I've just watched the Travis Smiley show for about 10 times in a row and I have to say that I absolutely love Reflection. What a beautiful song and what a wonderful performance!

The first time I heard Musicology (the song) it didn't really grab me, but now I'm really starting to like this groove. Sure, it sounds a lot like James Brown, and doesn't really add a new flavor to Prince's music, but it is a fine jam nevertheless.

If the whole Musicology album is in the same vein as these two songs, I know I'm gonna like this album. Can't wait for its release!

I agree. Both songs are definitely growers. The stuff that automatically smacks you across the face when you first hear it, is always the stuff that you get bored of first.

"Musicology" sounds like a jazzy, stoned, distant-cousin of "Come On" - and that's a good thing.

One thing I've noticed about the tunes I've heard thus far is that there's a definite lack of darkness to them. "Musicology" is a happy, cheery song - "Reflection" is melancholy but nostalgic - "What Do U Want Me 2 Do" is mellow and mid-tempo. There's none of the tension you'd find on most all of his albums, including The Rainbow Children - maybe this is gonna be his happy sunny jazz-lite pop album? I know that sounds dreadful, but maybe it won't turn out so dreadful...?

Anxiety said:

I've always though Prince was beyond compare when it came to expressing "the dark side" of life. Then again, he's also great at building a mood of joy a well.

So far there's nothing deep nor fun about this music. Reflection is good, but not amongst his top guitar songs. It's plain.

He needs an album with good pop/rock tracks and some moody stuff as well. That's the only type of sound that's gonna sell. This jazz/funk stuff that he's doing is junk and it only appeals to a small group of fans.

Anxiety said:

'Where did you get the impression "what do you want me 2 do" is gonna be on the album? Have i missed something?

Not that i dislike the song, it's just sad that 've already heard 3 of the tracks. I like to be suprised when i listen to an album.
[This message was edited Mon Feb 23 15:37:36 2004 by Sly]

I agree Funkaholic.

What do you think the chances are, knowing the little one, that he reveals in the press conference that none of the song we've heard so far will be on the lp!

EvilWhiteMale said:

I hate the jazz-funk fusion muzak of n.e.w.s. but... I do think the general public will go for Musicology (the track). I mean, look at Kiss - that was the Blues if you want to boil it down to its most basic components (albeit with a falsetto and chicken grease). Well, in 1986 if he could hit the Top Ten with a Blues song, he could do it again with old-school J.B. funk. Nobody other prominent artist could comeback with something like this but Prince can, because he's good at it. He is going to everywhere this year.

Sly said:

I'm sorry - I didn't mean to imply that it's going to be on the album as much as I was pointing at the fact that it's part of his recent output. I'd wager that "What Do U Want Me 2 Do" will end up as a b-side...perhaps?

Anxiety said:

I think that Prince is starting to relax a little bit for the first time in his life, and that it reflects in his music.

If you look at the Travis interview, he is much more relaxed than on other interviews in the past. I think after the whole 90's drama (the battle with WB, declining sales, the loss of his child, the divorce with Mayte) he's starting to get his life back together.

Seemingly he has solved his problems with WB, he has found a new wife and he has found some spiritual peace within himself. Hence the lack of darkness in his latest musical output (although we can't say for sure, because we haven't heard the complete album yet).

I think after the Rave fiasco (where he tried to make a hit album by today's standards, failing to put his soul into the music), he went to do some heavy soulsearching. I think he realised at a certain point that what really got him into music, is PLAYING MUSIC, real music, with real instruments. What followed was TRC, Xpectation, NEWS, experimental stuff on his own label, not having to worry too much about sales.

Now, in 2004, I believe he wants to take it to the next level, and bring his new vision on music to the people, to let it be heard by the masses, with the help of a big record company. That's what I think he is trying to do with Musicology, and I hope the public will pick up on it. And if not, I hope the album will at least be a treat to his oldtime fans...
[This message was edited Mon Feb 23 16:31:37 2004 by funkaholic1972]

Sly said:

i think reflection is beautiful, and i missed out on downloading the studio version of this. you see, i went through this phase where i was so sick of his stupid parlor game website that i refused to go there unless i was getting concert tix. so it turns out you have to navigate your way around prince's lair in order not to miss out on some good shit. oh well, i will get it eventually.

btw

[b]Can someone post the lyrics to reflection?

The major difference is, Kiss had a VERY catchy chorus to go along with everything else.

Musicology doesn't seem to have that.

PurpleKnight said:

We don't really know, because we have only heard the beginning of the song. It might have the catchiest chorus in pop history. Well, we'll hear it when the single/album is out...

Love musicology!!!!! supaphonkie!

Musicology is growing on me and I think is a fine track.Reflection I loved almost instantly so Im pretty xcited for the new album if this is just a taste I carnt wait 4 the next helping

PurpleKnight said:

You nailed it right there. Don't get me wrong, I REALLY like the song, but it favors groove over hook and the short-attention span of the top 40 demands a strong chorus.

My prediction: This will be P's best selling album since D&P, but I think it's going to reach a million just based on consitency of craft (and a decent looking video) rather than any radio smash. Which would be just fine with me, as I think the music's reached a nice new comfortable maturity. You can't reinvent the wheel your entire life.

BinaryJustin said:

Kiss was a funky pop song that hit the masses in a good way. The song is still the shit, even today. But one thing that made that song so great was the fact that it was a very simple track (very few instuments) but it was so catchy, that it became an instant hit. His music may be a lot more technical and complicated these days, but if it ain't catchy, it ain't goin nowhere. I can predict right now, that Musicology will fly right over people's heads.

Musicology definitely needs a catchy chorus like Kiss had.

I mean, who doesn't still just love singing "You don't have to be rich to be my girl...." etc.?

If Musicology doesn't have a catchy chorus to go along with its fun, funky beat, ppl just won't get hooked.