Back in 2002 I wrote that TRC would be a classic in 5-10 years and be seen as a classic and adored as Parade is:

http://prince.org/msg/7/23659

I guess I was wrong. Though it is seen by some as his last great musical statement, it is still derided as a dogmatic mess. And for such a statement to be made, he never really chooses any songs from it to play. For such a strong statement to stand by, touring behind it, I would expect to hear him play at least She Loves Me For Me. TRC brought prince.org and Prince fans ot it's knees and caused purple cival war 2.0 and we are still feeling the effects of that in some aspects (but thats another post).

TRC music had me feening for his next step and release. OI expected it to be something akin to Lotusflower but we got Musicology, 3121, and PE first. I mean 2004 was his 25 year anny and he had bigger fish to fry, it's understandable.

But songs like the title track, She Loves Me, Last December, Everlasting Now, Sensual Everafter, was thought to match up to songs from Parade in that other 2002 post. In some ways I believe they do but now we have The Fdeluxe reforming fomr the Parade era, Sheila had the Family Jam with musicians fomr that 1986 purple circle era, and now a resurgence of that era's musicians again and TRC is seen as an oddity (not a space one though). Hell it even garnered a box set, Prince's first and only, from the tour and its still the bastard child in the purple fmaily.

It's amazing how fast a decade has went though.

.

[Edited 11/12/11 19:22pm]

I wanted to like the album cause I love the name of it and I remember people online praising it, but I checked it out then at the store and just didn't like it at all.

It's a wonderful album. So many great tracks on here.

I would plan on putting this CD on just to hear one song but I always end up listening the whole album because it's so good.

It's in my top ten albums. Definetly a masterpiece.

[Edited 11/12/11 19:51pm]

NeonCraxx said:

It's a wonderful album. So many great tracks on here.

I would plan on putting this CD on just to hear one song but I always end up listening the whole album because it's so good.

It's in my top ten albums. Definetly a masterpiece.

[Edited 11/12/11 19:51pm]

I tried listening to it with fresh ears 5 years ago, didn't work. I want to try it again but can't find it online.

alphastreet said:

NeonCraxx said:

It's a wonderful album. So many great tracks on here.

I would plan on putting this CD on just to hear one song but I always end up listening the whole album because it's so good.

It's in my top ten albums. Definetly a masterpiece.

[Edited 11/12/11 19:51pm]

I tried listening to it with fresh ears 5 years ago, didn't work. I want to try it again but can't find it online.

If you live in the U.S. you may still find the CD in stock at Best Buy and probably for a great price. I think Best Buy had a special arrangment when it first came out (like Target with Lotusflow3r) but they have never been able to unload all the CDs. Whether that's true or not, I saw a few copies of TRC on CD in my local Best Buy a couple of months ago.

electricberet said:

If you live in the U.S. you may still find the CD in stock at Best Buy and probably for a great price. I think Best Buy had a special arrangment when it first came out (like Target with Lotusflow3r) but they have never been able to unload all the CDs. Whether that's true or not, I saw a few copies of TRC on CD in my local Best Buy a couple of months ago.

Same here. Best Buy is where I got my copy.

electricberet said:

alphastreet said:

I tried listening to it with fresh ears 5 years ago, didn't work. I want to try it again but can't find it online.

If you live in the U.S. you may still find the CD in stock at Best Buy and probably for a great price. I think Best Buy had a special arrangment when it first came out (like Target with Lotusflow3r) but they have never been able to unload all the CDs. Whether that's true or not, I saw a few copies of TRC on CD in my local Best Buy a couple of months ago.

Not in the US, but I have seen copies at secondhand music stores which I prefer over retail ones since those don't carry what I buy if I ever buy CD's anymore

[Edited 11/12/11 21:11pm]

In the alleged fan divide that is product of the album at hand, consider me a rainbow soldier through and through.

kuzenka said:

In my view, in terms of music - it's one of the best albums of Prince...

It's a different style for Prince and I can appreciate that, but I just wasn't feeling it then.

I don't like this album. Ask me 10 years from now, ill probably have a different view. Prince albums are tricky like that.

Prince IS an acquired taste for sure. I always liked him, but I didn't always get him.

It's just the album that has the fan base divided the most.

How long did it take for ATWIAD to become acknowledged as a "classic"? 15-20 years?

I think TRC is the last great Prince album. Not every song on it is great, but it flows very effortlessly from one song to the next. It still has moments on it that make you just stop everything you're doing and wonder what an amazing musician and artist he is.

I was 9 years old when I heard my first Prince album - the Batman album. As much of a pounding as that takes on here, and even in the full knowledge that it's not his best, it still has a special place in my heart.

