These were 2 albums that was not only almost simultaneously released but also dawned the end of the Prince name at the same time. So which is better? The Balck Album was dark, hard-driven funk while Come was a mere throwback to the earlier 80's albums. They're both good without a doubt and have their strong points. Like, some of my fave tracks from Come are: the title track, Space, Letitgo, Papa, and Dark. While Black for me are: Cindy C., Rockhard in a funky place, 2 Niggas United for West Compton, and Bob George. I will declare Black the winner for one reason only. Solo. I DON'T LIKE THIS SONG! It doesn't fit to me on this collection and somewhat holds it back. Therefore, tough decision but The Black Album wins for that otherwise it would be a draw.

Come by far.

Black,just 4 Bob George.

BLACK BY FAR! Every track's a winner and then you have Rock Hard in a funky place. They are totally different albums. Though Black was not released when recorded, it was made with intent.

Come is a ridiculous throway one word song titles gimmick and contractual obligation. OK, because it get's so little attention that when you do put it on it has the "well it's not that bad and kinda interesting" factor, but it's no damned good either!

machinegun said:

No not at all I loved Come when it first came out and I still do. I guess I could also argue that those who love the Black Album only love it because it was shelved was never supposed to see the light of day and even P himself said not to buy it. So when they finally got their hands on it when WB released it around the same time as Come, they were just so happy to finally have it they didn't care what it sounded like. Its ok if u don't like Come but don't get carried away. Just say u prefer the Black Album why u prefer it and keep it moving. Its wrong to assume u know why others like Come unless they personally come on here and state why.

come is a very poor album

tough question . both good albums .. i think songs like PAPA an LETITGO as individual songs are better than any individual song on THE BLACK ALBUM .. but that aint enough to make me be able to say COME is the better album ..cos ORGASM an SOLO aint up there with best of prince to say the least lol ... BLACK ALBUM has alot of flashes of greatness on it .. i do tend to feel towards the end of the album ROCKHARD ect ..that maybe he is outta control an the album has crossed the line an gone to a dark place .as dark if not darker than any album even bodycount lol .. it is an important album . but LOVESEXY was his redemption/salvation cos i am sure he realised that the album somehow crosses the line .. is it me or does everyone feel that? .. come doesnt seem to go to that kinda place as such ....BLACK is an awesome interesting album .but has a weard vibe that is cool . but every other prince album seems to have songs that inspire something more spiritual or display decency an a GOODNESS of charactor ..BLACK displays a bad arse prince with no niceness .. after all this i cannot decide which i like the most

Come definitely. I like the spaced out feel to it.

LoDog said:

I agree, solo was disappointing because he mentions the curb looks like a skyscraper when he should have sung about sitting on a dime and swinging his legs.

I dig both... and Come is undoubtedly the more cohesive of the two... but The Black Album has more of a funk tip.

For Superfunkycalifragasexy alone, I will have to go with The Black Album.

I do not understand the love for Come around here at all. most all of that album is dreadfully mediocre and obvious filler. While the Black Album is by no means a lost masterpiece, it is a solid funk workout with some seriously creative pieces.

Black Album is superior without question.

adorable2 said:

actually .. i got mine in 1989

The Black Album easily. I hated Come at the time and haven't listened to it in years.

For me Princes best work in his career came between 85-88. He produced so much good stuff then, including all the other unreleased stuff/bootlegs.

Come has such a strong cult following here.
I'm going to have to reassess it.

words like eery and dark have reawakened my curiosity.
Thanks kids, I may learn to love it yet!!

Rightly said:

I wouldn't say cult following. There are people here who like it and people who don't.

If I am not mistaken, the Black Album was made in the late 80's, pulled at the last minute only to be replaced by the Lovesexy release. I think the black album became part of the deal when Prince gave a bunch of tracks to Warner Brothers to get out of his contract. And, Warner Brothers may have actually released it.

The Black Album is truely a phat, aggressive well made album from begining to end.

Having said that, "Come" is probably Prince's most amazing release musically. It would be an incredible album if it had no lyrics what-so-ever.

My vote is for "Come"

The Black album is by far the better. due to the fact that the gritty and dark funk he touched upon without any fear of where he was going with it enabled him to create an album so raw in power. That scared him I think and made him seek goodness (through Lovesexy). He had never before and hasn't since been so daring, which is why I'm so glad he turned nasty for it. Even though he advises me not to buy the black album on the "symbol" album booklet, I go against his better judgement.
Though the first two thirds of Come is sublime, Black still gets my vote.

Rightly said:

Word.

I spotted it sleeping in a cardoard box out on an alleyway not all that long ago.

I like both albums, but if i had to choose one, I would have to with Come. It has a laid back feel to it. Plus Space is one of my favorite Prince songs.

But you can't deny that the Black is funky. Bob George is one of the most unique Prince songs I've heard.

purplesweat said:

I agree. There is a spaced out feel to this cd. I like this cd because at the time it was released I was able to tell all my friends, "See? This is jammin' ass Prince!" I liked the beats and music to Come, Let It Go, Space, and Dark.

However...the Black Album is CLASSIC Prince. Dirty, nasty, funky...That will never happen again. Plus the last of Camille in "Rock Hard in a Funky Place". I loved Camille! I think that though Come does jam, the Black Album held my interest for far too long during my teenage years as a bootleg to still win my vote for the better of the two. According to the All Music Guide the release of the Black Album in 1994 was anti-climactic. Every hard-core Prince fan had already had a copy of it for years! Plus the cd of the Black Album doesn't sound very good. It has lost the "grittiness" (I guess) that it once held for me. Come sounds far better on cd, but music and song-wise the Black Album is stll the best.

I only ever had my copy of the black album on tape.
A disrespectful player chewed it up many years ago.

I prefer the Black Album.

Come was a bit disappointing. I liked the songs on Come.
If the poem intros were cut and Orgasm was dropped I think it would have been a better album.

I just listened to The Black Album last night actually. It's a winner!!!

I like Come too, Letitgo is the best song from it in my opinion.

Black Album wins.

ps. Did someone cover Letitgo in the '90's?? I'm thinking TLC or some other such RnB/Girl group.