kookooman73 said:

I'm late 2 the party as have had the phenomenal AOA on repeat. This album is very disappointing & I can understand why P found it so hard 2 get this released. I went 2 ten 3rdeyegirl gigs around the UK this year & this patchy cd doesn't do the band justice showcasing their talent as a tight funk/rock outfit!! I would drop Boytrouble (pop/rap/crap), Stopthistrain (reggae lite), Tictactoe (doesn't fit/weak). I would add Screwdriver, Rock & Roll Love Affair (heavier version) & Marz (extended). I think The Breakdown (Montreux version) would have fitted this album better & also he should have included Let's Go Crazy Reloaded as the opener. That version was killer live & would have linked the album with AOA's cover & built excitement 4 the Purple Rain 30 release. If this album were the only release I would have been finally agreeing with the naysayers that possibly P could no longer create a full, cohesive musical statement from start 2 finish. 3rdeyegirl deserved better!! I'll say it again. Thank God 4 AOA.

I think you pretty much nailed it.

SchlomoThaHomo said:

Having heard the album quite a few times now, I can say I quite like a hefty chunk of it. It's fails only a few times for me, but I really love the general sound of it and most of the songs. I'm especially loving the sound of the drums. Also it really smokes on a loud system or quality headphones.

1. WOW - Instant classic. Fantastic guitar jam. Like Prince meets Pearl Jam minus the angsty lyrics. Love when it breaks down and he starts talkin' his shit, "U wanna go somewhere?" Love the sound of Prince and the girls stacked vocals on the, "Like a bee to some honey..." part. 10/10
2. PRETZELBODYLOGIC - Hate the a capella intro. I have iTunes start it right after that part ends and it works quite nicely. I didn't like it when it first came out. The intro and "now we both 2 sleepy 2 get the gun" line really made be cringe. Cutting out the intro and getting over the bad line, I think this is quite a beast of song. By the time he gets to, "Limo on the tarmac ready 2 ride," I'm fully committed. 8/10
3. AINTTURNINROUND - Hannah sounds like Alanis a little bit on this one. I actually quite like it. "Maybe the hand that u're looking 4 is at the end of ur arms." I love that line. This is going to kill live if Hannah can pull off playing drums and singing lead simultaneously. Donna shredding at the end?! "What U R listening 2 now is an ultrasound of Donna's brain..." HAH! 8/10
4. PLECTRUMELECTRUM - Another great one! I love the middle section when it quiets down and the guitar line changes. Hot! 10/10
5. WHITECAPS - Time to slow it down. I really like this one, and the somber mood of it. The melody gets stuck in my head after I hear it, which is good. Hannah's vocals are more than capable. 8/10
6. FIXURLIFEUP - This song definitely belongs on the record but I'm not sure if it was the best choice to introduce them as a group. Maybe they didn't have WOW done yet? Solid album track. I love the fill when the drums first kick in. Definitely an air-drums moment for me. 7/10
7. BOYTROUBLE - This is where the flow of the album derails for me a bit. I like the song, and think Lizzo the rapper is quite talented. The song doesn't fit the sound of the record for me, though. I do love the funky bass on it. 7/10
8. STOPTHISTRAIN - This song doesn't belong on this album all. I think it's a decent pop song, memorable and quite catchy, but the sound is all wrong for this record. Also, vocally, Hannah fails a bit for me on this one. The quivery, auto-tuneish vocal effect is also kind of annoying and doesn't really help the weak delivery. 4/10
9. ANOTHERLOVE - Classic. The first time I heard it, I was kind of disappointed because I was so used to the original version, and this one is such a departure from that. But after giving it a few spins...WOW! Great track. This one and WOW are the ones my non-Prince fan friends really loved. 10/10
10. TICTACTOE - I love the dreamy late 60's/early 70's vibe of the melody. Another one that will not leave my head once I've listened to it. I think it's a classic, actually, despite the GODAWFUL LINE ABOUT BLIND PEOPLE. I think the awfulness of that line actually contributes to it being a classic because it's just SO bad it becomes good. I just feel bad that these poor blind people don't know where the zero's and the x's go. And to have the dolphins laughing at them like that is pretty degrading. 10/10
11. MARZ - This one is perfect slice of purple punk. It could totally be a throwaway but the lyrics actually have something interesting to say. And the breakdown before the last verse is fucking awesome. And the fact it's all over in under 2 minutes is stroke of genius. 10/10
12. FUNKNROLL - I'm calling this one a classic. I love both versions, and can't really decide which one is better. I think it does the Camille legacy some justice, and I'd definitely rather play this than Rock Hard In A Funky Place. The cackle at the end takes me back to the video version of Partyman. 10/10

