I have noticed over the last couple of years that many orgers have expressed their dislike for Prince's 90's output. I have trouble understanding this.
First of all, the album is one of the most underated albums he has ever put out, in fact, other than "Arrogance" the songs are all very good. I know that "Come" doesn't exactly jump out at you, but for a "half-assed effort" it is a good album in its own right. The title track,"Dark," and "Letitgo" stand out particularly. "The Gold Experience" in my opinion is the "Sign 'o' the times" of the 90's. I am not saying it is as good as "Sign 'o' the times," but it was the best and most balanced album he had put out in a long time and he has not put out an album as good since. I especially see a lot of critiscism aimed toward "Emancipation." I will admit that there a few not so good songs on this massive album, but overall I think it is brilliant. Just the first disc alone will blow you away. The first four song have an r/b pop feel, then right after "Get yo groove on," it cuts right into "Courtin' time," which sounds like an old big band record. How many other artists can you name that would do something like that? Who would cover such a diverse array of styles on one album? And playing all of those styles very well.
Now I know there there was some subpar stuff that came out too. Other than "Joy in repition" and The Time's songs on the album, "Graffti Bridge" was dissapointing. "Diamonds and Pearls" had its moments, but had some bad songs too.(Walk don't walk, Push.) "Rave" is downright horrible. "NPS" has one his top three ballads in "The One," and also has "Come on," but little else. "Chaos and disorder" is basically a throw away although I like "Dinner with Delores," and the title track.
All in all, I think the 90's were a period that Prince showed how truly versatile and talented he really is. The 80's may have been a bit funkier, but the 90's showed his true talent as a musician. What do you think?

heckaslammin said:

Agreed. .

Only one thing I would disagree with: I don't think that Rave is downright horrible. . .I think there are a few good things on there. . .

0+> made me the obsessed fan that I am today. That coupled with the Gold Experience are 2 of my fav albums ever. The 90's were great years to be a Prince fan.....Even during that weird Slave, Tora Tora shit.

Well, the album is my favorite of his so far. I love it just as much today as I did the year it was released. There's not a song on there that I don't get some enjoyment from...

I, also, really like Come. It's actually grown more on me over time, too. I thought it was pleasant upon release but didn't have a big love for it. Today, I really like the whole dark and cohesive feel of the project. I think this album gets set aside a lot because people think it's contract filler BUT Prince, obviously, thought well of these songs at one point given his use of them in other projects.

TGE is another great one. It's extremely solid and I think it's probably his last great 'pop' album. Just about every track on there could be made into a serviceable single, imo.

I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss Rave, either... If you take the best of the normal and remix version you have the makings of an excellent album. I think the gems on this record just aren't where we'd normally expect to find them.

Overall, I think the 90's output - as a whole - is at least as good, if not better, than what came before. This is not to say that the 80's work didn't feature some dazzling, incredible output but it, also, had it's share of clunkers. For all the love afforded an album like Controversy, I'd still prefer listening to NPS or Rave.

Your are also guilty as charged. You put down Choas & disorder and rave (which I think are great....New power soul is alright too). This is what I hate from the 90's 1. da da daa
2. call the law
3. Gangster glam
4. TC's rap
5. Jug head

I love, love, love, 90's Prince, and even at his worst in the 90's, he was waaaaay better than anyone else at the time. I was sort of disappointed by Come, but other than that, I like all of it. Even Rave and NPS and Chaos. Those are good albums. heckaslammin-u're dissin the 90's as much as u praise it.

...ouf... I quite agree agree with all of U and am not so the only one 2 love 90's P's period... I was 13 when I first heard Gett Off and saw the video, t'was a revealation ! Then I bought all the other albums stepwards, and did not (at that time) always understand why everybody say Purple Rain was his best album ever...

"Come" was still a little disappointement ever, and almost a mistake 2 release it this way (as there R really surprising version of the song "come"... I remember fake track list that were running around through fans at that period... the silver and gold and platinum experience...)

When people say 'the 90s catalogue', sometimes it's really more about the post-Warners catalogue, or the ' catalogue' . A lot of people generally have this kind of opinion re the 90s:

1978-1988 - Prince's best work
1989-1995 - Still great, but lesser as a whole
1996-2000 - Mediocrity, treading water and genre-chasing spiked by a few gems
2001-2006 - Still many of the qualities of 1996-2000 period, but on an upward trend.


