One of his best of the last decade, with ONA and Lotusflower.

Very strong musicanship. Good songs, great performace and production. John Blackwell on drums, Prince on guitar. Perfect couple.

Swa said:

Bohemian67 said:

The everlasting now – “The colour you are don’t mean a thing” the lyrics are great, the music just maintains it fusion of funk jazz and the vocals a mix of soul rap. And then that 2.47 double tempo part…so many elements in each song, plus here, the hint to the following track “if you should die before you wake, have u got any last requests to make?” From 4.44 the changed vibe.....I could listen to hours of these kind of unpredictable journeys. This is what music is all about!

Great summary of the album, especially this.

Without doubt one of the highlights of my life was standing right next to the man front of stage when he sang this live in Sydney.

Was always a standout track for me before that night in 2003, now more so.

Thanks. Yours too. What a memorable night for you! You have to work with P&B to get him down to Oz more frequently

Also a great idea to put on this album with the headphones and in the dark.

Bohemian67 said:

Swa said:

Great summary of the album, especially this.

Without doubt one of the highlights of my life was standing right next to the man front of stage when he sang this live in Sydney.

Was always a standout track for me before that night in 2003, now more so.

Thanks. Yours too. What a memorable night for you! You have to work with P&B to get him down to Oz more frequently

Also a great idea to put on this album with the headphones and in the dark.

Yes, very revealing of the attention to detail is a good listen on headphones.

Similarly, if you can get to hear it on a really top flight hi-fi system, you'll just be totally blown away!

Mindflux said:

Yes, very revealing of the attention to detail is a good listen on headphones.

Similarly, if you can get to hear it on a really top flight hi-fi system, you'll just be totally blown away!

It's a shame these days albums are reduced to MP3s and we loose so much top and bottom end.

I still miss the warm sound of vinyl that made you feel engulfed by the songs.

this one grew on me alittle. least i'd call it my least favorite. idk about those reading the bible in a super low slowed down voice crap

Swa said:

Mindflux said:

Yes, very revealing of the attention to detail is a good listen on headphones.

Similarly, if you can get to hear it on a really top flight hi-fi system, you'll just be totally blown away!

It's a shame these days albums are reduced to MP3s and we loose so much top and bottom end.

I still miss the warm sound of vinyl that made you feel engulfed by the songs.

- Agree. I know of 2 people that heard ´Lotus Flow3r´ on vinyl, and that´s an experience I would love to have. I am glad I have both Lotus and TRC on CD. Mp3 are worse.

Hate this album. It's sententious, judgmental, patriarchal, condescending, and overwrought every step of the way. It's pathetic if you have to consciously ignore the lyrics in almost every song just because you like the musical arrangements.

It's really just another way of saying the album is an organic sounding, well played mess.

Everywhere reminded me of a Tevin song on Quincy Jones solo album. It seemed a little too joyous and bright and even ballroom dance-esque. At least that was my initial reaction. And over the years, whilst it hasn’t suddenly leapt to be an all time fave, I have grown to appreciate the rapid structure and energy of the track, and hey, it is fun to drum to.

This song was my favorite from the start

Actually on an album like this (religious) this fits perfectly, because in the story of sin & salvation hope of heaven paradise always has to shine brighter than the other songs

Hell no. Well produced and performed but the songs are tuneless and the lyrics are trash. Ill-minded guff at best.

Now, you've got my full attention. Here I am thinking it is a benefit for the children whose family members are LBGT community and all the time it was a album.

Okay, now I've got to hear it.

Next time I promise, I won't assume anything

you know the meaning.

ass/u/me

an ass out of you and me

As others have mentioned; musically it's great, lyrically it's suspect. And I DETEST the slowed down preachy vocal parts, but I edited those out and made a version I enjoy more years ago. As a whole, I still think it's a goal achieved and a great work of art. It's just a work of art that a lot of people disagree about. Not that uncommon, really.

Prince goes to the Tower, featuring Darth Vader (special guest), some bad pseudo-New Age tracks here and there, a couple of cool jazz/old-school funk jams (The Work, 1+1+1), Everlasting Now is epic, Everywhere is nice, overlong album, shitty lyrics, tiresome Malcolm X-like vibe , worth a listen, out of curiosity.

C+

[Edited 11/19/10 3:00am]

This is probably my most listened to Prince CD, the production is incredible.

i was hooked on this album as soon as i heard it, it was such a welcome return to form after the aborted high tracks which although i also liked it was nothing new which we hadnt heard before.

When this dropped i was falwed by the arrangemnts and production, a clear sign prince had produced an album personal to him and not meant to please the masses.

The lyrics have never bothered me or the narrated voice, while i am not religious i didnt take anything too literally and enjoyed the album for what it was - a true masterpiece.

the songs that i love on this album are:

muse 2

work

everywhere - have always loved this song

mellow

1+1+1 - the best song on the album and killer on the ONA tour

she loves me

last december - 3 great signuture tunes - purple rain / gold / last dec - he should play this live !!!!

also this produced arguably princes best tour in years with ONA tour and as mentioned in an earlier post, all the critics who seem to dislike this album probably all agree this tour was one of his best and he often played alot of these trax live.

To me this album really shows the genius of Prince - i hear and read ppl critiscise him for his production (sometimes warrented) and the need for an external producer - to all those people please listen to this album start to finish - stripped back brilliantly produced and arranged.

In my opinion there are 5 truely great prince albums throughout his career (in no order of preference)

1 purple rain - the album that changed everyhting

2 lovesexy - the first concept album with amazing tour

3 come / gold / return of bump squad / the dawn - the comeback era, and doing things his way

4 rainbow children - coming out of flirty with trying to be popular again (rave / high) he goes personal

5 lotusflower - closet thing to cpaturing his live moments but on record

Also i like to add im sure he has 1 last great album in him, hopefully next year after 20ten