I am wondering what you all felt about the fact that we hear so much of Princes music before it is supposed to be released?

Gone are the days when we get an entire album without already knowing what a majority of the songs sound like.

Hearing a version of a song only for it to be released 2 years later and everyone dissapointed that they have already heard it.

I know it is brilliant to hear an unreleased track but don't you think you would get more satisfaction hearing it as it is supposed to be released, on the Album on the day if release?

I sometimes think we spoil our own enjoyment by constantly searching for that track that someone has an out-take of.

What do you think? Computers seem to have helped take away some of the Fun.

You're right to some extent, but I've recently changed my view on this.

When the Musicology CD was officially announced, I got excited about the fact that we were finally going to get that 'new CD' experience that we haven't had for some time. The magic of going into the wrecka stow, seeing the CDs on the shelf, taking the CD home and playing it for that first time...

I didn't really want to download it first, but ultimately I knew that I wouldn't be able to resist and I knew that I'd end up downloading it.

The few days before March 29th and I started to become more and more excited about being able to download the new album. And once that day came, I can honestly say that I'd never been so excited logging onto the internet before. And when I first saw just how much music was available at the Musicology Store, I got even more excited.

And now, I've worked it all out.

Downloading is the modern equivalent of that trip to the wrecka stow. Seeing the album up on the site is the new equivalent of seeing it on the shelf. Purchasing the CD and taking it home has now been replaced by the downloading of the music itself. And as for that first listen... Well, that's still a magical experience.

I spent the rest of the day playing the Musicology album after I'd downloaded it, just as I would have done had I bought it from my local shop. Falling in love with an album remains the same experience.

Times have changed and the way we're buying music is changing. Buying electronic music online is becoming more and more popular and to me, the key thing when new albums become available is to have a release date given in advance so that you still get that one particular day to look forward to, regardless of what format the music is released on. Not as I wouldn't want to see a few surprise releases, of course.

I only wish that the NPGMC had provided the various album artwork for downloading and some details about the music released (performers on the tracks, recording details, etc), but I'm sure that too will happen for future releases.

My concern is not the "fun" of where I first got the the album but rather when I first heard it. So many of Prince's new releases I associate with aspects of my life: in college, on a date, at parties, etc. Despite the many albums he has released, I can recall where I was when I first listened to each one.

Now I'm afraid that someday I'll think back and say, "Oh, I remember when I first heard that album...it was on my computer at work!" Not much fun in that memory.

Computers have spoiled a lot of things. You really can't enjoy album artwork anymore because the "canvas" of a CD is a lot smaller than vinyl albums. Plus, it's getting to the point where you can't buy a single song anymore because record companies don't want to bother with doing that anymore.

If you like a song you hear on the radio, you can't go out and buy a single, you either have to muck around with downloading, or if you don't have your own computer, you just can't get the music unless you buy the entire CD.

nah.. ive enjoyed the instant pleasure...

it's still new when you hear it, whether it's on 4/20 or 3/29. To me, it doesn't matter whether it's purchased in the CD shop or downloaded.

I do miss the "feeling back in the day"
I was at this Record shop in Rockwall, Texas.
UPS pulled up in front and I got the first copy around 9am

And then playing those 2 Wrekas for about 6 mos. straight.

It is easier now. Not as exciting.
His Music is still great.

I skipped school for ATWIAD, SOTT, and LOVESEXY.
Grad. in 88

I will be there to buy the album on the 20th. at the stow. I hope it has a DVD.

Getting the actual CD is an experience, but I don't think that experience is negatively affected by downloading . . . if anything, it makes me appreciate the real CD more.

I downloaded TRC in October 2001, LOVED IT! But then, when the CD came out, I bought and loved that too . . . I just had a "head start" . . .

Another thing: when you download music, that's all you get: the music. You judge it on it's own merit, without the distraction/influence of artwork, liner notes, etc. Just another angle . . .

Since I am still a young Prince fan (17) my experience involving his music seems to be a little different. My entire "fandom" began with the computer. I was thirteen watching Purple Rain, and downloading every possible boot I could off Napster. All I know is the experience of downloading. I live in a small town anyway, and there aren't any stores in driving distance that would get Prince's new cd the day it comes out. The computer has kept me up to date on my Prince music, and I totally don't think that the computer has taken away the excitement of a new cd, it has hightened it.

If anything the computer is the appetizer before the main course. I know that as soon as that cd is released, I will have it as soon as UPS can get it to me, downloading it just keeps me from ripping out my hair in anticipation.

I didn't even know what an "MP3" was until Prince released "Cybersingle" - I had never even heard the term before then.

Now, jump forward 3-4 years, and I have my entire music collection (as well as my friends' and family's collections) encoded in my iTunes library . . .

Goes to show you, everything can change in even just a few years. But, I hope that it stays CD's or DOWNLOADS. I don't know if I can handle another format!

The main problem is that not everyone has a home computer. I can't download it at work or risk getting the sack.

I'm not jealous of people who can access the new music via the computer but I just think the experience of going to the shop and having it in your hand, reading the Lyrics, singing them how you think it is going to sound is lost in the works of the computer.

Maybe I'm just old fashioned. I think I need to go and buy a computer!

Savage said:

That's the only problem with Prince's business plan: The assumption that every single one of his fans will have access to the internet.