They say that confession is good for the soul — so here goes...

I think "Musicology" is a classic. In fact, I wish it had been released right after "Lovesexy" so it would get the adulation it deserves.

I admit it — I was one of those who initially thought "Musicology" a very good album but not comparable to the 80-88 run. I've been forced to revise myself. After nearly a month of non-stop play, this album is giving me as much pleasure as any of those classics at the same point.

To contrast, beginning with "Batman" Prince's albums had all begun to lose their luster for me by this point. (Of course, certain songs on each album have always held up.)

"Musicology" just gets better and better. This was made most apparent to me in the case of "A Million Days."

I wanted to love "AMD" so much from the first time I heard it. The lyrics are great, the guitar solo is hot, it has a kickass scream at the end...but I just couldn't connect with it. It sounded so muddy and even a bit plodding — why doesn't this "rock" tune rock I always wondered.

One night I was listening to "Musicology" while half asleep and "AMD" just climbed out of the stereo like the girl in "The Ring." The grimy nature of the song made sense. This isn't a polished, pretty plea; this is anguish. The beat doesn't race because the wounded can't run. I was hooked! Now, I'm addicted to the song and find myself humming it all the time. No Prince song has snared me like this in years.

I honestly am shocked by how much I love "Musicology." They say you can't go home again, but I really feel like I have.

For my initial lack of faith, I'll say four "Our Father's Song"s and three "Hail Mary Sharon"s.

Peace, David

that's what happened to me back in'88 with lovesexy. Didn't sound good at first.

livewire said:

that's classic!!!

I'm not feeling what you're feeling with Musicology, but Prince albums
always grow on me. Lovesexy and Parade, 2 of my faves, took the
longest.

After all of the hoopla...in a few years we are going to look back very fondly at this album.

I really like this disc. I see it getting more plays than some of the other ones in time. I really wish he had done something that blew everyone away. Like a combo of Musicology, TCI, and Slaughterhouse...but I think he would have sacrificed a very solid album that clocks in at the right amount of time. That he kept it under 50 minutes was semi-genius and showed much restraint on his part.

I have read in several places that the High album that he was going to put out would have been a very good thing to do. But we got a timing thing going on...High would have been lost in the shuffle (though probably brought to light during the Musicology reviews).

superspaceboy said:

I’m having the opposite reaction. About a week after listening to Musicology none stop I wrote a four star review. Now several weeks later, I listen to it less and I hear it’s lost a lot of its freshness. P sound like he’s treading water. And “A Million Days” was a track I never liked.

livewire said:

I have had the same reaction to this album. I am diggin this as much as when I heard The Gold Experience boot a buddy of mine taped for me back in '94. I like it the more I listen to it. I feel good when I listen to it...and I can't ask more from an album than that.
[This message was edited Wed May 12 13:44:34 2004 by Pagey]
[This message was edited Wed May 12 13:45:15 2004 by Pagey]

17ways69days said:

Yes, we are having different experiences. I couldn't put it down when I first heard it. I did for a few weeks picked it back up and it sounded even better and fresher than before.

Certainly this disc is having a lot of different reactions...there has been no consensus round here..yay nor nay.

I'm with you on that one because I hear this album more than once a day and the songs STAY, it's like I have to hear it over and over, it's classic, and as I say, 'classy' material. That's real Music to your ears right there.
[This message was edited Wed May 12 18:28:35 2004 by Starmist7]

I'm so with you livewire and starmist7. I love this CD and it is a classic in my eyes. I haven't had a CD of his that made me feel good since The Gold Experience, though the last CD I really enjoyed was The Rainbow Children but it's so different than Musicology for me. I've already placed it as one of my favorite Prince CD's in my profile. The songs just sound fresh to me and it's a great experience. Prince still has it!