independent and unofficial
Prince fan community
Welcome! Sign up or enter username and password to remember me
Forum jump
Forums > Prince: Music and More > The Batman soundtrack bias
« Previous topic  Next topic »
Page 1 of 2 12>
  New topic   Printable     (Log in to 'subscribe' to this topic)
Author

Tweet     Share

Message
Thread started 08/18/13 12:33am

BrazilianOnRas
pberryBeret

The Batman soundtrack bias

I have a confession to make. I CAN'T understand die-hard fans that dislike Batman. There's some "crictical understanding/consense", or there was for some time, that Around the world in a day was a weak album. Happily, this nonsense has been corrected over the years, if not in the critic's community, at least in places like the org. For me, his "golden age" surpasses Lovesexy and goes foward to Batman (except from some cheesiness from The arms an orion, an untouchable album). People may not agree with me, but Batman's not a weak album in ANY WAY. What's wrong with it? Is it beacause it's more pop? Is there anything wrong in being pop, when you're delivering perfectly crafted pop? The future is cold chilling funk, climatic, sensational. Vicki waiting is an unique melodic piece, inventive, unique even in his catalogue (as can be said of Dorothy Parker as well, to stick to an example). Electric chair rocks, effectively. Partyman is pumping robust funk that preceeds his 90s funk aesthetic of songs such as Sexy MF and Gett off. Scandalous is both one of his best soul ballads and vocal performances (and that is saying much). It's all so good....

-Wtv u heard bout me is true,I change the rules n do what I wanna do.[Im n love w God,He's the only way - NOT!]We know we gotta die some day,so Im gon have fun evr MF night!Im gon 2 another life.How bout u?
-Im wit u...Ur so cool, evrtg u do is SUCCESS.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #1 posted 08/18/13 1:10am

funkaholic1972

avatar

What we believed to be weaker albums in the eighties and nineties turned out to be quite strong albums, looking back today in 2013.

Batman is a perfect example. Because it sounded more commercial/poppy (especially after LoveSexy) people dismissed it quickly, but really: a lot of songs were of very good quality.

RIP Prince: thank U 4 a funky Time...
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #2 posted 08/18/13 2:00am

thedance

avatar

yes, the singles were strong:

Partyman,

Batdance,
Scandalous,
The Future.

Also Vicky Waiting and Electric Chair...

Yeah I love most of the Batman album.. music

Prince 4Ever. heart
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #3 posted 08/18/13 2:30am

funkomatic

Batman was a big sellout. There are very little artistic achievements on this record. It's not risk taking, it's not the work of a genius, it's something what he believes people want a poppy Prince to sound like.

So to me it's the first album that kind of established the poppy mediocrity he's still known for up to this day. Of course it might be better than what followed, but still: it's the big turning point for Prince as an artist.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #4 posted 08/18/13 2:49am

cbarnes3121

funkomatic said:

Batman was a big sellout. There are very little artistic achievements on this record. It's not risk taking, it's not the work of a genius, it's something what he believes people want a poppy Prince to sound like.

So to me it's the first album that kind of established the poppy mediocrity he's still known for up to this day. Of course it might be better than what followed, but still: it's the big turning point for Prince as an artist.

u state that like u mozart or some kind of musical genius yourself lol what have u ever done or sold 2 judge his so harshly?? lets hear your music now???

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #5 posted 08/18/13 4:52am

SuperSoulFight
er

funkomatic said:

Batman was a big sellout. There are very little artistic achievements on this record. It's not risk taking, it's not the work of a genius, it's something what he believes people want a poppy Prince to sound like.


So to me it's the first album that kind of established the poppy mediocrity he's still known for up to this day. Of course it might be better than what followed, but still: it's the big turning point for Prince as an artist.


I totally agree. We were used to Prince breaking new ground, creating new sounds, always looking forward. Batman was the first album that had none of that. It was the first time Prince "dumbed down" his music just to make money. In his defense, he had lost money with Lovesexy in the US, so he needed a hit. Fair enough. But hearing this after Lovesexy and all the other great records was like, "here I have a new Prince album and it doesn't freak me out." I'll close off with saying I disagree with Funkaholic. I like almost all his later albums better than this one. No bias. Batman was the first time a new Prince album was disappointing.
[Edited 8/18/13 4:54am]
[Edited 8/18/13 4:55am]
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #6 posted 08/18/13 6:03am

djThunderfunk

avatar

Batdance forever!

smile

Best super hero movie soundtrack ever!!

