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Thread started 08/02/13 10:29am

SuperSoulFight
er

How well has the Black Album aged?

I don't think I have to tell anyone what a sensation this was back in 87: even people who weren't fans at all wanted to hear it and just getting this forbidden pleasure was exciting.
But... Was it really that good? Or just a hype? I think the latter. Prince has done so many funk jams since then that the Black Album, stripped of all the legend and hype, is really just another album and not a very good one at that. To me it has not stood the test of time. Even in the glorious 1980s, not everything Prince did was sheer genius.
What does everybody think?
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Reply #1 posted 08/02/13 10:34am

novabrkr

It sounds like a record made of SOTT era outtakes or B-sides. As such I can't complain about it and I wouldn't say it has "aged" any more than the SOTT album.

It doesn't sound like it was recorded yesterday, but I don't think that makes it worse. It's just more music from a brilliant era of Prince's to me.

[Edited 8/2/13 10:36am]

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Reply #2 posted 08/02/13 10:38am

thedance

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imo, The Black Album is the little brother to the Sign O' The Times album,

Both are incredible.... both are Prince classics if you ask me. Both have aged well.

TBA, is SO MUCH better than recent hit and miss albums like: 3121, PE, Musicology, 20ten.

Even better than the fan favorite LotusFlower, again, --- if you ask me.

9.5 out of 10 to The Black Album, of course it was made in the 80's therefor: a Prince classic..!



I heart very much the hard edgy funk sound that is TBA. cool

Prince 4Ever. heart
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Reply #3 posted 08/02/13 11:17am

funkomatic

Lots of hype back then. It's ok, but I don't like it that much.

Prince still owes us the real funk bible. Where is it?

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Reply #4 posted 08/02/13 12:43pm

uniden

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not that well. neutral

be kind, be a friend, not a bully.
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Reply #5 posted 08/02/13 1:30pm

Tittypants

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uniden said:

not that well. neutral

lol Couldn't agree more, actually. I still like that album better than anything recently he's released.

الحيوان النادلة ((((|̲̅̅●̲̅̅|̲̅̅=̲̅̅|̲̅̅●̲̅̅|)))) ...AND THAT'S THE WAY THE "TITTY" MILKS IT!
My Albums: https://zillzmp.bandcamp.com/music
My Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/zillz82
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Reply #6 posted 08/02/13 1:33pm

motherfunka

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thedance said:imo, The Black Album is the little brother to the Sign O' The Times album,Both are incredible.... both are Prince classics if you ask me. Both have aged well.TBA, is SO MUCH better than recent hit and miss albums like: 3121, PE, Musicology, 20ten.Even better than the fan favorite LotusFlower, again, --- if you ask me.9.5 out of 10 to The Black Album, of course it was made in the 80's therefor: a Prince classic..!I heart very much the hard edgy funk sound that is TBA. cool yeahthat
TRUE BLUE
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Reply #7 posted 08/02/13 1:53pm

SuperFurryAnim
al

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Aged like cheese.

What are you outraged about today? CNN has not told you yet?
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Reply #8 posted 08/02/13 3:55pm

jonylawson

oh please do tell internet!


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Reply #9 posted 08/02/13 4:01pm

TheEnglishGent

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thedance said:

TBA, is SO MUCH better than recent hit and miss albums like: 3121, PE, Musicology, 20ten.

Apart from Musicology, I prefer all of those to TBA. I don't think it's aged especially well but it's a solid 7/10


Even better than the fan favorite LotusFlower, again, --- if you ask me.

Now that's just crazy talk lol

But as ever it just goes to show how amazing and diverse Prince is as an artist. One persons gold is anothers garbage.

RIP sad
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Reply #10 posted 08/02/13 5:01pm

SchlomoThaHomo

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Great party record. Nothing more. It belongs more in a category with The Time or NPG records more than with other proper Prince records, imo.

