This is a branch off of MidnightFunks thread, in which we were assigned to review an album. Here is mine:

The Gold Experience, in my opinion, is Prince's greatest albums. Like it says in the infamous segues, there are many different experiences to this album. If Prince had not been going through the controversial times he was going through when he made this, maybe, just maybe, this album could've been more of a hit. Here are my reviews of each song (I will also be rating each song on a 1-10 scale):

P.Control: This song is a perfect opener, and in my opinion, Prince's best opening track. This song really sheds some light on how much power women do have over men. I find the following lyrics a saving grace for nerds (like me) out there who get picked on all the time:

Our story begins in a schoolyard
A little girl skipping rope with her friends
A tisket, a tasket, no lunch in her basket
Just school books 4 the fight she would be in
One day over this hoodie
She got beat 4 some clothes and her rep
With her chin up, she scolded all y’all’s molded
When I’m rich, on your neck I will step
And step she did 2 the straight a’s
Then college, the master degree
She hired the heifers that jumped her
And made everyone of them work 4 free?
No! why?
So what if my sisters are triflin’?
They just don’t know
She said mama didn’t tell’em what she told me
’girl, u need pussy control’

This song, in a way due to what's shown above, can be somewhat moral in a package of immorality (talking about how women have power over been because of the sex factor.) There are a few little bad raps in this song, but the inspiring lyrics and overall greatness of this song definitely overshadow that. (Rating: 6 out 10)

Endorphinmachine: This song is a power trip! If you ever need a song to drive 100 miles per hour down a freeway to, this is the one my friend. At the beginning it starts out with what I like to call an "Egyptian guitar sound," and crescendos into some nice Prince screams. This is definitely ranked in my top five Prince rock songs. Prince sings very fast in this song, complemented by very nice guitar riffs. Definitely the most rockative song of the album. (7 out of 10)

Shhh: This is one of, if not my favorite Prince song. The mad drum solo's at the beginning leave me absolutely speechless. Then, it decrescendo's into, what I think, is one of the sexiest chorus' Prince has ever written:

Shhh - break it down
I don't want nobody else 2 hear the sounds
This love is a private affair
Interrupt the flow, they better not dare
Shhh (oh yeah) - we gotta break it on down
Can U hear me, babe?
Shhh - huh, we got 2 break it on down

This is one of the smoothest songs Prince has ever written, both lyrically and instrumentally. If you're ever making a CD with some good lovemaking songs on it, if you want to get some, you'll be smart and put Shhh on it. The rest of this song continues with smooth, sensual lyrics and some Prince moaning noises, as well as those of a woman. There is a nice mini-guitar solo, as well as another drum solo. (10 out of 10)

We March: This song is often sought-after as the weakest song on the album, but I see nothing wrong with it (except for the little bit of sirens and violent screaming at the beginning and end, and that annoying "Whoa" after he says "We march"). This is probably the weakest song on the album, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's bad. I like the defiant chorus:

Now's the time 2 find a rhyme (Yeah)
That's got a reason and frees the mind (Yeah)
From angry thoughts, the racist kind (Yeah)
If we all wanna a change then come on get in line
Next time we march (Whoa)
We're kickin' down the door
Next time we march (Whoa)
All is what we're marchin' 4

There isn't really much in the way of instrumentals in this song, pretty normal for a Prince song to me. Like this song, but I don't get too excited over it. (Rating: 4 out of 10)

The Most Beautiful Girl In The World: Wow, there's a lot I can say about this song. I absolutely LOVE this song. Me, being a big fan, of love songs, fell in love with these sweet, earnest, compassionate lyrics the first time I heard them:

Could u be the most beautiful girl in the world?
It’s plain 2 see u’re the reason that God made a girl
When the day turns into the last day of all time
I can say I hope u are in these arms of mine
And when the night falls before that day I will cry
I will cry tears of joy cuz after u all one can do is die, oh[i]

If you ever want to give a song to your girl telling her how much you adore her, and how beautiful you think she is, this is #1 in my book. I also like the nice use of piano/synth in this song, it complements the heartfelt vocals very well. Definitely on my top Prince love songs list. (Rating: 9 out of 10)

Dolphin: Along with Shhh, this is my favorite song on the album, and one of my favorites from Prince. This song is very clearly a song aimed at Warner Brothers, and how Prince wanted more artistic freedom, as you can tell from the chorus (as well as the video):

[i]If I came back as a dolphin
Would U listen 2 me then?
Would U let me be your friend?
Would U let me in?
U can cut off all my fins
But 2 your ways I will not bend
I'll die before I let U tell me how 2 swim
And I'll come back again as a dolphin

There is a mellow overtone for the rest of the song, lyrically and instrumentally. I like to listen to this song when I am feeling down, or feel as if I want to emancipate from something. Liking this song is an acquired taste for some, as some think it is horrible, while others think it is great. I think it is magnificent. (Rating: 10 out of 10)

Now: This, along with We March, is one of the weaker songs on the album. I don't really find anything special about this song, and I suspect it is meant as a filler, because that it what it sounds like. Very weak vocals/instrumentals. (Rating: 2 out of 10)

319:Nice guitar riffs in this song, it is sassy in a way. Couple nice little horns here and there, of course that nice little Prince high voice at the beginning. This is a pretty average Prince song, not too bad, but nothing to get excited over either. (Rating: 5 out of 10)

