smoothcriminal12 said:

DoffieParker said:

hhaaaha! i know, tragic!

i can't repeat what my son says & my daughter had a look on her face like torture. i was really disappointed cuz thought they might be impressed by something on it. nothing.

although my daughter LOVES 'parade' album

You're lucky that she even likes Parade...the "oldest schoolest" I can get from them is to listen to Bohemian Rhapsody from Glee. Then they listen to the original one and say that it sucks and that this Glee thing did it better.

yup! this glee thing is a strange phenomenom & they know ALL the words to all that old shit, boring classics!

erik319 said:

Last night, I was getting ready to go to bed, went into the bathroom and could hear Act of God. Being played loudly.

I looked out of the window and found that my neighbour who lives across had his door open and was blaring it out proudly. haha. He's about 60+, and I wouldn't have expected him to like it. So does my mum who's 65, so maybe this old school sound he's revisiting does have an audience after all

funky geriatrix!

DoffieParker said:

erik319 said:

Last night, I was getting ready to go to bed, went into the bathroom and could hear Act of God. Being played loudly.

I looked out of the window and found that my neighbour who lives across had his door open and was blaring it out proudly. haha. He's about 60+, and I wouldn't have expected him to like it. So does my mum who's 65, so maybe this old school sound he's revisiting does have an audience after all

funky geriatrix!

Right, that's it. That's what I want Prince's next album to be called!

Still waiting for the U.S. release date and in the meantime obtained a test copy shall we say , haven't absorbed the songs totally yet...

Definitely agree that Prince is still on autopilot...nothing groundbreaking like his old stuff. The funk sounds better than MPLSSound in my opinion, less cheesy, I'd agree this album flows better with the song arrangements and not a mish mash of songs previously done in different genres that he's selected to create a diverse album like he did with the past few albums up to Musicology. So this was a nice change, plus some of the tracks sound -- as far as instruments used -- the same which is a surprise. I did cringe however on the first track Compassion, with the electric guitar, that Mesa Boogie punchy sound has been overused. He let it go in LotusFlow3r, so sounds like this track was from 3121? Anyway new sounds/tones are always welcome.

My biggest complaint of Prince's material over the past few years, especially on Planet Earth, MPLSsound, and some LotusFlow3r... is not letting the tracks breathe. What I'm saying is, HIS TRACKS CAN BE WAY TOO VOCAL HEAVY in my opinion. The extensive vocals are weighing down the songs. Just let the music/rhythm/melody play. Prince, if you have that much to say, (and it is long overdue), you should seriously write a book. And Prince's writing skills are superb, as were seen by his blogs on the old NPG music site around 2000.

The album artwork looks great and is inspiring. I'll be purchasing this album for it's fun funky threads, it's mediocre at times, but sounds like Prince is conjuring up more inspiration based music rather than manufacturing a desired perceived "hit". Hard to say because he's probably working on 3 albums of stuff right now, and make another Bria album!

Dreamer2 said:

NouveauDance said:

I'm just c&p-ing my initial thoughts from the other thread:

Compassion - Let's Pretend We're Married done by a 52 year old JW. It get's all 'Time Warp' in the second half, which I actually like, I think this would work really well live actually, with all the backing singers letting rip. Like it once it gets going.

Beginning Endlessly is really NPS-like. This isn't an insult, it just has that same sparse electronic sound. Probably my favourite on the album?

Future Soul Song is my one of my favourites so far. Very Lush and sugary, I like the layered harmonies though. Sometimes I think 'Insatiable', other times I think it sounds quite modern pop/R&B (which is icky), but it's also kinda classic Prince ballad too. Damn U comes to mind also - probably needs to kick off more at the end with guitar and screams, feels like it's missing that maybe.

Sticky Like Glue is airy and spars - funky but mid-tempo. Reminds me of something like 'If I Could Get Your Attention' if a little more laidback. I can see where Number 23 is saying the LP is quirky. This has a 78/9 era feel to me in terms of a light/simple feeling, not necessarily instrumentation though. Brings to mind Strollin'/Wonderful Ass/If I Could Get Your Attention. What's that guitar lick at the very start from?

