2freaky4church1 said:

Masterpiece, really?? Sure, it is a good song, but no masteranything--needs mastering. lol.

Listen to John Legend's new album, that's what I want from our Prince. Legend may be the new Prince.

lol.....

When is it coming to Amazon?

grrrrr

Although I did get to hear it yesterday on the

YouTube. Its gone now.

I've tried to download from itunes but it goes to a page that says "The address wasn't understood."

and something about 'because the protocol (itmss) isn't associated with any program' which I don't understsnd lol. Does anyone know if there is any other place to hear this?

i'd rather get some new stuff from 3rdEyeGirl

I am glad that so many people enjoy the new song, but for me this doesn't do much at all. I have never really liked ballads so there is my first problem wih the song. Furthermore it is badly mixed (bass is way too loud for example), boringly produced and mastered in a horrible distorted way. I am listening to the stream though, the official release might sound better (hopefully).

-

Like many others said: if the remasters will be mastered like his recent output they are going to be unlistenable (for me at least). Here's me hoping for Prince/WB hiring some top notch mastering house who go for audiophile quality instead of full on squashing right up to distortion levels.

redflag said:

Anybody notice the cover art has changed to a close-up of Prince's face? Also something weird. Usually when I buy something from iTunes it shows up as "Purchased" instead of displaying the price. but I'm still seeing "$1.29 Buy". I went to the "Purchased" link to re-download the song to see if they fixed the audio problems also and "The Breakdown" didn't show up under my purchases. Did they just upload a new version (perhaps with fixed audio) those of us who paid for the original have to purchase again or just a store glitch?

[Edited 4/21/14 4:50am]

Anyone know if the song has been reuploaded with fixed audio?

I think if anything .. The Breakdown shows us that prince has lost his studio magic .. it is indeed a great song with a ton of potential .. but much like Dance 4 Me had huge potential .. his studio instincts have failed him quite a lot over the years .. the lazers .. the brickwalling .. the stale deliver compared to his recent live shows .. he still has the spark .. a genius spark .. something we all love .. but he can't follow through and deliver a flawless tune like he once did .. back then a prince song hooded you from the first sound .. the drum beat .. the "dearly beloved" or the "rain is wet" .. or the crazy guitar solo .. or the scream that starts 'gett off' .. this would be followed by another hook .. a keyboard stab .. funky guitar lick .. or robot funk beat .. then when you already knew you loved the song .. he would start singing .. not only that but his lyrics would be great too .. then came the harmonies .. the subtle litttle jokes .. the musical weaving .. the chorus .. it was just like a train pummelling the listener with one hook after another after another .. till they all worked together to just slay you in the end .. these days its a decent melody .. pretty good lyrics on this song /not the others .. and all of it surrounded in boring accompanyment .. it is sad when these good ideas of prince dont come out so good anymore .. i'm still listening to my smuckfest version over this supposed "pristine quality studio version" that people are supposed to pay for

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Prince has done it again! Christened his #Purplearmy with another "masterpiece" as a gift 4 us, after the unveiling of his shocking re acquaintance with the wb. But yet again U talk about the IRRELEVANT SOUND QUALITY!!

It will b more of "The Unexpected" to come!

Prince has made good on his promise 4 a BIG YEAR!

"Open ur mind. open ur heart. a train is going 2 b leaving all day".....

I'm not trying to start something, but you keep using it, and I just don't understand what you're wanting to say--

What do you mean by the word "christened"? I can't find any evidence of anyone using it in a way that seems consistent with yours. It might be that it's a common usage that's just not documented anywhere that I've looked. Please, clue me in.

Praxis said:

I like the tune. The line about the "biggest pool" sounded a bit cheesy but not un-Princely. I dig the strings in the background. It reminds me of another tune...can't remember which one of his it was. Still waiting to be enabled to download in South Africa

Obviously the song's been around longer than this, but it made me think of Drake's interview in Rolling Stone. The man's obsessed with pools. And having the biggest one.

