Hi All,

Like everyone I was deeply saddenend at the loss of the great man, I've had and listened to, the Batman album since it came out but in terms of his other output only owned compilations. I guess my question is around Batman in terms of the songs, particularly 'the future' 'electric chair' 'vicki calling' 'lemon crush' - what other album or albums have similar stuff, if any? Or does it stand alone as a unique mixture of funk rock/pop songs etc?

I basically want the 'if you like it, you need to listen to this next' type answer...

Thanks

Unique and not. Almost all Prince CDs are unique in some way.

But, if you like harder dark rock stuff: Gold Experience, Chaos and Disorder, Undertaker, Sign O The Times, etc.

"Chaos and Disorder" is similar to songs like Electric Chair. "Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic" actually reminds me of the Batman material in some ways and the title track was originally intended for possible inclusion in the soundtrack before it was replaced (and is referenced in songs from the era).

[Edited 5/6/16 16:12pm]

Thanks both, I definitely think 'electric chair' is a standout so anything in that vein I'll be checking out.

Ok, so according to this https://en.wikipedia.org/..._Fantastic

Rave unto and Rave Un2 are two different projects?

I guess the one from 88-89 is the one that is similar to Batman, that being the case how to hear it if this is even possible?

Have grown to love the batman record in the past 18months.. If i had to pick a weak track that I'm most likely to skip, it would be Vicki Waiting. But I still quite like that track.

It's my least favorite 1980s album

Yet I recognized it as a soundtrack album for a movie that was not his.

There are some great songs on there

The Future is my all time favorite (I have a suspicion that it was made around the same time as the Line) they both have a strongly similar feel and sound.

I think Sheila E when talking about the period before she left, she said the music had no more melody as before. And that helped me to understand what I felt was missing in what I was hearing(or should I say 'not hearing') when I listen to a lot of 1989 outtakes including some from her unreleased 4th album, that is it. It also gave the music a darker feel to it. Which for the Batman album works. As in the case of the Future. But it is interesting that even the 'happier' music had the same feel.

It's unique for sure that light.

The Batman album (a favorite of mine) is pretty unique...

.

IMO Albums with some similarities: The Black Album, The Gold Experience, Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic, Chaos & Disorder, Lovesexy

.

willg said:

Ok, so according to this https://en.wikipedia.org/..._Fantastic

Rave unto and Rave Un2 are two different projects?

I guess the one from 88-89 is the one that is similar to Batman, that being the case how to hear it if this is even possible?

No, I was referring to the released Rave Un2 album from 1999. The title track is itself from that original 89 era. The rest of the tracks are newish but they fit very well in that pop/rock space occupied by Batman, imo.

jodznsez said:

Have grown to love the batman record in the past 18months.. If i had to pick a weak track that I'm most likely to skip, it would be Vicki Waiting. But I still quite like that track.

Funny, that´s my favourite song on it Beside The Future maybe.

I think Batman has a very unique sound you won´t find on other releases. I assume he started to use different equipment since it sounds pretty 90s. For me especially the changed drum sound makes it totally different from what he did before. It really is ´darker´, as OldFriends4Sale mentioned.

So in terms of "darker" you could check out Grafitti Bridge, because it has these moments. "New Power Generation", "We can Funk", "Thieves in the Temple" or even "Joy in Repetition" come to mind. And you should check some 12"-Versions of those days...like the "Gett Off"-Houstyle-Mix, "The Future" Remix, the 9min "Glam Slam" Remix. Or maaayyybeeeee some of those long funky tracks on 1999. At least to me they can sound kind of ´dark´. Try out "Let´s pretend we´re married", "Automatic" or "All the Critics love u in New York". Not the same as Batman, but kind of related.

Btw the chorus of ´Lemon Crush´ always reminds me of ´Violet the Organ Grinder´. Not a great song, but I love its chorus.

Personally I'd consider Sign o the Times and Black Album to be the most similar sounding. I think some of those Batman tracks may have even started out as Camille tracks.

What are the chances of deluxe reissues of his 80s output with outtakes/alternate versions

[Edited 5/8/16 6:57am]

Sonically, Graffiti Bridge is pretty similar. It came out the following year.

Deluxe reissues: we've essentially been clamouring for these since the 90s. I'm sure WB will find a way now, but it could take a while, with the estate currently in flux.

The Black album is quite alike, my favorite is The Future, such a great song, i like EC and Batdance. The future is it played durin the movie?

One of my fave albums.

214, If I remember right, The Future is played pretty close to the start; during Bruce Waynes party just before Vicki Vale and Knox walk into that armoury room and Bruce introduces himself.

"Space" has a similar trippy feel that "The Future" has.

"Dig U Better Dead" has a similar jerky/funky feel of "Electric Chair."

Batman is tonally similar to the Black Album. Sardonic, comical, abrasive. Come is similar in style. It's grim, simple and puts a focus on sampling and simplicity. Other tracks you should check out are "Rebirth of the Flesh," "Shockadelica," "Scarlet Pussy," "319," "Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic," "Extra Loveable (1982 version)" and "La La La He He He."

Non-album tracks from the Batman era are "Sex," "Feel U Up," "200 Balloons," "Love U in Me," "We Got the Power" and "Dance with the Devil."

[Edited 5/9/16 10:34am]

TheSacrificeOfVictor said:

214, If I remember right, The Future is played pretty close to the start; during Bruce Waynes party just before Vicki Vale and Knox walk into that armoury room and Bruce introduces himself.

Actually, the tracks played at the party are Vicki Waiting and Electric Chair. But you can (barely) hear The Future in the movie - it's when little Bruce and his parents are walking through the crowded street at the beginning.

"319" has a similar feel of "Electric Chair." And the vocal line has an extremely similar cadence. You could almost sing parts of "Electric Chair" over the music of "319."

Batdance: The Batmix, I love the way Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic is incorporated into this wonderful remix from back then ('89)...

I love the whole Batman album, maybe I'm skipping Arms Of Orion = the rest is wonderful:

Partyman and Scandalous extended mixes are excellent as well.