dawnboy999 said:

I don't understand the love affair with this album with so many critics and fans labeling it a classic. Besides Alphabet St the melodies are weak and forced not inspired. The production is derivative and not at all original. Princes vocals don't seem passionate and confident and songs like Lovesexy Dance on and Glam slam are some of the worst Prince songs ever put on a heavily promoted album. To me the irony is that for all the hate and sell out accusations of the follow up Batman soundtrack the songs on that album were far superior. Electric Chair ,Trust and Lemon Crush are much better than anything on Lovesexy.

I'm not crazy about it either.

The only songs I like on there are Alphabet Street; Glam Slam (which I looooove); Anna Stesia and Dance On.

Eye No is one of the best songs ever!!

Frickin fantastic!!!

Batman is an okay album but it's hardly gonna set the world on fire.

[Edited 6/12/11 2:31am]

thedance said:

wait a minute, are we talkin about LOVESEXY, the Prince album????

[img:$uid]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/ecnirp2004/Prince/Lovesexy-2.jpg[/img:$uid]

Are your deaf lol..... the album is one of the finest from Prince, a top 5 Prince album.

I everything about this piece of art.

[img:$uid]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/ecnirp2004/Prince/AlphabetStvideo-2.jpg[/img:$uid]

The many layers in the production, the screaming guitars, the artwork is stylish and the music videos are brilliant.

[img:$uid]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/ecnirp2004/Prince/GlamSlam-1.gif[/img:$uid]

Prince style, the clothes the hair, everything was sooo cool

[img:$uid]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/ecnirp2004/Prince/Lovesexy6.jpg[/img:$uid]

LOVESEXY, this album is worth a 10/10 imo......

[Edited 6/12/11 1:23am]

^

aren't the critisism of Lovesexy comming from amaricans mostly: ?

Sales.... was a disaster in the USA,

but sales were afaik quite good in UK, Germany / in Europe in general.

(Hitting #1 in UK and top 10 in other European countries).

I wonder if the "hate" towards this fine album is mostly an american thing ?

The "new power sound", the multi layered pop blend with funk did not appeal to americans, and they found the album cover pic offenssive....

europeans aren't that easy to offend and they love good pop music.

Just a thought, right or wrong...?

Absolutely!!

Just think how different Princes music might be had Lovesexy been recieved better by the music critics / press of the time.

I agree, in general it's seen as a masterpeice now, but was it then?

I know the concert was, but not sure about the album?

PRNelson said:

Dave1992 said:

You have to have been truly depressed once in your lifetime and have had listened to the album at that time. Then you can understand and appreciate it for the rest of your life. It's a very powerful album. You have to open your heart and mind to understand how to love it.

What does that even mean? It's mumbo jumbo.

As a side note, The 'Lovesexy saved me life' quote that gets banded around on here is embarrasing. If Prince had never made the comment that he received letters stating such i highly doubt should claims by fans would be made.

No, it's a different way of saying that you'll make listening to and appreciating it easier for yourself. You know, open-mindedness is an actual noun in English language with an actual, concrete meaning, not mumbo jumbo.

And it's also proven that people tend to be more open to new, different things and tend to interpret things more emotionally and try to search for more meaning when they have been sad for a long time.

I didn't mean that someone who hasn't been clinically depressed couldn't enjoy Lovesexy (I believe you, Genesia!), but it's a difficult album to swallow and understand when you simply expect good music. The music is alright, to many even very good, but on the musical level there's not much other Prince albums couldn't offer. It's about the feeling he created and the reading between the lines. It's part of the album and part of the era. You know, to me, an album isn't only the product of music that's on it; it's also the "aura" an album has - as an artist you can influence that by the cover, liner notes, the tour, the lyrics, the way of promoting it, the interview you gave during that time, your clothes, your attitude, ...

You can call it mumbo jumbo, but there's actually logical meaning behind it.

pepper7 said:

Absolutely!!

Just think how different Princes music might be had Lovesexy been recieved better by the music critics / press of the time.

I agree, in general it's seen as a masterpeice now, but was it then?

I know the concert was, but not sure about the album?

The New York Times published a favorable review of Lovesexy and the Black Album as companion albums:

http://www.nytimes.com/19...rming.html

I thought this album was pretty dope! I've always thought "ATWIAD" was his worst 80's album. I can listen to this whole album [The Title Track is the only one I wish was a little shorter & less cluttered]. But hey, To Each His/Her Own.....

[Edited 6/12/11 5:23am]

Dave1992 said:

PRNelson said:

What does that even mean? It's mumbo jumbo.

As a side note, The 'Lovesexy saved me life' quote that gets banded around on here is embarrasing. If Prince had never made the comment that he received letters stating such i highly doubt should claims by fans would be made.