Don't hate your neighbors. Hate the media that tells you to hate your neighbors.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #7 posted 08/18/13 6:28am

funkomatic

cbarnes3121 said:

funkomatic said:

Batman was a big sellout. There are very little artistic achievements on this record. It's not risk taking, it's not the work of a genius, it's something what he believes people want a poppy Prince to sound like.

So to me it's the first album that kind of established the poppy mediocrity he's still known for up to this day. Of course it might be better than what followed, but still: it's the big turning point for Prince as an artist.

u state that like u mozart or some kind of musical genius yourself lol what have u ever done or sold 2 judge his so harshly?? lets hear your music now???

The truth hurts, doesn't it?

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #8 posted 08/18/13 6:39am

robertlove

Why does the topic just keeping comming back?

There are so many topics about the Batman album I actually starting to believe it's everyone's favourite album! lol

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #9 posted 08/18/13 8:05am

TwiliteKid

avatar

cbarnes3121 said:

funkomatic said:

Batman was a big sellout. There are very little artistic achievements on this record. It's not risk taking, it's not the work of a genius, it's something what he believes people want a poppy Prince to sound like.

So to me it's the first album that kind of established the poppy mediocrity he's still known for up to this day. Of course it might be better than what followed, but still: it's the big turning point for Prince as an artist.

u state that like u mozart or some kind of musical genius yourself lol what have u ever done or sold 2 judge his so harshly?? lets hear your music now???

Worst post ever.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #10 posted 08/18/13 8:26am

GeminiCalling

avatar

I like the Batman album and listen to it regularly.

However, I do remember a conversation with a friend of mine (this was just after it came out)

MY FRIEND: Why do you like Prince?

ME: He's a muli-instrumentalist who writes his own stuff. He's a musical GENIUS!

MY FRIEND: So, where's the 'genius' on Batman?

ME: Ummm....

Even though it DID lack signs of his 'genius' and didn't really show people what he was capable of, I do think it's an enjoyable album. There were some acts back in the day that would have KILLED to make an album like that. I just think we can be bit harsh sometimes when comparing Prince against his own standards.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #11 posted 08/18/13 9:57am

1725topp

Sometimes the notion of "genius" or lack thereof is used improperly to denounce something that is good or solid. Just because something doesn’t “break new ground” doesn’t mean that it lacks value. A good steak or fried chicken is pleasurable even if I’ve had good steak or fried chicken before. So, what did Batman show at the time of its release? "The Electric Chair" showed that he could rock harder than anyone at the time. "Partyman" showed that Prince was the funkiest cat out at the time. (I'm not going to discuss how funky "200 Balloons" and "Feel U Up" are since we are strictly discussing the album.) "Scandalous" showed that very few can write as soulfully as Prince, and the he was one of the top ten soul singers of that time, which is saying a lot if we remember the names on the soul/R&B charts at the time. "Vicki Waiting" showed how Prince was still the most subtly experimental artist at that time because experimentation is not usually discussed with R&B/pop tunes, but "Vicki Waiting" deconstructs pop/R&B/funk in such a way that it can only be called a Prince song. It is simultaneously hard and smooth. "Batdance" shows that not all pop songs must be devoid of interesting musical changes and ideas. And the lyrics throughout the album showed that Prince was still funny and creatively discussing the struggle between the body and the soul. So, Batman showed that Prince was still a master even if most people were looking for reasons to demote him from the top of the popular music food chain. Selling lots of records ain’t a bad thing, and producing records that are “cult” classics ain’t a bad thing either. Thus, Prince’s “genius” and the “genius” of Batman is that it shows Prince’s ability to do both, often on the same album. In short, Metallica can't write "Scandalous" and Luther Vandross couldn't write "The Electric Chair." And the fact that Prince could write in varying genres so well and have them appear on the same album is genius. But, because he had done this before, we take this act of genius for granted.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #12 posted 08/18/13 10:20am

BlackandRising

funkomatic said:

Batman was a big sellout. There are very little artistic achievements on this record. It's not risk taking, it's not the work of a genius, it's something what he believes people want a poppy Prince to sound like.

So to me it's the first album that kind of established the poppy mediocrity he's still known for up to this day. Of course it might be better than what followed, but still: it's the big turning point for Prince as an artist.

Not sure this logics stands up to scrutiny given that it was a soundtrack to what was definitely known to be a blockbuster movie. I loved the album from day one as this is how I listened to it; a companion soundtrack to a comic that I read since childhood. There is no way in Hell that Prince could have released an album as sonically disparte and diverse as SOTT or LoveSexy to an audience that was going to watch Batman. That would have been commercial suicide for the album. For those of you that saw this as a failure because it didn't highlight his "genius", I think the genius in this album was straddling the line between what could pass for commercially viable and still being Prince.

