I love these reviews by musicians like Eloy. Besides understanding the context they help us appreciate the layering of the compositions because these details are not obvious to the casual listener. It's like a treat within a treat you like the song then listen more attentively so you get another experience. Thank you!
Great review Eloy. I feel this is 1 of his most thought provoking albums.Not a booty shaker but something to take a long drive somewhere and listen too.I like it .Good to see you smiling again .Also RIP Betty Davis.Thanks.
Stand Up and Be Strong originally by the band " Soul Asylum" their version is more of a rock song. Prince once again covered a song and made it his own. His version is a beautiful ballad/duet. The lyrics, makes me wonder the reason why he chose to cover it.🤔 Talks about struggles " If you live in the hills and taking too many pills if you lost the thrill against your own will" You might have to fight, you might have to cry fight to stay strong. 'If you get all depressed when you get undressed, if your a mess 'Stand up and be strong. Love his soulful interpretation.
@@PrincesFriend Evidently Michael Bland Prince's drummer NPG is the drummer for "Soul Asylum" since 2004 and still tours with them today. Now i see why Prince would have wanted to covered 1 of their songs.
Even being a cover, I really think Prince made the right decision, I mean, he needed a motivational song and, considering the harsh times we've been experiencing since the pandemic's beginning, this song is a kind of "Hold On" hymn we all were needing !
Very awesome 👏 review! And I agree, Welcome 2 America matches as a great podcast theme music imo and it’s one of the best ones, too. Thanks so much for sharing and it’s a like and thumbs up and I’m readying to see pt 2. And I hope you and everyone else have a very happy V-Day!😄👍
Solid review, my friend. Thanks for clarifying the Gates of Henry reference for me, I can't believe that I didn't pick that up. I was racking my brain trying to figure out what Prince meant with that line. Stand up and B Strong would have been a better song if it was actually written by Prince. Musically, you are spot on with your critique, and the beauty about Prince, is that he's that rare bird whose originality overrides every style he incorporates. He can't help being Prince, no matter what he does. It's also a testimony to the Minneapolis sound, and how revolutionary its creator turned out to be. Bring on part 2 as soon as possible...
Thanks for the wonderful commentary…I revisited W2A recently and focused on the vinyl. The iTunes and CD versions were good but the project sounds awesome on the 180 gram vinyl. No surface noise etc and the audio has more fullness without all the digital compression.
Anyone else get Lovesexy era vibes from 1010 (Rin Tin Tin) or just me? Sort of starts similar to Anna Stesia w/ solo piano. The way Prince’s vocals are layered during “flowing just like water through the sands of time” (his super low register combined with falsetto) reminds me of something from the late 80s but I have no idea what. Regardless, it’s my favorite on the album
Loved your review! The enthusiasm, insight and knowledge that you share with us are just great. Personnally i love the album...thought it was just ok initially but then it grew on me and now i just love everything about it. Only problem is: it makes me miss Prince even more!
My favourite songs of Welcome 2 America album are the following ones: 1- Welcome 2 America ( the title track is an outstanding gem with a deep and important message for America); 2 - 1000 Light Years Away From Here ( It is a classic example of what kind of music Prince used to do due to its lyrics and melody; it is perfectly executed); 3 - Stand Up and B Strong ( for me, it is the motivational song Prince needed and I was facing some difficulties when it was released, so I really found some comfort in the lyrics and in the melody of this song); 4- 1010 (RinTinTin) : It gave me vibes of 3 Chains Of Gold, which is a song that I am very fond of ! 5- Hot Summer/Yes ! (These two songs are quite funny and I wish they were performed live).
Hot Summer is the perfect example of what Prince meant by wanting his albums to be heard in full and in context. As a single without an anchor, the song was good. In context of this album, it’s great. 💜
Great Review!!! Welcome 2 America is in my Top 10 Prince albums too. My favourite songs are When She Comes, 1010 (Rin Tin Tin) & Stand Up and B Strong. O(+>
Your Cornel West impression had me hollering! Then I couldn't stop laughing because I imagined Prince hearing him say that and being like, "The fuh?!" Then going to Studio A at 4 in the morning to lay down a basic track while mumbling under his breath, "I got somethin' for his ass." 😭 Love this album--the last three tracks especially.
Hehehehe! Thank thank you! I love doing bad impressions 😂 and yeah, I think the album ends strongly when you combine the last three songs. I could see that. 😉💜
As a Prince Friend 4ever, I was glad to see an Album and not remasters of stuff I already have. The music is very tight and awesome as usual. Thanks for explaining the line "All the Gates of Henry" in the song Running Game. I was so confused as to why he made that statement in my favorite song. But I also heard the Podcast about Welcome 2 America and hearing this made listening to it again even greater. I had read one person who reviewed the album say that this was really Prince's background singers album and not his because he let them sing almost all the songs. Not true! He loved great talent and didn't mind sharing the mic. You can see this on the Live DVD. But so glad you're back to review the album and other things about Prince.
