PurpleKnight said:

True, both tracks could've been a lot better w/a hook and a chorus. But this from a person with NPS in their avatar?

Ehh, don't put anything into that, it has nothing to do with the album for me. I just think the man has serious style in this pic.

Hmm, don't entirely agree OR disagree. I think Musicology is a very good album...but the song melodies aren't as, shall we say, "Beatlesque" as he has been in the past on albums like SOTT and ATWIAD. It's just the style of the 00's and Prince is following suit in that respect. Melodies ain't what they used to be, but that don't mean they're bad.

On the other hand, "What Do U Want Me 2 Do?" has a VERY strong melody and is in my opinion CLASSIC PRINCE and as good as ANYTHING he's done before.

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[This message was edited Tue Jun 1 0:19:26 2004 by mrdespues]

I'm very sure that Prince can put out much, much stronger, more imaginative songs musically and lyrically than Musicology.

Musicology was designed to be middle-of the-road and bland. That's what mainstream is. Attractive at first, but soon to be collecting dust along side the other top 40 vanilla.

mrdespues said:

Classic prince has much more to offer lyrically than this song.
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I think Musicology shows one thing very clear:

It's been 5 years since his last pop album Rave. 5 years, dozens if not hundreds of songs recorded, from he could have picked anything - and this shite is what he comes up with?

Let's face it: Prince is gone gone gone and never coming back.

langebleu said:

in your opinion.

Pentacle said:

i think this is a wild over-estimation and Prince himself has given no proof of this. the so-called vault is only based on hearsay...I certainly doubt he'd come up with hundreds of QUALITY songs in 5 years. that's a ridiculous amount.

i think it's a great album and he really came up with the goods and i think you'll find most people agree with that.

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[This message was edited Tue Jun 1 1:46:10 2004 by mrdespues]

Pop schmop - I think If I Was the Man In Ur Life would be amazing on radio/video

I still don´t think that Prince has "lost it ". Looking back, I have to say that the years from 1997 through 2000 were a bit shaky, but that´s understandable if you consider the human tragedy behind it. And even then, he was still OK and sometimes close to being great. Things could be much, much worse.
IMO, TRC was a true return to form, at least musically. ONA the piano album could have been great but pales in comparison to some "unofficial" releases like, for instance, that piano bootleg with Cold Coffee&Cocaine, 17 Days etc. ( " Intimate Moments") . Being a fan and former employee, Mani seems to be a very positive influence musically, so let´s wait and see.
Musicology is a matter of personal taste...I know a lot of people LOVE On The Couch, I just can´t stand it, it´s unlistenable, but I really like What Do U Want Me 2 Do, Cinnamon Girl, Reflections, Illusion Coma Pimp & Circumstance and A Million Days ( well, maybe not the opera part in it, but hey..)..
It is a bit short though, just 45 min or something, but that´s probably part of the "nostalgic" and "underproduced" approach.
I also liked Diamonds and Pearls back in 91, which was also a bit of a "commercial" approach, but when I think about the number of songs I really like, Musicology wins because I like at least 5 or 6 songs on it, Mr.Man is also OK, although a bit too retro and naive.
I like 5 or maybe 6 songs on D&P, which some people see as the last "real" Prince album ( OK, the last one before Love Symbol), so , all in all, Musicology is OK, decent, not great but solid.
And I agree with Langebleu, even though I love "What Do U want Me 2 do" it´s far from classic Prince....at least lyrically...I probably like it because it just reminds me of some other Prince tunes and it´s got some typical Prince elements, trademarks like the drumbeat etc.
Same with the other songs I mentioned.

CalhounSq said:

Oh, sure ! How could I forget about that one ...I also like that song and Call My Name, so all in all, I´m not really disappointed at all, on the contrary.
I guess the main difference between "then" and "now" is the " Lyrics people can relate to"-difference. His lyrics are still highly personal, just like back in the days, but songs like Something in the Water, The Beautiful Ones, Adore etc.etc. were personal and Joe Public could still relate to them, whereas his recent lyrics are more like glimpses of his own little universe he´s created, I´m talking about most songs from 92 til today.
People from all over the world could relate to his older lyrics, his new lyrics are OK but less universal and accesible....catch my drift ?

KoolEaze said:

Nah, your making too much of that crap. Truth is, money and wealth is whats in Prince's music now, and if you relate to that, cool.

When Prince was doing "Beautiful Ones" and "Adore" he was just getting used to the fame and money, that is why he could still do it. But, now what is his envirenment like? What is he experiencing? Lots of money, honeys, no troubles, limos, hottubs, and little inspiration.

I can relate if I was that rich.....


Maybe if he gives up his fake ass lifestyle and gets real, he could get back to reality, but you know that couldn't happen because he's already famous. Double edge sword ain't it?

Best is to find someone else up and coming who isn't spoiled already.

Of course it is. I'm saying he should pick the quality songs from those dozens of recordings.
If Musicology is what he considers to be his best work then Lord have mercy.

And to add something to Rockability's post: going to door to door as a JW should give Prince a chance to see 'how the other half live'. But as JW's never listen I doubt it will give him a new outlook on life.

I like the fact that many people here complain that prince supposedly does not sound 80s anymore and that some (soemtimes the same) complain even more when he does so.....