Act Of God - Sounds like a comedy song with the synth bass. Like a Time song waiting for the rest of the instruments. Preachy/church sounding like 'When Will We Be Paid'. 'The Work' meets 'One Day I'm Gonna Be Somebody'.

Lavaux - The easiest 'most familiar' sounding track to get into - Like Prince of 79/80 trying to sound like 'Off The Wall' era MJ.

Walk In Sand - So boring. Plinky/plonky 'All The Midnights In The World' (which I like). OK the piano is nice, at one point I was reminded of Vince Guaraldi, but nowhere near as enjoyable. Might grow on me. The vocals do nothing for me though.

Sea of Everything - Starts with the Prince ballad "Huuurrrhoooo, baby" - More Satisfied/On The Couch snooze stuff. Cheesy twinkly Emancipation type noodlings.

Everybody Loves Me - Oh my God..... Wet Dream and Do It All Night's cousin does a song and dance in the aisle on the short bus. Sesame Street Jesus Happy Clappers. It is fun, you can't really hate it for too long.

Laydown - No. Just no. This is the most modern sounding track on the album. As if Black Eyed Peas had produced 'GCS2000'. I want to press 'next', but it's the last track

The album as a whole sounds quite quickly made, not TOO much going on musically, sparse synth stuff, clean and light on guitar - no big rock out numbers, nothing like Dreamer or even Fury here (I only bring this up as a point of interest, I'm not particularly a fan of Prince's rock stuff especially, so I don't look for that - but some of his better more recent stuff has been guitar led, IMO). For me it's quite NPS-like overall. None of the songs are really very long - None really take any strange or unexpected twists and changes.

Better than MPLSound, nothing really as good as the highlights on Lotusflow3r ($, Boom, Dreamer etc), more cohesive and less patchy than Planet Earth. More enjoyable already than either 3121 or Musicology. It's simplicity is pleasing, but maybe it's all a little too simple?

(Just initial impressions, typed as I had a first listen through of each track, not set in stone).

$, that's not a highlight on LotusFlow3r ?

LOL I was thinking the SAME THING! (Btw, I just now heard the whole album start to finish for the first time. Prob the last one on the Org.)

vinx98 said:

gamera said:

There's this place called grade school where they'll teach you how to spell...

FUCK I FORGOT MY FKUCKING SPLEL CHEKER

"I" before "E" except after "C" or in "Neighbor" and "Weigh" when it sounds like "A".

Numbnuts.

DoffieParker said:

catpark said:

It hasnt won mine over either, there leaving there teens soon and they still see it as just mum's old boring Prince stuff again but saying that my best mate who use to be a Prince fan when we was teens, asked me about this album, which i've gotta give to her tomorrow but im afraid to give it her lol. her and hubby are into heavy metal/blues etc so now all she hears in her head really(and the rest of occassional fans) is 80s Prince, so i dont think its gonna go down too well. i think i should just burn lotusflower and give that to them instead for now, just to easy them in

Yeah i love it, missing the hot summer already!

i know that feeling..

did your friend ever hear/like planet earth? for me 20ten has a similar feel.. & while i think lflow3r is a cool album 20ten was more likeable 1st listen..

i'd stick with giving her 20ten! we know she wants 2 be dragged back in2 da purple clutches

Lol. yeah i brought her one night to the o2 she was like wow at the main show, i was like well u aint seen nothing yet, took her to the Indigo, she was moaning and whinging about the waiting around i was saying be patient just wait it will be worth it...when he finally came on stage and started playing she was absolutely blown away by him! going omg he brilliant wow wow etc etc. but saying that shes showed no interest in him since

PE i will be afraid to give that to anyone but i think ur right 20ten is more likable on first listen and its more 80s sounding, it will probably be more digestable than lotus.

DreZone said:

NeoGeo24bit said:

Lovesexy is pretty weak. That opening track, and most of the album, has hideous production. I guarantee you that if you play both 20ten and Lovesexy to someone that is not a fan, they would prefer 20ten easily. Lovesexy is one of those albums that helped destroy Prince's commercial career.

:wtf: <--- create an emoticon for the above reason please!!!

Comparing an album that is 20 years old to a current one in terms of production is quite ambitious indeed.

At the time Lovesexy proabably sounded cutting edge.