This is like how I approached it. Originally cared little for it, but its really grown on me, very funky and message filled album. Its a lot better than 20Ten. I even bought the Deluxe after getting just the CD. Born 2 Die, W2A, Hot Summer, 1000 light years, SPDB and when she comes are pure gold. This is a great album, why Prince sat on it is beyond me. I love seeing you do what you do best again - showing enthusiasm and joy over great Prince music.
@@PrincesFriend I agree, not so crazy about 2000s Prince, but love 2010s Prince! This and the last 4 albums were all good and Phase 2 and AOA are up there with some of his best 80s and 90s stuff (Come, TGE).
This album is not the one I can just ride and jam, but it's Prince and I love everything he's ever done. The lyrics of the state of America and it's history are brilliant as always. It's going to take more listening to for me to hear what you hear, but all in all I love the album. So glad to finally get your review and looking forward to the 2nd video. 💜💜💜
Don't forget Stand Up And B Strong was written by Dave Pinner of Soul Asylum. So this song is a cover song. Which might explain the simple lyrics. But Prince unwrap the song, put it in a frying pan and fried up some soul. Very tasty. Lol
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this album. I do love it myself as well and my favorites are Check The Record, When She Comes, 10 10 (Rin Tin Tin). Hoping for another great Prince release sometime this year (I hope).
Welcome 2 America is definitely a package deal album. It's an all or nothing piece of art. I believe Prince intended for it to work that way as well. You have to embrace the album as a whole, to truly get the full impact of its musical magic. Hits or singles, need not apply...
Great review. Personally, i kinda like the album and my favorite is definitely Born 2 die. But, i don't know, i didnt enjoy the protest concept of the album. Usually Prince could have 1 or 2 great songs about a social problem in a album, and those songs could work great alongside the rest of the album. Is a great album and it make sense to the Prince State to give the green light to release an album like that with all those things happening in USA that brought that fire of protesting again. (i don't live in the USA, so maybe the concept is not as important to me because i dont experience all of those things personally).
it might be that, yeah. but there is such a thing as a concept album, one that tells one cohesive story, and this is one of those. Even the songs that don't sound like it, are part of the larger narrative of fighting for equality. 💜
WOW I'm surprised you found a Prince you don't care for.I always felt that way about Adore song good track don't get me wrong. But Prince just goes on and on it's like a good song don't oversaturated it.
The truncated horn at the end of Same Page, Different Book is totally a throwback to Race off the Come album... the title track meanwhile reminds me a lot of 2045: Radical Man (but better). The album disappointed me a little but then you have to take into account that some of the material was undeveloped/unfinished anyway... I think 1000 Light Years Sway and Strand Up and B Strong definitely could have been fleshed out and improved but I'm glad the album got released. I think the first three tracks are the strongest on the album.
I loved this album! It’s well into February now and I still listen to the full album and haven’t gotten tired of it yet! I kinda think it was the 2010 updated version of SOTT. Blasphemy I know! One quick note Stand Up and B Strong was a Soul Asylum cover so that may explain why the lyrics weren’t as creative. Awesome video! Can’t wait for part 2!
Yup! Another comment pointed out the cover and it makes it make WAY more sense to me. Good song, good message, but we can’t lay the bad lyrics on Prince 😂 So glad you’re enjoying give music and my review!
I enjoy the whole album immensely though my favorite is Born 2 die it's a bit of a marriage of Prince and Curtis. Rest in peace to both of them and happy black history month 🖤🕯️✌️
You're headed on a long trip, and for some reason, you can just take or stream 5 Prince albums. (Let's exclude live albums and mega-collections with more than 2 discs to keep it simple.) You glance at your collection and see, Dirty Mind, Purple Rain, 1999, SOTT, The Gold Experience, Parade, and Welcome 2 America. 'Welcome...' is a nice album, but keeping in mind recency bias, I'm not sure that the new release makes the trip.
@@PrincesFriend To each his own. For what it's worth, I do see the point about about the topical lyrics and I believe that late phase Prince is a much stronger writer than early phase Prince. But the musical signatures and song structures marked by the production or post-production of Welton, Hayes, etc. (and much of the other late phase releases) do not have the hallmarks of musical innovation that have defined what's largely considered PRN's best work. I do enjoy Prince releases later than 2000 and would agree that he's even released some minor classics during that period. But if we're talkin' about a "...maybe Top 5 album.." from one from one of the greatest to ever do it, then songs like Hot Summer, Stand Up and B Strong, One Day..., etc. pale in comparison to almost any of his 80's - 90's B-side releases, let alone his major musical statements.
