errant said:

Underrated:

I agree

Underrated: Prince (1979)

Overrated: Controversy

Underrated: 1999

Overrated: Purple Rain

Underrated: The Black Album

Overrated: SOTT

Overrated: Batman

Underrated: Graffiti Bridge

Overrated: The Rainbow Children

Underrated: Planet Earth

Underrated: LotusFlow3r 3cd set

Overrated: 20TEN

[Edited 2/10/11 13:39pm]

[Edited 2/10/11 13:40pm]

mblevels said:

Spinlight said:

Around the World in a Day set a precedent for piecemeal, slapped-together albums that lacked consistency.

Planet Earth is one. Graffiti Bridge is (an exceptionally well-executed) one. There's others, too. The Black Album is that way. I feel it's not that those albums lack good songs but that the coherence isn't there. The albums feel like greatest hits compilations almost. They just happened to be the best tracks that were being worked on at the time as opposed to albums like Parade where all the songs sounded like they were written for that album.

That's pretty much what I've been thinking for a while. I completely agree with you.

I commented about ATWIAD being an "uneven" album in my previous post, but that doesn't really have anything to do with the quality of the individual songs. I actually quite like most of the songs on it and Raspberry Beret is still among my favourite hits. But one of the things I enjoy in Prince's albums is that he usually sets a certain theme for an album and stays within it. Most of the time, he's even consistent with the quality of the songs. The entire album is either brilliant, mediocre or utter crap. The albums that feel sort of "weird" to me are the ones that is mixing good with bad songs or failing to find a theme. That goes for the albums you mentioned and I'd like to add Diamonds & Pearls as well. That doesn't really say anything about the songs that are on it, but it does say something about how much I'd enjoy an album, how often I'd listen to it and whether I think people overrate it or not.

Yes, exactly. And what's funny is someone else mentioned how "Temptation" was sort of the vestiges of the 1982-1984 material. "Temptation" sounds like it easily could've fit on either 1999 or Purple Rain. "Raspberry Beret" and "Pop Life" are genius, of course. And I truly think "Tamborine" is one of his most underrated tracks of all time. It's a great album, but I really don't listen to it a whole lot because it feels too disconnected. There's really no flow.

Serious said:

errant said:

Underrated:

I agree

i never play this album despite it having some very excellent songs. perhaps because

i feel it is totally ruined near the end by including "my little pill", whic is not that much

of a problem until you consider that he could have included "make believe" or even the

original "i'll do anything" in it's place. or perhaps it just irks me that he did give WB the

track "my little pill" and didn't add those other 2 from the same sessions.

second major gripe is "old friends 4 sale '91 version" which i just cannot stand to ever

listen to. i've tried many times but i only got through it once. it's just too painful to put

that on when you've heard the original version. those lyrics are just too horrible.

but the rest of it is good. very good indeed. criminally overlooked album that gets no

love and no hate, it seems to simply be forgotten by most people. which is a shame

since there are so many exellent songs on it.

even prince remembers it since he did a live version of "when the lights go down" a

few times, the last one quite recently iirc.

most overrated would be "diamonds & pearls" by the public at large and by the fan

community.

both albums have about a decent EP's worth of truly outstanding, great, great songs.

but the rest just seems like it's only there to fill up the disc. on at least the songs

are all of a somewhat same type of quality but the differences in quality on "D & P" are

just staggering to me. like 4 songs are straight 80s prime time prince and the rest just

leaves me scratching my head, even nearly 20 years later.

