Prince Album: “Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic”

Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic is undoubtedly a remarkable album. Once again, we hear the true funk that Prince (then The Artist) displays. There is great diversity and catchy songs you can't help but sing along to.

1.) The title track is a song that didn't fit the criteria for the Batman album back in '89, so he kept it for this long and decided to title his album the same. Good choice. It is a funky song, with great guitar and a raging chorus. A very fun song.

2.) "Undisputed" is the funkiest song on the album to me. It was my favorite song when I first heard purchased the CD. It's a song about himself, so you know it's funky.

3.) "The Greatest Romance Ever Sold" was the first single I heard and saw the video on TV about 2 years ago. This, along with the cool cover *yeah* prompted me to purchase the CD. This song is romantic and there is something about the song I can't resist. This musical interlude near the end is one of my favorite parts, along with, "I know you can hear me (uh) I know you can dance..."

4.) Segue (8 seconds of nothing that kinda threw me off track).

5.) "Hot Wit U", a fun duet with rap princess Eve, that reminds us that Prince is still a ladies man. The funky, "Eye want to get hot wit u..." 's remind me of pure Funkadelic funk.

6.) "Tangerine" is a cute song with a wonderful acoustic sound. I really wish it was longer, though.

7.) Oh yes, "So Far, So Pleased", and duet with No Doubt punktress Gwen Stefani (whom I also like) with a rocking theme you can't help but love.

8.) Yay!! "The Sun, the Moon, and Stars"...is absolutely a must-listen to if you don't like anything else. It just has a mood that moves you and the reggae interlude is a great part to have you dance or sing with (if you catch what he's saying).

9.) "Everyday is a Winding Road" is a funky, soulful remake of Miss Sherly Crow's. He adds the New Power Soul to adopt this song as one of his own.

10.) Segue (a wonderful instrumental interlude by the NPG Orchestra).

11.) "Man 'O' War" may be the most personal song on this album, concerning Prince's love life. It talks about some relationship problems that I wonder about his former relaionship with Mayte. Great Song.

12.) "Baby Knows" is the second track that I heard to attract me to this album. A chic, fun song that gives props to women- Prince's second favorite thing, music being first. :)

13.) "Eye Love U, But Eye Don't Trust U Anymore" is the second most personal song concerning Prince's relationship life. Just his lovely voice and his piano (some guitar, too, I think) give this sad love song and A+.

14.) "Silly Game", with it's catchy beat and mellow groove gives this song a second listen. Another song I recommend, if not anything else.

15.) "Strange But True" is a different, yet familiar work by The Man. He is speaking throughout the song in a Def Jam Poetry sort of way with it's funky beats to accompany his repeating, "ALL NEGATIVITY BOWS!" This song is also very positive.

16.) "Wherever U Go, Whatever U Do" has a great introduction that draws me to the song with wonderful lyrics and guitar. This song displays Prince's caring side. This song also deserves a push on the repeat button.

17.) About 5 minutes of nothing, then an advertisement for Prince's 1-800-NEW-FUNK number. He disguises his voice, but it's sounds typical of something he would say. :)

18.) --Hidden Track-- "Prettyman"! Don't hate him cuz he's beautiful! (lol) I don't know if I like this song more because I love the James Brown-like funk, or because I agree to the fact that he is indeed...a pretty man. But, seriously, I love his sounds and funky lyrics and the ending with the hilarious 'pretty' he says. This song has me smiling from beginning to end.

~A MUST-HAVE album whether it's in the category for Prince, or The Artist.

(This is Pre-Musicology. I recommend this album even more if you loved Musicology.)

This is the best cd the Artist has ever released. Don't let the naysayers dissuade you. If an artist he is, it is proven on this little disc we have here.

As with all musicians you like, you have to listen a couple of times before you make a decision. Don't be too hasty to judge...

This cd is awesome from start to finish. I have heard people rave about the hidden track. But let's take a moment here. If you loved Purple Rain, you'll love "So Far, So Pleased." This is so Purple Rain it oozes. If you just love Prince, you'll enjoy all the other songs.

If you're involved with a woman, you can't help but think of her on nearly every song. This cd oozes sex and desire. Just the song lyrics give away the sexual nature of this cd. "The Greatest Romance Ever Sold" has some great lyrics like "This is where you end, and you and I begin." The song "Undisputed" offers, "I can give you power, or I can take it away." These are probably the least sexually pointed lyrics I could think of from this cd. So you can guess what the rest of the cd goes to.

"I Love you but I don't Trust you anymore" is a feeling song that tells of a cheating mate. And anyone who has been cheated on, or even cheated, will feel is a powerful song.

"Strange but True" offers "my life force is increased by knowing you."

If you are a Prince fan, you cannot go wrong with this cd. If not, take your chances. But I love this cd. I listen to it daily. Without fail.

Enjoy. If you don't like this cd, I will fully refund the cost of this review ($0.00).

Once again The Artist has given us a sound that only he can produce. Magazine articles and critics compared this new cd to the old favorite "Purple Rain".....Not! Although this cd is good it is no comparison to "Purple Rain". The cover title song "Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic" does remind you of the old Prince and The Revolution but the other tracks are truly a birth-child of the NPG sound. The cd does offer you some new funky jams such as "Hot With You" featuring Eve, "Everyday Is a Winding Road", and "Silly Man". "I Love You But I Don't Trust You Anymore" and "Strange But True" offers that often familiar soulful ballad that only The Artist can breathe life into. "So far So Pleased" with Gwen Stafani proves that everyone should not sing along with The Artist. "The Greatest Romance Ever Sold" will be an instant favorite among old and new fans. Overall, this cd will be loved by old/dedicated fans of The Artist but will take a while to get use to by new/curious fans.

According to the reviews I've read, there seems to be an equal balance of likes and dislikes regarding this CD. Prince or the Artist formely known as Prince, has been in the music industry for quite sometime. He's come a long way in his music through leaps and bounds. You can compare his music to the likeness of a novel. Closing a chapter but never to be forgotten. Opening a chapter with new material but recapping on the old. In the school of critisim there are many. Descriptive, Interpretive, and Evaluative just to name a few. Music is an art form. Like art, music will either mature and move forward or stagnate. In the case of the "Artist", his music is in perpetual motion. Here's my verdict. I like it. Why? I expect progression when following music. As far as I'm concerned, he's doing just that. Progressing. Moving forward. Brewing up something different everytime and adding a touch of retro along the way. Got cash? Get the CD.

Is it his best album of the decade? No-- Gold Experience, Graffiti Bridge, and the Symbol Album are all better. It's not even his best album since the name change--Gold beats it by a mile. But it IS a highly enjoyable, multilayered experience that gets better every time you hear it. Tangerine, Rave, Sun-Moon-Stars, and So Far, So Pleased are the standouts, but really, aside from the inanities of strange but true and the lousy winding road cover, everything on here is worth a listen. It ranks somewhere below Parade, Sign, PR, and 1999, but far above Around the World, Come, C&D, etc. Like that wacky, brilliant black sheep relative, Prince can be infuriating, lazy, silly, obtuse, pretentious, and arrogant (anyone listen to new power soul or come lately?)-- and then blow you away with one guitar riff or vocal whoop. Playing the dozens, mixing styles with abandon and clearly having a great time, Prince remains a paragon of pop.