Now almost a full month into listening to Musicology I am entering that familiar stage when all of a sudden, songs once deemed average, blossom into something wonderous.

Since this weekend I began listening to the album on headphones and these songs have evolved into some of the best work (IMHO) that this man has done. While it did not start out this way, all 12 songs are now glorious in their own, distinct way. All Prince albums require an investment in repeated listens to uncover his genius, but this time I am just shocked at the caliber, even for Prince

Songs like Reflection, which at first seemed bland now gloriously resonate in its simplicity, melody and heart - stunning.

While listening, my astonishment manifests in many forms. Tears, from the beauty of notes both singular and together forming melody, grimaces at the rediculous funk of his guitar and bass, beaming smiles at the joy I feel, fullly emersed in his musical genius. While the past decase has seen individual songs reach this stature, it has been quite a while since the entire album was this solid. (Again IMHO)

All fans celebrate this album. It is truly a gift.

Well I will celebrate with you!


IMO, it's a great CD that gets better and better with every listen.

I've got the album on a portable mp3 player alongside some other stuff and something interesting happened today...

I was on the bus home and 'Reflection' had just finished playing. The next track on my player was 'Sign O' The Times'. Well, I listened for a few seconds; thought "what a load of shit" and skipped all the way back to the beginning of the 'Musicology' album.

I have 2 agree! When I first got the CD I thought, another OK CD. But wow has it amazed me.
I can't stop listening 2 it!! I guess I'm gonna have 2 invest in some good headphones have me an eargasm!!
[This message was edited Mon Apr 26 12:20:55 2004 by violet1]

It sounds so good on earphones. I listened for the first time on a reallly good set and the sound engineering really just blew me away. Of course, I have my own personal quibbles-- drums louder and messier on the rock songs, less cluttered arrangement in the bridge for Life Of the Party. Overall, though, it's an amazing job, and a great way to get all the lyrics, which I think are part of what makes this album so much better than the last handfull.
[This message was edited Mon Apr 26 12:24:49 2004 by MendesCity]

MUSICOLOGY is definitely better as a headphone disc. It has lots of interesting detail work that really comes out that way. Sort of like LOVESEXY or TBA.

I still can't stand Life of the Party; I always skip it!!

rainbowchild said:

it kinda reminds me off something from New Power Soul, or "We Gets Up".

have to agree! when i listen to it on my headphones in work its amazing!

madartista said:

See, I don't like NPS or We Gets Up, I do however love Life of the Party. Don't skip it! I used to. I am glad I kept giving it a chance.

madartista said:

See, I don't like NPS or We Gets Up, I do however love Life of the Party. Don't skip it! I used to. I am glad I kept giving it a chance.

BinaryJustin said:

listen everyday on my i-pod... maybe thats why i can't get enough.

Aerogram said:

Um... Well, I meant at that moment in time.

Listening to 'Call My Name' full blast whilst walking to work in the sunshine is a near-religious experience. Listening to the opening strains of 'Sign O' The Times' whilst standing on a bus full of fifty miserable sweaty strangers was like hearing the theme to John Craven's Newsround whilst waiting for The Magic Roundabout to appear.*

*You'd have to be British and of a certain age to know what I mean.

There are only a couple of Prince albums that have grown on me this way. With almost all album since Lovesexy, I've liked a few songs a lot and learn to appreciate one or two songs I didn't like at first, and the rest I'd safely classify into "ok", filler" "bad" and "awful" categories. This time, there seems to be only three tracks that I would consider for "ok" or worse, and even then I'm not 100 % sure about at least two of them. The rest is great Prince music, considering the man is practically expected to come up with a whole album full of "instant classics".

2funkE said:

Yeah, I'm not giving up on it yet.