I acknowledge legitimate Prince criticisms. I have a friend who critcizes Prince for over-saturating the market with his music, and for following up Purple Rain with a less than commercially appealing Around The World In A Day.

First, I can see an argument against Prince releasing so many cds. Keep the buyer waiting, build up an intense anticipation. An album a year for 15 years doesn't give the public a chance to miss you, to miss your music. You become too ubiquitous and casual fans can tire. But, how can you put limitations on creativity? If he can write all those songs, if he can produce a quality album a year, then what would he do with all the music he creates but doesn't release?

Further, as a die hard fan, what album in the first 15 year span am I willing to sacrifice? Is prolific really a criticism when it's prolific and great?

Second, I say the only thing wrong with Around The World In A Day is that is was released a year after Purple Rain. To follow up a commercial pop/rock album with a 'concept' album was to risk his budding superstardom. But, the album was GREAT! In my humble opinion it was better than Purple Rain. It was better musically, it was better song wise. It just wasn't purposefully commercial.

But it was totally Prince! He pandered to a pop/rock audience for two albums in order to establish some rock star bona fides, then he went back to making music for HIMSELF. And it was all great. So I can't criticize that.