Its the second best of the 90s IMO. I know thats not saying much. But Rave is pretty good I think.

The main complaint I hear is that its over produced (or whatever) But all the lyrics are awesome. Its a perfect mix of songs, without one out of place like 3121. And its great to listen to. Never boring like Emancipation.

I don't get it.

i don't like it. i like the remixed version, because it sounds like he was trying to put more personality into it, even if it got a little cheesy here and there. but the original version just sounded like he was second-guessing himself in the production all the way through. it just reminds me of when he was going through a mixed-up, dark time in his life and career, and i think the confusion shows on this album. it sounded like something he thought people wanted him to record, not like something he wanted to make. one of my least favorite prince albums ever.

Anxiety said:

I was going to answer this until my thoughts were suddenly hijacked by Anxiety.

Anyway, albums that I repeat continuously have to be kissed with greatness. No, not the entire album, but a majority of it.

And I only hear ballad greatness on this album, one of which was remixed into a fantastic 8-minute version. Then there's that kiss-off piano number about honesty and such.

But we're all thankfully different. Albums that I love you probably hate and vice versa.

But I bet we have plenty of overlap! At least I'm going to pretend that we do.

I dont mind it, it has been growing on me over the last 10 years or so! Some of the pop tunes are pretty cool, just didnt sound right in their day, they are much better now for some reason, aging well like a fine wine. Also, it reminds me of the year 2000 when I was in new york, lots of fun!!

I think he was just trying to make it sound futuritic cuz of 2000, thats all.

Which is gay enough in its own.

But it still came out good.

TotalANXiousNESS said:

I think it certainly did sound futuritic. In fact, I wish there would be more futuritic albums.

TotalANXiousNESS said:

I like Rave, but don't LOVE it.
It just seemed kind of stupid to me that he would have all these special "guests" on there to include the talented Kate Bush, only to bury their asses so far down in the mix to make it pointless to even have them on.

It's a stronger album than Planet Earth though.

Imago said:

I love it, for what it IS.

A 90s Prince album.

Yanno.....

I think Rave is a wonderful, well produced album. I dig the packaging, concept and music!!

I wish the original "Rave UN2" would have had the longer versions of "Tangerine" and "Baby Knows" with "Beautiful Strange" added to it. That would have been an extra serving of sweetness for me. ; )

All and All the album is funky, soulful and it ROCKS! It was a great end to the 90's and a look at what was to come from Prince. Sometimes I travel and love to listen to his music ( it keeps me going )...so it is always good to hear the styles and musical progression from Emancipation, Chaos and Disorder on up to New Power Soul, Rave, Rainbow Children, Musicology, 3121 and now Planet Earth.

I really can't think of any other artist who has covered so much ground! PRINCE has his own sound and style that is just unriveled.

Peace and B Wild!

dang, i miss that cd...

I really like Rave. It's probably my 4th favourite Prince CD (after Lovesexy, 1999 and TRC) because it's got a great mix of different styles. Rave un2 the Joy Fantastic is so tight, and the lyrics of Undisputed are really funny - 'You can feel me coming out of everyone of your pores. OO, hear me, feel me, love me now'. Prince was really smart getting Chuck D to appear on this album.

Hot with U and The Sun, The Moon and Stars are songs that I listen to again and again.

i love rave, baby knows and greatest romance are amazing.

Exetergirl said:

Those two songs are really underrated and unappreciated around here, aren´t they ?
I like them a lot though...the snowball/marshmallow references are a bit gross ( in a song) and that fake reaggae part at the end of The Sun, the Moon and Star is a major flaw but other than that, those two songs are really nice. Especially that Nasty Girl remix.The Manowar remix is also pretty tight. There were a lot of things I didn´t like on this album and I much prefer the remix version of this album but somehow, the album contained a lot of highly interesting ideas and beats and melodies.
It just was a bit unfocused and forced and definitely not really one of Prince´s darker eras. Also, I think the configuration changed quite a bit in the process of its creation and I wonder what the first configuration sounded like ( the one that Clive Davis first heard ) .
I don´t think that Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic is what it was supposed to sound like originally.
Of course, there are also the 1988 configurations which were drastically different.

Because it was a sellout album. He copied Michael Jackson's formula of having several successful guest artists on the album.

vainandy said:

interesting. most people think he was working off santana's comeback formula.

Anxiety said:

Good not great album. Worth it for:

I love u, but don't trust u .....
man O war
Wherever u go .....
tangerirne

vainandy said:

Yeah, I go with the Santana theory. But still. So what??? I like it. It's an interesting album. The lyrics in The Greatest Romance, are really deep, its a great song. Undisputed, is witty. Tangerine is cute and 80s ish. The Richard Marx remake....or whoever the hell sang where ever you go.....its a bit cutesie, but its still okay.

I think its a really well rounded album.

And Anx, what you said before about him seeming unsure and it showed, I don't see that at all. I think Emancipation was more like that.

The Rave album is like making a curry out of a sauce, bought from a jar in a supermarket.

The ingredients are there, the taste is just okay, but you know that the real deal would be far more satisfying.

