ernestsewell said:

I would venture a bet that it's an overwhelming majority of people that like that album. For me, Controversy - SOTT was one of Prince's most creative periods. That's the bulk of the 80's, but it seems from 1978-1980, he was still winding up. Controversy seemed to be hitting the ground running - when the rubber met the road sort of thing. 1999 was definitely part of that runaway train of incredible music.

I think even if PR hadn't been released as a movie, the album would have still been all it was as we know it. It was just that good, and cross-over, that rock, that pop - it just was ALL THAT.

People love 80's Prince not because it was the 80's, but because it was so different, and wacky, and weird, and mysterious, and crazy, and balls to the wall. Who the hell was truly making shit like "Head", "Sister", "Private Joy", "Jack U Off", "DMSR" - ANY of that stuff???? The 80's Prince was building muscle, and the 90's was flexing it. The 00's Prince is resting on his laurels and has been on auto pilot for year. THAT is why 80's Prince and 90's is so fucking awesome. 1999 is a true golden amulet to that swagger.

Amen.