While the overall reaction to AOA has been quite positive, I have noticed the gripes about it being too mellow. I am right there with that as I am a big-time funk rocker and have minimal tolerance for mushy ballads or dull, plodding slow songs.

So I too wish there was more funk and uptempo material but nevertheless I have al admit AOA is a fine effort, and for me in conjures thinking of another one of my all-time favorites (as well as Prince's) -- Stevie Wonder. As great as Stevie has been he too released some mellow and down-tempo albums. As such, I think it interesting to compare AOA to something like Talking Book, another strong and personal album with a couple of hard jams but mostly slow to midtempo love, social and political cuts. Head to head, I would give TB the nod over AOA but the principle is the same.

What do you all think?

Also, I think AOA is more ambitious but enjoy listening to Plectrum Electrum more because of my funk-rock leanings. Overall, as a diehard fan since Day 1 in 1978, I am pretty thrilled Prince is continuing to follow his muse and make music that only he could make.

Listening to AoA all day today and it struck me that it reminded me of SoTT, in the fact that I haven't got bored of it yet and happily put it on repeat - haven't had that feeling since SoTT. It also reveals more nuances after each listen. For instance the backing vocals on Breakdown (during the screamy bit) became clear to me. Also (like SoTT) you get that happy feeling when the next song starts and the urge to skip isn't so strong as on other recent albums. PS Time really reminds me of SoTT era songs with that sustained organ chord running thru it and the monotonus beat.

Comparing this crap to a classic Stevie Wonder album is blasphemy.

Art Official Age is fantastic... I agree.

Never mind the Org haters...

Although I really enjoy AOA, I don't see much of a comparison to Talking Book...

I like AOA, but definately not a comparison.

I think when these kinds of comparisons happen it cheapens the current release