I like the cd-some nice work

Lotusflow3r (The Single Album) is one of my favourite Prince releases. Each song fits well in the concept and overall theme of the album. The guitar playing and effects are truly breathtaking. The lyrics are clearly not disposable. Colonized Mind is one of Prince's strongest and heartfelt efforts in his career. The message he tries to address is well needed in today's Illuminati driven society and music industry.

The album is a true showcase of his greatness on a 6th string. You have the mellow sounds of Boom, Hendrix inspired sounds in Wall of Berlin and Dreamer, Crimson & Clover is one of his best covers - i could go on but i won't. The great thing with Prince is there is an album for every taste. If you dig it - that's cool, if you don't dig it why waste you breath? Why not be vocal about what globalization is doing to us as individuals ?

P.S. if you thought this had too much social commentary, you best avoid any Radiohead release then.

[Edited 7/13/10 22:29pm]

[Edited 7/13/10 22:30pm]

I think it's no mystery where I side on this one. Lotus is a cringe worthy poorly done album

I really feel like these last two albums are a very good measuring stick. The people who like and dislike 20ten and Lotus seperate the Org into two catagories:

#1. The fans with good musical taste, they champion Prince's triumphs and will be critical of his shortcomings (these are the people who can admit to themselves and others that the last two albums were TRAGIC missteps)

#2 The crazy fams who'll eat any old piece of garbage Prince serves them with a smile on their face (These are the people who try and convince themselves that 20ten and Lotus are anything even approaching halfway decent music)

What is it about LF that drives me so CRAZY? Is it the Ripped off henrix? the completely bland Santana style guitar that's now where near as good as his earlier ax Grinding? The shitty auto tuning that makes him sound like he's underwater? The choice of really cheesy instruments and computer synths? The same Semi political and unfocused god squad stuff being stuffed down my throat again? (and that Jehovah stuff coming from the guy who just put out 'Turn me Loose' an ode to backdoor action)

No, what pisses me off most about LotusFlower is that there are SOOOO many people on the org who talk about it like it's his best album since Gold. Not even close. Lotusflower is Prince's best work since Planet Earth lol.

Lotus is a 3 out of 10.

I've never really enjoyed Lotusflow3r (the single cd itself). The idea is great in theory but the final result seems like it's simply "missing" something. There's not a single track really excited me, which hasn't happened since TRC.

I do, however, like MPLSoUND quite a bit. It's not a masterpiece by a long stretch but it reminds me of a concise little collection of classic maxi-singles and b-sides from the late 80's.

Bria's CD? Well... I can't really remember it.

Wildboy said:

I think it's no mystery where I side on this one. Lotus is a cringe worthy poorly done album

I really feel like these last two albums are a very good measuring stick. The people who like and dislike 20ten and Lotus seperate the Org into two catagories:

#1. The fans with good musical taste, they champion Prince's triumphs and will be critical of his shortcomings (these are the people who can admit to themselves and others that the last two albums were TRAGIC missteps)

#2 The crazy fams who'll eat any old piece of garbage Prince serves them with a smile on their face (These are the people who try and convince themselves that 20ten and Lotus are anything even approaching halfway decent music)

What is it about LF that drives me so CRAZY? Is it the Ripped off henrix? the completely bland Santana style guitar that's now where near as good as his earlier ax Grinding? The shitty auto tuning that makes him sound like he's underwater? The choice of really cheesy instruments and computer synths? The same Semi political and unfocused god squad stuff being stuffed down my throat again? (and that Jehovah stuff coming from the guy who just put out 'Turn me Loose' an ode to backdoor action)

No, what pisses me off most about LotusFlower is that there are SOOOO many people on the org who talk about it like it's his best album since Gold. Not even close. Lotusflower is Prince's best work since Planet Earth lol.

Lotus is a 3 out of 10.

