databank said:

I still don't know anything about that thread

Its just a question with a bit of rambling wrapped around it. I could have said 'what do you folks think of these albums?'. Why these? Because I haven't heard them and they're all easy to find (many as as pre-owned bargains).

.

Why not just download them, or stream, and listen? I've already got more music than I have time for and I don't need all of these immediately. I'm not opposed to downloads but I don't want to just shovel another doz. albums into my iTunes library, its more fun keeping an eye out for them as physicals, over time (especially these easy to find releases). If I went to record fair or browsed discogs I may see them all available, but I wouldn't buy them all at the same time.

.

The replies I've got have been really helpful. Black Album is a must, 'Prince' too, as its a gap in the collection of that era. I'd give Rainbow Children a miss unless it was a coupla $s, the witnessing would likely would ruin it for me. (Militant's post was hilarious, I thought).

.

As a longtime org-er, what's your own top 3 from those?

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edit:spelling, grammar

[Edited 6/21/14 3:22am]

Hmmm, the list implies you don't really have anything from his 1990s output. So just get some titles from that era first.

For example, getting D&P and The Gold Experience would give you a good idea what he was up to during those times. Emancipation has a lot of music on it, so if you can get it for cheap then that's a no-brainer in that sense.

The Symbol album is like a crazier, artsier version of the D&P album and Chaos & Disorder is like a rawer, rockier "bonus disc" for The Gold Experience, so those might not be among your first choices. His late-90s output you can skip for a while as he really didn't introduce anything that new to his sound then and it's pretty much in the same vein as Emancipation (but the songs aren't really as good).

Optimus2 said:

Javi said:

Funnily enough, the person who has criticized The Rainbow Children seems to think he's an individualist hero for not following the "crowd" who likes that album. His opinion implies that people liking TRC are religious fanatics who can stand silly Darth Vader voices (see above). A very respectful way to express an opinion, indeed. Go on, lad, you're a rebel!

yeah but 2 be fair.....Im not the biggest fan of that album myself.....(I luv the track Everywhere tho) but musically (as in instruments) its very alien and exciting and 4 that reason I can understand why people enjoy it so much.....but the narrations awfull...and Lyrically its appaling its like hes just spouting out random shit 4 attention agaisnt jews, women and white people.....but hes not against jews, women and white people...when there buyin his fucking records and paying 4 ticket's 2 his concerts!.....cant be doin with all this david chapelle shit....that its white peoples fault that hes not as popular as he was...yanno it was all leading 2 this with songs like Avalanche and When Will We B Paid.....it was his own fault 4 being a spoilt twat...its a bitter record.....in my eye's.......I dont do Bitter...kudo's 2 those who can enjoy it tho wish i cud ......

[Edited 6/20/14 15:18pm]

Well, you've made an argument against the album, which of course I totally respect. The problem is when people just make infantile assertions without arguments, like the mod previously did.

---

Anyway, I don't think all the lyrics of the album are fanatically religious. There's a lot of religion, but hey, that shouldn't be new to Prince fans! I reckon lyrics like "1+1+1=3" are intolerant. But others aren't, and are quite interesting, the way I see it. For example, the one you mention, "Everywhere", a fantastic song with uplifting lyrics.

Militant said:

nonamesleft said:

I'm not new to Prince but I haven't payed much attention after the WB years. So here’s a list of

mainstream Prince albums that I don’t own. Which ones should I seek out first?

Most should not be too hard to find and I’ve removed harder-to-find, download only, live, and related-type releases (such as 94-East) for now.

Which should I prioritise (any to not even bother with?). I’ve seen Gold, Black, and Rainbow Children in peoples top 10s. (I’ve also seen often criticised albums in top 10s too, so I’m feeling really positive about finding lots of songs to love, that are new to me, even though I won’t love them all).

• 20Ten
• Planet Earth
• The Rainbow Children
• The Vault ... Old Friends 4 Sale
• Come
• Black Album
• Prince
• Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic
• Chaos And Disorder
• Emancipation
• The Gold Experience
• Diamonds & Pearls
• Untitled (Symbol)

‘Ultimate’ isn’t in the list but the extended versions of some favourites makes it tempting to grab, if I see it for a good price (I soooo wish Mountains extended was on it though, its never had an official release on CD has it?).

(Sorry for the lack of line-spacing in this post's layout, even editing the html isn't helping)

This is an easy one. Come, Prince and The Gold Experience first.

Then, D&P, Black Album, Emancipation and Symbol.

The others can be in any order.

Then, buy every protege album (Madhouse, Sheila E, Jill Jones, The Time, Mazarati, etc)

Then collect loads of bootlegs.

Then wait 20 years.

Then start listening to other artists.

Then re-buy all the Prince albums again in a new format.

Then buy every Michael Jackson album.

Then wait another 20 years.

Then, and only then, and only if you have a really strong stomach, buy The Rainbow Children. But I wouldn't recommend it. Unless you're a Jehovah's Witness who also loves Star Wars and random Darth Vader voices.

Can't say I agree, but all the same, that was SERIOUSLY FUNNY!!!

Javi said:

Optimus2 said:

yeah but 2 be fair.....Im not the biggest fan of that album myself.....(I luv the track Everywhere tho) but musically (as in instruments) its very alien and exciting and 4 that reason I can understand why people enjoy it so much.....but the narrations awfull...and Lyrically its appaling its like hes just spouting out random shit 4 attention agaisnt jews, women and white people.....but hes not against jews, women and white people...when there buyin his fucking records and paying 4 ticket's 2 his concerts!.....cant be doin with all this david chapelle shit....that its white peoples fault that hes not as popular as he was...yanno it was all leading 2 this with songs like Avalanche and When Will We B Paid.....it was his own fault 4 being a spoilt twat...its a bitter record.....in my eye's.......I dont do Bitter...kudo's 2 those who can enjoy it tho wish i cud ......

[Edited 6/20/14 15:18pm]

Well, you've made an argument against the album, which of course I totally respect. The problem is when people just make infantile assertions without arguments, like the mod previously did.

---

Anyway, I don't think all the lyrics of the album are fanatically religious. There's a lot of religion, but hey, that shouldn't be new to Prince fans! I reckon lyrics like "1+1+1=3" are intolerant. But others aren't, and are quite interesting, the way I see it. For example, the one you mention, "Everywhere", a fantastic song with uplifting lyrics.

yeah totally understand and respect ur view point 2 sir .....why cant more replies and conversations 2 topics b as peacefull as ours on the org?

[Edited 6/21/14 6:10am]

Optimus2 said:

nonamesleft said:

(Militant's post was hilarious, I thought).

brookinz said:

Can't say I agree, but all the same, that was SERIOUSLY FUNNY!!!

Thank you kindly sirs. Apparently my opinion has mortally offended some people, as if it were the text-based equivalent of walking into their house and kicking their dog. All because there's an album I'm not particularly fond of, and I had the SHEER NERVE to express such an opinion.

What a world, eh?

Optimus2 said:

Militant said:

Yes, because god forbid somebody have an individual opinion that doesn't follow the crowd, right?

I'd take Rave Un2, Chaos & Disorder, and New Power Soul any damn day over TRC.

If you like it, good for you!

I also think "Adore" should have been cut from SOTT in favor of "Crucial". I suppose, to you, that's probably also an example of the org having "sunk to new depths".

To quote my dude KCOOL......

"Baby, you've got to be from a different world
Cause just one look from you could make an army surrender
Baby, you've got to rescue me girl, girl
A prisoner in love with the opposite gender"

vs

"Until the end of time
I'll be there for you
You own my heart and mind
I truly adore you

If God one day struck me blind
Your beauty I'd still see
Love's too weak to define
Just what you mean to me"

Adore Wins...hands down

Because one passage is a sequence of completely routine commonplaces that regularly appear in greeting cards (and not particularly original ones), while the other is a barely sensible mess (but is definitely Prince in its nonsense, while lots of people could do the other)?

Lyrically, neither passage is very good--I prefer "Adore" as a recording (and as a song, but the difference isn't as great), but the lyrics for the chorus are hardly wonderful (and "Love's too weak to define just what you mean to me" is not what he's trying to say).

Militant said:

nonamesleft said:

(Militant's post was hilarious, I thought).

brookinz said:

Can't say I agree, but all the same, that was SERIOUSLY FUNNY!!!

Thank you kindly sirs. Apparently my opinion has mortally offended some people, as if it were the text-based equivalent of walking into their house and kicking their dog. All because there's an album I'm not particularly fond of, and I had the SHEER NERVE to express such an opinion.

What a world, eh?

I couldn't care less about your opinion. However, I like opinions to be respectful, and yours wasn't. Anyway, feel free to continue enjoying your "let's fuck all night long"-lyrics. Oh, and the "sheer nerve" bit was funny.

[Edited 6/21/14 12:35pm]

nonamesleft said:

I'm not new to Prince but I haven't payed much attention after the WB years. So here’s a list of

mainstream Prince albums that I don’t own. Which ones should I seek out first?

Most should not be too hard to find and I’ve removed harder-to-find, download only, live, and related-type releases (such as 94-East) for now.

Which should I prioritise (any to not even bother with?). I’ve seen Gold, Black, and Rainbow Children in peoples top 10s. (I’ve also seen often criticised albums in top 10s too, so I’m feeling really positive about finding lots of songs to love, that are new to me, even though I won’t love them all).

• 20Ten
• Planet Earth
• The Rainbow Children
• The Vault ... Old Friends 4 Sale
• Come
• Black Album
• Prince
• Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic
• Chaos And Disorder
• Emancipation
• The Gold Experience
• Diamonds & Pearls
• Untitled (Symbol)

‘Ultimate’ isn’t in the list but the extended versions of some favourites makes it tempting to grab, if I see it for a good price (I soooo wish Mountains extended was on it though, its never had an official release on CD has it?).

(Sorry for the lack of line-spacing in this post's layout, even editing the html isn't helping)

nonamesleft said:

I'm not new to Prince but I haven't payed much attention after the WB years. So here’s a list of

mainstream Prince albums that I don’t own. Which ones should I seek out first?

Most should not be too hard to find and I’ve removed harder-to-find, download only, live, and related-type releases (such as 94-East) for now.

Which should I prioritise (any to not even bother with?). I’ve seen Gold, Black, and Rainbow Children in peoples top 10s. (I’ve also seen often criticised albums in top 10s too, so I’m feeling really positive about finding lots of songs to love, that are new to me, even though I won’t love them all).

I have commented and graded the albums for you

• 20Ten (Not essential, its okay and have some use as in being his latest studio offering to date) - C
• Planet Earth (Patchy but okay effort, not a high priority) B-
• The Rainbow Children (Get it last if not at all, I hate it, but some people really love it) H
• The Vault ... Old Friends 4 Sale (Quite a funky little mixer, worth getting but it can wait a bit) B
• Come (Essential, some great, funk dance and ballads her, the opening track is a highlight) B+
• Black Album (Essential, a funk masterpiece, sweaty jams, clever voices and Camille pop) A-
• Prince (Essential early soul, a few dirgy ballads, but standout funk and pop, his first real good album, get it NOW!) A-
• Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic (Wait on this, millenial crowd pleasing pop and self indulgent, a series of now dated ballads) C
• Chaos And Disorder (Good but complex rock album, better for a seasoned fan) B
• Emancipation (Wait on it, some highlights and a lot of filler, easily his most self indulgent album ever) C+
• The Gold Experience (You must get it next, excellent mid 90s comeback, every track is an epic, great funk, rap, pop and ballads, this work is crucial) A+
• Diamonds & Pearls (Also worth getting, not his greatest, but one of his most commercially minded albums, Cream and Gett Off along with Insatiable make it a must) A-
• Untitled (Symbol) (Self indulgent but very rewarding, another essential album, a few silly fillers, but a lot of nuggets and great NPG sound) B+/A-

‘Ultimate’ isn’t in the list but the extended versions of some favourites makes it tempting to grab, if I see it for a good price (I soooo wish Mountains extended was on it though, its never had an official release on CD has it?).

(Sorry for the lack of line-spacing in this post's layout, even editing the html isn't helping)

Militant said:

nonamesleft said:

I'm not new to Prince but I haven't payed much attention after the WB years. So here’s a list of

mainstream Prince albums that I don’t own. Which ones should I seek out first?

Most should not be too hard to find and I’ve removed harder-to-find, download only, live, and related-type releases (such as 94-East) for now.

Which should I prioritise (any to not even bother with?). I’ve seen Gold, Black, and Rainbow Children in peoples top 10s. (I’ve also seen often criticised albums in top 10s too, so I’m feeling really positive about finding lots of songs to love, that are new to me, even though I won’t love them all).

• 20Ten
• Planet Earth
• The Rainbow Children
• The Vault ... Old Friends 4 Sale
• Come
• Black Album
• Prince
• Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic
• Chaos And Disorder
• Emancipation
• The Gold Experience
• Diamonds & Pearls
• Untitled (Symbol)

‘Ultimate’ isn’t in the list but the extended versions of some favourites makes it tempting to grab, if I see it for a good price (I soooo wish Mountains extended was on it though, its never had an official release on CD has it?).

(Sorry for the lack of line-spacing in this post's layout, even editing the html isn't helping)

This is an easy one. Come, Prince and The Gold Experience first.

Then, D&P, Black Album, Emancipation and Symbol.

The others can be in any order.

Then, buy every protege album (Madhouse, Sheila E, Jill Jones, The Time, Mazarati, etc)

Then collect loads of bootlegs.

Then wait 20 years.

Then start listening to other artists.

Then re-buy all the Prince albums again in a new format.

Then buy every Michael Jackson album.

Then wait another 20 years.

Then, and only then, and only if you have a really strong stomach, buy The Rainbow Children. But I wouldn't recommend it. Unless you're a Jehovah's Witness who also loves Star Wars and random Darth Vader voices.

Come on this has to be post of the month. That last paragraph is the stone truth. Amen brother. :lol

Since, as you can see here, most of the albums on your list are loved by some and hated by others, what do our opinions matter? Obviously you shouldn't listen to us. If you're at a store that has several Prince albums you still need, check the tracklists, look at the artwork, compare prices and make a choice.

Bottom line, if you're a Prince fan, you need to hear them all anyway. How does other fans arguing about which albums suck and which ones are essential help you choose the order you buy them?

I'd go chronologically myself, but, I'm kind of a geek about these things...

nonamesleft said:

• 20Ten
• Planet Earth
• The Rainbow Children
• The Vault ... Old Friends 4 Sale
• Come
• Black Album
• Prince
• Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic
• Chaos And Disorder
• Emancipation
• The Gold Experience
• Diamonds & Pearls
• Untitled (Symbol)

It's tough because Come and the Gold Experience are from the same era with the same musicians, so get both... but then easily Black Album and Rainbow Children are profound shifts in Prince's artistic vibe. Both VERY IMPORTANT to understand him. Some of those other albums are big messes with a few gems.

Adorecream said:

Militant said:

This is an easy one. Come, Prince and The Gold Experience first.

Then, D&P, Black Album, Emancipation and Symbol.

The others can be in any order.

Then, buy every protege album (Madhouse, Sheila E, Jill Jones, The Time, Mazarati, etc)

Then collect loads of bootlegs.

Then wait 20 years.

Then start listening to other artists.

Then re-buy all the Prince albums again in a new format.

Then buy every Michael Jackson album.

Then wait another 20 years.

Then, and only then, and only if you have a really strong stomach, buy The Rainbow Children. But I wouldn't recommend it. Unless you're a Jehovah's Witness who also loves Star Wars and random Darth Vader voices.

Come on this has to be post of the month. That last paragraph is the stone truth. Amen brother. :lol

Thank you kindly. It's funny how wound up people can get just because somebody doesn't like an album they like. I mean, big freaking deal, right?

Militant said:

blah blah blah