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Thread started 12/26/04 3:12pm

PurpleKnight

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Battle of the Ultimate Prince Albums-Purple Rain vs. Sign 'O' The Times

There seem to generally be two groups of Prince fans divided on this. There's the fans who miss the "old Prince" from Purple Rain, who think it's his best album and he never matched it. Then, there are the fans who think SOTT was actually his magnum opus; the definitive peak of his wonderous 80's run.

Which is better and why?

[Edited 12/26/04 15:13pm]
The world is a comedy for those who think and a tragedy for those who feel.

"You still wanna take me to prison...just because I won't trade humanity for patriotism."
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Reply #1 posted 12/26/04 3:30pm

NouveauDance

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For me it's all about Controversy and 1999 cool
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Reply #2 posted 12/26/04 3:36pm

PurpleKnight

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Controversy over Purple Rain and SOTT? Wow, that's something you don't hear every day.

This one's pretty tough.

I feel like he reached his prime as a lyricist on SOTT. His intriguing storytelling in TBODP, the captivating social awareness of SOTT, the brilliant impossible love of ICNTTPOYM, the heart stopping romance of Adore, the ingenius ambiguity and depth of IIWYG, etc.

Musically though, I don't think he ever topped Purple Rain. He just was so inspired and ambitious on this album; there's never been anything like it since. That whole fusion of pure rock/pop/r&b that he utterly perfected here was so ahead of its time it's ridiculous.

I have to say Purple Rain in the end. He was just in this zone with songs like TBO and Purple Rain that I don't think ever could've been repeated.

[Edited 12/26/04 15:38pm]
The world is a comedy for those who think and a tragedy for those who feel.

"You still wanna take me to prison...just because I won't trade humanity for patriotism."
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Reply #3 posted 12/26/04 4:08pm

rudeboynpg

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Purple Rain kicks Sign O' The Times ass!
Goodnight, sweet Prince.
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Reply #4 posted 12/26/04 4:09pm

PurpleKnight

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rudeboynpg said:

Purple Rain kicks Sign O' The Times ass!


nod You can't beat Purple Rain's guitar
The world is a comedy for those who think and a tragedy for those who feel.

"You still wanna take me to prison...just because I won't trade humanity for patriotism."
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Reply #5 posted 12/26/04 4:23pm

Lodger

PurpleKnight said:

There seem to generally be two groups of Prince fans divided on this. There's the fans who miss the "old Prince" from Purple Rain, who think it's his best album and he never matched it. Then, there are the fans who think SOTT was actually his magnum opus; the definitive peak of his wonderous 80's run.

Which is better and why?

[Edited 12/26/04 15:13pm]


Hey, I'm in the 3rd group! I think Parade is his greatest! wink

(But if i can choose from the 2 of them above then I say Sign O' The Times of course...) cool
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Reply #6 posted 12/26/04 4:55pm

rudeboynpg

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Lodger said:

PurpleKnight said:

There seem to generally be two groups of Prince fans divided on this. There's the fans who miss the "old Prince" from Purple Rain, who think it's his best album and he never matched it. Then, there are the fans who think SOTT was actually his magnum opus; the definitive peak of his wonderous 80's run.

Which is better and why?

[Edited 12/26/04 15:13pm]


Hey, I'm in the 3rd group! I think Parade is his greatest! wink

(But if i can choose from the 2 of them above then I say Sign O' The Times of course...) cool

Prince said "Parade was a disaster. Apart from 'Kiss' there's nothing on it I'm particulary proud of. The temptation is to go right back into the studio and make a killer album but I think half the problem with Parade is that I didnt have enough good material ready. That will never happen again."
Goodnight, sweet Prince.
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Reply #7 posted 12/26/04 5:02pm

Jasper

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I'm with group nr. 2....I think Sign of the Times is beter than Purple Rain. SotT has more variety; there's rock, funk, pop, jazz (sort of), beautiful balads, and is a dubble album. He was at his peak of his talent at that moment.

