I'm 21.. but I thought most everyone, regardless of age, agrees that his output the past few decades has been mostly bad or pedestrian, with occasional strokes of excellence (some even reaching that of his prime material from the 80s).

herrherr said:

I'm 21.. but I thought most everyone, regardless of age, agrees that his output the past few decades has been mostly bad or pedestrian, with occasional strokes of excellence (some even reaching that of his prime material from the 80s).

"[T]he past few decades?" So...what...30 years? That would put us in 1980.

Next!

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

I'm almost late for a meeting so I don't have much time for elabaration but I can add this. As an old(er) Prince fan, if his new music was as good as his old music, strictly in terms of quality, we wouldn't be having this discussion!

AARP meeting? That reminds me, I have to send in my dues.

Genesia said:

dreamshaman32 said:

I think at 42 all of my observations of most things are influenced by my experience and i am very mindful to be careful of sounding like a grouchy old guy-my kids (22,25) have no problem reminding me. When it comes to Prince's recent output i feel that my response is rooted in where i am, i dont expect urgency nor innovation but i do reserve the right to ignore shit i dont find interesting. I love that he's matured image wise because it would be sad to pitty him for becoming a clown. I honestly dont value what he's recording now but i still feel proud that he's wildly successful as a live act and adjusting wonderfully to being the Icon he is. If younger people are drawn to his newer work fine, but dont you think its disingenuis to act as if the current musical chapters are comparable to say 1980-1988?. I started listening to JB in high school, too young to know the real JB of the late 60's and early 70's. Back then i knew "Soul Power" was the shit and "Living in America" wasnt. You do know that right?, you do see a distinction between Dirty Mind and Musicology right? you can admit this without making it about us right?. Being mature i think i can speak for most 40 somethings when i say "decrepit loyals" are anything but, we are 10 yrs. younger than him and most of us at this age are loyal to our spouses and children. I dont want to see prince talk about masturbation, all he has to do is rip guitar (dreamer) and get funky (old school company) every now and then and i'm straight. But if he continues to release "breezy pop tunes" when he used to release mindbending, kickass genre bending masterpieces that forced pop to come to him ......You Youngsta's can Have him, keep deluding yourself, because you missed the ride. I missed Woodstock and JB at the Apollo, but at least i'm realistic enough to admit it.

So, in other words, he's doing just fine. Because he just released Dreamer and Old Skool Company on his last album - not even 14 months ago.

What do you mean, "continues to release 'breezy pop tunes'?" He's released one since Lotusflow3r. (I don't think Cause and Effect or Purple and Gold were especially 'breezy.") Oooooooh...reserve his spot at the assisted living facility.

Really? You roll your eyes at that level thought out response?

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Genesia said:

So, in other words, he's doing just fine. Because he just released Dreamer and Old Skool Company on his last album - not even 14 months ago.

What do you mean, "continues to release 'breezy pop tunes'?" He's released one since Lotusflow3r. (I don't think Cause and Effect or Purple and Gold were especially 'breezy.") Oooooooh...reserve his spot at the assisted living facility.

Really? You roll your eyes at that level thought out response?

If it were that thought out, there would have been a few paragraph breaks.

I believe I indicated my issues with the argument. But thank you for playing.

Genesia said:

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Really? You roll your eyes at that level thought out response?

If it were that thought out, there would have been a few paragraph breaks.

I believe I indicated my issues with the argument. But thank you for playing.

lack of paragraph breaks does not negate the point. for whatever reason you feel the need to be Prince's human toilet paper. Be my guest

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Genesia said:

If it were that thought out, there would have been a few paragraph breaks.

I believe I indicated my issues with the argument. But thank you for playing.

lack of paragraph breaks does not negate the point. for whatever reason you feel the need to be Prince's human toilet paper. Be my guest

Y'know...every time I think you've sunk as low as you possibly can, you manage to suck a little more out of the pool.

