Diamonds And Pearls outsold Lovesexy and Sign "O" The Times COMBINED!!! You can look at sales in the US, and throw in the worldwide figures. Good Promotion, choosing the right singles, and other non-music factors caused this to happen. As far as how well Lovesexy stands up the test of time??? I usually ask real musicans what they think, and most claim Lovesexy in their top 10. I am a songwriter, but not a artist by any means, and I still think it is one of his 5 best. I don't claim to have special ears, or better taste than anyone, but I just think that some people get it, and some don't. 20Ten is no masterpiece either, but it is a decent release. For whatever reason, there are some people who do not like ANYTHING by aging artists. Most in my circle claim Lotus Flow3r as a MAJOR return to form, while not digging MPLS Sound. I agree with my friends here too.

To suggest Lovesexy has lost it's charm with you shouldn't take anything away from it as a work of art. I can't stare at my book of Salvador Dali paintings anymore and get the same feeling I used to. I am still in awe when I take the trip to St. Petersburg and see them in person. If I worked there, it would lose some of the effect. Comparing Prince to Dali may be a stretch, but some people have reached some sort of quota for liking new Prince material. There are some that will not like his new stuff no matter how good it is, and should move on to something else. I'll put it this way: If you don't have any old music in your collection...seek out: Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Muddy Waters, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, The Beatles, etc... and see where modern music came from. Very rarely do you find an artist who keeps the same fan base satisfied forever. I know an old school Prince fan from the Dirty Mind days who felt Prince went too pop with Purple Rain....and shame on him, but he gave me valid reasons for his opinon.

I think instead of blaming Prince, you should look at your own tastes, and just move on. Sure he puts out some clunkers (Jughead, Daddy Pop, Wedding Feast, We Gets Up...to name a few), but I love most of his new stuff, and remain a fan. The bandwagon is small these days, and we probably don't need any loud bitching about wanting Purple Rain part 4, or SOTT. Hell, hardly anybody really bought SOTT anyway. If you don't like it, move on...and I've given some great hints at where to look for some "new" music...and it is in the past.

In conclusion, Lovesexy was, and still is a great album. I've played it in full over 500 times in my life. Oddly, Positivity, Dance On, and Glam Slam are my least favorite, and would still have to say if that is the worst on the thing, than it's a damn good thing!!!!

thedance said:

I agree Lovesexy is a masterpiece from start to finish.

Couldn't agree more. I was so enamored by this album that I made a longer mix with the Glam Slam remix, I Wish U Heaven remix, Scarlet Pussy, and Escape altogether and it's even better than the original CD. Lovesexy has always been my favorite album, but I love where he's gone since.

He is not the same person now that he was then. Not by a long shot. He's evolved in so many ways as an artist, performer, and person. Once more, whether you like the newer music or not, he is much happier than he ever has been.

stillwaiting said:

I think instead of blaming Prince, you should look at your own tastes, and just move on.

Like Prince has moved on? Let's see, which songs does he play in concert...

The bandwagon is small these days, and we probably don't need any loud bitching about wanting Purple Rain part 4, or SOTT.

Yes, that's what everybody is saying. Oh wait, no, that's what you lot keep pretending everyone is saying: you lot keep making shit up. The fact that you have to make shit up, speaks volumes.

stillwaiting said:

To suggest Lovesexy has lost it's charm with you shouldn't take anything away from it as a work of art. I can't stare at my book of Salvador Dali paintings anymore and get the same feeling I used to. I am still in awe when I take the trip to St. Petersburg and see them in person. If I worked there, it would lose some of the effect.

Exactly. The object doesn't change - we do.

Surprisingly many people seem to think it's the other way around...

RealMusician said:

I was seventeen when that came out. My thoughts on the world and experiences of it have altered slightly since then. I'm gonna guess that Prince also isn't the same person he was twenty two years ago.

Why do we always forget that he's fifty three years old and popular hits aren't gonna happen let alone albums with a real concept.

Prince is nearly closer to his 80s than the 80s!

iloveannie said:

I was seventeen when that came out. My thoughts on the world and experiences of it have altered slightly since then. I'm gonna guess that Prince also isn't the same person he was twenty two years ago.

Why do we always forget that he's fifty three years old and popular hits aren't gonna happen let alone albums with a real concept.

Prince is nearly closer to his 80s than the 80s!

