or era. The posters who are being accused of such inclinations on this thread (Supa and NouveauDance in particular) do not fit that bill at all! Like any other art form, no album is above reproach (except for 1999, of course ).

Folks are searching for a reason; any reason to say why they don't like much of the material on MPLS....When the truth is they have a hard time dealing with the idea of their rude boy, wild boy who made genre-busting records like Around The World...Parade...and Dream Factory making an R&B record...

murph said:

Nothing wrong with making an "R&B" record. Whatever that is supposed to mean. If all Prince is supposed to be is, as you put it, "always a R&B artist who did soul, pop, and rock on his own terms" then fine we can just take For You and Prince Prince as the "real" prince and then just say that Dirty Mind through Emancipation" where just often-glorious flukes.

But that ignores the point of what Prince meant to the 80s generation. It mean that a rocker who grew up on Led Zepplin or Jimi Hendrix all of the sudden started appreciating James Brown or Stevie. That same guy would buy a new Pink Floyd album but pick up also pick up TTD or Lauryn Hill. Conversely, he opened up a whole new world for converse wearing break dancers b-boppers to say hey maybe if I sampled this cool guitar lick or hey maybe I should check out this guy "Jimi Hendrix" out.

If all Prince offers now is the equivalent of an all you can eat smorgasboard,ie rock fans kinda like the "rock" songs and "R&B" people sort of like the R&B songs, then something is off. Its not enough that he perform these genres proficiently.[Edited 4/2/09 14:58pm]

Yes, it's all Whitey's fault that Mplsound sounds like a 50+ year old man desperately trying to sound hip to the Disney Channel generation by offering up a disc full of played out platitudes. Never mind the music is yet another redundant, disposable bore of synthetic disinterest, no, it's all racially motivated. Those white people just refuse to show Prince the respect he deserves for making such a brilliant funk record. Give me a break. As if 1999, Sign O The Times, Parade, The Black Album, Dirty Mind, Controversy aren't filled with inventive soul that's gotten more than it's share of respect from those devil eyed, pale skinners who of course can't dance.

If Lotusflower is getting more praise from people, it's not a conspiracy that started with Elvis, it's because the lyrics aren't as trite, the music isn't so desperate and the predictability factor isn't all the way up to 11. In short, it sounds a little, and I do stress little, like a 50 year old making music.

Wall said:

Why are u so angry? I mean really why all the agressive negativity all the time? Its not even about prince. I just can't understand the mindset that would make u feel good saying this shit day in day out. Its like your soul is dark. Does spewing hate at prince relieve u in some way?

Hey we all realize you're intelligent but when u use that critical mind to always point out percieved flaws it appears to be an issue with your spirit.

Did prince kill your mama ? crush your dream? what's this negative fixation with prince about?

I understand and completely accept that every one of us comes to the table with our own set of musical prejudices and preferences. I also think comparing quality is a hazy subject and is also largely subjective. I definitely used to be in the camp that trashed music simply for its genre. However, thankfully I've grown up a bit and have widened my own horizons. I'm a big Prince fan, and he will always be my favorite, after all.

Nevertheless, I do feel that certain albums are intrinsically better than others, on the basis of inspiration, hunger, and unity. I'm not saying that I'm the best judge (or even a good judge, perhaps) of these things, but I'd venture to say it's a fair statement to suggest that Lovesexy is a more inspired, hungry, unified album than NewPower Soul. I know some folks dig NewPower Soul and some probably prefer it to Lovesexy, but I think the point still stands.

What attracted many of us to Prince is that he seemed to defy categorization and was capable of transforming any whim into a bold, previously unheard-of musical statement. I feel that as a songwriter and studio musician, Prince amalgamated his influences and inspirations into the most cohesive and unified works (my own opinion of "best") in the 80s. However, I still really enjoy (and in many cases, flat out love) most of his material since then as well. The fact of the matter is that Prince was so on fire in the 80s that sometimes I feel that its monstrous shadow affects even him, and as such he at times seems to try to recapture the magic (Musicology being the most preeminent example), whereas back then it seemed like he was breaking new ground, or at least new ground for him. I think that is in large part the reason that Prince's 80s material is so celebrated by fans, the general public and critics. A hungry Prince playing with new toys carries a charm that can't be topped.

As a fan for over 20 years now, I'm content to let Prince do whatever he wants to do, and I'll definitely still tune in for the ride. I'm not expecting another 1999 or Parade, but I do expect to enjoy his new music. Most of the time, I really do, including these new albums. He's had an excellent career, and with a discography that is so colorful, varied and lengthy, I feel he's earned the right to rest on his laurels if he so desires.