Under:

Over:

Unger Over:

[img:$uid]http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee174/ijor808/UngerOver.jpg[/img:$uid]

[Edited 2/10/11 14:41pm]

eyewishuheaven said:

Over:

yeah, i don't know what that is really. whenever i think about this album i immediately think

it's the best thing since sliced bread.

but then i put it on and i'm like "oh, yeah, p control does kinda grate my nerves, and "shy"

is just boring and "we march" is lame and i never cared for TMBGITW either"

yet somehow it still has this almost magical hold over me that makes me adore it like some

golden calf out in the desert.

i think it's because of the whole history behind it and being around for the duration of that

long long wait for it to be released and everything going on around it, like songs shifting

between the tracklist for this album and "come" etc.

the good songs on there though, can stand proudly shoulder to shoulder with his best 80s

stuff imo.

but as an entire album it is certainly a bit overrated. and as i mentioned, i'm guilty of that

too, although i don't really know why. there's just something very very special about it.

<EMANCIPATION>

IS THE MOST UNDERRATED ALBUM

OF ALL TIME!!

Right there with ya, Isten. I probably think it's his best album of the 90's, but I never put it on. But when the songs pop up in iTunes, I think:

1. P Control: I don't feel like being sworn at right now.
2. Endorphinemachine: Love it, but ever since that 'more cowbell' sketch, it makes me giggle.
3. Shhh: This is shaggin' music. And if you're not currently shagging, it just don't work.
4. We March: fun back in the day, but sounds so dated now.
5. Dolphin: Love the solo, but I just can't get around those lyrics
6. Now: Strangely, this one is always welcome.
7. 319: Killed by Showgirls.
8. Shy: Yes, boring, and I don't like it when Prince jumps on the gang violence bandwagon
9. Billy Jack Bitch: Makes me wish I was listening to DMSR
10. I Hate U: I love Prince-as-victim ballads, but this one was soured for me by the maxi-single (see: gang violence tip)
11. Gold: Love it, but if I don't have time to listen to it all and really experience it, I don't let it play.

UNDERATED

OVERATED

underrated= 20Ten

Overated= Rainbow Children

Spinlight said:

Around the World in a Day set a precedent for piecemeal, slapped-together albums that lacked consistency.

Planet Earth is one. Graffiti Bridge is (an exceptionally well-executed) one. There's others, too. The Black Album is that way. I feel it's not that those albums lack good songs but that the coherence isn't there. The albums feel like greatest hits compilations almost. They just happened to be the best tracks that were being worked on at the time as opposed to albums like Parade where all the songs sounded like they were written for that album.

perfectly put.

Underrated:

Overrated:

edit: because i decided to only pick one

[Edited 2/10/11 16:22pm]

This is for those who say that PURPLE RAIN is overrated

you're not true fans, you're crazy and you're missing the point...

To be honest Diamonds and Pearls , i dont really like this album, but it got really good reviews, and also MPLsound, people on this forum touted this as the "return to form" i found it very stale and forced and plastic, and that was not his "form", and also "emancipation" i remember this album getting 4 and 5 star reviews, but most of this album doesnt hold up today where as other albums he did in the 90's do.

As far as UNDER-rated, Chaos and Disorder and the Vault get pissed on because people just hear "contract obligation" and look at the sales and just say oh that sucks ass. NOT AT ALL, possibly his best 90's works. Also the ONE NITE ALONE album, now this is tough because it wasnt really a solo-release and you had to buy the box to get it, but it really never got played anywhere but with the diehards, to me it should have been a solo-release, maybe with another song or two, possibly Empty Room studio recording and your talking his best album in the 2000's.

JoeTyler said:

This is for those who say that PURPLE RAIN is overrated

you're not true fans, you're crazy and you're missing the point...

I didn't say it wasn't good, I just know it's not the best work he's done. People act like its the most amazing thing ever created and it's not. It's got some really good tracks and an interesting movie to accompany it, but the only prolific songs on it are Purple Rain and I Would Die 4 U.

And no I'm not a "true fan" by your definition, but I'll somehow learn to live with that. And how would you know that I'm "missing the point"? I think you're slightly confused.