Compare that to SOTT or LoveSexy; I had been a P fan since "For You", and I know it took me a good long while to digest the genius of both albums. Definitely not the path for a movie like Batman where fans want to immediately "get it".

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #13 posted 08/18/13 10:35am

murph

GeminiCalling said:

I like the Batman album and listen to it regularly.

However, I do remember a conversation with a friend of mine (this was just after it came out)

MY FRIEND: Why do you like Prince?

ME: He's a muli-instrumentalist who writes his own stuff. He's a musical GENIUS!

MY FRIEND: So, where's the 'genius' on Batman?

ME: Ummm....

Even though it DID lack signs of his 'genius' and didn't really show people what he was capable of, I do think it's an enjoyable album. There were some acts back in the day that would have KILLED to make an album like that. I just think we can be bit harsh sometimes when comparing Prince against his own standards.

U should have told your fan to just listen to the full version of "Batdance"...It's easily one of the most weirdest pop hits ever created....Beyond its commercial target, it's pretty genius....

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #14 posted 08/18/13 11:04am

cbarnes3121

funkomatic said:

cbarnes3121 said:

u state that like u mozart or some kind of musical genius yourself lol what have u ever done or sold 2 judge his so harshly?? lets hear your music now???

The truth hurts, doesn't it?

maybe if it was the trith but i guess its your lame version of truth. i love the soundtrack and the movie 2 this day and i feel prince delivered what the movie exects expected of him

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #15 posted 08/18/13 11:32am

Revolution

avatar

Prince's soundtracks are all stellar....Purple Rain, Parade, Graffiti Bridge and Batman. He has a gift of capturing the essence of a movie in his music. I wouldn't say that Batman was a "sellout". He struck at the chance that was given to him to become a part of the biggest movie happening in a long time. People forget how BIG this movie was at the time. Diamonds & Pearls was a sellout. While being a great album, that record was made to "pay the bills", imo.
Thanks for the laughs, arguments and overall enjoyment for the last umpteen years. It's time for me to retire from Prince.org and engage in the real world...lol. Above all, I appreciated the talent Prince. You were one of a kind.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #16 posted 08/18/13 12:12pm

sonnyblack2000

The batman soundtracks was great and if you add some of the b-sides like feel U up and love U in me its even better!
It was a return to a one man band approach after the group feel of lovesexy. You also hear Prince starting to explore with sampling by using bits of other songs (orchestra, choir, guitars) sampling them and incorporating them in different ways. I thought it was a creative time for him and a pleasurable listening experience, even arms of orion (to me that was him thinking "every hollywood blockbuster needs a big ballad and this is my take on it")
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #17 posted 08/18/13 12:35pm

funkaholic1972

avatar

murph said:

GeminiCalling said:

I like the Batman album and listen to it regularly.

However, I do remember a conversation with a friend of mine (this was just after it came out)

MY FRIEND: Why do you like Prince?

ME: He's a muli-instrumentalist who writes his own stuff. He's a musical GENIUS!

MY FRIEND: So, where's the 'genius' on Batman?

ME: Ummm....

Even though it DID lack signs of his 'genius' and didn't really show people what he was capable of, I do think it's an enjoyable album. There were some acts back in the day that would have KILLED to make an album like that. I just think we can be bit harsh sometimes when comparing Prince against his own standards.

U should have told your fan to just listen to the full version of "Batdance"...It's easily one of the most weirdest pop hits ever created....Beyond its commercial target, it's pretty genius....

I agree, this was/is a very experimental song, definately not Prince resting on his laurels!

RIP Prince: thank U 4 a funky Time...
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #18 posted 08/18/13 12:59pm

3rdeyedude

avatar

loved this soundtrack not sure what this thread is about

for the fans still stuck in 1984/Purple Rain era, this probably wasn't what they wanted to hear

you could especially feel this in the U.S. where his fans are a fickle bunch

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #19 posted 08/18/13 7:37pm

callimnate

avatar

funkomatic said:

Batman was a big sellout. There are very little artistic achievements on this record. It's not risk taking, it's not the work of a genius, it's something what he believes people want a poppy Prince to sound like.

So to me it's the first album that kind of established the poppy mediocrity he's still known for up to this day. Of course it might be better than what followed, but still: it's the big turning point for Prince as an artist.

