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Looking at one of Prince's best and most underrated albums... Yes, I'm talking about the very unfairly looked over Around the World in a Day.
It still kind of carries that dark cloud of being the dreaded follow up to Prince's biggest album, but it really is brilliant. I'll admit, upon first listen it's a mess. An incoherent mess. Like the most brilliant abstract paintings though, the more time you invest in it, the more its' once apparent chaos makes perfect sense. All the pieces fall into place despite it appearing to be an aimless misfire at first glance. 1. Around the World in a Day-Great opener, in that you immediately get introduced to the unique new sound he's introducing. Beautifully imaginative, uplifting lyrics. 2. Paisley Park-Pure joy. If I close my eyes during this, I might actually think I'm in the heavenly place Prince is dreaming of in this song. Total happiness, with just a hint of sadness with the touches of reality he adds. 3. Condition of the Heart-Another example of his mastery of the art of the ballad. This one is actually quite unique compared to the rest of his ballads. How many artists would be ballsy enough to have the first part of the song be an instrumental? You can just feel the sadness in this. It's not melodramatic or corny; it's just right. 4. Raspberry Beret-The definition of a fun pop song, complete with Prince's trademark sexuality slipped in. How can you not find this song catchy? 5. Tamborine-It took me a long, long time to "get" this song, but the patience has paid off. Such fierceness in this one, the likes of which I miss in the man's newer output. This song still sounds fresh. 6. America-Solid, enjoyable rocker. Nothing particularly great, but still a quality song. When the weaker songs on an album are in the good range, you're a lucky fan. 7. Pop Life-Another incredible pop song. An amazingly catchy pop song with actual meaning and substance. Those were the days. 8. The Ladder-Powerfully spiritual and one we can all relate to. This single song sums up so many facets of the human experience in this world. 9. Temptation-How can you not wanna rock out to this one? Such a charming, rocking closer in the vein of that classic Prince we all love. A great closer. The conversation with "God" at the end is really corny, but it's actually so bad it's good. Overall, this is simply put, an incredibly inspired, lyrically imaginative and musically vivid album. The album's full of colour and life. Put it in the context of his weaker albums, with their annoying segues or guest singers (Tony M.), it's only that much better. 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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For me
this album just keeps getting better with age. Also I really like P's lyrical style during this period. Definitely one of my favorite albums. | |
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I love the whole album from the very first listening - and I was only 13...  | |
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ATWIAD is arguably Prince's most confounding album in my eyes, and I mean that in the best of ways. It was the second one I bought (after the more mainstream Batman), and years later I still don't quite know what I think of the record.
I love some parts, and some parts just fall flat - But it's a fascinating album, and I love getting lost in it. Pop Life and Paisley Park are simply mindblowing when you're half asleep with the headphones on... | |
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ATWIAD was probably the first experience I'd ever had listening to a new album on the first day of its release...it's probably the first time I'd ever anticipated a new album by an artist I liked.
I think I was lucky, because I was expecting Purple Rain II, and of course the album took us to a whole other level. | |
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Overrated. | |
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Cloudbuster said: Overrated.
Insightful. Care to elaborate???? "New Power slide...." |
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Cloudbuster said: Overrated.
Yeah, we all know... 
Nothing compares to Sgt. Peppers...
 | |
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Cloudbuster said: Overrated.
 | |
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Cloudbuster said: Overrated.
 | |
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Very good post. This album to me is slightly overated, althought it is still very good. It represents the beginning of my favorite period of his music, starting ATWIAD through SOTT, he was amazing though that period of time.(85-87) | |
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I agree with all that you posted with the exception of The Ladder. This song has not held-up well for me. I find it boring for some reason and typically skip it now when I listen to the cd.
Let's not forget the loverly B-sides this album gave us. My favorite is "Hello". | |
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Illustrator said: For me
this album just keeps getting better with age. Also I really like P's lyrical style during this period. Definitely one of my favorite albums. I was 15 but I was hooked from the first time as well. I always kinda tripped out when I realized later on how many fans jumped ship on this album. I never questioned that it wasn't like 1999 or Purple Rain. I just accepted it for what it was and loved it because it was so different. It's weird cuz when I listen to ATWIAD my hunger for Come (the album you perverts!) is stoked and vice versa. 2010: Healing the Wounds of the Past.... http://prince.org/msg/8/325740 | |
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ATWIAD is and will always be my favorite Prince album. I think it is a masterpiece, right up there with "Sign 'O' The Times" and "1999 and "Purple Rain". I also think it was brave for him to release this album after "Purple Rain" that could have been a career killer. [Edited 11/22/05 20:21pm] | |
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When I bought this on cassette, back in 1985 (1st day of release), I didn't have any sort of expectation from the success of PR.
It was a cool album. We listened to it 24/7. None of us were disappointed by it. I don't see why others were. We didn't even see it as that much of a departure from PR. | |
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endorphin74 said: I agree with all that you posted with the exception of The Ladder. This song has not held-up well for me. I find it boring for some reason and typically skip it now when I listen to the cd.
