Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Batman Review!
Hi Everyone,
It is time to go back to 1989 and check out our Batman Review. In light of the 20th Anniversary of the Batman album in 2009, we tackle this very interesting project!
Enjoy the show and then ask yourself - have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?
Listen Now:
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FINALLY !!!!!
;)
Kara said this on August 23rd, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Another great episode. It was nice to hear you guys tackle something from Prince’s prime. I think the guitar solo in “Batdance” is/was highly praised because there are not a ton of examples of Prince playing like that on album. As far as a b-sides episode I am all for it but maybe it would make more sense to discuss the b-sides with the album that they came from, especially with the material from the ’80s.
For what it’s worth “The Arms Of Orion” is probably Prince’s absolute worst song!
Have you guys considered getting your own forum somewhere? It would be great if there was somewhere we could post our thoughts on the episodes and hear your reactions.
Blair said this on August 24th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Another great show.
I’m a big fan of this album and all the b-sides and extended versions that came with it. The only weak song on it is Arms of Orion. I was ready for you to trash Lemon Crush but I love that song.
And you guys were so right about Scandalous. I’ve also always wished prince would have released Rave in 1989 as mentioned.
thanks for another great listen
romeoblu said this on August 25th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Great review again fellas. I was (and am) a big Batman fan so I was doubly into this movie when I heard Prince was doing the soundtrack (was it really 20 years ago?!). At the time, it sounded quite ‘plastic’ compared to the complexity of Lovesexy and SOTT but it has grown on me somewhat over the years. I definitely agree about Scandalous - all time classic Prince track. Electric Chair is a real rocker too, pity the guitar wasn’t more to the fore. I like the bleakness of The Future, fits in well with the way Prince weaved themes such as duality and dystopia into the album. Partyman, as you say, is a classioc funk/pop jam. He obviously sees it as a good song as he has played it over the years. Would have been a 8.5 or 9 out of 10 if Dance With the Devil, 200 Balloons and Feel U Up were on the album itself. MC…4 out of 10??! Just watched the SNL Electric Chair performance, very cool. Not sure who was in the band for that one..anyone know? Arms of Orion…ouch. I would put that in my all time 3 worst Prince tracks. Overall, I think that Batman did signal a change of direction as he seemed to move away form the more organic, complex sounds of the previous few years to a much more polished, electronic sound in the last 80s/early 90s and I think that Batman was the start of that in many respcts. How about a show focusing on bets unreleased tracks? Or best lesser known released tracks that don’t get much coverage? Cheers fellas!
Wayne said this on August 25th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Nice Podcast!
Batman was not about music, it was about $$$! A big sellout!
Unfortunately his genius never really came back since then.
Many greetings
Samson said this on August 28th, 2009 at 3:30 am
Cool podcast guys. I agree ‘Scandalous’ is the best song on the album. Especially love the creepy synth strings towards the end. Trouble with this album is that the bad stuff is just too boring. Great start, so-so middle, great end. Guess it’s just an ‘uneven’ album. I tend to see this as a ‘film album’ more than a ‘Prince album’. The film samples get in the way now.
Agree that the videos from this album are among his best. You’ve gotta get the Japanese ‘The Scandaous Sex Suite’ EP for the video mix of ‘Partyman’ alone! Surprised you didn’t mention the b-side ‘Sex’ no-one ever seems to mention this track.
Overall, I feel Prince left the 80’s with a bang commercially, but more of a pop musically. Score 6/10
Richard Littler said this on August 28th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Wayne, the band in the SNL “Electric Chair” performance is:
Levi Seacer, Jr.-bass Miko Weaver-guitar Michael Bland-drums Matt Fink-keyboards Patrice Rushen-keyboards Candy Dulfer-saxophone Margie Cox-vocals and tambourine
Blair said this on August 29th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Thanks for the info Blair! An interesting line up. I always liked the Margie Cox track ‘Standing at the Altar’, one of P’s strong pop/rock tracks.
Wayne said this on September 5th, 2009 at 10:38 am
First podcast I heard of you guys: very interesting listen. Just a comment about the song Batdance: it feels to me like Prince just found out about sampling, got very excited and tried all possible tricks in one song. Much like a kid playing with a new toy. Indeed before this song I cannot recall much sampling going on in previous Prince songs… About the album itself I would give it a 6 as well. I do still listen to The Future, Vicky Waiting and Scandalous. The rest of it has aged pretty badly. Cheers!
sebinja said this on September 20th, 2009 at 8:14 am