Long-ass first impressions post, if anyone should feel the desire to rip me to shreads, for the benefit of other orgers try not to quote the entire thing when doing so!

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Art Official Cage - The first section of this makes me think of what Prince would sound like with an outside producer. It doesn't sound Princely, it has a very recognisable, ordinary sound. Kind of like how Chelsea Rodgers sounded really obviously disco and un-Princely on first listen. Past this, I didn't really warm to this song, I thought all the changes were too self-conscious and just for the sake of trying to sound odd and disjointed. It reminded in a way of 3121 in terms of trying to sound a little wacky on an opening track, but stylistically it reminded the most of Joint 2 Joint. Another self-conscious effort that goes through similar changes, and I've never been a fan of that track for these same reasons. Prince does changes in songs successfully, but this isn't one of those times for me.
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Clouds - Sonically I find this quite boring. The percussion sounds clean in that plastic way people refer to when describing Emancipation/NPS/Rave etc. I liked the guitar it reminded me of something from For You or Prince, and the sci-fi theme is cool, I like it when Prince gets new agey or metaphysical without preaching it's fun. Overall I like this song, but I find it quite forgettable, it doesn't stick out to me musically, only for it's little sci-fi bit.
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Breakdown - This is a decent ballad, but just decent. Heard it all before, it's one of those sappy ballads that would fit on Rave or any general pop/R&B set he's put out since then. I like ballads, I just don't like mediocre ones or an artist treading water in general, which I think this track is.
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Gold Standard - I assume the intro is meant to sound like Head, because it does. It's like a mix of Head or The Time stuff and that Pretty Man, The Work etc James Brown sound he's done for a while now. Even gave me a few Lovesexy vibes actually, maybe like 'Escape' (which I love). This was instantly my favourite song on the album before it even got to the first chorus. Often lyrics wash over me on first listen, I'm more about sound, tone, feeling - so I've no idea what the standard in the song is and why it's gold (is it a brand new dance? Just by the title I thought this was going to be another preachy song about the record industry or something). Any way, loved it.
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U Know - Musically another favourite. Vocally I loathe the first verse, that awful rap-talk-whatever slur style, *hate* it. Then the chorus comes in and I love it. This is probably going to be one of my most favourite songs from the past few years, I can kind of overlook the things I dislike because everything else is so kick-ass.
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Breakfast Can Wait - Eh, it's okay. I like the melody and the electric piano (?) as it starts, then it kind of quickly goes downhill as he starts singing (a common reaction I have with Prince in recent years). I know we've all had this one for a while now, but this song gives me 'High' era vibes and more than that, it sounds a lot like 'Come On', but not as good. Another forgettable track unfortunately, wish he hadn't included it since we already had it for such long, but I can see including it might be a plus since the single and it's cover got a lot of mainstream media attention, so smart inclusion there.

This Could Be Us - Kind of sweet, but sounds like a Britney Spears b-side from her first album. Another plasticy R&B Emancipation/Rave ballad to throw on the already sizable pile. Not offensively awful, just boring and sub-par.
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What It Feels Like - Nah. Another boring 'High' sound. Where's the music? Prince used to put out stripped down tracks and they gave everything, this is stripped down but gives NOTHING. Surely he can shit out half a dozen of these kind of tracks a day. Why bother? Easily the lowest point on the album so far.
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Affirmation I & II - Well I'm glad I don't have to follow these affirmations for straight people. Fuck off Prince, if you're going to preach at least do it to music. This is just 'One Song' pt.2 VOMIT.
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Way Back Home - I was in such a fowl mood after the past two tracks, I took a beat to realise this wasn't another icky-sticky ballad like the previous ones. It was actually a pretty neat little song. I think it could get lost in the shuffle due to it's placing on the album, but I would pick this one out as another standout on the album. And it's nice and short too, doesn't outstay its welcome - always a plus.