Pales how? Prince has some amazing softer songs, some great rock songs, lots of funk. It comes in many flavors. He maybe had more “hits” in the 80s/90s but popularity or being epic doesn’t make a song better. The song writing on this album is amazing, and as much as you may think recency plays a part in that it’s also likely that nostalgia and familiarity are playing a part on your end as well. No shame in it. We like what we like, but attempting to make a value statement on the music without recognizing one’s own biases seems like a bad idea. On my road trip, W2A is a welcome addition. 💜
@@PrincesFriend It pales by an over reliance on familiar playbooks versus drawing up new plays. You mention that recency doesn't color your view of the new stuff, so I'll add that nostalgia doesn't really impact my view of the current release. I already mentioned The Gold Experience, and there are other examples, of Prince music well past his commercial peak that is more vital and takes more musical risks than what's offered on W2A. (I'm not knocking W2A as a solid album with some interesting moments, I'm just knocking it out of any reasonable banter about a Top 5 release considering his whole discography.) As far as I can tell, long-time Prince fans could care less about the hits...some of the most beloved songs like Joy in Repetition, Anna Stesia, etc. were either not released as singles or did minimal damage in the charts - but they're songs that reflect his artistic stride and have earned the endearment of his fans. Again, nothing to do with sales. The fact that his most monumental contributions to music happened in a past era is not nostalgia - check the record, it's just the timing of his creative trajectory. Nothing more, nothing less.
I feel like too much importance is placed on "what everyone else thinks" or "monumental contributions". Good music is good music. My criteria might include "do I like the album", "does it make me feel something", "are the songs well done", "are the themes/messages told well" etc. It sounds like you need world-changing albums in your Top 5, and that's fair, we all have different reasons. So, I could check the record, or I could use my own ears and form my own opinions about the music I would put in a Top 5. Note that I said "might" for the Top 5 anyway, which should tell you that I'm not 100% on that decision right now. I'd have to really go through what my current rankings would actually look like, which isn't something I do usually, to determine where it might be placed in the end, but I'd still say it's a strong contender. Also, I find it funny, that this all started with a question about a road trip! 😂 Have a great week! Thank you for watching and engaging!
In my opinion, this album is as uninteresting as the 2010 album. I’ve listened to it once and have no desire to revisit it. I’m glad others are enjoying it. Lastly, there are a lot of things that I’m not feeling about the album but there’s a line in the title track that turns me off completely, “There is no arguing with the book”.
Oh! You need to dig deeper on that line. You hearing “there is no arguing with the book” but not listening to what’s happening around it. I break it down in part 2 specifically.
@@PrincesFriend I’ll try to listen to it again, but for the record, that one line wasn’t the deal breaker… I get the messages he was sharing, but I am not feeling the album musically either. It’ll end up on the my shelf with 2010 and Planet Earth
We need to have a discussion about the negativity in Prince's music. I believe after the tragic loss of his child and subsequent divorce, there was a subtle shift. He's known for "love for one another," but half the body of his work tells a different story.
@@PrincesFriend I don't understand if I'm to take this as "continue" or "get outta here." I'm not trolling, just for record. I really do mean what I'm saying.
I feel like this is a very superficial analysis of this album and you need to dig a little deeper. Prince understood the human collective consciousness and was truly awake to what is going on in the world. This album is prophetic and very deep.
Hey man. I unfortunately haven't been around for a while, but truly miss your station. I hope that all is well. As for this album... I got the box set and had a feeling of how this album would be before it came out, and it disappointed me like I thought it would. I'm sorry, but I just don't think that it was his most creative in any way shape or form. I know that I will be roasted for this as I know that it is not pop in any way, but overall I was left with a feeling of "meh". There were a few highlights (1000 Light Years & One Day We Will All Be Free), but not enough. I think that you hit it on the head when you separate music and message. I thought that as great as message was, the music went the other way. I love to hear various opinions like yours, but I disappointingly think that this album was boring. Great channel, and I promise to play catch up! :)
i don't think anyone is going to roast you. We all think differently, and I understand your reasons as well. but hopefully, my thoughts maybe made you listen again, whether it changed your mind or not. :)
Wow. I'm actually surprised you rated this album as highly as you did, Eloy. As a lifelong Prince enthusiast, this was my least favorite album by quite a fair margin. Of course, it's Prince, so I found things I liked, but if I am comparing this to the other albums in his catalogue, it's at or near the bottom of my personal list. Full disclosure: I have and have listened to every Prince album ever released, so my sample size is inclusive of his life's work. But hey, in the end, music is subjective and one person's favorite can be another's most disliked. I'm happy for anyone who loves this album, even if I don't fall into that camp myself.