Hmmm. I don't think so.

The amount of over estimation of Prince's 80's work on this site never ceases to amaze.

Let's just hope that Prince recorded himself taking a piss back in '88. No doubt it's an avant garde cutting edge masterpiece.

I love the new CD! Beginning Endlessly, and Laydown are the BEST tracks on the entire CD! There is a LOT of Santigold singing style riffing going on lately (Christina Aguilera does it on her new CD) and here's Prince, totally doing a Santigold with Laydown. Santigold fans will totally hear it! But it matters not, because the song just ROCKS! This is some total old school style sounds going on here!

Compassion is alright (but I usually want to skip it for some reason), Future Soul Song is a nice ballad, Sticky Like Glue and Lavaux are great fun songs with some crazy 70's sounds going on; Act of God is great, Walk In Sand and Sea of Everything are fine songs, but just ballad filler taking up space on the CD. Prince can do some amazing ballads, but most of the time he just does fluff filler instead. Half of Lotusflow3r was fluff filler ballads. Bored the heck out of me. Everybody Loves Me is so much fun! A total old school b-side/1999 CD style song!

Most people seem to dislike 3121 (or don't give it high marks, at least.) Personally that's my favorite CD of his in the past what, five, six releases. Musicology (personally) bores the crap out of me. In fact, I can't even listen to that CD. Planet Earth caught on after a while, but it's another CD of his with way too many fluff ballads, and Lotusflow3r was an extremely mixed bag. In fact, for a while there I was more impressed with Bria's CD, then either of Princes. 20ten seems to (for me) pick right back up from 3121 and bring the fun, for the most part! Catchy tunes!

I think when it comes to Prince, you gotta judge him from Vintage Prince (up to what? I'd say Gold Experience?) and then you have New Prince (LOL) from about Emancipation on. I don't think Prince will ever be able to achieve anything like he did in his early years, so most of his new works should be judged against those, and not say, Purple Rain, for example.

20ten isn't going to win any awards, but I think it's a fun CD!

I also laugh at everyone's bi-polar love/hate for Lovesexy on here (It's been mentioned quite a few times in this thread.) Personally, Lovesexy is what sealed the deal for me as a lifetime Prince fan. In fact, it might just be my most loved Prince CD! And I couldn't even tell you why! Alphabet Street is STILL the JAM! I just don't think there is one bad song on Lovesexy! But each to their own, we all have our personal tastes! And what's great is Prince gives us a little bit of EVERYTHING!

Spanky said:

vinx98 said:

FUCK I FORGOT MY FKUCKING SPLEL CHEKER

"I" before "E" except after "C" or in "Neighbor" and "Weigh" when it sounds like "A".

Numbnuts.

ITS NEIGHBOUR YOU FUCKING TWAT AND I DONT CARE WHERE YOU COME FROM

vinx98 said:

Spanky said:

"I" before "E" except after "C" or in "Neighbor" and "Weigh" when it sounds like "A".

Numbnuts.

ITS NEIGHBOUR YOU FUCKING TWAT AND I DONT CARE WHERE YOU COME FROM

Woah. Calm down.

erik319 said:

Last night, I was getting ready to go to bed, went into the bathroom and could hear Act of God. Being played loudly.

I looked out of the window and found that my neighbour who lives across had his door open and was blaring it out proudly. haha. He's about 60+, and I wouldn't have expected him to like it. So does my mum who's 65, so maybe this old school sound he's revisiting does have an audience after all

Funny!

I should send a copy of 20ten to every senior citizen's home.

smoothcriminal12 said:

vinx98 said:

ITS NEIGHBOUR YOU FUCKING TWAT AND I DONT CARE WHERE YOU COME FROM

Woah. Calm down.

nah...

After listening to this album A LOT... I'm amazed @ how much different it sounds from his last album but it still sounds like Prince. Its definitely reminiscent of Mplsound & his 80's heyday but w/ a very modern flavor to it. Even the super-pop Everybody Loves Me is super-fun, & the lovely nasty guitar on the hidden gem is rocking... its almost like he mixed LF & Mpls & shortened it. I still yearn for longer guitar solos but what's on the record has incredible sound.. Even the sleeper ballads Sea of Everything & Walk In Sand appeal to me.

