The Man Opera, and song like "I am" are incredible in the form they got quasi released. Planet Earth could have been better.

rusty1 said:

3121 & Planet Earth are awful albums

-

YOU think they're awful, and, some might like 'm.

Well, ya can't please everyone.

-

lavendardrummachine said:

The Man Opera, and song like "I am" are incredible in the form they got quasi released. Planet Earth could have been better.

-

"The Man Opera ?"

Am I missing something ?

-

rusty1 said:

3121 & Planet Earth are awful albums

those 2, and Chaos & Disorder, are Prince's 3 worst LP's

lavendardrummachine said:

funkbabyandthebabysitters said:

nayroo2002 said:

He seemed to be struggeling with what "good timing" should have been.

After the SB performance, he releases "Guitar" online and it isn't even the "Guitar" that ended up on the album.

Strange times, indeed.

A live performance mp3 would have been a big seller. Or even a studio version of best of you.

I would have loved a Best Of You single release the next day!

Just like the real Earth right now, that album was a living hell

lavendardrummachine said:

The Man Opera, and song like "I am" are incredible in the form they got quasi released. Planet Earth could have been better.

Agreed. Great material. Wonder why he left it off?

feeluupp said:

This is probably the only time I bought a new Prince album, played it, and felt so dissapointed, and bored. Even "bad" Prince albums are not boring... This was just bland and boring. Hands down one of his worst albums.

I agree with you. Almost quit due to this one.

idk guys, this one's pretty bad

Didn't like it then...don't like it now. Sometimes I almost forget the album is even in his catalog.

Phase3 said:

How do you all feel about the music videos for this album? Somewhere here on earth probably deserved a award.The video looked amazing. The video for Chelsea Rodgers is great too and very humourous at times.Especially when Prince is nodding his head in slow motion at the very end

A good friend of mine produced those two videos, for Somewhere Here On Earth, shot in Prague, and Chelsea Rodgers, which was shot in London during London Fashion Week and put together with only 48 hours notice.

Also, my old boss at the time, and another producer I used to work with, from the production company that made both videos, are the women sat behind Prince before he gets up to perform, in Chelsea Rodgers.

Aside from NEWS, which I kind of don't count, this was the very time I got a Prince album and was simply bored by it. Not where I hated it but just...nothing on it grabbed or challenged me at all and everything sounded instantly forgettable. Nothing on it ever got stuck in my head or made my want to immediately replay a song. Prince was a lot of things but I'd never found him bland before so it was odd.

I think it has some of the weakest song writing of his career. Nothing on it speaks to his genius or feels clever. Even some of "lesser" albums always had a few moments and songs that had that certin sparkle but I can't find it anywhere on PE.

What are the criteria for rating an album (vs rating each song?)?

ufoclub said:

What are the criteria for rating an album (vs rating each song?)?

Well, personally, I usually go with the amount of good songs vs bad ones and then move on to sequencing and how well they fit together as a cohesive unit. Like, usually Greatest Hits Packages aren't as good as the albums they're pulled from unless you're a casual fan of that artist.

Think of it like a meal, maybe. You might like italian, chinese and mexican food but a dinner serving all 3 of those might not work. However, an evening at a mexican restuarant might feature several individual elements that do.

If that makes sense.

Certain songs on SoTT might not fit on Parade or Dirty Mind, even though they're great.

rusty1 said:

I like it.

If you think Planet Earth is a great album...wait til you hear Purple Rain (mid 80s Prince record)

Phase3 said:

3121 is among my top 5 prince albums and with its release I thought prince was on the right track again.But then Planet Earth was released a year later and I was really dissapointed.Aside from that awesome 3D album cover,not many of the songs were very memorable to me.So I pretty much ignored this album for years. A few days ago I decided to try again and it has gotten better with time. I love every track except "all the midnight's in the world".But even that one sounds better than it use to.I use to think it was been the worst song he ever recorded. How catchy is "chelsea rodgers"?? What a great song And I guess "Resolution" was the last time Prince collaborated with wendy and lisa in the studio? The lyrics are great.especially the lyrics about war Oh and let's not forget "Somewhere on earth" Beautiful track in my opinion. How do you all feel about the album?

I really feel in love with this album during the o2 run and it'll always take me back to that brilliant summer.

I also find that the vinyl reissues have made me love the albums more. There's an added warmth to the sound that is sometimes missing on Prince 90s and 00s records.

runningbear said:

Empress said:

... to poop on (Triumph the comic dog came to mind with this title). This was the last Prince album I bought. Listened to it once and knew it was over. Then came my deep dive into the old stuff. If he had lived on and took a break- forced because he wouldn't have done it willingly- maybe he'd have a return to form. As it is, he gave us enough to last a lifetime so it's all love.