But let's reassure ourselves that since slowing down his perception of time he will be recording until well into his 90s. Hmm... just like Cliff... interesting.

stillwaiting said:

Diamonds And Pearls outsold Lovesexy and Sign "O" The Times COMBINED!!! You can look at sales in the US, and throw in the worldwide figures. Good Promotion, choosing the right singles, and other non-music factors caused this to happen. As far as how well Lovesexy stands up the test of time??? I usually ask real musicans what they think, and most claim Lovesexy in their top 10. I am a songwriter, but not a artist by any means, and I still think it is one of his 5 best. I don't claim to have special ears, or better taste than anyone, but I just think that some people get it, and some don't. 20Ten is no masterpiece either, but it is a decent release. For whatever reason, there are some people who do not like ANYTHING by aging artists. Most in my circle claim Lotus Flow3r as a MAJOR return to form, while not digging MPLS Sound. I agree with my friends here too.

To suggest Lovesexy has lost it's charm with you shouldn't take anything away from it as a work of art. I can't stare at my book of Salvador Dali paintings anymore and get the same feeling I used to. I am still in awe when I take the trip to St. Petersburg and see them in person. If I worked there, it would lose some of the effect. Comparing Prince to Dali may be a stretch, but some people have reached some sort of quota for liking new Prince material. There are some that will not like his new stuff no matter how good it is, and should move on to something else. I'll put it this way: If you don't have any old music in your collection...seek out: Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Muddy Waters, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, The Beatles, etc... and see where modern music came from. Very rarely do you find an artist who keeps the same fan base satisfied forever. I know an old school Prince fan from the Dirty Mind days who felt Prince went too pop with Purple Rain....and shame on him, but he gave me valid reasons for his opinon.

I think instead of blaming Prince, you should look at your own tastes, and just move on. Sure he puts out some clunkers (Jughead, Daddy Pop, Wedding Feast, We Gets Up...to name a few), but I love most of his new stuff, and remain a fan. The bandwagon is small these days, and we probably don't need any loud bitching about wanting Purple Rain part 4, or SOTT. Hell, hardly anybody really bought SOTT anyway. If you don't like it, move on...and I've given some great hints at where to look for some "new" music...and it is in the past.

In conclusion, Lovesexy was, and still is a great album. I've played it in full over 500 times in my life. Oddly, Positivity, Dance On, and Glam Slam are my least favorite, and would still have to say if that is the worst on the thing, than it's a damn good thing!!!!

Please don't commpare Prince to Salvador Dali coz Dali is almost dictionary definition of wank contrived childish crap

iloveannie said:

"...Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Muddy Waters, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, The Beatles, etc... and see where modern music came from. Very rarely do you find an artist who keeps the same fan base satisfied."

Oh I don't know, The Frog Chorus was exceptional and easily comparable to earlier hits such as Yesterday, Blackbird and Yellow Submarine.

BartVanHemelen said:

stillwaiting said:

I think instead of blaming Prince, you should look at your own tastes, and just move on.

Like Prince has moved on? Let's see, which songs does he play in concert...

The bandwagon is small these days, and we probably don't need any loud bitching about wanting Purple Rain part 4, or SOTT.

Yes, that's what everybody is saying. Oh wait, no, that's what you lot keep pretending everyone is saying: you lot keep making shit up. The fact that you have to make shit up, speaks volumes.

Like you have moved on? Let's see, what are the 2 main things that you bang on about here?

Now, what do you keep saying? Oh yes, that's right - which songs does he play in concert (referring to your opinion that he plays none of his current music in concert which, of course, has nothing to do with the fact that he still creates new music and puts it out) and the fact that, apparently, most people here just "make shit up". The fact that you repeat these lines tirelessly speaks volumes.

You rattle on about Prince being unoriginal and not trying anything new and that contributors to this forum make ridiculous statements which are not substantial........yet that is EXACTLY how you are! It is a most appropriate description of how you display yourself here. Funny how they say that the things you admonish people the most for are the same things that you hate about yourself.

purpledoveuk said:

iloveannie said:

But let's reassure ourselves that since slowing down his perception of time he will be recording until well into his 90s. Hmm... just like Cliff... interesting.