FunkNRoll - I was expecting Doug E Fresh to pop up, is this 'Push It Up' or 'Freaks On This Side?' Nahhh, this is boring as hell until the second part where it speeds up a bit. I do like the spacey synths that kick in about 3:25 but by then it's too little too late.
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Time - I'm always worried when I see a track length of almost 7 minutes and first note you hear is that same old tired R&B ballad downbeat telling you you're in for YET ANOTHER such balad. I couldn't even make through this one I was getting absolutely nothing from it other than digging the bass a little.
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Affirmation III - More sappy new-age gibberish platitudes a la 'One Song'. Useless. Strings are cool though I guess.
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Overall

Another pop/R&B collection to add to Rave, Musicology, 3121, MPLSound, 20Ten. I like AOA more most of those, but this will not be getting many spins unfortunately. I'll cherry pick my favourites and add them to playlists etc. Disappointing in a way, I didn't really have any expectations of the tone of the album, but this plasticy R&B/pop strain of albums really bore me (as opposed to the more organ sounding albums like TRC, Lotusflower, much of Planet Earth). Maybe he saved all the more interesting guitary stuff for 3rd Eye Girl (haven't listened to it yet) but that's to AOA's detriment if he did. And this isn't an R&B vs Rock thing. I just happen to think when Prince goes more rock these days, the music has a fuller and more interesting sound, where as recycling the same tired R&B ballad beats and tropes just does nothing for me in the slightest. 'WoW' just came on as I'm typing and it's the perfect example of what I'm saying. It's just Crimson & Clover pt2, but better than 80% of AOA.

and there i shall watch your sounds for a 2nd time.

2020 said:

TrevorAyer said:

i've been asking prince to shut me up with a good record .. on tuesday we will find out .. if I had an ego I doubt I would look so forward to being wrong .. BUT the real problem here is that none of you have any respect from anyone else because your reviews are always way off the mark from what the rest of the world finds to be good or bad .. but I wont stfu ever so get over it .. the real question here .. the only true review I need before purchase .. the only answer the groupies can give me that will tell the quality of this record is ..

.

Is there ANY rap on this record? Which songs and how often? That is what I want to know. If there is, it is likely this album will land with a thud.

U treat us like this with your foolish comments and expect us to provide you any answers...

Get the F outta here!

Please don't lump in the realistic members with u in that "us" statment. Half of these reviews seem honest .. the other half seem like someone pays people to come on the is site and jizz all over these threads with endless ass kissing. Real Threads for Real Orgers!

TrevorAyer said:

2020 said:

U treat us like this with your foolish comments and expect us to provide you any answers...

Get the F outta here!

Please don't lump in the realistic members with u in that "us" statment. Half of these reviews seem honest .. the other half seem like someone pays people to come on the is site and jizz all over these threads with endless ass kissing. Real Threads for Real Orgers!

Yeah...you obviously havent been here long son...

move along already

1. Art Official Cage - Very current sounding. This one is cool. I am not a big fan of all of the autotune and vocal effects but its easier to swallow when its Prince. I like this one. 1 for 1

2. Clouds - This is ok. Its not the best thing I have heard but not the worst. Ok for an album track but not a hit type song. 2 for 3.

3. Breakdown - Uggh!! Prince used to be the king of ballads in my eyes but this is not one. Very boring!! 2 for 3

4. The Gold Standard - My favorite so far!! Funky!! 3 for 4

5. U Know - Hate this one. I really hate the robotic style singing and the uh huh uh huh. Very annoying song. 3 for 5.

6. Breakfast Can Wait - Another one that I just don't like. Never did and I tried really hard to. The Dave Chappelle cover is the best thing about this song to me. 3 for 6

7. This Could Be Us - ehhh very bland mid tempo R&B song. 3 for 7

8. What It Feels Like - Getting frustrated. This album is taking a dive fast after a good start. Another mid tempo R&B song with not much excitement to it. 3 for 8

9. Affirmation I & II - segue - I never liked these. Will not count this either way

10. Way Back Home - I wish PRince would find his way back home. This is home he is in now I just don't like!! 3 for 9

11. Funknroll - I can't feel this remix version. I like the Plectrum Electrum version but just can't get into this one. 3 for 10

12. Time - A duet with Andy Allo(sounds like, of course he gives us no booklet or credits). Not feeling this one. It is another mid tempo song with no build of climax like he used to do. 3 for 11.

13. affirmation III - Another BS segue.

