I've been a bit of an assy naysayer around these parts for the past couple of years...I really liked TRC, but fucking hated NEWS, Xpectation, and ONA Live (ONA piano shit was alright). Musicology, however, is my favorite Prince release since TGE, at least. Maybe even since !

Part of the reason is that it doesn't sound CHEAP. Sure, the packaging looks like shit, but the music sounds so organic...so fresh.....so REAL and professional. (TRC had some of this sound going on, but it was bogged down a bit by cheesy touches like the occasional Dark Lord of the Sith narrator) I don't know quite how to describe what I mean, but so much of Prince's output since TGE has sounded thin, reedy, tinny, weak, dashed off, half-assed, etc. Think of Emancipation...much of Rave...NPS...most of the NPGMC material from the first year (especially that piece-of-shit song "High"). They sounded like the aural outputs of some pimply nerd with a casio in his mother's basement trying to imitate Prince....far below the beautiful depths of masterpieces like Parade and Lovesexy.

Musicology has that depth again...it has layers upon layers of sound...an organic pop feel to it...it doesn't sound like Prince had half an idea & decided to write it...programmed some weak drum lines...some bass...multitracked his own voice 387 times...then had Larry say "Push it stupid, funky 2 U!" over the weak beats....

Do you know what I mean here? So much of the man's recent shit has just sounded CHEAP and HALF ASS. But Musicology has him again sounding like the amazing producer and musician that he is. As a longtime relative naysayer, I must admit that I am mightily impressed! In fact, I'm looking for some good toast to spread my words on right now....

I agree I love Musicology. Darth Prince was the only bad thing about TRC .

psykosoul said:

Now, bear in mind that I didn't say I liked "Life O the Party!" I skip that one song....But even that song at least sounds more "professional" than some shit like "Eye Like Funky Music" or "Hot Wit U."

What I LOVE about ALL of PRINCE's work is that ALL of his albums sound different and have thier own life and "MUSICOLOGY" is no exception.

PRINCE has done it again with his new cd and I applaud him 4 again producing sheer and heavenly EXCELLENCE!

Makes want the next album even more....!

How come i always agree with you?

bkw said:

Because I'd fly to Australia & step on your genitals if you didn't....

KingSausage said:

People are always tripping over them you know?

bkw said:

So...nobody wants to contribute to this thread, eh? You fuckers...


Would it be more interesting if I dedicated it to the damn booklet?



Come on...what do you asses think? Do you agree with me that Musicology sounds more "professional" than Prince's recent shit???

I think of "professional" as = overproduced. Prince best stuff production is half cooked. Meaning it doesn't sound like he went over it with a fine toothed comb. So I agree with what you are saying-but I wouldn't have phrased it like you did.

I'm with you on that one KS. I love Musicology and even the songs I don't like as much as the ones I do I still listen to. It feels good to enjoy a Prince CD from start to finish again.

skywalker said:

I totally agree with this. I like a bit of a raw feel. And I like to be challenged in a Radiohead, OK Computer kind of way, but give me a few more listens. So far I dig Musicology, and Dear Mr Man for the groove.

I don't know if I'd use the word professional. To me, it's very out of sync with modern radio sounds, and therefore, not very "profressional." But to me, that's a good thing, and I definitely agree that it sounds more fleshed-out, less tosssed-off, more from the heart. Definitely the best since TGE, at least.

MUSICOLOGY is a CLASSY song. It so well put together in every sing way, it's just unbeatable, classic material. Prince is doing his thing right there, and it deserves all the props it gets!!!
[This message was edited Wed Apr 21 19:15:31 2004 by Starmist7]

I don't know KingSausage. Why do I have the feeling that you wouldn't be saying this if Prince wasn't going through a popularity surge with the majority of the public? Like if Musicology was only selling as much as Rainbow Children, would you still praise it?

Besides, NEWS and Xpectation were pretty "professional" sounding, don't you think? That's not to say they were great and among his better efforts, but they featured full band instrumentation and were more thought out than your average pop song.

Though, I see what you are saying, and somewhat agree with you- post Emancipation, pre TRC stuff did sound "half assed" even if some of it was kinda catchy.

I agree too - but the way I described it is Musicology is a "Prince" album - and it's been a long time since he had one of those. Emancipation tried too hard to be perfect. Rave tired too hard to be commercial. The aborted High project still wasn't quite there. And I thought last few albums and the last tour were a detour from even attempting to be commercial while he regrouped for a real commercial comeback.

KingSausage said:

I know ... I'm totally in agreement about Life O the Party. However...

Beck should do a mash-up of "Musicology" and Thomas Dolby's "She Blinded Me With Science"...he could call it SCIENTOLOGY.

KingSausage said:

I agree with you. But I also have to say that I like all of Prince's work. He is so diverse and everything he doesn't fits my liking.

I've fallen in love with "Call My Name." Makes me do googly eyes at my wife. I bet if I play this song for her.....

preciosa863 said:

typo~yes, I'm tired. I meant to say that everything he does fits my liking. Okay, I'm going to bed.....

KingSausage said:

BRAVO!!!!

skywalker said:

Yeah, I hear what you're saying....I just couldn't think of a good way to say it....maybe "the least half-assed?"

jtgillia said:

Well, considering that I have praised TRC to no end, and will continue doing so, my answer is YES. Don't get snippy with me if you don't know what you're talking about. This has nothing to do with "popularity surges" here. After all, Rave had Prince all over the place...on magazine covers...doing interviews...videos on TV....billboards in Times Square, etc. But I don't think that shit sounded "professional" at all. It sounded half-assed and quickly dashed off, like the man was going through the motions. Your presumptions about my opinions are totally wrong. I don't mean to get harsh on you, but I don't like it when people put words in my mouth. Don't insult me by asserting that I'm easily swayed just because a handful of soccer moms like Prince again.

I think NEWS sounded cheap, Xpectation even cheaper. You can go to any jazz club and here more advanced shit. TRC and Musicology are something else though....you hear the thickness and maturity of the sound...the dense layers...these albums just have something to them...something intangible that tells me they are the product of a musical genius...someone that knows how to craft ART, not just SONGS. Does this make sense people?