What a terrible fucking thead So now we are too old to know quality music and were fixated on his looks-pure bullshit! When Prince gives us quality music trust me his long time fans know it and when he gives us trash we know that too. As for being fixated on his looks, Prince has made his appearance a central part of his persona over the years-he's a master at it and his fans appreciate that he still gives a fuck about that!

I also think it's fucked up that you have the balls to call those of us who have been there from the beginning old-it's a blessing to have lived to see it all unfold. Hopefully you will be so lucky.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Genesia said:

If it were that thought out, there would have been a few paragraph breaks.

I believe I indicated my issues with the argument. But thank you for playing.

lack of paragraph breaks does not negate the point. for whatever reason you feel the need to be Prince's human toilet paper. Be my guest

Human toliet paper? How do u equate her point of view with that. You have a serious problem that for some reason u have projected on to prince. you are like a spurned lover who has turned into an obsessed stalker.

I know people may think this topic is old but I like the angle you are taking. When (And I'm not criticising you Ernestwell) you listen to people like Ernestwell onhere you get the feeling that it is just a FACT that Prince is nolonger good. I think that if we could just listen to the songs we may just like them more (I'm including myself in that). The problem lies with the OLDER Prince fans (I'm 38 and discovered Prince in 84) is that you could feel his discovery almost along with your own. He satisfied so many levels particularly ones individuality and especially one snobbish disregard of everything else. However I do believe that Prince's pop output and songs like Colonized Minds would be deemed more than perefectly acceptable in any other artist's catalogue. It is just that Prince fell from the skies and we actually never really want him to land!

jcurley said:

I know people may think this topic is old but I like the angle you are taking. When (And I'm not criticising you Ernestwell) you listen to people like Ernestwell onhere you get the feeling that it is just a FACT that Prince is nolonger good. I think that if we could just listen to the songs we may just like them more (I'm including myself in that). The problem lies with the OLDER Prince fans (I'm 38 and discovered Prince in 84) is that you could feel his discovery almost along with your own. He satisfied so many levels particularly ones individuality and especially one snobbish disregard of everything else. However I do believe that Prince's pop output and songs like Colonized Minds would be deemed more than perefectly acceptable in any other artist's catalogue. It is just that Prince fell from the skies and we actually never really want him to land!

Very well stated.

There is no question that when I "discovered" Prince, I had a million moments of, "Oh, my gawd - yes! " And you know what? I still have them, because I try to approach every release with fresh ears and without expectations.

I don't much care for Planet Earth, but there were still a few "yes" moments there. And I think 3121 and Lotusflow3r are brilliant.

tricky99 said:

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

lack of paragraph breaks does not negate the point. for whatever reason you feel the need to be Prince's human toilet paper. Be my guest

Human toliet paper? How do u equate her point of view with that. You have a serious problem that for some reason u have projected on to prince. you are like a spurned lover who has turned into an obsessed stalker.

At this point the two of you should just do a vid "2 orgers and a cup"

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

tricky99 said:

Human toliet paper? How do u equate her point of view with that. You have a serious problem that for some reason u have projected on to prince. you are like a spurned lover who has turned into an obsessed stalker.

At this point the two of you should just do a vid "2 orgers and a cup"

You do realize that stuff like this makes you the joke. Right?

I mean...not that you care. But it does.

Hm...

I'm 19. I appreciate all of what P does, regardless of whether or not I think his current works are "up to par" with his previous works. I appreciate his newer material, but in a different way. We can't expect him to act or create like he used to because he has moved on from that time. However, I tend to focus on the Prince of the past, because I find his past image and behavior more exciting, romantic, and idealistic.

[Edited 6/16/10 13:06pm]

RUHip2TheJive said:

Hm...

I'm 19. I appreciate all of what P does, regardless of whether or not I think his current works are "up to par" with his previous works. I appreciate his newer material, but in a different way. We can't expect him to act or create like he used to because he has moved on from that time. However, I tend to focus on the Prince of the past, because I find his image and behavior at that time more exciting, romantic, idealistic.

