It always surprises me when someone thinks {insert album name here} was Prince's last album. Usually I get "Musicology", since that was given free away at concerts. Most people have no idea that he releases a new album almost every year.

I have to be honest though: part of me envies their ignorance. Ignorance is bliss, and ignorance of Prince's recent catalog is musical bliss. These people grew up on Purple Rain and his 80s music, probably had the Batman soundtrack but lost track of Prince with the name change to a symbol.

They've seen him perform at the Hall of Fame and Superbowl, but haven't kept up on the music itself. In that regard, their "ideal" Prince of the 80s never went away. Purple Rain is their favorite and they have never heard albums such as New Power Soul and Planet Earth.

Again, only part of me feels this way. I'm disciplined enough to not discount an entire album because of a few duds. In recent years, most of 20Ten, LotusFlow3r (the album), 3121, Musicology are brilliant . . . but I can also find "worth" in parts of Planet Earth and MPLSound.

With iTunes/digital media, we can really make our own albums or playlists to our liking and just ignore the rest.

Se7en said:

It always surprises me when someone thinks {insert album name here} was Prince's last album. Usually I get "Musicology", since that was given free away at concerts. Most people have no idea that he releases a new album almost every year.

I have to be honest though: part of me envies their ignorance. Ignorance is bliss, and ignorance of Prince's recent catalog is musical bliss. These people grew up on Purple Rain and his 80s music, probably had the Batman soundtrack but lost track of Prince with the name change to a symbol.

They've seen him perform at the Hall of Fame and Superbowl, but haven't kept up on the music itself. In that regard, their "ideal" Prince of the 80s never went away. Purple Rain is their favorite and they have never heard albums such as New Power Soul and Planet Earth.

Again, only part of me feels this way. I'm disciplined enough to not discount an entire album because of a few duds. In recent years, most of 20Ten, LotusFlow3r (the album), 3121, Musicology are brilliant . . . but I can also find "worth" in parts of Planet Earth and MPLSound.

With iTunes/digital media, we can really make our own albums or playlists to our liking and just ignore the rest.

You might be onto something here. I don't mind Prince's more mediocre output - I like listening to his side-projects, protege albums, forays into new-age jazz, all the unreleased songs - but there's just so much to wade through there. If the focus is narrower, you'll just get the Prince at his best.

...here we are our monthly dose of drama provided by thedance...

the music industry has changed dude and that largely is down 2 prince.

Ive enjoyed his music the last few years.

although nothing would be as good as the 80's /90's

2 me but thats just cause im not in my youth no more & nore is he.

I think prince has matured really well with age your priorities change thats all.

I can here lot of his influence in 2days music & no modern artist can get me as excited as a prince release.

he even got me 2 buy a faschist newspaper like the daily mail 4 planet earth

genius.....

He's always "warm" for me because he keeps producing.

I think some folks wish for a big hit, because we want more than the hard core to know just how good Prince is, but top 40 is primarily a youth market. Has been for years.

Prince could write the greatest pop song and it likely wouldn't "hit" because he's 52. One of todays stars could have a hit on a lesser song, because it's the whole fantasy being sold.

Every era has great songs and shit songs that are hits. - I guess it's another thread to talk about all of the temporary hit makers of each era who produced forgettable music.

I wonder who will be a lasting influence from the 90's on?

thedance said:

Prince was once one of the hottest Pop stars in the world, but now he is one of the coldest.

His impact on the music scene today is zero.

And yet it seems like Prince himself doesn't even care about this anymore,

it seems like he has given up to make another hit song.

Isn't this a bit annoying.

Where is Prince's ambitions these days /years

-

[Edited 12/3/10 3:41am]

Which of the NY/NJ concerts are you attending?

thedance said:

Prince was once one of the hottest Pop stars in the world, but now he is one of the coldest.

His impact on the music scene today is zero.

And yet it seems like Prince himself doesn't even care about this anymore,

it seems like he has given up to make another hit song.

Isn't this a bit annoying.

Where is Prince's ambitions these days /years

-

[Edited 12/3/10 3:41am]

I guess your points are at odds of Prince's..

He doesn't need to make himself famous, for He is Famous, therefore, he doesn't need to impact the music scene, everyone who wants to pierce into this industry, has at least once sampled, or imitated Prince, even few notes..Guetta, MGMT, etc

This includes that he doesn't really need to make a big Hit, as almost all of his previous known songs are hits..

Obvious Ambition: He cares of course about playing in places where noone has ever played before because he wants to be The One, to begin something new, by that way, he is of course a kind of leader..

His other ambitions aren't known from us cause really personal to him, fortuneately..

vitriol said:

...here we are our monthly dose of drama provided by thedance...

F. you Vitriol:

why don't you reply to my question instead of just repeating yourself.

Ps to some of you... I'm not talking about Prince's live performances,

I'm talking about his releases,

20Ten is dead cold if you ask me. No promotion - no videos - no single downloads - nothing.

Don't you miss those kind of things happening??

Ever heard of borderline personality disorder ?

many of today's musicians/singers are inspired by prince. So yes he has had a big impact

And i do feel that 20ten was prince just playing around. I feel that he will make a really good album in the near future and give it some good promotion.

