Genesia said:

I still like 3121. Still dislike Planet Earth. Still don't care about Musicology.

it works and says,

this is not the right way to comunicate,

traffic jam on the highway,

i go to see the KL,

i can,t see it ,

i can,t feel it,

i need to write soon

I'm always amazed as to how many fans hold 3121 in high regard and yet are so quick to discredit (the far superior) Planet Earth.

There is nothing on 3121 as good as The One U Wanna C. FACT.

MattyJam said:

I'm always amazed as to how many fans hold 3121 in high regard and yet are so quick to discredit (the far superior) Planet Earth.

There is nothing on 3121 as good as The One U Wanna C. FACT.

Not a fact. The One U Wanna C is plagued by offensively shallow lyrics.

"I got a lot of money. I don't wanna spend it on me. I like pretty things and you're just as pretty as you can be." That is the kind of thing a teen pop star who just came into money would write to woo a girl. It isn't playful or charming, and it damn sure isn't insightful.

This coming from the guy who wrote about impossible love with such genuine sounding anguish and maturity in songs like I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man (which this song reminds me of, musically).

MattyJam said:

I'm always amazed as to how many fans hold 3121 in high regard and yet are so quick to discredit (the far superior) Planet Earth.

There is nothing on 3121 as good as The One U Wanna C. FACT.

Let's put up a live version of "Fury" (from 3121 [which is probably the worst produced track on that album]) against a live version of "The One U Wanna C" (from Planet Earth) and see which one wins. But really, imo, it shouldn't be just about which album has the "best" song.

MattyJam said:

I'm always amazed as to how many fans hold 3121 in high regard and yet are so quick to discredit (the far superior) Planet Earth.

There is nothing on 3121 as good as The One U Wanna C. FACT.

Its all about opinions I know but I think The One U Wanna C is awful lyrically so it spoils the song. A lot of Planet Earth is like that for me - Resolution is the worst of the lot, really embarrasing lyrics. Only songs I really listen to off it are - Somewhere Here on Earth, Chelsea Rodgers, Future Baby Mama.

3121 - a few average tracks but I still like The Word, Te Amo Corazon, The Dance, 3121.

Musciology - I still quite like - A Million Days, Dear Mr Man, Reflection, Marrying Kind, If I Was the Man In Your Life.

Initially I had no interest in MUSICOLOGY whatsoever, but as time has gone on, I've found there's a mature quality about it, being there is no major poppy/synth based tracks, really works on a Sunday to me and as time has gone on and with releases since, it does have a refreshing quality about it.

MUSICOLOGY FIRST LISTEN : **

CURRENTLY : ***1/2

Loved 3121 when it came out for BLACK SWEAT, which was a damn good return to form I still feel and blended with the modern day scene of music (which isn't eexactly the greatest achievment, but still). Plenty of publicicty AND was the first album to come out whilst being a fan, so holds a special place to me....I can easily enjoy this album and after hearing a good portion live, I became a lot more fond of it

3121 FIRST LISTEN: ****

CURRENTLY: ****

Planet Earth had me dead excited, predominantly because of the marketing of it and publicity in the British papers and I'm a sucker for the cover.......When Future baby mama leaked I was bouncing off the walls........cut to the album...I actually can't name all tracks on there from the top of my head, I like most tracks up to chelsea rogers, then that's about it...I think initially it was like "GREAT! AMAZING! AWESOME!" but as times gone on I don't listen to it too too much

PLANET EARTH FIRST LISTEN: ****

CURRENTLY: ***

The lotus flower pack reeeeallly didn't get me that hooked, by all means there are some awesome tunes across the 2 albums but as a whole I didn't really care for it...I think it goes on how I feel about Emancipation with the idea of quantity over quality, although this would win hands down to me.....I haven't eeven bothered with Brias album, infact I don't think it's been out of the box... As for the other 2 I would have to say LF wins based on it's quality...tracks like Wall of Berlin, C + C, colonized mind, dreamer and especially $, and for that over time I've really come to like it. As for MPLS sound, again some great tracks on there but I haven't really changed my mind about it in the last year.......Some great tracks imo like Dance 4 me, Chocolate box, HERE (being a fave), No more candy 4u and even Valentina (which I would choose over Mr goodnight), there's an element of tackiness to the production I feel and a fair amount of fillers, but liuke I said I love the other tracks so I suppose it balances things there....