I disagree with you, but as you say, music is subjective. What one person loves another might not. To me this is Prince’s What’s Going On album. It’s his first album to have a complete theme since Art Official Age. The musicianship is incredible and the message is on point. In my opinion this is definitely one of his better albums. If I’m ranking, I’d probably place it somewhere between #7 and #12, which is pretty good for someone with 40 studio albums.
"this was my least favorite album by quite a fair margin" . I couldn't agree more. I thought that it was so bland overall. I feel like it was tight for a concept album, but that was all. Again, some moments that I like, but overall I wasn't inspired. I have only listened to it front to back once...which was more than enough. But that's what makes us all unique! Still love him though and will by any and everything he made.
This to me tries to pay homage in one way or another to artist in the past while at the same time delivering messages. The first track is is similar to parliament/ funkadelic P-funk, born to die as you mention Curtis Mayfield, check the record Jimmy Hendrix type feel to it etc……
@@PrincesFriend I guess I have sensitive ears and lots of Prince’s work I hear past artist songs influence. If you go to Steely Dan Pretzel Logic album there is a song called Rikki don’t lose my number it has very similar arrangements to The love we make off of Emancipation.
WATCH NEXT: Shelby J: 10 - Album Review (2017) ua-cam.com/video/QP34cL6qeiQ/v-deo.html
I love these reviews by musicians like Eloy. Besides understanding the context they help us appreciate the layering of the compositions because these details are not obvious to the casual listener. It's like a treat within a treat you like the song then listen more attentively so you get another experience. Thank you!
Great review Eloy. I feel this is 1 of his most thought provoking albums.Not a booty shaker but something to take a long drive somewhere and listen too.I like it .Good to see you smiling again .Also RIP Betty Davis.Thanks.
💜🙏🏽
Stand Up and Be Strong originally by the band " Soul Asylum" their version is more of a rock song. Prince once again covered a song and made it his own. His version is a beautiful ballad/duet. The lyrics, makes me wonder the reason why he chose to cover it.🤔 Talks about struggles " If you live in the hills and taking too many pills if you lost the thrill against your own will" You might have to fight, you might have to cry fight to stay strong.
'If you get all depressed when you get undressed, if your a mess 'Stand up and be strong. Love his soulful interpretation.
The delivery was definitely on point
@@PrincesFriend Evidently Michael Bland Prince's drummer NPG is the drummer for "Soul Asylum" since 2004 and still tours with them today. Now i see why Prince would have wanted to covered 1 of their songs.
Oh that’s cool
Even being a cover, I really think Prince made the right decision, I mean, he needed a motivational song and, considering the harsh times we've been experiencing since the pandemic's beginning, this song is a kind of "Hold On" hymn we all were needing !
@@vivigarotoesperto1855 Yes it's definitely encouraging, so happy that he recorded it.
I love the album and I play it constantly because of the messages and the musicianship. My favorite song on the album is 1000 Years From Here.
💯💜💜
Very awesome 👏 review! And I agree, Welcome 2 America matches as a great podcast theme music imo and it’s one of the best ones, too. Thanks so much for sharing and it’s a like and thumbs up and I’m readying to see pt 2. And I hope you and everyone else have a very happy V-Day!😄👍
Solid review, my friend. Thanks for clarifying the Gates of Henry reference for me, I can't believe that I didn't pick that up. I was racking my brain trying to figure out what Prince meant with that line. Stand up and B Strong would have been a better song if it was actually written by Prince. Musically, you are spot on with your critique, and the beauty about Prince, is that he's that rare bird whose originality overrides every style he incorporates. He can't help being Prince, no matter what he does. It's also a testimony to the Minneapolis sound, and how revolutionary its creator turned out to be. Bring on part 2 as soon as possible...
Freakin loooooove this album!!! Definitely in my Top 10 since it dropped! A first-to-last listen!!! 💜🥳🎶🔥💜
Thanks for the wonderful commentary…I revisited W2A recently and focused on the vinyl. The iTunes and CD versions were good but the project sounds awesome on the 180 gram vinyl. No surface noise etc and the audio has more fullness without all the digital compression.
Vinyl is great like that (I’ve heard 😂)
@@PrincesFriend And it’s important to avoid those cheap toy suitcase turntables!!
Great Channel Prince was a true talent R.I.P
💜🙏🏽
The Legend. He will never be forgotten.
Let’s hope not!
