The Truth was my favorite Prince album next to Dirty Mind and the Black Album, but now that he has gone commercial again it doesn't sount for shit. Don't Play Me my ass![b]

Spanky said:

Hmmm, interesting.

The Truth hasn't ever really impressed me that much. But then again, acoustic guitar is one of my least favorite accompaniament instruments.

Sure, years later, when after the final analysis of Emancipation, NPS, and Rave had been settled, it was one to listen to to hang your hopes on, thinking that he still had it, or still could when he wanted to.


But really, most of it's a snoozer. Most of the songs aren't that much better than anything from 1998 through 2000. they just aren't saddled with the lame production.

GrayKing said:

Not necessarily. It depends on who's listening.

Spanky said:

Ridiculous and non-sensical! A great album will always be a great album, irrespective of what an artist produces before and after. Artists have their peaks and troughs. But, following on from your logic, would, for example, Miles Davis's "Kind of Blue" suddenly become rubbish because you hated his distinctly commercial eighties albums?

What you should be saying is this: I love Prince's edgy, experimental stuff, but I can't stand his deliberate concessions to commercial pressures, when his albums sound like they've been written, recorded and edited in a marketing meeting.

The above only really applies to "Rave". "Musicology", while fairly tame and mass-user friendly, has no real certified hits on it. It's not even that good, frankly. Compare it to "Magnificent" and the best stuff from "Chocolate Slaughterhouse" and you really hear the sound of our hero underachieving.

Shapeshifter said:

surely you're on drugs.... ?

The Truth is a fine CD, plain and simple. Definitely one of his best albums from the 90s (maybe even the best).

GrayKing said:

No, I'm not. If I was I'd be hailing this lukewarm meatloaf of an album as an out and out masterpiece.

If you like "Musicology" and think it's up there with his best work, then good for you. Tell all your friends about it and get them to buy the album. Help make it a hit. Help make Prince some new fans. Help save a few Janet Jackson fans and the sort of people who buy "Now That's What I Call Moozak 4089" CDs from slow death by mediocrity.

I like the album, but I don't think it's all that. He's playing it very safe. Swimming in the shallow end. No danger, no risk. No "Wasted Kisses", "Come On", "Everlasting Now" ...
[This message was edited Fri Apr 16 3:38:01 2004 by Shapeshifter]

TheFrog said:

Agree, although "Gold Experience" takes the crown as his best 90s album.

Shapeshifter said:

that's true. but i haven't seen anyone here ranking it among his best work. and i was [commenting on the fact that you think things like Magnificent and the Chocolate Invasion/Slaughterhouse as if those things are a glimpse of his greatness. surely one must be on drugs to think that stuff shows anything more than underacheiving.





so far, you haven't named any risky or dangerous songs.

GrayKing said:[quote]

Shapeshifter said:

Seriously, "Everlasting Now"? It's a cute song and all, but hardly adventurous. I'll take "Reflection" any day.

I hope I'm not the only one imagining implied "I think"s and "In my opinion"s to these sweeping, definitive statements of epic fact.

of course. let me rephrase. "In my opinion, I surely think you're on drugs... "

Shapeshifter said:

On this, we definitely agree. I don't agree that "Musicology" is a "snoozer", but I also don't think its as great as many do on here. Personally, I think its a good album, not great. I think, when time passes, it will grow on many who hated it, and it will cool off to some who initially praised it as the greatest thing since SOTT. I think most will find it to be a fairly decent album with quite a few enjoyable tunes on it.

Still, overall I think you must have great taste. TGE, Johnny Cash in your avatar and a David Lynch quote in your signature all kinda prove that to me!

Shapeshifter said:

I think The Truth pisses all over The Gold Experience. TGE is a good album, tho'.

I'd list songs like Digital Garden and Sensual Everafter as adventurous songs by Prince.

I'd also say TGE was his best work of the 90's. If he can ever make another album as great as that I'll be so happy.
[This message was edited Fri Apr 16 9:06:38 2004 by PurpleKnight]

GrayKing said:

In my opinion, reported!

Spanky said:

I look at the new 'commercial' release more as a way for Prince to infiltrate the pop market and 'educate' the so-called 'talent' that's been ruining music for some years now. Hence the name "Musicology". Prince isn't selling, he's schooling.

JediMaster said:

JediMaster you are henceforth above all criticism. I also agree with you about "Musicology", although I think it's musical meatloaf - a whole made up of tasty leftovers - and as conservative musically as it is lyrically. It's not great, but it's not bad.

GrayKing said:[quote]

Shapeshifter said:

"Wasted Kisses" is one of the most sinister things he's ever written and "Come On" is about a love triangle - or, rather, Prince trying to get in one. It's also a superb song, as is "Everlasting Now" - better than everything on the new album.

I know you're being facetious Miss Gray, but having different opinions and tastes to yours really doesn't take drugs, just good ears.

Now off you go and tell your Kylie loving friends all about that new singer you've heard about on this really cool place called Prince.org. His name is Prince. And he is funky.

Shapeshifter said:

Do you love the Newpower Soul album?

BinaryJustin said:

No, but it has three superb songs on it - the above and "The One".

I'm with you on The Truth being an awesome album

Don't Play Me is FOR REAL!!!!

Fascination is even better!!!!!

The Truth is in my opinion his best 90's work...but if TGE has been as intended and recorded more rough and edgy it would have been taking the crown...Interactive and DOW are great songs which had to be on it instead of We march...

Musicology is growing on me...played it smart on the long run...the rumor he had talks with Sony was out here in October/November 2003..remember...Don't play me...this whole thing is a smart long planned campaign...low profile not this comeback thing...it has been asembled in a smart way...so looks more like luck when the album will enter next week in the top 10 ...

Remember my words...the vid will do good for the single...it is a kids story like we all experienced back in the days...

Catchy...and hopefully will succeed ...

Peace

Juize

Why does EVERY Prince album have to sound rough and edgy?

The theme of TGE is a complete musical experience; you're experiencing the musical equivalent of gold.

Therefore it should sound polished the way it does.

i have to be honest, The Truth never really connected w/ me as a whole. I do like certain tracks, especially Comeback which is just beautiful and heartbreaking. The Other Side of the Pillow is a fun song. Welcome to the Dawn is OK, but the arrangement doesn't really suit the song. It needed a more TGE-style over the top production. Dionne and Circle of Amour are interesting little throwaways. Some nice vocals and harmonies.

The Truth and Don't Play Me are just annoying. Don't Play Me - puhleeze. Who ya foolin? Methinks he doth protest 2 much. And of course Animal Kingdom is just abysmal.

So yeah. The Truth for me overall doesn't make much impact. I was excited about the idea of an all-acoustic Prince album, but the material just isn't strong enough to make it a vital record. One Nite Alone is much better. Maybe he's more comfortable writing for the piano than acoustic guitar. The material is definitely stronger on ONA.

But that's just me, ya'll

I think The Truth is valid art. Words to music. Basic and brilliant.

Shapeshifter said:

these songs seem good because they're on weak albums. and if you think Wasted Kisses is really sinister, you should listen to Others Here With Us



oh, lots of them take drugs.




Kylie? me? you ARE on drugs
[This message was edited Fri Apr 16 18:38:01 2004 by GrayKing]

July said:

My only beef is that the message behind the songs are lost to a commercialized Prince. BUt I still got nuttin but love for the man.