"That's when stars collide. When there's space for what u want, and ur heart is open wide."
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Reply #11 posted 08/02/13 5:13pm

brookinz

Aged can mean two things: 1) it's sound is overly characteristic of its time so it sounds odd today, or 2)after living with it all these years, you do not like it as much now. On #1 I'd say it has not aged, it's a bit too unique for that! For #2 I like it more today than when I first heard it. I had a copy of a copy of a copy, and the sound quality was horrible!!!
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Reply #12 posted 08/03/13 12:05am

Romeoblu

I Love it. It's Prince at the top of his game. It's the album that made me a hardcore fan. Afer getting the tape in October 1988 I had to have all things Prince related.

It's Prince at his freakiest. This is the mad genius Prince.

The only thing I would change is When 2 R in Love. I love the song but to me it's far more suited to Lovesexy.

I would have replaced it with either Crystal Ball or the 1986 third version of Witness.

For me 10/10.

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Reply #13 posted 08/03/13 12:37am

SoulAlive

I like the Black Album,but I don't think it's the funk masterpiece that it was hyped up to be.I think Prince made the right decision when he shelved it and released Lovesexy instead.

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Reply #14 posted 08/03/13 4:44am

robertgeorgeak
abob

It's a masterpiece just for that squelchy rhythm that kicks it off, as he proclaims the funk testament.
Music doesn't age...we do.
don't play me...i'm over 30 and i DO smoke weed....
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Reply #15 posted 08/03/13 4:48am

robertgeorgeak
abob

SchlomoThaHomo said:[quote]

Great party record. Nothing more. It belongs more in a category with The Time or NPG records more than with other proper Prince records, imo.

[/


A song like Superfunki...suggests it's much more than that. Unless we're talking about a bondage party.
don't play me...i'm over 30 and i DO smoke weed....
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Reply #16 posted 08/03/13 8:17am

SchlomoThaHomo

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robertgeorgeakabob said:[quote]

SchlomoThaHomo said:

Great party record. Nothing more. It belongs more in a category with The Time or NPG records more than with other proper Prince records, imo.

[/


A song like Superfunki...suggests it's much more than that. Unless we're talking about a bondage party.


But is that song really saying anything? It sounds like little more than gibberish to me, like most of the songs. But with a funky groove.
"That's when stars collide. When there's space for what u want, and ur heart is open wide."
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Reply #17 posted 08/03/13 8:35am

robertgeorgeak
abob

SchlomoThaHomo said:[quote]

robertgeorgeakabob said:

SchlomoThaHomo said:

Great party record. Nothing more. It belongs more in a category with The Time or NPG records more than with other proper Prince records, imo.

[/


A song like Superfunki...suggests it's much more than that. Unless we're talking about a bondage party.


But is that song really saying anything? It sounds like little more than gibberish to me, like most of the songs. But with a funky groove.




Have you ever taken ecstasy?
don't play me...i'm over 30 and i DO smoke weed....
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Reply #18 posted 08/03/13 8:56am

CharlieRise

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Besides Cindy C and Dead On It, I think it has aged beautifully. Sure some of the slang is a bit dated but the music is still strange and right on point.

tonight the stars are out
there's music in the air
the sounds of joy and celebration
are drowning out despair
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Reply #19 posted 08/03/13 10:42am

Poplife88

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I think this one has gotten BETTER with time. It a funny funky party album. I listen to this one just as much as any of the other 80s classics. I actually like it better than Lovesexy. There is nothing as cool on LS as Bob George or Superfunkycali.

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Reply #20 posted 08/03/13 10:44am

eyewishuheaven

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Loved it then, love it now. It's one of the first albums I'd grab if someone said to me, "play me some Prince at his most interesting."

PRINCE: the only man who could wear high heels and makeup and STILL steal your woman!
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Reply #21 posted 08/03/13 12:31pm

funkaholic1972

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I absolutely adore the Black Album, even more now than back then. Far better, more interesting and way funkier than Lovesexy IMO.

