I resent having to make the choice.

Parade

sextonseven said:

I think there were also many other influences on Prince's sound at the time as well. Not just W&L. Besides Susan Rogers explained the creative input on the HQ interview.
[Edited 6/7/06 21:16pm]

Lovesexy for personal reasons, but Parade is one monster of an album.

I'm usually in the mood for Parade more often than I am for Lovesexy... in fact, I don't even need to be in a particular mood for Parade, but I kinda do for Lovesexy...

Always Parade for me But then Im a child of the Revolution Lovesexys ok...but Im just not feeling it

Cloudbuster said:

she looks like one of them dudes from queer eye for the straight guy. you know the one you like with the hairy chest.

oh and .....parade.

1999n3121 said:

I don't trust Prince's opinion all the time.

DorothyParkerWasCool said:

That's very true. W&L's just seemed the most obvious to me.

Damn that is a hard choice;

I like Parade because of that 1986ish era and also that I like Wendy and Lisa's involvement as well.

I also like Lovesexy too because of the funk that I like and also I like the era and also the band is better and funkier.

I choose Parade only because Lisa and Wendy was in that album. Otherwise it would be a tied imo.

CalhounSq said:

Well said, and the same reason I go with Parade as well.

lovesexy

My thoughts on those two records (sorry, long):

Parade and Lovesexy are two of the most sonically daring Prince records (when it comes to mixing musical styles and the experimental arrangements), in that way they compare.

Both have obvious a lot of input from the musicians involved. The melodism and the input of new (european) musical styles on Parade is probably a result of Prince working neatly together with Wendy and Lisa, and empathised by the orchestral arrangements from Clare Fischer.
Contrary what some say here, Lovesexy is definitely not a record by Prince, in my opinion its a real band record (the bandmembers are also listed in the sleeve) and you can obviously hear the influence and input from Eric Leeds, and i think Sheila E, Mark Fink and Levi Seaver had a significant input also.

There are differences also, Parades arrangements are more playfull, less thought ought then those on Lovesexy. Prince and the band members are exploring the possibilities of what a 'pop' record can sound, putting artsy elements into it, but they never forget its pop and not classical music or improvised jazz. So the more 'pretentious' elements like the use of strings, vaudeville music and jazz are balanced by 'pop' elements like funky grooves, the humor used in the lyrics, and some catchy melodies.
The way this records balances between those elements is often subtle, light and charming.

On Lovesexy the thing that most appearent is that the record shows a musician (and band) with splendid abilities to arrange music. Its like the culmination of all kind of elements and styles that Prince has tried out during his career until then, bundled into 45 minute of music. The song are arranged very consequently, in the way that all songs (soundwise) fit together, all songs have horns on it, mix electronic drums with real drums and percussion and the harmonies and hornlines are often dissonant. This makes it Prince most cohesive record when it comes to sound and productionstyle.
As said Lovesexy is very thought out, impressive when it comes to arrangements (akin to the likes of Frank Zappa and George Clinton), but the busieness of the arrangements, the fact that there is so much going on at the same time dont make it a record for every mood, as some have stated here.

My favorite:

Alltough i happened to like Lovesexy better at first, i tend to go for Parade now. When i am the right mood (for me that is: energetic, full of joy) Lovesexy is a perfect record to listen: the energy and the brilliance of the music reflecting my mood. But at other times (when i am tired, trying to relax) Lovesexy is sometimes too much, too busy, and then the 'rush' of the record can irritate me.
Parade was very impressive when i first listened to it, like hearing one of the classic beatles albums it offers an incredible range of musical styles and imagination. After some time i didnt listened to the record that much anymore, because it felt like Prince could have done better with some of the arrangements, some songs sounded to gimickal to me, and i thought it lacked the in general strong songwriting showed on Sign of the Times.
My view has changed in the time. After Parade has been out for 20 years i have listenend to it regularly in the last months. And its the fact that it isnt a flawless record that makes it the more enjoyable for me: the experiments with sounds, musical styles and arrangements sound fresh and timeless, because Prince and the Revolution are obviously exploring their possibilities, sounding playfull and vivid when they do so. Not all songs are first rate material, but the humor and the lightness offer compensation for that.

