http://www.avclub.com/con...node/13075

Keith Phipps (editor) grew up in a suburb of Dayton, Ohio. His near-complete lack of interest in, or aptitude for, outdoor activities eventually developed into a passion for reading, film, and music. He began his entertainment-writing career as a film critic for the Northmont Junior High School's weekly newspaper The T-Bolt Tribune, where a pan of the inexplicably popular film Teen Wolf did little to improve his social standing. After receiving a BA from Wittenberg University and an English MA from the University Of Wisconsin-Madison, he began an exciting career as a video-store clerk and freelance writer. This eventually led to full-time employment at The A.V. Club, although he would be happy to charge you late fees for old times' sake. Keith lives in Chicago with his wife, two cats and an overactive dog



grrrreat! this man holds the truth and i bet he doesnt even sing in the shower

I agree with this sentence only (I believe even the die-hard fans agree)



But I really love TRC as a musical trip. The album really flows, and the engineering was brilliant also. The instruments sound great.

I don´t see where critics see so much smooth jazz on this album (mostly because people associate Najee´s sax with Kenny G, but smooth jazz artists don´t use that kind of ring modulator on the guitar in the middle). Only the first track has some parts of it. ´Everywhere´ is pure Parade, ´1+1+1=3´ is a cousin of Erotic City, Everlasting Now, The Work and Family Name are funk/rock. Even ´Sensual Ever after´ is a rock ballad anthem much closer to Steve Vai than Kenny G.

Ok, we got ´Mellow´ and ´Muse 2 the pharaoh´ which are ballads, but they at least escape from the ´Do me baby/Scandalous/Insatiable´ formula (that I like a lot, don´t get me wrong)
[Edited 2/11/06 15:07pm]

I agree w/ that review.

F*** you ! The Rainbow Children is in the top 4 of my favoruites Prince's albums ever.

The asshole who wrote the article must be into Robbie Williams' music to be so dumb.

Ummm...I strongly disagree with this reviewer. He seems to think that he has a clue, but he's nowhere close. Sowwy, twy again!

I don't post here much and I am one of the first to critize(sp) Prince when he releases shit for music.

But this review is bullshit and everyone who hates TRC is Bullshit and not a music lover. The Rainbow Children is Prince musically at his best. Lyrically it is far from his best, however the music makes up for it. Not one of Prince's albums is as adventurous as TRC is. No album from the 80's when Prince was at his artistic peak, or the 90's when he was making great stuff admist bad stuff even compares to the vastness of TRC.

Prince challenges himself and the album works. I dont' give a flying fuck what anyone says. It's not my favorite Prince Album, but it easily is in the top 5. From begining to end the album is a masterpiece, and would probably be my favorite album of all time had the lyrics been easier to digest.

Just someone's 2 cents.

That was a very lame defense of the album. I think the critic and me win on this one. TRC is about as avant-Purple as a purple doily at a kids birthday party.

Wahday said:

For me, when an artist releases a song with lyrics, then the lyrics are part of the music, and sorry, in the case of TRC, most the lyrics ruin the album for me. If it had been released as an instrumental (instead of N.E.W.S) I'd likely rate it much higher. Yes it is adventurous, but 'adventurous' does not automagically equal 'good' (or 'great').

As to your first sentence, I guess I own over 800 CD's (and keep buying more) cuz I hate music. Hhmm, never knew that about myself...

(Actually, maybe it doesn't apply to me, cuz I don't specifically 'hate' TRC, I just don't rate it very high...)

The lyrics are the album, that's the problem. The music is just there to ensnare us into falling for the bullshit that Prince is trying to pull. The same way a bad product is pitched with a clever commercial.

horseshittery? helluva word for a journalist

I've not been to the org for over a year, and it seems that the majority of orgers still haven't grasp the concept of 'Opinion' !!

2freaky4church1 said:

- So, you could apply the same statement to all of his albums, right?

review couldn't have been more wrong

Milty said:

GustavoRibas said:

...It's only bullshit when we don't agree with it...lol...but the process is the same on every Prince album and CD he's ever released, save for maybe New Power Soul...

Milty said:

It's entirely possible the review actually could have been more wrong. Consider this:



So you see, it really could have been further from the the perceived truths of any of us...

By the way, what makes this review "honest"??...

Perfect review!

still remains the most disappointing musical moment of my life

BeautifulFrance said:

Now, I ain't got no ESP or shit like that, but I'm getting a feeling it's at no. 4?

2freaky4church1 said:

Someone like you who likes Iron Maiden & Scorpions should have no right to discuss music in the first place !
TRC is a masterpiece. You're probably more into NPS or rave. Sorry TRC is the most mature album Prince has released musically.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. Human nature dictates, however, that we must justify our own opinions to others to help deal with our insecurities. Reading this thread pretty much makes my case in point.

As for the review, if the reviewers favourite song is "She Loves Me 4 Me" from the album then the style of the rest of it really aint what he's looking for. After getting over the initial surprise of the style of lyrics etc, I started to appreciate songs like 1+1+1 is 3, Family Name and The Work pt1. The music is some of the best Prince has ever produced in my opinion,

In spite of

I enjoy listening this album much more than most of the post-SOTT production. As I am not a native english speaker, I recognize that the lyrics do not bother as much as they would if I were.

D.
--

demob said:

- It happens with me also...I pay more attention to the music than the lyrics, so they never bothered me...

yeah right!

The same guy probably praises New Power Soul.

It's so funny how we all have different tastes.

When I first bought TRC, I studied it. By that, I mean I listened to it for probably a month straight, like I do all Prince CDs.

Muse 2 the Pharoah is where I took my Org name from... just because it's a smooth groove that I thoroughly enjoy. I also dig She Loves Me 4 Me, and a number of the other jams... Family Name, Mellow, etc.

But now, it's probably the CD I reach for the least. (That, and Grafitti Bridge). We all go through our phases and musical stages where one or two CDs dominate out CD player.

Right now, it's The Black Album, NPS and Come. Some of these might be your least favorites, but that's cool... it's all about OPINION. In fact, next week maybe I WILL reach for Grafitti Bridge.

While I agree with much of the review, the CD still has a gem or two. The computerized voice can be ANNOYING, and some songs (Wedding Feast) cause you to have "What the Fuck" moments.

It's by no means a commercial CD, but I just think that you head in different directions when you're an artist. Who am I to say what kind of music Prince should make. That's kind of selfish.

We all want him to do well, but we need to respect the fact that because he IS an artist, he has to stay true to his vision and to what drives him.

Like the CD "The Truth". Many of you hate it. I actually find it extremely interesting and enjoyable.

It's all a matter of OPINION. While I wouldn't EVER want to be stuck on a desert island with TRC, I'll visit it from time to time, and accept it for what it is.

A stage in the man's body of work. Disappointing for some. A jewel for others. And I'm cool with the that.

co-sign except I loved TRC & I do pop this cd every so often. I'm always craving more new P music. What more can be said, it seems like a lot of folks can't handle or stand this album for this or that reason. I don't agree with all of P's religious beliefs on this cd ,but I love the album just the same.The music is daring and much diffrent trip than any he has takin in a long while

MantuaPharoah said:

BeautifulFrance said:

Hey dont go there...TRC is great and so was Iron Maiden