I do not like The Rainbow Children.

Wow, crazy stance, huh? Yes, I realize MOST of us don't like The Rainbow Children. However, I have to defend it because, no matter how painful the lyrics may be to those of us not in the mood to be preached at (and I'll never be in the mood to be preached at by the author of Darling Nikki or Sister), the idea of creating a Gospel album that's built off of Jazz, rather than typical Gospel instrumentation, is sort of amazing.

Maybe there's been another Jazz gospel album before? Maybe one better? I won't profess to knowing.

All I can think is that whatever crazy thought popped up in Prince's head to make that album Jazz is a testament to his ingenuity and his creativity. Even if the only song I can really stomach to is 'Last December.'
[Edited 1/12/09 15:18pm]
[Edited 1/12/09 15:18pm]

I'm with you. I love the grooves and hooks on that album, I just have to let the words pass me by.

Real music, by real musicians for sure.

I do wish he had left the Vader voice off of it, but I love it anyway.

When it was released as a one-track download, I was actually afraid that it wouldn't be released on CD.

He really had something to say on this album, and really wrote/sang/played with intensity.

I Love the album...I bet it grows on U...

I bet it doesn't :p It hasn't since the day I first bought it on CD. I can remember my ex-wife and I listening to it twice, and just saying, 'Yeah, let's put The Gold Experience back in!'

My favorite is she loves me for me. But Most of it I just don't get.

bleutuna said:

Maybe U didn't turn it up loud enough to blow Ur speakers like I did...

Tame said:

Hasn't grown on me. I usually listen to it live when I want to hear it. ONA.
I prefer it without the vocal interludes.
It kills it's ability to replay and thus never gets played as an album.

SUPRMAN said:

I've been tempted to join the Taliban for a week just for my selfish need to destroy this album, In the name of ahllah,I'll pilot a plain into Paisley Park, i'll warn y'all so no one gets hurt

[Edited 1/12/09 19:31pm]

This album is easily in my top five.
I love its depth musically and lyrically.
People seem to always have two issues with the album.
One being the dreaded "Darth Vader voice", yet I never hear people having a problem with it being used on All My Dreams.
The other problem being the JW influenced lyrics. "I can't relate to those lyrics" is a common gripe I hear from folks who dislike The Rainbow Children.
Well, I can't relate to the lyrics of Sister, but it doesn't diminish my love for it.

Its a sad, hateful little album.


.

Accujack said:

It's not a matter of relating. It's a matter of the way they're incorporated. he's always incorporated spirituality into his work, but his message gets in the way of his singing on The Rainbow Children.

It's lacking finesse in the phrasing.

bleutuna said:


What do you mean his message gets in the way of his singing?
I don't get this.

Accujack said:

I hear that.

Because he has such a desire to be so specific with his messaging, rather than offering vague illusions to spirituality (ala Beautifulovedblessed), that his phrasing becomes clunky.

The Rainbow Children, Muse 2 the Pharoah, Digital Garden, and Family Name are particular clunky for me.

If you like it, that's cool man. I'm glad it works for you

bleutuna said:

It does.

Accujack said:

me 2.....classic from start 2 finish...the work of a genius.

Sorry you feel this way cause it's like my FAVORITE PRINCE album. I get OVERCOME by the INTENSITY of Feeling and EMOTION displayed in such a Wonderful ENORMOUSLY PLEASUREABLE PIECE of SHEER GENIUS! I would play this cd over and over again and actually Cry Collapse from feeling Spent and also Feeling PRINCE....

I love this album from the first to the last track.

It's intense.

Am I the only one who has grown to like the so called "Vader" voice? For me, it adds a cohesiveness to the album. The only qualm I have with it is that it only makes sense in the context of TRC and isn't at all condusive to mixing those songs with others.

Some other hard core peoples enlightened me on this one. I had purchased it a while back and shelved it, but after listening to these people dissect it and put it back together, I gave it another listen. Now I get that it is rich, rich stuff but it isn't something I can listen to all the time....like many of his other albums. That said, I believe it to be brillant and in the true Prince form.

MRGee said:

I agree I love this album, I hope Prince doe's more like this in the future, it's amazing, he can sing type of music, I love all the tracks. I especially love The Sensual Everafter, only problem with that song is it's not long enough, it's the sort of music that should go on for at least 10 minutes, I have to keep it on repeat. I do find the vadar voice a bit scary,

Easily in my Top 5
Work of genius
Now many people can't see the wood for the trees,and I think the same is especially true off this album. ITS GOT RELIGION.The truth is U can find religon anywhere eg.Star Wars (2nd coming anyone)but if you put aside your prejudices and listen to the ART you will find a very well formed concept.
Remember art is an interuption of the one persons own beliefs and by putting them public their up for others to interput as they please,in other words take from the art what you need.

Can't tell you the last time i played it. I remember immediately being intrigued by it.. but after the week ended, it became a tiring to hear..

I like concept albums, but this one didn't do it for me.

Accujack said:

Took the words right out of my mouth, Acc.
It's one of his best albums, front to back, in my opinion. Musicianship, message-orientation, songwriting, singing and flow makes me always come back to this and hear the whole thing. I never had a problem with the Vader voice (we loved it on "1999," right?), but I did wish it was a tad or two higher, but still very deep, since it was hard to make out at first.
It must have been a trip working on that project. He must have had great fun and been especially exhausted and fulfilled at the end of it. "Family Name'' is so powerful and smoking.
About the religious aspect, I'm also with you, Accujack, I didn't relate to "Sister'' personally either, but I sho recognized and enjoyed a badass song and well-crafted story when I heard it! lol

Accujack said:

Exactly !

Easily in my top 5 as well. This cd is so rich and deep musically speaking (don't give a flying fuck about JW's crap. It take it as a tale or/and ignore most of Prince lyrics in the first place anyway).

The combination of Prince and John Blacwell is plainly wonderful. I love the depth of the production, the warm sound, the crazyness of the compositions.

It is a piece of art.

After that Musicology and PE sound like some lazy ass work.

emesem said:

why? where's the proof?

U don't have to like TRC but I hope all prince fans can see the genuis is the work. If u can't I think your mind just isn't ready/open to it. I really don't get all the angst about the lyrics. Its a fasinating look into prince's mind as he cryptically lays out his life journey. TRC is about religion, race, and love. All very fasinating topics. U shouldn't have to agree with his point of view to enjoy it.

TRC is a heavy album and something that heavy probably shouldn't be treated like any ole pop record. Its very fine wine to be savored and drunk sparingly.

i really dig TRC. it's different.

tricky99 said:

whoo i didnt see your post thats what i'm saying ^^^ except the angst part.

[Edited 1/13/09 5:51am]