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Thread started 09/27/21 2:20pm

26ten

Come vs Gold Experience

The age old question, which has likely been asked about a million times here.

I prefer Come for its dark and explicit weirdness, although I recognize TGE as an also strong album. It might be a little too happy for me, and the synthetic and subject matter might be a bit too dated for my tastes.

Which do you all prefer out of these two?
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Reply #1 posted 09/27/21 3:37pm

SoulAlive

The Gold Experience…it’s a better,more powerful album than Come.
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Reply #2 posted 09/27/21 4:40pm

TrivialPursuit

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I don't know how Come is explicity weird. It's not. It's overtly sexual, if anything. It starts with come and ends with an orgasm, while facing many emotions (or experiences) like racism, animalistic lust, corporate slavery, love and more. Come has it's amazing moments. The epic title track, the mellow beauty of "Space," the funk workout of "Race," the balls out jam of "Pheromone" (which feels like a sister song to the title track), some EDM meets NIN of "Loose!" the personal "Papa." Plus, the timely (for him) talk about Warners in "Letitgo." It always seemed he was just sick and tired of being sick and tired by the time he recorded "Letitgo." I think something like "I Wanna Melt With U" would fit quite well on Come.

I did a remix album of Come called Come Again. I reworked parts of it, did new segues, and it comes in 4 seconds shorter than the original. I like both versions equally.

The Gold Experience is a whole other story. It's brighter, crisper, more layered, thicker. I love it's rock edge with "Endorphinmachine," "Dolphin," it's funkiness with "Now," "P Control," it's dirty funk like "319," and it's power ballads, "Gold," "Shhh," and "The Most Beautiful Girl In The World." It's so wide and varied. I can't stand "Shy," and I've taken it out of my playlist, and re-segued the spaces between. (I will fite u)

They're two very specific times in Prince's life, it seems. Yet recorded around the same time. I think they're equally stellar albums, but TGE may win out by a hair, simply because there's more of it.

"eye don’t really care so much what people say about me because it is a reflection of who they r."
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Reply #3 posted 09/27/21 6:14pm

LoveGalore

As released, Gold pretty much stomps Come for me.

But it's also my 2nd favorite era in terms of overall material. Most of Come, Gold, Chaos and Disorder, and lots of Crystal Ball are all from the same year and a half of sessions. From early 1993 to mid 1994 basically. Very reminiscent of the cohesion and experimentation of other spans of time like late 1982 to late 1983, or mid 1985 to late 1986.

Anyway, the albums both suffered from a bit too much polish and you can see that from the wealth of material left off of them. Imagine Come having the original version rather than the house remix, having Interactive and What's My Name, or Gold having Acknowledge Me, Ripop, Mad, etc.

That said, I do love both records and they have their flaws for sure but it's a classic era that I am obsessed with.
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Reply #4 posted 09/27/21 6:14pm

runningbear

Come

merf
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Reply #5 posted 09/28/21 7:56am

antonb

zzz really?

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Reply #6 posted 09/28/21 8:10am

OperatingTheta
n

The original 1993 configuration of the Come album with different production and mixes is of great interest to me. The released album in 94 is an over-looked and underrated classic in my book - a dark, brooding and revealing collection with a bare, minimalist production and sound Prince never really produced elsewhere.

The Gold Experience is a different beast but equally as compelling for opposite reasons. Together they represent a kind of tao.

Whatever, 93-95 was an exciting time to be a fan and my favourite period overall.
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Reply #7 posted 09/28/21 8:35am

Empress

The Gold Experience. I think it has a great mixture of ballads, funk and pop. It seems much more thought out than Come.

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Reply #8 posted 09/28/21 9:40am

nayroo2002

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It's a double album.

Duh!

"Whatever skin we're in
we all need 2 b friends"
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Reply #9 posted 09/28/21 10:31am

PurpleColossus

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It's a tough choice for me, both albums are really incredible with some really high quality tracks. However, overall I prefer Come slightly over TGE...I've always loved the Dark hypnotic grooves and mysterious vibes on Come. I'm a little curious which album fans prefer, from what I've seen here before I think it may be split about 50/50 hmmm

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Reply #10 posted 09/28/21 11:14am

funkaholic1972

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Over time I have come to appreciate Come more than TGE. TGE won me over initially with its' energetic, polished and bombastic songs and production style. But now I feel like Come is less 'in your face' and more subdued in nature, which I seem to prefer apparently these days.

RIP Prince: thank U 4 a funky Time...
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Reply #11 posted 09/28/21 2:42pm

lurker316

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TrivialPursuit said:

I don't know how Come is explicity weird. It's not. It's overtly sexual, if anything. It starts with come and ends with an orgasm, while facing many emotions (or experiences) like racism, animalistic lust, corporate slavery, love and more. Come has it's amazing moments. The epic title track, the mellow beauty of "Space," the funk workout of "Race," the balls out jam of "Pheromone" (which feels like a sister song to the title track), some EDM meets NIN of "Loose!" the personal "Papa." Plus, the timely (for him) talk about Warners in "Letitgo." It always seemed he was just sick and tired of being sick and tired by the time he recorded "Letitgo." I think something like "I Wanna Melt With U" would fit quite well on Come.


