For me, it always takes a few listens for most Prince tracks to sink in - and listening to 20 second samples from an artist whose (best) songs are renowned for taking numerous odd twists and turns isn't really enough to go on, in fairness. Of courser, you can get a sense of mood, vibe & energy and I'm happy to hear the guy sounding like himself again.

To these ears, Compassion sounds a little like a bubblegummy Cosmic Day-ish, lightweight, fun pop rock stomp. Beginning Endlessly is shamelessly retro, almost like he's gobbling himself up, but it sounds like he's having fun. Certainly not innovative, but Christ he's 53. Laveux sounds like a Vanity 6 album closer mashing with a Time jam. Not really my cup of tea, to be honest. Still like meatloaf said, two out of three ain't bad. looking forward to the full record. Orgnotes always appreciated and kindness reciprocated.

NouveauDance said:

Woah, certainly more MPLS Sound than MPLSound. Compassion sounds like it directly samples the beat to Let's Pretend We're Married.

The lyrics in these clips sound really flat though, tuneless - I'm still worried about his modern day song writing capabilities.

And remember folks - Prince is NOT living in the past.

He does alot more than rip the beat. The synth baseline is being used (possibly slown down or in a different key--I can't tell by the sample, but he's diffinatly taken 'Let's Pretend We're Married' and built a new song on top of it (kind of like Violet the Organ Grinder was Gettoffish. )

Number23 said:

For me, it always takes a few listens for most Prince tracks to sink in - and listening to 20 second samples from an artist whose (best) songs are renowned for taking numerous odd twists and turns isn't really enough to go on, in fairness. Of courser, you can get a sense of mood, vibe & energy and I'm happy to hear the guy sounding like himself again.

To these ears, Compassion sounds a little like a bubblegummy Cosmic Day-ish, lightweight, fun pop rock stomp. Beginning Endlessly is shamelessly retro, almost like he's gobbling himself up, but it sounds like he's having fun. Certainly not innovative, but Christ he's 53. Laveux sounds like a Vanity 6 album closer mashing with a Time jam. Not really my cup of tea, to be honest. Still like meatloaf said, two out of three ain't bad. looking forward to the full record. Orgnotes always appreciated and kindness reciprocated.

oops....sorry guys, I posted this on the wrong thread...

Who's loving the snippets of "Compassion," "Beginning Endlessly," and "Lavaux," from the Mirror website?!

"Compassion" is definitely going for that "Controversy" album sound. I hear slight traces of "Sexuality," "Ronnie Talk 2 Russia," and maybe "Jack U Off," but with a stronger 80s pop kind of melody...i.e. "Cosmic Day."

Featured lyrics:

"The zero point approaches and the fields around u drop. Thoughts become reality and it feels like time has stopped. When all that's on the radio is electromagnetic pop. Fastidio teeth gnash (ha...just writing what it sounds like. anyone have an idea?). Compassion..."

This was Jake's review of "Compassion":

"Same vein as Dance 4 Me, has the same type of keyboard sounds as Hot Summer, the ladies sound good - the "you need compassion, compassion" part of Cause and Effect mirrors the chorus of this song as far as delivery/vocal effects"

Pretty much wrong on all counts. This is nothing like "Dance 4 Me," not the same keys as "Hot Summer," and the chorus isn't "U need compassion," from what I can hear.

"Beginning Endlessly" has a unique sort of tempo and is built on heavy synths and synth-bass. Sounds like it has potential.

Featured lyrics:

"Never mind the bird feed, honey. Just tell me your name. U won't have it long if I get my way in this game. My reputation precedes me. Call it 'claim 2 fame'...."

Jakes review of "Beginning Endlessly":

"Lolita part 2, fat synths, cool dual vocals in each headphone."

His description is maybe slightly less completely wrong here. Both songs are synth-heavy, and both contain lyrics of Prince spitting his game at some girl. Judging from the sample, that's where the comparisons end. I don't hear any "dual vocals in each headphone."