Ah - Sir Cliff, the Uks Elvis (but gayer...allegedly), I've met him a few times, lovely bloke...very tanned, very leathery. My mum still goes ape-shit for his stuff

I read an article about Elvis that said with regards to women, fourteen was the magical age. That's fourteen (14) by the way in case you misread it. Funny how it never hit the headlines in the same way as Gary Glitter or Roman Polanski.

iloveannie said:

purpledoveuk said:

iloveannie said: Ah - Sir Cliff, the Uks Elvis (but gayer...allegedly), I've met him a few times, lovely bloke...very tanned, very leathery. My mum still goes ape-shit for his stuff

I read an article about Elvis that said with regards to women, fourteen was the magical age. That's fourteen (14) by the way in case you misread it. Funny how it never hit the headlines in the same way as Gary Glitter or Roman Polanski.

Cliff could never be accused of that. On a side note, doesn't it say somewhere that a rich man can't get into Heaven? Poor old Cliff's fucked then.

iloveannie said:

Why do we always forget that he's fifty three years old ...

He is 52 years old.

iloveannie said:

iloveannie said:

I read an article about Elvis that said with regards to women, fourteen was the magical age. That's fourteen (14) by the way in case you misread it. Funny how it never hit the headlines in the same way as Gary Glitter or Roman Polanski.

Cliff could never be accused of that. On a side note, doesn't it say somewhere that a rich man can't get into Heaven? Poor old Cliff's fucked then.

Heaven the gay club? Course he'd get in. I doubt if he'd pull though.

Ok, now, back on topic.

Funnily enough, I listened to Lovesexy for the first time in ages recently and it was a joy! A wonderful record. Its uplifting, playful, funny, well-performed but still on the right side of edgy for me. And it was the last in the line of possibly the best 6 consecutive releases from any artist I've heard - the run from 1999 to LoveSexy (plus B-sides and the pulled Black album) and the short timescale involved in producing all that quality music is just astonishing.

Glam Slam and I Wish U Heaven were always the lowlights for me, but I enjoyed them both more than whenever it was that I last heard them, which was slightly surprising. Alphabet St, Anna Stesia, Dance On, LoveSexy and Positivity were my faves back when it was released and they all still sound outstanding.

Those that say it sounds "cobbled together" are just guilty of snobbery in my view and you perhaps only suggest this because you've read about how it was put together in just a few weeks after the decision to pull the Black album. Its a fairly trite and ridiculous statement - Prince is so profilic that you could argue that most of his works are rushed to an extent. The fact he put the bulk of this album together in such a short space of time makes it all the more remarkable. If you make music yourself (which some of you do) then you would be delighted to put something together even a quarter as decent as this record in that sort of timeframe!

It had a cohesive sound, outlook, concept, image and inventive tour to go with it - musical and artistic ideas were just flooding out of him at the time. It was also better received in Europe than the US and it has usually seemed that the European listener was more open to assimilate a complex work than our American cousins.

iloveannie said:

Mindflux said:

Those that say it sounds "cobbled together" are just guilty of snobbery in my view and you perhaps only suggest this because you've read about how it was put together in just a few weeks after the decision to pull the Black album. Its a fairly trite and ridiculous statement - Prince is so profilic that you could argue that most of his works are rushed to an extent. The fact he put the bulk of this album together in such a short space of time makes it all the more remarkable. If you make music yourself (which some of you do) then you would be delighted to put something together even a quarter as decent as this record in that sort of timeframe!

It had a cohesive sound, outlook, concept, image and inventive tour to go with it -

I disagree, I did not know anything about Lovesexy when I was given a vinyl copy a week before its release by a DJ in college. I put it on and was instantly dissappointed with what sounded like weak beats and melodies and moods. It sounded jangled together and it didn't sound cool. I even remember the DJ saying "Aww man... Prince what are you doing? That beat is old!" - referring to Eye No which has that old school beat and bass line (remincent of Thriller released in 1983 which in itself was the mainstreaming of earlier sounds)

I create music (not a fraction as well as Prince does music! I can't even play one instrument competently) and I do appreciate the concept of attacking an album in a short time frame to try tp instill it with a surge of inspirational uplifting energy, and I understood later he purposely didn't make the beats wicked and cool (outside of "Dance On" and "Positivity") because he was trying to make them bright and full of a daylight heaven kissed childlike energy.

But I still like "The Ball" better than "Eye No". But I love "Eye No" after getting it more later on.

jwsullivan said:

I remember reading an interview once where Prince stated that, after Lovesexy he had nothing left to prove. That seems about right.