Overall, this album SUCKS ASS!! WTF!! This album really makes you appreciate 2010. Plectrum Electrum is the album worth getting. Very disappointed with this one. If you like midtemp R&B songs then its for you. Personally I like the hard driving funk, sexy ballads and pop rock side of Prince. I always thought the mid tempo R&B was what he was the worst at and thats what this album is. Its not for me. I hope others like it but its not my cup of tea. I will take the three songs I like off of this and replace the 3 I don't like on PE and add Screwdriver on it and I have my new PRince CD.

2020 said:

Are those the returns already??

"affirmation I & II - way back home - affirmation III"

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put together like that it sounds like it is just one long trip.

pretty sure that's how it started out, before he cut it up for

whatever reasons.

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pasted it together, put it on a loop, until christmas, or later.

.

2020 said:

dadeepop said:

And the release date just makes the Grammy deadline. Oh lawd...

Niiiiiice! Grammy performance 2015

IstenSzek said:

"affirmation I & II - way back home - affirmation III"

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put together like that it sounds like it is just one long trip.

pretty sure that's how it started out, before he cut it up for

whatever reasons.

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pasted it together, put it on a loop, until christmas, or later.

.

Totally agree. Affirmation III is my favourite on the album, purely because prince has done very interesting things musically. I would love a whole album that adventurous.

Way Back Home is my second fave, again, for the delivery rather than the song writing.

IstenSzek said:

Just had my first full listen.

I think the whole album is beautiful.

Hes back in full bloom.

Gold Standard on repeat!!!

top line synth riff on "This Could Be Us" is giving me pure Owl City vibes. Which is good, because I love Owl City.

Although I'd love to comment on songs from the entire album, my ass won't let me go past "The Gold Standard" because it's too busy moving uncontrollably!! What an effort! Dude ain't messing around in this one...

Noodled24 said:

Art Official Cage

Opens like it was a dance anthem then quickly shifts to something more funky. I love this track. It's a contemporary sound with Prince having fun. It's not a dance anthem in the serious sense. A nod to the overall sound of the last Daft Punk album I'd say. The line about "going up lady libertys dress to blow blow blow" Actually made me laugh out loud. There's nothing serious about this song. It's a great opener.

Clouds

Breaks the flow, another great song. Far from being a ballad he talks about celebrities living their lives "on stage". How to some nothing matters unless everyone is watching. The title of the track seems to come from the anti-drug line "we're getting high on something that doesn't require clouds". The "affirmation" segues start here, but are mixed into the song rather than being a seperate track. The chorus doesn't seem to make much sense in the context of the song. But it's catchy enough that it works. There is a Piano line when Lianne starts to talk which calls back to the intro to "the beautiful ones"

Breakdown

A ballad. It strikes me as being far more personal than anything else he's done lately. He used to want the house with the biggest pool / First one intoxicated /last one to leave. Seems to address his own greed and lifestyle.

The Gold Standard

This reminds me of the 80's Jams. It opens with Princes voice shifted down wrapping a few lyrics. The synths that sparkle and seem to sing the line "Gold standard crazy amazing" sound like they're slightly out of tune - again harking back to some of the 80s Jams. "Nude is the brand new young" again seems to be talking about celebrities living their lives like an open wound.

U Know

Strong contemporary sounding RnB.

Breakfast Can Wait

One of his most mature sounding ballads. Until the chipmonk voice comes in.

This Could be Us

A synth/ambiant ballad. "This could be us/but you keep fooling around". It's nothing groundbreaking but it's a nice song. The ending is really nicely done. The way everything drops out and we find out the girl in question doesn't have time for him anymore.

What it feels like

Prince opens with the first verse. The female voice (unsure who it is) take the second verse and corrects Princes initial statements in the first verse. From then on they sing together. The whole song has a very melancholy vibe. The line "all you need to get my lovin' / is Pi R squared and a muffin" made me laugh again. I think this is maybe the weakest song on the album. But it's not a bad song at all.

Affirmation 1&2

Segues. Lianne has a great voice, and they fit in well with the next song.

Way Back Home

Ambiant, introspective... its not the dance track I was hoping after hearing the clip but for Prince these are fairly personal lyrics. Touching on deep. Never wanting the "scripted role and trophy wife". His bed stays made at night because be roams - trying to find his way back home.

"Most people in this world are born dead" is quite a harsh lyric by Prince standards. I can't see this song working well live but it's a great tune.