Pheromone is has some pretty weird lyrics. It's voyeurism meets S&M:

. I want to save her (save her)
. I want to watch (watch)
. All my vital signs go up a couple of notches
. When he unties her and she runs to the open door
. He trips and grinds her (grinds her)
.
. [...]
.
. He just makes her point the pistol to his nose
. While he masturbates and now I see a tear
. Heading down towards her smile

Inn the begining there's a suggestion that this is just role playing. He says: "This is how they play the game." Nevertheless, it's weird to be getting off on watchnig a man abuse a woman.

Anyway, to answer the OP's question, I greatly perfer The Gold Experience. I can't stand Come.


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Reply #12 posted 09/28/21 3:56pm

funkbabyandthe
babysitters

Both are decent albums but put together they could have been great:

The Come Experience (lol)

Pheremone
Shhhh
Dolphin
Eye hate u
Papa
319
Shy
Billy Jack bitch
Dark
Solo
Orgasm
[Edited 10/2/21 2:44am]
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Reply #13 posted 09/28/21 3:57pm

TrivialPursuit

avatar

lurker316 said:

"Pheromone" has has some pretty weird lyrics. It's voyeurism meets S&M:

. I want to save her (save her)
. I want to watch (watch)
. All my vital signs go up a couple of notches
. When he unties her and she runs to the open door
. He trips and grinds her (grinds her)
.
. He just makes her point the pistol to his nose
. While he masturbates and now I see a tear
. Heading down towards her smile


That ain't weird. That's just kinky fun! Dark, but kinky. lol

The gun and masturbation line you noted always raised an eyebrow for me. Even the first season of Big Brother in the US had two house guests making out in the kitchen. The girl was sitting on the counter, the guy was in a towel between her legs. He held a knife to her throat, and she continued to kiss him. He took the knife away, and she pulled his hand back. It was enough that the male houseguest was warned about it but later removed from the game.

Hey, some people have kinks. Prince's just plays out in music as well. I guess it's weird to Baptists or something. haha

"eye don’t really care so much what people say about me because it is a reflection of who they r."
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Reply #14 posted 09/28/21 4:39pm

AZStreet

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The fact that Prince released Come first instead of riding the Most Beautiful Girl in the World train kinda tells me he liked it more, no?

"You know, this is funky but I wish he'd play like he used to, old scragglyhead son of a...*smack* OOH!"

"Who's the foo singing will it's would"
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Reply #15 posted 09/28/21 4:42pm

LoveGalore

AZStreet said:

The fact that Prince released Come first instead of riding the Most Beautiful Girl in the World train kinda tells me he liked it more, no?



I doubt it. TMBGITW was saved for Gold because he was convinced Gold was Purple Rain 2 which is probably why it follows the same exact structure, is basically the same sound, and had a mega hit prebuilt onto it. Come was a throwaway to commemorate an end to Prince.
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Reply #16 posted 09/28/21 5:59pm

lurker316

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I have a memory of reading an interview he did before these albums came out. (Maybe in Spin magazine?) He described the albums and their forthcoming release. The interview said that Prince seemed more excited about The Gold Experience than Come. Perhaps that was simply because The Gold Experience was fresher in Prince's mind? Regardless, it biased me. If Prince was bored with Come and thought TGE was better, then perhaps I was inclined to think that as well.

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Reply #17 posted 09/28/21 6:45pm

TrivialPursuit

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lurker316 said:


I have a memory of reading an interview he did before these albums came out. (Maybe in Spin magazine?) He described the albums and their forthcoming release. The interview said that Prince seemed more excited about The Gold Experience than Come. Perhaps that was simply because The Gold Experience was fresher in Prince's mind? Regardless, it biased me. If Prince was bored with Come and thought The Gold Experience was better, then perhaps I was inclined to think that as well.


To expound on that, I think he saw TGE as a new beginning, and the end of Prince was COME (especially with the death dates on it). He literally wanted corporate PRINCE and independent prince to battle it out on the shelves. NPG Records was his new indie label and he wanted to make a point. But, WB thwarted that.

It's also not surprising to me that one looks drab, gray, colorless, and the other is bright in sound, artwork, and production.

"eye don’t really care so much what people say about me because it is a reflection of who they r."
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Reply #18 posted 09/28/21 9:57pm

36C22W37H

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funkbabyandthebabysitters said:

Both are decent albums but put together they could have been great The Come Experience (lol) Pheromone Endorphin machine Shhhh Dolphin Eye hate u Papa Billy Jack bitch Shy Dark Solo Orgasm B sides would be loose, let it go, 319, space, gold, come [Edited 9/28/21 15:57pm] [Edited 9/28/21 15:58pm]

This actually sounds like it would have been a great idea and tracklist. I honestly can't decide between the 2, I really like them both. Both have some stellar tracks.