According to most orgers on here he still has alot to prove

they complain about any and everything.

errant said:

just listened to Lovesexy all the way through the other day. the more time passes, the less I like it. the sound is overly cluttered while simultaneously sounding lightweight. especially on the heels of SOTT and the Black Album. Paisley Park really did ruin his sound.

U pretty summed up my feelings about Lovesexy right here. It's not aging well imo...compared to Parade, SOTTs, and Black Album all of which I listen to as much now as I did back in the day and they STILL sound fresh.

The only song that stands out as out of place on this album, or has not aged well, is Positivity. I like it but I feel the album really ends musically & thematically with I Wish U Heaven and that Positivity is a postscript.

Musically, the snare sound has never done it for me. It gets on my nerves after a while. Still I like the changes that happen behind the unchanging beat. The "court singing together," the rapping, the guitar/horn duets, "don't kiss the beast," etc. Even as my least favorite track it is incredibly creative.

thepope2the9s said:

jcurley said:

Please don't commpare Prince to Salvador Dali coz Dali is almost dictionary definition of wank contrived childish crap

UuuuhhhhwhAT?!

Cerebus said:

purpledoveuk said:

thepope2the9s said:

According to most orgers on here he still has alot to prove

they complain about any and everything.

He has a lot to MAINTAIN, not prove - there no test involved just a self-made reputation. Sure some people will moan about anything, but there are equally those who would think the sound of him taking a tricky shit was amazing if it was his new CDs....stalkers I believe they are called

lol!

Sorry, it's a quickly thrown together album and its only message is "buy this because I scrapped the evil Black Album". It has some cool songs but several tracks are like demos and Prince didn't know where to go with them. I know I said it several times already but when a song has a chorus only consisting of "yeah yeah yeah" it should not be called as the "last time he was great". He topped this album several times since then. Not saying 20TEN is among them, but still, he made some great music after 1988.

LiveToTell86 said:

purpledoveuk said:

LiveToTell86 said:

Sorry, it's a quickly thrown together album and its only message is "buy this because I scrapped the evil Black Album". It has some cool songs but several tracks are like demos and Prince didn't know where to go with them. I know I said it several times already but when a song has a chorus only consisting of "yeah yeah yeah" it should not be called as the "last time he was great". He topped this album several times since then. Not saying 20TEN is among them, but still, he made some great music after 1988.

Oddly enough that's pretty much how the majority if recent released sound to me...take the tracks that actually sound finished or outtake bound from 5 albums any you could probably make 1 Prince album of the quality we subconciously expect from him. What I find hard to comprehend is the Funky guitar, the energy etc for which he campaigns so hard and displays live to legendary standards takes a backseat on many albums now for paperthin ...stuff

Criticism that Prince's studio tracks are flat and dead compared to his pliveplaying were common in the 80's too. From pros in the biz!

I have always said that Lovesexy was, is and will be a mess, a disaster

I know this album has many fans (which makes me wonder the level of fanaticism of those fans, considering that Lovesexy came after that timeless masterpiece called SOTT), but just get over it please... if not for Alphabet St., Lovesexy would be completely uneven.

The short version of I Wish You Heaven sounds like the castration that it is, Eye No, as ufoclub has said, is travesty of The Ball, and other good songs, like Anna Stesia (crappy lyrics anyway: "a boy or a girl"...wtf Really Prince, really??? ), the title-track or Glam Slam are trapped under tons and tons of late-80s cheese, plastic production and happy keyboards...disgusting.

And Dance On is a throaway, no more and no less, but I gotta admit that it's better than Tambourine or even Lemon Crush...

And don't get me started with the concept of the album: S-I-L-L-Y!! Positivy features one of his worst-ridiculous lyrics of all time. The album was a rushed substitute of the SUPERIOR Black Album, and the story of Prince dissing the BA because he thought that the whole album had a negative/evil vibe makes me wonder if the man had an accident in the late 1987 which made him temporarily stupid (I mean, IQ 72), or whatever...

Of course Eric Leeds was disappointed; they recorded a funky album (which surely sounded very similar to the unreleased Black Album) and he transformed it into a cartoon ...

I still dig Alphabet St, Lovesexy, Glam Slam and I Wish You Heaven (long version), but the rest, pfff...

the album was the failure it was meant to be and now is completely forgotten (Prince fans being the exception ), the failure was dire...even the LP front cover was a disgrace

Thank God for Batman, it saved his career

[Edited 7/31/10 15:18pm]