LoveGalore said:

funkbabyandthebabysitters said:

funkbabyandthebabysitters said:

LoveGalore said:

Point me to any other album from 1995 that sounds like TGE lol. Same with PR and 1984.

I'm not saying it captures the 90s per se, but if you were paying attention to other music you can see the connections. Endorphin machine- lenny Kravitz Pussy control - rupaul Shhh - mint condition Dolphin - alt rock Etc It's really just the sonics, the production. It sounds like the 90s, just like purple rain screams out 80s. Some of you prince fans think he lives in a vacuum. [Edited 1/26/21 4:44am]

If Dolphin is Prince going for 90s alt-rock (and it might well be) then it's some serious evidence as to why this album didn't sell...


As for Purple Rain screaming 80s, sure it sounds like 1984 but only because 1984 is filled with people trying to sound like Prince in 1982.

This is a great album. I still listen to it regularly and always crank it up. For me, its aged beautifully. The band is fantastic too.

LoveGalore said:

funkbabyandthebabysitters said:

I'm not saying it captures the 90s per se, but if you were paying attention to other music you can see the connections. Endorphin machine- lenny Kravitz Pussy control - rupaul Shhh - mint condition Dolphin - alt rock Etc It's really just the sonics, the production. It sounds like the 90s, just like purple rain screams out 80s. Some of you prince fans think he lives in a vacuum. [Edited 1/26/21 4:44am]

A vacuum? Maybe. I mean, I was alive when the record came out. It doesn't sound anything like the music at the time. If it had, it may have been more successful.

it sounds like a 90s album if you are familiar with 90s sounds and production etc - this is not to its detriment; it doesnt mean it sounds like the spice girls, grunge, 90s rap or any other popular style of the decade. you cant hear the most beautiful girl.... and think it was recorded in any period other than the 90s. except possibly the 80s.

its still a prince album so no it doesnt sound like anyone else exactly, it sounds like prince. and it still went gold, and top ten in most places, so its not like it was some great rebellious album, that sounded like nothing or no one else at the time. if you were listening to fishbone, joi, mint condition, etc this album sounds kind of connected to them. wouldnt be surprised also if shy was inspired in some way by artists like dionne farris or meshell (and i hate meshells voice so im no big fan).

[Edited 1/26/21 7:27am]

All of his albums from the 90's are like Rorschach tests for his fanbase: each fan sees each album differently. They all have great songs and "dated" filler. I think TGE has more of the former and less of the latter. His best/better songs translate to any era, so since I think TGE has more of those than any other album of that time, I'd say it aged well.

I'm always curious as to what people mean when they ask this question. Do you mean does it sound like it's a 1995 album and not an album of today? or what. Because an album sounds like the time period in which it dropped signifies what actually? the album is still great. it was great then as well. I love the album as a whole.

tab32792 said:

I'm always curious as to what people mean when they ask this question. Do you mean does it sound like it's a 1995 album and not an album of today? or what. Because an album sounds like the time period in which it dropped signifies what actually? the album is still great. it was great then as well. I love the album as a whole.

Well, it seems obvious. Things we thought were good in the moment aren't the same 10 or 20 years down the line. We all used to think mall hair was great, but hell if I see anyone outside of New Jersey styling that way today.

People used to love Creed, or that fucking "Peaches" song by Presidents of the United States, but ain't nobody listening to that shit now. It hasn't aged well. It doesn't stand the test of time; that its inherent appeal doesn't find ground to stand on today. There's no place or interest in it. There's a level of "oh, this sounds like 1995," and "fuck, this is some old ass shit." A song is an idea, and not all ideas make it thru the annals of history. People still listen to Motown music because it was made in such a way that it still feels special, unique, it stands out.

For me, The Gold Experience is probably the best 90s album Prince ever produced, and close 2nd and 3rd is Exodus and Come. I don't listen to it simply because it's a Prince record, although that's a huge part. I listen because it's just so fucking good. Rock, funk, soul, ballads, anthems. It's got everything you'd want in a Prince record.

In contrast, I don't listen to The Rainbow Children or Lotusflow3r. For me, they haven't found their place in history to stay in my purview. They don't have that something to keep pulling me back to it. Being a Prince record isn't enough.

TrivialPursuit said:

tab32792 said:

I'm always curious as to what people mean when they ask this question. Do you mean does it sound like it's a 1995 album and not an album of today? or what. Because an album sounds like the time period in which it dropped signifies what actually? the album is still great. it was great then as well. I love the album as a whole.

Well, it seems obvious. Things we thought were good in the moment aren't the same 10 or 20 years down the line. We all used to think mall hair was great, but hell if I see anyone outside of New Jersey styling that way today.