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Reply #19 posted 09/29/21 2:43am

MIRvmn

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I prefer Come. The problem with TGE is that it hasn't aged well and is overproduced.
Welcome 2 The Dawn
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Reply #20 posted 09/29/21 3:08am

Vannormal

-

Both are fantastic, but 'Come' is that slightly better imho, cause

it has more Prince-does-it-all-alone tracks iirc.

But true, most songs on 'Gold' are moe layered and strong(er).

I just never liked the song 'Gold'.

It reminds of

'Still Would Stand All Time'

'Every Day Is A winding Road'

'3 Chians 'O Gold'

'Last December'

or his latest 'Stand Up And Be Strong'.

I never liked these type of cheesy anthems.

-

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves. And wiser people so full of doubts" (Bertrand Russell 1872-1972)
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Reply #21 posted 09/29/21 4:29am

funkbabyandthe
babysitters

LoveGalore said:

AZStreet said:

The fact that Prince released Come first instead of riding the Most Beautiful Girl in the World train kinda tells me he liked it more, no?



I doubt it. TMBGITW was saved for Gold because he was convinced Gold was Purple Rain 2 which is probably why it follows the same exact structure, is basically the same sound, and had a mega hit prebuilt onto it. Come was a throwaway to commemorate an end to Prince.



Let's go crazy = pussy control?
Surely you jest
[Edited 9/29/21 4:30am]
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Reply #22 posted 09/29/21 4:50am

LoveGalore

funkbabyandthebabysitters said:

LoveGalore said:



I doubt it. TMBGITW was saved for Gold because he was convinced Gold was Purple Rain 2 which is probably why it follows the same exact structure, is basically the same sound, and had a mega hit prebuilt onto it. Come was a throwaway to commemorate an end to Prince.



Let's go crazy = pussy control?
Surely you jest
[Edited 9/29/21 4:30am]


Trivial once posted a really great breakdown of the structures that puts it in clear terms.

Pussy Control, btw, was a last minute addition to the record, fwiw.
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Reply #23 posted 09/29/21 5:25am

funkbabyandthe
babysitters

Not surprised it was a last minute addition.
His mind must have been frazzled in this period to think it had to be track number one on his big rebirth album.
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Reply #24 posted 09/29/21 11:47am

TheBigBang

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funkbabyandthebabysitters said:

Not surprised it was a last minute addition. His mind must have been frazzled in this period to think it had to be track number one on his big rebirth album.


To this day, I still think Pussy Control was meant to not make the album as commercial as it could have been, since WB had the rights to it. I still believe it was a form of sabotage by Prince.

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Reply #25 posted 09/29/21 12:41pm

LoveGalore

TheBigBang said:

funkbabyandthebabysitters said:

Not surprised it was a last minute addition. His mind must have been frazzled in this period to think it had to be track number one on his big rebirth album.


To this day, I still think Pussy Control was meant to not make the album as commercial as it could have been, since WB had the rights to it. I still believe it was a form of sabotage by Prince.

Possible, but then it would boggle the mind why he would remove Days of Wild since it was dripping in profanities. DOW was pretty much a constant until I think he ultimately decided to remove it because Pussy Control and Now kind of already make the album hip-hoppy enough.

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Reply #26 posted 09/29/21 12:56pm

SoulAlive

it's interesting to think about all the top-notch songs that didn't appear on TGE:

Interactive,Ripopgodazippa,Days Of Wild,Hide The Bone,Acknowledge Me.

There was no shortage of great tracks during that period!

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Reply #27 posted 09/29/21 1:22pm

funkbabyandthe
babysitters

they didnt do a good job with singles in this period either

let it go, i do like, but its pretty workman like for prince really. just a song made as an attempt at a radio friendly single in 93/94. it was already dated when it came out. gold is just a bad, weak attempt at a big inspirational anthem. eye hate u, great as it is, its more of an album track than a single IMO.


they should have released dolphin, billy jack bitch (obv radio edited), and shhh as singles. shhh was big on black radio as far as i remember, so why that didnt get a single release, is strange.

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Reply #28 posted 09/29/21 1:36pm

LoveGalore

funkbabyandthebabysitters said:

they didnt do a good job with singles in this period either



let it go, i do like, but its pretty workman like for prince really. just a song made as an attempt at a radio friendly single in 93/94. it was already dated when it came out. gold is just a bad, weak attempt at a big inspirational anthem. eye hate u, great as it is, its more of an album track than a single IMO.



they should have released dolphin, billy jack bitch (obv radio edited), and shhh as singles. shhh was big on black radio as far as i remember, so why that didnt get a single release, is strange.



Considering 319 was in Showgirls, I think that would've fit the singles releases too. Other than Endorphinmachine, he really didn't have a fast paced rocker single out there and those were his biggest hits thus far.
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Reply #29 posted 09/29/21 1:51pm

funkbabyandthe
babysitters

is 319 an earlier, vault track he dusted off for this album?

the funky guitar on there makes me think its older.

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