I admit @ the beginning of the opening track I was a little worried I wasn't going to like it but Wow, did the song & the rest of the album improve & surprise me. I was also a bit turned off by Lavaux @ 1st b/c the synths were almost too overwhelming for me & too catchy/cheesy? But I found myself playing it back in my head later & wanting to hear it again & again! Go figure!

Overall, I'm loving it. My main complaint is that it hasn't been released in the states, but I'm very much looking forward to buying the actual physical album. If he releases a DVD of this tour from overseas, how sweet would that be... Speaking of the tour there are some seriously mixed reviews from orgers over here. Its very confusing. People who hate the tour really shit on it & the people who love it defend how great the show was...Just like all his freaking abums.. its amazing to me how divided the fans here are.

AllMusic.com posted a new review of 20TEN (not too amused by it).

1/2

(Link) http://www.allmusic.com/c...foxzqrldhe

silverchild said:

AllMusic.com posted a new review of 20TEN (not too amused by it).

1/2

Once again abandoning retailers for U.K. newspaper giveaways -- ever the eccentric, he’s the only artist who's seized upon this unconventional distribution method -- Prince continues his bold voyage into the past on 20Ten. Its title may celebrate the present but the music is all about the past, continuing the retro-shock of the MPLSound segment of 2009’s triple-disc set, reviving the synthetic funk of the pre-Purple Rain days while adding too heavy a dose of slow-burning grooves. The songs have more snap and polish than those on LotusFlow3r/MPLSound -- enough of a shape to be attractive from a distance, not enough to withstand closer scrutiny. Everything on 20Ten exists on the surface: hooks don’t sink in, funk jams are stuck in low gear, sensuality only simmers, the rhythms are somewhat stiff, and Prince’s deliberate mining of the past only highlights how he’s stripped the freakiness out of his entire persona. What’s left behind isn’t bad -- he is a master musician luxuriating in his comfort zone so naturally that there’s some pleasure to be had within 20Ten, but it’s a passive pleasure and one that is forgotten within a day, so perhaps it’s fitting that it was packaged with a newspaper.

(Link) http://www.allmusic.com/c...foxzqrldhe

I really agree with this review. They don't say it's bad, and I don't either, it just doesn't have any real surprises, and surprises were a regular part of old Prince albums, not just drum machines.

silverchild said:

AllMusic.com posted a new review of 20TEN (not too amused by it).

1/2

Once again abandoning retailers for U.K. newspaper giveaways -- ever the eccentric, he’s the only artist who's seized upon this unconventional distribution method -- Prince continues his bold voyage into the past on 20Ten. Its title may celebrate the present but the music is all about the past, continuing the retro-shock of the MPLSound segment of 2009’s triple-disc set, reviving the synthetic funk of the pre-Purple Rain days while adding too heavy a dose of slow-burning grooves. The songs have more snap and polish than those on LotusFlow3r/MPLSound -- enough of a shape to be attractive from a distance, not enough to withstand closer scrutiny. Everything on 20Ten exists on the surface: hooks don’t sink in, funk jams are stuck in low gear, sensuality only simmers, the rhythms are somewhat stiff, and Prince’s deliberate mining of the past only highlights how he’s stripped the freakiness out of his entire persona. What’s left behind isn’t bad -- he is a master musician luxuriating in his comfort zone so naturally that there’s some pleasure to be had within 20Ten, but it’s a passive pleasure and one that is forgotten within a day, so perhaps it’s fitting that it was packaged with a newspaper.

(Link) http://www.allmusic.com/c...foxzqrldhe

This is the most spot-on review I've read so far, IMO. While I don't think the album is poor by any means, after having this music for two weeks, there's really nothing left to discover, and so it doesn't lend itself to repeated listenings for the most part, at least for me.

silverchild said:

AllMusic.com posted a new review of 20TEN (not too amused by it).

