Hamad said:

I wanna hear from Levi & Sheila, and possibly Boni (rip) if she had any interviews archived.

Some have said they are probably not articulate enough and they prefer the more "articulate" contributors to the podcasts ...

donnyenglish said:

violetcrush said:

But AGAIN, you are completely missing the point. They ARE focusing on his work when they are speaking to his band associates, and even Susannah, who was ALSO an associate, as well as, his fiance. Susannah sang backround on MANY songs.

*

It is mainly the fans who are making it a competition between former associates based upon their own preferences for various associates. Yes, there's been some bickering around some of the claims that Sheila E has made and also her seeming to want more of the spotlight with regard to Prince/s music. However, all of that is minimal compared to the fans' opinions.

*

You are a bit contradictory with this statement above, because in your post a few comments back you were listing specific associates whom you thought should be discussing Prince's music. So, which is it then?? You can't have it one way with particular associates that YOU think should speak about their time making music with Prince, and another way with those whom you - for whatever reason - think should not be permitted to speak about their time making music with Prince.

*

Oh, and Mi-Ling....NOT a former Prince associate, nor did she ever work, record, or live with Prince. She was also never engaged to Prince. This is you comparing watermelons to kumquats. Makes no sense at all.

I am not being contradictory. My previous post said they should do a SEPARATE series on his influences so those associates can get it all out and say how they influenced his music so we can focus on his music in this series. I am also not missing the point. They have presented the podcasts in a way where associates are spending a large percentage of the podcast talking about their influence on his music rather than his music. Everyone has acknowledged that point. That was a mistake. Next time have them talk about his music rather than their influence on it. Period.

It makes NO sense to separate the associate interviews and Prince's music which he worked on and recorded WITH said associates. How does that make any sense at all?? Who else, other than you, is stating that it is a mistake having the associates discuss their work and/or life with Prince during the time period of a deluxe edition being released which actually includes songs that they themselves played on??

*

Sorry, but I'd much rather have an interactive podcast that includes both a narrative - which we did get from Andrea Swenson - and a Q & A discussion with his band mates of that time. Who wants to hear only a narrator, who NEVER worked with Prince, just reading off of a script?? How pointless. Even a full length documentary film about Prince's life and music will/would include mutliple interviews with those who had personal and professional relationships with Prince. In fact, all that have been done to date have included both narration AND interviews with Prince's past associates. Find me one that doesn't include both.

[Snip - luv4u]

donnyenglish said:

Hamad said:

I wanna hear from Levi & Sheila, and possibly Boni (rip) if she had any interviews archived.

Some have said they are probably not articulate enough and they prefer the more "articulate" contributors to the podcasts ...

OMG!!!!!!! WHO?? WHO of any type of legitmacy (ie: NOT a random fan) has stated publicly that the Sheila and/or Levi have not contributed, because they are "not articulate enough"??? WHO??

*

Just completely absurd, and complete BS. I will laugh hysterically when/if Sheila and/or Levi or Miko appear on one of the upcoming episodes. THEY ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT THE TOUR YET!!!!

*

They have only done two episodes, and were covering the music recorded from late 1985 to Fall of '86.

Shannon319 said:

[Snip - luv4u]

I like Micheal Dean and his shows, but AGAIN, he is giving HIS opinion. Obviously, Prince had a differing opinion, or he would not have used or wanted or asked for Wendy, Lisa's and others' input and contributions during this period. It's NEVER been about whether he needed the input or not - that's never been an issue or argument. The issue has been fans denying that he took ANY input or contributions from them. No doubt that stems from his history of wanting complete control, and to do everything himself. It's been stated that he did not allow or accept that kind of input before Purple Rain, or if he did it was very rare. Prince himself discusses it during his 1985 MTV interview - "it's true I record very fast, and it goes even faster now that I have the girls helping me - the girls meaning Wendy and Lisa...".

Please, Michael Dean is a total kiss-ass of Prince associates and has done long interviews with Susan Rogers. If he thinks there is tone of minimalizing Prince to just a pop star with a musical machine behind him, then maybe that tone exists. I don't always like Dean (especially when he lets some of them just run their mouths and lie to him...Mark Brown's lie about seeing Prince a year before he died when he was getting ready to form 3rdeyegirl was on Dean's podcast) but here he is dead on. Pay attention to what he said about Dre's associates and how they talked about him...even when they talked about all their contributions, they made sure to say that Dre was the reason that stuff worked. Wendy and Lisa at times have said those compliments about Prince, but this time around too much was about them. Calling his songs sketches is an insult. Even that early Purple Rain on the Piano and Microphone album is gorgeous...he just needed to finish it. Prince's melodies are so underrated just in terms of their own innate structures. He can play piano enough to create accompaniment. That is all one needs for a good song really when you get down to it. He made a whole tour based off of that innate ability.