If I'm honest, I prefer stuff like The Gold Experience over albums like Parade, or ATWIAD. I came to those late, and missed out on that expectation, that hype, that excitement that always heightens the enjoyment of an album and makes the memories of it that bit sweeter.

The Rainbow Children invoked all of that in me, though. The music is simply breathtaking at times, the energy and passion magnificent, the philosophy behind the lyrics interesting even if (like myself) you're not in full agreement with it. It simply blew me away, and I imagine it's how it would have felt to listen to Purple Rain for the first time, along with many others, as an adult when it first dropped.

I often look back at the '80s output and have a real sense of jealousy at what I missed out on. The Rainbow Children is probably the closest I've come to experiencing some of that as an adult. As much as I love albums like Musicology, 3121, Planet Earth and others, there's no doubt in my mind that TRC is a better album than all of them, and came at a time when Prince was as inspired as he's ever been.

Like others, I feel that Prince albums often take time to be fully appreciated. It speaks volumes for the passion Prince put into the lyrics that they are able to hold people back from truly enjoying this. Even songs about incest and rape haven't been given as much criticism!

alphastreet said:

i'll never forget how 'banished' i felt, at the album release party at paisley park. the shock of reading those lyrics.... it felt a little like being slapped by an old friend. ten years later and i'm over it but oh my, civil war is right. that album was MEANT to divide folks. great music, though

This album is simply in my Prince top five.

This is the masterpiece I was not expecting anymore from him. Amazing musicianship throughout this cd. A piece of art.

I don't give a shit about the JW crap.

This is probably the CD I still play the most from him along with ATWIAD and Parade.

XxAxX said:

I don't think it's one of the classic Prince albums but it's good and has an even quality like other albums from the 00s like 3121 and Planet Earth. The standout tracks are 1+1+1 Is 3, She Loves Me 4 Me and Family Name. The overall sound of the album is pretty unique which is a plus. The Jehovah's Witnesses influence, like on the title track, is a turnoff. The music itself is good but then there's: "...flying upon the wings of the new translation..." which is a reference to the JW translation of the Bible.

It's still his last great album.

10 years, yowser.

I remember picking this up from a shop in Lille, France and that was in 2005.....about 4 months ago enroute to the Poland show....I finally listened to it fuly through on a dark bus and wowsers!!! How did I ever hate this album! I've said it before, the lyrics are a tedious affair but musically this album is genious. The layers of it are unmatched. It's one of those albums that you have no choice but to listen all the way through inb my eyes.. It truly is an experience!

despite the dogma and weak melodies i'm still listening to it 10 years later. his last meaningful album.

electricberet said:

alphastreet said:

I tried listening to it with fresh ears 5 years ago, didn't work. I want to try it again but can't find it online.

If you live in the U.S. you may still find the CD in stock at Best Buy and probably for a great price. I think Best Buy had a special arrangment when it first came out (like Target with Lotusflow3r) but they have never been able to unload all the CDs. Whether that's true or not, I saw a few copies of TRC on CD in my local Best Buy a couple of months ago.

True. Best Buy had the exclusive US distribution through their Redline label. Anything in stock in their stores is NOS, and there seems to be plenty on hand to this day. Other countries had the Redline logo on the disc as well as another logo such as JVC or Victor. I guess these were in correlation to the pressing plant used on those shores.

its a great album and lots of ppl rate it.

I really dig 'The Rainbow Children'!

It was the first album I listened to all the way through from Prince! (I remember I bought it, and listened to it while I went to work out) AND afterwards, I was in utter shock! I did not expect that from Prince! I was surprised to know this was the same man that released songs like 'Condition Of The Heart'. It was on a whole another level, it felt spiritual but mixed in with organized views. After learning it was a declaration to the Jehovah Witness faith, I learned it was meant to divide fans, especially since Prince seemed to be more Spiritually free than organized. I myself rather the "I wish U heaven" notion to spirituality, as it seems to allow one to still obtain what they wish to hold on to, without condemnation. Examples of this is the lyric: "If I say it's 7, U can see 11..still I wish U heaven". 'The Rainbow Children' was sort of threatening in a way. Haha. "This is how it's going to be, if you want to be with me, ain't no room for disagree, cause 1+1+1 IS 3". That made me feel like there was no choice, and while I did not have to stay through the ride, the mere declaration of that, seemed inconsiderate above all things. Haha I was use to a "Pop Life" form of Prince, but this took it to another level. Mind you, I did not agree with the whole "Jehovah Witness" translation and input, but ignoring that, it really is a fantastic album and all of the songs flow together pretty well. I love the fact that all of the songs are in unity much like how Lovesexy was. This was Prince becoming ORGANIZED, something I did not expect. I think in history it will continue to stand as a remarkable album that brought many new sounds out. The way 'Family Name, The Rainbow Children, The Sensual Ever After & 'The Everlasting Now' are arranged is impeccable. It really birth out creativity I have not seen in a long time from him. During 2000-2003 he really embellished his Jazz sound to perfection IMO. It's one of his best concept albums of the last decade, and it wins above anything else he did during the decade for me..WITH THE EXCEPTION of Lotusflow3r. If only he released Lotusflow3r ALONE, without 'Elixer or MPLSound' it would stand as one of his best. However it was separate from the rest of them...nonetheless..I think it has stood the test of time, and in a few more years I think it will be praised as a remarkable album!