1/2

Once again abandoning retailers for U.K. newspaper giveaways -- ever the eccentric, he’s the only artist who's seized upon this unconventional distribution method -- Prince continues his bold voyage into the past on 20Ten. Its title may celebrate the present but the music is all about the past, continuing the retro-shock of the MPLSound segment of 2009’s triple-disc set, reviving the synthetic funk of the pre-Purple Rain days while adding too heavy a dose of slow-burning grooves. The songs have more snap and polish than those on LotusFlow3r/MPLSound -- enough of a shape to be attractive from a distance, not enough to withstand closer scrutiny. Everything on 20Ten exists on the surface: hooks don’t sink in, funk jams are stuck in low gear, sensuality only simmers, the rhythms are somewhat stiff, and Prince’s deliberate mining of the past only highlights how he’s stripped the freakiness out of his entire persona. What’s left behind isn’t bad -- he is a master musician luxuriating in his comfort zone so naturally that there’s some pleasure to be had within 20Ten, but it’s a passive pleasure and one that is forgotten within a day, so perhaps it’s fitting that it was packaged with a newspaper.

(Link) http://www.allmusic.com/c...foxzqrldhe

i really enjoyed the album, but it's true i only listened to it once and wasnt immediately moved to listen to it again, except for sticky like glue.

i've since revisited other individual tracks, but only because they are being discussed on these boards.

in all honesty, i agree with the above review, but i still think 20TEN is a superior album to most other albums by other artists in 2010.

one of the things i enjoyed the most about this album, is how Prince wasnt showing off. he's on auto-pilot delivering simple unadulterated funk-pop.

sometimes its nice to hear music that doesnt make you work too hard as a listener.

he puts each song right in your lap, like the lover who takes it for granted that ur gonna be together forever. no questions asked.

whilst that is presumptuous of him, especially lyrically, it's one of Prince's attitude trademarks.

a self-absorbed, self-motivated, self-comforting record, in every way, so perhaps it's fitting it was packaged with a newspaper lol

Kara said:

silverchild said:

AllMusic.com posted a new review of 20TEN (not too amused by it).

1/2

Once again abandoning retailers for U.K. newspaper giveaways -- ever the eccentric, he’s the only artist who's seized upon this unconventional distribution method -- Prince continues his bold voyage into the past on 20Ten. Its title may celebrate the present but the music is all about the past, continuing the retro-shock of the MPLSound segment of 2009’s triple-disc set, reviving the synthetic funk of the pre-Purple Rain days while adding too heavy a dose of slow-burning grooves. The songs have more snap and polish than those on LotusFlow3r/MPLSound -- enough of a shape to be attractive from a distance, not enough to withstand closer scrutiny. Everything on 20Ten exists on the surface: hooks don’t sink in, funk jams are stuck in low gear, sensuality only simmers, the rhythms are somewhat stiff, and Prince’s deliberate mining of the past only highlights how he’s stripped the freakiness out of his entire persona. What’s left behind isn’t bad -- he is a master musician luxuriating in his comfort zone so naturally that there’s some pleasure to be had within 20Ten, but it’s a passive pleasure and one that is forgotten within a day, so perhaps it’s fitting that it was packaged with a newspaper.

(Link) http://www.allmusic.com/c...foxzqrldhe

This is the most spot-on review I've read so far, IMO. While I don't think the album is poor by any means, after having this music for two weeks, there's really nothing left to discover, and so it doesn't lend itself to repeated listenings for the most part, at least for me.

Yeah I kinda agree with some of the points in this review. I mean, there's nothing quite relevatory or truly stunning on this album, but it does sound more authentic and layered than MPLSound was and the songs are definitely listenable and groove-based. In contrast, this is something Prince could've done in his sleep or with his eyes closed shut. It's kinda on the caliber of what Planet Earth offered, but a couple of steps higher.

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/music_blog/archive/2010/07/a_review_of_pri.shtml

a link to the current's review of the album

http://www.michigandaily.com/content/20ten-album-prince-gives-it-away

Here's my long overdue review.

shonenjoe said:

http://www.michigandaily.com/content/20ten-album-prince-gives-it-away

Here's my long overdue review.

Great review.

I agree with most of it except I dont think I want a return of a "dirty" Prince at this point in his life. I think he is doing the right thing by slowly easing away from that aspect of himself. It would honestly be creepy at this stage in his life and moving forward.

[Edited 7/24/10 16:37pm]

vinx98 said:

Spanky said:

"I" before "E" except after "C" or in "Neighbor" and "Weigh" when it sounds like "A".