Trashcat said:

Overrated: Lovesexy

Underrated: Lotusflow3r

I agree with this. I also don't think The Black Album is overrated

Underrated:

[img:$uid]http://stereogum.com/img/bad_art-prince.jpg[/img:$uid]

Overrated:

[img:$uid]http://www.vinylsurrender.com/Graphics/AlbumCovers2/Prince%20-%20Parade%20OST.jpg[/img:$uid]

Most Underrated: The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale

Most Overrated: The Gold Experience (still a great album, but it's no Purple Rain of the 90's)

Underrated: For You

Overrated: Parade

Overrated - Sign O the Times

Underated - Symbol album AND Chaos and Disorder(my personal favorite of his career)

[Edited 2/10/11 21:33pm]

Emancipation89 said:

<EMANCIPATION>

IS THE MOST UNDERRATED ALBUM

OF ALL TIME!!

gold31 said:

UNDERATED

OVERATED

I totally agree with that

Underrated:
Graffiti Bridge (Prince songs), ,Gold Experience..

Overrated:
Diamonds and Pearls
(but Insatiable is a amazing song)

Underrated: Come, Graffiti Bridge (Prince songs).

Overrated: 3121, The Vault... Old Friends 4 Sale

Wtf:

dandeeland said:

Overrated - Sign O the Times

minneapolisFunq said:

Overrated: Parade

802 said:

Most Overrated: The Gold Experience

imo, those 3 are...... super masterpieces.

holy imo.

----------> should I or

JoeTyler said:

This is for those who say that PURPLE RAIN is overrated

you're not true fans, you're crazy and you're missing the point...

So what is the point? And what is a "true fan"?

I personally wouldn't say Purple Rain is his most overrated album, but close... and I've played nearly all the songs off it in various cover bands.

Culturally there's no denying its impact. But like a large fragment of Prince fans I'm into him purely for the music, and imho Purple Rain is not in his top half dozen albums from an artistic perspective. However artistic merit is a very subjective thing, and unlike you I wouldn't label those who disagree with me as "crazy".

[Edited 2/11/11 6:55am]

[Edited 2/11/11 6:56am]

thedance said:

Overrated: The Vault... Old Friends 4 Sale

Never heard anyone call this album overrated before.

thedance said:

Wtf:

802 said:

Most Overrated: The Gold Experience

imo, those 3 are...... super masterpieces.

holy imo.

----------> should I or

I'll respect your opinion, but I think that it's no masterpiece I don't even think it's his greatest album of the 90's.

P. Control, Now and Shy are definiately not classic Prince songs. I'm fine with the rest of the album, though.

802 said:

thedance said:

Wtf:

imo, those 3 are...... super masterpieces.

holy imo.

----------> should I or

I'll respect your opinion, but I think that it's no masterpiece I don't even think it's his greatest album of the 90's.

P. Control, Now and Shy are definiately not classic Prince songs. I'm fine with the rest of the album, though.

strange as it is, i like those three songs. The only ones i dont like are we march and billy jack bitch. Which album do you think is his best album of the 90's?

JoeTyler said:

This is for those who say that PURPLE RAIN is overrated

you're not true fans, you're crazy and you're missing the point...

I hate to say it, but I agree. As a fan I've always tried to find something great among the albums of my favourite artists that isn't among the greatest hits. Purple Rain is a super multi platinum selling album. It's sometimes too easy for fans to choose the same album as non fans. Non fans will usually say Purple Rain, and that all the other albums probably suck, cause they haven't listened to them. That's why fans don't want to jump on the bandwagon, cause they want to sound smarter by not doing so.

Personally imo the leat classic song on Purple Rain is Baby I'm A Star. But even that song is strong, and the flow of the album is perfect! Parade and ATWIAD is alot more listened to, but ATWIAD lacks the flow, and Parade is sometimes a bit too experimental, depends on the mood. Purple Rain is always easy to listen too, but I rarely miss it compared to the way I miss both ATWIAD and Parade. But saying Purple Rain is overrated is kind of the same thing as saying Thriller was overrated. It's major hits. Easy to hate on hits. Easy to love hits. Depends on the person.