Every time I see a review of a "new" Prince album [from the last decade], it's [mostly] always about what was "wrong" with the album, yet when I see reviews of albums by other "veteran" artist, they get critical acclaim? I've seen albums by Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, U2, etc. all get rave reviews for their lastest albums [which if you go back & listen to their old stuff, their new stuff pales in comparion as well]? Is Prince the only one held to such super high standards, or is it something else going on? What do you all think? Is it just me, or does anybody else ever notice this?

ParanoidAndroid said:

U2's latest album was crap and it got rave reviews.

Exactly! That's my point! But why rave reviews for it?

Prince isn't living up to his potential - that's it. There's isn't "something else" going on, other than maybe a little commercial bias.

gunner82 said:

NouveauDance said:

Prince isn't living up to his potential - that's it. There's isn't "something else" going on, other than maybe a little commercial bias.

But how many artists new stuff [after 30 years+ of making music & releasing albums consistantly] is better than their old stuff? We all met our apex then slowly start to diminish
over time....

20 Ten got good reviews where it was released. LotusFlow3r got good reviews. Musicology got ridiculously good reviews as a 'return to form' and I don't think it was that great. He's won more Grammy's in the last few years than he has in the last 20.

The only criticism is on this site.

ParanoidAndroid said:

gunner82 said:

Exactly! That's my point! But why rave reviews for it?

Money? Hype?

It's all hype to push sales. Every U2 album gets rave reviews no matter how bad it is.

SEXUALCHOCOLATE said:

The only criticism is on this site.

And by NME reviewers

gunner82 said:

Every time I see a review of a "new" Prince album [from the last decade], it's [mostly] always about what was "wrong" with the album, yet when I see reviews of albums by other "veteran" artist, they get critical acclaim? I've seen albums by Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, U2, etc. all get rave reviews for their lastest albums [which if you go back & listen to their old stuff, their new stuff pales in comparion as well]? Is Prince the only one held to such super high standards, or is it something else going on? What do you all think? Is it just me, or does anybody else ever notice this?

There's nothing else going on. That is, if you're talking about music critics.

I can't speak about the tabloids or pop culture gossip forums as I don't read or pay attention to them (I've never eve been to Perez Hiilton).

Anyways, most music critics have no specific agenda to push. They're simply listening to the music based off of its own merit. You have to remember, that critics haven't taken kindly to Madonna or MJ's more recent recordings either--mostly because they were crap.

I do get a sense that some critics are long-time fans or have been doing research on Prince though--as some of their criticisms contrast current albums against older albums--but, even then some of the critics get it wrong in their 'historical perspective'.

Either way, if Prince puts out a brilliant album--critics will react accordingly. It's up to Prince, really.

gunner82 said:

NouveauDance said:

Prince isn't living up to his potential - that's it. There's isn't "something else" going on, other than maybe a little commercial bias.

But how many artists new stuff [after 30 years+ of making music & releasing albums consistantly] is better than their old stuff? We all met our apex then slowly start to diminish
over time....

That's no excuse to give up on them IMO.

U if like the material......who gives a damn?

Prince doesn't.

SEXUALCHOCOLATE said:

20 Ten got good reviews where it was released. LotusFlow3r got good reviews. Musicology got ridiculously good reviews as a 'return to form' and I don't think it was that great. He's won more Grammy's in the last few years than he has in the last 20.

The only criticism is on this site.

Not true

gunner82 said:

Every time I see a review of a "new" Prince album [from the last decade], it's [mostly] always about what was "wrong" with the album, yet when I see reviews of albums by other "veteran" artist, they get critical acclaim? I've seen albums by Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, U2, etc. all get rave reviews for their lastest albums [which if you go back & listen to their old stuff, their new stuff pales in comparion as well]? Is Prince the only one held to such super high standards, or is it something else going on? What do you all think? Is it just me, or does anybody else ever notice this?

If Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon and U2 Followed The Joshua Tree and their other seminal works by having their follow-up ape NKOTB, Boys 2 Men and Nu-Shooz, they would be in the same boat Prince is in, believe me.

Prince dumbed down his music and became a follower of trends instead of creating them. Music critics and fans once fawned over his music because kept moving forward, creating fantastic music regardless of trends. In the 90's we rolled our eyes and couldn't believe how far the greatest artist of our time had fallen.

The artists above that you mentioned, kept their artistic integrity and dignity. They never tried to be the next MJ, Madonna or Britney Spears. Prince seemed to be so insecure that he did not realize how far above the crowd his art was. And seeing him pander looked pathetic and beneath someone of his greatness.

THAT is why critics and fans look down on his newer music.

And for the record, some "critics" Edna Gunderson and other low fruit have given Prince good reviews in exchange for exclusive face time. And let's not forget that screwball reviewer that recently said that 20ten was on par with SOTT.

[Edited 4/13/11 6:38am]

Prince music 1996-2010 is critisized:

Because the funk ain't really funky nomore.......

still...... a few cool songs on the albums though...

Maybe if Prince took off the handcuffs (JW based self censorship) his music would begin 2 breathe again

When Minneapolis SOund was released I was so looking 4 THAT sound ... seriously disappointed

Same year(?) Sheila E. put up a mock clip imitation of Prince seriously rocking the Linn drumkit

I kept playing that over n over just for the simple rawness of that sound

And then said why didn't Prince hook that album up like Sheila did that clip.

Little stuff like this is why he can be highly criticized

thedance said:

Prince music 1996-2010 is critisized:

Because the funk ain't really funky nomore.......

still...... a few cool songs on the albums though...

Prince can still get funky. Examples include:

Sadomasochistic Groove

The Work

Musicology

Black Sweat

PFunk / FUNK

Ol Skool Company

thedance said:

Prince music 1996-2010 is critisized:

Because the funk ain't really funky nomore.......

still...... a few cool songs on the albums though...

That alone tells me something more is going on there. So magically when he left WB he lost the genius? Utter bullshit! He still has it, he is resposible for those early hits, not WB. He just lost them backing him, therefore lost there media control.

F*ck reviews! They rave albums that are no good....take a look at recent reviews of newer albums, they are crap. They only rave the people that are in their pocket. Prince aint playing by their rules anymore so they dog him. His work from the last 10 years is GREAT! There are no more "bad" songs on his later albums than there are on his earlier ones. And the great songs are still there, just w/o all the cursing and open perversion.

And one must remember, there will always be that 1 major high they hit and can't reach it again, because if it was that obtainable, then it wouldn't be that great. There will always only be 1 Thriller, yet MJ gets dogged for Bad & Dangerous not living up to Thriller's standards. Sorry but both Bad & Dangerous has sold over 30million each. And if that's bad albums sales, then I'm all for it! Invincible sold 10million worldwide, yet it gets thrown under the bus...its his best album IMO. But whatever!

802 said:

Prince can still get funky. Examples include:

Sadomasochistic Groove

The Work

Musicology

Black Sweat

PFunk / FUNK

Ol Skool Company

That is one sorry looking list.

NouveauDance said:

There's isn't "something else" going on, other than maybe a little commercial bias.

Agree!

I do believe Prince has penned some great potential hit singles in recent years, however if you aint a Prince fan, you aint heard most of 'em.

NouveauDance said:

802 said:

Prince can still get funky. Examples include:

Sadomasochistic Groove

The Work

Musicology

Black Sweat

PFunk / FUNK

Ol Skool Company

That is one sorry looking list.

lol

A couple things that might influence this:

Prince has put out an album (or more) almost every year. Most artists (like the ones you mentioned) are every other year at best, often every 3 or 4 years (maybe more).

The "less is more" reasoning fits here.

Also, Prince has snubbed the "Industry". Don't think that making enemies of record companies will not affect reviews, radio play and the general attitude towards an artist. They'll still praise his past legendary status with occasional awards and such, all the while barely mentioning what he's currently up to. Just watch Lopez tonight. I would expect very little mention of 20Ten or whatever album he may be working on. They'll talk about the gigs in L.A., but nothing that'll generate interest in any new material.

And lastly,

Expectation! Everyone expects genius from Prince. Perhaps expectations are not so high for most artists past their glory days.

Just a few ideas...

Finding reputable music critics is as tough as finding great music. There aren't many people around with a passion for true diversity in music. There aren't a lot of knowledge people either, who actually listen to earlier artists as much as whoever is new or hot. I'm very discerning of whose taste/opinion I trust. And it's true that without a record label, you can't buy the media love as much.

Like someone else upthread said: "Who cares?" My ears always have the last word.

djThunderfunk said:

A couple things that might influence this:

Prince has put out an album (or more) almost every year. Most artists (like the ones you mentioned) are every other year at best, often every 3 or 4 years (maybe more).

The "less is more" reasoning fits here.

Really? I'd take a new cd from Prince........every week.

Graycap23 said:

djThunderfunk said:

A couple things that might influence this:

Prince has put out an album (or more) almost every year. Most artists (like the ones you mentioned) are every other year at best, often every 3 or 4 years (maybe more).

The "less is more" reasoning fits here.

Really? I'd take a new cd from Prince........every week.

Oh, I agree!!!

I'm talking here about mainstream audiences & mainstream reviewers.

I just want more, more & oh yeah, MORE!

NouveauDance said:

802 said:

Prince can still get funky. Examples include:

Sadomasochistic Groove

The Work

Musicology

Black Sweat

PFunk / FUNK

Ol Skool Company

That is one sorry looking list.

How so?

djThunderfunk said:

A couple things that might influence this:

Prince has put out an album (or more) almost every year. Most artists (like the ones you mentioned) are every other year at best, often every 3 or 4 years (maybe more).

The "less is more" reasoning fits here.

Also, Prince has snubbed the "Industry". Don't think that making enemies of record companies will not affect reviews, radio play and the general attitude towards an artist. They'll still praise his past legendary status with occasional awards and such, all the while barely mentioning what he's currently up to. Just watch Lopez tonight. I would expect very little mention of 20Ten or whatever album he may be working on. They'll talk about the gigs in L.A., but nothing that'll generate interest in any new material.

And lastly,

Expectation! Everyone expects genius from Prince. Perhaps expectations are not so high for most artists past their glory days.

Just a few ideas...

Prince has to be cutting edge and compromise just a little to be visible in the 'pop culture'

Prince hasn't even promoted 20Ten, much less in the states... how many times has even even done a song from the album

He's definately promoting W2A and the European shows, but the album project not at all.

bombard the internet/cyberspace with promo ... like that photo he took standing in front of Bobby & Wendy(Parade) era, fans got really excited about that pic,

Doing stuff like that putting it out there, stop fighting the fandom and do very raw & artsy promo photos of Prince, Prince & Sheila Prince and the band Prince and former band members, Prince at 1st Avenue etc etc, & some how more than anything get 20Ten out 2 the states.

802 said:

How so?

1) Half the songs are genre-chasing shit.

2) Even if they were all decent, that's only half a dozen tracks, a friggin' EPs worth squeezed from a whole decade of yearly albums - that's sorry.

3) You missed off Everlasting Now, $, Sticky Like Glue and Everybody Loves Me.*

j/k about that last one

NouveauDance said:

802 said:

How so?

1) Half the songs are genre-chasing shit.

2) Even if they were all decent, that's only half a dozen tracks, a friggin' EPs worth squeezed from a whole decade of yearly albums - that's sorry.

3) You missed off Everlasting Now, $, Sticky Like Glue and Everybody Loves Me.*

j/k about that last one

It was just a quick list of songs from the top of my head. I never said they were his best funk songs of the past 15 years