Prince throwing compliments at Wendy and LIsa. First of all, he did that with even his non-talented associates. But let's break down Raspberry Beret. During the Piano and Microphone tour, he played Lisa's harpsichord part (admittedly a great contribution to the song). He then went on to say "that's really all the song is." So he says something nice and then his so-called fans on this very forum are like "Lisa wrote that song." No she did not. She wrote the harpsichord part. The melody and lyrics are his...and he sang that very song on the Lovesexy tour without her part (just with basic chords) and it was still recognizably Raspberry beret. What she did was productions and props to her, but people get carried away. White Christman was written by Irvng Berlin not Nelson Riddle who often did beatuful arrangementsm of the song. Also, Prince' s didn't base his melody off her harpsichord part...it was the other way around which I am glad she admitted. She based her song off something he was doing and he was a genius enough to determine that it would be a great thing to put behind his raspberry beret melody. Lisa is a bit better at giving him credit than Wendy...I will say that.

violetcrush said:

[Snip - luv4u]

I like Micheal Dean and his shows, but AGAIN, he is giving HIS opinion. Obviously, Prince had a differing opinion, or he would not have used or wanted or asked for Wendy, Lisa's and others' input and contributions during this period. It's NEVER been about whether he needed the input or not - that's never been an issue or argument. The issue has been fans denying that he took ANY input or contributions from them. No doubt that stems from his history of wanting complete control, and to do everything himself. It's been stated that he did not allow or accept that kind of input before Purple Rain, or if he did it was very rare. Prince himself discusses it during his 1985 MTV interview - "it's true I record very fast, and it goes even faster now that I have the girls helping me - the girls meaning Wendy and Lisa...".

[Edited 9/5/20 18:12pm]

[Edited 9/5/20 18:14pm]

[Edited 9/5/20 18:17pm]

RighteousOne said:

every thread of this podcast is going to have 10 pages of bullshit and whining. i don't see where you guys get the energy. do you take shifts?

violetcrush said:

Shannon319 said:

Please, Michael Dean is a total kiss-ass of Prince associates and has done long interviews with Susan Rogers. If he thinks there is tone of minimalizing Prince to just a pop star with a musical machine behind him, then maybe that tone exists. I don't always like Dean (especially when he lets some of them just run their mouths and lie to him...Mark Brown's lie about seeing Prince a year before he died when he was getting ready to form 3rdeyegirl was on Dean's podcast) but here he is dead on. Pay attention to what he said about Dre's associates and how they talked about him...even when they talked about all their contributions, they made sure to say that Dre was the reason that stuff worked. Wendy and Lisa at times have said those compliments about Prince, but this time around too much was about them. Calling his songs sketches is an insult. Even that early Purple Rain on the Piano and Microphone album is gorgeous...he just needed to finish it. Prince's melodies are so underrated just in terms of their own innate structures. He can play piano enough to create accompaniment. That is all one needs for a good song really when you get down to it. He made a whole tour based off of that innate ability.

Prince throwing compliments at Wendy and LIsa. First of all, he did that with even his non-talented associates. But let's break down Raspberry Beret. During the Piano and Microphone tour, he played Lisa's harpsichord part (admittedly a great contribution to the song). He then went on to say "that's really all the song is." So he says something nice and then his so-called fans on this very forum are like "Lisa wrote that song." No she did not. She wrote the harpsichord part. The melody and lyrics are his...and he sang that very song on the Lovesexy tour without her part (just with basic chords) and it was still recognizably Raspberry beret. What she did was productions and props to her, but people get carried away. White Christman was written by Irvng Berlin not Nelson Riddle who often did beatuful arrangementsm of the song. Also, Prince' s didn't base his melody off her harpsichord part...it was the other way around which I am glad she admitted. She based her song off something he was doing and he was a genius enough to determine that it would be a great thing to put behind his raspberry beret melody. Lisa is a bit better at giving him credit than Wendy...I will say that.

violetcrush said:

