...a week ago, actually.

Depending on how this thread goes, I may give it one last listen tomorrow night before moving onto something else.

It was somewhat of a rocky beginning and not in the way u think
but after 4 listens, it's started to show itself to me as somewhat of a masterpiece... though not quite there.

What's odd about this album is that it really doesn't have that "Prince album feel" to it. Listening to some of the songs, I forget that its his album. I just think of it as some pretty interesting music

I must say that the lyrics here are really sharp on some accounts. "Muse 2 the Pharoah" immediately caught my attention. "Last December" has probably some of the most compelling lyrics that he's written. One line reminds me of "Welcome 2 the Dawn"... of course, only weeks ago had I listened to "The Truth" for the first time.

Senusal Aftermath (I think that's the name)... the instrumental piece. I'm a bit torn on this one. I feel like this is kind of music they'd play at an exotic location in California or some trophical island. Almost as if I'd heard it somewhere before. The odd thing, though, is that I can't help but feel somewhat sad when I listen to it. Was this song written out of love or was it about written about love lost?

Some of the tracks remind me of songs I've heard done by other artists.
The instrument segment that takes up the last 2 minutes of the title track reminds me of "Black Magic Woman"... a Santana track if im not mistaken

"She loves me for me" and "Last December" also feel like I've heard them somewhere before, though both songs are really good. The latter once brought me to tears, but it could have been for more than one reason

If I remember correctly, "Digital Garden" was a track that many didn't like. I think it's fantastic. Compelling storyline, the vibe is intriguing, but the guitar solo halfway through was just wow... amazing

What did you think of Prince's slowed down voice between tracks? A lot of people didn't like it (including myself).

One of his greatest albums...musically. The "voice" and lyrics are...challenging, but he was definitely hungry again and it shows.

i need to get my hands on the album

psychodelicide said:

It was very alien at first
but I recognized it as "God" as he spoke to Prince at the end of the song "Temptation"

Once I dug up the lyrics and get a jist of what he was saying with the deep voice... I don't mind it so much.

There's only one track that I really can't stand
a little too theatrical for my tastes. It's about as embarassing as a lone track from "The Truth"

Other than that, TRC is pretty good pleasant and enjoyable

That is my favorite Prince album.

When it first came out, I had a hard time getting into it. Then I attended ONA, and hearing the songs live made all the difference. I went home and listened to it with a whole new ear.

I love it!

The album is quite good. You can tell he was definitely feeling newly inspired and passionate about what he was creating. A breath of fresh air - musically great. Unfortunately some of the lyrics and vocals leave me feeling a bit creeped out.

Thr Rainbow Children was the last time I felt Prince's genius in an album as opposed to in a song.

As I have said before, only Prince was capable of giving us the Rainbow Children, it was Prince being Prince and not the wee magpie that he can also be!

i gave this album to a friend of mine once but he was so nervous he dropped it on the ground and broke it.

I agree that it can be seen as somewhat odd and difficult.

I read the lyrics first which I thought were briliantly creative and a fantastic way of combining the regligious theory with music in a story form.

I listened to it only once as it was very demanding.

I approached this as if i was at a musical or a show, that the whole needs to be absorbed in order to appreciate, like or dislike the album. I think it was not meant to be dissected or separated in any form.

I decided I liked it very much as a 'work'. To me it is as if I have been to see a piece of theatre that I will always remember warmly but so far havent wanted to go back and see it again - so to speak.


However I now have more time on my hands and will give it another go. I think enough years have passed to hear it 'afresh' and once more with an open mind.


I dont really believe in growing to like something it smacks of 'trying' to to me. (I am not going to like his music just cos its his)

But having said that I do believe you need sometimes to hear complex music many times in different situations.

For me much of Princes complex work (ie NEWS) requires dedicated listening with no other intrusions to fully appreciate it and enjoy it, his more 'easy listening' music is just that and can be enjoyed anywhere anytime even with lots of other stuff(sounds) going on around you.


Rainbow Children is intense and requires dedicated listening so you can travel the journey of discovery.

In all I think its a brilliant piece of writing and music and way beyond its time.

I think it is one of Princes jewels that will be 'rediscovoured' and in the future will be hailed as a great work.


We are all familiar with musical writers etc and they gain fame for their musicals and compositions but Prince is somehow always pigeonholed as an R&B artist when he has so clearly demonstrated that he is a great composer and lyricist. rainbow children embodies both of those talents.


Just my view!

This CD caught a lot of hell years ago on this org. Some people were even trying to find ways to eliminate the vocals. P's voice slowed down is the same thing George did on his LP's back in the 70's (when he was preaching).

I listened to it (ironically yesterday) and it's good. The musicmanship is killer.

SPYZFAN1 said:

i love your name!!!

I agree with you - brilliant stuff! everyone should give it ago - expand their horizons, you dont have to buy into the philosophy or what have you, to enjoy it.

I love how these trc threads always start, "I had to force myself to listen to this thing, and now after the 500th time,... i can clearly see its BRILLIANT! "

If it sounds good to you its good, but for gods sakes famsters, don't brainwash yourself into liking something. You wont get booted out of your famdom if you don't like it, i promise.

me personally i hate the stupid thing for too many reasons, mainly cause it sucks ass.
[Edited 4/26/08 7:48am]

It would have been an ok album if Darth Vader didn't narrate the damned thing.

superkiss said:

DreamyPopRoyalty said:

Which track would that be? If it's "The Wedding Feast", then I agree with you. The words to that track have always reminded me of Dr. Suess.

i listened once & remember finding it a bit hard going - but i shall have another go at it one day.

psychodelicide said:

that's the one.

It's just plain embarassing. I mean, it feels like something from a musical for crying out loud

not that I object to Prince writing a musical someday, but it shares a lot with that track from "The Truth"... embarassing lyrics and not particular Prince-esque.

I know the album caught a lot of hell because of "deep voice"... its not really so bad once u know what he's saying
But I'm sure the people that hated it then love it now just because of what came after it
I really don't like hearing that the latter makes u like what u once hated that came before it.

It took about 3-4 listens for me simply because I kinda fudged on the first 2. I listened to the album at probably the worst possible time

Overall, its very soothing with the music and such, but twice, I was on my way to after 2 long days and one thing let to another and I woke up hearing "Everlasting Now" or "Last December"

So technically, when I got into it, it was the 2nd listen to the whole album
I knew it was going to be interesting, but I didnt think I'd like it as much as I do. Not brilliant, but very good

violetblues said:

But that's YOUR opinion. Just because U don't like it doesn't mean it automatically sucks. It means YOU don't like it.

I love how people confuse their opinions with fact...

chocolate1 said:

I had a similar xperience.The tour came b4 I got cozy with the album,but once I heard the songz live,I was like :excited:about it!
[Edited 4/26/08 12:12pm]

It's really great. I think it's just let down by the dogmatic concept.

TRC is P's best album since GOLD

TRC is a musical masterpiece and a lyrical abomination.

psychodelicide said:

men

InsatiableCream said:

not as abominable as yours.

superkiss said:

Yeah maybe! But let's hear why he may have been so nervous????? HMMMM?????

TRC is not entirely the first choice to shag to! Or is it?????

mentalist said:

how long will it take cuz i really got other things to do.

Uppertwist said:

wtf

superkiss said: