Wow. Maybe i need to give it another listen? Is really one of my least favourite albums.

V10LETBLUES said:

NouveauDance said:

I would NEVER put those two on the same level - just saying picking the most obvious 'funk/pop' songs on an album as it's only saving grace is lazy.

Parade is on a whole other level to pretty much any other P. album out there

Oh, you beat me here. I was about to edit out the "freaks" and "fail" part and soften the post a bit.

I do not care about you guys liking TRC. Enjoy. That's what music is about. And sorry about the "freaks" and "fail" that is beneath me.

I didn't even notice it, I enjoy a bit of smack talk

802 said:

Spinlight said:

Bzzzzt. Wrong.

Go back and listen again.

So you think that Mellow, Everywhere and Wedding Feast are top notch Prince songs.

I think Mellow is pretty cool and Everywhere is a great track.

Wedding Feast is the only song on TRC that I would say adds zero value.

NDRU said:

802 said:

I don't think Prince sounded like Prince again until 3121.

I get what you mean by that, and 3121 is a strong album, but IMO it is lacking the quality that made each new Prince album in the 80's not only fun, but surprising and exciting for being new musical experiences. 3121 is a good collection of Prince-ish songs, but it works within pre-set boundaries, and TRC expanded the boundaries, as did Purple Rain & Parade & Lovesexy.

Yeah, you're right about how The Rainbow Children was the first time he really pushed the boundaries in a long time (and that 3121 didn't really). But I don't think it sounded like Prince.

NouveauDance said:

V10LETBLUES said:

Ok, you freaks can like "TRC" all you like, but putting in the same sentence as Parade is the ultimate "FAIL"

I would NEVER put those two on the same level - just saying picking the most obvious 'funk/pop' songs on an album as it's only saving grace is lazy.

Parade is on a whole other level to pretty much any other P. album out there

It's not "lazy". It's my opinion. Most of the rest of the album is average.

I like V1oletblues comments in this thread.....

I understand his (or her) view, I didn't liked the Rainbow Children at first, either.

But like with Emancipation I have gotten used to TRC as the years has gone by, now I actually like both.

But Parade is on another - much higher - level.

Actually no post WB-album comes near the WB records 1978-1995.

Call Me nostalgic then,

lol.....

Strutter said:

Personally I see 'Rainbow Children' as one of Prince's classics....who agrees??

One of P's most thought provoking albums, a true classic ...

thedance said:

Actually no post WB-album comes near the WB records 1978-1995.

Sad, but true. Rainbow Children comes closest, but it's not up to that level.

TwiliteKid said:

thedance said:

Actually no post WB-album comes near the WB records 1978-1995.

Sad, but true. Rainbow Children comes closest, but it's not up to that level.

Why? I think TRC sounds exactly like something WB would let him, if not ENCOURAGE him, to do.

Spinlight said:

TwiliteKid said:

Sad, but true. Rainbow Children comes closest, but it's not up to that level.

Why? I think TRC sounds exactly like something WB would let him, if not ENCOURAGE him, to do.

It's amazing to me that people who have followed this guy through high heels, makeup, name changes, buttless pants, made up words, sexual ambiguity, spiritual/religious rants, and countless musical stylistic changes can't handle a deep voiced narration or some cryptic religious ramblings.

[Edited 3/10/11 10:45am]

NDRU said:

Spinlight said:

Why? I think TRC sounds exactly like something WB would let him, if not ENCOURAGE him, to do.

It's amazing to me that people who have followed this guy through high heels, makeup, name changes, buttless pants, made up words, sexual ambiguity, spiritual/religious rants, and countless musical stylistic changes can't handle a deep voiced narration or some cryptic religious ramblings.

[Edited 3/10/11 10:45am]

I am really shocked by the poor attitude towards TRC on all levels. It's one thing to not like the musical direction, but if anything the hallmark of P's WB tenure was diverse musicality. I believe WB loved it when Prince deviated his sound because those are where the hits come from*.

*Not all chances he took were hits, but think of all of his #1s... They were vastly different from the stuff he had been releasing prior.

NDRU said:

It's amazing to me that people who have followed this guy through high heels, makeup, name changes, buttless pants, made up words, sexual ambiguity, spiritual/religious rants, and countless musical stylistic changes can't handle a deep voiced narration or some cryptic religious ramblings.

although i think TRC is a tad above cryptic. but again, same guy who did, The Cross, 4 The Tears In Your Eyes, God, Elephants & Flowers, Still Would Stand All Time, Lovesexy, etc.

[Edited 3/10/11 10:45am]

datdude said:

NDRU said:

It's amazing to me that people who have followed this guy through high heels, makeup, name changes, buttless pants, made up words, sexual ambiguity, spiritual/religious rants, and countless musical stylistic changes can't handle a deep voiced narration or some cryptic religious ramblings.

although i think TRC is a tad above cryptic. but again, same guy who did, The Cross, 4 The Tears In Your Eyes, God, Elephants & Flowers, Still Would Stand All Time, Lovesexy, etc.

