The 96-03 era absolutely stinks, too crappy for my taste. This forum features some orgers that dig the music/albums of that period (to each his own), but none of the albums of that era are strong enough for me. Sorry, I don't feel them. I mean, I like some scattered tracks and that's all (Get You Groove On, Come On, So Far So Pleased, Everlasting Now, etc). I don't like the productions, the filler is everywhere, I don't like Prince's image during those years, and I don't like the vibe of that era (professional problems, personal problems, JW stuff, etc), hell I despise that entire era!

So, I'm going to pretend that the 96-03 albums don't exist anymore, I'm going to mentally block that era, I don't want to remember those albums and, from this moment on, I won't post in any 96-03 thread; for me, Prince retired after the poor sales/bad promotion of TGE and didn't decide to make a comeback until 2004 and the strong Musicology. The 96-03 era deserves to be erased from my mind... !

(...mental block... in , 3, 2 , 1 ... )

"I already don't remember anything of that era..."

"I already don't remember anything of that era..."

"I already don't remember anything of that era..."

...

...

...humm, I feel better, I feel liberated, I feel ten years younger, I feel better, feel good, feel wonderful ... try it, you all feel better too...

from TGE to Musicology:

How can you not like Prince's music from 1996 to 2003 when you can't remember it? You should re-listen to the albums from that period to remind yourself how it sounds like.

i like some of emancipation and c&d... and i like rave and rainbow children.. and some of ona :]

lol and i dont even really like musicology at all

id rather block out the 04-06 era lol musicology and 3121 are two of my least favorite albums.

ok then....

^i agreee

undergroundFUNK said:

I am one of those fans that likes most the stuff he puts out. But I do miss him really switching things up and doing something different and experimental. Such as releasing Around The World In A Day and Parade after Purple Rain. I want some more of that experimentation, not just like them albums but doing something different on every track that's way out in left field. I dig songs like All My Dreams and Crystal Ball and would love to have a new adventurious album like that.

The experimental post-Purple Rain period of Prince's music (1985-1988) is my all time favourite, so I really miss this too. Each album since 3121 is too similar. I like it how in those days his image changed every year and each tour was completely different, and how you could swear that the 2nd half of the LoveSexy Tour show was a different concert to the 1st half. I mean, who else could change the vibe of a concert like Prince did during that tour?

JoeTyler said:

The 96-03 era absolutely stinks, too crappy for my taste. This forum features some orgers that dig the music/albums of that period (to each his own), but none of the albums of that era are strong enough for me. Sorry, I don't feel them. I mean, I like some scattered tracks and that's all (Get You Groove On, Come On, So Far So Pleased, Everlasting Now, etc). I don't like the productions, the filler is everywhere, I don't like Prince's image during those years, and I don't like the vibe of that era (professional problems, personal problems, JW stuff, etc), hell I despise that entire era!

So, I'm going to pretend that the 96-03 albums don't exist anymore, I'm going to mentally block that era, I don't want to remember those albums and, from this moment on, I won't post in any 96-03 thread; for me, Prince retired after the poor sales/bad promotion of TGE and didn't decide to make a comeback until 2004 and the strong Musicology. The 96-03 era deserves to be erased from my mind... !

(...mental block... in , 3, 2 , 1 ... )

"I already don't remember anything of that era..."

"I already don't remember anything of that era..."

"I already don't remember anything of that era..."

...

...

...humm, I feel better, I feel liberated, I feel ten years younger, I feel better, feel good, feel wonderful ... try it, you all feel better too...

from TGE to Musicology:

But seriously, I block around half this "era" (1998-2001) from my memory.

here are the songs i like from that era (minus the crystal ball tracks which were written earler):

1. Somebody's Somebody

2. I cant Make you love me

3. Soul Sanctuary

4. The Holy River

5. Dreamin About U

6. Sleep Around

7. Emancipation

8. The One

9. The Greatest Romance Ever Sold

10. Whereever you go, whatever you do

11. When Eye Lay My Hands On U

12. High

13. Underneath the Cream
14. The Everlasting Now

And a few others (Jam of the year, Courtin time etc)

Overall yes this was a weak era mainly because of some of the production and lack of quality control.

Oh i forgot about Choas and Disorder. I only dig the title track and zannalee from that album

ONA and TRC

For me, I'd skip TGE except for Shy, TMBGITW and Gold.

Apart from those, no alchemy of soul for me there. King Midas was obviously on holiday.

[Edited 2/20/11 2:19am]

TheDigitalGardener said:

Right, thanks for letting us know.

There's very little difference between the crap on Emancipation, Rave, NPGMC and Musicology and 3121 - I wouldn't differentiate.

That is harsh. Some of the NPGMC shit is tops. Newpower Soul has a couple gems as does Emancipation and Crystal Ball.

Rainbow Children? The Purple Rain of the 00s. (As Gold was the Purple Rain of the 90s!)

For all I know, Prince released (independently) some scattered singles that, despite being good, didn't chart at all; its curious that he didn't release an album in 9 years; perhaps, wisely, he felt that his songrwriting wasn't strong/cohesive enough, so he waited until 2004 to release a new album with a major label...

the most curious single is "Everlasting Now / The Work Pt.1", it has a very interesting/anthemic funk/jazz organic sound, it's a shame that he didn't release a full album with that sound, or perhaps, wisely, he felt that he only had two strong tracks so he didn't bother to release a full album which would have been full of filler , and probably, cheesy-as-hell/bullshit lyrics, in fact, I think that the lyrics of Everlasting Now are rather stupid... who would have wanted a full album with that kind of lyrics?? no, it's better that he didn't release a new album in 9 years...

Good Singles of that era:

Dinner With Delores / Dig You Better Dead

Jam of The Year / Get You Groove On

New Power Soul / Come On

Wasted Kisses / Had U

So Far So Pleased / In This Bed I Scream

Greatest Romance Ever Sold / 1999 The New Master

Everlasting Now / The Work Pt.1

1999: The New Master???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Spinlight said:

1999: The New Master???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

I accept that B-Side as a enjoyable tongue-in-check/back-in-the-day gift for the fans

JoeTyler said:

Spinlight said:

1999: The New Master???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

I accept that B-Side as a enjoyable tongue-in-check/back-in-the-day gift for the fans

I can't even...

LOL it took me a minute...

wow

dyvrdown said:

LOL it took me a minute...

wow

only a minute?

yeah about that long actually lol to figure out what you were talking about.

NouveauDance said:

There's very little difference between the crap on Emancipation, Rave, NPGMC and Musicology and 3121 - I wouldn't differentiate.

I respectfully disagree

dyvrdown said:

yeah about that long actually lol to figure out what you were talking about.

mental block

[Edited 2/20/11 4:32am]

I can only laugh at this if I remember you praise a turd like 3121.

The 96-03 era wasn't great (bar TRC and even NEWS & Xpectation) but from 2003 onwards we had to attend Prince's artistic funeral.

undergroundFUNK said:

TheDigitalGardener said:

Right, thanks for letting us know.

I think digital's pussy is hurting cuz he sure has some snide remarks to make to everyone why don't you rub one out sooth her a bit she seems a little angry

'96-'03 is more like two eras.

1996-2000 was some bullshit for sure. some decent to great songs on some bad albums.

2001-2003 at least showed signs of life. he was actually putting some effort into the music and re-connecting with the core fanbase. I prefer the songs of 2004-2010 mostly, but I prefer the approach and attitude of 2001-2003.