jpnyc said:

The media really hated Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic...

Really?

From that list of 9, 6 are favorable, 2 are mixed, and 1 is unfavorable.

toejam said:

jpnyc said:

The media really hated Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic...

Really?

• Allmusic link
• The A.V. Club (favorable) link
• Entertainment Weekly (B-) link
• NME (2/10) link
• Q link
• Robert Christgau link
• Rolling Stone link
• Village Voice (mixed) link
• Yahoo! Music (favorable) link

From that list of 9, 6 are favorable, 2 are mixed, and 1 is unfavorable.

I really don't think of 2 and 1/2 or 3 star reviews as "favorable"

It's in the past, and Musicology got good coverage that made up for it.

No NEWS is good news...

novabrkr said:

Truth444 said:

Ummmmm..... no.

Pardon me, that should have read "just saying".

But, yes, it's nonsense. Do you want me to analyze your statement?

I'll do it anyway.

You state that you "could" write a review of the record, but in that case you would have to listen to the CD and that you wouldn't have a coaster for your coffee mug. I highly doubt that you were really using that CD as a coaster for your coffee mug, but that's more of an exaggeration based on a trite figure of speech than something that would qualify as nonsense on its own right. However, two factors qualify your statement as nonsense: 1) The supposition that you are unable to write a review because your coffee mug needs a coaster all the time - most likely you aren't drinking coffee non-stop, so you could simply listen to it and write a review after you've finished drinking your cup of coffee. 2) You seem to be thinking that the figure of speech that you used and that is generally used to devalue an object has some sort relevance when expressing necessary conditions between states of affairs. This is a fallacy. However, since exaggerations and figures of speech cannot be really called "fallacies" or "false", the expression "nonsense" is usually applied to them instead.

Oh, I get it... I'll stay away from my high powered pain pills.

N.E.W.S. review from Allmusic.com- 2 stars.

http://allmusic.com/album/news-r652435

Recorded on February 6 (presumably 2003), N.E.W.S consists of four 14-minute instrumentals, "North," "East," "West," and "South," performed by Prince on guitar, keyboards, and percussion, with Eric Leeds on baritone and tenor saxophone, John Blackwell on drums, and Rhonda Smith on acoustic and electric bass. ("North" includes string samples "courtesy of" Clare Fisher.) The seemingly improvised music ranges from funk to jazz to new age without any apparent direction or intention. There are attractive passages here and there, such as some solo piano work on "North" and Leeds' warm horn playing throughout. Needless to say, this aimless studio jam is not what Prince fans are used to hearing from him, even given his eclectic and exploratory nature, and this is not the kind of album he might have been expected to deliver if he were still working for an established record company instead of putting out his own discs. But that may be the point. The listener, who will have to be a particularly rabid aficionado of all things Prince to be interested, must throw out all expectations and simply revel in the joy of hearing the musician and his cohorts experiment with relaxed musical textures for 56 minutes. Of course, no one else needs to bother.

[Edited 2/4/11 11:40am]

cracknbush said:

I recall a review or two about NEWS back in the day. I believe it was nominated for some award as well.

The coolest thing about NEWS I remember, was hearing it live.

He had a release viewing of One Night Alone Live DVD at the Universal Citywalk Cineplex in Universal City, CA. the day the DVD came out. It was exclusive for NPGMC Members.

On the way in we were told to head over to BB Kings Blues Clug at Universal Citywalk after the movie. I believe J7 of the Bumpsquad was handing out the passes.

Upon exiting the movie, everyone was shuffled over to BB Kings Blues Club at Universal Citywalk for a very intimate private show.

Prince and the NPG w/Eric Leeds played N.E.W.S live. Exactly who was playing save Prince and Eric escapes me now. Believe Renato and Rhonda. Can't remember if John Blackwell or Sheila was on the drums.

He didn't sing or speak a word. All instrumental. Once in a lifetime kinda night. All free.

Now THAT is cool.

errant said:

toejam said:

Really?

• Allmusic link
• The A.V. Club (favorable) link
• Entertainment Weekly (B-) link
• NME (2/10) link
• Q link
• Robert Christgau link
• Rolling Stone link
• Village Voice (mixed) link
• Yahoo! Music (favorable) link

From that list of 9, 6 are favorable, 2 are mixed, and 1 is unfavorable.

I really don't think of 2 and 1/2 or 3 star reviews as "favorable"

Well, that's a matter of perception and linguistics, but the fact remains that 6 out of 9 reviews scored it higher than 50% in their rating system (i.e. more good than bad). I'm not saying critics loved it, but I'm just pointing out that it wasn't as universally hated as the original poster states. This is the case with most Prince albums. They're normally received quite well when they first come out, and then over time more often than not people remember the negative press more than the positive. Rave's one of my guilty pleasures so I have to stand up for it

cracknbush said:

I recall a review or two about NEWS back in the day. I believe it was nominated for some award as well.

The coolest thing about NEWS I remember, was hearing it live.

He had a release viewing of One Night Alone Live DVD at the Universal Citywalk Cineplex in Universal City, CA. the day the DVD came out. It was exclusive for NPGMC Members.

On the way in we were told to head over to BB Kings Blues Clug at Universal Citywalk after the movie. I believe J7 of the Bumpsquad was handing out the passes.

Upon exiting the movie, everyone was shuffled over to BB Kings Blues Club at Universal Citywalk for a very intimate private show.

Prince and the NPG w/Eric Leeds played N.E.W.S live. Exactly who was playing save Prince and Eric escapes me now. Believe Renato and Rhonda. Can't remember if John Blackwell or Sheila was on the drums.

He didn't sing or speak a word. All instrumental. Once in a lifetime kinda night. All free.

Anyone knows if this show is circulating?

jonylawson said:

i LOVE N.E.W.S i think its a brave ass piece of work

i think its totally honest and i think it s the highest musicianship

Me too!

irreverence said:

jonylawson said:

i LOVE N.E.W.S i think its a brave ass piece of work

i think its totally honest and i think it s the highest musicianship

Me too!

agreed