Anyone else get Lovesexy era vibes from 1010 (Rin Tin Tin) or just me? Sort of starts similar to Anna Stesia w/ solo piano. The way Prince’s vocals are layered during “flowing just like water through the sands of time” (his super low register combined with falsetto) reminds me of something from the late 80s but I have no idea what. Regardless, it’s my favorite on the album
Good point! I totally hear the resemblance.
Prince was so freaking ahead of his Time. &. a True Original Master Song Writer. RI.P. THE GREATEST TO EVER DO IT. 1love
Completely agreed
This release is straight up funk, something that's rare these days, also has an protest feel to it too
💯
there is a deeper meaning to Stand Up & B Strong. If you know, you know!
Loved your review! The enthusiasm, insight and knowledge that you share with us are just great. Personnally i love the album...thought it was just ok initially but then it grew on me and now i just love everything about it. Only problem is: it makes me miss Prince even more!
Completely agreed 💜
My favourite songs of Welcome 2 America album are the following ones:
1- Welcome 2 America ( the title track is an outstanding gem with a deep and important message for America);
2 - 1000 Light Years Away From Here ( It is a classic example of what kind of music Prince used to do due to its lyrics and melody; it is perfectly executed);
3 - Stand Up and B Strong ( for me, it is the motivational song Prince needed and I was facing some difficulties when it was released, so I really found some comfort in the lyrics and in the melody of this song);
4- 1010 (RinTinTin) : It gave me vibes of 3 Chains Of Gold, which is a song that I am very fond of !
5- Hot Summer/Yes ! (These two songs are quite funny and I wish they were performed live).
Hot Summer is the perfect example of what Prince meant by wanting his albums to be heard in full and in context. As a single without an anchor, the song was good. In context of this album, it’s great. 💜
exactly!
Great Review!!! Welcome 2 America is in my Top 10 Prince albums too. My favourite songs are When She Comes, 1010 (Rin Tin Tin) & Stand Up and B Strong. O(+>
Great choices!
Love WHEN SHE COMES ....too sexy
Your Cornel West impression had me hollering! Then I couldn't stop laughing because I imagined Prince hearing him say that and being like, "The fuh?!" Then going to Studio A at 4 in the morning to lay down a basic track while mumbling under his breath, "I got somethin' for his ass." 😭 Love this album--the last three tracks especially.
Hehehehe! Thank thank you! I love doing bad impressions 😂 and yeah, I think the album ends strongly when you combine the last three songs. I could see that. 😉💜
Interesting how Cornel West compared Prince to Curtis Mayfield.Crazy both guys died real young at the age of 57.
Glad you are back.
Thank you! 💜
As a Prince Friend 4ever, I was glad to see an Album and not remasters of stuff I already have. The music is very tight and awesome as usual. Thanks for explaining the line "All the Gates of Henry" in the song Running Game. I was so confused as to why he made that statement in my favorite song. But I also heard the Podcast about Welcome 2 America and hearing this made listening to it again even greater. I had read one person who reviewed the album say that this was really Prince's background singers album and not his because he let them sing almost all the songs. Not true! He loved great talent and didn't mind sharing the mic. You can see this on the Live DVD. But so glad you're back to review the album and other things about Prince.
I have to give Devin credit for pointing out the Henry Gates line. It blew my mind as well.
This is like how I approached it. Originally cared little for it, but its really grown on me, very funky and message filled album. Its a lot better than 20Ten. I even bought the Deluxe after getting just the CD. Born 2 Die, W2A, Hot Summer, 1000 light years, SPDB and when she comes are pure gold. This is a great album, why Prince sat on it is beyond me. I love seeing you do what you do best again - showing enthusiasm and joy over great Prince music.
For me, later Prince is MY Prince so I also think my pallet was just SO ready for something not from the 80s 😂
@@PrincesFriend I agree, not so crazy about 2000s Prince, but love 2010s Prince! This and the last 4 albums were all good and Phase 2 and AOA are up there with some of his best 80s and 90s stuff (Come, TGE).
@@Moneytane1976 I do talk about my speculations on why he might have not released in his video and the next. Cause it’s a big question
Great video! Do you think there will ever be Deluxe releases of Dirty Mind, Controversy, Around the World in a Day or Parade?
Parade is the one rumored. Only time will tell though.
This album is not the one I can just ride and jam, but it's Prince and I love everything he's ever done. The lyrics of the state of America and it's history are brilliant as always. It's going to take more listening to for me to hear what you hear, but all in all I love the album. So glad to finally get your review and looking forward to the 2nd video. 💜💜💜
I hope I explain what I hear good enough for everyone to come along for the ride.
You did great Eloy. I'm looking forward to delving deeper into the album.
