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Now we know you've already heard Part One HERE, now you are ready to listen to Part Two of our Art Official Age Album Review..

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Click HERE - http://peachandblack.podb...ew-part-2/

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I agree, what is up with you Captain, a low mark saying you don't like R and B. Well how can you be a Prince fan if you don't like R and B. A mark like that is way too low for that masterpiece.

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Also surprised that "This Could Be us" did so badly, this sexy ballad and his first steamy sex ballad since the Gold Experience Period, should have got higher than it did. The rest I feel is spot on, the Affirmations are truly crappy filler and do not belong there, like skits on most rap albums, funny first time, annoying any other. Plus its all the usual new age waffle that they contain.

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The first song too, I am glad it scored fairly badly as it has too many samples and degenerates into gibberish. The Funk n roll on this album, is a lot worse too, especially the annoying Fat Albert on helium style voice going "Get down, get it get down".

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Also glad you did not make us wait a whole month before revealing part 2.

Enjoyed the shows as usual, good job guys. Found myself agreeing a lot with Player on it being a great album and Time probably being my favourite track also.

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Bit surprised This Could Be Us didn't fare well and no-one mentioned or noticed the hidden/under the mix lyrics (psychedelic pimp slap etc)

Although Captain's mark was not the lowest mark anyone has given an album. I remember a very funny marking of Newpowersoul by MC. I wonder if he does too, but it goes a long the lines of subtracting 5 marks initially for a lack of decent songs.

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And my marks for the albums

Plectrum Electrum 7/10

Art Official Age 8½/10

[Edited 12/4/14 16:05pm]

Adorecream said:

I agree, what is up with you Captain, a low mark saying you don't like R and B. Well how can you be a Prince fan if you don't like R and B.

Shouldn't be any surprise to anyone really, should it ?

Most of his 'best' RNB tracks that everyone else seemed to love, I have not liked that much (with maybe the odd exception here & there) - and I'm sure this isn't the first time I have expressed my dislike for rubbish N bullshit...

and how can I be a Prince fan and not like RNB ?, well that is just a mystery to everyone..

[Edited 12/11/14 13:19pm]

FunkyStrange said:

Adorecream said:

I agree, what is up with you Captain, a low mark saying you don't like R and B. Well how can you be a Prince fan if you don't like R and B.

Shouldn't be any surprise to anyone really, should it ?

Most of his 'best' RNB tracks that everyone else seemed to love, I have not liked that much (with maybe the odd exception here & there) - and I'm sure this isn't the first time I have expressed my dislike for rubbish N bullshit...

and how can I be a Prince fan and not like RNB ?, well that is just a mystery to everyone..

[Edited 12/11/14 13:19pm]

I knew you disliked shit R and B like Chris Brown, Rhianna, Beyonce and all that other near rap rubbish in the charts, but not Prince style R and B or the classic stuff from the 80s like Luther Vandross etc.

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I am not angry, just surprised, as I thought some of the songs you may have liked, you really didn't. I mean the Morning After and We gets up are definitely R and B.

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And for all of you, I was amazed, "This could be us" got so little love, 8th place, I expected it to be number one with a bullet. This song is the Do Me Baby for the 2010s. The line "Purple Psychedelic Pimp Slap" wasn't even mentioned. It is his best line in donkey's years.

[Edited 12/18/14 15:10pm]

Thanks for the show!

I agree with the "almost-comment" that the album relates the message of:

"Whatever happens to you, good or bad, is your own fault"

That's the truest truth there is.

Prost!

And for all of you, I was amazed, "This could be us" got so little love, 8th place, I expected it to be number one with a bullet. This song is the Do Me Baby for the 2010s.

I am surprised this isn't more loved. It is one of those songs that you just ifnd yourself singing when you don't really realise it. Pretty catchy and classic Prince.

nayroo2002 said:

Thanks for the show!

I agree with the "almost-comment" that the album relates the message of:

"Whatever happens to you, good or bad, is your own fault"

That's the truest truth there is.

Prost!

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[Toejam in rant mode on]:

So all those starving children in Africa, it's their own fault?