No, it's a different way of saying that you'll make listening to and appreciating it easier for yourself. You know, open-mindedness is an actual noun in English language with an actual, concrete meaning, not mumbo jumbo.

And it's also proven that people tend to be more open to new, different things and tend to interpret things more emotionally and try to search for more meaning when they have been sad for a long time.

I didn't mean that someone who hasn't been clinically depressed couldn't enjoy Lovesexy (I believe you, Genesia!), but it's a difficult album to swallow and understand when you simply expect good music. The music is alright, to many even very good, but on the musical level there's not much other Prince albums couldn't offer. It's about the feeling he created and the reading between the lines. It's part of the album and part of the era. You know, to me, an album isn't only the product of music that's on it; it's also the "aura" an album has - as an artist you can influence that by the cover, liner notes, the tour, the lyrics, the way of promoting it, the interview you gave during that time, your clothes, your attitude, ...

You can call it mumbo jumbo, but there's actually logical meaning behind it.

I've been severely depressed. And listened to Lovesexy. Didn't do a thing for me. In fact, I'd wager that if Lovesexy (or any album) can pull someone out of a depression, they weren't all that depressed to begin with.

What's Alan Leeds quote abotu Alphabet St. in the Hits liner notes? Flintstones vitamins for the soul? I'd expand to cover the spirituality of the entire record, actually.

thedance said:

^

aren't the critisism of Lovesexy comming from amaricans mostly: ?

Sales.... was a disaster in the USA,

but sales were afaik quite good in UK, Germany / in Europe in general.

(Hitting #1 in UK and top 10 in other European countries).

I wonder if the "hate" towards this fine album is mostly an american thing ?

The "new power sound", the multi layered pop blend with funk did not appeal to americans, and they found the album cover pic offenssive....

europeans aren't that easy to offend and they love good pop music.

Just a thought, right or wrong...?

I don't think that's it either; sure I'm American, and while most of Lovesexy pretty much left me cold, there's similar-sounding stuff on Graffiti Bridge (like "Tick Tick Bang" and "Elephants and Flowers"), that I loved.

The album cover wasn't a problem for me either, I've always kinda thought it was hot, actually.

Well, you're certainly entitled to your opinion, foolish as it may be.

But seriously, Lovesexy is one of the only Prince albums that didn't have to 'grow on me.' From the first 'hundalasilliah!' I was in love.

I worked in a record store when this came out. I remember feeling this was one of the main periods where casual Prince fans just took a long break from Prince, and the die-hards like me were in Heaven!!

The cover did not do much to increase sales either and everyone thought I was gay for liking it so much.

nobody says you have to like it...just listen to something else then

Alphabet street, i wish u heaven and Anastasia are good. But It has never been a favorite of mine either. to me this album kicked off the first inklings of 90's cheesy sound. To me this was the beginning of the descent. It sounds quickly thrown together in a bad way. This album has not aged as well as the rest of his 80's classics.

pepper7 said:

babynoz said:

I seldom comment on Lovesexy since invariably someone will say "oh, you just don't get it".

Well, I do "get it"...just not impressed, then or now.

I understand that the album is representative of his mindset during that time and the message he wanted to convey, but I agree with errant and blackbob that it sounds cluttered. I dig Anna Stesia and Alphabet St. but that's about it.

I felt the same about the shows with the cars, basketball hoops and whatnot. It makes for good visuals but the gimmickry is tiresome to me...I just don't need it.

The artsy-fartsy vibe kinda turned me off as well, not to mention the inclusion of the endlessly annoying Ingrid Chavez. It just ain't my thing.

Then there was the one track thing, which I resented because to me it says "I'm gonna force you to see things my way" instead of allowing the ideas you're trying to communicate stand or fall on their own merit.

But hey, for those who enjoy it, I say more power to ya. There's no right or wrong way to percieve art.

All the reasons you don't like it are all the reasons I like it!! Lovesexy often sounds confused, mixed up, erratic, manic, beautiful, serene, and just generally all over the place. And in truth that is absolutely 100% why I like it. The music has integrity as it mirrors the message. Prince is frustrated, confused and unsure. The music is all Prince, it's all about him, it's about his confusion and he's turned it into a masterpiece of music that's truly expressive and nonformulaic. [Edited 6/12/11 1:53am]

Like I said, more power to ya.

dawnboy999 said:

I don't understand the love affair with this album with so many critics and fans labeling it a classic. Besides Alphabet St the melodies are weak and forced not inspired. The production is derivative and not at all original. Princes vocals don't seem passionate and confident and songs like Lovesexy Dance on and Glam slam are some of the worst Prince songs ever put on a heavily promoted album. To me the irony is that for all the hate and sell out accusations of the follow up Batman soundtrack the songs on that album were far superior. Electric Chair ,Trust and Lemon Crush are much better than anything on Lovesexy.

agree...its a terrible weird and cheesey album......sounds far 2 dated imo

Dave1992 said:

PRNelson said:

What does that even mean? It's mumbo jumbo.

