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Thread started 08/28/13 8:16pm

vikfunk

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If Sign 'O' The Times wasn't Prince's best work

The critics seem to have a general consensus that SOTT is Prince's best work, in the same way that they agree on What's Going On (Marvin), Songs in the Key of Life (Stevie), Pet Sounds (Beach Boys), Sergeant Pepper (Beatles), etc. But we all know that the fans often disagree and usually come up with their own consensus e.g., Here My Dear, Talking Book/Innervisions, Smile, Revolver/Rubber Soul/etc.

As for Prince, is there any general consensus among fans on which album is actually Prince's best work apart from SOTT?

I'd say it's 1999.

Edit: I've updated the list below to include the albums that get multiple mentions in the replies. So far the main contender is 1999. No Controversy and Diamonds & Pearls? C'mon now people eek

  • 1999.
  • Purple Rain
  • Around The World in A Day
  • Parade
  • Lovesexy
  • Dirty Mind

[Edited 8/29/13 18:44pm]

Is everybody wet?
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Reply #1 posted 08/28/13 8:45pm

SpiritOtter

WITHOUT A SHADOW OF A DOUBT: Planet Earth.

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Reply #2 posted 08/28/13 8:47pm

SpiritOtter

(But on a serious note, it is of course PURPLE RAIN, both artistically and commercially).

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Reply #3 posted 08/28/13 8:48pm

SpiritOtter

P.S. Even though from a purely personal perspective, I am drawn to particularly Parade, 1999 and Lovesexy, as astonishing works of complete art.

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Reply #4 posted 08/28/13 8:49pm

SpiritOtter

P.P.S. Extra special attention should ultimately always be given to Dirty Mind.

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Reply #5 posted 08/28/13 9:06pm

sfinky1

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No way Diamonds and pearls - that is a terrible album. Just feels so empty to me - like a compilation album. All bright, shiny, upbeat pop songs but there's no love, no heart, no soul holding it all together that seemed to be there in on the 80s records. Graffiti bridge and Symbol album suffer from the same hodge-podge 'compilation' feel to me.. He was all over the place trying to do too many things at once in this period..
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Reply #6 posted 08/28/13 11:03pm

Tittypants

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vikfunk said:

The critics seem to have a general consensus that SOTT is Prince's best work, in the same way that they agree on What's Going On (Marvin), Songs in the Key of Life (Stevie), Pet Sounds (Beach Boys), Sergeant Pepper (Beatles), etc. But we all know that the fans often disagree and usually come up with their own consensus e.g., Here My Dear, Talking Book/Innervisions, Smile, Revolver/Rubber Soul/etc.

As for Prince, is there any general consensus among fans on which album is actually Prince's best work apart from SOTT?

I'd say it's 1999.

Other contenders (again, IMO):

  • Purple Rain
  • Diamonds & Pearls
  • ATWIAD
  • Dirty Mind
  • Controversy

Wait, you put "D&P", "ATWIAD", & "Controversy" on this list [& I love "Controversy"], But no "Parade", or "Lovesexy"?!?!?! You are buggin'. disbelief

I would have to believe that "Parade" would be, if "SOTT" didn't exist.

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 #7 posted 08/28/13 11:05pm

Tittypants

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sfinky1 said:

No way Diamonds and pearls - that is a terrible album. Just feels so empty to me - like a compilation album. All bright, shiny, upbeat pop songs but there's no love, no heart, no soul holding it all together that seemed to be there in on the 80s records. Graffiti bridge and Symbol album suffer from the same hodge-podge 'compilation' feel to me.. He was all over the place trying to do too many things at once in this period..

"Diamonds & Pearls" is easy one of Prince's worst albums, imo. lol I totally agree with you.

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 #8 posted 08/28/13 11:34pm

kewlschool

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It's a tough one, but Purple Rain. 1999, Dirty Mind, and Parade are pretty good too!

99.9% of everything I say is strictly for my own entertainment
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Reply #9 posted 08/28/13 11:49pm

vikfunk

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Tittypants said:

vikfunk said:

The critics seem to have a general consensus that SOTT is Prince's best work, in the same way that they agree on What's Going On (Marvin), Songs in the Key of Life (Stevie), Pet Sounds (Beach Boys), Sergeant Pepper (Beatles), etc. But we all know that the fans often disagree and usually come up with their own consensus e.g., Here My Dear, Talking Book/Innervisions, Smile, Revolver/Rubber Soul/etc.

