feeluupp said:

JuliaViolet said:

KingSausage said:

feeluupp said:

Brilliant. Solid. The best since Sign O' The Times... That's exactly what I remember reading here on the ORG back in 2002 when I was trying to find this album on eBAY. It was mainly the ORG. On the other Prince sites back in the day, I never heard as much praise for TGE besides on the ORG... That is actually the reason I went and bought it online because I kept reading how many people said it's his best album since Sign O' The Times...

When you listen to a Prince album we tend to judge things based on comparison to his past, or scapegoat saying it's a personal opinion, then the next step, well critical analysis is also personal opinion... Blah blah...

There are standards that Prince has developed for himsel as an artist. Personal opinion is fine, some may think the sky is orange, that's personal opinion... But Planet Earth and Rave are not musically and artistically on the same "LEVEL" as Sign O' The Times, Purple Rain, Parade, 1999... But some PERSONAL OPINION omits the COMMON SENSE musical and artistical evaluation of PRINCE.

There's a reason why those albums such as MPLS Sound, Planet Earth are never listed on the greatest albums of all time lists...

So talking about TGE... It is a GREAT album when you line it up amongst his 90's catalogues. As a matter of fact probably besides the Love Symbol Album and a couple of the old recorded songs from Graffiti Bridge, yes I can see why many fans always praise TGE as BRILLIANT, as his best since the 80's, etc...

TGE has a couple great tracks, great ballads, other than that, I think because the album contains so much energy in songs that are not even that great like Billy Jack Bitch, Now, 319, etc... Fans categorize that as Prince's FUNK roots... Go take a listen to the old TIME albums and there is not one song on TGE that can match that pure FUNK sound...

In terms of the segues, they are laughable right now, I just played TGE loud with the windows down driving, and felt embarassed... It's an album that represents PRINCE in a turbulant time, his defiance to WB is sometimes mistaken as "ENERGY" put in songs such as Pussy Control, etc... But when you listen to this album you can just hear how badly this album OVERALL as a WHOLE has aged. I can even say this is probably the worst aged PRINCE album in his whole entire catalouge, and I mean it.

There's something very strange about the critical analysis, almost as if there is a confusing paradox between BRILLIANT and OUTDATED not in terms of a numerical age but interms of the composition of the sound that just doesn't last throughout time...

TGE is very confusing for me because amongst fans it has gotten so much praise, but the feeling didn't feel the same because to many hardcore fans, most of his work after his genius 80's run, has confused Prince fans to what's a quality sounding Prince album, artistical evolution to a musical sound that is inferior to the standards that Prince can indeed produce.

To sum it up all, everyone has their own PERSONAL OPINION, but I don't like to use that as a scapegoat when I try to critique Prince's music from a fan's perspective knowing the capabilties Prince has...

In conclusion, I really feel besides a few great songs, this album is the worst aged album in his entire catalouge. It is even embarassing to listen to songs like Pussy Control, and Now and 319. Sounds like a one hit wonder 90's rap group like 2 Live Crew... This is not an album I would ever want to represent the genius and musical legacy that Prince has made.

You make some interesting points.

Undoubtedly some of it has aged horribly, but it's a mixed bag. I agree that it has definately been overrated here on the org, but lets not go overboard and ignore the majestic brilliance of tracks like Shhhh, Dolphin, BJB and even the title track (granted it is a bit corny, but it's still a solid pop-rock anthem and was very popular amongst non-Prince fans when it was released as a single).

I wouldn't agree that it's his most dated album, I would personally give that accolade to Diamonds & Pearls (stuff like Daddy Pop, Push and Jughead are just unlistenable these days).

Pound for pound and track for track it's a solid album. But I think the reason why it gets so overhyped around these parts is because it follows the blueprint of Prince's most successful album, it's pretty much the Purple Rain of the 90s. You have the screams and drama of Darling Nikki and The Beautiful Ones (Endorphinemachine and Shhh), the lighters-in-the-air anthemic title track, the massive commercial hit song (TMBGITW), the kinky, animalistic sexuality which is so synonymous with Prince's glory days (P Control, Shhh, 319). It's textbook Prince from beginning to end.

[Edited 10/6/15 1:04am]

This is one of the best albums for that age-old discussion "If you don't like --- track or ---- track, then you're not a Prince fan".

