This album was actually my first ever Prince cd. and I absolutely LOVE it. The whole rock/opera theme in songs like "3 Chains O' Gold" is fantastic. Then of course there's "The Max" which always get's me up dancing. LOL

It's definitely better then D&P.

Anyone agree?

Speedy72 said:

I do

Far far better than D&P, which to me, had a sterile feel to it.


The album was funkier, more energetic, and just plain wacky. 'Crazy Prince' came back on that one. Unfortunately, 'crazy Prince' brought hip hop with him, but the album is still a messy gem of genius to me.


I love 3 chains of gold, but I HATE Mayte's monologue in it! "Give back the chains... if you don't you will dieeeee"

Imago said:

LMAO.
I was thinking that when I was listening to it.

Awful.

Speedy72 said:

Nothing should come between you and Iiiiii

I pawned my gold...did u?

Tame said:

Oh My God. You really really really miss the NPGMC forums don't you honey?

Looking at it from the "whole" perspective,

Yes, I'd say that is a better album than "Diamonds & Pearls". It has a lot more strong tracks, I'll say that much about it.

The really strong tracks for Diamonds & Pearls are "Thunder," "Live 4 Love," and "Money Don't Matter 2night." Other than that, nothing else really stands out in a HUGE way.

Diamonds & Pearls is like an album u can chill with and enjoy. I've heard it thru 4-5 times. It feels like the type of album where he was writing music for the love of it. He wasn't out to prove anything (except maybe against the hip-hop industry which was very imminent at the time).

I wish they could have just called it the "Symbol" album at best. This whole "love symbol" thing is almost as bad as the concept of "The Artist Formerly known as Prince." leaves a bad taste in my mouth just typing it. I know why they came up with the idea 4 it, but even so, doesn't mean I'm cool with it. He only went by at the time, so that's what I'll "call" him.

The album seems like Prince's last big party before things got really serious (and kinda bad) for him and his "ego". All of the tracks have something diff. to offer, a diff. side of him exists in each piece. And of course, some of the songs have become my favorites (The Morning Paper, 7, Continental, The Max, just 2 name a few).

4 the record, though... I don't like "3 Chains O' Gold"... very un-Prince-like and it makes me

Imago said:

Hmmmm...

I do like D&P but was the album that tipped me over the edge, Prince-wise. They both have absolute classic tracks on them, though.

i give it a 7 out 10

mplsmike said:

Agreed.

I like a lot of the tracks, but it isn't without weakness.
Love 2 the 9's, Blue Light, and Sweet Baby (which I used 2 love) are all good tracks, but they are pretty weak in comparison 2 the rest.

Sexy MF has its own litle charm, but the whole rapping part kinda ruins it.

2 tell the truth, I hated "My Name is Prince" b4 I got the album, but I guess I had changed quite a bit since I last heard it. I thought the lyrics were completely off-base and he was joshing around. I certainly didn't see him that way (but I think I had him on a pedestal when I last heard it). But I love the music behind the song. The opening really did it 4 me.

In some of the tracks, he just pours it on. Whether its the sweet-talk (The Morning Paper, Damn U) or he's having a good time & it really shows (The Max, Continental)... that's what makes it a great album 4 me. But in comparsion to my top 4, its light is extinguished in the eyes of greatness.

Poor beginning (My Name Is Prince) and poor ending (Sacrifice of Victor). The rest is a wild, but fun rollercoaster of sound. I could do without The Flow, some of the segues, and Tony M but they don't ruin it for me. It's definitely a top 10 Prince album for me.

whodknee said:

I love "Sacrifice Of Victor" that song if crazy funky!!!!

Great album!

One of my very favorite Prince CD's. I like everything except for 3 Chains O' Gold.
That song scares me for some reason.

1sexymf said:

I'd say that kinda nails it right there.
Like I said b4, it's like he's trying 2 hard when he doesn't have 2... and like he's trying to do his own "Bohemian Rhapsody"... i mean, c'mon...

DreamyPopRoyalty said:

LOL, I can't even listen to it. I eject the CD at that point.

My fav Prince album of the 90's; great songs, great production, great performances, even Tony M fits in the whole project (he's not as annoying as he was in D&P)
And yeah, this album is a self-indulgent mess, but that's the key of its charm: it's the last P album where Prince wasn't afraid of being himself...
[Edited 9/17/07 8:23am]

That one's squarely in my bottom tier.

DreamyPopRoyalty said:

You dont think gett off, cream ,strollin' and the title track stand out?

symbol is the better album, one of my faves,nothing like it before or after (apart from rainbow children in terms of a concept spread throughout the album)

I love this cd. It's not my fav, but I've always loved it. Great mix of songs and I love his attitude too.

I seem to remember good old Tony M once saying that it will take 10 years for people to 'get' this album - well I can say that its taken me 14 years and yes now I love it - yes even the guilty pleasure that is Bohemian Rhaps er.. I mean 3 chains o gold

Patrick1985 said:

I've heard Gett Off and Cream plenty of times.

Strollin' stands out, sure... nothing else like it. It's ok, but it's not GREAT.
Cream is the same way, although I do like it a little better these days.
And of those three, Gett Off I've gotten 2 like the most... and I hated it when I heard it the first time 7 months ago. It's a really fun track.

But is just overall better. D&P is more of a chill-out album, but really gets me going in some places (The Max & Continental in particular).

Patrick1985 said:

Insatiable is the track that gets no love around here when it should.

whodknee said:

I prefer his other ballad's that's all, scandalous for one, i still think Insatiable is one of the better songs on the album though

It's my favorite Prince album of the 90s.Sure,it's self-indulgent and over-produced at times,but can we really complain about an album that contains such stunning highlights as...

Sexy MF
Love 2 The 9s
Damn U
7
And God Created Woman
The Continental
Blue Light


This album is more fun,more funkier and more outrageous than 'Diamonds and Pearls' which is a "play-it-safe" type of album.

JoeTyler said:

this is exactly how I feel about it! I don't even mind Tony M.'s raps.In fact,I like his rap on "Sexy MF",it really adds to the song.