... drop another critically acclaimed album? The Rainbow Children got some good reviews, although there were traces of dissent because of the lyrical content. I personally think ol' boy has it in him, but is playing some weird game of cat and mouse lately.

Can he relive his studio glory days or is he "just" an amazing performer now?

GNS said:

I doubt we'll ever see anything remarkable from him again. He's more interested in money to the point of doing American Idol than he is in trailblazing.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Half of me agrees with you, but he's dropped a few gems here and there enough for me to hold out hope.

Guess that's why I keep coming back.

Huh? Prince's last few albums have been really good! He went for mainstream albums and all of them have been solid. Now Rave was the worst pop album. I'd say since Rave all his albums have kicked ass!

GNS said:

the gems will always be there. But unless it's 2000 carat, it aint gonna knock your ass off

ranchero4vida said:

Who said anything about Purple Rain? Truth be told, I'm rather over it when you consider what else he's capable of.

I'm talking about the having the critics lose they mind over a new ablum like they used to, with TRC being the latest example.

I think he has it in him to make another critically acclaimed album but I don't think the odds are that good. It both has to do with his choices and if critics will fully open their eyes to his music.

to many peoples disagreement for me N.E.W.S was Prince taking a risk still won't cut it for mainstreams-want-to-hear-lyrics -ears

peter430044 said:

It begins with Prince first. Right now he doesn't give a shit.

ranchero4vida said:

NO, he does not have a star..dont think he ever will

I think he's going to surprise. Just you wait and see...

GNS said:

What exactly should he be doing to reach this this ever elusive status of "acclaim" that you're referring to?
During the recent Tavis Smiley interviews Prince said that he spoke to journalists and they admit to mostly writing for each other. He doesn't mind critique if it comes from a place of love and if it's constructive in it's intent.
So don't let it be another, "I don't like it." review. It's got to be full of what could have made it better assessment and not just blind judgments of the work. Take into account that most music critics can't play a single note which is why they criticize instead of create.
[Edited 8/4/09 1:35am]

I'm not sure The Rainbow Children was that critically acclaimed. I don't really remember great reviews, or people raving about it at the time (apart from the fans who do like it).

Now it seems to always be added as a footnote in recent album or concert reviews as part of his early 2000's self-indulgent, alienating, website-only (even though it was released conventionally), inaccessible religious rambling phase.

Of course there are those among us (me included) who regard it as a fantastic album especially in terms of the musicianship, and overall focus - it's basically a concept album telling a complete story. Lyrically it has never offended or bothered me as much as others, I don't mind the altered narrator's voice etc, or read that much into the Family Name comments. It hasn't brainwashed me into becoming a Jehovah's Witness or even necessarily believing in God anymore or less than something like Lovesexy did.

It's a Prince classic. And yes I think he is capable of producing a complete album of equal skill again (although hopefully it will be completely different). I honestly believe he nearly got there with LotusFlow3r but I think ironically the style of release for LF has actually devalued it moreso than TRC was with a relatively low key release.
[Edited 8/4/09 2:00am]

Right now he doesn't give a shit.[/quote]

I agree

I think he can. The success of music today just depends on how many people buy it. It's all money and numbers. There have been some lousy stuff at the top of the charts lately. while the good artists are not to be founf.
[Edited 8/4/09 7:36am]

a critic cause they get their shit 4 free

GNS said:

Critically acclaimed, or a huge #1 successful album that everyone is playing and listening to across the US? Critics often like Prince's stuff, but the public couldn't give a crap.

GNS said:

Imo he scraped through with the rainbow children and at one point in the middle of the cd he lost its was to only pull it back towards the end of the cd. i hope evolution as taught us one thing. always move forward look 4 new ideas never go back.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I don't think he has given a shit since 2000.

Keep in mind that Prince is no longer a part of the music business. He basically sets up his own terms for getting his music out to the masses. This has pissed off a lot of industry folks and that has trickled down to music magazines and critics as well. I haven't read a truly comprehensive review of any of his albums in years. They gloss over 3 or 4 tracks give some generic opinion and move on. When the album may have 12 or 13 tracks on it and all you speak on is 3 or 4. Prince manages to make his money and it's not an advance to be chipped away at and he's always been the producer of his own product keeping his money in his pocket where it belongs. There is a backlash against him in general and I don't think he'll ever get a fair shake again.

HonestMan13 said:

Very well put!!!

HonestMan13 said:

Ever written a music review?

You don't necessarily dissect every song on an album. You mention standouts (whether good or bad), outline themes on the album and raise different songs to illuminate those themes.

I think Prince gets considerably favorable press -- especially when you consider the pre-Lotus press he got -- even from USA Today.

ThreadBare said:

My point is that now in some magazines they tell you to buy it, borrow it or forget it based on 3 or 4 tracks! some of the best Prince music is the stuff you don't hear about on the radio or in a review. For every "Kiss" or "When Doves Cry" there is a "Question Of U" or a "The Beautiful Ones". I think the journalism is lazy and not a good standard for judging any artists work. That goes for a great review or a bad one. The pursuit of 'critical acclaim" is a elusive game of cat and mouse. When Prince changed his name there was more said in a review about what was written on his face than what was on the CD. If he called himself or "Nancy" it didn't change the fact he was/is one of the greatest musicians of our time and it shouldn't have factored in the mix. Neither should how he gets his music out to his fans. a music review should be just that a review of the music not the individuals current antics or business strategies.

Of course Prince has it in him...Look what Prince has given us so far.

HonestMan13 said:

Especially years ago, when print media were still more prevalent than the Internet, most writers had to cram as much information as their editor expected them to write in as little space as the designer of their story's space would give them.

So, you could have 20 inches (print stories are measured in inches) of a story that would have a detailed, comprehensive review like what you want Prince to get, as well as a piece that details his antics (no self-respecting editor or reporter is NOT going to write about Prince writing on his face and changing his name to a symbol -- it's news). But all that writer might have been given for the story might be eight inches of space. It would get edited down to eight.

But, Prince has always done nutty, non-musical things worthy of mention. Retired from the biz. Retired from touring. Retired "the hits." Changed his name (twice). Divorced his wives on the sly, giving some gobbledygook about contracts in the process with Mayte. Acted like everything was fine with his baby. If anything, I think most entertainment writers have cut Prince a break, over the years.

The closet thing to a HUGE commercial success he "could have" had was The Gold Experience, but Warner dropped the ball on that. If they would have gotten behind it, it would have been HUGE! It was the debut album of and he had the look, the energy and the drive like he did in the early-mid 80's.
Todays society and generation arent into the "art" of music and performance. So, No, Prince will never had a huge hit again. Maybe if Prince had a major label, and could still dance like he used to, but even then, its doubtful.
When people like eminem and 50cent are selling millions, and Prince can hardly reach gold status, it lets you know how far society has DEclined musically.