It's about everything: song-writing, production, image, lyrics, Prince's direction and what he's influenced by.

IMO, commercial Black popular music at the moment (i.e. Top 40) is in a dire state -- That's just my personal taste, I don't like it, and I haven't since the mid/late 90s, before which, I very much did like it - So when I hear Prince emulating, or moving towards, or taking in the influence of these trends (for whatever reason - he wants to fit in, cash in or just simply because he likes it, etc).... I'm automatically gonna meet it with distain, not out of any '80s vs Now' mind-set, but because it's simply not to my personal taste.

The second I heard the first notes of 'Black Sweat' kick in I thought 'Here we go.... another one for the dust pile'.... because that kind of music isn't to my taste. But I still have an interest in Prince's musical out-put, because I still enjoy following his career, even if the musical output isn't as rich (for me) as it has been in the past.

It's continually baffling why someone who has so much song-writing, production, musical talent and potential to use these precious tools to make something special artistically, would bother tossing out song after song after song like Hot Wit' U, Black Sweat, Poom Poom, Life O' The Party, etc, etc, etc that surely must take the most minimal of effort for someone like Prince.

But that's Prince.... He releases the kind of music he wants to release, and I have plenty of other musical interests where I can get my kicks from if Prince's stuff isn't doing it for me, but he's still #1 with me.

1978-1988 - Prince's best work

...errrr... why not ? but at that time was he himself really confident in his sound (he does not like the way parade sounds, paraît-il) And if most of the songs of this years are good, their sound is often "little"... SOTT is in my opinion the best example : great songs but low sound... Then comes lovesexy which sounds totally different and I guess that's also why the black album have not been released then... Listening 2 SOTT/BA and Lovesexy, there is technically a fifteen years gap in quality recording... Just my opinion...

But but... he's still my #1 whatever the period !

NouveauDance said:

Very good points - I agree with most of them i.e. I feel the same way.

My favourite periods and IMO when he made his best music was 1992-1996 [from to C&D] and 1984-1987 [excluding ATWIAD but definitely including Dream Factory]. Sitting alongside these ‘periods’ would be his crowning achievement TRC and, like you say Nouveau, other hidden gems along the way – sometimes whole albums like Dirty Mind, The Truth, ONA or individual tracks.

All of the above is my opinion of course and is rooted in my own personal tastes – which centres on music played with REAL instruments - REAL drums, bass and GUITARS!!!

i think princes best work came in the 1993-1996 period. The whole come/tge/emancipation era was filled with amazing tracks. Then you had all the left over unreleased stuff from this period like the undertaker, the crystal ball tracks etc.

1980-1988 was amazing also and defined princes legacy!

2001-2002 was an amazing period also, i think the rainbow children is his most impressive album. I hope he finishes this decade with another few great records. all in all the 00s have been more concise than the 90s.

Thank you for expressing your opinion. I am enlightened.

Novabreaker said:

Always have a smart ass remark don't you?

doctamario said:

Okay, I will admit I was a little harsh on "Rave." "Baby Knows," "Hot Wit U," and "The Greatest Romance.." are pretty good, but you have to admit there are some bad, effortless songs on there. (The Sun,moon, and stars, Tangerine.)

kpowers said:

Call the Law I don't mind. Gangster Glam is okay too. The rest I agree with you on.

heckaslammin said:

I wish I was like Novabreaker, it would cut down on the RSI.

I think theres just as many people who love his 90s work ( like me ) as there
are people who hate it , its just maybe that the ones who hate it speak up more.
Prince's 1991-1996 work was THE period that hooked me as a lifelong fan , I LOVE IT !

heckaslammin said:

Wait... the moment someone starts saying "You have to admit..." then I can almost bet I'm going to disagree with them.

"The Sun, The Moon And Stars" is one of my favorite tracks from Rave. "Baby Knows"... eh, not so much with the good.

NouveauDance said:

Real-Symbolic-Imaginary?

jtfolden said:

Tangerine is a great little track

Novabreaker said:

Rrrrrrepetitve Strain Injury!