Let's not forget the loverly B-sides this album gave us. My favorite is "Hello". Ha ha, I skipped it, back then... Not a good track at all. | |
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TheMaster said: endorphin74 said: I agree with all that you posted with the exception of The Ladder. This song has not held-up well for me. I find it boring for some reason and typically skip it now when I listen to the cd.
Let's not forget the loverly B-sides this album gave us. My favorite is "Hello". Ha ha, I skipped it, back then... Not a good track at all. She's always in my hair and Hello are great. Girl isn't bad either. Very good point master! | |
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1985 was a very creative & hapenning time 4 Prince. With ATWIAD, The Family, Romance 1600, '4 The Tears In Your Eyes' and various Prince covers. I've been jammin' ever since! |
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PurpleKnight said: Yes, I'm talking about the very unfairly looked over Around the World in a Day.
It still kind of carries that dark cloud of being the dreaded follow up to Prince's biggest album, but it really is brilliant. I'll admit, upon first listen it's a mess. An incoherent mess. Like the most brilliant abstract paintings though, the more time you invest in it, the more its' once apparent chaos makes perfect sense. All the pieces fall into place despite it appearing to be an aimless misfire at first glance. 1. Around the World in a Day-Great opener, in that you immediately get introduced to the unique new sound he's introducing. Beautifully imaginative, uplifting lyrics. 2. Paisley Park-Pure joy. If I close my eyes during this, I might actually think I'm in the heavenly place Prince is dreaming of in this song. Total happiness, with just a hint of sadness with the touches of reality he adds. 3. Condition of the Heart-Another example of his mastery of the art of the ballad. This one is actually quite unique compared to the rest of his ballads. How many artists would be ballsy enough to have the first part of the song be an instrumental? You can just feel the sadness in this. It's not melodramatic or corny; it's just right. 4. Raspberry Beret-The definition of a fun pop song, complete with Prince's trademark sexuality slipped in. How can you not find this song catchy? 5. Tamborine-It took me a long, long time to "get" this song, but the patience has paid off. Such fierceness in this one, the likes of which I miss in the man's newer output. This song still sounds fresh. 6. America-Solid, enjoyable rocker. Nothing particularly great, but still a quality song. When the weaker songs on an album are in the good range, you're a lucky fan. 7. Pop Life-Another incredible pop song. An amazingly catchy pop song with actual meaning and substance. Those were the days. 8. The Ladder-Powerfully spiritual and one we can all relate to. This single song sums up so many facets of the human experience in this world. 9. Temptation-How can you not wanna rock out to this one? Such a charming, rocking closer in the vein of that classic Prince we all love. A great closer. The conversation with "God" at the end is really corny, but it's actually so bad it's good. Overall, this is simply put, an incredibly inspired, lyrically imaginative and musically vivid album. The album's full of colour and life. Put it in the context of his weaker albums, with their annoying segues or guest singers (Tony M.), it's only that much better. Great post. Im gonna listen to this tomorrow and soak up the greatness. (Insert something clever here) | |
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I HAVE ALWAYS ! ALWAYS LOVED this ALBUM..PLAYED to DEATH SINCE it FIRST CAME OUT.... It is SO WONDERFUL! SO UNDERRATED.. He first PREVIEWED RASPBERRY BERET back at NASSAU COLISEUM the last NIGHT and WE DIED...I think even AMERICA. I LOVE THE ALBUM,..,,,INFINITY..... | |
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A tremendous album. Bought it on the day it came out (on cassette - those were the days), played it and really didn't like it - like many others I was expecting more "Purple Rain." Put it away and ignored it for months. One day I picked it up, listened to it while I was doing some work, and it just clicked. My love affair with "ATWIAD" was born.
I just love the sound of it, the way the percussion and bass comes in at the start of the title track, the whole wooziness of "Paisley Park" (still one of my favourite P songs) and, of course, there is the artwork. Sure, I stop it as soon as he gets chatty in "Temptation" but it is a great, great album. |
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Cloudbuster said: Overrated.
how so? i personally think its alright...the singles and condition of the heart are  the rest of the songs are just not to good!!!! | |
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Christopher said: Gay! | |
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Cheek said: Christopher said: Gay! when discussing this album....that is the only way. | |
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Christopher said: Cheek said: Gay! Obviously! | |
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like the album, but Temptation, like the song but could have done without the last minute of the deep God voice its really corny and ruins a good song and a good album | |
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Christopher said: Cloudbuster said: Overrated.
how so? i personally think its alright...the singles and condition of the heart are the rest of the songs are just not to good!!!! Which is why I think it's overrated. Tracks 2,3,4 & 7 = 
The rest =  | |
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skywalker said: Cloudbuster said: Overrated.
Insightful.
Care to elaborate????
It's a hit and miss album. Some of it good, some of it not very good at all. In my opinion. | |
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Cloudbuster said: Christopher said: how so? i personally think its alright...the singles and condition of the heart are the rest of the songs are just not to good!!!! Which is why I think it's overrated. Tracks 2,3,4 & 7 =
The rest = i like how you think. tell me how much do you love new power soul? | |
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Christopher said: i like how you think. tell me how much do you love new power soul?
About as much as I love you. | |
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