"Lavaux" is my favorite of the snippets. I like the chord progressions and the feel-good kind of vibe. Production-wise, it definitely fits in with "Beginning Endlessly." It's heavy on synths and ultra-tight rhythm guitar. However, the synths sound nothing like "1999," as the German reviewer pointed out. They do sound like "Beginning Endlessly" synths tho. The talk of vineyards and gardens and mountains kind of take me back to Prince's mid-late 80s lyrics.

Featured lyrics:

"Take me 2 the vineyards of Lavaux. I wanna see the mountains...where the gardens grow. Life back home depresses me. Just another form of slavery. The cost of freedom is anything but free. I don't care if they're all covered with snow. I don't care if the road is narrow. If it is...I know (?? Not sure what this part is) It was always meant 2 b. Still in love I must believe, whatever path I choose will lead me home...lead me home. Lavaux. Take me 2 the streets of Portugal..."

Jake's review of "Lavaux":

"Synth sounds just like 1999, lyrics are cheesy and bad, the tempo picks up with some handclaps and finger snaps."

Again, the synths do NOT sound like 1999. I don't find the lyrics cheesy, personally, but of course that's subjective. Also, I hear no hand claps and finger snaps in this snippet. If I had to wager, I'd say Jake is full of shit. Sorry.

Judging from the snippets, I feel like the album sounds promising. I'm still wondering if the snippet from the "Fergie" video really is Prince. Judging from the German review, it seems like the only song it could be is "Sticky Like Glue." I guess we'll find out.

From what I've heard...all I can say is...they didn't induce my gag reflex as his last numerous efforts have and I've actually repeated them...so I don't hate them. However, I haven't heard the full songs so my final verdict is still out!

I'm thinking that my non-dislike for what I've heard so far has a whole lot to do with the "retro" sound.

2010 Prince is sampling 1980's Prince...who'd have thunk it?

I guess he really DOES read these boards...after all!

TheVoid said:

Number23 said:

For me, it always takes a few listens for most Prince tracks to sink in - and listening to 20 second samples from an artist whose (best) songs are renowned for taking numerous odd twists and turns isn't really enough to go on, in fairness. Of courser, you can get a sense of mood, vibe & energy and I'm happy to hear the guy sounding like himself again.

To these ears, Compassion sounds a little like a bubblegummy Cosmic Day-ish, lightweight, fun pop rock stomp. Beginning Endlessly is shamelessly retro, almost like he's gobbling himself up, but it sounds like he's having fun. Certainly not innovative, but Christ he's 53. Laveux sounds like a Vanity 6 album closer mashing with a Time jam. Not really my cup of tea, to be honest. Still like meatloaf said, two out of three ain't bad. looking forward to the full record. Orgnotes always appreciated and kindness reciprocated.

To me, it actually sounds like material from the vault ala the 80s, so I kind of chuckle at the notion of folks thinking it sucks, when if it was announced as "leaked songs from the vault", some folks (not all) would take a kindler, gentler approach to their criticisms. I'm not crazy about the vocals, but these songs sound like growers (FYI: Parade AND SOTT were both growers on me).

Absolutely. I have time for every Prince album, I'm sure this one will be no different. However, the difference is, this is one all of my friends and collegues will be listening to (most of them so they can fill their boots with ammo) so forgive me if I'm preparing for war on Monday morning. Couldn't he have released The Gold Experience free instead of frivilous little self-referential synth ditties which will only make sense to diehard fans?

Hatrina not hating new Prince tunes?

funkyhead said:

ernestsewell said:

Why? If you're in the states, it'll be in stores later this month.

any ideas when this is scheduled for US stores?.

I had heard the 20th or 22nd; I can't be certain. But to think Prince isn't going to put it in US hands is a misnomer. This whole deal is happening just like Planet Earth's distribution, which worked fine. Free overseas, in stores in the US about 10 days later. How does anyone think Prince is just going to release an album in Europe? Knowing his stance on bootlegging, he'd be a fool to not release it in the states, knowing the money he could be missing out on.