LOTUS FLOWER FIRST LISTEN: **1/2

CURRENTLY: ****

MPLSOUND FIRST LISTEN: ***1/2

CURRENTLY: **1/2

I should've slept last night as Ive been travelling Europe for the last 2 weeks and was I hell going to not put on Prince's new album when I got home, so popped on for a snippet and bam finished it half dead....fir my first listen I absolutely love this album....I feel it does fall in sync with the whole MPLSOUND but just has a flow to it, I must be honest I can't distinguish tracks from each other yet as theyre all heavy synth driven and again I do find the resorting back to earlier styles a TAD tacky but for something that was FREE (or 45p which ever way you look at it) I absolutely loved it from square one, I just hope I find more with more listens and it doesn't become dated quickly but for the moment.........

20TEN FIRST LISTEN: ****.....oh go on then and 1/2

PurpleKnight said:

MattyJam said:

I'm always amazed as to how many fans hold 3121 in high regard and yet are so quick to discredit (the far superior) Planet Earth.

There is nothing on 3121 as good as The One U Wanna C. FACT.

Not a fact. The One U Wanna C is plagued by offensively shallow lyrics.

"I got a lot of money. I don't wanna spend it on me. I like pretty things and you're just as pretty as you can be." That is the kind of thing a teen pop star who just came into money would write to woo a girl. It isn't playful or charming, and it damn sure isn't insightful.

This coming from the guy who wrote about impossible love with such genuine sounding anguish and maturity in songs like I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man (which this song reminds me of, musically).

It depends what you're after. If a song is good enough, I can quite happily overlook bad lyrics.

And to my ears, The One U Wanna C is his best written pop/rock track since the 80s.

PurpleKnight said:

Wildboy said:

20ten Worst Prince album ever. negative score -2/10

[Edited 7/12/10 18:03pm]

Wow, seriously? The worst ever? You prefer the plastic production of NPS and the half-hearted attempts of Rave? Interesting.

Dude, I'll take Rave over 20ten any day of the week. Rave scores a good 3 points higher than 20ten. And I agree, Rave IS a half hearted effort, what does that say about 20ten that Rave is SO much better.

Also I know this will ruin my credibility with a lot of people on the Org, but I sort of Like NPS. That's right, I said it. Not nearly as bad as people say. Not a great album, only a 6/10. Nothing really that creative or risky, but it's a nice dance album without too many cringe worthy moments. But New Power Soul is still better than Lotusflow3r or Musicology or Rainbow Children (About RainChild, I don't get it and don't think I ever will, it hurts my ears. I also don't like religious music).

Man, without a shadow of a doubt 20ten is his worst album ever.

Wildboy said:

PurpleKnight said:

Wow, seriously? The worst ever? You prefer the plastic production of NPS and the half-hearted attempts of Rave? Interesting.

Dude, I'll take Rave over 20ten any day of the week. Rave scores a good 3 points higher than 20ten. And I agree, Rave IS a half hearted effort, what does that say about 20ten that Rave is SO much better.

Also I know this will ruin my credibility with a lot of people on the Org, but I sort of Like NPS. That's right, I said it. Not nearly as bad as people say. Not a great album, only a 6/10. Nothing really that creative or risky, but it's a nice dance album without too many cringe worthy moments. But New Power Soul is still better than Lotusflow3r or Musicology or Rainbow Children (About RainChild, I don't get it and don't think I ever will, it hurts my ears. I also don't like religious music).

Man, without a shadow of a doubt 20ten is his worst album ever.

Every Prince fan worth his salt has a soft spot for NPS.

MattyJam said:

I'm always amazed as to how many fans hold 3121 in high regard and yet are so quick to discredit (the far superior) Planet Earth.

There is nothing on 3121 as good as The One U Wanna C. FACT.

I agree completely, there are worse songs on 3121. It's a close run thing though.

I like pretty much all his ballads on both albums over anything else on them both.

MattyJam said:

Every Prince fan worth his salt has a soft spot for NPS.

I still love Musicology and 3121.

Planet Earth is not my fave, but I didn't love it when it came out. It actually grew on me a bit since my initial reaction was very negative. I play it now and then tho.

PurpleKnight said:

...Do you still regard them as favourably? Have they retained their charm?

I always find it very interesting when people praise a new Prince album. There is always that early pocket of passionate listeners who proclaim Prince has rediscovered his form; that we have a new classic on our hands. It's happening right now with 20Ten too.

I'm leaving Lotus/MPLSound out of this because it still hasn't aged enough.

Musicology ... That's my "sh!t", since seeing 3 concerts that year.

3121 is a great album, I can listen to that album from begining to end, not skipping one track

Planet Earth has a few tracks I'm like "eh" about but I can listen to it from begining to end and I'm feelin' it too ...

PurpleKnight said:

...Do you still regard them as favourably? Have they retained their charm?

