You can't have one without the other. They both have that party vibe and layered, trippy sound. They feature the same band. They loosely define the two halves of his '88 tour. They kick ass. But they're largely different albums. Which do you prefer and why? Do you think they would've made a good double album? Are you glad that Lovesexy came out instead? Are they the beginning and end of an era? So many questions.

I think they're both wonderful but nothing will ever compare to Lovesexy for me. The music sounds like what he's singing about - pure heaven. It's aural ecstasy. To me, that album will never get the credit it deserves. The sound, the look, the band, the one track cd, the mythology, the songs, the message. It just cannot be beat.

Which one does it for you?

I think many of us who have been fans since the beginning tend to base our opinions on how good a Prince album is, especially one from the 80s, on how much it affected us in our lives at that time. I was 18 when Lovesexy came out and I was just dealing with admitting I was gay. I drew on the spiritual strength of that album to help me get through the rejection I faced from family and friends. I listened to it with a searching soul and I found answers. Some of the answers lie in the album itself, but other answers I discovered within my own self as I listened over and over. Seeing Prince on the cover naked and bare gave me the strength and courage to face my own newfound “nakedness”. Having to face society’s anger and hate was a tough choice but I thought if Prince could be THAT honest and open, so could I. I always saw the cover as one of God’s creatures simply existing in a state of truth. I always knew the cover wasn’t supposed to be a nasty thing, rather Prince exposed and bare and having no shame about basking in the glorious knowledge he found in the midst of despair.

For personal reasons I happen to believe that this album IS a masterpiece. But I also believe this from a musical standpoint. IMO, Lovesexy still sounds fresh. If you took that album and compared it to any and everything around it at the time it was released, it totally stands alone. The only argument about the sound being dated is the use of the Linn drum, other than that, you can’t say this has an 80s sound to it. You really can’t even compare it to the music that Prince made before and after. It is so unique. I agree that this album personified Prince the best.

I love the lyrics. Even the “silly” ones. One of the things that is the most fun about Prince’s music is trying to figure out what all the metaphorical wording means. It brings out the creativity in us all when we discuss lyrics that make absolutely no sense on the surface. Usually we come to amazing conclusions and for that, the lyrics will never bother me. Besides there are many other lyrics that stand out, probably the best being “In every man’s life there will be a hang-up, a whirlwind designed to slow you down. It cuts like a knife, it tries to get in you…this spooky electric sound. Give up if you want to and all is lost, Spooky Electric will be your boss………….Don’t kiss the beast, be superior at least”. I STILL to this day rely on this album to help me achieve the right frame of mind when I think I’m down for the count. It puts me on my feet every time.

I want to cry right now writing about how much this album affected my life. It truly remains my favorite and most surely always will.

Love God, Love Life, Lovesexy!!

Although my handle is inspired by a song on the Black album...and my signature currently uses a lyric from that song Black album kicks ass! (the signature has changed

.
[Edited 2/10/05 12:34pm]

I stopped listening to the Black Album when it was released on CD...

So LoveSexy for sure.

Lovesexy is far superior to Black. Lovesexy is perfect from beginning to end. Everything any Prince fan wants is to be found within those wonderful 44 minutes.

As much as I love them both, it's the Black Album for me.

That is one of my top 5 Prince albums and still gets played a LOT by moi.

the black album definately... just so raw and funky..

2 nigs, bobgeorge, rock hard in a funky place..

definaltey the black album.. i'd love this album remixed
though...

"Lovesexy" for me easily of the two.I think the Black Album while It has some tight Grooves&whatnot here&there,but is the Most over-Hyped Prince Project IMHO EVER!I can still feel the Power of "Anna Stesia".One Song has more Power than all of the Black Album IMHO.the Black Album is His Most Overrated Project IMHO.it was cooler on the Street Circuit front.when it got released&heard it dated really badly.it ain't aged well at all IMHO.

Lovesexy rule!

No contest- Lovesexy

Black. it's evil, chaotic, fun, mysterious, funky, rockin', nasty, etc.


Lovesexy's nice though, I suppose.

AaronUnlimited said:

Bah. Humbug.

Very tough, but I'll to choose light over dark here. Lovesexy by a nose.

Nothing like the Lovesexy experience!! God bless all of you who were there to live it in person. Thanks to Prince for bringing the tour to the USA, knowing that it wasn't going to make him money here. He knew the GOoD it would do.

edit: the only album to bring me to tears at first listen.
[This message was edited Thu Jan 23 18:53:44 PST 2003 by Jasziah]

"Eye no" aside...

lovesexy...// black-album is kinda i dunno...its good for collection reasons a few cool songs on it.

Oh...NO!, Not That!!...

If I had to pick one or the other...

my breathing days would be over !!

They are BOTH inclusive...

like... Left & Right

Fish

sooo,
was lovesexy princes answer to god for making the black album or the drug experience?...the blackalbum isnt that dark in an evil way ...a song like bob george is more funny than anything.

go put on that new wig i bought you..."

Christopher said:

I agree.

They are both pretty Incredible. Lets just say I play the Black album more,but I'd be Lost without Lovesexy.

They're both brilliant in their own right. But I would choose Black.

I prefer his music when he's pissed off, rather than all happy-dappy

Moonbeam said:

THAT'S RIGHT!!

Pfff, really tough choice. Lovesexy is a more spiritual album and brings back childhood memories, and with Anne Stesia, Positivity and Lovesexy on it it´s almost unbeatable. The Black Album is way funkier and darker imo, wich suits me more: Bob George, Rock Hard there the bomb.

But I have to make a choice, and it´s gonna be Lovesexy with a nose length.

Nothing in this world is more Black & White than those two albums, so let's just leave them that way... I wish U Heaven, nuff said!

it should have been a double album. White on one side and black on the other. Im still not convinced prince ever intended to release the black album. Its just not accomplished enough. I love all the cuts on it, but it would have been career suicide. Not a hit song in sight.

Lovesexy is perfect, and is the pinnacle of his career creatively in my opinion (although hes made many excellent albums since). As a double album though it would have told the full story of what he was creating at the time.

When it comes time to re-issue Lovesexy, I think they should consider doing it as a double album. Let people know what Prince was all about in 1987/88. (they could compliment that release with a DVD of the Lovesexy tour as well...but thats just blind hope on my part).

Without doubt Lovesexy...

I do think that they should have been packaged as a double-album.
The transition between the two shows a journey from darkness to the light.
BUT...
Lovesexy is the one 'til my day is done!
That album has helped me through the dark times, the times I thought I couldn't take it and also helped me celebrate the good things in life. It's helped me count my blessings.
It's a gem.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Love you, Richie!

Doubts of our conviction follow where we go

And when the world's compassion ceases still I know.
For your every touch I thank you so much

For your every kiss I
I wish you love

I wish you heaven
I wish you heaven.

If I see eleven
You can say it's seven

Still I wish you heaven
I wish you love

I wish you heaven
I wish you heaven.

I wish you heaven
I wish you heaven.
[This message was edited Fri Jan 24 8:00:49 PST 2003 by applekisses]

i haven't heard much of either album, so i dunno.

it's so great to see this album get the recognition it deserves. when i first got this record i played it over and over because i'd never heard anything like it. i just didnt get it. it's amazing how far ahead of it's time it was. it's my favorite of all.

Black Album just 4 *Bob George*
fuckin awesome cut.
cheesy spoken word in cheesy low voice with beats oh so 80s. . .

but that damn guitar!
oh yeah baby!!

sure i now Love LOVESEXY . . . .but Superfunky .. . .BobGeorge . . . . .Le Grind . . .just those 3 alone would make an awesome 3tk EP.