EyeJester7 said:

I really dig 'The Rainbow Children'!

It was the first album I listened to all the way through from Prince! (I remember I bought it, and listened to it while I went to work out) AND afterwards, I was in utter shock! I did not expect that from Prince! I was surprised to know this was the same man that released songs like 'Condition Of The Heart'. It was on a whole another level, it felt spiritual but mixed in with organized views. After learning it was a declaration to the Jehovah Witness faith, I learned it was meant to divide fans, especially since Prince seemed to be more Spiritually free than organized. I myself rather the "I wish U heaven" notion to spirituality, as it seems to allow one to still obtain what they wish to hold on to, without condemnation. Examples of this is the lyric: "If I say it's 7, U can see 11..still I wish U heaven". 'The Rainbow Children' was sort of threatening in a way. Haha. "This is how it's going to be, if you want to be with me, ain't no room for disagree, cause 1+1+1 IS 3". That made me feel like there was no choice, and while I did not have to stay through the ride, the mere declaration of that, seemed inconsiderate above all things. Haha I was use to a "Pop Life" form of Prince, but this took it to another level. Mind you, I did not agree with the whole "Jehovah Witness" translation and input, but ignoring that, it really is a fantastic album and all of the songs flow together pretty well. I love the fact that all of the songs are in unity much like how Lovesexy was. This was Prince becoming ORGANIZED, something I did not expect. I think in history it will continue to stand as a remarkable album that brought many new sounds out. The way 'Family Name, The Rainbow Children, The Sensual Ever After & 'The Everlasting Now' are arranged is impeccable. It really birth out creativity I have not seen in a long time from him. During 2000-2003 he really embellished his Jazz sound to perfection IMO. It's one of his best concept albums of the last decade, and it wins above anything else he did during the decade for me..WITH THE EXCEPTION of Lotusflow3r. If only he released Lotusflow3r ALONE, without 'Elixer or MPLSound' it would stand as one of his best. However it was separate from the rest of them...nonetheless..I think it has stood the test of time, and in a few more years I think it will be praised as a remarkable album!

Nice post, especially the part you state about Prince beoming 'organized' when you compare it to his earlier days of his introduction to the world. He was like a rebel on the loose, bold, defiant, shocking, taking his audience by surprise, and he displayed this in the lyrics in his music, combined with the mysterious and questionable image he presented to his audience. With the Rainbow Children era he presented himself in a more 'organized' fashion--music and imagewise, as though he had an awakening, was less rebellious, becoming mature and finding personal 'peace' in his life;it was almost like he was telling his story by comparing the pre-JW Prince to the JW Prince.

I also agree with you about the part where you stated that some of the songs in relation to the JW religion, may have made one feel 'threatened' as you sorted stated in your post that some of the songs came off as 'This is how it's going to be'' if you don't get on the same ride. I think if I was in my younger days and heard that type of message, I probably would have rebelled, as I feel most people are in a totally, different state of mind about religion or life in general, when they're younger.

The only thing I couldn't figure out in the Rainbow Children is where "Family Name' fits in with the religious aspect of the album, especially since it seems that song focused more on an actual, racially historic situation or maybe I need to go back and listen to the lyrics, to figure out the connection between the two. Also, I can see, where some fans may have felt divided, because of the religious context of the album, but musically the album can be appreciated by many. 'Wedding Feast' sounded like an opera piece, and sort of threw me off guard, as I was amazed at the time listening to that piece, that it was music from Prince, as I was used to his 80s type music, and had no idea of his 'jazz' music skills.

In my interpretation, I find that the 'Rainbow Children' cd, reminds me of the Lovesexy album, as at the time it was made, it seems to focus on someone struggling/searching for a spiritual/religious connection with God and questioning their religious beliefs and life experiences;and TRC presents itself as the sequel to Lovesexy, pretty much sending the message, that the individual found that spiritual peace within themself and their connection with God. Anyway, that's my two cents.

[Edited 11/13/11 10:43am]

Great album.

Interesting lyrics.

It remains an amazing album - have loved it since it came out.

If you ever get the chance, play it on a true audiophile hi-fi system - its a jaw-dropping, wonderous experience!