Agree with these comments pretty much. I wouldn't give anything a 10, because none of it is in the 'Prince's best work' category, but I could go 8/10 with most everything on the album except Stopthistrain (6/10). It sounds like Prince split the record like vinyl with a rock Side A and a pop Side B. It's OK. Overall PE, is one of Prince's 2 or 3 best albums outside of the 1999-SOTT glory years. And probably his best 'no sex/no cuss' phase album ever. I still believe he can do better, but Prince's personality is all over this album, in a good way.

So, I've finally listened enough times to have a more developed view.

.

Obviously, Wow and Anotherlove are the standouts. Equal to everything on AOA except Way Back Home.

.

After that, in no particular order, come Whitecaps, Stopthistrain, Tictactoe, and Marz. All very good, and I don't think that Prince leads would improve the Hannah songs. They're just fine the way they are--as good or better than they would be with him on lead. They're better for her voice, honestly.

.

Plectrumelectrum itself... well, maybe somewhere in that group, maybe right under them. It doesn't thrill me at any point, it's just okay.

.

Then Pretzelbodylogic, Aintturninround, and Fixurlifeup. These all have some elements that just plain get on my nerves, though I don't hate any of them. But those elements annoy me enough that I can't listen to them without some displeasure (though they also have much I like in them).

.

Boytrouble--just so jarring within the context of the album, that I have trouble judging it on its own merits. Hard to even see as part of this project, since it has a different sound and a different vocalist. Seems pretty slight, though. Listenable, but not much more

.

Funknroll. Perhaps not any worse than Boytrouble, but since it's featured on both albums, it really should be better than it is. Again, it doesn't seem to fit the general sound of the album here (or for that matter on AOA), it doesn't have a compelling chorus, and just doesn't interest me much at all.

At least, not on either album. I much prefer the version from the Arsenio appearance, so as far as I'm concerned that's the "real" Funknroll. I'm not really sure why, but it just seems to have more ooomph to it. It's still far from the best song from this period, even in that version.

[Edited 10/7/14 20:10pm]

Think I prefer this album to AOA... certainly seem to be listening to it more. Really like it as a whole.

SchlomoThaHomo said:

Having heard the album quite a few times now, I can say I quite like a hefty chunk of it. It's fails only a few times for me, but I really love the general sound of it and most of the songs. I'm especially loving the sound of the drums. Also it really smokes on a loud system or quality headphones.

