I think both lps are great, and underrated by the public. The real fans opinions, are the only opinions that I care to listen to, because the public were always looking for that next Purple Rain. But like I was saying I think that both of these lps are great, and they really show his versatility. ATWIAD is a real pyschedelic trip, and Parade has that Paris Affair feel to it. These lps to me are very close, and I can't chose a fav between these two either. It really depends on what mood I'm in. But I wanna hear the opinions of the orgers. Which lp do you think is better, and why?

Although "Kiss" sounds out of place within the context of the album, Parade is more consistent than ATWIAD. The latter album has its moments though. The melody of the vocal line to the title track of ATWIAD is beatiful.

If you take these two albums along with SOTT and Lovesexy out of his discography, he is far far less interesting.

These two albums in particular are what completely hooked me and convinced me of his greatness. These two seperate him from most others. The imagination of 'condition of the heart', 'paisley park' or the three song intro to the 'parade' album is what greatness is all about.

I read an interview of Jill Scott recently show said hte same about 'Parade'.

Well - personally I listen to Parade far more often than I do ATWIAD.

I would listen to Graffiti Bridge more than ATWIAD!! that's just my opinion.. I think the music is funkier!

I love funky music!




peace & chicken grease!

I love both of them, but i would give the edge to "Around The World In A Day". Love the album cover, love every song on it. Each song had a color to it, if that makes sense. One of my favorite memories of that album was during the summer of 1985. Me and some family members drove across America (even drove thru Minnesota) and all along the trip the radio stations kept playing "Pop Life". We heard the song in each state we drove thru. It was a great time. I would to see him do it Tommorrow (highly unlikely).

A also love "Parade". "Sometimes It Snows In April" is probably the saddest song i have ever heard.

Unfortunately, both albums killed his mass popularity. Although I doubt he gave a sh*t. He probably got a kick out of that.

this is a close call, but I'm leanin towards Parade. Perhaps it's cause I have it in my backpack tonite, but...

The songs have such a great flow, Also, I LOVE the genius he was able to plug into such short songs, the bursts of imagination and greatness in New Position and I Wonder U just BLOW ME AWAY. Of course, it also has ...April... which is THE song of my highschool angst. Good memories, and it holds up.

Not that ATWIAD isn't great, Parade just gets to me a titch more..

Unfortunately I think Parade was guilty by association when it came to the fact that it was attached to a turkey of a movie in Under The Cherry Moon. I don't consider Parade a 5 star album, but it deserved a little more attention than it got.

Spats said:

I was one of those who stopped listening to him for awhile, after these two albums. It wasn't so much that I didn't like the albums, well, maybe that was it...lol...but there was just somethin' about the two albums that I found strange. After Parade, I didn't pick up another Prince album until Emancipation, then I didn't even listen to that until about a year after I bought it. When I finally listened to that, I had some catching up to do. ATWIAD and Parade had to much of a pop feel to me I guess. I haven't listened to those two in years...maybe I'll pull them out and give them a listen, maybe I'll finally like "Kiss".

ATWIAD had a foot still stuck in Purple Rain and another foot stepping into psychedlia, while Parade had a foot still stuck in psychedlia and another foot stepping into Sign of the Times.

It was just a progression he happened to take. Parade and ATWIAD are similar in a way, but at the same time two very different albums. They are both great, and both very anti-commercial efforts for their time. They are the first efforts of Prince that really caught my attention (if I'm basing things on a timeline). With repeated listening the pre-ATWIAD material grew on me, but this is when stuff starting getting interesting for me.

i prefer ATWIAD
much more listenable imho PARADE has 4 classic tracks:
anotherloverhole.../kiss/mountains & sometimes it snows
the rest is bordering on filler. but i must also say PRINCE's fliier trax are better than other's hit songs!

This is a hard choice, but I suppose I prefer Parade. It is easier to get into than ATWIAD. I can listen to it all the way through and it makes me want to dance!

I prefer parade also.

I would say that I prefer "Parade" although I adore both albums. This is a good comparison. If I consider the B-sides of both albums though as well, it is a dead heat. I personally love his forays into psychodelia and art for art's sake.

I love both albums. They each have their own little trips. Not even close 2 compare the albums!!!