Ok, i admit, while i thought it was stellar, I never found myself putting Controversy on much. I think because R & B radio KILLED Do Me Baby (and here in Detroit, Mojo, a local DJ legend killed Let's Work) back in the day, I felt like if I NEVER heard either again, i'd be fine.

Well, to hear them in context of that album after a long while, i was like man, this was a solid, cohesive effort that really set up his career trajectory well. I've said it elsewhere too, but Annie Christian is just genius!! You can't TELL me that didn't influence early techno. Even so called throw aways like RTTR and JUOff actually FIT within the albums title and theme, to be jarring, controversial. He's pulled the title track out recently for some extended work outs, hope he revisits some of the other gems too! D'oh I forgot, he's a J-dubb now. Oh well. Spin magazine was right though abou this album!!

datdude said:

Ok, i admit, while i thought it was stellar, I never found myself putting Controversy on much. I think because R & B radio KILLED Do Me Baby (and here in Detroit, Mojo, a local DJ legend killed Let's Work) back in the day, I felt like if I NEVER heard either again, i'd be fine.

Well, to hear them in context of that album after a long while, i was like man, this was a solid, cohesive effort that really set up his career trajectory well. I've said it elsewhere too, but Annie Christian is just genius!! You can't TELL me that didn't influence early techno. Even so called throw aways like RTTR and JUOff actually FIT within the albums title and theme, to be jarring, controversial. He's pulled the title track out recently for some extended work outs, hope he revisits some of the other gems too! D'oh I forgot, he's a J-dubb now. Oh well. Spin magazine was right though abou this album!!

I hated Annie Christian back then. Decades later I relaize it to be some of the best anti-music ever. That guitar solo-ing thats buried in the mix is badass and a testament to how good Prince is because where others would have used that portion and shown it off ina song, he buries it in the mix as if its an aferthought.

Controversy album is the essence of Prince release. Its the first time he freaked the slow jam, made his maniphesto with the title song, stated his sex mantra with Sexuality and added the other rockabilly, rock, and pop rnb all in one. Its all there.

BobGeorge909 said:

Every time I hear it, it still surprises me how "new" it still sounds.

I think almost all of Prince's 80s music still sounds new. That was the main benefit of developing his own sound. None of his music sounds like anything else that was recorded during that time. And if it did, it'd be because someone else was trying to copy what he was doing.

I think there are several Prince tracks which have 'aged well' - although Prince's skill with arrangements is evident. Some more examples to my ears:

Empty Room

Adore

How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore

Anotherloverholenyohead

Shhh

Little Red Corvette

Ironically, the only track I haven't been feeling for some years is Let's Go Crazy, all truncated and tame nowadays

[Edited 5/18/12 5:03am]

it was a fantabulous opener in melbourne on tuesday nite!

the song that is

1978 to 1988, those albums are brilliant the way they sounds.

I would not want them to sound any different.

Why is is important how they ages??

In my opinion these albums are timeless, they are perfect.

1989 to 1995, great as well.

1996 to 2010, now there's a problem with these! Boring.

Imho.

thedance said:

Why is is important how they ages??

In my opinion these albums are timeless, they are perfect.

I think as fans we'd all agree with you - but the live experience is always gonna add nuances to what we experiences from the studio tracks. I think this thread is about how Controversy works live in the 'here and now'; general concensus is it still sounds fresh

prb said:

it was a fantabulous opener in melbourne on tuesday nite!

the song that is

I agree with that.

Somehow the pulsating kick drum and bass thing, while Prince slowly emerged onto the stage, and did a little walk around, really got the audience fired up and set the mood for the rest of the show.

The atmosphere in that concert was just great.

Its one of those songs that will go on & on.

Just the word puts me into the opening....and then the heavier bassy versions from lately.

It's aged amazingly.

smoothcriminal12 said:

It's aged amazingly.

like goot wine n cheese

rdhull said:

smoothcriminal12 said:

It's aged amazingly.

like goot wine n cheese

x2 Been listening to this album a lot lately. Love the transition from "Do Me, Baby" to "Private Joy"... What a little freak... sigh... "Private Joy" is my guilty pleasure.

I think his funky songs aged great. Lots of Clinton's work is the same. The funk is static.

datdude said:

Ok, i admit, while i thought it was stellar, I never found myself putting Controversy on much. I think because R & B radio KILLED Do Me Baby (and here in Detroit, Mojo, a local DJ legend killed Let's Work) back in the day, I felt like if I NEVER heard either again, i'd be fine.

Well, to hear them in context of that album after a long while, i was like man, this was a solid, cohesive effort that really set up his career trajectory well. I've said it elsewhere too, but Annie Christian is just genius!! You can't TELL me that didn't influence early techno. Even so called throw aways like RTTR and JUOff actually FIT within the albums title and theme, to be jarring, controversial. He's pulled the title track out recently for some extended work outs, hope he revisits some of the other gems too! D'oh I forgot, he's a J-dubb now. Oh well. Spin magazine was right though abou this album!!

you missed out jaw droppingy funky...just trying to help out here how can i say this n that about this album because you already know......this is your life 2......"what no flash again"