No, what pisses me off most about the org is that there are SOOOO many people that present their opinion as unadulterated fact. And that anyone who happens to disagree with the 'truth' is categorised as crazy.

lotus is a masterpeice

Wildboy said:

I think it's no mystery where I side on this one. Lotus is a cringe worthy poorly done album

I really feel like these last two albums are a very good measuring stick. The people who like and dislike 20ten and Lotus seperate the Org into two catagories:

#1. The fans with good musical taste, they champion Prince's triumphs and will be critical of his shortcomings (these are the people who can admit to themselves and others that the last two albums were TRAGIC missteps)

#2 The crazy fams who'll eat any old piece of garbage Prince serves them with a smile on their face (These are the people who try and convince themselves that 20ten and Lotus are anything even approaching halfway decent music)

What is it about LF that drives me so CRAZY? Is it the Ripped off henrix? the completely bland Santana style guitar that's now where near as good as his earlier ax Grinding? The shitty auto tuning that makes him sound like he's underwater? The choice of really cheesy instruments and computer synths? The same Semi political and unfocused god squad stuff being stuffed down my throat again? (and that Jehovah stuff coming from the guy who just put out 'Turn me Loose' an ode to backdoor action)

No, what pisses me off most about LotusFlower is that there are SOOOO many people on the org who talk about it like it's his best album since Gold. Not even close. Lotusflower is Prince's best work since Planet Earth lol.

Lotus is a 3 out of 10.

Why does it piss u off what other people think? Thats not too inteligent is it?

Lotus(main disc) to me is one of his best albums. I put it up there with his great 80's albums. I'm not a fan to just like anything Prince puts out. I didn't like MPLsound very much. 20Ten is just ok for me, but not a great album.But Lotus is. So is TRC. In fact both of those albums are better than anything in the 90's including TGE.

I don't hear a lot of criticism for the Lotusflow3r album. Maybe you are mixing the ill feelings associated with the website with the album?

rialb said:

I don't hear a lot of criticism for the Lotusflow3r album. Maybe you are mixing the ill feelings associated with the website with the album?

Lotusflow3r > Released post 1988 > Customary criticism.

Yikes, I see some folks really dislike "4ever." For me it sounds like it could have been a top 40 hit. Not a huge hit but I can see the song getting a fair bit of airplay.

I'm glad to see others who love Lotus FLower. I too agree that it's one of his best in years. It reallly sunk in (how good it was) when I listended to the whole thing loud on a long drive a year or so ago. It' all works well together and the song writing was more focused than usual. Colonized is just awesome! Youk take for granted his playing until you really listen carefully. You take for granted his ability to do diff type so music until you see him go from Wall of Berlin to $ !

The man is incredible and this was a great album.

Why he followed up with 20TEN...i have no idea why he has never been able to keep the momentum going, in this case, artistic momentum.

rialb said:

Yikes, I see some folks really dislike "4ever." For me it sounds like it could have been a top 40 hit. Not a huge hit but I can see the song getting a fair bit of airplay.

Doubt it... But even if so, so what? That gives it worth or value? There's plenty of Top 40 songs that I think are absolute crap and extremely annoying. 4ever falls deep within that category whether it could've been top40 or not!

In fact, I wish I'd never heard it, coz even talking about it makes me hear it in my head and it's like nails down a chalkboard - ahhhhh!

TyphoonTip said:

Wildboy said:

I think it's no mystery where I side on this one. Lotus is a cringe worthy poorly done album

I really feel like these last two albums are a very good measuring stick. The people who like and dislike 20ten and Lotus seperate the Org into two catagories:

#1. The fans with good musical taste, they champion Prince's triumphs and will be critical of his shortcomings (these are the people who can admit to themselves and others that the last two albums were TRAGIC missteps)

#2 The crazy fams who'll eat any old piece of garbage Prince serves them with a smile on their face (These are the people who try and convince themselves that 20ten and Lotus are anything even approaching halfway decent music)

What is it about LF that drives me so CRAZY? Is it the Ripped off henrix? the completely bland Santana style guitar that's now where near as good as his earlier ax Grinding? The shitty auto tuning that makes him sound like he's underwater? The choice of really cheesy instruments and computer synths? The same Semi political and unfocused god squad stuff being stuffed down my throat again? (and that Jehovah stuff coming from the guy who just put out 'Turn me Loose' an ode to backdoor action)

No, what pisses me off most about LotusFlower is that there are SOOOO many people on the org who talk about it like it's his best album since Gold. Not even close. Lotusflower is Prince's best work since Planet Earth lol.

Lotus is a 3 out of 10.

No, what pisses me off most about the org is that there are SOOOO many people that present their opinion as unadulterated fact. And that anyone who happens to disagree with the 'truth' is categorised as crazy.