As a side note, The 'Lovesexy saved me life' quote that gets banded around on here is embarrasing. If Prince had never made the comment that he received letters stating such i highly doubt should claims by fans would be made.

No, it's a different way of saying that you'll make listening to and appreciating it easier for yourself. You know, open-mindedness is an actual noun in English language with an actual, concrete meaning, not mumbo jumbo.

And it's also proven that people tend to be more open to new, different things and tend to interpret things more emotionally and try to search for more meaning when they have been sad for a long time.

I didn't mean that someone who hasn't been clinically depressed couldn't enjoy Lovesexy (I believe you, Genesia!), but it's a difficult album to swallow and understand when you simply expect good music. The music is alright, to many even very good, but on the musical level there's not much other Prince albums couldn't offer. It's about the feeling he created and the reading between the lines. It's part of the album and part of the era. You know, to me, an album isn't only the product of music that's on it; it's also the "aura" an album has - as an artist you can influence that by the cover, liner notes, the tour, the lyrics, the way of promoting it, the interview you gave during that time, your clothes, your attitude, ...

You can call it mumbo jumbo, but there's actually logical meaning behind it.

Or maybe some people just don't care for it and folks should respect that.

Optimus2 said:

dawnboy999 said:

I don't understand the love affair with this album with so many critics and fans labeling it a classic. Besides Alphabet St the melodies are weak and forced not inspired. The production is derivative and not at all original. Princes vocals don't seem passionate and confident and songs like Lovesexy Dance on and Glam slam are some of the worst Prince songs ever put on a heavily promoted album. To me the irony is that for all the hate and sell out accusations of the follow up Batman soundtrack the songs on that album were far superior. Electric Chair ,Trust and Lemon Crush are much better than anything on Lovesexy.

agree...its a terrible weird and cheesey album......sounds far 2 dated imo

Lovesexy is too unique in order to sound dated.

funkomatic said:

Optimus2 said:

agree...its a terrible weird and cheesey album......sounds far 2 dated imo

Lovesexy is too unique in order to sound dated.

some people thought it sounded dated from day 1! I had a DJ walk into the dorm with a vinyl copy that he put on the turntable (before it was released) for us, and at the first sound of the early 80's style synth bass line on Eye No, he wrinkled his nose and was like "Aw man, that's old... come on Prince!"

I always felt the composition style of Anna Stesia also felt old, almost late 70's but done with electronic synths. I think it's that fat synth bassline. That was OLD school back then.

I do think many melodies on most of lovesexy are just frantic, fragmented, or cheesy. But I think the point of the album was just a big flamboyant vibe of hyper day-glo colored energy without regard for fomality of disciplined mixes and arrangements. Like a kid quickly throwing every toy in the air and it all falling down into wherever arrangment it happened to fall in.

The album has alot of heart and spunk, but there're many elements I could do without,,,,,,one that rings to mind is the straight out of the "First Sonic The Hedgehog videogame" synth sounds that were all the rage in 1988. They distracted the hell outta me and got on my nerves.

Overall, I get what he's trying to say and I appreciate the sentiment, but I rarely listen to the album.

I would say this though, I'm more intrigued by the 1989 era and the few things I heard that were supposed to be in the original "Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic". Now that would've been a HELLUVA album.

ufoclub said:

funkomatic said:

Lovesexy is too unique in order to sound dated.

some people thought it sounded dated from day 1! I had a DJ walk into the dorm with a vinyl copy that he put on the turntable (before it was released) for us, and at the first sound of the early 80's style synth bass line on Eye No, he wrinkled his nose and was like "Aw man, that's old... come on Prince!"

I always felt the composition style of Anna Stesia also felt old, almost late 70's but done with electronic synths. I think it's that fat synth bassline. That was OLD school back then.

I do think many melodies on most of lovesexy are just frantic, fragmented, or cheesy. But I think the point of the album was just a big flamboyant vibe of hyper day-glo colored energy without regard for fomality of disciplined mixes and arrangements. Like a kid quickly throwing every toy in the air and it all falling down into wherever arrangment it happened to fall in.

Mr Black Album lover, this album didn't sound dated because of all the so called toys fitting nearly perfectly together. It's not just about one sound, it's about the whole thing. You might have heard a bass sound or a bass line before but never in the context of these highly creative multi-layered arrangements.

[Edited 6/12/11 10:15am]

thedance said:

[img:$uid]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/ecnirp2004/Prince/GlamSlam-1.gif[/img:$uid]

[Edited 6/12/11 1:23am]

Loved that video.