Numbnuts.

ITS NEIGHBOUR YOU FUCKING TWAT AND I DONT CARE WHERE YOU COME FROM

Me, you, spelling B. Any time you're ready, pal.

shonenjoe said:

http://www.michigandaily.com/content/20ten-album-prince-gives-it-away

Here's my long overdue review.

Prince can never satisfy every one, especially "journalists."

I do not agree with every thing in the linked article either.

Prince's music or songs need to be studied, one by one, as

many of us have known for years now. With that being said,

my pov is the 20ten is a gem.

It's Prince being himself, enjoying himself. Where as the linked

writer is condenscending towards the majority of the tracks,

I find them to fresh and fun...

...Prince sticking to themes that concern him now; a meaningful

and loving relationship, peace as opposed Afghanistan..., and yes,

love.

20Ten Review (late because I'm in the US--anyone who still gives a shit, read on...)

Compassion: Hardcore fans (like myself) gushed about how great the song "No More Candy 4 U" was from last years MPLSound. Prince must be monitoring our comments to some degree because the lead track to this years' 20Ten is "No More Candy"'s sister. And that, my purple friends, is a good thing.

Beginning Endlessly: Prince boasts of his virility over his precious LINN-1 drum machine and a catchy synth riff. If Big Radio still gave him the time of day, this song may have sold some ad space. (That's a compliment to the tune.)

Future Soul Song: "God", "Lovesexy", "The Rainbow Children", songs about Prince and his lifelong quest and relationship with the creator. Whether or not you believe in what Prince believes, the track for me is the essence of the entire album: completely fearless. "In the absence of fear and control is the sound of the surrendering soul" is a lyric from this lovely track. At first listen this may sound like a tired ballad, but if you listen you just may hear the voice of a man free to explore his genius.

Sticky Like Glue: This could have been a track on Parade. It is simple like "Do U Lie", funky like "Anotherloverholeinyourhead", and catchy like "Kiss". Ah, Prince, why did you piss off Big Radio. This is a hit.

Act of God: "Sign of the Times" part 13. This is Prince being socially aware. The beat rolls on, drives like the news he is reporting in this track: bankers foreclosing on families, war, government taxing its people to the grave. Sad that the world still has plenty of bad news for Prince to admonish 20+ years after "Sign of the Times".

Lavaux: Did The Pointer Sisters get royalties for Prince jacking the intro to their hit "Automatic"? Because they should. It is eerily dead on. As the tracks continues, we discover it's breeziness and forgive him. (download this: Pointer Sisters "Automatic" if you want to have a "woah" moment.)

Walk In Sand: Another ballad, but don't think you are getting "On The Couch", "One Kiss At A Time", "When 2 R In Love" et al. Instead of Prince contemplating the speed of ones hips in the act of mating or where his lips will go on his woman's body, he concentrates on the simplicity of literally walking in sand, holding hands, sharing tidbits with her like, "You can't please everybody, but such is life." Sure he isn't talking about "F'ing the taste" out of her mouth ala "Let's Pretend We're Married" but the man is over 50. Let him chill.

Sea of Everything: This conforms more to the soulful ballads that he seems to throw off at will for every record. I could list them here, but it is not necessary. This may be the first Prince slow jam that compliments his muse's writing style. For that reason alone, this track is worth a listen. But maybe only one.

Everybody Loves Me: And now we are brought back full circle to the fun, playful, Controversy-era-esque-ness of "Everybody Loves Me". In fact, the track is a bit reminiscent of the closing song from the Controversy record, "Jack U Off" (Prince wasn't known for his subtlety back in '81). This song is just what this record needs, an "eff-you I'll play what I want" moment to bring us home. Unfortunately this is not the last song...

Laydown: Prince. Rap/Hip Hop and you never really meshed. Stop. Trying. To. Sound. Gangsta. He should have stopped at 9 tracks. He may as well have put "We Gets Up" or "Ol Skool Company" here. I used to believe that these hip hop ventures were inserted in his post 80's albums as a result of a nagging marketing exec saying, "This is what the kids want!" And Prince would sigh and lay some tired hip hop track down and hire a rapper to boast about how great he is. Now I guess we know the truth. Free from the desires of record companies, it's really Prince trying to do God knows what. Sound hip? Remind us of his urban-ness? This could have been a near perfect record without this track. If he is too mature for cussing and singing about fucking, then why is he not too mature to feel like he has to boast about his musical prowess? Prince, you're genius is self-evident. You don't need to remind us. You're better than that.