Yep.

skywalker said:

TyphoonTip said:

No, what pisses me off most about the org is that there are SOOOO many people that present their opinion as unadulterated fact. And that anyone who happens to disagree with the 'truth' is categorised as crazy.

Yep.

When dealing with opinions people have strong ones in this forum. You need to make sure yours are just as strong if you plan to engage anyone.

Zannaloaf said:

skywalker said:

Yep.

When dealing with opinions people have strong ones in this forum. You need to make sure yours are just as strong if you plan to engage anyone.

You don't necessarily need strong opinions to engage people here. It just helps to be able to explain/support them without stating the opinions like the only factual & gospel truth.

Lotusflow3r is rare to me, in that the more I listen to it, the more I want to forget it. IMO it was quantity instead of quality. The shame is there was really great guitar work here, but it had no good home. It was by and large, filler without feeling. There are only two keepers for me on the whole set.

Better with Time

Valentina

BWT was great in itself, Valentina was just nice to listen to, yet still a little too personal.

To me, what is Prince being good? Try Black Sweat. That was good. There is not one dance rhythm on Lotus that even stands up to that for me.

While on 20ten, LayDown is every much as catchy as Black Sweat.

And what is Prince other than than the master of catchy when he really tries to be, and I don't care what his subject matter is... Sex or Religion.

If I had to categorize Lotus, I would place it with Come, good in the beginning because it is new Prince, but just not enjoyable for playing over and over.

20ten at least invokes an emotion with each song.

Lotus was more or less bland.

We have seen Prince do this before, and if we keep on listening, he will do it again. I am greatful for 20ten. It has surpassed my expectations. Before TRC, I was ready to give up on Prince. It was almost as if he was on a freight train to self destruction. I believe in all his 00 music trend he has been MUCH better than his 90 trend thus far, and that is even with the disappointment of Lotus.

It is my hope that he strives to make us feel something with his music. Not just make a statement. You can say anything you want with music, but you can loose it if has no feeling. Heck, you can even make people agree with what is wrong if the music delivers it right.

squirrelgrease said:

TyphoonTip said:

That's definetely interesting in hindsight, however to be fair, there are are not doubt thousands of tracks with that 3 chord progression.

Well, I ain't gonna shove it down anyone's throat, but the similarities are way more than a simple chord progression.

People, Colonized Mind is clearly a pastiche (or rip off depending on your POV) of several 60's and 70's greats not least All Along the Watchtower so stop worrying about Ms Makeba. In fact as a Prince fan you should all be used to pastiche and homage as most of his greats are, they just take it to another level, hell Alphabet St is a pastiche of George Micheal rippin him off for godsake. The problem with the vast majority of the 00's indeed to 90' too is it rarely hits Sign or Parade standards but enjoy it as the best of what he would have been if he hadn't gone beyond for that decade - he is still at his best better than most african american influenced pop rock soul out there.

Lotusflow3r, God knows what inspired it, IS creatively superior than 20ten.

You have quality pop, the funk, the lovey dovies, the wierd, and most importantly- the ROCK- which made up a great portion of that album

I didn't get that out of 20ten.

Forever had a much stronger hook then Future Love Song..

Dreamer & Colonized mind had mesmorizing qualities 20ten did not. Who cares if he was wearing his influences on his sleeves.

More Candy For You was way more fun than any track on that album.

I can't deny however, the fact that 20ten is forsure, an inspiring message.

[Edited 7/14/10 13:42pm]

wasitgood4u said:

rialb said:

Yikes, I see some folks really dislike "4ever." For me it sounds like it could have been a top 40 hit. Not a huge hit but I can see the song getting a fair bit of airplay.

Doubt it... But even if so, so what? That gives it worth or value? There's plenty of Top 40 songs that I think are absolute crap and extremely annoying. 4ever falls deep within that category whether it could've been top40 or not!

In fact, I wish I'd never heard it, coz even talking about it makes me hear it in my head and it's like nails down a chalkboard - ahhhhh!

Eh, I don't care if a song is a hit or not as long as it is a quality song but I do think that "4ever" probably has a wider appeal than most of his recent music. The first thing I thought when I heard "4ever" is that it sounds like something you might hear on the radio.