1. WOW - Instant classic. Fantastic guitar jam. Like Prince meets Pearl Jam minus the angsty lyrics. Love when it breaks down and he starts talkin' his shit, "U wanna go somewhere?" Love the sound of Prince and the girls stacked vocals on the, "Like a bee to some honey..." part. 10/10
2. PRETZELBODYLOGIC - Hate the a capella intro. I have iTunes start it right after that part ends and it works quite nicely. I didn't like it when it first came out. The intro and "now we both 2 sleepy 2 get the gun" line really made be cringe. Cutting out the intro and getting over the bad line, I think this is quite a beast of song. By the time he gets to, "Limo on the tarmac ready 2 ride," I'm fully committed. 8/10
3. AINTTURNINROUND - Hannah sounds like Alanis a little bit on this one. I actually quite like it. "Maybe the hand that u're looking 4 is at the end of ur arms." I love that line. This is going to kill live if Hannah can pull off playing drums and singing lead simultaneously. Donna shredding at the end?! "What U R listening 2 now is an ultrasound of Donna's brain..." HAH! 8/10
4. PLECTRUMELECTRUM - Another great one! I love the middle section when it quiets down and the guitar line changes. Hot! 10/10
5. WHITECAPS - Time to slow it down. I really like this one, and the somber mood of it. The melody gets stuck in my head after I hear it, which is good. Hannah's vocals are more than capable. 8/10
6. FIXURLIFEUP - This song definitely belongs on the record but I'm not sure if it was the best choice to introduce them as a group. Maybe they didn't have WOW done yet? Solid album track. I love the fill when the drums first kick in. Definitely an air-drums moment for me. 7/10
7. BOYTROUBLE - This is where the flow of the album derails for me a bit. I like the song, and think Lizzo the rapper is quite talented. The song doesn't fit the sound of the record for me, though. I do love the funky bass on it. 7/10
8. STOPTHISTRAIN - This song doesn't belong on this album all. I think it's a decent pop song, memorable and quite catchy, but the sound is all wrong for this record. Also, vocally, Hannah fails a bit for me on this one. The quivery, auto-tuneish vocal effect is also kind of annoying and doesn't really help the weak delivery. 4/10
9. ANOTHERLOVE - Classic. The first time I heard it, I was kind of disappointed because I was so used to the original version, and this one is such a departure from that. But after giving it a few spins...WOW! Great track. This one and WOW are the ones my non-Prince fan friends really loved. 10/10
10. TICTACTOE - I love the dreamy late 60's/early 70's vibe of the melody. Another one that will not leave my head once I've listened to it. I think it's a classic, actually, despite the GODAWFUL LINE ABOUT BLIND PEOPLE. I think the awfulness of that line actually contributes to it being a classic because it's just SO bad it becomes good. I just feel bad that these poor blind people don't know where the zero's and the x's go. And to have the dolphins laughing at them like that is pretty degrading. 10/10
11. MARZ - This one is perfect slice of purple punk. It could totally be a throwaway but the lyrics actually have something interesting to say. And the breakdown before the last verse is fucking awesome. And the fact it's all over in under 2 minutes is stroke of genius. 10/10
12. FUNKNROLL - I'm calling this one a classic. I love both versions, and can't really decide which one is better. I think it does the Camille legacy some justice, and I'd definitely rather play this than Rock Hard In A Funky Place. The cackle at the end takes me back to the video version of Partyman. 10/10

Great review, man. Or woman. (Can't assume anything). I agree with almost all of it (and I usually think you have good stuff when you post here). Regarding the STOPTHISTRAIN portion, I must respectfully disagree. This was one of the first songs to stick. Hannah's vocals... I don't know. There's something about them that I can't put my finger on, but they just work. Kind of like when Lisa and Wendy would sing. They didn't have quote unquote strong vocals, but they were able to express a raw feeling. If that makes sense.

Also after the first 5 or so spins of this entire record (I love it and I've spun it more than that) I started to sort of see this as a Vanity 6 record for the new age Prince. It's like it's 1982 again. He made his 1999 with AOA and he has paired that with his Vanity 6 record (although this is way better) that happens to rock. That's when BOYTROUBLE and WHITECAPS and STOPTHISTRAIN really started working for me--they're the funky Vanity/Susan songs while AINTTURNINROUND and WOW are the fuck you Brenda/Prince songs with some Wendy and Lisa thrown in there. Just my two cents. Didn't mean to add so much to your excellent review, just agreed with most so I didn't want to repeat myself.

As usual, I'm digging your take.

Spanky said:

Great review, man. Or woman. (Can't assume anything). I agree with almost all of it (and I usually think you have good stuff when you post here). Regarding the STOPTHISTRAIN portion, I must respectfully disagree. This was one of the first songs to stick. Hannah's vocals... I don't know. There's something about them that I can't put my finger on, but they just work. Kind of like when Lisa and Wendy would sing. They didn't have quote unquote strong vocals, but they were able to express a raw feeling. If that makes sense.