[Edited 6/12/11 10:15am]

funkomatic said:

ufoclub said:

some people thought it sounded dated from day 1! I had a DJ walk into the dorm with a vinyl copy that he put on the turntable (before it was released) for us, and at the first sound of the early 80's style synth bass line on Eye No, he wrinkled his nose and was like "Aw man, that's old... come on Prince!"

I always felt the composition style of Anna Stesia also felt old, almost late 70's but done with electronic synths. I think it's that fat synth bassline. That was OLD school back then.

I do think many melodies on most of lovesexy are just frantic, fragmented, or cheesy. But I think the point of the album was just a big flamboyant vibe of hyper day-glo colored energy without regard for fomality of disciplined mixes and arrangements. Like a kid quickly throwing every toy in the air and it all falling down into wherever arrangment it happened to fall in.

Mr Black Album lover, this album didn't sound dated because of all the so called toys fitting nearly perfectly together. It's not just about one sound, it's about the whole thing. You might have heard a bass sound or a bass line before but never in the context of these highly creative multi-layered arrangements.

[Edited 6/12/11 10:15am]

Tell that to all the American fans that jumped ship when "Lovesexy" dropped! Even the single "Alphabet St" really didn't catch on. I remember being at a dept store and the single was playing, and hearing someone say, "The only good thing in that song is the "yeah yeah yeah".

I personally prefer "The Ball" to "Eye No". The Ball has the unique perfect mix. But he took it all apart and made it into Eye No with that Thriller synth bass line (still my most favorite track on the album to listen to).

ufoclub said:

funkomatic said:

Mr Black Album lover, this album didn't sound dated because of all the so called toys fitting nearly perfectly together. It's not just about one sound, it's about the whole thing. You might have heard a bass sound or a bass line before but never in the context of these highly creative multi-layered arrangements.

[Edited 6/12/11 10:15am]

Tell that to all the American fans that jumped ship when "Lovesexy" dropped! Even the single "Alphabet St" really didn't catch on. I remember being at a dept store and the single was playing, and hearing someone say, "The only good thing in that song is the "yeah yeah yeah".

I personally prefer "The Ball" to "Eye No". The Ball has the unique perfect mix. But he took it all apart and made it into Eye No with that Thriller synth bass line (still my most favorite track on the album to listen to).

I'm about music not about hits. Lovesexy is an artistic statement, not just something to be consumed in a hurry by a casual radio listener. That's what I like about it and the mainstream doesn't. It's as simple as that.

People here in Europe who took their time to actually listen to this record were enthusiastic about it and tend to call it a work of genius! I know that it also has its flaws, no doubt about that, but the positive aspects make up for it convincingly.

BTW: I agree with you. "The Ball" is definitely the superior version!

[Edited 6/12/11 13:40pm]

I think that WAS the point of Lovesexy, nothing sounded like a "hit". It worked as a full album than an album full of singles.

Regarding sales,I think there are only two factors that prevented this album from being a hit in America:

*the nude album cover (many people were offended by it)

*releasing "Glam Slam" as the second single (the title track should have been the second single).

ufoclub said:

funkomatic said:

Mr Black Album lover, this album didn't sound dated because of all the so called toys fitting nearly perfectly together. It's not just about one sound, it's about the whole thing. You might have heard a bass sound or a bass line before but never in the context of these highly creative multi-layered arrangements.

Tell that to all the American fans that jumped ship when "Lovesexy" dropped! Even the single "Alphabet St" really didn't catch on. I remember being at a dept store and the single was playing, and hearing someone say, "The only good thing in that song is the "yeah yeah yeah".

I personally prefer "The Ball" to "Eye No". The Ball has the unique perfect mix. But he took it all apart and made it into Eye No with that Thriller synth bass line (still my most favorite track on the album to listen to).

Americans are fickle anyway.Much of those people abandoned Prince after 'Purple Rain'.But "Alphabet St" was a Top 10 hit in America and the video was all over MTV.The momentum was there at first but Prince ruined it by releasing a lame second single (sound familiar?).

ufoclub said:

funkomatic said:

Mr Black Album lover, this album didn't sound dated because of all the so called toys fitting nearly perfectly together. It's not just about one sound, it's about the whole thing. You might have heard a bass sound or a bass line before but never in the context of these highly creative multi-layered arrangements.

[Edited 6/12/11 10:15am]

Tell that to all the American fans that jumped ship when "Lovesexy" dropped!

It doesn't matter at all what other people are thinking! Don't you have your own mind? Are you a lemming?

DaveG said:

In my opinion, your opinion.. is a terrible opinion....

Co-sign ^

I have to agree to some extent. I dont LOVE the album (as a whole) as many others. Aside from When 2 R In Love and I Wish U Heaven I can care less about the album. Some of the songs sound like demos/unfinished. Like some of the songs on SOTT. But its not a terrible album but its not a incredible album either imo.