I like Lotusflower (the disc) quite a bit, but I'm amazed to see how many people think that '$' is one of the standout tracks! To me, that's the one stinker on an otherwise pretty enjoyable album!

'4ever'... if I imagine it's the late '70s, I enjoy it. I could see that late-night DJ in The Warriors playing it on her show.

This reminds me, I should listen to Bria's album one day - it's been over a year now.

Maybe next year.

eyewishuheaven said:

I like Lotusflower (the disc) quite a bit, but I'm amazed to see how many people think that '$' is one of the standout tracks! To me, that's the one stinker on an otherwise pretty enjoyable album!

'4ever'... if I imagine it's the late '70s, I enjoy it. I could see that late-night DJ in The Warriors playing it on her show.

This reminds me, I should listen to Bria's album one day - it's been over a year now.

Maybe next year.

"$" is one of the standout tracks on Lotusflow3r.

And Bria's album isn't that bad. At the very least you should give the song "Elixer" a listen, it's a duet with Prince.

bad cover? pedestrian choruses? only a couple or three of worthy tracks? boring production? boring guitar sound?

the only thing I hate about lotosflower is that I can't play it on my PC... the site.

it's soooooo IT stupid not 2 mail out a new starter hpml that doesnt dl google phps... some ppl take cear of what they love.

it can ofcouse B caracked...I have the whole site in correct folder, even with the original last edited dates from LF but then Prince wants fans 2 B feel like they'r theves stealing something they have bought.

[Edited 7/15/10 15:52pm]

JoeTyler said:

bad cover? pedestrian choruses? only a couple or three of worthy tracks? boring production? boring guitar sound?

Yes - No - No - No.

Hope that answered your questions.

It's called an opinion. Everyone is entitled to theirs. If I think Lotus is not a better album than any, there is nothing wrong with me for that. I do not need to be a musician. I am part of the record buying public and that's all I need to be. I like what I like. Nothing anyone posts on the Org is going to change that fact.

The album has been in my Ipod for a WHOLE year without so much of an attention untill "Dreamer" came through the shuffle. Thats when I knew I had to give it an objective listen again, and I fell in love with it.

I actually prefer it over "Musicology", "3121" and "Planet Earth" combined.

I know he gets a shit load of grief for his political statements, but to me "Dreamer" hit home and I'll always love him for it.

Harlepolis said:

The album has been in my Ipod for a WHOLE year without so much of an attention untill "Dreamer" came through the shuffle. Thats when I knew I had to give it an objective listen again, and I fell in love with it.

I actually prefer it over "Musicology", "3121" and "Planet Earth" combined.

I know he gets a shit load of grief for his political statements, but to me "Dreamer" hit home and I'll always love him for it.

Have to pretty much agree here, but replace Dreamer with Wall of Berlin. The album gave a really harsh first impression, but as I gave it a few more listen throughs, Lotusflow3r was great and MLPSound was...tolerable

Spinzilla said:

Harlepolis said:

The album has been in my Ipod for a WHOLE year without so much of an attention untill "Dreamer" came through the shuffle. Thats when I knew I had to give it an objective listen again, and I fell in love with it.

I actually prefer it over "Musicology", "3121" and "Planet Earth" combined.

I know he gets a shit load of grief for his political statements, but to me "Dreamer" hit home and I'll always love him for it.

Have to pretty much agree here, but replace Dreamer with Wall of Berlin. The album gave a really harsh first impression, but as I gave it a few more listen throughs, Lotusflow3r was great and MLPSound was...tolerable

The song off that album that really, really made me smile was $. That song is classic Prince; deceptively simple, infectiously energetic, and instantly charming.

PurpleKnight said:

Spinzilla said:

Have to pretty much agree here, but replace Dreamer with Wall of Berlin. The album gave a really harsh first impression, but as I gave it a few more listen throughs, Lotusflow3r was great and MLPSound was...tolerable

The song off that album that really, really made me smile was $. That song is classic Prince; deceptively simple, infectiously energetic, and instantly charming.

lezama said:

People will always find something to criticize... especially people who don't have any talent or abilities of their own and who merely live vicariously through celebrities and their experiences. They want and expect everyone else to be perfect so they don't have to...

Those who have their own crafts which they work at routinely tend to know what it means to appreciate the efforts of others and also realize that no one's gonna be impeccable 100% of the time.