God how annoying that interview was.

strawberrybubblegum said:

murph said:

U don't know? U r no longer allowed to praise Prince's work on a Prince fan site...When you do so you are deemed delusional...I'm laughing at some of these repsonses....As if dude just released "Jughead" part 2....

This is the best "Prince" song I've heard in a minute if u know what I mean...It ain't re-working the wheel or anything...But it is quite good, shoddy mastering aside...

All this to say, some people are doing waaaay too much Debbie Downer shit....

Jughead.. Now thats a track!!! Who the heck things thats a good track!!

I don't think it's good--but I've been singing it the last few days anyway. I've been singing The Breakdown, too--and I do think it's good. So, go figure that out.

jaypotton said:

I hate the internet - no really I HATE HATE HATE the internet. Been reading on here about this amazing new Prince track called The Breakdown for weeks/months now. Been jealous as hell some of you had heard this (live or otherwise) and I hadn't. Damn even Prince said it was his favourite new song of his on Arsenio...

Have listened to it at least 20 tiimes now and...meh! It's okay but what is all the fuss about? Yes it is nice but there is at least one song on every album of the last decade I prefer! Truly I prefer both Screwdriver and Pretzelbodylogic.

The Breakdown just does not go anywhere! It plods. It is earnest. It has friggin laser sound effects!

Nah this is just ok but the way some of you have been talking this was the best song since leaving Warner Bros! For ME that honour goes to The Dance (awesome song) or perhaps Colonised Mind.

[Edited 4/20/14 9:03am]

You are in the minority. Pretzel Bowling Illogic is simply a remake of Ironman with some annoying 3rd Eye Girl Chanting. The live versions of Breakdown and the original studio snippet were quite promising.

Adding the Star Wars laser beams and over producing the song have taken some of the bite out of the track, but I still love it. Lots of others love it too. Remember, Dr Fink did not like When Doves Cry due to no bass in it. Or bass fish, I can't remember the whole story. Bottom line: Lots like this song. I like Screwdriver, but I grew tired of it after about 6 months. I've been listening to The Breakdown a little over a year now, and still love it.

tatocorcu said:

Ppenguin said:

Some people need to get a grip...all this 'it had me in tears' shit...totally brainwashed; Prince says it's his fav song (clearly publicity as he knew the deal to release was in the pipeline) and everyone comes out saying its amazing, it's so emotional, had me in tears #emperorsnewclothes

I think quite a lot of people had been saying that way before the Arsenio show...

I'm pretty sure Prince knew people had been saying it before the Arsenio show, too--that's why he said it.

2freaky4church1 said:

Masterpiece, really?? Sure, it is a good song, but no masteranything--needs mastering. lol.

Listen to John Legend's new album, that's what I want from our Prince. Legend may be the new Prince.

All right--just tell me one thing. Is "All of Me" even close to the best thing on there? Because if it is, I'll pass.

TrevorAyer said:

I think if anything .. The Breakdown shows us that prince has lost his studio magic .. it is indeed a great song with a ton of potential .. but much like Dance 4 Me had huge potential .. his studio instincts have failed him quite a lot over the years .. the lazers .. the brickwalling .. the stale deliver compared to his recent live shows .. he still has the spark .. a genius spark .. something we all love .. but he can't follow through and deliver a flawless tune like he once did .. back then a prince song hooded you from the first sound .. the drum beat .. the "dearly beloved" or the "rain is wet" .. or the crazy guitar solo .. or the scream that starts 'gett off' .. this would be followed by another hook .. a keyboard stab .. funky guitar lick .. or robot funk beat .. then when you already knew you loved the song .. he would start singing .. not only that but his lyrics would be great too .. then came the harmonies .. the subtle litttle jokes .. the musical weaving .. the chorus .. it was just like a train pummelling the listener with one hook after another after another .. till they all worked together to just slay you in the end .. these days its a decent melody .. pretty good lyrics on this song /not the others .. and all of it surrounded in boring accompanyment .. it is sad when these good ideas of prince dont come out so good anymore .. i'm still listening to my smuckfest version over this supposed "pristine quality studio version" that people are supposed to pay for

I fully agree with you, Prince needs a good producer badly. His productions are stale and often quite a bit lazy these days compared to other artists' production values. I am sure Prince could have another great album if he'd get over his 'genius complex' and team up with a good producer.

