So after listening again to '20ten', I am once again realizing the "potential" of this album.

Prince experienced a "double whammy" with this, as it is essentially, an abandoned project and panned largely by his fans.

Let me just state that I really love this album. Songs that others here don't like, such as 'Compassion' and 'Act Of God', I adore. The only "problem" with this album is that it's a bit brief, and shouldn't really have so many blank tracks before hitting 'Lay Down'. It should've had 'Cause & Effect' on it.

But it was seemingly a well planned project with no real distribution/label deal, or as I feel, a deal that went sour. Prince's decision to make the deal with the newspaper isn't to be judged, but just questioned. Was it an act of idealism, such as simply giving it away (albeit likely for a cost)?

Anywho... I just listened to 'Future Soul Song'. How beautifully written, arranged, and performed is that?

So in review, the "double whammy" is made up of a project that was not given its' full intention/potential, and the fans largely negative reception of it.

~G

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[Edited 7/2/13 17:42pm]

Giovanni,

I must admit, I really simply just cannot understand how anyone who likes Prince does not like this album? I think it is an absolutely brilliant little gem of an album. Yes, whilst it is apparent to all (including P himself) that the album could have been extended, hence the 20Ten Deluxe idea, I actually find it perfect precisely for its conciseness and the sense it leaves you for wanting more, much like Parade does. Not that I am comparing Parade to 20Ten; of course, both records are entirely worlds apart, but I think they both share "the sum is greater than its part" vibe and both leave the audience wanting for more...

Spirit

SpiritOtter said:

Giovanni,

I must admit, I really simply just cannot understand how anyone who likes Prince does not like this album? I think it is an absolutely brilliant little gem of an album. Yes, whilst it is apparent to all (including P himself) that the album could have been extended, hence the 20Ten Deluxe idea, I actually find it perfect precisely for its conciseness and the sense it leaves you for wanting more, much like Parade does. Not that I am comparing Parade to 20Ten; of course, both records are entirely worlds apart, but I think they both share "the sum is greater than its part" vibe and both leave the audience wanting for more...

Spirit

I do appreciate the concise brevity of the album, and I also concur with not understanding how others didn't feel the same way, but that is kind of "par for the course"... I also couldn't understand the bashing that 'The Rainbow Children' got, along with 'Planet Earth' and others throughout the years.

But then again, "understanding" others' perspectives with regards to music never really makes sense... perhaps could be explained by things like expectations, tastes, reaction to environment, etc.

Ultimately, I refer back to my original theory.

I posit that Prince's music itself (including lyrics) was so diverse over the years, that he actually obtained one of his most important objectives/desires. This was to break down barriers and unite a diverse group of listeners. Considering the fact that he's a brilliant musician in so many areas, it's really unique that he also has always had this fantastic diversity with regards to touching such a diverse "audience".

Once this is accepted, Prince fans would ultimately begin to celebrate this instead of hating on others' opinions and perspectives.

That's all... for now.

.

[Edited 7/2/13 18:54pm]

I love this record too. Parts of it do have a bit of a "tossed-off" feel so I can see how people may not like that, but there are so many fun moments on 20Ten. "Future Soul Song" has some clunky lyrics in places but the vocals and guitar work are in league with his best material, "Lavaux" is a catchy little synth number, and "Beginning Endlessly" is a modern day classic to me. I even found "Everybody Loves Me" to be a fun little diversion!

renfield said:

I love this record too. Parts of it do have a bit of a "tossed-off" feel so I can see how people may not like that, but there are so many fun moments on 20Ten. "Future Soul Song" has some clunky lyrics in places but the vocals and guitar work are in league with his best material, "Lavaux" is a catchy little synth number, and "Beginning Endlessly" is a modern day classic to me. I even found "Everybody Loves Me" to be a fun little diversion!

Oh yeah... I most definitely should have mentioned 'Beginning Endlessly'. Epic. Prince. End of story.

I've always thought 20Ten was a good cd

I liked it--"Future Love Song," "Beginning Endlessly," "Walk in Sand," "Lavaux" (though the synths were a little loud and the vocal a little low)--didn't care for "Compassion" or "Act of God" much, though. I certainly didn't see it as a major falling off, though I can't say I loved it. I loved parts.

I hated the fact that it wasn't available in the states, and it's the only album with a physical release that I don't have a physical copy of. So, that's a downer. But hey, it's still sounds okay.

I like the CD

I too, love this album. Bought it on eBay as soon as I could and loved it. My brother is also a Prince fan and I sent him my copy and he didn't like it. So now I'm just left with a ripped copy and is the only whole in my collection. I need another pressed copy! I do love this album. There is not a bad song on it in my opinion.

SpiritOtter said:

Giovanni,

I must admit, I really simply just cannot understand how anyone who likes Prince does not like this album? I think it is an absolutely brilliant little gem of an album. Yes, whilst it is apparent to all (including P himself) that the album could have been extended, hence the 20Ten Deluxe idea, I actually find it perfect precisely for its conciseness and the sense it leaves you for wanting more, much like Parade does. Not that I am comparing Parade to 20Ten; of course, both records are entirely worlds apart, but I think they both share "the sum is greater than its part" vibe and both leave the audience wanting for more...

Spirit

You are spot on! It is a little gem and am glad it's getting a bit of love.

I agree that it's a great album, and I do mean album. A collection of songs put together in a certain way.

I think it sounds great if you listen to it from start to end, at a loud volume.

20Ten is one of my least fave Prince albums, like Planet Earth, 3121, Rave, NPS.

I like Future Soul Song and Laydown... the rest is ok as well.


