ronnwinter said:

Likewise mate....peace

Mindflux said:

well, that's what I was asking, did you mean the little snippets of talking (such as the one I quoted up above) form some sort of cohesive narrative or not? Or do you mean that the lyrics form a narrative?

But I think we're mixing up "narrative" and "narration?" Dark Side might have a narrative, but I don't think it actually has a narrator like the Rainbow Children does, and maybe that's where the confusion came from.
[Edited 4/19/10 10:43am]

NDRU said:

Hey NDRU - well, as I said before, the lyrics certainly form a narrative and the vocal samples form a narrative within the narrative!

I hear what you are saying about the difference between narrative and narration and, of course, I agree. So, let me offer an example of a concept album which has a narrator that works and to brilliant effect. Joe's Garage by Frank Zappa (the Central Scrutinizer being the narrator). Again, an incredible concept album (one of my favourites) which utilises a narrator and is still damn clever (which, was TheVoids point in the first place - about a concept album not being clever if it needs a narrator).

Anyway, the words "dead" and "horse" are springing to mind

this is one of his best albrums ever. it is so creative. if you dont like it its probably just because of the lyrics but musically he shines here big time.

THE RAINBOW CHILDREN IS A VERY INTELLIGENT ALBUM AND I WOULDNT LISTEN TO THOSE WITH NO CULTURE ABOUT THERE BEING ITS A 10/10 EFFORT FROM PRINCE.AS WELL AS HIS AWAKING TO THE JEHOVAH'S WITNESS FAITH HE HAS CREATED A MASTERPIECE THAT WAS NOT RUSHED TO A RECORD COMPANIES SCHEDUAL.ITS MAGNIFICENT.BRAVO "PRINCE ROGER NELSON".YOUR MOST INSRIRED WORK SINCE SIGN OF THE TIMES.

When this album came out, I was pretty disappointed with it. I think I listened the the entire thing once, and just picked out a few tracks that I thought were alright. I didn't buy another Prince album until Lotusflow3r, which I immediately loved and it really got me back into his music. When I went back to listen to TRC, I couldn't believe how much I loved it. It's been such a treat going back through the albums I've missed (even Planet Earth...jk) Yes it's creepy-religious at times, but I don't have to agree with them. Frankly it's almost like a sci-fi/fantasy film it's so self-contained in it's mythology/terminology.

Anyways, I think the album is fantastic, and probably his last great album (next to Lotusflow3r of course).

DIAMONDGEEZA said:

in the future it will be known as one of his all-time greats

NelsonR said:

I whole heartedly agree.

Bohemian67 said:

lol, I sincerely doubt it.

ernestsewell said:

u can add Planet Earth to that trash can as well.

facedown7 said:

and half of Prince's albums released between 1994 and 2009...

JoeTyler said:

Are there any books you'd like to burn while you're at it?

quite possibly his best effort since lovesexy.
but hey... they are some folk in here that reckon New Power Soul is good.
each to their own.

muirdo said:

you can't be serious,


TGE?

JoeTyler said:

I agree..TGE rocks!

I really dig TRC.

nekronhhr said:

http://prince.org/msg/7/332182 One Night Alone:Rainbow Childern Xpectation C-Note era 2001-2003 (no longer active)

It was with a lot of anticipation that I grabbed my copy of The Rainbow Children when it arrived in the post. The first album of new material in what seemed like a long long time. Studying the cover art I flicked through the booklet and put on the cd.

Sitting back I wondered when Prince was going to take me, now he had reclaimed his name was he freer to explore new sounds rather than try to establish a new identity? Well a new direction it was indeed.

With the effected deep vocal intro of Rainbow Children I was a little “hmmmmm what’s going on here?”. It took little time to discover this was Prince’s concept album. With its jazzed tinged melody line and it seemed stripped back arrangement the thing that grabbed me was how clear this cd sounded. Others felt muddy compared to it. This seemed to be on a less swamped mix, allowing each instrument to fall into its place without overshadowing another. When the chorus hook hit with the aid of a vocoder I just let myself dive into the track and let it wash over me. Part freeform jazz piece, part structured hypnotic groove the song seemed to best place a free man in a new setting of musical exploration. What I was hearing sounded fresh, not tired, not tried and true. Reading along (and ahead) with the lyric book the obvious religious message was ever present if not a little force fed but for now I was willing to let the song just build. By the time the song ended I was smiling with the inclusion of my fave line from “sexuality” and felt that the songs crescendo and breakdown was a climatic clash of a new born artist (and a vocally tweak nod to George Clinton).

Laid out on velvet is how I see Muse 2 the Pharaoh. A song that with its bubbling Rhodes melody line just seduces. I particular love Prince’s lyrical structure here, how the lines run short at times then never seem to stop in a continuous flow. Lights out for this one, just sit and chill.