I like Micheal Dean and his shows, but AGAIN, he is giving HIS opinion. Obviously, Prince had a differing opinion, or he would not have used or wanted or asked for Wendy, Lisa's and others' input and contributions during this period. It's NEVER been about whether he needed the input or not - that's never been an issue or argument. The issue has been fans denying that he took ANY input or contributions from them. No doubt that stems from his history of wanting complete control, and to do everything himself. It's been stated that he did not allow or accept that kind of input before Purple Rain, or if he did it was very rare. Prince himself discusses it during his 1985 MTV interview - "it's true I record very fast, and it goes even faster now that I have the girls helping me - the girls meaning Wendy and Lisa...".

[Edited 9/5/20 18:12pm]

[Edited 9/5/20 18:14pm]

[Edited 9/5/20 18:17pm]

First Bold: Actually, I don't think Mark was lying at all about seeing Prince before he formed 3rd Eye Girl, because Prince specifically stated that a former associate came back to audition for his new band, but didn't make the cut because he found someone who could play better. However, I think Prince just wanted an all-girl band at that point anyway.

*

Second Bold: Calling song that is a work in progress a "sketch" is not an insult at all. It's just a term used in the business. And the earliest version of PR did not contain the opening chord structure, which has been discussed. Regardless of how great you think an early version of a song is, you have to look at the final version to determine how much was added, changed, etc.

*

Third Bold: Prince was an amazing piano player. But he wasn't just playing "sketches" or partial arrangements on his P&M tour. He was playing the finished versions of his released songs. Not the same thing at all. They were not unfinished pieces.

Fourth Bold: Prince did not say "that's all the song is..." He actually said, "that's a whole song, right?!" HE was giving Lisa props and praise for creating that melody, which is actually played throughout the entire song, and is the "catchy" part of the song. He also described when she first came to MN to meet him, and she began playing a very melodic piece and he stated, "I'm trying to play like her.." He was explaining to the audience how she could come up with these unique chords. He ALSO stated that they were chords he had never heard before until Miles Davis visited him and he heard the same chords played on his trumpet.

*

So yeah, there is no doubt that Prince appreciated and acknowledged the musical talents of both Wendy and Lisa.

donnyenglish said:

RighteousOne said:

What are you comparing, though? He/she was a better guitarist? Dancer? Influence? Muse? See how murky it all starts to get? Also, with the best will in the world, I've seen Sheila E talk and discuss Prince. Great drummer but not very articulate. You really think you'd get the same amount of info from her as you would from the people on these podcasts? Good luck with that.

Here you go violetcrush. The truth is that many fans that became fans in 1984 have unconscious biasEs and need to figure out a way to interrupt those biases. Those biases manifest in many ways on this site and beyond. This is part of what of what I am referring to when I say his legacy is being tainted a bit by those who are trying their best to preserve his legacy but they are falling short. Other folks need to be included in the process. [Edited 9/5/20 18:51pm]

So, because some Org fan named "RighteousOne" posts that he/she thinks Sheila E is "a great drummer but not very articulate" then all here should take that as fact and believe that has anything to do with why she's not on the first two episodes of this podcast??? NOPE.

*

I've heard Sheila speak many many times, and "inarticulate" NEVER came to mind. She speaks in complete and logical sentences. She understands questions, and answers them directly with related responses. Again, just completely absurd to bring this nonsense into any discussion.

donnyenglish said:

icecreamcastle777 said:

MoodyBlumes said:

Well apparently the journalist wasn't interested in Prince's tea. Why would he ask again if Prince already already answered the question? I think Prince reacted gracefully, he did share that he didn't appreciate people claiming inspiration for his songs.

.

From the article:

"And also, “The beautiful ones you always seem to lose,” Vanity had just quit the movie. To then speculate, “Well, he wrote that song about me”? Afterwards you go, “Who are you? Why do you think that you’re part of the script that way? And why would you go around saying stuff like that?”

[Edited 9/4/20 9:42am]

Right. What more did the journalists want? Prince literally and specifically told the man who the song was about IN FREAKING DETAILS two paragraphs up. The journalist was intentionally being insensitive trying to get Prince to insult Susannah, so Prince gracefully shut his ass down. It's not hard to understand what he did there if you have sense, since you can see his explanation about the scene and Vanity inspiring the song right above it, . [Edited 9/5/20 5:37am]

Yes of course, and seems things haven't changed regarding others feeling entitled to own Prince's art.

