With so many hit songs on the radio these days that are using synth-horns electronic sounds, Prince's music should be well received because he has real horns, and an organic sounds instead of synthetic sounding horns.

Songs that I can think of right now that use the synth horns are Usher's "Yeah" and Beyonce "Crazy in Love." Also DMX, can't think of the actual title but the song that goes "X gonna give it to you" using horn sounds.

The synth horns are all over Musicology like a rash. I mean the real horns are there too, but the synth horns are back in a big way.

In fact, I think its the synth horns and Linn drum machine which already makes the new album sound like classic Prince.

Never understood why so many seem to dislike the synth horns. I think they sound cool and it's one of those sounds, like the SOTT-era drum machine beats, that I always identify with Prince.

The horns on Musicology sounded good on the radio station here in Yuma today.

The whole Minneapolis sound was based around drum machines and synth horns. It is the quintessential Prince sound.

I noticed that what seemed to bring the synth horns back in vogue was a movie called "Drumline." The music had brassy horns and booming bass drums. I think that's what brought the sound back.

It's a different kind of horn sound than the horns on music by the band Chicago. Or there's this one song that has real horns with lyrics that go "well I'm a friendly stranger in the black sedan won't you hop inside my car..."

RavedIn2 said:

Yet the lead single, "Musicology" is devoid of horns, and instead has a cheezy 80's synth horn type line in it?

I think in some cases on M'ology he's doubling synths over the horn-line which personally, I think is a terrible choice. After hearing the record that was my first critisism. It carries no punch or depth. Sounds very flat and not worthy of the melodies. But that's me. In the tune, "Life of the Party", there's a good example. When he sings, "horns!" and when they come in it's like you're expecting this great punchy PHAT sound and instead it's like a rat farting. That was harsh but love the record, can't stop playing it, that's my two lincoln's worth. "Seacrest out!"

Prince has used synth-horns far too much all of his career. Willing and Able, anyone? Yeah, that sounds great with those casio chords as opposed to the real chops he had laid down for the video.