BLACK MUSE is fucking brilliant. Thoughtful, poignant, funky, real, and worthy. He says he's writing from the heart in the lyrics, and I believe him. I wish he would do that always.

[Edited 12/13/15 10:21am]

I compare this album to Planet Earth, which is probably my least favorite Prince album. The problem I have the most with this is the drum sound. The songwriting is somewhat lazy. The only standout track for me would be Revelation. Ahh well, I can't complain too much because this was just a nice surprise. But I just have to ask, why? This sounds VERY dated and it just came out. Very cringeworthy in my opinion. AOA was dope, Phase one was just OK, this killed the momentum.

EddieC said:

IstenSzek said:

i think that should be "I beat my sword into a plough", as in, turning a mean of fighting/war

back into a productive tool.

they used to melt ploughs and beat them into swords in times of war. so i'm sure they'd do
the reverse when the fighting was done and people went back to their daily routines.

It's Biblical, ultimately--Isaiah 2:4: "And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."

Of course, it has a life outside of that original context. The whole turning from war and anger to peaceful constructive activities. It's a common metaphor--and the same verse is behind "Down by the Riverside"'s references to "lay[ing] down my sword and shield" and "study[ing] war no more."

dadeepop said:

"Black Muse" was almost ruined for me immediately when I realized what other song it reminded me of after the vocals kicked in: "Joe Cool" by B.B. King.

If you don't know the song, do not go listen to it. You're welcome.

[img:$uid]http://i.imgur.com/4YLhfrh.jpg[/img:$uid]

I ignored your warning and listened to Joe Cool. The comparison is defintely apt. And Joe Cool ain't too bad!

Phase Two is obviously a different vibe than Phase One. If Josh was in the driver's seat for One, it seems he's in the trunk on Two.

My pithy review: tame but not lame. I need to give it some more spins, since much of P's work sneaks up on you.

xpertluva said:

dadeepop said:

"Black Muse" was almost ruined for me immediately when I realized what other song it reminded me of after the vocals kicked in: "Joe Cool" by B.B. King.

If you don't know the song, do not go listen to it. You're welcome.

[img:$uid]http://i.imgur.com/4YLhfrh.jpg[/img:$uid]

I ignored your warning and listened to Joe Cool. The comparison is defintely apt. And Joe Cool ain't too bad!

I'm glad I'm not the only one! And true...I have that CD and actually like it.

Another set of mediocre songs... Half ass /superboring compositions.... It's time for retirement Prince. Pls stop making a shame of yourself

[Edited 12/13/15 11:29am]

I gotta say it... What's with all the love for Revelation? Maybe it's another case of hype ruining my expectations, but, I'm not feeling the greatness most here are feeling for the track. Same with Big City. Neither of these is a highlight of the album for me. Not hating them, they're okay, nothing special to my ears, though...

tollyc said:

donnyenglish said:

Black Muse could have been on The Rainbow Children. Lyrically and the sound of it. Highest quality track.

It's 2 songs actually. at 4 minute 19 a second song called "A Thousand Light Years" starts and was once part of the Welcome 2 America album. I have heard the album...don't ask me from who or how...just know that this was one of the songs.

The vocal/musical progression also sounds very much like 2010's "Compassion" <---(beginning @ 2:29).

Compare:
Whatever skin you're in

to
A thousand light years from here*


*(Can't tell if he's saying "here" or "me" or "you")

[Edited 12/13/15 11:59am]

No, I wont tell you how to get it. haha. They keep banning by boy. No, I won't give my sources away. I need these songs. hahaha. Makes faces.

This is a good ass album. Hope it's on CD soon

Boring album.

2freaky4church1 said:

Boring album.

Kind of agree 2 b honest.

Except REVELATION everything is just kind of tamed mid tempo songs. It's like an album for the middle aged individual

lastdecember said:

Download links all over the net, which is why streaming services and things of that nature always lead to free downloads. Saw one site had a cover of the album that it packaged white phase one, wonder if it will be put out like that.

Welcome to the Internet.....

Annnnd so far today I've given 20Ten more play than Phase Two. I guess I'm a sucker for the LinnDrum and Prince being "Prince."

SchlomoThaHomo said:

BLACK MUSE is fucking brilliant. Thoughtful, poignant, funky, real, and worthy. He says he's writing from the heart in the lyrics, and I believe him. I wish he would do that always.