2freaky4church1 said:

Masterpiece, really?? Sure, it is a good song, but no masteranything--needs mastering. lol.

Listen to John Legend's new album, that's what I want from our Prince. Legend may be the new Prince.

You serious?? That last album has literally about 20 different writers and producers and still has only received slightly above average reviews. Not sure how that puts him in P's category of artist.

TrevorAyer said:

I think if anything .. The Breakdown shows us that prince has lost his studio magic .. it is indeed a great song with a ton of potential .. but much like Dance 4 Me had huge potential .. his studio instincts have failed him quite a lot over the years .. the lazers .. the brickwalling .. the stale deliver compared to his recent live shows .. he still has the spark .. a genius spark .. something we all love .. but he can't follow through and deliver a flawless tune like he once did .. back then a prince song hooded you from the first sound .. the drum beat .. the "dearly beloved" or the "rain is wet" .. or the crazy guitar solo .. or the scream that starts 'gett off' .. this would be followed by another hook .. a keyboard stab .. funky guitar lick .. or robot funk beat .. then when you already knew you loved the song .. he would start singing .. not only that but his lyrics would be great too .. then came the harmonies .. the subtle litttle jokes .. the musical weaving .. the chorus .. it was just like a train pummelling the listener with one hook after another after another .. till they all worked together to just slay you in the end .. these days its a decent melody .. pretty good lyrics on this song /not the others .. and all of it surrounded in boring accompanyment .. it is sad when these good ideas of prince dont come out so good anymore .. i'm still listening to my smuckfest version over this supposed "pristine quality studio version" that people are supposed to pay for

I like what your're saying.

I'm in your realm of thinking. "There should be more there, eh?"

But, i still can't help to think, that Prince did it (the nasty mixdown) on purpose for some reason of his own. A retribute to alllllll them bootlegs that were released without his consent over many years in nasty quality. Like he's conveying his disrespect for such acts by ruining his own new release. Does that make any sense??? It seems sometimes that he holds a longtime grudge towards his audience without regard to it's outcome. Does that make any sense from me?

Prost!

this is beautiful.

stillwaiting said:

jaypotton said:

I hate the internet - no really I HATE HATE HATE the internet. Been reading on here about this amazing new Prince track called The Breakdown for weeks/months now. Been jealous as hell some of you had heard this (live or otherwise) and I hadn't. Damn even Prince said it was his favourite new song of his on Arsenio...

Have listened to it at least 20 tiimes now and...meh! It's okay but what is all the fuss about? Yes it is nice but there is at least one song on every album of the last decade I prefer! Truly I prefer both Screwdriver and Pretzelbodylogic.

The Breakdown just does not go anywhere! It plods. It is earnest. It has friggin laser sound effects!

Nah this is just ok but the way some of you have been talking this was the best song since leaving Warner Bros! For ME that honour goes to The Dance (awesome song) or perhaps Colonised Mind.

[Edited 4/20/14 9:03am]

You are in the minority. Pretzel Bowling Illogic is simply a remake of Ironman with some annoying 3rd Eye Girl Chanting. The live versions of Breakdown and the original studio snippet were quite promising.

Adding the Star Wars laser beams and over producing the song have taken some of the bite out of the track, but I still love it. Lots of others love it too. Remember, Dr Fink did not like When Doves Cry due to no bass in it. Or bass fish, I can't remember the whole story. Bottom line: Lots like this song. I like Screwdriver, but I grew tired of it after about 6 months. I've been listening to The Breakdown a little over a year now, and still love it.

Different folks different strokes

i like this song but it could have used a little bit of editing from a performance standpoint.

