So after listening to Prince's new album, I was a little taken back by the elements added to some of his songs. Yes he still has the funk guitar sound that we all know and love, but some added elements to his songs weren't so pleasing to the ear. The sounds you hear from Daft Punk or EDM in general were disappointing. I understand you have to keep up with the times, but using these novelty sounds or reaching for elements that are in trend right now in music seem disheartening. What happened to keeping with the sound that made you who you are? Isn't that what your fans truly want? Do many artists nowadays feel they need to reach that younger audience to stay relevant? Over the years I've seen many legendary acts dabble in duos with the latest popular artist. Like Madonna working with Miley Cyrus ( I gasp even typing her name), Tony Bennett working with Lady GaGa, and Jay-Z mixing things up with Led Zeppelin. So does staying to your true sound mean dwindling record sales or does it mean standing by your brand for sheer principal? Or is this just how musicians evolve? Always trying new things; new sounds? I have nothing against trying a new direction or evolving your sound, but I think adding EDM elements or adding the latest chart topping artist is a reach for relevance in a certain light. I crave the old Prince sound that just blew you away with his funky guitar playing and simple song elements. I know I can only dream to have the 80's back, but can we get back to the 'Keep It Simple Stupid' motto? Nothing wrong with experimenting, but when I cringe cos you used an air horn sound effect that DJ's use or that you hear in European football than you have lost focus. You are Prince, you don't have to add these unneeded novelties to be relevant. They add no substance to the song. In my opinion, a few artists who have been on the music scene for awhile that have stayed true to their sound are Radiohead, Morrissey, and Depeche Mode. What do you think?
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Prince has reinvented both his look and music several times. Even comparing 1999 to Parade just four years later it's difficult to figure out how it's mostly the same band. For me, the disappointment is seeing him become a follower instead of a leader. I remember when Purple Rain in particular came out and sounded like nothing we had ever heard before -- taking the odd keyboard tones and unconventional percussion of 1999 to an even weirder (at the time) level. "When Doves Cry" sounded like aliens wrote it when it first came out. Just applying EDM conventions to his music seems beneath the artist who was significant influence on modern-day EDM in the first place. If you're influenced by it, that's fine. But, don't immitate.
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AuthorAngela Marie. I like writing. I like music. I have thoughts falling from my head. Archives
July 2018
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