Ever since Diamonds & Pearls was released, I've tried to like it. Every now
and then I stick it in hoping that it'll click, but it never does. Tried again
tonight, but can hardly stomach it. As usual, "Money Don't Matter 2night" and "Insatiable" are nice, but the rest of the album almost makes me nauseous.

How do you guys feel about this album?
I want to like it, but need some help.
[Edited 5/20/05 18:33pm]

it's so-so.

i was nuts about it the very first time i heard it, but that enthusiasm quickly eroded. there are some really inspired moments on that album, still and all. 'thunder', 'gett off' and 'willing and able' are some of my favorite prince tunes - i even get in my moods for 'daddy pop' and 'push'.

I don't think it has held up too well.
Once you take off the 3 or 4 good songs it pretty much sucked.
Try that - pick your top 4 songs off D&P
& listen to it without those 4 songs
& it's mostly a lot of not-aging-too-well filler.
I seldom listen to it.
But it did result it in the excellant maxi-singles
for Cream & Gett Off so I can't totally hate the D&P project.

Its very much of it's time in places. I swear "daddy pop" "push" "jughead" could of been off the ninja turltles soundtrack. It is very poppy 1990 sounding. And 1990 pop dates the worst.
[Edited 5/20/05 18:51pm]

thedoorkeeper said:

[quote]After I heard the Cream maxi, dumped the album, kept the maxi.

The reason this album is lacking is because Prince put Levi on guitar, which ruined the sound of some tracks.

Skip Jughead and Cream and U should like it.

There is a NOTICEABLE difference in production quality and even the instruments/samples used on Diamonds and Pearls compared to just a year before on Grafitti Bridge. This led to some of the sweet freak that he used on the Come and Gold Experience demos from 92-94 that, in my mind, sound pretty out of it's world for the time.

If you can't get into the grooves, at least try to listen to the production and mastering of the CD. Compare it to other 90/91 CDs like Color Me Badd, New Jack City, Amy Grant, EMF, Roxette, and Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch.

Dauphin said:

I guess I don't really get into production quality that much. The old stuff he did in his home studio sounds great to me. I also like the old stuff Lenny Kravitz did when he made his albums sound like scratchy records. I really can't like an album based on mastering.

To me, Diamonds and Pearls is flawless. I love that time period. Awesome music, awesome comics, awesome Prince.

doctamario said:

When did U first hear it? in 91 ?

origmnd said:

In its entirety? December 04

8up said:

D&P is a good Prince album. And it would have sold more if Tony M. would have kept his mouth shut (apart from Gett Off).

D&P actually sounds like a Prince solo album because it seems that his NPG crew aren't really working together. Most of them are just rapping and doing scratches. O+> is better!

Dauphin said:

I was at the music-store looking 4 the CD's you mention.Couldn't find 'em.I asked the clerk"I'm looking 4 Roxette, Marky-Mark, Amy Grant & Color Me Badd. He said "The only ones we got left are in the washrooms taped 2 the toilet paper rolls." I responded" WHAAAT?!!"

I freaking love this album, top to bottom. It's in my top 5, for sure. I could listen to it every day. It should be noted that I'm the type of fan that can't get into "Emancipation", for some reason.

silverchild said:

Too bad is so goddamn hard to find in stores(sometimes I don't have the patience to buy online). It pisses me off that most of his stuff is rare and out of print. I know for sure that I would like as much as or better than D&P/
[Edited 5/20/05 23:26pm]

The album was such a treat after D&P. I don't think they are anything alike. is as great as The Gold Experience in my opinion.

I just can't understand these 'I don't like Prince-things'...

I mean I love his music, I like every song - even his weak ones cuz I can find something good in everything He does! He's my Hero!


...and I like 'Jughead' too...I laugh my ass off!

8up said:

Really?? - D&P is what got me back into Prince after a few years away from his stuff after I felt it was a bit too weak. Granted, there is some crap on there but its so easily accesible that it picked me back up and made me want to investigate further.....Im just hoping another D&P might coem along soon because i need something to restore my faith

I like it but honestly it is one of the albums I play the least. I like Daddy Pop and Willing and Able the most. Oh and Thunder is good to-I love the whole middle eastern vibe he was going for at that time. Thanks Mayte!!!

8up said:

i like the cd and his whole look at the time




doesnt this make you wanna sing?


"if i gave you diamonds and pearls...."

Not that pic again!

/

Anyhoo, yeah, I still like D&P. Remove Daddy Pop (altho' the groove is tight), Push and Jughead and you've got a decent 10 track pop album.

Cloudbuster said:

i cant even remember the song daddy pop....but i liked push,jughead can be removed for call the law

Christopher said:

I like the music to Jughead, tho'.

Cloudbuster said:

what about call the law?

I never bought it ,never liked it

Christopher said:

I don't think it would've suited the album.

I must be the only one around here who thinks Strollin is a great song. That song proves that Prince can emulate (and improve on) any style of music he wants to. Lounge music is what I'd call it. And I love the vocal improvisation at the end.

filetgumbo said:

Make that 2. I've always been afraid to admit it, but now I see that I'm not alone.