Cinamon girl is as catchy as anything catchy prince did before, Musicology too, same thing for LOTP.... that's my 2 cents....

PurpleKnight said:

Untrue. The catchy melody of the chorus on "Cinnamon Girl" isn't in the vocals, but rather in the melodic instrumental lines underneath it. It's not something that can be labeled straightout "unimaginative".

Pentacle said:

Hmmm...that's what I thought in the 90s, and look what my Man has done! Rave was "classic" Prince (Hot Wit U was Billy Jack B which was We Can Funk which was classic P along the lines of Lady Cab Driver, Let's Work, Get It Up and Stick). But the fact that generations keep dialing into him should say a whole lot.

Cinammon (SP?) Girl I love because it sounds like Private Joy, whose chorus was to die for but the subject matter kept it from being played much...LaToya Jackson's cover didn't help.



LOL! How funny...I swear that's exactly what I said too ... specially after the introduction of Tony.....

So just cause he's not speaking to your era, realize that a) there were folks here going thru the same thing b4 u; b) he still speaks and touches across the generations...

Prince is a commitment...I can't believe I'm still fawning over him like I do (I'm 35 and have been in love w/him since Soft & Wet)...and I went thru that "he gone" phase too...but still admired what he was trying to. And no one will make perfect music...not even Prince. That's the law of averages and of knowing that what we love about Prince is not what the masses love. Think about it...how brilliant he is. When Doves Cry went to #1...WITH NO BASS.

Prince ain't nowhere near gone. He is doing what he will do, as always. It's up to u to figure out if that's where you are. And know that once you hear and/or see this man live, you're seeing greatness

klaatu said:

i totally agree Klaatu..i think the problem is most of the people here are getting old and cant appreciate anything thats not a ballad

Mazerati said:

couldn't agree more with both of you!

A lot of people are saying "I know he can do a lot better than this" about Musicology based on S'o'TT and so forth... what if maybe he really CAN'T do better than this anymore?

Interesting analysis.While I agree that the slow tracks are superb,I think the uptempo pop songs aren't bad either.

If Eye Was The Man In ur Life IS classic prince. Its got more hooks than a fishermans box and it is beautifully played and produced. prince indeed can still write a great pop record.

Can't write a strong pop song? The whole album is strong pop songs. This Prince's most "pop" record since "Diamonds and Pearls." Now let's discuss your troublesome addiction to crack....

skywalker said:

PurpleKnight said:

Disagree.

Why do people keep saying this? This is based on what? Seems like it's only opinion. So how does that make it CLEAR?

Musicology is almost a perfect pop record. A little too pop for me...but I like it. If you are looking for something more edgy...check out The Chocolate Invasion and Slaughterhouse. Songs like "when I lay My hands on U, judas smile, supercute, the dance, high, peace, the daisy chain, 2045 radical man, " are all Classics IMO.

Have you checked these? You should if you have not and then assess. If you have..maybe you just don't like Prince's output anymore.

And for the "record" since 1999's Rave (which had about 12 or so songs), you have TRC...another 12, Musicology...another 12, Xpectation...about 10, NPGMC Audio...appx 25, One night alone...piano (if you count this)...like 10. News...4. Misc (Xenophobia etc) ...guessing about 5....so about 80 in the past 5 years...NOT BAD. And most of it is decent material. Oh...IMO cuz there are some who don't agree on the quality round here.

I get another dollar or two based on this thread.

Prince is lucky to have so many deaf fans.

I kind of agree, but not completely. One thing that I really miss from Prince is classic singles. Of course anyone who has been going for 25 plus years is going to hit a dry patch. But if you assemble a Prince hits disc from 1994-2004 it would be a little lacking (at least as far as top ten hits are concerned). BUT I do think he still writes great songs. I don't love everytrack on Musicology but I think it is very consistent. The highs aren't quite as high as his best but there are few, if any, lows, in my opinion.

rialb said:

The top 10 hits are lacking from 1994-2004 because of Prince's record label drama. No record label, or one who you badmouth, isn't gonna get you top 10 anything. The quality of the songs from 1994-2004 (like everything else that is art) is debatable, but I think Prince's songs from that era are as good as any. Here is a recent compilation of 1994-2004 songs that I made for a friend.

Prince 1994-2004

Musicology
P Control
Most Beautiful Girl in the World
Dinner w/ Delores
Letitgo
Come On
Face Down
I hate U
Days of Wild (Crystal ball edit)
The Ride
Love Sign
Supercute
The Greatest Romance
Supercute
The Holy River
A Case of U
Everlasting Now
Welcome 2 the Dawn
[This message was edited Tue Jun 1 14:12:35 2004 by skywalker]

Mr Squiggle stop comparing albums. Musicology and SOTT are not to be compared they are not meant to be. The direction is different. SOTT is not flawless anyway.... Can't stand "It" for example (talking about "filler"). Musicology sounds like Prince. If he had released this album in the "glorious 80s", ya'll would have dug it!!!

Put wendy on backing vocals for Cinamon Girl and the trick is done! that's one example. The 4 last tracks on musicology is the real killer!! Great stuff IMO....

And yes I really dig Musicology!!!

prince be damned.