Cos Apart from a few songs its shit

I've always thought Rave was a pretty good Prince album. IMO, it was his best album since Love Symbol or Come.

I love rave

Where were you guys when I posted my review thread for the album?
http://prince.org/msg/7/248244

I could use all this love on there!!

I feel like the album gets very little love.
And I think I've come realize why yesterday (having listened 2 it for the 5th time this week). I don't know about overproduced or studio plastic (someone someplace said that, not here).
The lyrics are incredible in a lot of these. The music sounds futuristic, so I've compared it to 3121. Although I haven't opened the floodgates for that discussion yet.

I think what it's missing is that extraordinary factor, the "je ne sais qua" Prince always has in his music. Compared to other albums, it feels... ordinary.

I love all the tracks except Prettyman (doesn't feel like the other tracks). But my favorite tracks in particular are:

The Greatest Romance
Hot W/U
So Far, so pleased
Sun/Moon/Stars
Love U, but don't trust U anymore
Strange but True
Wherever U Go...

For the record, though, I still say PE is a stronger album. It's tighter and all of the tracks have the same vibe. At least I think so. In fact, "So far so pleased" could have fit very well at the end of PE, had it had a slightly different feel to it, but it kinda reminds me of "Lion of Judah"

I love Rave.Especially Rave In2.

i like the album because of Man O War, TGRES, I Love U But I Dont Trust U Anymore, Strage But True and Wherever U Go

the rest of the album is pretty terrible.

and i really dont see how some ppl think Man O War dragged on too long. i thought it was the perfect length and is one of his best songs from the 90s

Anxiety said:

Yep, that's why.

Anxiety said:

Much more likely, especially as he was working with Clive Davis at the time (who was also behind the Santana) album.

Michael Jackson? In 1999?

It's like Emancipation, disc 5 to me (disc 4 being NPS)

I like it okay. But I wouldn't call any of the songs classic. Silly Game comes closest for me.

Prince's music always has something to offer for me. So I don't call it trash, but it's probably in the bottom 5 or 10 for me.

I just found it disappointing because in 1999 Prince should have released a really hot album called Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic, but instead he released a relatively bland & depressing one.

TotalANXiousNESS said:

Good point, Anxious! From what some people have said here, I wonder why some of you 'fans' like Prince at all. Only Prince would make an album like Rave Un2.

Okay, the title track is not all that (I prefer the Batdance Remix version!) but Undisputed is funky as hell. The lyrics may be self-assured and pompous, but this IS Prince we are talking about here. Half his songs are about how damn cool he is!
Greatest Romance - another great ballad to add to the pile. Signature Prince vocals over a nice bass-heavy rhythm track - just like all his best tunes.
Hot Wit U - A classic Prince ditty. More funky beats, dirty/comedy lyrics and great horns! What the fuck are you complaining about? Makes me suck my tongue and say ooo!!
Tangerine is fantastic. I just wish he'd put the longer version on Un2.
The Sun, the Moon - I love this. Some reckon it's ruined by the rap. But who else would dare do a multitrack Shabba Ranks impression and let it morph into barber shop style by the end??? Genius! Makes me cum like a cold winter in Montreal.
Winding Road - I'll give you this one. I'm not into Prince doing covers. As if he hasn't got enough tunes to fill an 80 minute CD!!
Manowar - I do not like this that much, but as someone who had a messy break-up with a girl who was always up for an argument and their pound of flesh, I identify with the sentiment.
Baby Knows - Another rock out. Again, I wish he'd put the long version on Un2.
I Love U, But I Don't Trust U... - Fantastic. Prince, piano, a bit of guitar and little more. Prince is not making this up. How many artists would perform such an open, honest song? His heart is on show. Up there with I Love U in Me. Amazing!
Silly Game - Another example of Prince telling a story from his point of view. You can't fault him for doing that.
Strange But True - May be a throwaway tune but you got to love that crunching bassline. If you liked Prince's signature eighties synth sound first time around, why don't you like the synth solo here? Again, Prince predicts the return of his own synth sound about 2 years before it became trendy again!
I would like to forget the Richard Marx tribute (I would've preferred a cover of Hazard) but given what Prince has said about/to Mayte on the album, you have to respect the message. I hate my ex sometimes, but I will always love her and wish her happiness for the rest of her life. Isn't this what Prince is doing?

And just when you thought the album was over, along comes Prince with a comedy advert for his website AND Pretty Man! Funky, funky, FUNKY (with that shit sax player that used to play with James Brown).

And about the over-the-top production - what on Earth?? Nice, crisp vocals and strings, round bass, et cetera. Stick some headphones on, you deaf fuckers! There's all kinds of shit going on in the background - just like on Lovesexy and all the other rubbish, over-produced records Prince has been making for 30 years! Gimme this over the basic production you have on Planet Earth!

In summary, I hate Rave Un2 the Joy. It's crap!

eightiesmusicculture said:

At last, someone else who likes this track! And let's not forget that it's Chuck D doing the rap...Chuck D, do you hear me, Chuck D...brilliant!