I always find it very interesting when people praise a new Prince album. There is always that early pocket of passionate listeners who proclaim Prince has rediscovered his form; that we have a new classic on our hands. It's happening right now with 20Ten too.

I'm leaving Lotus/MPLSound out of this because it still hasn't aged enough.

yes. still love them

MattyJam said:

I'm always amazed as to how many fans hold 3121 in high regard and yet are so quick to discredit (the far superior) Planet Earth.

There is nothing on 3121 as good as The One U Wanna C. FACT.

You loose complete credibility trying to pass off a subjective, personal opinion as fact.

I think The One U Wanna C is a cute little "fun" track but it really has nothing of substance to it... and there are several songs on 3121 that I enjoy much, much more.

I, also, think PE is a horribly mixed bag.

PurpleKnight said:

...Do you still regard them as favourably? Have they retained their charm?

I always find it very interesting when people praise a new Prince album. There is always that early pocket of passionate listeners who proclaim Prince has rediscovered his form; that we have a new classic on our hands. It's happening right now with 20Ten too.

I'm leaving Lotus/MPLSound out of this because it still hasn't aged enough.

You're right, I thought I liked Planet Earth initially, but not so sure anymore.

But it goes both ways. People trash the new stuff before the song is over. Plenty of Prince's music had to grow on me before I liked it. Sometimes it's not just getting to know music, it's being in the right mood to be open to a certain style.

Wildboy said:

LotusFlow3r I remember cringing listening to this in the target parking lot said another orger, and I couldn't agree more. There's so much gross cheese on this album. The bland stereotypical guitar playing shows princes creative decline The cheesy synths show he can't recreate his good synth work of the 80s at will. Strangely enough he does well lyrically on Both Here and Better with Time which is completely lacking in 20ten. I'd give it a 2/10, but with $ on there I'd have to give it 3/10

20ten Worst Prince album ever. negative score -2/10

[Edited 7/12/10 18:03pm]

^^^High on crack, toting a machine gun.

Wildboy said:

PurpleKnight said:

Wow, seriously? The worst ever? You prefer the plastic production of NPS and the half-hearted attempts of Rave? Interesting.

Dude, I'll take Rave over 20ten any day of the week. Rave scores a good 3 points higher than 20ten. And I agree, Rave IS a half hearted effort, what does that say about 20ten that Rave is SO much better.

Also I know this will ruin my credibility with a lot of people on the Org, but I sort of Like NPS. That's right, I said it. Not nearly as bad as people say. Not a great album, only a 6/10. Nothing really that creative or risky, but it's a nice dance album without too many cringe worthy moments. But New Power Soul is still better than Lotusflow3r or Musicology or Rainbow Children (About RainChild, I don't get it and don't think I ever will, it hurts my ears. I also don't like religious music).

Man, without a shadow of a doubt 20ten is his worst album ever.

everyone is entitled to their own opinion of course, but picking NPS and Rave over 20TEN (or really, any other album he's ever done) means very few will respect it.

honestly, I don't care, but when I see something like that, it completely discredits a person's opinion in my eyes. not that 20TEN is some great masterpiece, but... really, come on now.

errant said:

Wildboy said:

Dude, I'll take Rave over 20ten any day of the week. Rave scores a good 3 points higher than 20ten. And I agree, Rave IS a half hearted effort, what does that say about 20ten that Rave is SO much better.

Also I know this will ruin my credibility with a lot of people on the Org, but I sort of Like NPS. That's right, I said it. Not nearly as bad as people say. Not a great album, only a 6/10. Nothing really that creative or risky, but it's a nice dance album without too many cringe worthy moments. But New Power Soul is still better than Lotusflow3r or Musicology or Rainbow Children (About RainChild, I don't get it and don't think I ever will, it hurts my ears. I also don't like religious music).

Man, without a shadow of a doubt 20ten is his worst album ever.

everyone is entitled to their own opinion of course, but picking NPS and Rave over 20TEN (or really, any other album he's ever done) means very few will respect it.

honestly, I don't care, but when I see something like that, it completely discredits a person's opinion in my eyes. not that 20TEN is some great masterpiece, but... really, come on now.

Arrogant much?

People like what they like. I would gladly pick both Rave and NPS over 3121 and Musicology any day of the week. If that "discredits" my opinion in your oh-so-important eyes, then that makes you a bit of an arrogant fool in my eyes.

[Edited 7/14/10 1:19am]

MattyJam said:

Every Prince fan worth his salt has a soft spot for NPS.

True.

Let me start by saying that i like all three albums and if Prince continues to release albums of this quality I will be a happy listener. I do think that he is capable of better and for me the Lotusflow3r album is an example of that.