Digital Garden felt a little too polished and whilst it was interesting to hear him explore a new style it wasn’t a track that instantly grabbed me.

The Work (Pt 1) had been a fave since I first heard it on the NPG site. Funky to the max, and steeped in a James Brown vibe. Its arrival in this mix was on point, reviving the fun from the deeper and mellower feel of RC and M2TP. And how can resist the horn and drum accent breakdowns. The man is back on fire here.

Everywhere reminded me of a Tevin song on Quincy Jones solo album. It seemed a little too joyous and bright and even ballroom dance-esque. At least that was my initial reaction. And over the years, whilst it hasn’t suddenly leapt to be an all time fave, I have grown to appreciate the rapid structure and energy of the track, and hey, it is fun to drum to.

Sensual Everafter sounded too much like Phil Collins Face Value era (check out Drone) and that’s all I could hear it for. Not a bad thing but again not a track that instantly struck me.

Back on the seduction track Mellow is as it sounds. A beautifully lush arrangement and production that just comforts you as you listen to it and makes you feel all toasty and warm.

If there was a classic Prince track on this album it was 1+1+1=3. Borrowing heavily from erotic city this track is just pure funk, heavy and slammin. And who would have thought you could be sooooo funky and still educate and use words like theocratic order. This song had me from the first listen and has had me ever since. I remember looping this song 7 times and just getting lost in it. Once again there is a George Clinton vibe to the song, and while certain lines progressed the overall concept of the album, it wouldn’t have felt out of place on any release.

Ok now many of you will have issue here, but the first time I heard She loves me for me I was not impressed. It wasn’t until several months later I was sitting in a café and the album was being played (it goes extremely well with hot chocolate for those playing at home) that I really discovered this song. And now I view it as a truly beautiful love song that rejoices in acceptance.

Ok who let the showtunes out? Wedding Feast, I’m sorry, I can’t help but laugh and hear Rogers and Hammerstien sitting somewhere say - hey the little purple one is taking us on.

Family Name was obviously a subject close to prince’s heart for many a year. I remember reading an interview he gave with Q magazine that talked about his family name of Nelson – he asked who was Nell? And who was her son? What I love about this song, was that for all it’s thought provoking stimuli he still grounded it in a truly funky song that prob had many singing along without knowing what they were singing. With the whole renaming (government vs family name) of a population steeped in the African American psyche it seems foolish for a white Australian to even comment, but I did find the whole song enlightening and loved the passion and energy contained in it. When he wants to make a point he does convincingly. Doubly so when musically its just as funky.

And to go from FN to The Everlasting Now was a stroke of genius. These two high energy tracks that fit. Breeding funk in the studio (although we are lead to think its live) the powerful tom tom led drum rhythm was one I fell in love with and as soon as I sat on my kit sat there and studied it and didn’t get up til I could play it. It still trips me up and makes me laugh when I play it, and Mr Blackwell makes it look sooo easy. And that fuzzbox bass is just threatening. An instant classic in my books.

Last December was the cool down after 17 minutes of pure funk. Starting off like yet another Purple Rain inspired final track on yet another Prince album, it soon takes its own form, gets wings and soars. And here it really feels like Prince is talking to you rather than talking to a mass of listeners, more intimate than detached. With a similar glow and feel to that of Gold this track moved me with its arrangement and build.

On a whole it was a confronting album. A little heavy handed in parts, a little played out with the vocoder narrative, and a little bit weighed down by its own complexity. Initially I played it for a few days and then let it slide. After a few months I came back to it. Maybe it was listening again without expectations that made me more accepting than I had initially. And from there I feel in love with several of the songs and began to appreciate more what Prince was working towards.

It’s just a shame that the majority of people who were exposed to Prince’s most popular recordings missed out on some of his most powerful, but this was not to be the album that would bring them back.

Swa

i have just listened to this album its not as bad as people say imo and plus i can appreciate a little jazz

It is my favourite Prince album!
Prince knew what he was doing, was not afraid of what people would say and was so inspired!

Masterpiece.

ernestsewell said:

So does Planet Earth but I heard you disagree.

alandail said:

I agree!

one of those albums that I listened to a few times... didn't connect with it. Tried it again... didn't connect with it. Tried it again... didn't connect with it, and finally just decided that occasionally I am not going to always enjoy what Prince serves up. That's cool with me.

The entire process was like trying milk that had gone bad, putting it back on the shelf and trying it again a month later and remembering 'oh yeah, this tasted bad a month ago... let me put it back in the fridge and try it again in another month."

DIAMONDGEEZA said: