Most 90's Prince albums made me cringe upon first listening, although some of them grew on me later. But I truely felt embarrased being a Prince fan when I first listened to Emancipation, NPS, and Rave.

The first time it happened was with Emancipation. I remember listening to Emancipation in the record store, and feeling totally lost. What happened to Prince, my hero, that innovative musician, who combined great songwriting with adventurous production and kickass beats? It was the first Prince album I didn't buy immediately the day it came out since ATWIAD, I was so disappointed! The songs are cheesy (especially the ballads) and the production is so plastic it makes me wanna puke. I bought it only a year ago, when I found it in the bargain corner for for less than 9 euro, just because I want my collection to be complete. I still can't name one track that I like and I never listen to it.

The same experience I had with NPS, the first time I heard it I was horrified. But later I learnt to appreciate most tracks. They are certainly not his best, but the funky tracks are quite nice to bop the head to. But overall the production sucked bigtime again.

Then came Rave. After The Vault (which I actually like quite a lot, it's certainly not his best album, but at least the production doesn't sound plastic) I felt confident enough to buy the album without listening to it first. When I came home and put it in the CD player, I was ready to give up on Prince. The production sounds so dated, so 80's, and most of the tracks smell like obvious (and poor) chart attempts. The only track I really love is "I Love U But I Don't Trust U Anymore". The title track, Strange But True and Man'O'War are nice as well, but the rest truely sucks IMO.

I mean, the nineties brought me Me'Shell, d'Angelo, the Neo-Soul Movement and I discovered techno, breakbeat and triphop. Prince seemed to have lost track, but fortunately with TRC he revenged himself. After the commercial and artistic flop of Rave he finally decided to make an album that doesn't try to please commercial radio but is dedicated to REAL MUSIC. I really hope he continues following his heart and not the dollar. After all he's a man capable of making mindblowing music and his talents are too good to be waisted on commercial bullshit.

I wonder what albums made other orgers cringe and what you think about TRC and promising new albums like ONA and Xenophobia...

With out a doubt it would be THE RAINBOW CHILDREN. This is the only one as well.

Albums that made me cringe the first time include The Black Album, Lovesexy, and maybe ATWIAD. I didn't cringe with any 90s albums. That's not to say I could tell that NPS and Rave weren't up to snuff the first time around, it just wasn't THAT bad.

Funkaholic...You're nutz!!! Emancipation is the man's modern masterpiece!!! As 4 albums that made me cringe...Chaos and Disorder!!! what a load of crap THAT album is. Also, most of RAVE just doesn't do it 4 me.

The Black Album. It's been many years since that was relased and its been on the shelf ever since. Can't bear to listen.

I would say that New Power Soul made (and still MAKES) me cringe. It just isn't good, IMO. There are a few exceptional SONGS on the album (The One, Wasted Kisses) but overall it's very weak.

Other than that, it would have to be Chaos and Disorder. This one has grown on me a little, but if I had to rank all Prince/ albums it would be in the bottom 5.

Everything else I have liked (or loved) since the first listen!!!

I buy most Prince CDs within a week of their release date. Four CDs stand out to me as disappointments: (1) COME (2) The Black Album (3) Chaos and Disorder and (4) The Rainbow Children. Having said that, I loved TRC live as performed on this tour.

I have learned to like some songs off each of these CDs, but for the most part I consider them to be my least favorites. As a matter of fact, I bought the cd Come when it was release and then sold it to someone else. I felt bad about doing that to Prince and bought another copy. I swear I tried to like it, but eventually got rid of it too. I rationalize Chaos and Disorder/Come as attempts to get back at Warner Brothers for the most part.

I was also somewhat disappointed with Emanicapation because I wanted it to be so good that it shut the mouths of all Prince naysayers forever. Didn't quite work out that way, but I do really like a bunch of songs from that set.

RAVE, I think, is treated unfairly. Maybe it sounds 80ish but the songs were great songs. If So Far, So Pleased had gotten any airplay it would have been a hit. Anyway, what do i know?

I had a hard time getting into Come as well. The only tunes I really like are the title track, Papa, and Dark. The rest I skip.

I don't think Chaos & Disorder is that bad. Although some of the songs aren't very strong, the musicianship on that album is tight IMO. And "Had U" is just plain beautiful!

I'm surprised many of you name The Black Album. It's not an easy album to get in to, but I find it very rewarding. Very adventurous and original album IMO.

Chaos & Disorder, but we have to remember this was not something he relesed on his own ,this was the Record Companys last straw.....another masterpeice, this one made alot of Prince fam turn there heads, when we are at a party and someone says they know all the songs, this one always get them.....LOL

Emancipation, Chaos & Disorder, Rave (after the first track), Grafitti Bridge, Batman, Diamond's and Pearls

funkaholic1972 said:

That's because they're PUSSIES!!!

The only one i didnt care for was Chaos and Disorder. After continued listens i learned to like it. I don't care for the one with the raggamuffin. Thats about it. I don't really care if he makes the top ten, has hit singles and videos. I don't care if he is as popular as he once was. I just want the music. Thats all i care about. Peace and Love!

funkaholic1972 said:

Gosh, I feel you. Most everyone around me had already given up on enjoying Prince music, but I was holding on for dear life. Everytime he had a new release coming I always got excited that finally I'd be able to show everyone that he was still cool. I'd run out and get the album only to hide for the next week so I wouln't have to face the music, so to speak.

I remember when Emancipation was coming out (and I love that album, but I'm well aware that it wasn't cutting edge for the time) they were hyping it so much and the local radio was going to air the entire 3 CD's at like Midnight before it's release. I was the only one I knew who stayed up till 3am listening to it. One after another the songs came and went. I got really frustrated. I think when "Dreamin About U" came on I perked up...but I was generally disappointed at first listen.

I bought the CD anyway and it has developed nicely for me, to the point where I do consider it a defining moment/masterpiece for him.




Again, I see your point. I ran to buy Rave, again thinking I was gonna be able to laugh in all my non-Prince friends' faces only to keep mum after hearing it and let the whole thing just pass over. I think that was the one I felt truly embarassed about only because he made such a big spectacle of himself and that CD, like it was going to be groundbreaking!

More than that, the remix Rave was insult to injury. I work at a studio with hip-hop and remix producers who were only to quick to tease when THAT came in the mail!


Other than that, the only one I regretted representing for was the 1999 NEW Master. Oh gosh...let me just forget it ever happened. I was the laughing stock for hyping it up before it came out. But secretly, between you and me...I liked it.

100mph said:

is that henry miller on your avatar?

jackmitz said:

I dont agree! C&D blew me away the first time I heard that! I actually thought Emancipation was very weak when I first heard it, and to this day I never play it..