If you only look at the concert what kind of show it was...Than you realise that nothing can top that... eek
--------------------------------------------------
Her face was my favourite magazine
Her body was my favourite book to read
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Reply #8 posted 12/26/04 5:02pm

iwannabeurlove
r

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Purple Rain...then 1999
"There's only three things for sure in life. We're all born, we all die, and Prince will make another record on of these days." - Alan Leeds
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Reply #9 posted 12/26/04 5:06pm

nayroo2002

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PurpleKnight said:

rudeboynpg said:

Purple Rain kicks Sign O' The Times ass!


nod You can't beat Purple Rain's guitar


In the midst (or, rather, beforehand), "I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man" had a wonderous guitar duo toward the end.

Then, again, "Computer Blue" also had something great to offer, although, never shown to the public. (DAMNIT!!!)
"Whatever skin we're in
we all need 2 b friends"
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Reply #10 posted 12/26/04 5:41pm

SexualSuicide

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I feel SOTT is better than PR, but nothing will ever top "When doves cry".
"The little 1 will escort u 2 the places within ur mind"
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Reply #11 posted 12/26/04 7:28pm

thecableguy

Commerically - Purple Rain
Artistically - Sign of the Times.

Pick an album that best sets your mood!!!!

They both kick ass!! Period amen.
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Reply #12 posted 12/26/04 7:29pm

AsianBomb777

SOTT is a better album, but I prefer Purple Rain--its faster, quicker, and makes my balls bounce more.
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Reply #13 posted 12/26/04 7:34pm

PurpleKnight

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I'm still waiting for the ppl who miss the old Prince of Purple Rain to come in here; the ones who think he fucked up by exploring psychadelic pop afterwards.
The world is a comedy for those who think and a tragedy for those who feel.

"You still wanna take me to prison...just because I won't trade humanity for patriotism."
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Reply #14 posted 12/26/04 7:43pm

Spookymuffin

thecableguy said:

Commerically - Purple Rain
Artistically - Sign of the Times.

Pick an album that best sets your mood!!!!

They both kick ass!! Period amen.



nod

SOTT has a song with no chorus, a song with a reversed drum as the beat. SOTT is creative, PR is commercial.

I don't see the comparison, let alone thing that they can be compared.

The Ultimate battle should be between either 2 of Prince's most creative and artistic albums, or between 2 of Prince's most commercial albums, not one of each - that can't be compared because you go into the territory of skillfull musicianship defining better in order to resolve a battle without using opinion which would lead to nowhere.

geek
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Reply #15 posted 12/26/04 7:45pm

AsianBomb777

Spookymuffin said:

thecableguy said:

Commerically - Purple Rain
Artistically - Sign of the Times.

Pick an album that best sets your mood!!!!

They both kick ass!! Period amen.



nod

SOTT has a song with no chorus, a song with a reversed drum as the beat. SOTT is creative, PR is commercial.

I don't see the comparison, let alone thing that they can be compared.

The Ultimate battle should be between either 2 of Prince's most creative and artistic albums, or between 2 of Prince's most commercial albums, not one of each - that can't be compared because you go into the territory of skillfull musicianship defining better in order to resolve a battle without using opinion which would lead to nowhere.

geek



SOTT and Batman?
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Reply #16 posted 12/26/04 7:48pm

thecableguy

Spookymuffin said:

thecableguy said:

Commerically - Purple Rain
Artistically - Sign of the Times.

Pick an album that best sets your mood!!!!

They both kick ass!! Period amen.



nod

SOTT has a song with no chorus, a song with a reversed drum as the beat. SOTT is creative, PR is commercial.

I don't see the comparison, let alone thing that they can be compared.

The Ultimate battle should be between either 2 of Prince's most creative and artistic albums, or between 2 of Prince's most commercial albums, not one of each - that can't be compared because you go into the territory of skillfull musicianship defining better in order to resolve a battle without using opinion which would lead to nowhere.

geek

clapping
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Reply #17 posted 12/26/04 7:55pm

PurpleKnight

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Spookymuffin said:

thecableguy said:

Commerically - Purple Rain
Artistically - Sign of the Times.

Pick an album that best sets your mood!!!!

They both kick ass!! Period amen.



nod

SOTT has a song with no chorus, a song with a reversed drum as the beat. SOTT is creative, PR is commercial.

