Ok, so it arrived a few hours ago this morning... all three copies in one packet - no damage despite it being another gatefold release, a la ONA 1cd

So far I haven't seen many people mention the fantastic packaging, funny as it may the redeeming feature of the cd. It folds out four ways, sorta like an envelope - very snazzy!

The music: Hmmm, good - very good in places actually. Problem is it doesn't go anywhere. Prince dsplays great musicianship, but little else. I already know what he can do, I aleady know how he can play... so I find myself asking one simple question;

WHAT WAS THE POINT OF THIS RELEASE?

If I want decent elevator music I'll go to the easy listening section at HMV and find some. On the other hand I do not want to go to the Prince section and find a beautiful looking new cd that contains contrived and purposeless 'noise'

You all wanna know what I put on after hearing it from start to finish? One guess, a boot...

FOR THOSE OF YOU ON VALIUM 21st March 1987 - Back then the brutha had 'purpose' in abundance, and then some

How times have changed, perhaps it's a sign o the times we're just gonna have to accept for a while?
They say no 'news' is good news, in this case I heartedly agree


TheLodger

TheLodger said:

What is the point of... flowers? Huh? Gosh!

i just popped into my local HMV store in Leeds and my pre-ordered copy had arrived, so far i'm kinda enjoying it.It's different yet again for Prince.

East is particularly good, really liking it.

Something vocal next time would be nice, we all know how tight his band is, no need to keep showcasing them.I want to hear the leader!

Fantastic packaging?

Romance1600 said:

Yeah, the packaging is naff.won't last 2 seconds

wildandloose said:

Gosh! lol.
Normal folk don't use that expression do they?

What is the point of you? Come on, it's nothing we haven't heard him do b4 is it- where's the fun or POINT in that?
Enough elevator music already

So... does this mean the 4 songs are Jams?

i realy love jams! does it have a 'live' feeling on it, or do you realy hear studio cutting, dubbing and scratching?

Completely live feel and, interestingly, the notes imply that it was all done in a day, the notes simply saying "Recorded on February 6th".

Its good, I like it, but very simplistic for a Prince release. The real standout is Blackwell's drumming- particularly on East and West. Nice to hear Leeds again too. I dunno, Prince almost gets lost in the mix for half the album.

Production is top-notch, as ever, but I'm just surprised at how un-layered it is - I'm used to having to pick through the denseness of a Prince recording to really hear what is going on - and, sometimes, not even being able to tell how he is making that sound! That doesn't really happen here but, perhaps, this is because it was recorded as a live band and meant to sound like just what a live band can do - not the sound of 40 musicians (albeit, the sound of 40 musicians used to be just the one Prince!).

Oh, and by the way, the packaging being "sort of like an envelope" is actually representing a compass! Just in case you missed it!

I also have to say that the only song on here that actually soudns as though it was influenced by the region it was named after is East - the rest do not.

That is so weird...I just put on 4 Those of U on Valium when I was reading your post.

As for NEWS...I really like it. It's not the best thing Prince ever put out, but I still think its interesting. The best part of owning it for me is that my girlfriend absolutely LOVES it...especially when we're in bed. So for THAT reason I think its close to a masterpiece!

I can't compete with that Pagey... who am I to meddle with your bedroom arrangemenmts

For those of you on speed who dig this cd - that's way kewl, I'm glad Prince has satisfied at least a few of you

For those of you on valium who like me feel short-changed and wanting more, much more - I guess we should take some speed too, lest we be missing the point of this Madhouse2003 cd


Peace
TheLodger

Thierry said:

Thanx for the info... I'll order my copy right a way!

Speed?? Yack!

NEWS feels more like a bliss-out on mushrooms with some of your finest skunk-funk!

Pagey said:

Same experience here, my girl love the album. Normally she doesn't give a rat's ass about his music.

Haven't tried it out in bed yet...

my copy arrived yesterday (thank you, amazon.de). I´ve got to say: Although the production is great, N.E.W.S. seems to be nothing more than nice background music. A little boring, I prefered Xpectation by far. He should have released THAT as a CD. Anyway, I won´t complain to much, as N.E.W.S. is the fifth album we get from him in 18 month (ONA, ONA...Live, It Ain´t Over, Xpectation, N.E.W.S.), that´s truly amazing!!!

the 'point', is that it if this was released as a bootleg you'd all be creamin your pants trying to get a copy and saying how could he not release a made up on the spot [?] improv jam. I for one love it and so do the others who i force to listen to it.

Mindflux said:

Hiya flux.

I only downloaded the album for just $7 after reading sketchty reviews.

I have to say... I just don't get it. I'm not saying it's bad. I'm not moved by it in any way.

We seem to agree on many things and I value your opinion. Should I force myself to listen a few times and persevere? Or in your opinion is it more easlily appreciated by musicians and therefore not a satisfying experience for ears that do not 'hear' production tecniques?

javed said:

AMEN!!! You are so right!

Interesting points, muffin!

No, I wouldn't say this album is beyond anyone who ain't musically qualified (lol), but it can be argued that instrumental pieces will appeal more to those who can play. I happen to enjoy instrumental music a lot (hell, the Ozrics are instrumental and always have been!).

But, I do think that this album is not one to grab the attention immediately (unless you're Anji as it didn't really press any buttons for me on the first spin. However, my girl wasn't feeling too well (nothing to do with the album - haha!) and so I had it on quite low. Yesterday, I turned it up and got it in its full glory!! I really think that NEWS has to be heard on a decent hi-fi - there's just so much subtelty and nuances within the music that will certainly be missed on cheap equipment and DEFINITELY on downloaded music - I'll bet you can't hear even half of what is there on the PC.

So, yes, give it time - persevere and get yourself a gleaming CD, or come round to mine and sit on front of a proper hi-fi - but be prepared for your spine to feel completely diferrent to how it has before!

Mindflux said:

Thanks Mindflux.

Will take u up on that offer one of these days. If not B4 Glastonbury 2004!!! Bring it on!
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[This message was edited Thu Jul 31 9:26:54 PDT 2003 by nuthinbuttamuffin]

nuthinbutamuffin said

Hahahahaha - MindFUX - deliberate mistake???!!!

Mindflux said:

Dunno what your talkin' about?

Nightcrawler said:

Exactly, the produtcion etc is top notch, but the actual music, although great in places, is overall quite ponderous - and goes little if nowhere

I'm giving the whole cd a re-run right now - to give it the benefit of any doubt... The first couple of minutes of EAST are kewl, but I wish it took me sumwhere!!
Actually it reminds me a bit of Sheila E's drumming circa 87/88 - that's not a bad thing btw

i wanna hear this album... especially since xpectation isnt putting me to sleep like it used to. haha.

thirstinhowlVIII said:

In that case, don't worry, NEWS won't dissapoint you