After about 10 listens I still feel this is a very pleasant surprise. I always thought this forum was overly critical of PE (not sure why) and that was the closest thing to a "Prince" album we've heard in a decade. 20ten is even more of a classic "Prince" album and it is what I was expecting MPlSound to be. (My wife's reaction to this was "Oh hai, Prince. Where have you been?")

Future Soul Song is the classic of the set. He's never used that deep voice before. love it. This one is a keeper. Sounds like something he may have written for the Time. Sticky Like Glue is close to being awesome. Its like a lost Prince Prince track.

I even like Laydown with its Hip Hop pretentions as it still sounds like late 80s Prince-Hop and sonicially its probably the most interesting track of the set.

Could have used one less ballad and at least one experimental song (like something in the water). Not a big fan of Act of God but its ok.

This sounds like Prince finally did what we all asked him to do. That is lock himself in a studio with some keyboards and limit the the Hip Hop and overcompression and stop trying to write what he thinks the kids want to hear and reclaim his signature sound.

Gosh if this was packaged with Lotusflower as MPLSound I think would have all freaked.

WHATEVER SKIN YOU'RE IN, WE ALL NEED TO BE FRIENDS!......welcome back Prince. Hopefully that evil troll from TRC is gone forever.

[Edited 7/10/10 7:38am]

[Edited 7/10/10 7:40am]

although i only listened to tem once - track 1 and 2 left me thinking this was going to really be a throwaway affair, songs that just left no impression, almost like a sampler cd.

track 2 wasnt so terrible, just nothing special....

and then everything changed with track 3; bloody hell. one of the best songs he's done in a long time. and even though i loved lotus flower etc. future love soul just demolished me with its excellence, and from then on, all felt right

overall, i think for a free cd, this is almost too good. great work prince.

OMGOSH I LOVE IT

Why 77 Tracks Does Anyone Know?

Love it.

My favorites

• Compassion
• Future Soul Song
• Sticky like Glue
• Act of God
• Lavaux
• Laydown

After repeated listenings, I think the albums first 6 songs are the best and very listenable. Once "Sea of Everything" comes on it goes downhill for me....(although 'Laydown' is cool. It has style and is sort of reminicent of "Face Down".)

zsasz said:

although i only listened to tem once - track 1 and 2 left me thinking this was going to really be a throwaway affair, songs that just left no impression, almost like a sampler cd.

track 2 wasnt so terrible, just nothing special....

and then everything changed with track 3; bloody hell. one of the best songs he's done in a long time. and even though i loved lotus flower etc. future love soul just demolished me with its excellence, and from then on, all felt right

overall, i think for a free cd, this is almost too good. great work prince.

I love the first two especially, but FSS and the other ballads do nothing for me - and I used to love his ballads! Just goes to show I guess.

Best Prince album since 'The Gold Experience.'

A genuine, serious return-to-form.

Of course, there will be certain people here that wouldn't admit they liked it even if they did. They probably sat during their first listen with a notepad listing all possible 'negatives.'

Such is life on public forums, no matter the Artist.

jonylawson said:

DAMN..this is a f##kng good..almost BRILLIANT album

purple yoda....i am so chuffed he chose this to give away for free-its a fucking powerhouse of an album

i am VERY surprised how good this is

Agreed.

jonylawson said:

i liked it...thought it was very cool

damn..the majority of you are just a bunch of whining little %#$#$# arent you?

Yes. My feelings exactly. It is like a slag-fest. No objectivity or constructive comments for the most part. For example:

'Utter shit. More turgid music. Can't be bothered anymore.'(2004)

'Utter shit. More turgid music. Can't be bothered anymore.'(2006)

'Utter shit. More turgid music. Can't be bothered anymore.'(2007)

'Utter shit. More turgid music. Can't be bothered anymore.'(2009)

'Utter shit. More turgid music. Can't be bothered anymore.'(2010)

'Utter shit. More turgid music. Can't be bothered anymore.'(2011 - whatever)

Repeat for:

'Very average'

'Uninspired'

'Prince needs to get back to ... (whatever the shit my favourite era was)'

'Prince is finished'

'Safe, stale, boring'

'More generic r&b'

'He can't write a song anymore'

'I won't buy another new Prince release'

'Prince has lost all credibility'

'Prince is not contemporary enough'

'Prince is trying too hard to sound contemporary, it is embarassing'

'This album is complete shit, because I said so, and I am universally correct'

Whatever Prince releases now 50% or more posters (and some hold more than one account) here will maul it. He could release an album on-par with 'Lovesexy' now and some of these F-ers would strangle it.

I'm just puzzled why they continue to visit, post and follow an Artist they no longer appreciate? What a F-ing waste of time.

I am extremely shocked at how much i like this. Beggining Endlessly, FSS, SLG, Everybody Loves Me are all the type of songs that made me love Prince to begin with. Very few cringe worthy moments, great musical arrangement (especially with headphones) and many moments where I just smile at how damn funky and talented this guy is.

Bravo Prince. This stuff will kill it live.

So farin my opinion this crushes most of Mpls Sound and is better than anything this decade save for maybe LotusFlow3r

LOVE THE ALBUM & ONLY 65p.

IVE HAD THE BEST DAY IN A LONG TIME>

NICE 1 PRINCE MY SON. C U ON TOUR

I LOOOOVE IT ! I think it´s old but with new sounds and both in a very good way. I will have it on my player 4 the all summer 4 sure ! PARTY ON ! You funk soldieres!

Well, still taking a proper listen, but I'm pleasantly surprised!

Yep, it's "Prince by numbers", no classics... yet... but a pretty decent album.

Um...this is a good album guys....

People who say that Musicology is a better album have no credibility..

People who say Loutus is better just want to hear dude rock on guitars...

People who say that he's aping his own sound are the same folks who poseted 1300 word post about how Prince was running away from his '80s sound much to his detriment...

We can ALL agree all day that the tracks he released previously (...Cause & Effect and the like) were lackluster, sterile cuts...We can agree that his last attempt to utilize the Linn drum was uneven and seemingly rushed ("Valentina" "Here" and "Dance 4 Me" were the only true winners from that album...)

But 20Ten is easily the best album the man has released since the '90s....Why? Because it seems like Prince made it in two days with no pretense....It has the innocence and forthright feel of For You with the production style of his early '80s stuff...

If the album is not for you because you like P's more rock oriented shit, that's cool...And I respect that...

But if you are on the Bart tip, you are def. showing yourself to be a Prince fan too preoccupied with being the bad guy...And ther's nothing genuine about that...

In fact, it's quite weak...

How many of you all living in the US have listen to the album?

SquirrelMeat said:

I'm guessing there will need to be a thread to capture peoples reviews of the new album, rather than scatter the comments across various threads concerning the release details. Mods, feel free to place where approriate.

Here's my quick two pence....

20ten Album Review - Purple Yoda is enjoying himself. but will the fans?

First out, this is an album about keys and drum machines. It has all the elements of MPLSounds, but without the full retro nod. This album seems more about Prince reclaiming his "sound" and attempting to drag it into the 10's. He now seems comfortable with a mature version of his 80's sound. He's not longer running away from his past. He is simply letting it influence his current sound to a far higher degree than ever before.

Some could say its a backwards step, and it would be hard to argue, but I tend to think it more the work of someone who has grown to like his own age and curcumstance. This is no groundbreaker, but it sticks together and seems less like a hotch potch than some efforts this decade.

Compassion - Linn fest fast paced opener in the vein of "Never be another like me" or "Can stop this feeling I got". A Great cherpy melody with a lush overlays, and a nice understated horn. A Catchy pop opener.

Beginning Endlessly - At the moment, my favourite on the album. A mid tempo track that stomps out a beautiful groove. The song has a keyboard line as a chorus, in the vein of "Right back here in your arms". Some wonderful guitar licks in here too.

Future Soul Song - A rare thing, a prince falsetto style ballad without the falsetto. In fact, his voice has never sounded deeper. If you like "Call my name" and "future baby mama" then you are going to love this. A nice track which I can see becoming the wrong choice for a single.

Sticky like glue - A layed back funk groove with some excellent vocal layers. This is a summer breeze rather than a stomp but it catchy and enjoyable. Won't be remembered in a few years, but enjoy it while its here.

Act of God - Bankers are in Prince's sights. A mid tempo pop groove with a political stance. Not a bad track, but its the poor cousin to "Dear Mr Man" and "Money don't matter 2 night".

Lavaux - Out and out retro MPLS groove that could be lifted straight from a protege album. Probably the most forgetable track on the album.

Walking in the sand - A falsetto ballad, plesently under produced. Simple by effective. This is more a folk pop ballad with a tinge of RnB. Particlarly nice instrumentation, including flute and real drums.

Sea Of Everything - Another slow number, much more in the vein of the past few years. falsetto delivering a basic RnB ballad. There will be lovers and haters. This will be some peoples favourite.

Everybody Loves Me - A great pop tune with distorted vocals. Prince hasn't sounded this happy since Delirious. This is a real grower. Linn, layers and querk.

Laydown (hidden track) - A funk groove not to dissimilar to tracks like "Old Skool Company". Some great funk guitar going on here. And Purple Yoda? classic.

Overall, this album is going to vanish like Planet Earth. There is nothing wrong with it, but again it doesn't sent your pants on fire. Prince is still on cruise control. Whilst enjoyable, fans are going to be screaming for a new album in three months time.

I say, lets enjoy it this summer, with 20ten in the player!

.

[Edited 7/8/10 18:20pm]

[EDIT: added artwork - Mars23]

Future Soul Song - A rare thing, a prince falsetto style ballad without the falsetto. In fact, his voice has never sounded deeper. If you like "Call my name" and "future baby mama" then you are going to love this. A nice track which I can see becoming the wrong choice for a single.

Listening to the above, feeling it more than the first 2 songs in my first listen...beautiful.

murph said:

Um...this is a good album guys....

People who say that Musicology is a better album have no credibility..

People who say Loutus is better just want to hear dude rock on guitars...

People who say that he's aping his own sound are the same folks who poseted 1300 word post about how Prince was running away from his '80s sound much to his detriment...

We can ALL agree all day that the tracks he released previously (...Cause & Effect and the like) were lackluster, sterile cuts...We can agree that his last attempt to utilize the Linn drum was uneven and seemingly rushed ("Valentina" "Here" and "Dance 4 Me" were the only true winners from that album...)

But 20Ten is easily the best album the man has released since the '90s....Why? Because it seems like Prince made it in two days with no pretense....It has the innocence and forthright feel of For You with the production style of his early '80s stuff...

If the album is not for you because you like P's more rock oriented shit, that's cool...And I respect that...

But if you are on the Bart tip, you are def. showing yourself to be a Prince fan too preoccupied with being the bad guy...And ther's nothing genuine about that...

In fact, it's quite weak...

Why? Because you think you know better than them?

How about everyone is entitled to their own opinion? Why focus on Bart when my impression is that the majority of people really dig this album?

I don't like the album. And that's cool. Other people dig it and i am very happy for them. I listened to it with an open mind and there is nothing wrong with me for not liking it more than I like Musicology, which I do.

I find it surprising that some would think EVERYBODY else would think the album "sucked" when about a good portion say they dig it. Oops.

Vendetta1 said:

murph said:

Um...this is a good album guys....

People who say that Musicology is a better album have no credibility..

People who say Loutus is better just want to hear dude rock on guitars...

People who say that he's aping his own sound are the same folks who poseted 1300 word post about how Prince was running away from his '80s sound much to his detriment...

We can ALL agree all day that the tracks he released previously (...Cause & Effect and the like) were lackluster, sterile cuts...We can agree that his last attempt to utilize the Linn drum was uneven and seemingly rushed ("Valentina" "Here" and "Dance 4 Me" were the only true winners from that album...)

But 20Ten is easily the best album the man has released since the '90s....Why? Because it seems like Prince made it in two days with no pretense....It has the innocence and forthright feel of For You with the production style of his early '80s stuff...

If the album is not for you because you like P's more rock oriented shit, that's cool...And I respect that...

But if you are on the Bart tip, you are def. showing yourself to be a Prince fan too preoccupied with being the bad guy...And ther's nothing genuine about that...

In fact, it's quite weak...

Why? Because you think you know better than them?

How about everyone is entitled to their own opinion? Why focus on Bart when my impression is that the majority of people really dig this album?

I don't like the album. And that's cool. Other people dig it and i am very happy for them. I listened to it with an open mind and there is nothing wrong with me for not liking it more than I like Musicology, which I do.

Hey...not everyone has taste...lol

But all jokes aside, This is not a "if you like/hate the album good for you" thing....This is a shout-out to the same cast of characters on this site who seem more interested in being the resident bad guys on the Org....

I know, it can be hard being a level headed Prince fan on a site for Prince...Indeed, there is rabid fandom here (which is no surprise given that this is a Prince fan site)...

But when something is good, it has to be said...And yes, I would like to borrow your ears for a second to see how on earth Musicology is better than 20Ten...

Different strokes they say...

But come the fuck on...lol

Timmy84 said:

I find it surprising that some would think EVERYBODY else would think the album "sucked" when about a good portion say they dig it. Oops.

Because the usual suspects are truly full of shit....

murph said:

Vendetta1 said:

Why? Because you think you know better than them?

How about everyone is entitled to their own opinion? Why focus on Bart when my impression is that the majority of people really dig this album?

I don't like the album. And that's cool. Other people dig it and i am very happy for them. I listened to it with an open mind and there is nothing wrong with me for not liking it more than I like Musicology, which I do.

Hey...not everyone has taste...lol

But all jokes aside, This is not a "if you like/hate the album good for you" thing....This is a shout-out to the same cast of characters on this site who seem more interested in being the resident bad guys on the Org....

I know, it can be hard being a level headed Prince fan on a site for Prince...Indeed, there is rabid fandom here (which is no surprise given that this is a Prince fan site)...

But when something is good, it has to be said...And yes, I would like to borrow your ears for a second to see how on earth Musicology is better than 20Ten...

Different strokes they say...

But come the fuck on...lol

And I would like to borrow your ears to find out why you think this album is better.

And like I said, the majority of people are saying they dig it but you rather focus on the ones who say they don't. You know the same people are going to say the same thing POSSIBLY in an attempt to get you guys riled up. and y'all fall for the okey doke every damn time.

And I do have taste and listen to every kind of music since I was five years old.

BartVanHemelen said:

prijsbeestje said:

and the award for the most friendly org member is tataraaaa !!!! bartvanhemelen .he is always so friendly and positive .

Yes, evil me, pointing out the lies people say.

Let's see:

- people lying = a-okay

- people pointing out lies = evil

Well, you accused me of making stuff up, when all I did was ask a question. It is not possible to make anything up when all you do is ask a question. That's just a rule of the English language. You could have answered in a polite friendly way, but were dismissive and insulting. That's OK by me, but don't then pretend that you're otherwise, because that's hypocritical.

Another reassessment of my reviews, well not really but here's my update on what I dig, what I think it's OK and what I still think is wtf:

Stand-outs

Second half of "Beginning Endlessly"

"Future Soul Song"

"Sticky Like Glue"

"Act of God"

"Lavaux"

Good songs (OK but nothing to drive home to)

"Compassion"

"Walk in Sand"

"Sea of Everything"

Filler

"Lay Down" (not bad but not real good either but I give brother props for trying this type of song since it's not easy to do...)

WTF?!

"Everybody Loves Me" (should've replaced this with "No More Candy 4 U" ) but I get it he's happy and trippy. "HEEEEEEEEEY YAAAAA..." oh wrong song.

After so many listens, I'm starting to dig it more than I initially did.

Vendetta1 said:

murph said:

Hey...not everyone has taste...lol

But all jokes aside, This is not a "if you like/hate the album good for you" thing....This is a shout-out to the same cast of characters on this site who seem more interested in being the resident bad guys on the Org....

I know, it can be hard being a level headed Prince fan on a site for Prince...Indeed, there is rabid fandom here (which is no surprise given that this is a Prince fan site)...

But when something is good, it has to be said...And yes, I would like to borrow your ears for a second to see how on earth Musicology is better than 20Ten...

Different strokes they say...

But come the fuck on...lol

And I would like to borrow your ears to find out why you think this album is better.

And like I said, the majority of people are saying they dig it but you rather focus on the ones who say they don't. You know the same people are going to say the same thing POSSIBLY in an attempt to get you guys riled up. and y'all fall for the okey doke every damn time.

And I do have taste and listen to every kind of music since I was five years old.

LOL...it's all good....I still want your ears, though...

2 oten=aka Aten

20 ten

http://www.egyptiangods.co.uk/aten.htm

ok, just finished listening to the whole collection for the first time.

impressions:

• i def liked lotus more after 1st listen (but I know its not fair to compare)
• the slow jams are my favs
• everybody loves me is silly
• laydown is funky
• endlessly beginning is also the funk, but i'm not sure if his doing his own sound or not

i have 2 admit that when i first read/heard the pre-release comparisons and talk of 'mplsound', my heart sank, as i loved 3/4 of lotusflower and hated 3/4 of mpsound, but...

thankfully 4 me its sooo much better.

after a few run thru's there r mayb 6 tracks that i would happily play 2 anyone without having 2 make excuses or skip forward ! (and think about it, how many albums can u say that about, P or otherwise ?!)

infact, in my humble opinion, if P had held off 4 a year and combined the best of Mplsound/LF/20Ten we would have a 'legacy classic' 2 drool over.

but then i guess if he had done that he wouldn't b the person he is, that frustrates and enthuses in equal measure, and ultimately by sheer weight of numbers keeps us hooked. In the interviews P has mentioned he is in a very productive phase right now, and speaks of being another '3 albums on' from this project, and 2 me it's the reality that music just POURS out of him that fascinates, and always will.

Thanx P.

murph said:

Timmy84 said:

I find it surprising that some would think EVERYBODY else would think the album "sucked" when about a good portion say they dig it. Oops.

Because the usual suspects are truly full of shit....

I love this album, but I think Lotus might be better... are you saying i'm full of sh*t?