I don't see the comparison, let alone thing that they can be compared.

The Ultimate battle should be between either 2 of Prince's most creative and artistic albums, or between 2 of Prince's most commercial albums, not one of each - that can't be compared because you go into the territory of skillfull musicianship defining better in order to resolve a battle without using opinion which would lead to nowhere.

geek


I chose these two because they're the two albums that get picked most often as his absolute best.

Don't really see how you can just pass PR off as merely commercial. I mean, When Doves Cry was a single with no bassline and no emoting in the chorus. How is that not totally creative?
The world is a comedy for those who think and a tragedy for those who feel.

"You still wanna take me to prison...just because I won't trade humanity for patriotism."
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Reply #18 posted 12/26/04 8:11pm

thecableguy

PurpleKnight said:

Spookymuffin said:




nod

SOTT has a song with no chorus, a song with a reversed drum as the beat. SOTT is creative, PR is commercial.

I don't see the comparison, let alone thing that they can be compared.

The Ultimate battle should be between either 2 of Prince's most creative and artistic albums, or between 2 of Prince's most commercial albums, not one of each - that can't be compared because you go into the territory of skillfull musicianship defining better in order to resolve a battle without using opinion which would lead to nowhere.

geek


I chose these two because they're the two albums that get picked most often as his absolute best.

Don't really see how you can just pass PR off as merely commercial. I mean, When Doves Cry was a single with no bassline and no emoting in the chorus. How is that not totally creative?


PR has it's creative moments, but when it sells over 10 million albums the public does not buy it for it's creativity, more likely for the commerical appeal, like take me with u, i would die 4 u, PR.

SOTT has more diveristy with differnt styles of music he chose from.
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Reply #19 posted 12/26/04 8:40pm

funkpill

SexualSuicide said:

I feel SOTT is better than PR, but nothing will ever top "When doves cry".

Agree....."When Doves Cry" is his masterpiece.....
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Reply #20 posted 12/26/04 10:30pm

TonyVanDam

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Sign "O" The Times is my all time favorite Prince album! biggrin

Purple Rain is #2! cool

See, that was easy. wink
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Reply #21 posted 12/27/04 2:03am

Lodger

rudeboynpg said:

Lodger said:



Hey, I'm in the 3rd group! I think Parade is his greatest! wink

(But if i can choose from the 2 of them above then I say Sign O' The Times of course...) cool

Prince said "Parade was a disaster. Apart from 'Kiss' there's nothing on it I'm particulary proud of. The temptation is to go right back into the studio and make a killer album but I think half the problem with Parade is that I didnt have enough good material ready. That will never happen again."


falloff

I read that too...

Emancipation took a year to finish, so is that one better?

I'm sure he likes Parade right now, then why does he play "Sometimes" and "Mountains" live?
I think he was just disappointed about the reactions and he tried to explain why the album is so odd... cool
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Reply #22 posted 12/27/04 6:40am

vainandy

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I definately prefer the "old Prince". I consider "Purple Rain" as Prince's last "great" album, everything else that followed was only "good". "Purple Rain" is not my favorite though. It sounds like a weaker version of "1999".

I have been a Prince fan all the way back to his second album "Prince", but my favorite album is "1999". Then I prefer "Dirty Mind" and "Controversy", THEN I prefer "Purple Rain". After that would be "Prince" and after that would be "For You". Then I start with the later stuff.
Andy is a four letter word.
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Reply #23 posted 12/27/04 3:23pm

jacktheimprovi
dent

Purple Rain is song for song the better album. The production is way better and each of the songs is among the best he's ever done. SOTT however has much more variety and quantity of material, so for me it's a draw.

Now, there are those who are of the persuasion that the full three discs of Crystal Ball would have been by far and away his true masterpiece. I somewhat agree and somewhat disagree. i think he recorded a lot of great stuff in the evolution from dream factory to camille to crystal ball, but I think the songs that eventually became sign o the times were the at the core of most of the configuations, and a lot of the major crystal ball outtakes are songs that only prince fans would think are great (crystal ball, shockadelica, good love, rebirth of the flesh).
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