MattyJam said:

The D'Angelo comparison isn't really on the mark because it's a chicken/egg issue. Which came first. The only thing remotely D'Angelo-esque about the album is the use of the Fender Rhodes. I don't think D'Angelo is the first to use the Rhodes, since it's use has a long history in the Soul, Funk, and Jazz genres. He doesn't have the market cornered on Rhodes use any more than Prince has the market cornered with that stupid voice. D'Angelo owes his falsetto vocal style to Marvin Gaye and Prince. Without Prince's use of the old reliable falsetto, and his current Rhodes affinity on those songs would anyone even think of D'Angelo?

Maybe you could say that Prince's current use of the Rhodes is the influence of the so-called "Neo Soul" movement in general, D'Angelo included. Although it's not the first time he's used it, it's the first time he's used it on one album so much.

D'Angelo has admitted to his Prince obsession.

i have changed my mind...
[This message was edited Tue Feb 25 19:30:06 PST 2003 by imnotsayinthisjust2bnasty]

I think many of us who have been fans since the beginning tend to base our opinions on how good a Prince album is, especially one from the 80s, on how much it affected us in our lives at that time. I was 18 when Lovesexy came out and I was just dealing with admitting I was gay. I drew on the spiritual strength of that album to help me get through the rejection I faced from family and friends. I listened to it with a searching soul and I found answers. Some of the answers lie in the album itself, but other answers I discovered within my own self as I listened over and over. Seeing Prince on the cover naked and bare gave me the strength and courage to face my own newfound “nakedness”. Having to face society’s anger and hate was a tough choice but I thought if Prince could be THAT honest and open, so could I. I always saw the cover as one of God’s creatures simply existing in a state of truth. I always knew the cover wasn’t supposed to be a nasty thing, rather Prince exposed and bare and having no shame about basking in the glorious knowledge he found in the midst of despair.

For personal reasons I happen to believe that this album IS a masterpiece. But I also believe this from a musical standpoint. IMO, Lovesexy still sounds fresh. If you took that album and compared it to any and everything around it at the time it was released, it totally stands alone. The only argument about the sound being dated is the use of the Linn drum, other than that, you can’t say this has an 80s sound to it. You really can’t even compare it to the music that Prince made before and after. It is so unique. I agree that this album personified Prince the best. And I also agree that Rainbow Children gave it a good try but failed to even come close to the realms that Lovesexy resides in.

I love the lyrics. Even the “silly” ones. One of the things that is the most fun about Prince’s music is trying to figure out what all the metaphorical wording means. It brings out the creativity in us all when we discuss lyrics that make absolutely no sense on the surface. Usually we come to amazing conclusions and for that, the lyrics will never bother me. Besides there are many other lyrics that stand out, probably the best being “In every man’s life there will be a hang-up, a whirlwind designed to slow you down. It cuts like a knife, it tries to get in you…this spooky electric sound. Give up if you want to and all is lost, Spooky Electric will be your boss………….Don’t kiss the beast, be superior at least”. I STILL to this day rely on this album to help me achieve the right frame of mind when I think I’m down for the count. It puts me on my feet every time.

I want to cry right now writing about how much this album affected my life. It truly remains my favorite and most surely always will.

Love God, Love Life, Lovesexy

.
[This message was edited Tue Feb 25 19:31:18 PST 2003 by imnotsayinthisjust2bnasty]

Duh Lovesexy is just slightly better (rolling eyes). For a start it has songs!! Secondly its quite simply the most musically diverse album he's ever made. Its like Parade but with focus, a carousel of colors and sound. The Rainbow Children doesn't hold a candle to the mighty Lovesexy. Lovesexy even leaves the likes of Purple Rain standing IMO.

Lovesexy, baby. Hardly comparable.

pimpytheclown said:[quote]I still cannot understand the adoration for Lovesexy; people's comments are all flowery for Lovesexy, while they actually look at TRC for what it it. LETS look at "Lovesexy" for what IT is:

1) Quickly recorded to replace the funkier Black Album. Which album in retrospect REALLY would have helped his career MORE? I say "The Black Album", in spite of being angry and lyrically tame by today's standards!
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I don't think you can point to the quick recording of this album as a negative thing. Have you ever been in the grips of inspiration? It can cause instant creativity to spring forth from the center of your soul. I think this is the case with this album. Remember, Prince once had a dream, woke up and laid down The Ballad of Dorothy Parker. Prime example of how a quickly recorded song can kick the fuck out of anything anyone took any amount of time to work on.

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2) "Eye (?!?) No": is this a GOOD track or NOT? If anything, this redoing of "The Ball" is good lyrically, but I argue that it is not good musically.
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It opens with the wind of knowledge rushing towards the fire and the simple declaration of faith, "I know". This song is so joyful. Listen to the gentle strength at 2:14 "My lord is so quiet when he calls your name, when you hear it you're heart will thunder...you will want to hear it every day".

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3) "Alphabet St.": isn't the "single Edit" better, ending with the screeching tires? That second part with Cat's "screeching rap" and the rest degenerates into noise;
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Classic Prince. Singing about sex on the heels of singing about God. The joining of two people in union is as close as we get to sharing God with another. This shit is so damn funky! Listen at 2:16 and tell me that you've ever heard the word "yeah" sung with such funkocity by anyone else. "Put the right letters together and make a better day".

