I didn't have the patience to really give this album the time of day. However, in the knowledge that most of the ONA concert will be TRC material I thought I'd give it one last try...

I still feel the album is patchy, but I really quite like it in parts now:

Rainbow Children 7/10 - Good chorus, bad instrumentation, sounds messy. Love the rising bit though.

Muse 2 The Pharaoh 7/10 - Cool, chilled, boring by the end though.

Digital Garden 9/10 - Loved this from the moment I heard it. Love the beat and Prince's vocals.

The Work 7/10 - Okay, for a James Brown rip-off.

Everywhere 8/10 - Quite uplifting, a very church-like feel. Love the female voice that opens it - who is that?

The Sensual Everafter 9/10 - A beautiful piece of instrumentation. Very atmospheric.

Mellow 6/10 - Okay, bit bland.

1+1+1 is 3 7/10 - Cool, but needs a good verse. Love the 'If we can't do it no-one can' breakdown.

Wedding Feast 10/10 (it makes me laugh THAT much!) - Amusing. Anyone actually understand this?

She Loves Me 4 Me 8/10 - Pretty enough, but in terms of pretty melodies, it's no way near Circle Of Amour.

Family Name 8/10 - Do we have to have the ten hour introduction - the actual song is pretty damn funky, but the intro ruins it!

The Everlasting Now 7/10 - Love the half sung/half rapped verses. The rest is okay.

Last December 9/10 - Thought-provoking lyrics and superb instrumentation. Very Purple Rain, only better.

Glad to hear you have re-evaluated this cd. It's a true masterpiece. Keep listening and you will eventually love it.

MattyJam said:

I don't think many here do. But it's pretty obvious it wasn't meant to be taken as seriously as some people who can't lighten up take it. You would think they'd know it's tongue in cheek. Even ultra serious Public Enemy has Flavor Flav for comic relief.

i might be crazy, but i hear a "the fragile by nin" influence on this album... namely digital garded and the 2nd half of rainbow children

MattyJam said:

mattyjam

I love it! took me more than half a dozen listens to get into it though.

Everlasting now ,Family name and Last December are my favourites.

overall 8.5 outa 10.

TRC is currently #5 on my Prince albums list. This list is due to change based on listening preferences,mood, etc.

1+1+1 is 3 gets 10 out of 10 from me!

Prince performing this material live is much more than the cd.

lovebird said:

I agree. I like the album very much, but take the title song...that one just straight rocks live!

And MattyJam: if you don't like the ending of "Muse"...it'S way more exciting in concert!

The album is Great the best work from Prince in years. Everlasting Now and Last December are amazing and Family Name is just great. I got into this album the first time I played it and have been addicted ever since. It's an album that is uplifting and spiritual and when he performs the songs live it just sends you into 7th Heaven.

MattyJam said:

qoute: Rainbow Children 7/10 - Good chorus, bad instrumentation, sounds messy. Love the rising bit though.


2 each his own. but it's really hard for me to understand how someone could say this is bad instrumentation. have you heard of improvising. and the solo at the end---that is seriously one of the most beautiful things i've heard in a long time!!!

I too loved this the first time I heard it. My older brother who had introduced me to Prince a looong time ago had already heard it and advised me to listen to his copy before buying it. He still remains unconvincved - although with the upcoming London shows he is trying.

I haven't enjoyed a Prince album like this since Lovesexy - and had nearly given up hope. The title track is my fave easily - I think the instrumentation is superb - but hey, one man's ceiling is another man's floor.

Funninly enough the one track I don't particularly like is Last December - it is so twee. Would be greatly improved (for me) if that nasty synth riff were lifted off the chorus and dumped far out at sea (There are a few more of those in P's canon which could go the same way).

Can't wait to hear it live! See you in London on the 4th.

Wedding Feast = This interlude is about not eating meat (Prince is a vegetarian of course)

Not just a vat of Giblets
Or turkey meat u c
We R what we eat
So we must eat a leaf

?
[This message was edited Wed Feb 26 4:01:31 PST 2003 by IstenSzek]

paisleypark4 said:

You sure "giblets" is the word?