FunknRoll

Upbeat party track. Echos of "get loose"

Time

Another ballad in the same "futuristic" style of the album. Echos of If I was your Girlfriend. There is no direct comparison to be made. Just elements in the track that seem to hold the echos of IIWYG. About 4 minutes in I found myself singing the lyrics to IIWYG over the music on this song.

Affirmation3

Really strange track that seems to pick up where "way back home" left off. I don't dislike it, but its another fairly ambiant track. It's almost as if time is the actual last track and this is included as a way to wrap up the album. It sounds like its going to "drop" into a club anthem at any point but never quite gets there. Instead Prince is still looking for his way back home.

All in, it's a great album. It's a new sound for Prince with more synth/keyboard than he's ever used before. However there are also plenty of great guitar moments and some really beautiful bass lines throughout. The album is coherant in the sense that all the songs sound like they could have been recorded in the same session (even if they weren't). The segues work well alongside the concept and are delivered with humour.

The concept itself seems to poke fun at Prince being a loner. Prince being out of touch for the last 45 years, Prince chasing girls, Prince being selfish etc. It's not an overbearing concept though. Unlike Lovesexy, or TRC. You don't have to buy into it to enjoy the album. The songs work equally well out of the context of the album.

Well done Prince. A+

[Edited 9/25/14 9:07am]

nice write up

Way Back Home is more personal and sounds more authentic than anything he has sung in a while.

Militant said:

TrevorAyer said:

ThirdStrike said:

The trippy cover is making a whole lot more sense now that I've heard the music. Funkified spaceman from the future past, arriving aboard the USS Bob George.

MinnetonkaNative said:

After listening to the whole album, it's obvious Prince still "has it". He is a musical genius, no doubt about it. But I think he is trying to hard to be "current" like younger groups today and I think that's what's really holding him back. Obviously try new things, but he has established a great signature sound. He just needs to stick with that and mess around with things with that sound. The "EDM" style points in this album can be cringe worthy quite a few times. I really wish he'd drop this jehovahs witness stuff. He is loony because of it. It is holding back his true musicianship. The one we've seen already. Please come back to us, Prince. Please.

There's nothing particularly JW about it. In fact, many of Prince's expressions on AOA, especially on the interludes, contradict JW theology and doctrine. If anything, his sentiments sound more Eastern and/or New Age influenced.

dadeepop said:

Well said, dodger.

NouveauDance said:

Long-ass first impressions post, if anyone should feel the desire to rip me to shreads, for the benefit of other orgers try not to quote the entire thing when doing so!

.

.

Art Official Cage - The first section of this makes me think of what Prince would sound like with an outside producer. It doesn't sound Princely, it has a very recognisable, ordinary sound. Kind of like how Chelsea Rodgers sounded really obviously disco and un-Princely on first listen. Past this, I didn't really warm to this song, I thought all the changes were too self-conscious and just for the sake of trying to sound odd and disjointed. It reminded in a way of 3121 in terms of trying to sound a little wacky on an opening track, but stylistically it reminded the most of Joint 2 Joint. Another self-conscious effort that goes through similar changes, and I've never been a fan of that track for these same reasons. Prince does changes in songs successfully, but this isn't one of those times for me.
.
Clouds - Sonically I find this quite boring. The percussion sounds clean in that plastic way people refer to when describing Emancipation/NPS/Rave etc. I liked the guitar it reminded me of something from For You or Prince, and the sci-fi theme is cool, I like it when Prince gets new agey or metaphysical without preaching it's fun. Overall I like this song, but I find it quite forgettable, it doesn't stick out to me musically, only for it's little sci-fi bit.
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Breakdown - This is a decent ballad, but just decent. Heard it all before, it's one of those sappy ballads that would fit on Rave or any general pop/R&B set he's put out since then. I like ballads, I just don't like mediocre ones or an artist treading water in general, which I think this track is.
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Gold Standard - I assume the intro is meant to sound like Head, because it does. It's like a mix of Head or The Time stuff and that Pretty Man, The Work etc James Brown sound he's done for a while now. Even gave me a few Lovesexy vibes actually, maybe like 'Escape' (which I love). This was instantly my favourite song on the album before it even got to the first chorus. Often lyrics wash over me on first listen, I'm more about sound, tone, feeling - so I've no idea what the standard in the song is and why it's gold (is it a brand new dance? Just by the title I thought this was going to be another preachy song about the record industry or something). Any way, loved it.
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U Know - Musically another favourite. Vocally I loathe the first verse, that awful rap-talk-whatever slur style, *hate* it. Then the chorus comes in and I love it. This is probably going to be one of my most favourite songs from the past few years, I can kind of overlook the things I dislike because everything else is so kick-ass.
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Breakfast Can Wait - Eh, it's okay. I like the melody and the electric piano (?) as it starts, then it kind of quickly goes downhill as he starts singing (a common reaction I have with Prince in recent years). I know we've all had this one for a while now, but this song gives me 'High' era vibes and more than that, it sounds a lot like 'Come On', but not as good. Another forgettable track unfortunately, wish he hadn't included it since we already had it for such long, but I can see including it might be a plus since the single and it's cover got a lot of mainstream media attention, so smart inclusion there.