Specifically:

Musicology: I was really high on this album when it was initially released. That's partially because I wasn't crazy about much of Prince's output in the previous few years. Today I still enjoy the album but not quite as much as I did when it was released.

3121: This one I feel pretty much the same about. I think it is the weakest of the three. It has a very solid opening four tracks but after that the quality fluctuates wildly. If the album had maintained the quality of the first four songs it may have topped Lotusflow3r but as it is it's my second least favourite of the 2004-2010 era. (MPLSoUND being my least favourite)

Planet Earth: I like it much more now than when it was released. Initially I gave the album a fair few spins but it never really grabbed me. About a year and a half later I started listening to it again it has become my favourite of the three. It may noy have the highpoints of the other two albums but I don't think there are any real lowpoints on it. From start to finish I enjoy it.

MattyJam said:

errant said:

everyone is entitled to their own opinion of course, but picking NPS and Rave over 20TEN (or really, any other album he's ever done) means very few will respect it.

honestly, I don't care, but when I see something like that, it completely discredits a person's opinion in my eyes. not that 20TEN is some great masterpiece, but... really, come on now.

Arrogant much?

People like what they like. I would gladly pick both Rave and NPS over 3121 and Musicology any day of the week. If that "discredits" my opinion in your oh-so-important eyes, then that makes you a bit of an arrogant fool in my eyes.

[Edited 7/14/10 1:19am]

I have no problem with that.

NouveauDance said:

MattyJam said:

Every Prince fan worth his salt has a soft spot for NPS.

True.

I'll concede to this if it counts that you have a soft spot for NPS in terms of how hilarious it is.

After all these years, NPS (minus Come On and Wasted Kisses) still sounds like the best of the worst Prince imitators.

PurpleKnight said:

...Do you still regard them as favourably? Have they retained their charm?

I always find it very interesting when people praise a new Prince album. There is always that early pocket of passionate listeners who proclaim Prince has rediscovered his form; that we have a new classic on our hands. It's happening right now with 20Ten too.

I'm leaving Lotus/MPLSound out of this because it still hasn't aged enough.

I still LOVE 3121...think it's his best of the decade.

PurpleKnight said:

NouveauDance said:

True.

I'll concede to this if it counts that you have a soft spot for NPS in terms of how hilarious it is.

After all these years, NPS (minus Come On and Wasted Kisses) still sounds like the best of the worst Prince imitators.

I think The One completely saves this disc.

PurpleKnight said:

...Do you still regard them as favourably? Have they retained their charm?

I always find it very interesting when people praise a new Prince album. There is always that early pocket of passionate listeners who proclaim Prince has rediscovered his form; that we have a new classic on our hands. It's happening right now with 20Ten too.

I'm leaving Lotus/MPLSound out of this because it still hasn't aged enough.

I like all three albums but to be honest, I do not listen to Planet Earth and 3121 all that much. I'm sure there will be a point when I revisit them. I think Musicology is uneven, but I dig a few songs very much. Call My Name is a classic, Dear Mr. Man is underrated and I don't understand the hate On the Couch get's around here. I think it is a brilliant example of the Prince ballad form.

To my taste, Prince will always be interesting musically.

Prince is totally underappreciated by a good percentage of his fanbase due to the sheer genius and breadth of his skills. They're spoiled by some of the greatest music ever made. His continued creative run is unprecedented in the history of pop music. All you have to do is examine his contemporaries. Some of the solo Beatles albums are so embarassing it's laughable. Pop musicians generally do not age well musically.

PurpleKnight said:

After all these years, NPS still sounds like the best of the worst Prince imitators.

See also: 20Ten.

PurpleKnight said:

MattyJam said:

I'm always amazed as to how many fans hold 3121 in high regard and yet are so quick to discredit (the far superior) Planet Earth.

There is nothing on 3121 as good as The One U Wanna C. FACT.

Not a fact. The One U Wanna C is plagued by offensively shallow lyrics.

"I got a lot of money. I don't wanna spend it on me. I like pretty things and you're just as pretty as you can be." That is the kind of thing a teen pop star who just came into money would write to woo a girl. It isn't playful or charming, and it damn sure isn't insightful.

This coming from the guy who wrote about impossible love with such genuine sounding anguish and maturity in songs like I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man (which this song reminds me of, musically).

Different songs have different reference points and purpose. With over 2,000 songs in his catalog, I'm sure Prince can distinguish between fun, clever, deep, thought-provoking, political, satirical, and throwaway lyrics.