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4) "Glam Slam" is pretty pedestrian, and who likes that last organ bit? Good video though.
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I always consider the beginning of Annastesia to be at 15:43 The tracked version of Lovesexy has the beginning of Annastesia at 16:32. I admit I wasn't too fond of this song for the longest time. But It has grown on me and I'm sorry but you just can't fuck with the ending! I'm totally blown away by this part 16:06 - 16:28. That is some absolutely amazing finger ability!!! The whole synth
duel at the end of Glam Slam is incredible. It's a fierce example of WHY Lovesexy is my favorite Prince album.

Annastesia is clearly, IMO, the most honest spiritual expression Prince has ever or ever will have. Musically this song packs more of a punch than anything on TRC. It begins with urgent searching and ends with a resoundingly clear answer. The way the guitar tweeks out at the end sends this song straight into your soul.
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5) "Dance On" the title promises more than this jerky song. What DO those lyrics speak to you HONESTLY?
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Dance ON! This shit is just too damn funky too! I can't believe how many people dislike this song. PICK IT UP! Dancing is the physical manifestation of the soul's liberation. This fits perfectly within the spiritual message of this album. Also, Sheila's fierce ass drumming, the insanely happy introduction of the hammond organ and the message make this song a classic in my book.

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6) "When 2r in Love": crap
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This is an absolutely beautiful ballad. Listen at 3:22 and tell me that you've ever heard the word "love" sung so beautifully and with such heart.

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7) "I Wish U Heaven": Where "Alphabet St." should have been cut off, "Heaven" should have included all the extended version, parts 2 and 3 from the maxi-single! "My little friend, The Blue Angel!/ the psudo-Housequake bit, etc. What a way to end "Lovesexy" that could have been!
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Good idea but the song is short, sweet and to the point. Fine with me.

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8) "Positivity" is dull for Prince.Except for the "choir" bit."A Place in Heaven" and/or "Heaven": why not add these INSTEAD?
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Dull? Brings to life the battle between good and evil. The guitar and synth, spooky and strange. How can you even not dig this lyric: In every man’s life there will be a hang-up, a whirlwind designed to slow you down. It cuts like a knife, it tries to get in you…this spooky electric sound. Give up if you want to and all is lost, Spooky Electric will be your boss………….Don’t kiss the beast, be superior at least”.

And let's not forget the title track. It sums up everthing before and after. What a song.

This album will never be replaced as my favorite, especially by a wanna be like TRC.

Being the moderate that I am, I have to say I like them both equally. Can't say one is better than the other.

Love Lovesexy, always will. It's a great little record that is aging extremely well.

The Rainbow Children, in my opinion, is a return to form. It's the most interesting thing he's done in awhile, and its nice to hear him sing and play so passionately again. I like it from beginning to end, and think Last December is just as good as Annastesia. I am liking this one more as time goes on (I did the same with Lovesexy...I did NOT like it that much when it came out...took awhile to grab hold).

Finally, TRC, I think, plays better live. I loved the Lovesexy show, but the only song from the album that sounded as good or better than the record is Annastesia (and maybe Alphabet St). But TRC(the whole album), sounds even BETTER live than the record. The ONA tour conviced me how good those songs from TRC are and made me want to listen to the album more. The Lovesexy concert was more of a really entertaining overview of his work up to that point.

Just a thought...

Pagey said:

When I said wanna be in relation to TRC, I meant the album trying to usurp Lovesexy's position as Prince's true spiritual statement. As long as Prince holds as much guilt as he does, I'll never take to his spiritual messages/songs like I do with Lovesexy.

I wholeheartedly agree, the TRC tracks kick ass live. They are even better! I could not believe how much better they sounded. I love TRC musically but am very into lyrics so Lovesexy gets my vote on both counts.

I don't think it's as silly a comparison as people are making it out to be. TRC wins for me - it covers more ground & I can't stop playing it!

lovesexy

Without a doubt, The Rainbow Children. In fact, I feel he should have released The Black Album instead of Lovesexy.

This is tough.
I really LOVE Lovesexy, but I listen to TRC a lot and it's pretty great. But I can still remember when I listened to Lovesexy in 88 and I thought it was the bomb!

Like someone else already said: give TRC a few years and then ask the question again...

Today, my mind says TRC, but my heart screams Lovesexy (does this answer your question?)

Peace,
TheKid

Most definitly The Rainbow Children. It's one of the best albums, if not the best. I love Lovesexy, but TRC gotta take the vote on this one.

LOVESEXY!!! got my name up on my thigh!

Lovesexy is great, TRC is awful shit.

My vote is for TRC... I just think it is a more consistent album overall. However my top 3 Prince albums in no particular order are TRC, Lovesexy and Emancipation, so they're all great

TRC is also great , but LoveSexy!is the 1 ! I was also about 13 , and it was my first pRiNcE concert !!!
SuPeRCaLiFrAgIsExY !

Lovesexy.

THE RAINBOW CHILDREN HANDS DOWN!!!
but i still love anna stesia, alphabet st. and when 2 r in love.

Lovesexy

TRC musically, overall I like this album just a tad better.

But Lovesexy, as far as the message goes.