Don't forget Stand Up And B Strong was written by Dave Pinner of Soul Asylum. So this song is a cover song. Which might explain the simple lyrics. But Prince unwrap the song, put it in a frying pan and fried up some soul. Very tasty. Lol
Oh yeah! Makes my criticism of “lyrics too simple but the delivery is wonderful” make a lot more sense 😂
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this album. I do love it myself as well and my favorites are Check The Record, When She Comes, 10 10 (Rin Tin Tin). Hoping for another great Prince release sometime this year (I hope).
So good! And yeah, I'm hoping too!
… also, so great to have I back doing these reviews 💜
Same here!
Always loving the shirts man.
🙏🏽💜
Can't wait for you to dive into the messages. To my ears this album is full of messages and awareness
💜💜
Loved! Many smiles from PF in this one also :)
I tickle myself sometimes. Good to know others enjoy it too 😂
I love your videos and your thoughts when it comes to Prince and his music. Also, love the shirt...where did you get it?
This is an old one. I have no clue where to get one anymore 😂 thanks for watching!
Great review. Check The Record was instantly my favourite. I do love the whole album too. Son Of A Slavemaster is probably my favourite now.
Welcome 2 America is definitely a package deal album. It's an all or nothing piece of art. I believe Prince intended for it to work that way as well. You have to embrace the album as a whole, to truly get the full impact of its musical magic. Hits or singles, need not apply...
100%
love the video 💜
Thanks much! 💜
Great review. Personally, i kinda like the album and my favorite is definitely Born 2 die. But, i don't know, i didnt enjoy the protest concept of the album. Usually Prince could have 1 or 2 great songs about a social problem in a album, and those songs could work great alongside the rest of the album. Is a great album and it make sense to the Prince State to give the green light to release an album like that with all those things happening in USA that brought that fire of protesting again. (i don't live in the USA, so maybe the concept is not as important to me because i dont experience all of those things personally).
it might be that, yeah. but there is such a thing as a concept album, one that tells one cohesive story, and this is one of those. Even the songs that don't sound like it, are part of the larger narrative of fighting for equality. 💜
I am a new Prince fan,can you please post a video for advice on being a new Prince fan
possibly... what kind of advice would you be looking for in this type of video?
@@PrincesFriend must listen to songs or albums,or I would love a memorobillia video,the best Prince memorabilia to collect,thank you
Great video my man
Glad you enjoyed! Thank you!
I actually liken Check the Record to If I Was the Man In Your Life, the song after The Marrying Kind, on Musicology.
But In this song he’s talking to the man not the woman. That changes the dynamics entirely. But I do love that song too 😂
haven't watched a video in awhile but cool background dude. i like the paint job is that the color from the 1999 album? lol
I think that’s a darker purple but obviously it HAD to be purple right? 😂
@@PrincesFriend kinda looks like the shade he used for the "prince 1999" lettering on the album. That's besides the point COOL set dude haha
@@PrincesFriend have you reviewed NEWS yet?
haven't gotten there yet, no
1 day we'll all b free!! Hopping that from Spain!!
Such a good song
@@PrincesFriend Such a good one!!!!
Awesome as always bro
Enjoy! 💜💜
@@PrincesFriend 🙏
WOW I'm surprised you found a Prince you don't care for.I always felt that way about Adore song good track don't get me wrong. But Prince just goes on and on it's like a good song don't oversaturated it.
ADORE is one of my most favorite Prince track
@@Tzipporah36 of course it's a good song I was just saying that Prince just goes on and on just let the song play for itself.
Great album. I like the R&B vibe.
The truncated horn at the end of Same Page, Different Book is totally a throwback to Race off the Come album... the title track meanwhile reminds me a lot of 2045: Radical Man (but better). The album disappointed me a little but then you have to take into account that some of the material was undeveloped/unfinished anyway... I think 1000 Light Years Sway and Strand Up and B Strong definitely could have been fleshed out and improved but I'm glad the album got released. I think the first three tracks are the strongest on the album.
I disagree with this album being unfinished. It is absolutely a complete album in my eyes/ears
@@PrincesFriend I agree.
I’ve listened to In My Head more than this album so far. But now I need to take a hood listen. So far I think it’s a great one. Listened to podcast
there's so much amazing stuff in Welcome 2 America, but thank you for the nod to my album as well. It really does mean a TON!
Last Poets meet Prince. Lovely
Ur shirts r amazing, where can I buy them
This one I got off Ebay years ago. Haven't been able to find another one.
Luv it. I will scour the internet. 💜
I loved this album! It’s well into February now and I still listen to the full album and haven’t gotten tired of it yet! I kinda think it was the 2010 updated version of SOTT. Blasphemy I know! One quick note Stand Up and B Strong was a Soul Asylum cover so that may explain why the lyrics weren’t as creative. Awesome video! Can’t wait for part 2!
Yup! Another comment pointed out the cover and it makes it make WAY more sense to me. Good song, good message, but we can’t lay the bad lyrics on Prince 😂
So glad you’re enjoying give music and my review!
I enjoy the whole album immensely though my favorite is Born 2 die it's a bit of a marriage of Prince and Curtis. Rest in peace to both of them and happy black history month 🖤🕯️✌️
Perfect month for this review, for sure!
Stand and be strong is a remake so those are not Prince lyrics.
that makes SO much sense now! essentially, he executed it perfectly but the song wasn't that great. 🤣
I like the music but then I really listened to the lyrics...1010 (Rin Tin Tin)...the sons of God and daughters of men verse is deeeeeep!
That’s part 2 of my review! 💜
You're headed on a long trip, and for some reason, you can just take or stream 5 Prince albums. (Let's exclude live albums and mega-collections with more than 2 discs to keep it simple.) You glance at your collection and see, Dirty Mind, Purple Rain, 1999, SOTT, The Gold Experience, Parade, and Welcome 2 America. 'Welcome...' is a nice album, but keeping in mind recency bias, I'm not sure that the new release makes the trip.
For me it definitely does, especially from the list you provided. 80s Prince isn’t my Prince. 💜
@@PrincesFriend To each his own. For what it's worth, I do see the point about about the topical lyrics and I believe that late phase Prince is a much stronger writer than early phase Prince. But the musical signatures and song structures marked by the production or post-production of Welton, Hayes, etc. (and much of the other late phase releases) do not have the hallmarks of musical innovation that have defined what's largely considered PRN's best work. I do enjoy Prince releases later than 2000 and would agree that he's even released some minor classics during that period. But if we're talkin' about a "...maybe Top 5 album.." from one from one of the greatest to ever do it, then songs like Hot Summer, Stand Up and B Strong, One Day..., etc. pale in comparison to almost any of his 80's - 90's B-side releases, let alone his major musical statements.
Pales how? Prince has some amazing softer songs, some great rock songs, lots of funk. It comes in many flavors. He maybe had more “hits” in the 80s/90s but popularity or being epic doesn’t make a song better. The song writing on this album is amazing, and as much as you may think recency plays a part in that it’s also likely that nostalgia and familiarity are playing a part on your end as well. No shame in it. We like what we like, but attempting to make a value statement on the music without recognizing one’s own biases seems like a bad idea. On my road trip, W2A is a welcome addition. 💜
@@PrincesFriend It pales by an over reliance on familiar playbooks versus drawing up new plays. You mention that recency doesn't color your view of the new stuff, so I'll add that nostalgia doesn't really impact my view of the current release. I already mentioned The Gold Experience, and there are other examples, of Prince music well past his commercial peak that is more vital and takes more musical risks than what's offered on W2A. (I'm not knocking W2A as a solid album with some interesting moments, I'm just knocking it out of any reasonable banter about a Top 5 release considering his whole discography.) As far as I can tell, long-time Prince fans could care less about the hits...some of the most beloved songs like Joy in Repetition, Anna Stesia, etc. were either not released as singles or did minimal damage in the charts - but they're songs that reflect his artistic stride and have earned the endearment of his fans. Again, nothing to do with sales. The fact that his most monumental contributions to music happened in a past era is not nostalgia - check the record, it's just the timing of his creative trajectory. Nothing more, nothing less.
I feel like too much importance is placed on "what everyone else thinks" or "monumental contributions". Good music is good music. My criteria might include "do I like the album", "does it make me feel something", "are the songs well done", "are the themes/messages told well" etc. It sounds like you need world-changing albums in your Top 5, and that's fair, we all have different reasons. So, I could check the record, or I could use my own ears and form my own opinions about the music I would put in a Top 5.
Note that I said "might" for the Top 5 anyway, which should tell you that I'm not 100% on that decision right now. I'd have to really go through what my current rankings would actually look like, which isn't something I do usually, to determine where it might be placed in the end, but I'd still say it's a strong contender.
Also, I find it funny, that this all started with a question about a road trip! 😂 Have a great week! Thank you for watching and engaging!
Def sons Curtis Mayfield I can’t wait for part 2
Probably next week. Editing takes too long 😂
Awesome stuff mate. O{+>
💜
In my opinion, this album is as uninteresting as the 2010 album. I’ve listened to it once and have no desire to revisit it. I’m glad others are enjoying it.
Lastly, there are a lot of things that I’m not feeling about the album but there’s a line in the title track that turns me off completely, “There is no arguing with the book”.
Oh! You need to dig deeper on that line. You hearing “there is no arguing with the book” but not listening to what’s happening around it. I break it down in part 2 specifically.
@@PrincesFriend I’ll try to listen to it again, but for the record, that one line wasn’t the deal breaker… I get the messages he was sharing, but I am not feeling the album musically either. It’ll end up on the my shelf with 2010 and Planet Earth
stick with me, cause a lot of that stuff has meaning beyond the words (as I see it)
It's no Rainbow Children but it's alright
I’d say it’s about equal. When prince went for a concept album, there are no holds barred 💜
isn’t stand up and B strong a cover?
It is!
We need to have a discussion about the negativity in Prince's music. I believe after the tragic loss of his child and subsequent divorce, there was a subtle shift. He's known for "love for one another," but half the body of his work tells a different story.
Go on…
@@PrincesFriend I don't understand if I'm to take this as "continue" or "get outta here." I'm not trolling, just for record. I really do mean what I'm saying.
Please continue. You brought up an interesting topic, but I’d like to hear more of your angle and thoughts.
@@PrincesFriend I'll send a DM on IG. This warrants some meaningful thought and depth
Okay
🔥🔥🔥
Hope you enjoy!
I feel like this is a very superficial analysis of this album and you need to dig a little deeper. Prince understood the human collective consciousness and was truly awake to what is going on in the world. This album is prophetic and very deep.
This is part 1 and JUST about the music. Did you watch part 2?
Hey man. I unfortunately haven't been around for a while, but truly miss your station. I hope that all is well. As for this album... I got the box set and had a feeling of how this album would be before it came out, and it disappointed me like I thought it would. I'm sorry, but I just don't think that it was his most creative in any way shape or form. I know that I will be roasted for this as I know that it is not pop in any way, but overall I was left with a feeling of "meh". There were a few highlights (1000 Light Years & One Day We Will All Be Free), but not enough. I think that you hit it on the head when you separate music and message. I thought that as great as message was, the music went the other way. I love to hear various opinions like yours, but I disappointingly think that this album was boring. Great channel, and I promise to play catch up! :)
i don't think anyone is going to roast you. We all think differently, and I understand your reasons as well. but hopefully, my thoughts maybe made you listen again, whether it changed your mind or not. :)
@@PrincesFriend You know that it will Brother and tonight when I take my daughter to swim practice, I will try and give it another shot! :)
Wow. I'm actually surprised you rated this album as highly as you did, Eloy. As a lifelong Prince enthusiast, this was my least favorite album by quite a fair margin. Of course, it's Prince, so I found things I liked, but if I am comparing this to the other albums in his catalogue, it's at or near the bottom of my personal list. Full disclosure: I have and have listened to every Prince album ever released, so my sample size is inclusive of his life's work. But hey, in the end, music is subjective and one person's favorite can be another's most disliked. I'm happy for anyone who loves this album, even if I don't fall into that camp myself.
My sample size matches yours, but we all have different ears. 💜
I disagree with you, but as you say, music is subjective. What one person loves another might not. To me this is Prince’s What’s Going On album. It’s his first album to have a complete theme since Art Official Age. The musicianship is incredible and the message is on point. In my opinion this is definitely one of his better albums. If I’m ranking, I’d probably place it somewhere between #7 and #12, which is pretty good for someone with 40 studio albums.
"this was my least favorite album by quite a fair margin" . I couldn't agree more. I thought that it was so bland overall. I feel like it was tight for a concept album, but that was all. Again, some moments that I like, but overall I wasn't inspired. I have only listened to it front to back once...which was more than enough. But that's what makes us all unique! Still love him though and will by any and everything he made.
This to me tries to pay homage in one way or another to artist in the past while at the same time delivering messages. The first track is is similar to parliament/ funkadelic P-funk, born to die as you mention Curtis Mayfield, check the record Jimmy Hendrix type feel to it etc……
none of this album feels like Jimi to me, but yeah, paying homage but looking forward for sure!
@@PrincesFriend check out purple Haze I’m not saying it’s the same but it’s a similar type feel once you get to the riffs.
Heard purple haze many many time 😂
@@PrincesFriend I guess I have sensitive ears and lots of Prince’s work I hear past artist songs influence. If you go to Steely Dan Pretzel Logic album there is a song called Rikki don’t lose my number it has very similar arrangements to The love we make off of Emancipation.
U really need 2 quit doing Prince album reviews, u reasoning behind each song is so ridiculous and doesn't make any sents
😂 that was a good one!
@@PrincesFriend I'm joking (🤣🤣🤣) I look 4ward 2 your reviews of his albums
I have no idea how I knew, but I had a feeling 😂
I'm not a fan of this album......a bit 2 downbeat 4 me.
There’s a reason for that. 💜