You point out ICNTTPOYM, but on the same album he screams the joys of a dance called "Housequake" and the desire of "It." Your bleeding the joy out of Rock and Roll. Do you critique Tutti Frutti and JB's Mother Popcorn in the same way. If you prefer the rambling, tuneless, obvious lyrical work of lesser musicians, give me some examples.

Prince can't win with some of you. The thought provoking, challenging, brilliant Avalanche gets attacked for being too radical and political, but when he tries to have summer fun he gets called a teen pop star.

Good thread

Musicology: I LIKED when it first came out, and I still like it; it's a straight-ahead, organic rock/funk record (something that Prince never did before, at least since For You) full of well-crafted songs. Nothing truly spectacular, but it's certainly a fine comeback which also features two neo-classics: title-track and Cinnamon Girl.

And it's certainly BETTER than: For You, Come, Emancipation, NPS, Rave and TRC, and of course the Internet albums of the first half of the 00s...

*** out of *****

3121: I LOVED when it first came out, and I STILL love it; it was the best mainstream album he has done since D&P and his best album overall since TGE. Not only it was a Nº1 (a triumph , really, given the state of the industry, the drop of Cd sales during the second half of the 00s and the heavy pop/synth-dance/shit-hop competition) but it was also the first modern Prince album that had that "magic" spark (vision, good songs, great production, great musicianship AND good song order) of his great 80s and early 90s albums. A spark long lost after TGE. For me, all the tracks are worthy, some are classics (title-track, Fury, The Word, Black Sweat) and others are even improvements over similar songs on previous albums (Satisfied/On the Couch, Lolita-Love/Emancipation dance tracks, etc.). A great album that was the best thing Prince could write/produce/arrange in the mid-00s after the Musicology comeback; it feels contemporary, but it doesn't sound desperate or forced...just natural and enjoyable...

Also, this album is useful if you want to detect/avoid/ridicule JADED/BITTER/CYNICAL Prince "fans" who just can't appreciate new & solid albums of the man. Anyone who hates this album IS jaded Perhaps they hate seeing Prince ENJOYING his superstar status (sort of) all over again after years of self-indulgence and horrid albums that nobody gave a damn about 3121 IS better than: For You, Prince, ATWIAD, Lovesexy, Batman, GB, Come, Emancipation, NPS, Rave and TRC, the Internet albums, Musicology, PE, LF/MPLS and 20Ten

**** out of *****

Planet Earth: I enjoyed it when it first came out, but now it sounds pretty bland and uneven; I still regard Chelsea Rodgers as a neo-classic, but Guitar still sucks, and SHOE doesn't move the way it used to. I despise FBM and Mr.G as 3121 weak outtakes and the happy pop/rock songs (ATMITW/Resolution) sound like pale imitators of What do you want to do girl or Dear Mr.Man

Not a horrid record, but certainly uneven. Still, it's more focused and enjoyable than the bulk of LF, MPLS and 20Ten.

** out of *****

[Edited 7/14/10 17:58pm]

jdcxc said:

PurpleKnight said:

Not a fact. The One U Wanna C is plagued by offensively shallow lyrics.

"I got a lot of money. I don't wanna spend it on me. I like pretty things and you're just as pretty as you can be." That is the kind of thing a teen pop star who just came into money would write to woo a girl. It isn't playful or charming, and it damn sure isn't insightful.

This coming from the guy who wrote about impossible love with such genuine sounding anguish and maturity in songs like I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man (which this song reminds me of, musically).

Different songs have different reference points and purpose. With over 2,000 songs in his catalog, I'm sure Prince can distinguish between fun, clever, deep, thought-provoking, political, satirical, and throwaway lyrics.

You point out ICNTTPOYM, but on the same album he screams the joys of a dance called "Housequake" and the desire of "It." Your bleeding the joy out of Rock and Roll. Do you critique Tutti Frutti and JB's Mother Popcorn in the same way. If you prefer the rambling, tuneless, obvious lyrical work of lesser musicians, give me some examples.

Prince can't win with some of you. The thought provoking, challenging, brilliant Avalanche gets attacked for being too radical and political, but when he tries to have summer fun he gets called a teen pop star.

I fully understand and appreciate that different songs are aiming for different moods and levels of seriousness. Even so, taken in the context of a lighthearted pop song, The One U Wanna C drowns in its own insipidness. Prince used to take lightearted pop songs like these and imbue them with either lyrical subtext (see: Alphabet St.) or at an even more lighthearted level, at least breezy seamless charm (see: Kiss). The One U Wanna C has nothing to offer from either end of the spectrum, so it settles on banal superficiality stated straightforwardly and without wit.

And for the record, I regard Avalanche as a fantastic song on a woefully underrated gem of an album (his best of the '00 period by far imo).