You should find it "more exciting, romantic, idealistic" - because it was. (Along with raunchier. Which, let's face it, is what drew many of us to Prince in the first place.)

Y'know...I wonder if older people weren't bound to the chronology of Prince's music, they could listen to it differently. If you mixed all the music up and played it for someone who's never heard it, would they differentiate on the basis of "older" versus "newer?"

squirrelgrease said:

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

I'm almost late for a meeting so I don't have much time for elabaration but I can add this. As an old(er) Prince fan, if his new music was as good as his old music, strictly in terms of quality, we wouldn't be having this discussion!

AARP meeting? That reminds me, I have to send in my dues.

Shut the fuck up, you old fart!

I'll have you know, the ONLY reason, I am a card carrying member of the AARP is because my husband is over 50! When they sent him his card, since I am his spouse, they sent one for me.

I was only 35, at the time and I actually wish there had been a video camera on, to capture the HILARITY that ensued, when he handed me an AARP card with MY name on it!

Talk about America's Funniest Videos...my reaction would have won the Grand Prize, for real!

Genesia said:

jcurley said:

I know people may think this topic is old but I like the angle you are taking. When (And I'm not criticising you Ernestwell) you listen to people like Ernestwell onhere you get the feeling that it is just a FACT that Prince is nolonger good. I think that if we could just listen to the songs we may just like them more (I'm including myself in that). The problem lies with the OLDER Prince fans (I'm 38 and discovered Prince in 84) is that you could feel his discovery almost along with your own. He satisfied so many levels particularly ones individuality and especially one snobbish disregard of everything else. However I do believe that Prince's pop output and songs like Colonized Minds would be deemed more than perefectly acceptable in any other artist's catalogue. It is just that Prince fell from the skies and we actually never really want him to land!

Very well stated.

There is no question that when I "discovered" Prince, I had a million moments of, "Oh, my gawd - yes! " And you know what? I still have them, because I try to approach every release with fresh ears and without expectations.

I don't much care for Planet Earth, but there were still a few "yes" moments there. And I think 3121 and Lotusflow3r are brilliant.

But you are right-it is sooo much that "YES" moment. I think they used to call it a BEDSIT moment-listening to music and lyrics with just yourself . I think that YES moment was the perfect mix of not just fantastic music but also hearing such phenomenol self belief in some kind of personal truth. Prince is nolonger a young person so has established (Or at least hope he has or else he will go bonkers) a belief system. In proper artistry that means you are nolonger privy to a journey, so even if it was good it can't be about yourself (even tho it never was). Even tho I do prefer his older music I really do believe that his stuff today does stand up. He is just too dominant over it but I really will give him that due.....xx

older fans = living history

younger fans = fresh ears

both of these fans bring something to the table that the other can not

jcurley said:

Genesia said:

Very well stated.

There is no question that when I "discovered" Prince, I had a million moments of, "Oh, my gawd - yes! " And you know what? I still have them, because I try to approach every release with fresh ears and without expectations.

I don't much care for Planet Earth, but there were still a few "yes" moments there. And I think 3121 and Lotusflow3r are brilliant.

But you are right-it is sooo much that "YES" moment. I think they used to call it a BEDSIT moment-listening to music and lyrics with just yourself . I think that YES moment was the perfect mix of not just fantastic music but also hearing such phenomenol self belief in some kind of personal truth. Prince is nolonger a young person so has established (Or at least hope he has or else he will go bonkers) a belief system. In proper artistry that means you are nolonger privy to a journey, so even if it was good it can't be about yourself (even tho it never was). Even tho I do prefer his older music I really do believe that his stuff today does stand up. He is just too dominant over it but I really will give him that due.....xx

Now, that is deep.