Concluding:
Parade shows Prince and the Revolution exploring new terrorities, sounding fresh and playfull, they are not on the top of their game yet, but Parade lets you (the listener) join them in this process of creative growth, there is room for you as a listener to 'participate', that probably gives this record its timeless quality.
Lovesexy shows Prince and his band during the end of a process. The record sums up Princes abilities as an arranger, bandleader and musician, and tries very hard to express those abilities. On the one hand it leads to brilliant arrangements, and exquisite musicianship, on the other hand this offers not very much room for the listener to 'relate'. You might be struck in awe by the brilliance offered to you, but it lacks the subtlety and 'open spaces' that Parade offers us listeners to 'participate' in the listening proces.

silverchild said:

yeah, but that's just as much because of Wendy & Lisa as anything else. Apparently, that era was just far more collaborative than previous -- and you can tell by how unique sounding it was.

I won't choose and you can't make me.

I them both.





Although perhaps Parade by the tiniest of margins ONLY because it's tracked and therefore easier to get to my fave songs...

Riverpoet31 said:

wow...i think i love you.

Anybody remember when Stevie Wonder said that Talking Book was a collection of better songs but Innervisions was a better overall statement? That's kinda how I view Parade and Lovesexy, except, unlike with Stevie, I don't favor the better overall statement (Lovesexy) over the collection of better songs (Parade). I prefer Parade because, as overrated as I think it is by a lot of Purple-ites, I don't think there's anything on Lovesexy that gets me groovin' as much as "Girls And Boys"/"Mountains" or touches me as much as "Sometimes It Snows In April".

So, my vote goes to Parade.

This is a great thread!

It's funny how you can be on the same wavelength. I put on Parade the other day. It had been a while, so it was like listening to it for the first time.. not knowing which song will come next.

I was blown away (all over again) by how un-dated it sounds!!! It didn't sound like the music of the time now or then -- it kind of stands alone. And then there's the fact that there's not a bad song on it. And each song fits so well with the next, even though they can be dramatically different styles. I mean .. what can you say to that?

I feel like Prince was very disciplined and parsimonious on this record -- a great self-editor (which is not often the case).

I love (no, really like) Lovesexy -- it has a place in my memories. But I think of it more as a "ride" or an "experience". Not so much as an album with individual songs I want to listen to. I never reach to it (besides the fact that I don't have a tracked version ).

So the winner is Parade by a wide margin. I actually think this album is a good intro for the Prince newbie. It's not an obvious choice and it really helps you appreciate Prince apart from that whole PR/SOTT vibe.

I hope Prince has another Parade in him!

Parade is really kicking butt on this thread. I'm surprised.

Both records have in common that Prince covers some sub-par songwriting here and there with overproduction imo. On Lovesexy, this approach is saved by the overall concept though.

GangstaFam said:

Yes Parade has become a kind of Revolver!

EmancipationLover said:

Wow you really think so? So which albums would you prefer? Just curious!

susannah said:

It's not that I hate both records. I absolutely love Lovesexy because of the whole concept/vibe, but to really rate it as some of his greatest work it has too many flaws in terms of composition imo. I like Parade, but to have it as an absolute favourite it has too many weak songs imo. Out of all his 80s albums (except of the two "standards" PR and SOTT), I would rate ATWIAD higher than both Parade and Lovesexy.

EmancipationLover said:

This from someone who loves Emancipation.

j/k


I hate Emancipation but LOVE Parade & Lovesexy--I'm guessing we probably have entirely different tastes in music.
[Edited 6/9/06 10:13am]

LOVESEXY is the 1 until my day is done!

HANDELASULLIAH!!!

jone70 said:

In terms of songwriting, Emancipation is one of Prince's best work. If it displays Prince's variety in musical styles to your full satisfaction might be a different topic (many people think it lacks some rougher, unpolished sounds), but you simply can't argue about the quality of the composition imo.

Some people on here are accusing Prince of using a lot of "filler" material in his 90s work, but the same people are defending albums with songs like "I Wonder U", "Life Can Be So Nice", "Dance On" or "Positivity" on them. All nice tunes, but you can look for the melodic inspiration with the microscope!

"Lovesexy" by FAR!

EmancipationLover said:

but those songs (well, with the exception of Dance On) all have interesting elements that were new to the prince catalog. nowadays, the filler songs all sound like something he's already done...IMHO.

as far as Emancipation. Theres just way way way too much unimaginative,uninspiring and downright lazy crap on there to even consider it on par w/ Parade, Lovesexy or even TRC or 3121. We Gets Up anyone? Courtin Time? Emale? Style?

lazy lazy lazy...



IMHO