"Laydown" aside, this is a great record. I can't do it justice with words, I am liking it more and more with each listen: the same effect I used to get when I would hear vintage Prince (See: Parade, Dirty Mind). The last few albums kind of made me feel like the nice uncle who compliments his nephew or niece on their kareoke (sp?) when everyone knows it's terrible. There is just something fearless and breezy about this set that makes me feel like the last few years (and yes there were some good moments) was just him seeing who would stick around for the good shit to come. Well, here we are. Welcome back, Prince.

Spanky said:

20Ten Review (late because I'm in the US--anyone who still gives a shit, read on...)

Compassion: Hardcore fans (like myself) gushed about how great the song "No More Candy 4 U" was from last years MPLSound. Prince must be monitoring our comments to some degree because the lead track to this years' 20Ten is "No More Candy"'s sister. And that, my purple friends, is a good thing.

Beginning Endlessly: Prince boasts of his virility over his precious LINN-1 drum machine and a catchy synth riff. If Big Radio still gave him the time of day, this song may have sold some ad space. (That's a compliment to the tune.)

Future Soul Song: "God", "Lovesexy", "The Rainbow Children", songs about Prince and his lifelong quest and relationship with the creator. Whether or not you believe in what Prince believes, the track for me is the essence of the entire album: completely fearless. "In the absence of fear and control is the sound of the surrendering soul" is a lyric from this lovely track. At first listen this may sound like a tired ballad, but if you listen you just may hear the voice of a man free to explore his genius.

Sticky Like Glue: This could have been a track on Parade. It is simple like "Do U Lie", funky like "Anotherloverholeinyourhead", and catchy like "Kiss". Ah, Prince, why did you piss off Big Radio. This is a hit.

Act of God: "Sign of the Times" part 13. This is Prince being socially aware. The beat rolls on, drives like the news he is reporting in this track: bankers foreclosing on families, war, government taxing its people to the grave. Sad that the world still has plenty of bad news for Prince to admonish 20+ years after "Sign of the Times".

Lavaux: Did The Pointer Sisters get royalties for Prince jacking the intro to their hit "Automatic"? Because they should. It is eerily dead on. As the tracks continues, we discover it's breeziness and forgive him. (download this: Pointer Sisters "Automatic" if you want to have a "woah" moment.)

Walk In Sand: Another ballad, but don't think you are getting "On The Couch", "One Kiss At A Time", "When 2 R In Love" et al. Instead of Prince contemplating the speed of ones hips in the act of mating or where his lips will go on his woman's body, he concentrates on the simplicity of literally walking in sand, holding hands, sharing tidbits with her like, "You can't please everybody, but such is life." Sure he isn't talking about "F'ing the taste" out of her mouth ala "Let's Pretend We're Married" but the man is over 50. Let him chill.

Sea of Everything: This conforms more to the soulful ballads that he seems to throw off at will for every record. I could list them here, but it is not necessary. This may be the first Prince slow jam that compliments his muse's writing style. For that reason alone, this track is worth a listen. But maybe only one.

Everybody Loves Me: And now we are brought back full circle to the fun, playful, Controversy-era-esque-ness of "Everybody Loves Me". In fact, the track is a bit reminiscent of the closing song from the Controversy record, "Jack U Off" (Prince wasn't known for his subtlety back in '81). This song is just what this record needs, an "eff-you I'll play what I want" moment to bring us home. Unfortunately this is not the last song...

Laydown: Prince. Rap/Hip Hop and you never really meshed. Stop. Trying. To. Sound. Gangsta. He should have stopped at 9 tracks. He may as well have put "We Gets Up" or "Ol Skool Company" here. I used to believe that these hip hop ventures were inserted in his post 80's albums as a result of a nagging marketing exec saying, "This is what the kids want!" And Prince would sigh and lay some tired hip hop track down and hire a rapper to boast about how great he is. Now I guess we know the truth. Free from the desires of record companies, it's really Prince trying to do God knows what. Sound hip? Remind us of his urban-ness? This could have been a near perfect record without this track. If he is too mature for cussing and singing about fucking, then why is he not too mature to feel like he has to boast about his musical prowess? Prince, you're genius is self-evident. You don't need to remind us. You're better than that.