Such a message might be valuable to those who might otherwise fall into the 'blame game' - blaming everyone except themselves for their problems, etc... But the flipside of the thought can be dangerous. I don't think everyone deserves what they get in life, unfortunately. Some get away with murder (literally and figuratively!). Others, due to outcomes out of their control, will never have the opportunities that many of us take for granted as a right. We have to work for equality and justice, not assume "God" / "the universe" will provide it for us.

This is the thing that kind of irks me with some of Prince's lyrics...

[Toejam in rant mode off]

Sorry. Carry on!

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[Edited 12/28/14 2:02am]

toejam said:

nayroo2002 said:

Thanks for the show!

I agree with the "almost-comment" that the album relates the message of:

"Whatever happens to you, good or bad, is your own fault"

That's the truest truth there is.

Prost!

.
[Toejam in rant mode on]:

So all those starving children in Africa, it's their own fault?

Such a message might be valuable to those who might otherwise fall into the 'blame game' - blaming everyone except themselves for their problems, etc... But the flipside of the thought can be dangerous. I don't think everyone deserves what they get in life, unfortunately. Some get away with murder (literally and figuratively!). Others, due to outcomes out of their control, will never have the opportunities that many of us take for granted as a right. We have to work for equality and justice, not assume "God" / "the universe" will provide it for us.

This is the thing that kind of irks me with some of Prince's lyrics...

[Toejam in rant mode off]

Sorry. Carry on!

.

[Edited 12/28/14 2:02am]

Yes, i understand the flipside. it is, indeed, a sad one.

i was simply referring to the individuals that have the maturity and consciousness to know the pros and cons of their actions.

An adult who is responsible for the upbringing of a child must first have that understanding. Many don't, so there is this simple flaw from the beginning of many new lives.

On a bigger scale, a gov't must know that to lead a people.

It most definately applies to the grand sceme.

i also didn't use the moniker "you" to mean just a single person.

There are people who wollow in their sorrow and think there is no hope to make a change.

Then there are people who gather like-minded folks and try to make a change.

But, i think we all know this already?

Peace

Good review guys.

Surprised to hear one of you say something like TCBU sounding modern and like nothing else in the Prince canon. I like the track, but it has Prince's usual Adore-isms and I think it sounds very much like something from the 90-92 era, commercial pop ballads like Standing At The Altar, My Tender Heart things like that. It's crafted to be catchy and frothy in the same way.

Let me just say it guys - MC gave Newpowersoul 3½/10 in 2011, it was 3 years ago, but that was the lowest mark ever given to a Prince album I have heard by a Peach and Black member ever.

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Captain gave it a 5½ or a 6 I think. I usually agree with Captain, but can not agree that Art Official Age is much worse than New Power Soul.

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Listening to the podcast again, I was agreeing with most of Toejam's and Playas opinions. But I love the podcasts and just keep it going guys!

nayroo2002 said:

toejam said:

.
[Toejam in rant mode on]:

So all those starving children in Africa, it's their own fault?

Such a message might be valuable to those who might otherwise fall into the 'blame game' - blaming everyone except themselves for their problems, etc... But the flipside of the thought can be dangerous. I don't think everyone deserves what they get in life, unfortunately. Some get away with murder (literally and figuratively!). Others, due to outcomes out of their control, will never have the opportunities that many of us take for granted as a right. We have to work for equality and justice, not assume "God" / "the universe" will provide it for us.

This is the thing that kind of irks me with some of Prince's lyrics...

[Toejam in rant mode off]

Sorry. Carry on!

.

[Edited 12/28/14 2:02am]

Yes, i understand the flipside. it is, indeed, a sad one.

i was simply referring to the individuals that have the maturity and consciousness to know the pros and cons of their actions.

An adult who is responsible for the upbringing of a child must first have that understanding. Many don't, so there is this simple flaw from the beginning of many new lives.

On a bigger scale, a gov't must know that to lead a people.

It most definately applies to the grand sceme.

i also didn't use the moniker "you" to mean just a single person.

There are people who wollow in their sorrow and think there is no hope to make a change.

Then there are people who gather like-minded folks and try to make a change.

But, i think we all know this already?

