I've always felt these albums haven't gotten as much love as they deserve. I mean, most of us think they're great, but more often than not when people think of his masterpieces, these are rarely mention.

Controversy, which is my favorite Prince album, sits between two of P's monumental albums. Dirty Mind, a complete 180 turn from the previous album and laid down the blueprint for the MPLS sound. 1999 which is often considered the "quintessential Prince album," and gave him his first mainstream crossover hits. Many feel Ronnie Talk to Russia is filler and stops the album from being perfect, but I love it.

Around the World in a Day, which I enjoy, similarly sits between two monumental P albums, but in a different way. Purple Rain, his most popular and highest selling album. And than Parade, although the public didn't care for it too much (other than Kiss going to #1), many hardcore fans consider this a perfect album.

What do you guys think?

MajesticOne89 said:

I always thought that they got high notes from fans and music critics now. It might be blasphemy, but I think "Controversy" is a much better album than "Dirty Mind"...Oh I'm going to get yelled at. I think you're right on with the fact that these two sit between such huge albums (especially "Controversy").

VinnyM27 said:

I think all of Prince's material from his first decade (78-88) and even some in the 90's get a bit more praise now than they did when they were first released, and rightfully so. And I dont think its blasphemy, I think Controversy is a better album than Dirty Mind as well.

Controversy is a Classic I love it, for me it's on a par with Dirty Mind.

I just wish we could hear some more of the songs he wrote in 1981-1982, there just not enough outtakes floating around from this time.

VinnyM27 said:

Yeah, I've always liked Controversy much more than Dirty Mind.

I love 'Controversy' and I have recently REALLY gotten into 'ATWIAD'.
Whenever I hear of Princes albums in articles or whatever they always mention:
Dirty Mind, 1999, Purple Rain, Parade and Sign 'O' The Times

Im glad to see the 'Controversy' and the 'ATWIAD' love!!

Love both. ALWAYS been a fan of ATWIAD...loved it back in the day and love it now.

Controversy I used to think was patchy, now love it and its played WAY more than Dirty Mind and 1999 (mainly cause I have played 1999 to DEATH).

Controversy IS one of his best albums. I feel this album is kinda ballsy....took some chances with this one. The sound as a whole is incredible. It is SO inbetween Dirty Mind & 1999. Dirty Mind dripped some sweat into it & the electric funk grew out of it.

Around The World In A Day....it would take too long to type about this one right now.

I agree, they sit between giants, so they get compared.

Controversy is my #1 favorite Prince album, and I don't see it as a less 'raw' Dirty Mind, I see it as a proto-1999.

I think they're average albums and are rightly rated as such.

here's a funny story about the controversy album..I'm from Memphis and this was at the time the bible belt. I'm at a club in my best 80's gear. dancing the night away. The DJ put on controversy! the dance floor is pack! everybody loves it...until prince get to the Lord Prayer breakdown...EVERYBODY walks off the dance floor until the Lord's Prayer is finish..THEN everybody gets back on the dance floor and dance the rest of the song! LOL..looking back at that time, it was shocking and we didn't know how to react to this..that LP so ground breaking

NouveauDance said:

That's how I've always seen it.

errant said:

JJAMES2U said:

That's funny.