It happens there are albums and songs that immediately strike and mesmerize you, but as time goes by they turn out to be just a "hit and miss", whereas there are albums we neglected at first, but then grow on us like a muffin in the oven.

To me, Dirty Mind (and also Controversy to a lesser extent) is absolutely a grower. First time i listened to it i didn't undertsand how great it was: and yet it defined the sound of'80s and it's still regarded as a breakthrough album by many critics.

A "shrinker" is Emancipation. The three opus set was hailed as a return to grateness (here in Italy was dubbed "Prince's Songs in the ky of life"!), and i really wanted to belive it was true! But stark reality is that it's as boring as hell. Maybe Prince should have picked 12 from 36 songs and publish a single cd.

Which are your grower and shrinker?

[Edited 7/11/11 3:20am]

3121

Planet Earth

20Ten

those are "shrikers", especailly 3121..

Grower: (Slowly though) The Black Album

Shrinker: (starting from just above average to not much played) Diamonds and Pearls

irreverence said:

Grower: (Slowly though) The Black Album

Shrinker: (starting from just above average to not much played) Diamonds and Pearls

I don't have a particular one growing on me, depends on the cycle am going through, sometimes Sign O the Times

Love Symbol, Lovesexy

I should say there are songs which float on my mind, which I feel more than others, which'll make me experience a journey when I listen to them; as nowadays: Do me Baby or Beautiful one..

There is definetely one album which I am not stuck on: Musicology!!

Most 80s Prince albums had to grow on my from the years I was mature enough for them. I was growing up on Prince, but didn't really appreciate him that much untill after being a big fan of OutKast, Cee-Lo, and a bunch of rappers, rnb artists etc that is very inspired by him.

The last growing must have been 1999. As a beat maker, it's really interresting to hear what Prince was able to do in the beginning of the 80s with a Linn Drum, synths, guitars, bass and perfectly put effects. Earlier I kinda think it sounded too cold, repetetive and metallic to me. But learned to love it.

I rarely listen to the music that I know will shrink even more. So it has mostly been growing, not shrinking. However, I've been listening to his early 80s albums far too much lately. So it's more like being tired of listening to music on auto pilot, than thinking that the music isn't all that. I actually need to give a bunch of his great records a break.

The Rainbow Children a definite grower on me. Its production to fluid and natural.

Diamonds & Pearls a shrinker..too glossy..

Grow: Around The World In A Day (Didnt really dig this albums complete work, up in til now)

Shrink: Musicology & Emancipation ( I just dont dig either to much anymore, havent listen to either album in 1 year or more)

Song that shrinked: The Beautiful Ones its nothing 2 me anymore, just plain tired of that tune

Grower:....Chaos & Disorder

Shrinker....Diamonds & Pearls

thedance said:

3121

Planet Earth

20Ten

those are "shrikers", especailly 3121..

31 never grew on me in the first place, and to this day is the only Prince album I have never owned in any form. I will really have to give this thought which one is growing, I usually know how I feel about an album from first listen.

Another grower is C-Note, in the last few weeks it is the "official dinner soundtrack" when i share a meal with friends or sip a cocktail on the terrace.

i dont know if its just me, but most of princes music had to grow on me, and when i mean grow on me i mean its literally apart of me now. but at first glance i wasnt interested in a lot of his music