Peace

I think you make a great deal of pertinent points. I agree with you that there are some people who either do not use the agency in life they have or simply don't realise the degree of agency they have access to. I also agree that sometimes no matter how hard a person may try certain circumstances, life events or even Governmental systems may prevent them from being able to attain a high level of automony.

I would also agree with Toejam that we shouldn't assume that a higher power or external force will provide these solutions for us. Some Christians (even 'though I'm not personally religious) even argue that you have to make the changes yourself in order to receive further help.

I tend to feel that Prince was arguing for people to utilise whatever particular agency that they have, whether small or large. All of us (virtually all) have at least some ability to make certain decisions in our lives and whilst they may not bring us instantly to fulfilled and joyous lives we do have at least some small degree of option, even if only how to feel about something or wheter to act positively. However, I do appreciate Captain's point from a previous podcast that this is not easy to do if you work or live in a negative situation surrounded by difficulty or be people in the workplace who are determined to be negative. Maybe, Prince is trying to make us aware of the power we all have within ourselves, whatever that may be.

i really enjoy listening to these 'casts because there is literally noone around my vacinity who would ever dissect music, let alone Prince's, like you guys do. i actually talk to you when i listen! Crazy?

About the jist of the topic at hand (Art Official Age), -awareness and preventive maintenance-

i don't think religion has anything to do with it.

Humanity could be leaps and bounds ahead of our present time...

Thanks for the reviews; I always enjoy listening to your podcasts, whether I agree with them or not.

Excellent podcast – they just get better and better! I really enjoyed Toejam’s live recreation of chords and melodies to explain the music theory behind his points. To a beginner guitarist like me, fascinating stuff mate. More please!

.

Anyway, I know it’s late but just a few things that I had to comment upon and ask…

.

I like the comparison of “This is what it feels like” to amongst other tunes “Come on”. Together with the guitar motif of “Wasted Kisses” you can hear in there, there’s definitely a “New Power Soul” vibe going on.

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I’m surprised that “Way Back Home” wasn’t the top choice from the podcastees, although on the Org it was. For me, it’s now easily one of my all-time favourite Prince songs and the beating heart of this album. It sounds sincere and as you guys said, you get the feeling that he’s truly opening up his heart for once. The suppressed way he sings, “Can you see” twice at the end of the song is an all-time Prince classic moment IMO.

.

Although the sequencing would make more sense with the affirmations and “Way Back Home” bolted together, I really don’t mind the album makes a hard about turn with “Funk and Roll”. So what? The songs are there, and for me the impact is not lessened because of this sequencing. That he wants you to get to the heart of the album and then go “off-piste” again before returning “home” with the affirmation is OK by me. (Love this version of “FunknRoll” – those guitar stabs make this tune as tight as a balloon, then into a nod to The Prodigy – and why not? – solos out nicely, ending with the urgent chants. Fair play to ya Princey boy for including this version on AOA – have you heard anything like this on a Prince album before? It’s urgent, tight and exciting.)

.

One fundamental thing you touched upon here and there, which I was surprised you didn’t go into more detail and more spend time on in your summations, (you usually touch all bases) is the production of this album. For me, it’s the production that makes this album stand out, shine and sound fresh. So nice, finally, to have an album by Prince that feels...for want of a better word...FRESH. I've not felt this since "The Rainbow Children" and for it to be on an album that has concept and cohesion - it's to be applauded. As this is the result of sharing production details then, more please.

.

I think both MC and Player’s summations at the end of the review are spot on. That MC, can’t score this album because he still feels that he hasn’t ’completely listened to it’ after all this time shows depth. I feel exactly the same. I’m still hearing new bits and bobs, nooks and crannies as well as meanings & varying interpretations. And isn’t that one of the rare joys of being a music fan? Playing a new album on repeat, enjoying it each time whilst discovering new stuff on it and thinking about it in different ways, enjoying some songs more than others then totally flipping your ‘like’ table in a matter of days. Certainly an album that will be revered in years to come.

.