I mean...I think he is still on a journey (I know I am). But there's no question that he still doesn't know the outcome, he at least knows the road he's on. Which means the discoveries will be fewer.

I said in another thread in this vein that part of the problem is that when people get older, they're no longer working on "new" problems. They understand more about life and love. 52-year-old men can still be horny toads. But, really - who but the one the horny toad-ness is directed at really wants to hear about it? Or who wants to hear about the physical pain of getting older? Nobody - even those who are living it and can relate to it.

Wow - I think I just made an argument for an instrumental album.

8 out of 10 male Prince fans have erectile dysfunction, here endeth my synopsis ...

scandalousalan said:

Don't mean to offend anyone or anything. More of a speculative question/observation I've made since I joined this site. It seems to me that alot of the latest prince material is being slated by people that pine for the prince of old. Now I know there are fans out there too, and in alot of cases, people who are moreover fixated on his image and latest haircut etc which is fair enough. Different types of fans, so we cannot all be pigeon holed. I do however think that alot of golden oldies on here dismantle and dissect too much, which in alot of cases makes it inevitable in their minds it will never stand up to his past. I am 28, so I am no spring chicken myself, but I personally think that a wave of younger generation may be able to embrace his music more than the Decrepit loyals that swarm these forums. Particularly if prince continues to release breezy pop tunes like hot summer. Just my 2 cents

the music of his heart is for all generations

squirrelgrease said:

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

I'm almost late for a meeting so I don't have much time for elabaration but I can add this. As an old(er) Prince fan, if his new music was as good as his old music, strictly in terms of quality, we wouldn't be having this discussion!

AARP meeting? That reminds me, I have to send in my dues.

why creeper, the only one

not in the air , unstably

in real is the best

my patients needs me here

i got a new one

I'm 21, and I don't like most of the music he released in the 00's (I did like The Rainbow Children). It just doesn't compare to what he released in the 80's and 90's.

scandalousalan said:

Don't mean to offend anyone or anything. More of a speculative question/observation I've made since I joined this site. It seems to me that alot of the latest prince material is being slated by people that pine for the prince of old.

Now I know there are fans out there too, and in alot of cases, people who are moreover fixated on his image and latest haircut etc which is fair enough. Different types of fans, so we cannot all be pigeon holed. I do however think that alot of golden oldies on here dismantle and dissect too much, which in alot of cases makes it inevitable in their minds it will never stand up to his past. I am 28, so I am no spring chicken myself, but I personally think that a wave of younger generation may be able to embrace his music more than the decrepit loyals that swarm these forums. Particularly if Prince continues to release breezy pop tunes like hot summer. Just my 2 cents

Interresting question. I've only been a fan since 1996 so I may not qualify to answer this because there are a lot of fans that say P fell off when Emancipation dropped.

PicklesMcMillan said:

older fans = living history

younger fans = fresh ears

both of these fans bring something to the table that the other can not

Interesting! This actually crossed my mind while I was at my meeting. Mind you...my meeting was at TGIFriday's and I was having cocktails but anyhoo!

Let's suspend reality for a moment and think about this!

Let's erase Prince's musical output from the 70's, 80's and 90's! Meaning no one had even heard of him until the year 2000, so everything from that year on would have been brand new and to fresh ears!

How would it have been received? Would the fans of this new music have embraced it, without ever having heard his older music? Would they have been so inclined and inspired to make fansites in support of it?

I guess what I'm asking is...if you didn't know the Prince of the 70's, 80's and 90's...what would you really feel about Prince in the New Millinneum?

Dig this, it's been cool in forever to hate on "new Prince" (whatever that means).

It has always been cool to dig "old Prince" (whatever that means).

As far back as 1985, fans bitched an moaned about Prince's new direction and longed for the classic Mpls Sound. Hell, in 1984 hardcore fans were not cool with the fact that Purple Rain brought him a mass appeal.

I mean, I never thought I'd see nostalgia for New Power Soul, but it happens around here.