[Edited 3/10/11 10:45am]

...Anastesia, Holy River, I Would Die 4 U...I guess you can say Jesus all you want but not Jehova?

Spinlight said:

TwiliteKid said:

Sad, but true. Rainbow Children comes closest, but it's not up to that level.

Why? I think TRC sounds exactly like something WB would let him, if not ENCOURAGE him, to do.

I don't think you understood: I'm agreeing that his best stuff was recorded during the WB years, and that TRC comes closest to the quality of that period, but that it's not quite up to snuff.

Spinlight said:

I think TRC sounds exactly like something WB would let him, if not ENCOURAGE him, to do.

No it doesn't.

802 said:

Spinlight said:

I think TRC sounds exactly like something WB would let him, if not ENCOURAGE him, to do.

No it doesn't.

Why is that? lol.

Definitely agree that "The Rainbow Children" is one of Prince's classic projects. I can listen to all of the CDs beginning to end, but this one is rewarding in its own way because it has more of a theme. Great work!

Love the music. Tolerate the lyrics. Interesting that I could put up with a lot of his odd behavior and lyrics over the years, but when he gets preachy it drives me a little mad.

Also I don't really mind Wedding Feast. Not my favorite, but more tolerable than the sucking and slurping sounds on Come.

thedance said:

NDRU said:

Definitely the best of the decade

Almost a Prince Top 10 album, imo.

01. Purple Rain (10)
02. Sign "☮" The Times (10)
03. 1999 (10)
04. Lovesexy (10)
05. Parade (10)
06. Around The World In A Day (10)
07. The Gold Experience (10)
08. Dirty Mind (10)
09. Controversy (9)
10. Diamonds & Pearls (9)
11. Love Symbol Album (9)
12. Come (9)
13. Black Album (9)
14. The Rainbow Children (9)

[Edited 3/8/11 14:46pm]

Dirty Mind #8 ?

'Come' made it through your list ?

Man, I hate these Poor Taste Nick Hornby lists...

bonatoc said:

thedance said:

Almost a Prince Top 10 album, imo.

01. Purple Rain (10)
02. Sign "☮" The Times (10)
03. 1999 (10)
04. Lovesexy (10)
05. Parade (10)
06. Around The World In A Day (10)
07. The Gold Experience (10)
08. Dirty Mind (10)
09. Controversy (9)
10. Diamonds & Pearls (9)
11. Love Symbol Album (9)
12. Come (9)
13. Black Album (9)
14. The Rainbow Children (9)

[Edited 3/8/11 14:46pm]

Dirty Mind #8 ?

'Come' made it through your list ?

Man, I hate these Poor Taste Nick Hornby lists...

Come is great. DM is overrated!

NDRU said:

Spinlight said:

Why? I think TRC sounds exactly like something WB would let him, if not ENCOURAGE him, to do.

It's amazing to me that people who have followed this guy through high heels, makeup, name changes, buttless pants, made up words, sexual ambiguity, spiritual/religious rants, and countless musical stylistic changes can't handle a deep voiced narration or some cryptic religious ramblings.

[Edited 3/10/11 10:45am]

co-sign...it's a shame ! But you know,times change and most listeners today don't like "experimental music" unless it comes from jazz,instrumental or world categories

Spinlight said:

802 said:

No it doesn't.

Why is that? lol.

Because it isn't a commerical sounding album and some people at Warner Bros might possibly be offended by the lyrics.

802 said:

Because it isn't a commerical sounding album and some people at Warner Bros might possibly be offended by the lyrics.

If they weren't offended by the lyrics to 'Sister' or The Black Album, etc... they really shouldn't be offended by TRC. As for wanting 'commercial sounding' albums, they were happy to release ATWIAD and others that really don't necessarily fit that description (granted, given the changing face of the music industry, I'm not certain they'd taken certain gambles again today).

In many ways, TRC and the ONA era aside, most of what he's released since leaving WB has been more of a commercial sound than what he released through them, maybe because he felt more pressure to compete (whereas when he was under contract that was 'their problem', not his).

WB no doubt loved Prince as a commercial package that pushed the envelope, stirred controversy, etc... and got media attention doing it.

There was a time that he had the 'gossip' appeal of Gaga, yet with outstanding music to back it up.

I suspect they would have backed TRC all the way...

...particularly since they'd be taking home almost all of the profits of it

Chiquetet said:

802 said:

Because it isn't a commerical sounding album and some people at Warner Bros might possibly be offended by the lyrics.

If they weren't offended by the lyrics to 'Sister' or The Black Album, etc... they really shouldn't be offended by TRC. As for wanting 'commercial sounding' albums, they were happy to release ATWIAD and others that really don't necessarily fit that description (granted, given the changing face of the music industry, I'm not certain they'd taken certain gambles again today).