I remember feeling desperate for this album to be released. I had watched the Beautiful Experience film and felt really happy to see Prince had apparently ditched Tony M and started playing his guitar again. Several of the new songs featured in this film sounded fantastic. When TGE was finally released, I was so disappointed. No 'Days of Wild', the album version of 'Now' was vastly inferior to the live version on the Beautiful Experience, 'We March' is one of the worst Prince songs ever, the remix of TMBGITW is stupid and P Control is just embarrassing.

That said, it features some real classics: I Hate U, Dolphin and Shhhhhh, which is my favourite Prince song of the 90s. I also quite enjoy this version of Endorphinemachine, although I prefer the earlier version. Gold is way too cheesy for my tastes.

This album could have been great if Prince hadn't tinkered with it so much before releasing it. As it is, it's a fairly weak album overall that contains a few classics. But compared to Planet Earth and 20Ten it's an absolute masterpiece.

I'm not mad on the album like some, although I like a lot of it, but the opening salvo of P Control and Endorphinmachine is a real palate cleanser after the dense production from Graffiti Bridge right up to Come (of which loads is great, don't get me wrong).

[Edited 10/6/15 1:30am]

I hope all of you who dislike this album have outed yourselves in the other thread.

massing said:

I also quite enjoy this version of Endorphinemachine, although I prefer the earlier version. Gold is way too cheesy for my tastes.

Oh yes, I was waiting for the first 'no cowbell!'-remark....

yeah,in many ways,this album is the Purple Rain of the 90s."I Hate U" is sorta like "The Beautiful Ones"....on both songs,the intensity increases as the song goes on."319" is the "Kiss" of the 90s and really should have been a single.And as you point out,the title track is the big,anthemic power ballad ala "Purple Rain".I really think that,with this album,Prince was trying to create a 90s version of some of his best 80s material.

MattyJam said:

Pound for pound and track for track it's a solid album. But I think the reason why it gets so overhyped around these parts is because it follows the blueprint of Prince's most successful album, it's pretty much the Purple Rain of the 90s. You have the screams and drama of Darling Nikki and The Beautiful Ones (Endorphinemachine and Shhh), the lighters-in-the-air anthemic title track, the massive commercial hit song (TMBGITW), the kinky, animalistic sexuality which is so synonymous with Prince's glory days (P Control, Shhh, 319). It's textbook Prince from beginning to end.

I agree with others on the negatives: no Days Of Wild, the segues, over-produced Gold and Endorphine, etc but it was a great time to be a fan back then so I'll always have a personal attachment to it and its probably my favourite album.

.

With him playing mainly new songs in his concerts, a lot of maxi-singles, videos, albums being released as well as the boots it was awesome.

.

Shhh, Billy Jack Bitch and I Hate U are 3 of my favourite all time songs - pure brilliance.

It is definitely on my top 50 of Prince albums...

irreverence said:

It not one of his weakest albums, but certainly not one of his best either. The album is overblown, loud, very much 'in your face', it has those stupid segues and only a few songs that really work for me. A sprawling 'disaster' IMO, could have been much better with some different songs on it and less steroid production. I give it a meager 7/10.

It's my least played Prince album.

I think there's a handful of tracks on every album that are great, instant listen classics.

The rest, you have to bond with or aquire a taste for.

This is true now and it was true through any album period Prince had. The exception is "1999" and "Purple Rain" where each had more instant classics on a first listen than any of the other Prince albums, and the numbers kind of show that too.

For me personally, I really wish "Days of Wild" the studio version had been kept on "The Gold Experience". I also think that the arrangement of "P Control" is a little too wacky, but I guess the song is meant as novelty.

I think "319" is great, and if you could edit out the character voice of the stoner in "Now" it would be fairly great.

This album should have also had "Acknowledge Me" on it.

Well, then one of his weakest albums has hooked this fan for life

ufoclub said:

For me personally, I really wish "Days of Wild" the studio version had been kept on "The Gold Experience".

I feel the same way! Why did he remove that song from the album??!! I think that track is his best,most convincing rap song....much,much better than previous attempts at this genre.Even the hip-hop community would have gone crazy over this song.

ufoclub said:

This album should have also had "Acknowledge Me" on it.

