1980- 1987 from DIrty Mind up to Sign O' The Times.

JudasLChrist said:

paraded said:

I'd classify 1978-1990 as the first era, 1991-1999 as the second era, and 2000-onwards as the third era. It's obviously possible to break this down much further into single albums as eras.

The SOTT era to me clearly represents his peak in terms of his limitlessness. He caught the wind there. He was cresting on that wave of all he'd accomplished and trying out a million new directions, all of which were electrifying, and somehow, all came together for an instant.

The Dirty Mind era is probably the ultimate expression of his revolutionary quality. This era is a laser. Everything shocking and jaw-dropping about Prince and his music is cocked and loaded in this era.

All the albums in between these two albums will never grow old. Some have issues, but they all are so unique.

But to me, Prince (1979) and For You (1978) are the blueprint of this sound, and Lovesexy, TBA, Batman, and Graffiti Bridge are its conclusion.

The sound and more importantly the philosophy of Prince changes after this point. The 1991-1999 era is much more self-consciously produced/designed. There's tons of masterful music here, but he very rarely sounds like he's going way out of his comfort zone. Perhaps that's why I increasingly think Come is a great album -- it's such a bold risk.

The 2000-onwards era is so linked to his religious convictions. It's a fascinating period and filled with powerful spiritual statements, breezy nostalgic funk, and reflection, but it's the least musically electrifying period.

So, to me, the answer is 1978-1990.

[Edited 10/9/20 0:07am]

Spot on as far as I'm concerned. I think special attention should be given to the jump from Controversy to 1999. 1999 is when Prince sounds like Prince, and people just straight started to copy him. For me Dirty mind through SOTT is one big long peak.

I love the grouping of Lovesexy, Batman, and Grafitti Bridge as a conclusion. That's right on. D&P is his commercial record, and I think he becomes lost in the woods. Of the 90s records Come is the only one I ever liked and listened to. He missed me during his Jehovah phase. I paid close attention afterward, but I never fellt like he was pusing himself outside a comfort zone as you say.

Lovesexy - Graffiti Bridge is a true period. It's connected to the 1978-1987 period, but distinctly a shift. I wish the Lovesexy band continued at least to Graffiti Bridge. I think I might have been able to enjoy it more. What we got in 1990 was just too scattered and all over the place.

BalladofPeterParker said:

1958 - 2016. Highest Peak.

There you go. "..My only competition is, well, me in the past."

RODSERLING said:

I think if Hitnrun would have been released in 1978, and D&P in 1985, then it would have been his best era.

I think we've discussed that concept a few time before.

And it's not true. Simply because the Prince and company that put those together are not the same as the Prince and company of 1978 or 1985

From 1980 to 1987 was his genius era.

slyjackson said:

CAL3 said:

slyjackson said:

From 1980 to 1987 was his genius era.

. Close, gotta extend to 1988.

No, Lovesexy it's not up to the other albums.

slyjackson said:

From Controversy to Around the world in a day. Then a slow decline with a few peaks

CAL3 said:

slyjackson said:

No, Lovesexy it's not up to the other albums.

. Yes. It is.

It's weak as fuck, and his positivity message is lame and useless.

yxl1 said:

From Controversy to Around the world in a day. Then a slow decline with a few peaks

1986-1988 was still a peak. Lovesexy the Aftershows were legend. But you could feel it coming to an end. The album, even though I appreciate it, was almost not believable. I loved the look the style etc but it faded fast. The concert was different it was almost like him exhibiting Prince from 1978-1988 and it was over New Breeds went and New Power Generation came. And it would never be the same.

The magic was gone when you saw Graffiti Bridge. That thing between Prince and the Time and Jill Jones wasn't there anymore.

Parade and SOTT were peaks for sure. The music coming out of 1986 was haute couture. The movie even holds out against GB. The videos from the Parade era, in my opinion were the best of his career.

And he had the protege albums/bands Romance 1600/Sheila E, the Family, Madhouse, Jill Jones(which should have happened sooner by 1987) UTCM though tanked the greatness of the Parade eras possibilities. It should have had band scenes and a different ideal outside of being a gigolo no one actually sympathized with.

This is what that Girls & Boys scene should have been about

slyjackson said:

CAL3 said:

slyjackson said:

It's weak as fuck, and his positivity message is lame and useless.

. . It’s a masterpiece. And I find his positivity message very useful.

Well... what can I say, to each their own.

slyjackson said:

CAL3 said:

SoulAlive said:

CAL3 said:

. Exactly, agreed. . For me it doesn’t get any more emotionally involving than Lovesexy. . Song-for-song not his objective best, but as a song-cycle I feel it resonates the most deeply and cohesively. . But one man’s meat is another man’s poison. . Seems like the album’s rep has diminished over the years. I’ve never seen a good case articulated for why, except maybe some general claims of the production being too dense. I can’t agree with that assessment. . But maybe I’m partially blinded by my own personal memories of 1988 and how the album affected me at that particular time in my life. I try very hard to keep some level of objectivity and not let the insidious force known as nostalgia infect my opinions. . But sometimes it does, despite my best efforts. . Still, Lovesexy is a one-of-a-kind work of art.

Lovesexy is a brilliant masterpiece.I love it.It was the soundtrack of my life in 1988.I really think that alot of people didn’t really ‘get’ it....they didn’t get the vibe and the message.It’s a journey....”a mind trip”,as Prince described it.

Love it