The first chorus should have been in my opinion not have been so heavy. Maybe Prince should have had the chorus start the heavier parts later in the song.

funkaholic1972 said:

fantasticjoy said:

funkaholic1972 said:

I fully agree with you, Prince needs a good producer badly. His productions are stale and often quite a bit lazy these days compared to other artists' production values. I am sure Prince could have another great album if he'd get over his 'genius complex' and team up with a good producer.

It would be so disappointing to me if Prince worked with another producer. I'd rather him not record any new material than have someone produce for him. To me it wouldn't be a Prince record with someone else's production.

He didn't produce "FALLINLOVE2NITE" - Josh has the sole producer's credit on that cut.

Militant said:

fantasticjoy said:

funkaholic1972 said: It would be so disappointing to me if Prince worked with another producer. I'd rather him not record any new material than have someone produce for him. To me it wouldn't be a Prince record with someone else's production.

He didn't produce "FALLINLOVE2NITE" - Josh has the sole producer's credit on that cut.

Well, you know how Prince is usually with those kind of credits. It's kind of the same way he answers the question of favorite band or musician.... a bit of PR and friendly generous hype... but never quite the real facts.

EddieC said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Prince has done it again! Christened his #Purplearmy with another "masterpiece" as a gift 4 us, after the unveiling of his shocking re acquaintance with the wb. But yet again U talk about the IRRELEVANT SOUND QUALITY!!

It will b more of "The Unexpected" to come!

Prince has made good on his promise 4 a BIG YEAR!

"Open ur mind. open ur heart. a train is going 2 b leaving all day".....

I'm not trying to start something, but you keep using it, and I just don't understand what you're wanting to say--

What do you mean by the word "christened"? I can't find any evidence of anyone using it in a way that seems consistent with yours. It might be that it's a common usage that's just not documented anywhere that I've looked. Please, clue me in.

ignore him [Flame snip - Militant]

fantasticjoy said:

funkaholic1972 said:

I fully agree with you, Prince needs a good producer badly. His productions are stale and often quite a bit lazy these days compared to other artists' production values. I am sure Prince could have another great album if he'd get over his 'genius complex' and team up with a good producer.

It would be so disappointing to me if Prince worked with another producer. I'd rather him not record any new material than have someone produce for him. To me it wouldn't be a Prince record with someone else's production.

I'd like to agree with you except that prince as a producer just doesn't sound like prince produced it anymore. Even if the classics profer that prince produced them, obviously they were produced by many people. From the sound engineer to claire fischer to lisa. There is so much more that adds to the final "sound" that isn't 'just' prince. Furthermore, prince has abandoned his old production methods. Gone are the sped up analog tapes or linn thru guitar effects pedals. Now he just thinks some computer software can sample his old methods and sound the same. But it just doesn't. The prince of yore took the tech of the time and created something new and unheard with it. Now he uses well worn sounds that can be heard everywhere and don't even resemble the 'prince' sound. I wouldn't want timbaland or dre to produce him, I would just like to see him assemble the old team and do things the old fashioned way. You know .. a real piano instead of an electronic one would be a start. At least someone such as myself who understands what made those old sounds sound so good could push prince to rediscover that method. An outide producer should not put their own stamp on a prince record but rather help prince bring out the classic prince sound again.

Just gotta love all the sour grapes...

TrevorAyer said:

fantasticjoy said:

funkaholic1972 said: It would be so disappointing to me if Prince worked with another producer. I'd rather him not record any new material than have someone produce for him. To me it wouldn't be a Prince record with someone else's production.

I'd like to agree with you except that prince as a producer just doesn't sound like prince produced it anymore. Even if the classics profer that prince produced them, obviously they were produced by many people. From the sound engineer to claire fischer to lisa. There is so much more that adds to the final "sound" that isn't 'just' prince. Furthermore, prince has abandoned his old production methods. Gone are the sped up analog tapes or linn thru guitar effects pedals. Now he just thinks some computer software can sample his old methods and sound the same. But it just doesn't. The prince of yore took the tech of the time and created something new and unheard with it. Now he uses well worn sounds that can be heard everywhere and don't even resemble the 'prince' sound. I wouldn't want timbaland or dre to produce him, I would just like to see him assemble the old team and do things the old fashioned way. You know .. a real piano instead of an electronic one would be a start. At least someone such as myself who understands what made those old sounds sound so good could push prince to rediscover that method. An outide producer should not put their own stamp on a prince record but rather help prince bring out the classic prince sound again.

