jaawwnn said:

Thematically I don't see what tracks 3-8 and 11 have to do with tracks 1-2 and 9-10-12, which are more obviously connected. Lyrically they feel like a different album to me.

I mean, they're connected in that they're Prince songs and he has a style of his own and he even had a late period style of his own, but I don't see the sci-fi theme he opens and closes with carrying through the entire album in any kind of coherent or consistent way.

[Edited 11/29/16 19:51pm]

I kinda feel the same way about the album--I'd throw in the towel and call it a bungled mix of songs, but most of them, be they dance or R&B jams, seem to be reflective in their tone so there's a feeling of reminescence permeated throughout, IMO, and that is okay by me. He did the same thing on Musicology with "Reflections," and that's all good.

>

I like the "Funknroll" version on 3rdeyegirl better than that on AOA.

>

"Clouds" is my favorite song on AOA and I enjoy many others of them too, as my mood sways.

>

"Way Back Home," enjoyed by many is befuddling to me--I'm not quite sure what he's getting at and wish he were around to have a chance to explain this song. It's emotional, but why so? I'm not ready to swallow the purple pill on that one.

>

Despite the sense of foreboding that some may sense and people attributing this album as Prince's farewell to the world--I don't know--with the presentation of Hit 'n Run Volume II, plus the man's purchase of new piano and guitar, along with his usual continuance of projects extending to 2 or 3 different band configurations, working on new arrangements, no emergence of a will, and touring his butt off on his solo show, I'll doubt that he was literally facing his mortality at that point, regardless that the reaper was staring in his eyes and sweeping him off his feet, as we all now realize, but I ramble....

Germanegro said:

jaawwnn said:

Thematically I don't see what tracks 3-8 and 11 have to do with tracks 1-2 and 9-10-12, which are more obviously connected. Lyrically they feel like a different album to me.

I mean, they're connected in that they're Prince songs and he has a style of his own and he even had a late period style of his own, but I don't see the sci-fi theme he opens and closes with carrying through the entire album in any kind of coherent or consistent way.

[Edited 11/29/16 19:51pm]

I kinda feel the same way about the album--I'd throw in the towel and call it a bungled mix of songs, but most of them, be they dance or R&B jams, seem to be reflective in their tone so there's a feeling of reminescence permeated throughout, IMO, and that is okay by me. He did the same thing on Musicology with "Reflections," and that's all good.

>

I like the "Funknroll" version on 3rdeyegirl better than that on AOA.

>

"Clouds" is my favorite song on AOA and I enjoy many others of them too, as my mood sways.

>

"Way Back Home," enjoyed by many is befuddling to me--I'm not quite sure what he's getting at and wish he were around to have a chance to explain this song. It's emotional, but why so? I'm not ready to swallow the purple pill on that one.

>

Despite the sense of foreboding that some may sense and people attributing this album as Prince's farewell to the world--I don't know--with the presentation of Hit 'n Run Volume II, plus the man's purchase of new piano and guitar, along with his usual continuance of projects extending to 2 or 3 different band configurations, working on new arrangements, no emergence of a will, and touring his butt off on his solo show, I'll doubt that he was literally facing his mortality at that point, regardless that the reaper was staring in his eyes and sweeping him off his feet, as we all now realize, but I ramble....

I probably should point out that for all my criticism I do think Art Official Age is a very strong album, his best for me since the Rainbow Children, just edging ahead of lotusflow3r.

I largely agree with your comments that we should be sceptical on whether or not he was getting ready to leave the world, it's definitely a possibility and some of the readings of his work in his final years certainly suggest it quite strongly, but it ain't cut and dry.

If you take any album he released from pretty much 1982 to 2016 and say it was his last you could make a semi-convincing argument that he knew the end was coming.

NorthC said:

He could have had this sense of, maybe my time on earth is limited, so let's enjoy it while it lasts and do as much as I can! That's speculation of course, but here's something he said to Neal Karlen back in 1990 that I always remembered: "When I pray to God, I say, it's your call, when it's time to go, it's time to go. But as long as you leave me here, I'm going to cause much ruckus!" [Edited 11/30/16 1:50am]

Yeah, in that sense he's be just like everyman. He definitely expressed that thought time and again throughout his career.

I don't think Prince's reflections about mortality expressed in AOA (the hibernation speech, "Time", "This Could Be Us") are a hint.

Prince suggesting through the album he was going to pass soon?
Naaah. But it's definetely "I'm going to pass one day" to me,
"The Breakdown" alone says "I'm sorry I was such an asshole at times in my life".

I guess it's just a natural state of mind when you're 50 going 60,
you get more reflective about what you've achieved.
After all, it opens with "We've come a long way", pretty unusual for Prince.

Whether it's present times, times to come or times gone by,

time is the central thematic of AOA. "Way Back Home" even speaks of going back.
Even if some songs lyrics seem too be out of context, the music clearly points
to Prince's early days ("Clouds", "Gold Standard", even "Breakfast Can Wait"has this 70's feel),
or goes straight into the future ("AOC", Funknroll").

I think it's a solid album, heavy on R&B if you like that style. The concept is a little strange (but not strange to Prince). I prefer the rock-heavy Plectrum Electrum and am sad I never got to see 3rdeyegirl live.

I bought Prince's last few CDs. They are really good.

Way Back Home, was played at one of his memorial services, by his wives.

The Million Dollar Show is good too. Not sure who the female is singing it.

Art Official Age, is also good. great funky beat.

It takes about 2 to 3 listens to really start digging the songs.

When you total up all the sales of his albums, holy moly, he sold over $100,000 million CDs.

techdad5606 said:

musicfan77 said:

dance4me3121 said:

I don't mean to brag but I received this for my birthday today. I figure I would double post. [Edited 11/30/16 20:05pm]

happy b-day. enjoy!

wavesofbliss said:

I wonder if any versions exist without Lianne La Havas talking over the music.

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Her voice is really annoying with really bad grammar and diction.

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I'd rather listen to a version without her if it is known to exist.

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