Shy:This song is pretty cute, mellow, and, well, SHY! I really like something about the vocals in this song, maybe it's just that they aren't getting too excited or too down, they're just right. Another average song like 319 above. (Rating: 5 out of 10)

Billy Jack Bitch: Wow, this song is...scary! But a kind of scary I like. This song provides some funky instrumentals, as well as really good vocals. This is not my favorite song, but it is an above average song that a lot of people seem to like. (Rating: 6 out of 10)

Hate U: This is definitely one of my favorite songs on the album. It's a good song to give to someone if they have ever cheated on you,etc. I really love the chorus, which is enough to make one guilty:

It’s so sad but I hate u like a day without sunshine
It’s so bad but I hate u cuz u’re all that’s ever on my mind
Honey, I hate u - now everyday would be a waste of time
Cuz I hate u

It has often been sad that Prince is referring to Carmen Electra and their failed relationship in this song, but, either way, there are some very nice vocals and instrumentals in this song, apart from the courtroom scene where he talks. It's cute how he contradicts himself in these lines:

I hate u (I hate u)
Because I love u (because I love u)
But I can’t love u (I can’t love u)
Because I hate u (I hate u)

But, overall, this is a great song. It has some nice synth and drums, most notably. (Rating: 8 out of 10)

Gold: This is Prince's best title track, period. The lyrics in this song are absolutely awesome, especially if you are feeling down. His voice sounds absolutely exquisite. There is nice piano, and drums, but one of the best parts of the song is definitely the BLAZING GUITAR SOLO about halfway through the song. Apart from all the majesties of this song, the lyrics are inspiring, and perhaps, for some, a view of reality:

There’s a mountain and it’s mighty high
U cannot see the top unless u fly
And there’s a molehill of proven ground
There ain’t no where 2 go if u hang around
Everybody wants 2 sell what’s already been sold
Everybody wants 2 tell what’s already been told
What’s the use of money if u ain’t gonna break the mold?
Even at the center of fire there is cold
All that glitters ain’t gold
All that glitters ain’t gold, mmm

There’s an ocean of despair
There are people livin’ there
They’re unhappy each and every day
But hell is not fashion so what u tryin’ 2 say?

Everybody wants 2 sell what’s already been sold
Everybody wants 2 tell what’s already been told
What’s the use of money if u ain’t gonna break the mold?
Even at the center of fire there is cold
All that glitters ain’t gold, no no
All that glitters ain’t gold, no no

There’s a lady, 99 years old
If she led a good life, heaven takes her soul
Now that’s a theory and if u don’t wanna know
Step aside and make a way 4 those who want 2 go

Everybody wants 2 sell what’s already been sold (sold)
Everybody wants 2 tell what’s already been told (told)
What’s the use of bein’ young if u ain’t gonna get old? (old)
Even at the center of fire there is cold (cold)
All that glitters (glitters) ain’t gold, no no no no no
All that glitters ain’t gold
Alright

All that glitters, all that glitters, all that glitters.. ain’t gold

Na na na na na na na (gold {x4})
Na na na na na na na (gold {x4})
Gold, gold, gold
All that glitters ain’t gold, gold, gold
All that glitters ain’t gold, gold, gold (na na na na na na na)
All that glitters ain’t gold, gold, gold (na na na na na na na)
All that glitters ain’t gold, oh
Oh yeah
1 2.. 1 2 3, let’s go!

(na na na na na na na) {repeat}

U are now an official member of the new power generation
Welcome 2 the dawn

All that glitters ain’t gold (gold) {repeat & loop}

Enough said. (Rating: 11 out of 10)


Well, those are my opinions about what I think is Prince's best album. Hope you guys enjoyed it.

It's definately one of his best. I don't know if anything could ever beat Purple Rain album but I'd put the Gold Experience right behind it.

Very under-rated album!!!

Best of the 90s, no doubt.

bigsexy said:

SOTT is way better than PR.

The Gold Experience is Prince's last great album to date.

Great Work.....I will break out Gold..read your review and enjoy..

Gold is the song (and the album, but the song first) that got me hooked on Prince, but I wouldn't rate the song that highly. The solo's nice but IMO he almost destroyed the moment by doubling it with that awful synth.

bad ratings for an album you love so much
[Edited 3/26/05 14:49pm]

I enjoyed your review of The Gold Experience. It's easily one of my favorite albums of his. If it wasn't for all of the crap he was going thru with WB, it would have been BIG. But even with all of that, it's still a trip to listen to.

Great album
in my top 10 of all albums

take away those annoying segues and we're set....

although ...i dont really see the beauty in endorphinmachine past the opening riffs.

well, i must say that GE is a very good record but i dont like the sound of it! ( i dont mean the live sound ), what i mean is that the production is not the best on some songs. Example; Endorphine Machine, shhh ( and here the vocals are not so good ), beautiful Girl ( compare it to the single version which was much better) , Billy jack bitch, Now and we march.
When GE would have the same production like Lovesymbol it would have been much much better.

It was my 2nd Prince album, and I Hate U made me a real fan.
Great album, except for P. Control

Definitely one of his top 7 albums, not sure if I would
place it as #1 though. Again, this album is a trip
from start to finish. Prince's best albums usually have
a great intro song and great closing song.
I still rate Sign O Times,PR,TRC above Gold, but Gold
could possibly be #4.