These are one of those moments where I kind of agree with you. But I don't really think it has anything to do with him not doing what he used to do. It's called lazyness. He's too busy playing live music. He doesn't really care about the production sometimes. He did fantastic work on both the Andy Allo record as well as Liv Warfield, if it was him that is. They were organic and pretty damn good sounding, though maybe a bit over polished. But they were NOT LAZY. This song on the other hand, sounds inspired, but lazy production wise. I wonder if it's some sort of statement. Maybe he is testing us. Honestly, I can't believe even he thinks this actually sounds good. The song is good when filtering out the bad production.

Replica said:

TrevorAyer said:

I'd like to agree with you except that prince as a producer just doesn't sound like prince produced it anymore. Even if the classics profer that prince produced them, obviously they were produced by many people. From the sound engineer to claire fischer to lisa. There is so much more that adds to the final "sound" that isn't 'just' prince. Furthermore, prince has abandoned his old production methods. Gone are the sped up analog tapes or linn thru guitar effects pedals. Now he just thinks some computer software can sample his old methods and sound the same. But it just doesn't. The prince of yore took the tech of the time and created something new and unheard with it. Now he uses well worn sounds that can be heard everywhere and don't even resemble the 'prince' sound. I wouldn't want timbaland or dre to produce him, I would just like to see him assemble the old team and do things the old fashioned way. You know .. a real piano instead of an electronic one would be a start. At least someone such as myself who understands what made those old sounds sound so good could push prince to rediscover that method. An outide producer should not put their own stamp on a prince record but rather help prince bring out the classic prince sound again.

These are one of those moments where I kind of agree with you. But I don't really think it has anything to do with him not doing what he used to do. It's called lazyness. He's too busy playing live music. He doesn't really care about the production sometimes. He did fantastic work on both the Andy Allo record as well as Liv Warfield, if it was him that is. They were organic and pretty damn good sounding, though maybe a bit over polished. But they were NOT LAZY. This song on the other hand, sounds inspired, but lazy production wise. I wonder if it's some sort of statement. Maybe he is testing us. Honestly, I can't believe even he thinks this actually sounds good. The song is good when filtering out the bad production.

This could just be my wishful thinking but I think he released his demo version. And perhaps he did it because he wanted to keep up the momentum from the WB announcement and needed it quickly, but that on the album he will have a properly done track (real drums, real strings) a la what he did between the demo and final versions of the Dance. Anyway, we'll see I guess.

purplethunder3121 said:

Just gotta love all the sour grapes...

Sour grapes? If you notice a lot of comments are people saying they really like the song - not the mix and mastering.

lezama said:

Replica said:

These are one of those moments where I kind of agree with you. But I don't really think it has anything to do with him not doing what he used to do. It's called lazyness. He's too busy playing live music. He doesn't really care about the production sometimes. He did fantastic work on both the Andy Allo record as well as Liv Warfield, if it was him that is. They were organic and pretty damn good sounding, though maybe a bit over polished. But they were NOT LAZY. This song on the other hand, sounds inspired, but lazy production wise. I wonder if it's some sort of statement. Maybe he is testing us. Honestly, I can't believe even he thinks this actually sounds good. The song is good when filtering out the bad production.

This could just be my wishful thinking but I think he released his demo version. And perhaps he did it because he wanted to keep up the momentum from the WB announcement and needed it quickly, but that on the album he will have a properly done track (real drums, real strings) a la what he did between the demo and final versions of the Dance. Anyway, we'll see I guess.

He did that with "Guitar" too. Although with "The Dance" I like the original release better.