Also after the first 5 or so spins of this entire record (I love it and I've spun it more than that) I started to sort of see this as a Vanity 6 record for the new age Prince. It's like it's 1982 again. He made his 1999 with AOA and he has paired that with his Vanity 6 record (although this is way better) that happens to rock. That's when BOYTROUBLE and WHITECAPS and STOPTHISTRAIN really started working for me--they're the funky Vanity/Susan songs while AINTTURNINROUND and WOW are the fuck you Brenda/Prince songs with some Wendy and Lisa thrown in there. Just my two cents. Didn't mean to add so much to your excellent review, just agreed with most so I didn't want to repeat myself.

As usual, I'm digging your take.

I appreciate it. I really like your Vanity 6/1999 analogy, as well. Maybe listening to it with that idea in mind will help to make the more girl-groupy songs fit better. Also, I completely agree with the idea of not having "strong vocals" but being able to communicate a raw feeling regardless of that, and it was very well said. I'm definitely not a Hannah hater, though STOPTHISTRAIN still has yet to sink in for me.

Chile, is it just me or Aint Turnin Around a jam? I was not a fan of the vocals, but now I look past that and find myself playing this track over and over....smh. What's happening. IT ROCKS!!!!

littlebandit said:

stesa said:

Stop this train and Tic tac toe were the only songs from this album that I could listen to. The rest is just noise to my ears.

AOA is anchored by Way Back Home, and a much better listen. Prince's recent sound is a bit stale, and needs a total revamping.

[Edited 10/13/14 14:17pm]

same as AOA. a couple of good songs. the rest is meh. Title track uses the same guitar riff as Broken by Pantera

the chorus to PRETZELBODYLOGIC (especially the intro) is just dreadful

PE has some of the worst songs (AINTTURNINROUND, BOYTROUBLE, TICTACTOE, STOPTHISTRAIN) he has put out since Appolonia 6. He should have put Screwdriver or Let's Go Crazy (reloaded) instead of some of these awful songs. Great idea putting out a rock album but the results are rather disappointing. These women can play but are terrible singers. And it really doesn't rock hard enough at all. I guess he raised the bar so high in the 80s & 90s that he will never be able to reach it again. Kind of sad really. Luckily he still brings it live and doesn't ever play many new songs. (He ain't no fool)

jjazznola said:

Luckily he still brings it live and doesn't ever play many new songs. (He ain't no fool)

He is a fool as some people get fed up with the old stuff.

You are a fool if you do not notice the hits, hits and more hits of the recent years and beyond.

What was the last concept show/tour you attended that had the album as the core of the show and not just the hits?

udo said:

jjazznola said:

Luckily he still brings it live and doesn't ever play many new songs. (He ain't no fool)

He is a fool as some people get fed up with the old stuff.

You are a fool if you do not notice the hits, hits and more hits of the recent years and beyond.

What was the last concept show/tour you attended that had the album as the core of the show and not just the hits?

The last time that I saw him was at Mohegan Sun last Dec and I wouldn't really call it a hits show (ecxept for the dopey sampler sets he does - this from the guy who comments on lip syncing). A lot of people (not us) were unhappy beacause he did not play more hits as they played a lot of funky jams. Great show though. The 3rdEyeGirl shows from last year were not really hits shows either. If I saw him again however I would not really want to hear any of these new songs or for that matter hardly any material from the last 15-20 years except for the few decent tracks (Dreamer, Black Sweat, Laydown, Future Soul Song) that I like. I guess that makes me a fool!

[Edited 10/14/14 10:43am]

The album sounds a lot like some his TAFKAP/90's NPG era efforts, on HGH.

I don't go back to this one that much. The musicianship is top-notch, but neither the material nor the lyrics are nearly as compelling.

I dig "Another Love" and "Stop This Train" and "Whitecaps," but the jams like "Wow," "Pretzel," "Funknroll" . . . they've kind of been done already.

The band is fierce; I hope they'll stick around for another record or 2 to grow even more. When evaluated against the canon, I give it

Commercially and Musically this album flopped so hard.