Piiijiii said:

Ever heard of borderline personality disorder ?

^ What's that supposed to mean.

thedance said:

Thanks to all for the replies.

My question to all of you who disagrees with me: Are you really happy how Prince is running his "business" these days /years ?

I mean the latest release 20Ten was OK (about 7 out of 10 imo),

But no music video or promotion,

I agree Prince is still hot as a live performer, I was really feeling his 2 main concerts in Denmark in October.

but as an artist releasing singles and albums he's is nothing but cold.

No one cares about Prince's newer music anymore other than a very small minority.. where's is Prince's ambitions, why is he no more putting energy into promotion, at least trying to be successful again.

It's true I want the good old days to return, with extended versions and music videos.

Am I really craving too much. I don't think so myself...

I dont' think so either but, I could not tell you the last time I turned on the radio or watched a music video. Hell, I'm 41yrs old and that sh!t don't matter to me anymore.

I do miss the videos and the single, then again, I still get my 'Purple Funk' when I need it. I love the remixes that some DJs come up with or who P 'allows' to remix his music, officially.

& the beat goes on !!!

If you start another goodbye thread, I will say in advance: Bye, bye

thedance said:

Prince was once one of the hottest Pop stars in the world, but now he is one of the coldest.

His impact on the music scene today is zero.

And yet it seems like Prince himself doesn't even care about this anymore,

it seems like he has given up to make another hit song.

Isn't this a bit annoying.

Where is Prince's ambitions these days /years

-

[Edited 12/3/10 3:41am]

loveeverywhere said:

If you mean impact as in airplay, well that would take a huge marketing campaign from some major label. don't think that's going to happen!

Bullseye! But it seems some folks just can't get the point...

thedance said:

vitriol said:

...here we are our monthly dose of drama provided by thedance...

F. you Vitriol:

why don't you reply to my question instead of just repeating yourself.

Ps to some of you... I'm not talking about Prince's live performances,

I'm talking about his releases,

20Ten is dead cold if you ask me. No promotion - no videos - no single downloads - nothing.

Don't you miss those kind of things happening??

Considering Prince's 'every burp' is recorded and bootlegged almost immediately I'd have to say NO.

The rush is still there for the search for bootlegs and the hunt for live video.

When Prince made his own videos fo Lotusflow3r everyone on here called them cheap. So why would he feel the need to make more for what may come acrossas an unappreciative audience.

Maybe if the fans could finally decide for themselves if they love/hate the dude or if they're done with him/giving him a chance for once and for all. We could possibly see him feel warmer to the masses that still care for his talent and not bog him down with all this psuedo-negativity crap that y'all spout every 2-3 months on cue.

Welcome 2 America is a great sign from Prince. First off he made it affordable and he's really promoting it. It's seems that's the cue for the naysayers to pop up again with the "he's done", "I'm done", "Why are you done?" threads.

BTW - See you at the concert

thedance said:

vitriol said:

...here we are our monthly dose of drama provided by thedance...

F. you Vitriol:

why don't you reply to my question instead of just repeating yourself.

Ps to some of you... I'm not talking about Prince's live performances,

I'm talking about his releases,

20Ten is dead cold if you ask me. No promotion - no videos - no single downloads - nothing.

Don't you miss those kind of things happening??

20 ten served it's PURPOSE.

vitriol said:

...here we are our monthly dose of drama provided by thedance...

That's no damn lie, now is it? It's so ridiculous and stupid.

HonestMan13 said:

thedance said:

Prince was once one of the hottest Pop stars in the world, but now he is one of the coldest.

His impact on the music scene today is zero.

And yet it seems like Prince himself doesn't even care about this anymore,

it seems like he has given up to make another hit song.

Isn't this a bit annoying.

Where is Prince's ambitions these days /years

-

[Edited 12/3/10 3:41am]

Which of the NY/NJ concerts are you attending?

I hope that rat don't come to NY for real. It's bad enough that we have enough of them rats here from NY or who's coming to NY/NJ who trash Prince on the regular who are going to these shows. God knows we don't need another one.

All things considered, Prince is doing very well for himself.

In the past 6 years alone, he's been the highest-grossing musical act (2004), was inducted into the R&R Hall Of Fame, performed the Superbowl halftime, and sold out and performed 21 Nights at the 02 (and also performed aftershows) . . . not to mention releasing 6 albums.

I'll say this: the public could've written him off for good long ago. The name change, the feud with WB, converting to JW, suing his fans, etc. The fact that he made it through all that relatively intact speaks volumes for how much he is adored worldwide. Not just tolerated - adored.

Does his recent work pale by comparison to his 80s work? Most would agree yes. The man himself though does not.

Cerebus said:

He hasn't been a trendsetter for years, but I don't think his influence will ever stop. All kinds of artists still site The Beatles, John Coltrane, Led Zepplin, James Brown and a ton of others as influences on a regular basis. I expect Prince will be the same.

This is what I was about to type.

JustErin said:

Cerebus said:

He hasn't been a trendsetter for years, but I don't think his influence will ever stop. All kinds of artists still site The Beatles, John Coltrane, Led Zepplin, James Brown and a ton of others as influences on a regular basis. I expect Prince will be the same.

This is what I was about to type.

Well Justin Bieber mentioned him...