i think most fans would agree that musicology song is struggling for a melody and most of his recent albums have not had many top class songs.
the rainbow children was ok but lacked any really good melodic songs apart from maybe the last december, rutjf was prince by numbers with only prettyman and i love u but i dont trust u anymore having any substance.
one nite alone was again ok with the first four numbers being quality then becoming sub standard for the rest.
indeed you could say that about most prince albums since his last really good album (in my opinon) the gold experience.
i find myself waiting to hear his upcoming album almost dreading the thought that it might confirm to me that prince really has lost his songwriting touch.
what do the rest of the orgers feel about this?

No offense meant here, but...
You just figured that out?
Hell...I've been saying that for years...

If you want quality songwriting talent, listen to Rob Thomas (matchbox twenty)...now there's a guy who can write a song. Also, check out The Tea Party. Top notch stuff...

Rubbish!

One Nite Alone (Piano) was very mature songwriting.

NEWS Although often slated on here is very interesting musically.

TRC is the best thing Prince has done in 10 years.



Wait and see what musicology has in store for us

The only glimmer of hope in the past few years has been the "High" album. Also ONA.

blackboab said:

Good groove, but ain't no memorable chorus and therefore ain't no hit.



TRC and One nite alone had shed loads of good, melodic material. I actually think that ONA's better than just its first four songs (and i think his version of 'a case of u' is the album's real let down). The dude can still write a good song. It's just that you have to wait for him to get all sorts of nonsense like Xpectation out his system first.

Prince wries much better music when he isn't trying to.

Emancipation and Rave were clearly attempts to "go pop" and fit in with the mainstream and both fell ass over tit. With the exception of a few choice cuts (Joint to Joint, Tangerine, The love we make, In this bed I scream) it was Prince trying too hard to fit in with the commercial rubbish that was being played on the radio.

Fast forward a couple of years to TRC and ONA and Prince is back making music for himself. Vastly superior music. I just hope that what with Musicology obviously gearing up to be a major release, he doesn't "sell out" and make songs that he thinks people want to hear. Prince, buddy, we love you because you don't make music like anyone else. That's why all of us are still sailing this purple ship.

Whoops!
[This message was edited Tue Mar 2 6:15:57 2004 by JimmyNothing]

Musicology, 2 me anyway, is just like The Work, but with different lyrics!!!

I think he lost his focus. I don't know why but he seems obsessed with writing/recording as many songs as he possibly can. I think we would all be much better off if he only recorded maybe 1/4 of what he currently does. If he put more time and thought into his music I think it would be much better. Plus, who cares how prolific he is if the songs aren't that good. I think that too many fans are hung up on how many songs Prince can write. I would vastly prefer fewer songs of higher quality!

I just read that back and I didn't phrase the last statement very good! I mean I would prefer if he releases a smaller number of songs but that small number is of high quality. As opposed to releasing many songs (and having many more unreleased) that are not of a very high quality.

if u all want nice lyrics go and buy urself a haiku compilation !

isn't there time to stop complaining and start hearing nothing else but the music ??

I really don't expect him to write another hit. The guy may be a musical genious, but he's not a god. He's burnt out at this point. I can't really blame him, but I wish he'd produce nothing instead of a lot of crap.

I can't really complain about the music he's been writing over the past few years - I think there's been a lot of catchy stuff and a lot of good musicianship over the past few years, and on that level P hasn't disappointed - however, lyrically, I think there's been a bit of a decline.

And I'm not talking about the JW stuff, or even the cleaning-up of lyrics - I've had a problem with his lyrics becoming more and more literal-minded over the years. One of the things I've loved most about Prince's songwriting has been his use of metaphor, and that seems to be in shorter and shorter supply, and Musicology is a good example of this. Maybe it's musical growth, I dunno, but I miss the purple bananas and the yellow smileys offering me X like it's 7-Up. Or something like that.

Anxiety said:[quote]I can't really complain about the music he's been writing over the past few years - I think there's been a lot of catchy stuff and a lot of good musicianship over the past few years, and on that level P hasn't disappointed - however, lyrically, I think there's been a bit of a decline.

And I'm not talking about the JW stuff, or even the cleaning-up of lyrics - I've had a problem with his lyrics becoming more and more literal-minded over the years. One of the things I've loved most about Prince's songwriting has been his use of metaphor, and that seems to be in shorter and shorter supply, and Musicology is a good example of this. Maybe it's musical growth, I dunno, but I miss the purple bananas and the yellow smileys offering me X like it's 7-Up. Or something like that.[/quote

I don't know. TRC was full of metaphors and weird lyrics. It isn't very "literal-minded" at all.

TheMadMonkey said:

I know this is a matter of personal taste, but still... come on!? Matchbox Twenty? you cant be serious...
Next you are going to say that even Dave Matthews is better songwriter than Prince.

Sorry the attac ... i just happen to hate Matchbox Twenty.


I agree with Musicology, its a nice jam, but not too good songwriting.
But IMO One Nite Alone is full (at least almost...) of A-Class songs done in a perfect way.
And Rainbow Children is a masterpiece, particularly the songwriting.
Whereas NEWS is not too interesting when it comes to songwriting, although as a piece of music and collection of songparts and sounds i really like to listen to it. Xpectation has IMO some really good songs.

But Im really looking forward for the new CD, although i afraid that its not going to be as good as TRC. At least Reflection, Musicology and What do u want me 2 do are not too promising, although they are OK songs.

"reflection" just sucks. i've played that thing over and over.
i like it alot better acoutic. but still. boring as hell.
and that "what do you want me to do" sucks too.

whodknee said:

Well, maybe you have a point - I think there are some pretty fascinating lyrics on the ONA piano album - but his lyrics have taken a turn for the literal over the past few years, and I think the results are kind of clunky and awkward when he goes that route.

I think 'Avalanche' is a first rate song - it's a shame he didn't develop it fully