It'll be here, don't sweat it.

Number23 said:

TheVoid said:

To me, it actually sounds like material from the vault ala the 80s, so I kind of chuckle at the notion of folks thinking it sucks, when if it was announced as "leaked songs from the vault", some folks (not all) would take a kindler, gentler approach to their criticisms. I'm not crazy about the vocals, but these songs sound like growers (FYI: Parade AND SOTT were both growers on me).

Absolutely. I have time for every Prince album, I'm sure this one will be no different. However, the difference is, this is one all of my friends and collegues will be listening to (most of them so they can fill their boots with ammo) so forgive me if I'm preparing for war on Monday morning. Couldn't he have released The Gold Experience free instead of frivilous little self-referential synth ditties which will only make sense to diehard fans?

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that he's probably snuck a few anthems in there somewhere and a few surprises, but as I've said on previous threads, he's probably not going offer anything to artsy fartsy or challenging---the newspaper deals are brilliant for 'growing the franchise' so to speak due to their reach. However, he's going to need to keep the material nuetral enough so that the majority of the audience thinks it's pretty good.

That means, nothing to challenging, and everything has to be singalong catchy. But I would hope he sneaks a good anthem in there somewhere.

to me it sounds like Prince has put a lot of his heart and "blood, sweat and tears" into the new songs.

These clips sounds really good.

We can still be disappointed though, 3 short clips doesn't necessary tell all.

But I really like the sound, sounds very fresh........

Let's hope for a fantastic Prince album, SOON...... (I can't wait)........

it doesn't work.....I just get the black box.

Is it just my imagination or does Lavaux sound a bit like mixing nasty girl with parts of Kiss?

prime said:

it doesn't work.....I just get the black box.

Doesn't work for me either. Did they take them down?

thedance said:

to me it sounds like Prince has put a lot of his heart and "blood, sweat and tears" into the new songs.

These clips sounds really good.

We can still be disappointed though, 3 short clips doesn't necessary tell all.

But I really like the sound, sounds very fresh........

Let's hope for a fantastic Prince album, SOON...... (I can't wait)........

You lost me here. How does it sound like this?

I like the tunes (I like them more now on repeated listens so that's good). But how does it sound like blood, sweat, and tears good?

Gohi said:

Hatrina not hating new Prince tunes?

It's early yet and I'm still basking in the afterglow, coming off of a fabulous 4 day holiday!

But seriously...I do hear remnants of '80's Prince. Be it that he sampled it or took some Outtakes from the Vault and reworked them. I do hear remnants of what made me a fan to begin with. That's something that I haven't been able to say for quite sometime.

Will that hold or will remnants even be enough when I hear the full songs and the rest of the 20Ten?

I honestly don't know but you can rest assured I will post about it, when I do know!

.

[Edited 7/6/10 10:00am]

OK, I really like 'Beginning Endlessly' now. You can hear the end of the song on the German Rollingstone 'giveaway' advertisement.

I know there's a middle in theres somewhere that is missing, but the pieces of it I can put together in my mind so far would beat anything on MPLSsound. So I'm looking forward to this.

.

[Edited 7/6/10 9:18am]

I like these a lot However, I'm still holding out on the idea that this will be some sort of genius album. Maybe I'm still just sore about LF/MPLS. These snippets (and they are just snippets. Who knows what sort of impact hearing the whole song will have?) to me seem to sound like Prince trying REALLY hard to sound like his old, 80s work. Which, to all of us constantly complaining "orgers," should be a godsend. But I guess I'm just hoping for something new and different. Which, isn't a stretch for the artist who used to embody new and different. These just sound like (to my fairly untrained Prince ear) 1999 b-sides.

The music sounds promising. As long as the lyrics don't head off into Loonyland, we should be okay.

ernestsewell said:

hollywooddove said:

Yes, really excited about this album. Hoping someone will sell a few by ebay.

Why? If you're in the states, it'll be in stores later this month.