MoodyBlumes said:

icecreamcastle777 said:

MoodyBlumes said: Right. What more did the journalists want? Prince literally and specifically told the man who the song was about IN FREAKING DETAILS two paragraphs up. The journalist was intentionally being insensitive trying to get Prince to insult Susannah, so Prince gracefully shut his ass down. It's not hard to understand what he did there if you have sense, since you can see his explanation about the scene and Vanity inspiring the song right above it, . [Edited 9/5/20 5:37am]

Yes of course, and seems things haven't changed regarding others feeling entitled to own Prince's art.

Same article, a few questions down, when asked directly about Susannah Melvoin:

*

Two COMPLETELY different answers to the same question. So, if it's not about anything "carnal" then it would not have been connected to Vanity or the scene in the film either. All he had to do was say, "No, the song was not inspired by my relationship with Susannah." However, he talked around and around the direct question. Obvious deflection - very much like what YOU do when debating about Wendy & Lisa

Hamad said:

donnyenglish said:

Some have said they are probably not articulate enough and they prefer the more "articulate" contributors to the podcasts ...

Not surprised. Some Prince fans can be some of the most racist/classist cuntrags, even toward Prince himself

But this is EXACTLY how one random Org fan posting his/her own speculation/theory turns into a larger BS rumor and ridiculous nonsense. Please always trace back to the source of the information, and confirm the validity or credibility of the source.

*

If they discusse the tour, film, etc., which they probably will because there are several more episodes, then I am sure Sheila will be contributing - assuming she accepted the invitation.

violetcrush said:

Hamad said:

donnyenglish said: Not surprised. Some Prince fans can be some of the most racist/classist cuntrags, even toward Prince himself

But this is EXACTLY how one random Org fan posting his/her own speculation/theory turns into a larger BS rumor and ridiculous nonsense. Please always trace back to the source of the information, and confirm the validity or credibility of the source.

*

If they discusse the tour, film, etc., which they probably will because there are several more episodes, then I am sure Sheila will be contributing - assuming she accepted the invitation.

Ypu keep trying to marginalize Sheila by continuously suggesting she was just a band mmeber during this time to support your narrative about Wendy. Sheila E can also talk about the making of the album. She contributed even though Wendy, etc, would like you to believe otherwise. She was also one of his serious girlfriends at the time and would have stories of her own about his influences. Sheila E is the first thing I think about (other than Prince) for this era. Looking forward to hearing from her.

[Edited 9/6/20 6:13am]

donnyenglish said:

violetcrush said:

But this is EXACTLY how one random Org fan posting his/her own speculation/theory turns into a larger BS rumor and ridiculous nonsense. Please always trace back to the source of the information, and confirm the validity or credibility of the source.

*

If they discusse the tour, film, etc., which they probably will because there are several more episodes, then I am sure Sheila will be contributing - assuming she accepted the invitation.

Ypu keep trying to marginalize Sheila by continuously suggesting she was just a band mmeber during this time to support your narrative about Wendy. Sheila E can also talk about the making of the album. She contributed even though Wendy, etc, would like you to believe otherwise. She was also one of his serious girlfriends at the time and would have stories of her own about his influences. Sheila E is the first thing I think about (other than Prince) for this era. Looking forward to hearing from her.

[Edited 9/6/20 6:13am]

You're joking, right??!!! Sheila WAS NOT around during the early '86 period. Don't you understand that?? She was touring all over the US with her band to open for Lionel Ritchie's US tour at the time. Go back and look at the information. It's on princevault.com. Lionel's tour dates are on setlist.com. Really not that hard to find.

*

Sheila was one of his serious girlfriends at the time??? So, then SHE was also planning and living at the Galpin home with Prince and Susannah in late '85 and early '86?? Did SHE also have the 6 carat diamond ring?? Did Prince also write FIML for her too ?? I guess I'm confused then.

*

Susannah has recently confirmed that Prince was regularly flying her to Europe during the SOTT tour to be with him after she left MN. So, not really sure how serious he could have been with Sheila whle that was happening. Susannah also attended his 9/5/87 show at Rupert's with his Dad. She stated this went on for years and years. She was also at the 9/15/88 LoveSexy show - on stage with Wendy & Lisa. All were introduced happily by Prince with the crowd cheering for them. Wendy came out playing the opening chords to PR, Lisa was on keys, and Susannah was singing.