People used to love Creed, or that fucking "Peaches" song by Presidents of the United States, but ain't nobody listening to that shit now. It hasn't aged well. It doesn't stand the test of time; that its inherent appeal doesn't find ground to stand on today. There's no place or interest in it. There's a level of "oh, this sounds like 1995," and "fuck, this is some old ass shit." A song is an idea, and not all ideas make it thru the annals of history. People still listen to Motown music because it was made in such a way that it still feels special, unique, it stands out.

For me, The Gold Experience is probably the best 90s album Prince ever produced, and close 2nd and 3rd is Exodus and Come. I don't listen to it simply because it's a Prince record, although that's a huge part. I listen because it's just so fucking good. Rock, funk, soul, ballads, anthems. It's got everything you'd want in a Prince record.

In contrast, I don't listen to The Rainbow Children or Lotusflow3r. For me, they haven't found their place in history to stay in my purview. They don't have that something to keep pulling me back to it. Being a Prince record isn't enough.

^^^ This

funkbabyandthebabysitters said:

LoveGalore said:

Point me to any other album from 1995 that sounds like TGE lol. Same with PR and 1984.

I'm not saying it captures the 90s per se, but if you were paying attention to other music you can see the connections. Endorphin machine- lenny Kravitz Pussy control - rupaul Shhh - mint condition Dolphin - alt rock Etc It's really just the sonics, the production. It sounds like the 90s, just like purple rain screams out 80s. Some of you prince fans think he lives in a vacuum. [Edited 1/26/21 4:44am]

RuPaul? Really ? To me , P-Control and especially 18 and Over always sounded like they were inspired by Snoop Dogg´s cadence. Not necessarily the music but the rap parts. It´s more evident in 18 and Over than in P-Control. Which is no surprise considering that Snoop´s Doggystyle album was still fresh and a hit album at the time those Prince songs were recorded, and we know he´s always soaked up current trends and styles and turned them into something new and different.

funkbabyandthebabysitters said:

purplethunder3121 said:

TrivialPursuit said:

Well, it seems obvious. Things we thought were good in the moment aren't the same 10 or 20 years down the line. We all used to think mall hair was great, but hell if I see anyone outside of New Jersey styling that way today.

People used to love Creed, or that fucking "Peaches" song by Presidents of the United States, but ain't nobody listening to that shit now. It hasn't aged well. It doesn't stand the test of time; that its inherent appeal doesn't find ground to stand on today. There's no place or interest in it. There's a level of "oh, this sounds like 1995," and "fuck, this is some old ass shit." A song is an idea, and not all ideas make it thru the annals of history. People still listen to Motown music because it was made in such a way that it still feels special, unique, it stands out.

For me, The Gold Experience is probably the best 90s album Prince ever produced, and close 2nd and 3rd is Exodus and Come. I don't listen to it simply because it's a Prince record, although that's a huge part. I listen because it's just so fucking good. Rock, funk, soul, ballads, anthems. It's got everything you'd want in a Prince record.

In contrast, I don't listen to The Rainbow Children or Lotusflow3r. For me, they haven't found their place in history to stay in my purview. They don't have that something to keep pulling me back to it. Being a Prince record isn't enough.

^^^ This

I third that.

It's a record with so much energy.

LoveGalore said:

funkbabyandthebabysitters said:

LoveGalore said:

It's comments like these that show you haven't a clue what you're on about.

C'mon. Pussy control is campy AF. Campier than a sea of tents.

Yeah, Prince's rap attempts often came off as camp, especially in P Contol.

MattyJam said:

OperatingThetan said:

SoulAlive said:

MendesCity said:

If you don't like Shhh and Eye Hate U, I'm not sure what to tell ya/quote] I say this all the time: "I Hate U" is Prince's best single of the 90s.It kills anything on the Come album.

'I Hate U' is one of my all-time favourite Prince songs. One of the greatest songs he ever wrote, in my estimation.

Here, Here!

God bless Carmen & her love of Basketball players

TrivialPursuit said:

tab32792 said:

I'm always curious as to what people mean when they ask this question. Do you mean does it sound like it's a 1995 album and not an album of today? or what. Because an album sounds like the time period in which it dropped signifies what actually? the album is still great. it was great then as well. I love the album as a whole.

Well, it seems obvious. Things we thought were good in the moment aren't the same 10 or 20 years down the line. We all used to think mall hair was great, but hell if I see anyone outside of New Jersey styling that way today.

People used to love Creed, or that fucking "Peaches" song by Presidents of the United States, but ain't nobody listening to that shit now. It hasn't aged well. It doesn't stand the test of time; that its inherent appeal doesn't find ground to stand on today. There's no place or interest in it. There's a level of "oh, this sounds like 1995," and "fuck, this is some old ass shit." A song is an idea, and not all ideas make it thru the annals of history. People still listen to Motown music because it was made in such a way that it still feels special, unique, it stands out.