Well, the good answer to why is that I did not know that. All of the hub bub from the mirror is that there will be no shops and no downloads. If it will be in stores this month, GREAT, I will get one. I would still love to have one with a copy of the mirror that it comes from. I don't know why. This is the first of these types of marketing that has really excited me.

oh, yeh, I never was an NPG member because I felt that I was gonna ripped off back in the day, did not really trust it, and so I became a member of LotusCrapper, so I am really glad he is not doing a site.

The 3121 site was cool tho. I could dig another site like that.

ernestsewell said:

I had heard the 20th or 22nd; I can't be certain. But to think Prince isn't going to put it in US hands is a misnomer. This whole deal is happening just like Planet Earth's distribution, which worked fine. Free overseas, in stores in the US about 10 days later. How does anyone think Prince is just going to release an album in Europe? Knowing his stance on bootlegging, he'd be a fool to not release it in the states, knowing the money he could be missing out on.

It'll be here, don't sweat it.

Well, when it comes to money Prince IS often a fool LOL!

But in all seriousness Ernest is probably right. It'll be here in the states by Aug at the latest. And if not, there's no way I could afford an Ebay copy anyway!

If he doesn't release it in the US there will be so much online filesharing of this album it'll be easy enough to find anyway

TheVoid said:

thedance said:

to me it sounds like Prince has put a lot of his heart and "blood, sweat and tears" into the new songs.

These clips sounds really good.

We can still be disappointed though, 3 short clips doesn't necessary tell all.

But I really like the sound, sounds very fresh........

Let's hope for a fantastic Prince album, SOON...... (I can't wait)........

You lost me here. How does it sound like this?

I like the tunes (I like them more now on repeated listens so that's good). But how does it sound like blood, sweat, and tears good?

Ok. Let me put it this way, I think the new music sounds like Prince has put a lot of work into these songs, the production sounds really good. Very fresh: imo... maybe you think differently (I don't know..), cool either way.

In danish putting "blood, sweat and tears" into something means you are really working hard, putting your best into something....

thedance said:

TheVoid said:

You lost me here. How does it sound like this?

I like the tunes (I like them more now on repeated listens so that's good). But how does it sound like blood, sweat, and tears good?

Ok. Let me put it this way, I think the new music sounds like Prince has put a lot of work into these songs, the production sounds really good. Very fresh: imo... maybe you think differently (I don't know..), cool either way.

In danish putting "blood, sweat and tears" into something means you are really working hard, putting your best into something....

It means that in English, too. Dan's just a little slow sometimes.

^ haha, cool...

I love Prince, but haven't been completely excited about song leaks and snippets since 'The Rainbow Children.'

But this is different. I am very excited. Salivating in fact. Reminds me of days of yore.

This sounds like classic Prince.

I like what i hear but, it's missing some raw sexuality

3 clips in 2 minutes at 128kbps through my laptop speakers....

wish I hadn't heard that,

I'll wait to hear the album proper before forming or sharing any opinions of the music.

There's another thread on here that works to hear the samples for those that missed it on this thread.

But all in all I like what I'm hearing!! I am now officially excited!

"Compassion" sounds like the clean sister of "Let's Pretend We're Married".

"Beginning Endlessy" has that funky Linn programming that I've been missing.

And "Lavaux" has that old school funk/pop feel to it.

Can't wait!

dannyd5050 said:

There's another thread on here that works to hear the samples for those that missed it on this thread.

But all in all I like what I'm hearing!! I am now officially excited!

"Compassion" sounds like the clean sister of "Let's Pretend We're Married".

"Beginning Endlessy" has that funky Linn programming that I've been missing.

And "Lavaux" has that old school funk/pop feel to it.

Can't wait!

I wouldn't go that far!

It actually sounds...TO ME...more like the bastard child Dad had, after he discovered Viagra works and went strollin' through his old stomping grounds. Related by blood? Perhaps! The clean sister of? HELL NAW!!!

.

[Edited 7/6/10 10:22am]

Where the heck are these clips at?

I got it! Thanks to the one who was so kind!

[Edited 7/6/10 10:26am]