As for Prince, is there any general consensus among fans on which album is actually Prince's best work apart from SOTT?

I'd say it's 1999.

Other contenders (again, IMO):

  • Purple Rain
  • Diamonds & Pearls
  • ATWIAD
  • Dirty Mind
  • Controversy

Wait, you put "D&P", "ATWIAD", & "Controversy" on this list [& I love "Controversy"], But no "Parade", or "Lovesexy"?!?!?! You are buggin'. disbelief

I would have to believe that "Parade" would be, if "SOTT" didn't exist.

As I said that is a personal list cool. But for "consensus" purpose, I'll add them to the list smile

[Edited 8/29/13 18:17pm]

Is everybody wet?
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Reply #10 posted 08/29/13 12:46am

funkaholic1972

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kewlschool said:

It's a tough one, but Purple Rain. 1999, Dirty Mind, and Parade are pretty good too!

These 4 albums (plus SOTT obviously) are the only ones that are worthy of being considered to be Prince's best work. Purple Rain is the winner IMO.

RIP Prince: thank U 4 a funky Time...
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Reply #11 posted 08/29/13 2:12am

Javi

Lately I'm starting to think that I prefer Parade to Sign. There are no weak tracks on Parade, while side B of Sign has some clear misses.

-----

Of the ones mentiones by vikfunk, I would go for Around The World In A Day and Diamonds And Pearls.

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Reply #12 posted 08/29/13 2:24am

funkaholic1972

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Javi said:

Lately I'm starting to think that I prefer Parade to Sign. There are no weak tracks on Parade, while side B of Sign has some clear misses.

I have the same, in fact I think that Parade might actually have become my favorite Prince album of all time.

RIP Prince: thank U 4 a funky Time...
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Reply #13 posted 08/29/13 3:16am

thisisreece

SOTT, Parade, Lovesexy, ATWIAD are my favourite Prince albums, so any of them, excluding SOTT obviously.

Hundalasiliah!
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Reply #14 posted 08/29/13 3:46am

princeiscool

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Every time someone starts one of those Prince/o(+> album survivor threads, it always seems to boil down to SOT and 1999 as the final 2, with SOT being the winner every time. I was always on 1999's side.
[Edited 8/29/13 3:47am]
"this is where the PURPLE PARTY PEOPLE be"
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Reply #15 posted 08/29/13 5:22am

OldFriends4Sal
e

SpiritOtter said:

P.S. Even though from a purely personal perspective, I am drawn to particularly Parade, 1999 and Lovesexy, as astonishing works of complete art.

Over SOTT, I say Parade side by side with Purple Rain

If Dream Factory was a released Album I might have put that as his best.

SOTT is a mix of 2 or 3 albums so even though it's in the top 5, I don't think it's his best

Around the World in a Day is #3 for me

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Reply #16 posted 08/29/13 8:09am

robertlove

I don't think Sign is even his best work...that would be Lovesexy and Parade. Sign has great songs, but some filler too, with Lovesexy and Parade being great from start to finish.

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Reply #17 posted 08/29/13 9:32am

coltrane3

vikfunk said:

The critics seem to have a general consensus that SOTT is Prince's best work, in the same way that they agree on What's Going On (Marvin), Songs in the Key of Life (Stevie), Pet Sounds (Beach Boys), Sergeant Pepper (Beatles), etc. But we all know that the fans often disagree and usually come up with their own consensus e.g., Here My Dear, Talking Book/Innervisions, Smile, Revolver/Rubber Soul/etc.

As for Prince, is there any general consensus among fans on which album is actually Prince's best work apart from SOTT?

I'd say it's 1999.

Other contenders (again, IMO):

  • Purple Rain
  • Diamonds & Pearls
  • ATWIAD
  • Dirty Mind
  • Controversy

I don't think Sergeant Pepper's is the general consensus for the Beatles. It seems to rotate between Sergeant Pepper's, Revolve, and Rubber Soul (and just occasionally the White Album). So, the general consensus as to the Beatles' best album isn't static, or simply, there isn't a general consensus.