It's interesting to think about how many excellent songs he had during this era.The years 1993-95 were very productive and he was truly inspired.

SoulAlive said:

ufoclub said:

For me personally, I really wish "Days of Wild" the studio version had been kept on "The Gold Experience".

I feel the same way! Why did he remove that song from the album??!! I think that track is his best,most convincing rap song....much,much better than previous attempts at this genre.Even the hip-hop community would have gone crazy over this song.

I sort of agree. However, I think the song is great until the last rap. His flow in it isn't bad at all, but some of those lyrics leave something to be desired. I would've been happy with the inclusion of an edited version like the one he performed on Soul Train.

I guess you had to be there.

obvious bait thread is obvious

that said, I can understand why some people don't dig this album...but one of his weakest??

xpertluva said:

SoulAlive said:

I feel the same way! Why did he remove that song from the album??!! I think that track is his best,most convincing rap song....much,much better than previous attempts at this genre.Even the hip-hop community would have gone crazy over this song.

I sort of agree. However, I think the song is great until the last rap. His flow in it isn't bad at all, but some of those lyrics leave something to be desired. I would've been happy with the inclusion of an edited version like the one he performed on Soul Train.

really? I love those lyrics and the message.

I'd rather dress 2 make a woman stare....I'm puttin' on something that another won't dare

3rdeyedude said:

Milty2 said:

It's brilliant and solid.

also the OP lost me at "I've been a Prince fan for 2 years" ......sorry dude but I might feel that way too while listening to an album that is 20 years old

yeah you know...you had to appreciate the time it came out. ALl the drama surrounding his name change, the media fall-out, the record company, was he ever gonna release it?, that David Letterman appearance, et al.

It was such a weird time. I love everything that came out of it, including all the bootlegs.

Off topic from the original question, but taking the fact that OP is a relatively new fan of Prince.

Do the old skool fans of which I am one, feel jealous that new fans get to discover all the albums fresh for the first time?

.

What would you choose, IF given the option....

'Happy you heard the albums as they were released in context' verses 'Having the chance to blank your memory and revisit them all over again in the present day.'

Milty2 said:

3rdeyedude said:

also the OP lost me at "I've been a Prince fan for 2 years" ......sorry dude but I might feel that way too while listening to an album that is 20 years old

yeah you know...you had to appreciate the time it came out. ALl the drama surrounding his name change, the media fall-out, the record company, was he ever gonna release it?, that David Letterman appearance, et al.

It was such a weird time. I love everything that came out of it, including all the bootlegs.

yeah it was a crazy time,wasn't it? I remember at one point in 1994,some of the fan groups started a petition to get Warners to release the album...lol....this was after Prince began distributing a flyer that said that the album's release date was "NEVER"...lol....

SoulAlive said:

Milty2 said:

yeah you know...you had to appreciate the time it came out. ALl the drama surrounding his name change, the media fall-out, the record company, was he ever gonna release it?, that David Letterman appearance, et al.

It was such a weird time. I love everything that came out of it, including all the bootlegs.

yeah it was a crazy time,wasn't it? I remember at one point in 1994,some of the fan groups started a petition to get Warners to release the album...lol....this was after Prince began distributing a flyer that said that the album's release date was "NEVER"...lol....

I recently wrote this on a related thread:

"

It's a great album. I remember the era well too. It was full of confusion and even more mystery, even for Prince. No one knew what he was gong to do next. There was 1-800-New-Funk and the basketball concert.

I rememebr being in a record store in Windsor, Ontario and the guy who worked there (maybe the owner) he went in the back and got me some bootlegs he had stored away. He gave me a VHS copy of a Nude Tour concert in Spain. I actually think he gave it to me.

Anyway, up on the wall of the shop, he had a big giant sign that was a sort of letter to Warner Brothers asking them to release The Gold Experience. It had the Love Symbol on it. It was so funny. Then Prince was on David Letterman and all that silly business. Total performance art. The Most beautiful Girl was out by then and it was big hit. The EPs weren't enough however.

I think Exodus came out around the same time and everyone was still confused. Then the album finally dropped and I loved it right away. I still do. It has to be in my top 5 Prince records of all time. It was great era."

^ Nice read Milty..

I agree the Gold Experience is a fine album,


- definately in my top-8 Prince records of all time..