For me, The Gold Experience is probably the best 90s album Prince ever produced, and close 2nd and 3rd is Exodus and Come. I don't listen to it simply because it's a Prince record, although that's a huge part. I listen because it's just so fucking good. Rock, funk, soul, ballads, anthems. It's got everything you'd want in a Prince record.

In contrast, I don't listen to The Rainbow Children or Lotusflow3r. For me, they haven't found their place in history to stay in my purview. They don't have that something to keep pulling me back to it. Being a Prince record isn't enough.

I'm just here to thank you for spelling "annals" correctly.

So, "dated" meaning that remix of "TMBGITW" that sounds like "Shoop" by Salt n Pepa?

Genesia said:

TrivialPursuit said:

Well, it seems obvious. Things we thought were good in the moment aren't the same 10 or 20 years down the line. We all used to think mall hair was great, but hell if I see anyone outside of New Jersey styling that way today.

People used to love Creed, or that fucking "Peaches" song by Presidents of the United States, but ain't nobody listening to that shit now. It hasn't aged well. It doesn't stand the test of time; that its inherent appeal doesn't find ground to stand on today. There's no place or interest in it. There's a level of "oh, this sounds like 1995," and "fuck, this is some old ass shit." A song is an idea, and not all ideas make it thru the annals of history. People still listen to Motown music because it was made in such a way that it still feels special, unique, it stands out.

For me, The Gold Experience is probably the best 90s album Prince ever produced, and close 2nd and 3rd is Exodus and Come. I don't listen to it simply because it's a Prince record, although that's a huge part. I listen because it's just so fucking good. Rock, funk, soul, ballads, anthems. It's got everything you'd want in a Prince record.

In contrast, I don't listen to The Rainbow Children or Lotusflow3r. For me, they haven't found their place in history to stay in my purview. They don't have that something to keep pulling me back to it. Being a Prince record isn't enough.

I'm just here to thank you for spelling "annals" correctly.

As opposed to "anals"?

Great posts.

purplethunder3121 said:

Genesia said:

I'm just here to thank you for spelling "annals" correctly.

As opposed to "anals"?

Yeah, whatever it is. I swear it had two N's, but ok. The thing is, I'm really into anal, so ... I'm not giving myself a pass on it.

This album had been called as one that did not age well since just a few years after its release. It's not new that people are saying it has not aged well. It sounded quaint to a lot of folks upon it's release. And for me personally, it had nothing to do with the "sound" or "production", it was just plain cheesy.

.

The album has great elements on it for sure, but on the whole, collapse under the heavy cheese. Eye Hate U for example is musically amazing, especially the mix with Eric Leeds featured more prominently, it the aforementioned cheese on the album version make repeated listening sometimes unbearable.

In the 90's Prince started moving in a cheesy direction that. just felt off to a lot of long time fans. It's no coincidence that record sales and his cache as an artist started to diminish a bit.

.

Anyway, as much as I dislike this era, I always felt 90's era Prince deserves it's own book. There is a great story to be told. An artist going through growing pains and the changes in music trends and consumer preferences.

.

It's an interesting chapter in his life, especially as he came back in the the 2000's with a vengeance and blew everyone away all over again. Especially with his live shows.

[Edited 1/28/21 3:55am]

TrivialPursuit said:

lurker316 said:

• Emancipation: Great song.

"Emancipation" was on The Gold Experience? Was that a promo copy?

Ah... obviously I meant Endrophin Machine. No clue how I typed Emancipation instead. I certainly wouldn't call Emancipation a great song.

savagedreams said:

doesnt sound like you liked the album to begin with so of course it hasnt aged well, to you.

There is nothing in my original post that I suggest I didn't like it to begin with. No clue where you came up with that idea. The less-than-great review I wrote was how I feel about the album now, not when it came out.

v10letblues said:

I would say that the reason 80’s Prince album’s sound so good to this day is that they DON’T sound like stereotypical 80’s music. [Edited 1/26/21 15:17pm]

Agreed 100%.

Consider Parade... Besides the song Kiss, nothing on it screams '80s.

And while song like When Doves Cry or an album like Sign O' The Times may sound '80s to us in retrospect, when it was first released it sounded like nothing else on the radio. His stuff started to sound mainstream after-the-fact because everyone was copying it.

In other words, in the '80s he was dictating the sound of pop music. In the '90s he was trying to follow it.

lurker316 said:

v10letblues said:

I would say that the reason 80’s Prince album’s sound so good to this day is that they DON’T sound like stereotypical 80’s music. [Edited 1/26/21 15:17pm]

Agreed 100%.

Consider Parade... Besides the song Kiss, nothing on it screams '80s.

Kiss sounds '80s just because it contributed to forge the sound of '80s at that time, the best one indeed.

what you on about, KISS doesnt sound like anything