In many ways, TRC and the ONA era aside, most of what he's released since leaving WB has been more of a commercial sound than what he released through them, maybe because he felt more pressure to compete (whereas when he was under contract that was 'their problem', not his).

WB no doubt loved Prince as a commercial package that pushed the envelope, stirred controversy, etc... and got media attention doing it.

There was a time that he had the 'gossip' appeal of Gaga, yet with outstanding music to back it up.

I suspect they would have backed TRC all the way...

...particularly since they'd be taking home almost all of the profits of it

What about that lyric comparing the Holocaust to black slavery? Surely there are Jewish people that work for Warner Bros.

802 said:

What about that lyric comparing the Holocaust to black slavery? Surely there are Jewish people that work for Warner Bros.

That's a worm can I'd rather not reopen, suffice to say that you're assuming the lyric refers to the WWII holocaust (and to black slavery, for that matter, though given some other lyrics on the album, I realise that's a little more likely).

The word 'holocaust' actually has a sacred meaning in the Old Testament and slavery can refer to selling your soul to the Devil (Banished One, etc...) so, despite all of the drama it caused at the time (and since), it's true meaning remains highly debatable (not that we have to debate it again here...)

Maybe WB would have knocked it back or requested a change of lyrics and perhaps the latter wouldn't have been a bad thing, but to be honest, of all the songs that have been released on major record labels to date, I would be surprised if that was the one that got knocked back on the grounds of offensive lyrics. If anything, I think we might just have ended up with a clearer explanation from Prince's camp as to what the line was actually intended to mean.

Chiquetet said:

802 said:

What about that lyric comparing the Holocaust to black slavery? Surely there are Jewish people that work for Warner Bros.

That's a worm can I'd rather not reopen, suffice to say that you're assuming the lyric refers to the WWII holocaust (and to black slavery, for that matter, though given some other lyrics on the album, I realise that's a little more likely).

The word 'holocaust' actually has a sacred meaning in the Old Testament and slavery can refer to selling your soul to the Devil (Banished One, etc...) so, despite all of the drama it caused at the time (and since), it's true meaning remains highly debatable (not that we have to debate it again here...)

Maybe WB would have knocked it back or requested a change of lyrics and perhaps the latter wouldn't have been a bad thing, but to be honest, of all the songs that have been released on major record labels to date, I would be surprised if that was the one that got knocked back on the grounds of offensive lyrics. If anything, I think we might just have ended up with a clearer explanation from Prince's camp as to what the line was actually intended to mean.

I think they would have requested a change of lyrics. The lyrics to The Ramones' song Today Your Love, Tommorow The World were changed from "I'm a nazi baby..." to "I'm a shock trooper in stupor..." because Sire Records (which was later owned by Warner) was mostly Jewish. Strangely enough, the frontman Joey Ramone was Jewish.

[Edited 3/11/11 0:30am]

one of my favorites, it's great!!!!

802 said:

Chiquetet said:

That's a worm can I'd rather not reopen, suffice to say that you're assuming the lyric refers to the WWII holocaust (and to black slavery, for that matter, though given some other lyrics on the album, I realise that's a little more likely).

The word 'holocaust' actually has a sacred meaning in the Old Testament and slavery can refer to selling your soul to the Devil (Banished One, etc...) so, despite all of the drama it caused at the time (and since), it's true meaning remains highly debatable (not that we have to debate it again here...)

Maybe WB would have knocked it back or requested a change of lyrics and perhaps the latter wouldn't have been a bad thing, but to be honest, of all the songs that have been released on major record labels to date, I would be surprised if that was the one that got knocked back on the grounds of offensive lyrics. If anything, I think we might just have ended up with a clearer explanation from Prince's camp as to what the line was actually intended to mean.

I think they would have requested a change of lyrics. The lyrics to The Ramones' song Today Your Love, Tommorow The World were changed from "I'm a nazi baby..." to "I'm a shock trooper in stupor..." because Sire Records (which was later owned by Warner) was mostly Jewish. Strangely enough, the frontman Joey Ramone was Jewish.

[Edited 3/11/11 0:30am]

I've never really thought that the holocaust line was meant to slight Jewish people. And I'm Jewish.

vitriol said:

Since I can't stand the usual misuse of the word 'classic' I'd say it's his last outstanding album.

If not for the God and computer voices throughout, I would say, it is one of his most classy albums.

Spinlight said:

I'll add though that the theocratic order stuff becomes sketchy because sometimes the message is that if you don't believe this then you are damned. That turns people off. I don't really feel he was condemning anyone with his earlier spiritual talk. It was more encouraging, etc. Some of his later religious work has been snide, rude, condemning, and condescending of people who don't believe what Prince believes. This is problematic. This way of thinking began on TRC, but it became much worse in later songs.