*

Cat Glover also recently, and very adamantly stated that Sheila was NEVER engaged to Prince, and she also gave an account of seeing and talking to Susannah at Prince's Galpin home in 1988 when he invited her to take his vintage car for a spin, and then she picked up Ingrid Chavez. Cat stated she thought Prince and Susannah were a cool couple.

violetcrush said:

donnyenglish said:

Ypu keep trying to marginalize Sheila by continuously suggesting she was just a band mmeber during this time to support your narrative about Wendy. Sheila E can also talk about the making of the album. She contributed even though Wendy, etc, would like you to believe otherwise. She was also one of his serious girlfriends at the time and would have stories of her own about his influences. Sheila E is the first thing I think about (other than Prince) for this era. Looking forward to hearing from her.

[Edited 9/6/20 6:13am]

You're joking, right??!!! Sheila WAS NOT around during the early '86 period. Don't you understand that?? She was touring all over the US with her band to open for Lionel Ritchie's US tour at the time. Go back and look at the information. It's on princevault.com. Lionel's tour dates are on setlist.com. Really not that hard to find.

*

Sheila was one of his serious girlfriends at the time??? So, then SHE was also planning and living at the Galpin home with Prince and Susannah in late '85 and early '86?? Did SHE also have the 6 carat diamond ring?? Did Prince also write FIML for her too ?? I guess I'm confused then.

*

Susannah has recently confirmed that Prince was regularly flying her to Europe during the SOTT tour to be with him after she left MN. So, not really sure how serious he could have been with Sheila whle that was happening. Susannah also attended his 9/5/87 show at Rupert's with his Dad. She stated this went on for years and years. She was also at the 9/15/88 LoveSexy show - on stage with Wendy & Lisa. All were introduced happily by Prince with the crowd cheering for them. Wendy came out playing the opening chords to PR, Lisa was on keys, and Susannah was singing.

*

Cat Glover also recently, and very adamantly stated that Sheila was NEVER engaged to Prince, and she also gave an account of seeing and talking to Susannah at Prince's Galpin home in 1988 when he invited her to take his vintage car for a spin, and then she picked up Ingrid Chavez. Cat stated she thought Prince and Susannah were a cool couple.

Link to the show dates for Lionel Ritchie's 1986 US and Canada tour:

*

https://www.setlist.fm/stats/concert-map/lionel-richie-73d6be8d.html?year=1986

LoveGalore said:

Well, this thread is now thoroughly off-putting. Can't wait for around episode 4 so we know it's far enough away for people's emotions to keep themselves in check.

I can't wait for (hopefully) Sheila, Miko, Levi, Matt, and/or Cat to show up on at least some of these episodes, so some folks will have something else and someone else to bitch about. I assume Eric will be back again too if they go into detail about the tour and film.

violetcrush said:

LoveGalore said:

violetcrush said:

I can't wait for (hopefully) Sheila, Miko, Levi, Matt, and/or Cat to show up on at least some of these episodes, so some folks will have something else and someone else to bitch about. I assume Eric will be back again too if they go into detail about the tour and film.

Given the set has two live shows on it, I reckon there will be mucho input from the SOTT band to keep everyone satisfied.

Lord, let's hope so!! I'm SO tired of the naysaying, petty critical remarks, and often blatant bashing of these band members. Just pointless really - especially considering NONE of them were there, nor did they know Prince personally during that time or at any time.

LoveGalore said:

Well, this thread is now thoroughly off-putting. Can't wait for around episode 4 so we know it's far enough away for people's emotions to keep themselves in check.

People will still find some excuse to argue about something associate-related, but at least the set will be close to release by episode 5 (if not leaked already) so everyone else can discuss that in a separate thread.

v10letblues said:

Why are people so butt hurt in the knowledge that others had input and even collaborated in Prince’s work? Grow up. Many artistic endeavors are collaborative, such as the film industry and most of the music industry. Even an artist like Prince who did just about everything g by himself needed people to work some of the equipment and record along side him. . So Take a deep breath, join reality, and enjoy and be thankful for all the good people who helped in getting Prince’s body of work for all of us to enjoy. . You know the word “Stan” is not a desirable tag to be pegged with right?

Exactly. "No man is an island" - from the wise words of English author John Donne.

*

Prince knew this too. A big part of his genius was expanding his sphere of influences and allowing others before and during his time to inspire and/or contribute to his ideas for his music - both his associates and also musicians outside his immediate circle.

[Edited 9/6/20 7:40am]

couldn't have said it better myself

donnyenglish said:

The 2 threads on the podcasts make me hope that the next 6 podcasts and future documentaries do not make the mistake of facilitating the narrative about how much influence associates had on his music. That debate always leads to a hornets nest. If they want to have a separate series on Prince’s influences then do that separately but it better start with people like Andre, Morris, Sheila, Larry G, Maceo and Sonny in addition to the Revolution because Prince would tell you those people were extremely influential. : I fault the Current for facilitating this by not having the podcasts focus solely on Prince’s majestic art. These podcasts have been a he said/she said about who influenced his music the most instead of the actual music. Focus on the stories about Prince in the studio. Someone telling us that some picture she painted resulted in Crystal Ball is disrespectful to his legacy and the insanely creative talent that it took for Prince to create that masterpiece. No one pulled anything out of Prince. Prince’s music came from a very special place and no one can take one ounce of credit for that process. I like the Current and Andrea. They do good work. But, I hope they do better next time.

tab32792 said:

couldn't have said it better myself

donnyenglish said:

The 2 threads on the podcasts make me hope that the next 6 podcasts and future documentaries do not make the mistake of facilitating the narrative about how much influence associates had on his music. That debate always leads to a hornets nest. If they want to have a separate series on Prince’s influences then do that separately but it better start with people like Andre, Morris, Sheila, Larry G, Maceo and Sonny in addition to the Revolution because Prince would tell you those people were extremely influential. : I fault the Current for facilitating this by not having the podcasts focus solely on Prince’s majestic art. These podcasts have been a he said/she said about who influenced his music the most instead of the actual music. Focus on the stories about Prince in the studio. Someone telling us that some picture she painted resulted in Crystal Ball is disrespectful to his legacy and the insanely creative talent that it took for Prince to create that masterpiece. No one pulled anything out of Prince. Prince’s music came from a very special place and no one can take one ounce of credit for that process. I like the Current and Andrea. They do good work. But, I hope they do better next time.

Really???? I couldn't disagree more. The commennts above are clearly based on this poster's biases, and confirm that he really did not listen closely to the episode in order to understand what was being discussed. The ENTIRE epsiode is centered around Prince's music, and what was happening in his life at the time - which is always how and why he created his songs.

Cat Glover, during her Feb 2020 interview with Michael Dean on Prince Pocast talking about when she first joined the Prince camp and the SOTT band:

*

Cat: "When I came in, the SOTT album was already recorded by Prince And The Revolution. But, the new band - all of us - we were just learning it. We were just learning it for the tour. So, that was all pre-done before us. I remember that very clear - like yesterday."

lustmealways said:

This podcast is really great so thanks to the OP for posting it.

And, just...my GOD... the sheer level and volume of creativity emanating this one little man during this period is simply astonishing, even in retrospect. Perhaps ESPECIALLY in retrospect.

Lot's of bands and artists take decades to create this much quality work. It's no wonder he needed countless side projects, bootlegs, triple albums and psuedonyms to get it all out or why WB found themselves completely overwhelmed by the sheer brilliance and volume of it all. The record industry at the time wasn't set up to deal with what he was laying down - well...they're STILL not but they weren't then either.

This entire period is just...lemme search for a word that's not a cliche...drawing a blank. Maybe "unprecedented" is the word but then I'm, reminded of Frank Zappa, Buckethead and The Greatful Dead who churned out similar volume but not in a way I think touches what Prince managed.

For as much as Prince is mainly remembered for Purple Rain, I agree with those that say this was his creative peak. The SoTT album and the lead single stopped me dead in my tracks when I first heard them. I didn't think he had another level in him after hearing ATWIAD and Parade (which were good but a little meandering and seemed to be flatlining a tad, lacking the kind of jarring/stunning ear opening things he'd hit us with like songs like WDC or Automatic) but my man blew the god damned LID off everything with this album

Dropped it like a fucking bomb and said "Hold my drink. Check this. And, yeah, U like? This is just the stuff that made the cut."

Just Incredible.

It's still not my FAVORITE album of his (that's 1999) but I do think it's his most CREATIVE and...I dunno..."exemplary"? It was like a snapshot of all the styles he had mastered, but all with a fresh coat of Peach and Black paint that no one else could have done.