The 50(ish) Greatest Albums Of All Time
Prince and The Pauper
Album #47 : Prince — Purple Rain
I gave blood again this week. There’s not much reason to tell you other than to remind you that I am a brilliant human being. I also got a another haircut — again there’s no real reason to mention that. I suppose there’s a bit of a theme developing — especially when you throw in the fact that I am desperate to go through all of my cupboards and have a good sort out — and that theme is of reduction, taking things away.
I have said it before but sometimes the fact that these albums come out of the tin randomly really doesn’t help me. This week’s album is Purple Rain by Prince. If you’ve never listened, I don’t think it is too much of a spoiler to say that the theme is definitely not ‘taking things away’.
The theme of Purple Rain would be more accurately described as ‘extra’. The music is massive and the guitar solos are screaming but, unfortunately, so are the screams. There’s a lot of generic screaming from a lot of instruments, but most of all Prince. It’s too much Prince, too much.
I’m not sure why any of us are surprised, though. This is a man who changed his name to a symbol. A man who thinks he knows what it sounds like when Doves cry. Doves don’t cry, Prince, they’re not capable of that range of emotion. They’re just arrogant pigeons.
And, while we’re sticking the boot in, Purple Rain itself is an awful, awful song. It is 8-minutes long for a start; it’s too long Prince! Too long! The final five minutes add absolutely nothing and the first three are boring.
Well, I’m glad I’ve got that off my chest.
And whilst we are talking about getting things out in the open, today is International Men’s Day. At work we are hosting an event about men’s mental health and it is amazing the support people have offered for it. For me, getting out for a run or playing football or any sort of exercise helps keep me on a level playing field. I suppose it is about finding something that works for you and running with it.
But then, as well as giving blood and haircuts, I’ve also written about mental health before (remember when we reviewed Nirvana?), so there’s no point in adding something extra when it isn’t needed. Prince would disagree, of course.
Thanks for reading — over the course of 2021, I’ll be reviewing 50(ish) of the greatest albums ever recorded. You can see the list here:
There is also a playlist featuring the best song from each album here.