I also think it’s quite a cool coincidence that Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated release - “Interstellar” was released not so long afterwards, where the main crux of this epic film deals with relationships and more importantly time – and how it can be foe as well as friend. Draw your own conclusions, but exciting for me that two artists who I admire deeply, create and release their art from different perspectives with similar themes at, more or less, the same time. And they both get you thinking, they prompt you to ask questions of yourself.

.

As said by Toejam, amongst others, a lot of people think of Lovesexy when they hear this album. Me, not so much, but I think the lack of CD inserts, lyric sheets or on-line accompaniments makes your mind eye think of the white background colour of the album cover. The glean and sheen of the production adds to that. I keep looking at the back cover art of CD, and it’s that image that endures in my mind. Locked away in Paisley Park, all ceramic whites and sky-blue cobalt blues, staring out, alone, reflecting, contemplating...

Lordy said:

Excellent podcast – they just get better and better! I really enjoyed Toejam’s live recreation of chords and melodies to explain the music theory behind his points. To a beginner guitarist like me, fascinating stuff mate. More please!

.

Anyway, I know it’s late but just a few things that I had to comment upon and ask…

.

I like the comparison of “This is what it feels like” to amongst other tunes “Come on”. Together with the guitar motif of “Wasted Kisses” you can hear in there, there’s definitely a “New Power Soul” vibe going on.

.

I’m surprised that “Way Back Home” wasn’t the top choice from the podcastees, although on the Org it was. For me, it’s now easily one of my all-time favourite Prince songs and the beating heart of this album. It sounds sincere and as you guys said, you get the feeling that he’s truly opening up his heart for once. The suppressed way he sings, “Can you see” twice at the end of the song is an all-time Prince classic moment IMO.

.

Although the sequencing would make more sense with the affirmations and “Way Back Home” bolted together, I really don’t mind the album makes a hard about turn with “Funk and Roll”. So what? The songs are there, and for me the impact is not lessened because of this sequencing. That he wants you to get to the heart of the album and then go “off-piste” again before returning “home” with the affirmation is OK by me. (Love this version of “FunknRoll” – those guitar stabs make this tune as tight as a balloon, then into a nod to The Prodigy – and why not? – solos out nicely, ending with the urgent chants. Fair play to ya Princey boy for including this version on AOA – have you heard anything like this on a Prince album before? It’s urgent, tight and exciting.)

.

One fundamental thing you touched upon here and there, which I was surprised you didn’t go into more detail and more spend time on in your summations, (you usually touch all bases) is the production of this album. For me, it’s the production that makes this album stand out, shine and sound fresh. So nice, finally, to have an album by Prince that feels...for want of a better word...FRESH. I've not felt this since "The Rainbow Children" and for it to be on an album that has concept and cohesion - it's to be applauded. As this is the result of sharing production details then, more please.

.

I think both MC and Player’s summations at the end of the review are spot on. That MC, can’t score this album because he still feels that he hasn’t ’completely listened to it’ after all this time shows depth. I feel exactly the same. I’m still hearing new bits and bobs, nooks and crannies as well as meanings & varying interpretations. And isn’t that one of the rare joys of being a music fan? Playing a new album on repeat, enjoying it each time whilst discovering new stuff on it and thinking about it in different ways, enjoying some songs more than others then totally flipping your ‘like’ table in a matter of days. Certainly an album that will be revered in years to come.

.

I also think it’s quite a cool coincidence that Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated release - “Interstellar” was released not so long afterwards, where the main crux of this epic film deals with relationships and more importantly time – and how it can be foe as well as friend. Draw your own conclusions, but exciting for me that two artists who I admire deeply, create and release their art from different perspectives with similar themes at, more or less, the same time. And they both get you thinking, they prompt you to ask questions of yourself.

.

As said by Toejam, amongst others, a lot of people think of Lovesexy when they hear this album. Me, not so much, but I think the lack of CD inserts, lyric sheets or on-line accompaniments makes your mind eye think of the white background colour of the album cover. The glean and sheen of the production adds to that. I keep looking at the back cover art of CD, and it’s that image that endures in my mind. Locked away in Paisley Park, all ceramic whites and sky-blue cobalt blues, staring out, alone, reflecting, contemplating...

You mean there are people out there other than me who compage Art Official Age to Lovesexy?

