I'm sorry, but ranking Lovesexy above SOTT or Purple Rain is absurd. Lovesexy more important to the 80s than Purple Rain? Give me a break

jacktheimprovident said:

I didn't say it was more "important to the 80's than Purple Rain". But, musically, in my opinion, it is more "essential".

Of course Purple Rain is essential, as well. Frankly, all of Prince's 80's releases are essential. But to me, Lovesexy is the pinnacle. It is Prince at his creative peak.

Look at PR objectively.. There are great songs, no question. Take Me With U is a bit formulaic... so is Baby I'm a Star. I don't mind, they're still cool songs. A bit straightforward compared to the material on Lovesexy. Sign o' The Times, to me, always suffers a bit because of what it COULD have been... it just seems like the tip of the iceberg of all that material from The Dream Factory/Camille/Crystal Ball incarnations. SOTT disappoints me not because of what is there, but what ISN'T there. Not really fair, I know.

But yeah.. If I had to pick one Prince album that would stand up as his best work in the 80's, it would be Lovesexy. Just my humble opinion, of course.

I'd like to add...

The Visitors by ABBA
Sound Affects by The Jam
The Game by Queen

I didn't care 4 a great deal of the albums U listed, but U did it in such a detailed, intelligent way and made compelling arguements 4 every album, I can't help but b impressed.

Well done.
[Edited 11/9/04 15:25pm]

JonSnow said:

I think it came out at the very end of 79, but Rolling Stone picked it as the best album of the 80's. & it beats the hell out of "Cut the Crap"

I agree with some that said any of several Prince records are more essential, but that's what makes it your list. Some might say it's a little heavy on rock choices, but again that's what makes it yours.

I think it's well written & mostly good choices.

JonSnow said:

Based on the strength of tracks 2-6 of Lovesexy, you could make a strong argument that it's prince's best, but eye no and the closing inspirational ballad trilogy are just so comparatively weak. Plus I think the lyrical theme of the album is A.pretentious and B. not very well conveyed. And c'mon, if you're gonna argue that take me with u and baby I'm a star are formulaic, you could just as easily argue that glam slam and when 2 r in love are as well. Purple Rain's got it all: two of his best morphing songs (computer blue, the beautiful ones), one of THE best power ballads in Rock history (purple rain), two fantastic dance songs (iwd4u, baby I'm a star) and then of course let's go crazy and when doves cry, which are among the definitive prince songs of all time. As for sign o' the times, when is there a moment of just unclassifiable genius on lovesexy comparable to the ballad of dorothy parker or forever in my life, or a song as eerie as If I was your girlfriend, or anything anywhere close to The Cross. Lovesexy is great, and one of the greatest prince albums. But it's a tad overrated and pales in comparison to PR and SOTT. Forgive my rant, that's just my humble opinion

BinaryJustin said:

The Visitors/ABBA

Agnetha rules!

Great list and interesting to read. I guess that one must have a really broad taste in music to actually enjoy all these albums.
Albums I missed were someting by Japan or something by David Sylvian.

andyman91 said:

thanks for the nice comments. You're right, it is heavy on rock choices... hmmm I didn't really notice that, but i believe you are correct.

But yeah... none of the Clash's 80's releases are really that worthy, at least compared w/ London Calling. And to me, even though it was released in 1979, it really epitomizes the start of the decade.

jacktheimprovident said:

I don't think Glam Slam is really that formulaic... But hey, I'm not knocking PR. It's an amazing album. I would say that Lovesexy has the edge on sheer audacity and creative expression, however. I would disagree w/ you on the lyrical theme being poorly conceived - it is a little strange, perhaps, but as an allegory I think it works pretty well (in Prince terms, at least.) You could argue that lyrically Purple Rain could be considered pretentious, as well ("The Beautiful Ones always smash the picture... always, everytime....", and "Purple Rain" itself... what, exactly, is Purple Rain). I also hold the last 3 tracks in greater esteem than you do.

But yeah, there are arguments for and against any Prince album... that's why it's so hard to pick only one. Mine would be Lovesexy, but I could easily see Purple Rain, SOTT, 1999 or even Parade as the choice. That's what makes him so great.

theplejades said:

Thanks.. I've only recently started discovering Japan, and I hope to get into David Sylvian's stuff in the future. Sounds like its right up my alley.

JonSnow said:

1999 & Purple Rain would be much more essential than lovesexy, in the sense that is Prince being "Prince". You take those two albums away and dude isn't even on the radar today. When dude gets his stamp we won't have the "young or old Elvis debate" with his. It will be the 1983-85 version of Prince hands down.

Hey Jon,that's a good list!

DavidEye said:

thanks!