[Edited 12/13/15 10:21am]

I buy the theory that it's actually two different songs fused together. The last part is such a shift of gears.

i'm glad i got your attention
i think it's bout time i mention

the reason why i wrote this song
like a ufo sighting
from my heart i am writing
the next close encounter
tell me how long
will it be on land or near on water
will it produce the sun or the black moon daughter
or a pillow covered with all our tears

a thousand light years away from here

no yesterday or tomorrow
no better remedy for sorrow
why the fifth held forever will make you cry
don't know why

EddieC said:

IstenSzek said:

i think that should be "I beat my sword into a plough", as in, turning a mean of fighting/war

back into a productive tool.

they used to melt ploughs and beat them into swords in times of war. so i'm sure they'd do
the reverse when the fighting was done and people went back to their daily routines.

It's Biblical, ultimately--Isaiah 2:4: "And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."

Of course, it has a life outside of that original context. The whole turning from war and anger to peaceful constructive activities. It's a common metaphor--and the same verse is behind "Down by the Riverside"'s references to "lay[ing] down my sword and shield" and "study[ing] war no more."

Wow, thanks! I am sadly not very well studied in the bible - this helps round out the whole song

djThunderfunk said:

lwr001 said:

good now we know you are a fraud and a cheat..you have no credibility to comment on anything here..let me qualify, you have no integrity

That's a little harsh. Maybe the Gent thinks that buying Phase One and half the tracks on Phase 2 once was enough and doesn't want to buy a bundle that is only 25% new. How much integrity is there in that?!? Just sayin'...
I rushed over to Tidal to buy, saw the bundle, decided to wait. Wait to buy that is... listening now!

Cheers Thunder.

I paid for Phase I and loved it, I've paid for all the singles too. Will happily pay for Phase II too when it's available on its own. Not going to pay fot Tidal as a subscription service though, there's no value in it for me. If that means I have no integrity, then

dadeepop said:

Annnnd so far today I've given 20Ten more play than Phase Two. I guess I'm a sucker for the LinnDrum and Prince being "Prince."

Sticky Like Glue is the most sounding "PRINCE" song in the last 10 years...

feeluupp said:

dadeepop said:

Annnnd so far today I've given 20Ten more play than Phase Two. I guess I'm a sucker for the LinnDrum and Prince being "Prince."

Sticky Like Glue is the most sounding "PRINCE" song in the last 10 years...

Co-effing-sign to that!

feeluupp said:

2freaky4church1 said:

Boring album.

Kind of agree 2 b honest.

Except REVELATION everything is just kind of tamed mid tempo songs. It's like an album for the middle aged individual

Oh come on, would y'all say that about a Sade album? I happene to dig most of it. There's nothing boring about Stare, 2Y2D, Look At Me, Look At U... Of course, I am middle aged.

TheBoneRanger said:

Sweet feathery Jesus, this album frickin' blows! It makes the six album stretch from Musicology to 20Ten seem like timeless classics by comparison. Phase One kicks the unholy hell out of it!!! Phase Two sounds like lame old folks music. It has the stink of "white man's overbite" all over it.

[Edited 12/13/15 7:08am]

You're hurtin' bad aren't you? Shame.

[Highjack attempt snip - luv4u]

djThunderfunk said:

I gotta say it... What's with all the love for Revelation? Maybe it's another case of hype ruining my expectations, but, I'm not feeling the greatness most here are feeling for the track. Same with Big City. Neither of these is a highlight of the album for me. Not hating them, they're okay, nothing special to my ears, though...

Did you listen in a great pair of headphones? We have a decent, small sound room set-up (hubby is a producer/dj, i used to dj) and played it off my phone through our studio monitors and WOW.

Then I listened just in my iphone headphones, and was still blown away ....

I find the warmth of the production and the aural 'space' he allows - its not as dense musically as say adonis and bathsheeba, but this song lays into your ears like warm caramel - takin its time and he sounds as if he and the horn are in a slow dance, conversing intimately...THAT HORN THO - my god - its beautiful, it's not rushed and the song takes its time where every second is allowed to linger...

so, um, yeah then the lyrics are outstanding...prince seems to equate the love and adoration of a woman as pathway to heaven and the orgasm as a way to view/be one with God...at least thats my take on it...and how does a man mange to find those words, and have the nerve to say them outloud...it's breathtaking ---

so alla dat -- it's a real masterpeice. (as u know who would say)

[Edited 12/13/15 12:42pm]

dadeepop said:

Seriously...ya'll people need to revisit 20Ten. I'm now hijacking this thread and turning it into a 20Ten appreciation thread!

Agreed. There are some new classics on that album. "Sticky Like Glue" is worthy of being on Sign O' The Times.