If people seriously prefer Tony M. and "Jughead" over the 3121 era, that's fine.

However, I do agree that there is often a serious case of old person "back in my day" mentality going on around here.

[Edited 6/16/10 15:12pm]

skywalker said:

Dig this, it's been cool in forever to hate on "new Prince" (whatever that means).

It has always been cool too dig "old Prince" (whatever that means).

As far back as 1985, fans bitched an moaned about Prince's new direction and longed for the classic Mpls Sound. Hell, in 1984 hardcore fans were not cool with the fact that Purple Rain brought him a mass appeal.

I mean, I never thought I'd see nostalgia for New Power Soul, but it happens around here.

If people seriously prefer Tony M. and "Jughead" over the 3121 era, that's fine.

However, I do agree that there is often a serious case of old person "back in my day" mentality going on around here.

True ... True ... Since ATWIAD came out there was a "split" with the fans about P's new direction with his music.

skywalker said:

Dig this, it's been cool in forever to hate on "new Prince" (whatever that means).

It has always been cool too dig "old Prince" (whatever that means).

As far back as 1985, fans bitched an moaned about Prince's new direction and longed for the classic Mpls Sound. Hell, in 1984 hardcore fans were not cool with the fact that Purple Rain brought him a mass appeal.

I mean, I never thought I'd see nostalgia for New Power Soul, but it happens around here.

If people seriously prefer Tony M. and "Jughead" over the 3121 era, that's fine.

However, I do agree that there is often a serious case of old person "back in my day" mentality going on around here.

Even though it was in the days B.I. (Before Internet), I remember very well the reaction to Around the World In a Day, Parade and Lovesexy. (We won't even discuss Under the Cherry Moon. ) With each of those albums, there were huge numbers of people saying, "Oh, my gawd - he's completely lost it. WTF is this shit?"

And you're right - there were definitely long-time fans back in 1984 who were pissed that Purple Rain was popular. They felt Prince had "sold out" and become "mainstream."

There's just no pleasing some folks. I think Prince accepted that a long time ago.

KeithyT said:

robinhood said:

not because it's a bad song, but because it's so simple. i remember tracks like rasberry beret, so simple. for me, the simple stuff is some of his best work.

if rasberry beret were released today, how many people would think it to be a lower standard than the rest of his catalog? would that be a fair comparison to make?

I honestly have no problem with Prince where he is today, and Hot Summer as a song but no, that is not a fair comparison. Raspberry Beret is superior if only just for the clever lyrics, but it's better in terms of structure and musicality as well IMHO. I'd hope that if it had never been on ATWIAD and was released today we would wet our pants at the strings, the middle 8, even the finger cymbals

[Edited 6/16/10 6:19am]

Raspberry Beret was one of my least favorite songs when it came out. Though I like it much more than Hot Summer, both are the type of Prince songs that I can appreciate, but don't really love. Just not into that style from him. Otherwise, I like a lot of his recent output.

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

PicklesMcMillan said:

older fans = living history

younger fans = fresh ears

both of these fans bring something to the table that the other can not

Interesting! This actually crossed my mind while I was at my meeting. Mind you...my meeting was at TGIFriday's and I was having cocktails but anyhoo!

Let's suspend reality for a moment and think about this!

Let's erase Prince's musical output from the 70's, 80's and 90's! Meaning no one had even heard of him until the year 2000, so everything from that year on would have been brand new and to fresh ears!

How would it have been received? Would the fans of this new music have embraced it, without ever having heard his older music? Would they have been so inclined and inspired to make fansites in support of it?

I guess what I'm asking is...if you didn't know the Prince of the 70's, 80's and 90's...what would you really feel about Prince in the New Millinneum?

good question .....idk

new milinneum prince seems older and a lil wiser but still the same musically to me

but im a young fan what do i know

its like the older fans are stuck inside the crystal ball and cant get out

and younger fans are outside of the crystal ball and cant get in