That said, I feel that those who aren't enjoying these new albums have every right to express their views, and their opinions don't necessarily indicate that they want to pidgeonhole Prince into a particular genre or era. The posters who are being accused of such inclinations on this thread (Supa and NouveauDance in particular) do not fit that bill at all! Like any other art form, no album is above reproach (except for 1999, of course ).

Moonbeam said:

I think u have very mature approach. We can't expect prince to maintain some standard we have set in our minds. Too many folks seem to be almost gleeful that they don't like something. There was no way for prince to stand still he had to confront the future just lke the rest of us. Some people seem to hold him in contempt because he doesn't live up to their dreams.

digitalpharaoh said:

A real fan isn't afraid to face the firing squad in dissent

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Well Said and supported!

Why are u so angry? I mean really why all the agressive negativity all the time? Its not even about prince. I just can't understand the mindset that would make u feel good saying this shit day in day out. Its like your soul is dark. Does spewing hate at prince relieve u in some way?

Hey we all realize you're intelligent but when u use that critical mind to always point out percieved flaws it appears to be an issue with your spirit.

Did prince kill your mama ? crush your dream? what's this negative fixation with prince about?

Wall said:

Why are u so angry? I mean really why all the agressive negativity all the time? Its not even about prince. I just can't understand the mindset that would make u feel good saying this shit day in day out. Its like your soul is dark. Does spewing hate at prince relieve u in some way?

Hey we all realize you're intelligent but when u use that critical mind to always point out percieved flaws it appears to be an issue with your spirit.

Did prince kill your mama ? crush your dream? what's this negative fixation with prince about?

The R&B songs lately are NOT what I've come to expect from him. Really, the last GOOD album with some interesting funk/R&B on it was Musicology. .

(.)

WetDream said:

An album that has so many styles in it but because Prince talks about James Brown he's doing rip off or sub-standard James Brown tracks.....ha...ha...

what the hell is HouseQuake....oh that's 80's Prince doing a 80's or is that 70's or is that 60's ....no....no....wait it's 30's no...wait...it Rip of James Brown.....Suckkers....

You can't box Prince give up!

As to the premise of your thread, the Rock songs on the album are getting better praise because they are better songs. The R&B songs are so generic that it's an embarrassment to even classify them in the same category as the classic soul songs Prince has created before.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I don't agree with that, however, you're entitled to your opinion. It depends on what the individual likes, and what they get from the music, so I can never say that over the course of 30 years of his music, that his rock songs are better than the r&b ones, being that he plays jazz, pop, and blues as well. I also don't find his r&b songs generic, because not everyone can do falsetto and smooth, distinctive styles with r&b songs. When you listen to r&b artists today, like Usher, JT (he tries but bleh ), they sound very generic. I do agree with Tricky though, that his r&b songs are heavily criticized by many, not all, of his white fans.

Back in the day, you had the Stylistics, Delfonics, Black Ivory, etc., with lead singers whose voices "stood out", and there was also solo artists like Phil Perry whose voice can knock you off your feet when he sings a slow jam. I could even put Maxwell in that category. Very few r&b artists today, have that "distinct" voice like the ones I just mentioned. As far as female r&b singers, I love "Leela James" style of r&b/soul, it has a gospel/blues sound, unfortunately, she and other r&b singers are ignored by the industry, because the industry today, is stuck on looks and manufactured artists.

It's no secret that Prince is well-known for his rock guitar style, just like Jimi was. I find Prince's music style to be more varied. You can't really put him in one category. In the early part of his career, he was categorized mainly as a rock/pop artist, but at the time of his career, we already had other artists doing heavy r&b, so he was smart to come out a and stand out. He was able to grab the listener's attention and drew in a multicultural audience. After Jimi passed, no other Black artist was able to basically "take his place" so to speak, and even if you don't believe it, there were "many" black fans of Jimi's music at the time he was around, but for a very, long time, "rock" was associated with white musicians, while Black musicians who played "rock" styled music did not get the light shined on them for it, because often black artists have been lumped into one category. I'm glad various black artists with different and unique styles, for the past 20 years, have been exposed. They may not get the kind of attention as white artists, but they are out there, and not just doing r&b.

I grew up with a drummer who plays with a well-known singer who started out from the time he was 10 years old, playing rock music with 2 white friends who were brothers, and they played guitar, and were well-known in school. At least 4 times a week, you could hear them rehearsing. I think people in general have to get that myth out of their heads, that Blacks don't listen to rock music, or other varied styles of music. The friends I went to school with sure did, and family members and friends today, that listen to all types of music. It all depends on the individual, as none of us are monolithic when it comes to the type of music we choose to listen to. Just my two cents.
[Edited 4/2/09 17:29pm]