Those peeps are really astute, intelligent, deep, insightful! Art Official Age is a complete musical journey, it has lots of melancholy, it feels like some kind of therapy alternating between regret, simply joys, instrospection and affirmation. It's another spiritual rebirth tale, with some gentle but essential nods to the joy of living.

Aerogram said:

Lordy said:

Excellent podcast – they just get better and better! I really enjoyed Toejam’s live recreation of chords and melodies to explain the music theory behind his points. To a beginner guitarist like me, fascinating stuff mate. More please!

.

Anyway, I know it’s late but just a few things that I had to comment upon and ask…

.

I like the comparison of “This is what it feels like” to amongst other tunes “Come on”. Together with the guitar motif of “Wasted Kisses” you can hear in there, there’s definitely a “New Power Soul” vibe going on.

.

I’m surprised that “Way Back Home” wasn’t the top choice from the podcastees, although on the Org it was. For me, it’s now easily one of my all-time favourite Prince songs and the beating heart of this album. It sounds sincere and as you guys said, you get the feeling that he’s truly opening up his heart for once. The suppressed way he sings, “Can you see” twice at the end of the song is an all-time Prince classic moment IMO.

.

Although the sequencing would make more sense with the affirmations and “Way Back Home” bolted together, I really don’t mind the album makes a hard about turn with “Funk and Roll”. So what? The songs are there, and for me the impact is not lessened because of this sequencing. That he wants you to get to the heart of the album and then go “off-piste” again before returning “home” with the affirmation is OK by me. (Love this version of “FunknRoll” – those guitar stabs make this tune as tight as a balloon, then into a nod to The Prodigy – and why not? – solos out nicely, ending with the urgent chants. Fair play to ya Princey boy for including this version on AOA – have you heard anything like this on a Prince album before? It’s urgent, tight and exciting.)

.

One fundamental thing you touched upon here and there, which I was surprised you didn’t go into more detail and more spend time on in your summations, (you usually touch all bases) is the production of this album. For me, it’s the production that makes this album stand out, shine and sound fresh. So nice, finally, to have an album by Prince that feels...for want of a better word...FRESH. I've not felt this since "The Rainbow Children" and for it to be on an album that has concept and cohesion - it's to be applauded. As this is the result of sharing production details then, more please.

.

I think both MC and Player’s summations at the end of the review are spot on. That MC, can’t score this album because he still feels that he hasn’t ’completely listened to it’ after all this time shows depth. I feel exactly the same. I’m still hearing new bits and bobs, nooks and crannies as well as meanings & varying interpretations. And isn’t that one of the rare joys of being a music fan? Playing a new album on repeat, enjoying it each time whilst discovering new stuff on it and thinking about it in different ways, enjoying some songs more than others then totally flipping your ‘like’ table in a matter of days. Certainly an album that will be revered in years to come.

.

I also think it’s quite a cool coincidence that Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated release - “Interstellar” was released not so long afterwards, where the main crux of this epic film deals with relationships and more importantly time – and how it can be foe as well as friend. Draw your own conclusions, but exciting for me that two artists who I admire deeply, create and release their art from different perspectives with similar themes at, more or less, the same time. And they both get you thinking, they prompt you to ask questions of yourself.

.

As said by Toejam, amongst others, a lot of people think of Lovesexy when they hear this album. Me, not so much, but I think the lack of CD inserts, lyric sheets or on-line accompaniments makes your mind eye think of the white background colour of the album cover. The glean and sheen of the production adds to that. I keep looking at the back cover art of CD, and it’s that image that endures in my mind. Locked away in Paisley Park, all ceramic whites and sky-blue cobalt blues, staring out, alone, reflecting, contemplating...

You mean there are people out there other than me who compage Art Official Age to Lovesexy?

Those peeps are really astute, intelligent, deep, insightful! Art Official Age is a complete musical journey, it has lots of melancholy, it feels like some kind of therapy alternating between regret, simply joys, instrospection and affirmation. It's another spiritual rebirth tale, with some gentle but essential nods to the joy of living.

.

I always look at Lovesexy as a joyous album - as you say a "spiritual rebirth". AOA for me is more introspective and melancholic.