"Laydown" aside, this is a great record. I can't do it justice with words, I am liking it more and more with each listen: the same effect I used to get when I would hear vintage Prince (See: Parade, Dirty Mind). The last few albums kind of made me feel like the nice uncle who compliments his nephew or niece on their kareoke (sp?) when everyone knows it's terrible. There is just something fearless and breezy about this set that makes me feel like the last few years (and yes there were some good moments) was just him seeing who would stick around for the good shit to come. Well, here we are. Welcome back, Prince.

from www.spiegel.de

Prince - "20Ten"
(NPG Records, bereits erschienen)

"Compassion" heißt der erste Song auf dem 27. Album, und Mitleid ist ungefähr auch das, was man empfindet, wenn die Dreiviertelstunde von "20Ten" vorbei ist. Prince, einst als lüsternes, glamouröses Pendant zu Michael Jackson gefeiert, ein musikalisches Allround-Genie mit schier unerschöpflichem Output, hat es wohl neuerdings nötig, sich seinem mit ihm älter gewordenen Stammklientel mit einem matten Abklatsch seines aus Rock, Pop und Funk gespeistem Erfolgssound der Achtziger anzubiedern. Wohl nicht umsonst dominieren auf der aktuellen Tournee des Amerikaners die alten Hits. Es scheint, als befinde sich Prince in einer Phase der Regression, wünscht sich zurück in Zeiten, als er mit "Purple Rain", "Lovesexy" und "Around The World In A Day" als King of Pop der coolen Leute gefeiert wurde. Passt alles zusammen: In den Achtzigern gab es noch kein Internet und keine Smartphones, alles Dinge, die zur Verdummung der Menschen beitrügen, zürnte er kürzlich in einem Interview. Das neue Album, bis auf ein paar Background-Gesänge und Bläser komplett im Alleingang eingespielt, gibt es in Europa daher nur als Beileger zu einigen Zeitungen und Zeitschriften. In seiner Heimat darf Warner Bros. den Vertrieb übernehmen. Aber warum? Weil dort weniger Print-Publikationen gelesen werden? Alle im Internet? Damn! Klar, auch auf "20Ten" ist nicht alles öde: "Beginning Endlessly" verfügt ebenso wie "Lavaux" über jene Killer-Riffs und -Licks, die Prince zu einer Funk-Ikone gemacht haben. Balladen wie "Future Soul Song" bleiben jedoch weit hinter seinem Können zurück; im Sesamstraßen-Refrain von "Everybody Loves Me" wird die Prince-Show gar endgültig zur Farce. Schade eigentlich, denn der Mann aus Minneapolis war ja schon mal weiter, begab sich mit "Rainbow Children" und "Musicology" mutig aufs Jazz-Terrain. Und selbst die 2009 in Eigenregie übers - ha! - Internet verbreiteten Alben "LotusFlow3r" und "MPLSound" mit ihren ausufernden Jimi-Hendrix-Meditationen waren zwar retro, aber dennoch eine Weiterentwicklung. "20Ten" wirkt nun endgültig wie ein hastig aus dem umfangreichen B-Seiten-Archiv zusammengestellter Flohmarkt: Man findet ein paar Sachen, die man früher mal mochte, wird kurz nostalgisch, überlegt ein bisschen. Und dann lässt man ihn doch lieber liegen. Den alten Kram. (5) Andreas Borcholte

Hi !

After have listened to it a few time, WOW! It's the best he's done in in many, many years! I haven' been this exited about a Prince ablum since Sign O The Times but this is beter than that!

It's the follow up that would have been perfect after Purple Rain. Sounds a bit like a combo of 1999 and withl lyrics reminisenct of Around The World In A Dy.

Please, plese release it in the US on a major label, can't get many of the songs out of my head! Fantastic album!

The777Man

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[Edited 8/4/10 2:45am]