It is nearly impossible to separate a piece of music (or any art) from it's historical context. However, if Dirty Mind, for example, was released today sounding just as it does. Would you still love it as much? Or would the squeaky 80's porn synths drive you mad???

kind of an awkward question, ain't it? i imagine that people would like it for the same reason they originally gravitated towards it: nothing else quite sounds like it. can't really ignore it.

I for onw would love those early albums just as much.

Good music is good music! When it comes out isn't relevant to me.

I've never been one to go with the current 'trends' in music anyway. LOTS of music that came out years and years ago is much better and more interesting than most of today's crap, at least in my opinion.

So yeah, if they'd been released now I'd love the early albums just as much as I did when I actually first heard them years ago.

I'd say yes. Isn't that what half the people on this org complain about. 'What happened to the edge (cursing/ sexual content) or innovation?' I'm one of them sometimes.
I'd be as psyched if I heard a 1999 like double album was coming out this spring.

I would still like them but i dont think they would have the same impact as they did when i was growing up.

yes

I'd dig 1999, Purple Rain, and SOTT regardless of WHEN they came out . . .

BUT, seeing as how I was 10 at the time of 1999, 12 for PR, and 15 for SOTT, my ability to be "influenced" was higher then.

Now, as a bitter adult, I'm a little more discerning when it comes to music!!

i think if the were released the day after yesterday

of course!

Must agree that this would be hard 2 do. Those albums hold such an important part of my growth as a person and fan of music.

oh, I'm sure if any of the albums considered great from the past had not been released then and were instead released today, there would be lots of complaining on this board about how Prince has lost it. There are people who have such unrealistic expectations that nothing he could possibly do could make them happy.

Even something as brilliant as When Doves Cry, as a brand new never before heard song, would have people complaining left and right. Just heard an interesting stat on that song, btw - it was teh first ever multi-platinum single.

skywalker said:

Yes I would still like them. Now that I'm older, I can appreciate them more, especially dealing with them out of historical context.