It's out of the TOP 60 in it's 2nd week, has some of the worst songs that Prince ever made, and on it's way to be one of the poorest selling Prince albums only second to N.E.W.S.

to me, this album is a missed opportunity... prince doing a rock "band" album could have been a thing of beauty

there's some ok songs here... but they're poorly produced... and the mastering is atrocious... the album sounds harsh and pinched

blaming the girls is wrong... i actually feel a bit sorry for them

feeluupp said:

Commercially and Musically this album flopped so hard.

It's out of the TOP 60 in it's 2nd week, has some of the worst songs that Prince ever made, and on it's way to be one of the poorest selling Prince albums only second to N.E.W.S.

...which had ZERO promotion too, so hardly surprising the numbers aren't that great.

MoBettaBliss said:

to me, this album is a missed opportunity... prince doing a rock "band" album could have been a thing of beauty

there's some ok songs here... but they're poorly produced... and the mastering is atrocious... the album sounds harsh and pinched

blaming the girls is wrong... i actually feel a bit sorry for them

They should have just put out a kickass live album from the 3EG shows last year. Notice that the women of 3EG did not sing lead on stage? For a good reason.

jjazznola said:

MIRvmn said:

jjazznola said:

They should have just put out a kickass live album from the 3EG shows last year. Notice that the women of 3EG did not sing lead on stage? For a good reason.

I agree, a live album with 3EG would've been much better. PE could've been an amazing live album (including 2y2d, Screwdriver, Lets Go Crazy reloaded etc) [Edited 10/15/14 14:53pm]

I like the album as is--but a live album would have been an excellent way to document the band's real strength. I like what I've heard from them live, and the album isn't representative of what they could do onstage.

jjazznola said:

MoBettaBliss said:

to me, this album is a missed opportunity... prince doing a rock "band" album could have been a thing of beauty

there's some ok songs here... but they're poorly produced... and the mastering is atrocious... the album sounds harsh and pinched

blaming the girls is wrong... i actually feel a bit sorry for them

They should have just put out a kickass live album from the 3EG shows last year.

i'm sure it would have been better... i still think they could have made a great studio album though

BOYTROUBLE is just dreadful. We all know Prince is beyond quirky especially in his music sometimes but the gibbersh is too much and the "rapping" is ridiculously bad.

Aside from that, there seems to be a good bit I like throughout. My current faves with no doubt are: STOPTHISTRAIN and ANOTHERLOVE

kookooman73 said:

6 weeks out and I am definitely less enthused about this album. Rereading my first reviews I feel I must have been deaf or something. I slag off Anotherlove, now I feel its the greatest song on the album.

.

New revised ratings.

.

WOW! - This is still a great song, a blinder - 8/10

Pretzel - Take out the chant at the start, its still good - 7/10

Aint - It's still a decent song, good guitar solos and riffs - 7/10

PLE - Decent guitar jamming, could be shortened - 6/10

Whitecaps - Not feeling it a s much as I used to - 7/10

Fixurlifeup - Still an amazing song, amazing how Prince vocals seem to rule here - 9/10

Boytrouble - Worst song ever, absolute shit, gets 1 point for the bass work though - 1/10

Stopthis train - Weak but a good melody - 5/10

Anotherlove - Epic Prince rock track, can even forgive flat backing vocals, blistering guitar, epic Prince screams and screeches - 10/10

Tictactoe - Catchy and Psychedelic, still only decent - 6/10

Marz - I really like it, catchy rock number, funny lyrics, short and sweet - 8/10

Funknroll - Fairly good, would be better without samplkes and stupid clapping bit at the end. Yawn ruined by overproduction - 6/10

.

Total 80/120 = 67% a 10% drop from a month ago, places it below all his 2004 - 2014 work except Indigo nights.

I still need more time to consume...but what a surprise to find three songs that do not sound like rock and sound quite different from the rest: Boytrouble, Stopthistrain and Tic tac toe. So far I truly like Wow, Anotherlove and Fixurlifeup. The last one is a true gem...