If you were talking about Diamonds & Pearls, the I would have TOTALLY agreed with you. But not Batman.

.

.

As cringe worthy as the both are..... Batdance >>>>>>>>>>> Cream

wink

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #20 posted 08/18/13 8:32pm

PurpleJedi

avatar

I liked Batman.

Wasn't as strong as SOTT or Lovesexy...but it still rocked (and was perfectly tailored to the movie).

For an album that he put together in - what like 2 weeks? - it was great.

On the other hand...'200 Ballons' makes me cringe. I didn't like it then, I don't like it now.

By St. Boogar and all the saints at the backside door of Purgatory!
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #21 posted 08/18/13 10:57pm

funkomatic

callimnate said:



funkomatic said:


Batman was a big sellout. There are very little artistic achievements on this record. It's not risk taking, it's not the work of a genius, it's something what he believes people want a poppy Prince to sound like.


So to me it's the first album that kind of established the poppy mediocrity he's still known for up to this day. Of course it might be better than what followed, but still: it's the big turning point for Prince as an artist.



If you were talking about Diamonds & Pearls, the I would have TOTALLY agreed with you. But not Batman.


.


.


As cringe worthy as the both are..... Batdance >>>>>>>>>>> Cream


wink


It was an alarming sign of things to come. This man was ready to sell out, no matter what!

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #22 posted 08/18/13 11:27pm

funkomatic

BlackandRising said:



funkomatic said:


Batman was a big sellout. There are very little artistic achievements on this record. It's not risk taking, it's not the work of a genius, it's something what he believes people want a poppy Prince to sound like.


So to me it's the first album that kind of established the poppy mediocrity he's still known for up to this day. Of course it might be better than what followed, but still: it's the big turning point for Prince as an artist.



Not sure this logics stands up to scrutiny given that it was a soundtrack to what was definitely known to be a blockbuster movie. I loved the album from day one as this is how I listened to it; a companion soundtrack to a comic that I read since childhood. There is no way in Hell that Prince could have released an album as sonically disparte and diverse as SOTT or LoveSexy to an audience that was going to watch Batman. That would have been commercial suicide for the album. For those of you that saw this as a failure because it didn't highlight his "genius", I think the genius in this album was straddling the line between what could pass for commercially viable and still being Prince.



Compare that to SOTT or LoveSexy; I had been a P fan since "For You", and I know it took me a good long while to digest the genius of both albums. Definitely not the path for a movie like Batman where fans want to immediately "get it".


I'm tired of the theories making you believe Prince had to do it this way, as if there was no other way out. Prince has to do nothing. There's always a choice!


[Edited 8/18/13 23:30pm]
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #23 posted 08/19/13 12:32am

7roses

avatar

I love the Batman album...it gets better each time I listen to it! cool

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #24 posted 08/19/13 12:59am

7roses

avatar

Also...I just found out that Partyman was released 24 years ago yesterday! razz

http://princevault.com/index.php/Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/August_18

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #25 posted 08/19/13 5:49am

PurpleJedi

avatar

7roses said:

Also...I just found out that Partyman was released 24 years ago yesterday! razz

http://princevault.com/index.php/Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/August_18


Happy Anniversary Partyman!

music

By St. Boogar and all the saints at the backside door of Purgatory!
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #26 posted 08/19/13 6:42am

AFine1

PurpleJedi said:

7roses said:

Also...I just found out that Partyman was released 24 years ago yesterday! razz

http://princevault.com/index.php/Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/August_18


Happy Anniversary Partyman!

music

YES! I love the song and the video, 24 years...wow! cool

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #27 posted 08/19/13 8:13am

SuperSoulFight
er

7roses said:

Also...I just found out that Partyman was released 24 years ago yesterday! razz


http://princevault.com/index.php/Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/August_18


My God, how old does that make me? Please stop telling us stuff like this! grandpa
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #28 posted 08/19/13 9:08am

millwall

Loved that lp just recently listened 2 it after sometime. Genius
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #29 posted 08/19/13 9:34am

Graycap23

funkomatic said:

Batman was a big sellout. There are very little artistic achievements on this record. It's not risk taking, it's not the work of a genius, it's something what he believes people want a poppy Prince to sound like.

So to me it's the first album that kind of established the poppy mediocrity he's still known for up to this day. Of course it might be better than what followed, but still: it's the big turning point for Prince as an artist.

eek

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Page 1 of 2 12>
  New topic   Printable     (Log in to 'subscribe' to this topic)
« Previous topic  Next topic »
Forums > Prince: Music and More > The Batman soundtrack bias