Prince at the top of his game, wild eccentric and funky music! headbang

RIP Prince: thank U 4 a funky Time...
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Reply #22 posted 08/03/13 1:09pm

funkomatic

funkaholic1972 said:

I absolutely adore the Black Album, even more now than back then. Far better, more interesting and way funkier than Lovesexy IMO.

Prince at the top of his game, wild eccentric and funky music! headbang

It's the opposite for me. I totally prefer Lovesexy. Can't stand Bob George and Dead On It. Le Grind and Cindy C are rather mediocre song material, although partially very good arranged. 2 Nigs isn't that spectacular, ruined by the monotonous snare drum sound. When 2 R in love doesn't fit. I like Superfunkycalifragisexy and Rockhard the best.Rockhard could have benefitted from one or two more musical ideas.

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Reply #23 posted 08/03/13 2:19pm

V10LETBLUES

I think it's aged great. This era of Prince's music live entirely in it's own space and time. There is nothing to link it to anything else. It's quintessential Prince.

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Reply #24 posted 08/03/13 3:44pm

robertgeorgeak
abob

I just love that slack, underproduced sound. It makes Prince sound like a bad, bad, man.
don't play me...i'm over 30 and i DO smoke weed....
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Reply #25 posted 08/03/13 3:45pm

SchlomoThaHomo

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robertgeorgeakabob said:

SchlomoThaHomo said:
But is that song really saying anything? It sounds like little more than gibberish to me, like most of the songs. But with a funky groove.
Have you ever taken ecstasy?

No. Are the lyrics more meaningful if you have?

[Edited 8/3/13 15:46pm]

"That's when stars collide. When there's space for what u want, and ur heart is open wide."
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Reply #26 posted 08/03/13 8:29pm

CherrieMoonKis
ses

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I just heard it for the first time last week....after searching hi and low for it.

peace & wildsign
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Reply #27 posted 08/05/13 7:03am

robertgeorgeak
abob

SchlomoThaHomo said:



robertgeorgeakabob said:


SchlomoThaHomo said:
But is that song really saying anything? It sounds like little more than gibberish to me, like most of the songs. But with a funky groove.

Have you ever taken ecstasy?

No. Are the lyrics more meaningful if you have?

[Edited 8/3/13 15:46pm]




It's littered with ecstasy references...
If your body needs water keep dancing cos you oughta keep the blood flowing down to your feet - perfect summation of being e'd up and unable to stop dancing even though you know you should. Ecstasy makes you massively thirsty.
The aftertaste just lasts and lasts, you kiss somebody, you wanna party all night.
E has a bitter aftertaste, and you feel so loved up that kissing a stranger seems a totally natural thing to do.
Some will say it doesn't reference E as its ambiguous in meaning but I don't think for one second Prince only took E the once.
don't play me...i'm over 30 and i DO smoke weed....
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Reply #28 posted 08/05/13 7:22am

SchlomoThaHomo

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robertgeorgeakabob said:

SchlomoThaHomo said:

No. Are the lyrics more meaningful if you have?

[Edited 8/3/13 15:46pm]

It's littered with ecstasy references... If your body needs water keep dancing cos you oughta keep the blood flowing down to your feet - perfect summation of being e'd up and unable to stop dancing even though you know you should. Ecstasy makes you massively thirsty. The aftertaste just lasts and lasts, you kiss somebody, you wanna party all night. E has a bitter aftertaste, and you feel so loved up that kissing a stranger seems a totally natural thing to do. Some will say it doesn't reference E as its ambiguous in meaning but I don't think for one second Prince only took E the once.

It does sound like what I've heard being on ecstacy is like. But that still supports my point that it's just a party record.

"That's when stars collide. When there's space for what u want, and ur heart is open wide."
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Reply #29 posted 08/05/13 9:29am

robertgeorgeak
abob

It examines the heightened sexual state of being on E, how it removes boundaries and makes you tune into your darkest fantasies and desires.
It's not your average funtime party record. It's a very unsettling record, full of dark, black humour.
don't play me...i'm over 30 and i DO smoke weed....
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