I'm one of those people who became a fan in the '80s and generally hated Prince's output in the '90s. But I'm also one of those fans who always thought The Gold Experience was a great album and an exception. It eschewed most of the hip-hop sound that I thought had ruined Diamonds and Pearls and the Symbol Album. And it wasn't bland like some of this stuff from later in the decade (Emancipation). I thought it did a great job of updating Prince's '80s sound by having Michael B on the drums and the Hornheadz. I always ranked it as not only the best album of the '90s, but one of Prince's best albums period.

However, I rarely listen to it now. I don't think it's aged well. My track-by-track thoughts (segues excluded... from my review that is; I wish they'd been excluded from the ablum):

• P Control: Fairly catchy, but lyrics are embarassing.
• Endorphin Machine: Great song.
• Shhh: Great drum intro, but not much else to the song.
• We March: Catchy bubblegum pop. I don't mind it when I hear it, but won't go out of my way to listen to it.
• TMBGITW: Sappy song to being with, ruined by sound effects.
• Dolphin: Good song.
• Now: I absolutely love the music (especially the horns), but I'm not a fan of the shouty chorus.
• 319: I really like this song, but it's a bit of gimmick.
• Shy: I like this song, but it's a bit of a gimmick as well.
• Billy Jack Bitch: I never got the appeal of this song. It's kind of catchy, but it doesn't go anywhere. Too monotonous for me.
• I Hate U: Reminds me of International Lover, and I didn't like that song either.
• Gold: Derivative. A blatant attempt to make commericial song to appeal to the lowest common denominator. And the lyrics are just as awful as P Control, albeit in a different way. "All that glitters ain't gold," is so trite and cliched.

So there are some things I still appreciate about it, but it doesn't hold up overall for me. Looking back, I may have just been thrilled that Prince ditched the hip-hop. The only songs I listen to now are Endorphin Machine, Dolphin, Now and 319.

[Edited 1/29/21 9:04am]

Still sounds great to me but I've aged too.

lurker316 said:

• Emancipation: Great song.

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

I believe the album is probably his best of the 90s, aside from Exodus. It's solid material front to back (except "Shy," which I've removed from my player, and never listen to - fite me). I've always said this is the 90s Purple Rain. For anyone who wanted part 2, here it is.

P Control - it's still a fun rousing song.

Endorphinmachine - no one does rock like Prince, that solo, that scream!

Shhh - great ballad, well thought out and executed

We March - a simpler song, but the social message was still ahead of its time when so few Black artists were talking about this stuff, or - at the very least - being heard while saying it/ WB fight nuances

TMBGITW - I love TGE redux, but the original is a perfect little ballad; the extra production feels more inherent to the album's production

Dolphin - song about WB, and a low-key jam

Now - Just as fun, if not more, than "P Control"

319 - Nasty, dirty, funky, the 90's "Darling Nikki" or "Temptation"

Billy Jack Bitch - so fucking funky underneath, the almost call-and-response of the verses is great

I Hate U - Prince being all sexy and angsty at the same time, love it; could also be about WB if no one knew about Carmen

Gold - the Purple Rain of the 90s. MJ may have tried to redo "Man in the Mirror" with "Heal The World," but it failed. "Gold" is more upbeat but still so incredibly anthemic, and feel good, just like "Purple Rain." It's also a slight narrative on the WB situation, too. The solo is incredible.

Play this back to back with Exodus, and ya mama won't even recognize ya after!

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

I think it still packs a punch.It's a strong,powerful album with many highlights....the Purple Rain of the 90s.

yeah,I feel the same way

TrivialPursuit said:

I've always said this is the 90s Purple Rain.

I agree it has not aged well, but was not super crazy about it ever, it still is good. The song Gold sounds like the standout to my ears now, a Purple Rain for the 90s. Come is superior in my books, less fat, less effort put into it, but ends up feeling much less forced, less bloated. Space, Letitgo, and Gold are my favs from these 2 records. Maybe unfair to compare Gold to Come, but same time frame and so intertwined become inevitable

TrivialPursuit said:

To me,Come seems like a lazy album.A few good songs but nothing outstanding.Prince even sounds bored on a few tracks.TGE,on the other hand,sounds much more powerful and energized.And it contains "Eye Hate U",his finest single of the 90s imo.

runningbear said:

Come is superior in my books, less fat, less effort put into it,

SoulAlive said:

Love it. Loved it when it came out. Love it today.

soladeo1 said:

runningbear said:

I agree it has not aged well, but was not super crazy about it ever, it still is good. The song Gold sounds like the standout to my ears now, a Purple Rain for the 90s. Come is superior in my books, less fat, less effort put into it, but ends up feeling much less forced, less bloated. Space, Letitgo, and Gold are my favs from these 2 records. Maybe unfair to compare Gold to Come, but same time frame and so intertwined become inevitable

Come has definitely aged a lot better than D&P, Symbol and TGE imho.

Songs like Dark, Papa, the title track and Space sound timeless. And although Letigo is of its time, it's a great, funky jam and one of his most underrated singles.

TGE has always sounded a bit too commercial for me. I know many fans rank it highly, but in terms of his 90s albums, I prefer Come, Symbol, Rave, Emancipation and even New Power Soul.

Exactly! It's a relelntless,take-no-prisoners album.....the songs are truly inspired and loud.Prince ain't playing no games,he's on a mission!

soladeo1 said:

TGE comes at you PISSED. Like a killer football team. Full throttle. I holds bared. It soars, rocks, pulsates with vitality.

Blondies1973 said:

SoulAlive said:

Exactly! It's a relelntless,take-no-prisoners album.....the songs are truly inspired and loud.Prince ain't playing no games,he's on a mission!

soladeo1 said:

TGE comes at you PISSED. Like a killer football team. Full throttle. I holds bared. It soars, rocks, pulsates with vitality.

Hundalasiliah! Ditto. Plus, it sounds spectacular played on vinyl with a good turntable and sound system. I'm so happy that I snapped up the gold translucent numbered promo vinyl on eBay like 20 years ago 4 about $50 as it's now sky-high, same goes 4 the current price of the European black vinyl commercial release. It's too bad that the rights issue 4 TMBGITW is delaying a re-release. Although I think that the CD version isn't too hard 2 find at used CD stores. My fave trax from it: 319 & Endorphinmachine.

The music has aged very well IMO, the loudness wars mastering not so much

If you don't like Shhh and Eye Hate U, I'm not sure what to tell ya!

(Also Dolphin's the worst thing on there)

[Edited 1/23/21 18:56pm]

MattyJam said:

Yes