But in a league 2 - or 3, compared to his great albums.

2010 is a 4/10 at best. I agree with everyone who says it is good in stretches. I can't listen to it though with a straight face. Play some good music by anybody. It can be Prince, Janet Jackson, Confunction, GnR...whoever. Play "Toast To The Party Girl" by The Original 7even. Then try to sit through the 20Ten album and fight the urge to rip your ears off. 20Ten, overall, sounds like the ghost of Prince made it. Sections of the tape seem to be missing. I guess it's true what they say. The master tapes in the vault are rotting. Prince laughing all the way to the bank when he CONtracted it to the Daily Mail. Every track on the album is most active in the wrong harmonic frequencies. Prince's musicianship is outstanding. Everything else on the record falls short and seems like someone is pulling a prank on me.

It's good stuff.

I've always really liked it with the exception of Sea Of Everything, which I completely hate. I have it on my phone with SOE removed and have added Hot Summer and Cause & Effect. I love this configuration.

I don't agree that it's too short, it's approx 44 minutes? What makes an album too short? Dirty Mind is only 30 minutes and most agree that is an essential classic. the longest of the first 4 albums was Prince at 41 minutes, even Purple Rain is only 44 minutes.

I think Beginning Endlessly is great, Future Soul Song is really good, and the rest of the first six tracks are solid. I don’t like the rest of the record as much, but six songs that range from pretty good-to-great make that album a winner in my book.

I really like most of 20Ten, I think it is one of his best albums since 1995. Only the ballads at the end seem a bit misplaced, they slow down the pace and although not complete rubbish they are slightly boring.

The only thing is that it could have sounded a bit bigger/fuller in the production department. But apart from that a really enjoyable Prince album!

TheEnglishGent said:

I've always really liked it with the exception of Sea Of Everything, which I completely hate. I have it on my phone with SOE removed and have added Hot Summer and Cause & Effect. I love this configuration.

I don't agree that it's too short, it's approx 44 minutes? What makes an album too short? Dirty Mind is only 30 minutes and most agree that is an essential classic. the longest of the first 4 albums was Prince at 41 minutes, even Purple Rain is only 44 minutes.

Good points, and I can't disagree with that.

I agree with many of the comments here. Soon fter it's release, I added a few tracks and deleted a few to make my own personal 20Ten tracklist, which I think makes for a great listen. Here's what I came up with:

1) Compassion

2) Cause and Effect

3) Hot Summer

4) Sticky Like Glue

5) Act of God

6) Laveux

7) In a Large Room With No Light

8) Everybody Loves Me

9) Laydown

10) Pfunk

It was Mplsound, Pt. 2, really. I really love it but it's somewhat of a minor album, just a nice collection of songs. I understand Prince's move: by releasing it thru very popular newspaper in Europe he allowed a large audience of non-followers to discover his current music, and he avoided going thru the hassle of a worldwide regular release, that would probably have ended-up with low sales and fans panning him (which they did).

This and Lotusflower are possibly his only "good" albums of this century.

It's OK. It's more or less the the same the album he's been releasing since Gold: A few gems, a few pieces of poop, and a few songs you like well enough not to skip. Honestly, when was the last time a Prince album didn't fit this mold? When was the last time he gave us a consistently good record? 3121 I can listen to all the way the through but, for the most part, for the last 20 years or so, Prince records have been wildly inconsistent.

herb4 said:

It's OK. It's more or less the the same the album he's been releasing since Gold: A few gems, a few pieces of poop, and a few songs you like well enough not to skip. Honestly, when was the last time a Prince album didn't fit this mold? When was the last time he gave us a consistently good record? 3121 I can listen to all the way the through but, for the most part, for the last 20 years or so, Prince records have been wildly inconsistent.

Once again this is the case of someone who doesn't like pizzas and thinks no one does. I for one listen to albums as wholes or don't listen to them at all, but I just don't skip songs. And as for Prince's albums I hardly ever felt any urge to skip anything on any of his albums since Gold.

herb4 said:

It's OK. It's more or less the the same the album he's been releasing since Gold: A few gems, a few pieces of poop, and a few songs you like well enough not to skip. Honestly, when was the last time a Prince album didn't fit this mold? When was the last time he gave us a consistently good record? 3121 I can listen to all the way the through but, for the most part, for the last 20 years or so, Prince records have been wildly inconsistent.

'Gold' (along with 'Diamonds & Pearls') are my two least listened albums, and I would be skipping my a$$ off if listened to either of those.

As for recent albums, personally, I can easily listen to 'Rainbow Children', 'N.E.W.S', and 'Lotusflow3er' all the way through without wanting to skip anything.

I could almost say the same about 'Planet Earth' if it weren't for 'Future Baby Mama' and especially, 'Mr Goodnight'.

I'm almost with you on '3121', but I nearly always skip 'Beautiful, Loved, and Blessed', because like 'Mr Goodnight', the drum programming is so weak I can't listen. I take my rhythm tracks very seriously.

.

[Edited 7/3/13 12:37pm]

thedance said:

20Ten is one of my least fave Prince albums, like Planet Earth, 3121, Rave, NPS.

I like Future Soul Song and Laydown... the rest is ok as well.


But in a league 2 - or 3, compared to his great albums.

My thoughts exactly.

really liked 20ten, some of the songs make me feel great. Compassion, Sticky Like Glue, Walk in Sand. Though I'm always busy so Walk in Sand sometimes makes me feel a tad sad but its a good beautiful song.

I think though, the 20ten could have more songs on it. it feels abrupt and after its release the dry spell until now!