This Could Be Us - Kind of sweet, but sounds like a Britney Spears b-side from her first album. Another plasticy R&B Emancipation/Rave ballad to throw on the already sizable pile. Not offensively awful, just boring and sub-par.
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What It Feels Like - Nah. Another boring 'High' sound. Where's the music? Prince used to put out stripped down tracks and they gave everything, this is stripped down but gives NOTHING. Surely he can shit out half a dozen of these kind of tracks a day. Why bother? Easily the lowest point on the album so far.
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Affirmation I & II - Well I'm glad I don't have to follow these affirmations for straight people. Fuck off Prince, if you're going to preach at least do it to music. This is just 'One Song' pt.2 VOMIT.
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Way Back Home - I was in such a fowl mood after the past two tracks, I took a beat to realise this wasn't another icky-sticky ballad like the previous ones. It was actually a pretty neat little song. I think it could get lost in the shuffle due to it's placing on the album, but I would pick this one out as another standout on the album. And it's nice and short too, doesn't outstay its welcome - always a plus.

FunkNRoll - I was expecting Doug E Fresh to pop up, is this 'Push It Up' or 'Freaks On This Side?' Nahhh, this is boring as hell until the second part where it speeds up a bit. I do like the spacey synths that kick in about 3:25 but by then it's too little too late.
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Time - I'm always worried when I see a track length of almost 7 minutes and first note you hear is that same old tired R&B ballad downbeat telling you you're in for YET ANOTHER such balad. I couldn't even make through this one I was getting absolutely nothing from it other than digging the bass a little.
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Affirmation III - More sappy new-age gibberish platitudes a la 'One Song'. Useless. Strings are cool though I guess.
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Overall

Another pop/R&B collection to add to Rave, Musicology, 3121, MPLSound, 20Ten. I like AOA more most of those, but this will not be getting many spins unfortunately. I'll cherry pick my favourites and add them to playlists etc. Disappointing in a way, I didn't really have any expectations of the tone of the album, but this plasticy R&B/pop strain of albums really bore me (as opposed to the more organ sounding albums like TRC, Lotusflower, much of Planet Earth). Maybe he saved all the more interesting guitary stuff for 3rd Eye Girl (haven't listened to it yet) but that's to AOA's detriment if he did. And this isn't an R&B vs Rock thing. I just happen to think when Prince goes more rock these days, the music has a fuller and more interesting sound, where as recycling the same tired R&B ballad beats and tropes just does nothing for me in the slightest. 'WoW' just came on as I'm typing and it's the perfect example of what I'm saying. It's just Crimson & Clover pt2, but better than 80% of AOA.

i concur with what she said . . . 'cept I love "Time"

Okay, So I listened to Plectrum first and I absolutely LOVED it. Very underappreciated!

Now I'm listening to AOA and I'm loving this one! I like it, but I think it's more an album i'd listen to when I'm in the right mindset. Kind of like how I listen to Kate Bush when I wanna think about stuff. Where as Plectrum is the sort of album I'd put on when I'm just doing uni work or whatever, this is the sort of album I'd put on on a rainy day, sat around thinking about stuff.

Glad I didn't have to whore out any pics to get the albums!

There's a lot to like on the record, but my first thought after listening to it was that you people sure are easily impressed by reverb and synth buildups.

The "Until I find my / my way back home" line in Way Back Home and Affirmation III is really, really beautiful.