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Reply #18 posted 08/29/13 9:48am

Frederick96

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It would have to be 1999 or Parade. For me these two are just classic.

Love God and I shall 4ever Love u
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Reply #19 posted 08/29/13 9:49am

alexzander

Dirty Mind

This is what you want...This is what you get.
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Reply #20 posted 08/29/13 9:54am

Graycap23

1999, SOTT, The RainBow Children, ATWIAD, Purple Rain, or Parade......and I'm going 2 throw Crystal Ball in as well.

Take your pick.

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Reply #21 posted 08/29/13 9:55am

MarshallStacks

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IMO - As released, SOTT is flawed, mainly by including Beautiful Night , which I find over long and tonally doesn't fit in with the rest of the album. Also Hot Thing ain't Grade A material in my book, would made a better B side. Take those two out and add three or four other great songs from that era not on the album (take yer pick, there's so many), and you end up with one of his greatest albums, rather than just a very good/ borderline great album. Personally, I'd add We Can Funk (slow version), Joy in Repetition, Train, Good Love and Make Your Mama Happy. That way, you sure gain a lot more than you lose smile .

Though I love/ like most of SOTT, the unreleased Dream Factory album is for me, his greatest album, the natural successor to Parade, and the missing link between Parade and SOTT.

Put Dream Factory (or, to a slightly lesser extent, Purple Rain) up against the Beatles finest albums (which for me are either White Album or Abbey Road) and you might have a contest cool .

[Edited 8/29/13 10:06am]

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Reply #22 posted 08/29/13 10:26am

SoulAlive

1999 is my personal favorite,but I can see why so many fans and critics consider Sign O The Times to be Prince's best work.It's an incredible album.

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Reply #23 posted 08/29/13 2:06pm

dandan

1999, Purple Rain, ATWIAD, Parade, Sign O The Times, LoveSexy are all interchangeble as the definitive Prince album depending on your preferences. That run of albums is just FRIGHTENINGLY good and unrivalled except for maybe The Beatles' Help, Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt Pepper, White Album run.

I got two sides... and they're both friends.
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Reply #24 posted 08/29/13 2:16pm

blacklotus

Prince, 1999, Emancipation, O)+> are my favorites

[Edited 8/29/13 14:17pm]

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Reply #25 posted 08/29/13 2:30pm

Se7en

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If not SOTT, then surely Purple Rain and 1999 are his best works.

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Reply #26 posted 08/29/13 2:34pm

littlejim

I say 1999 all day long.... for me it is his best

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Reply #27 posted 08/29/13 5:02pm

callimnate

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1999 slightly in front of Purple Rain.

.

And to even mention D&P in that list is............... lol lol lol lol lol

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Reply #28 posted 08/29/13 6:28pm

vikfunk

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coltrane3 said:

vikfunk said:

The critics seem to have a general consensus that SOTT is Prince's best work, in the same way that they agree on What's Going On (Marvin), Songs in the Key of Life (Stevie), Pet Sounds (Beach Boys), Sergeant Pepper (Beatles), etc. But we all know that the fans often disagree and usually come up with their own consensus e.g., Here My Dear, Talking Book/Innervisions, Smile, Revolver/Rubber Soul/etc.

As for Prince, is there any general consensus among fans on which album is actually Prince's best work apart from SOTT?

I'd say it's 1999.

Other contenders (again, IMO):

  • Purple Rain
  • Diamonds & Pearls
  • ATWIAD
  • Dirty Mind
  • Controversy

I don't think Sergeant Pepper's is the general consensus for the Beatles. It seems to rotate between Sergeant Pepper's, Revolve, and Rubber Soul (and just occasionally the White Album). So, the general consensus as to the Beatles' best album isn't static, or simply, there isn't a general consensus.

You're right it's always rotating between those albums, but it's safe to say Sgt. Pepper is widely considered as their best. For me it's either The White Album or Abbey Road.

Is everybody wet?
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Reply #29 posted 09/01/13 1:02am

Romeoblu

Lovesexy.

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