ONA is a good album, and an album his fans have been willing him to make, probably as far back as How Come You Dont Call Me in '82. However, I felt that it needed 2 or 3 additional "good" songs to constitute it as a great album. Avalanche stands up as one of the best things he's recorded in years, and A Case Of U is the only cover version he should ever have done as its simply beautiful. However some of the other songs are repetetive and hint at a lack of material (which we all know to be untrue).

The Truth however is packed with good songs, Dont Play Me, Comeback, Welcome to the dawn, and Cricle of Amour which is one of the nicest melodies he's written. As an album I think it packs more of a punch. There is some rubbish on there, but we've come to expect that of prince albums.

I think its one of his worst career moves not releasing these two albums for general release. Instead of the Truth he released New Power Soul (???), and imagine if he'd followed the Rainbow Children up with One Night Alone, long lost fans and critics alike may well have been converted again.

CrozzaUK said:

I agree with you. During year I was expecting for something like ONA, Prince showing us how good on piano he is. But in the album there are no enough good songs. The piano sound is marvellous, but the lyrics are not very inspired and the melodies are not something amazing.
But in my opinion if Prince want to be recognized, he needs to divulgate something like that.
Doesen't he want to play jazz? Ok, compose jazz, play your piano, sing, take Rhonda on acoustic bass, John on drums and Eric on sax, record that album and sell it all over the world.

The Truth 13
One Nite Alone 6

Both great albums for different reasons.

Pearls B4 the Swine is one of his best songs in years IMO. There's something about his voice on that song - it sounds so effortless and gentle!?!

Young and Beautiful is another of my personal favourites, although I've read some bad reviews on it here. Try playing this song back to back with Sister - the results are hilarious.

When I first heard One Nite Alone, I felt the project was worthy of a major-label release. To me, it is by far the better of the two projects. The Truth always struck me as a nice disc to be included with the Crystal Ball set, but I have never been particularly moved by the album.

ONA