Search - Prince :: Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic

Nice work, Prince.

11/09/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Rave un2 the Joy Fantastic" contains some of Prince's best work ever. One of the first things I noticed about the album is the breadth of musical styles. Prince effortlessly jumps from dance-funk to sweet, beautiful ballads, pop/rock, even a touch of reggae. This album is impressive in several other ways. There are several top level cuts -- old school Prince Dance music (Rave), Hip-Hop (Hot Wit U), Euro-Rock (So Far, So Pleased), Reggae (The Sun, The Moon and Stars), soulful ballads (Man O' War), blues rock (Baby Knows) and even 80's-made for a Top Gun/The Breakfast Club! soundtrack rock (Wherever U Go, Whatever U Do). Pure 80's cheese, man! The album flows well, is eccentric, accessible, funky and fun. While people may not like every song (will rock fans get into the hip-hop stuff? will hip-hop/soul fans get into the blues?), this album is a shining example of Prince's master of music. Add to that great guests like Chuck D, Gwen Stefani, Maceo Parker, Larry Graham, Sheryl Crow, Ani Difranco and you've got a must have album. The albums' best song is "I Love U, But I Don't Trust You Anymore." A stunning, cryptic, heartfelt piano ballad with Ani Difranco on acoustic guitar. Words can't describe the beauty of this song. An instant classic that you can listen to all day and it'll still get to you. One of those rare songs were you just stop and listen, feel it in your soul, and appreciate life more. I haven't even mentioned the Joni-Mitchell like "Tangerine," or some of the other solid cuts on the album... check this album out and escape the mediocrity of today's chart-topping, empty music (Mariah Carey, BSB, N'Sync, Puff Daddy)."

Here's all you need to know.

Rock | Nashville, TN USA | 11/22/1999

(3 out of 5 stars)

"First thing's first: the other CD available now, "The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale", is not an Artist CD. It's a compilation of older Prince material from Warner Bros., and it's unlikely the Artist had much, if anything, to do with producing it. Dismiss it. That said, this CD is by the Artist on the NPG label - an important distinction. What's it like? Mostly it's of the slow-jam, r&b-based, more synth and drum machine than grinding guitar sound that you heard way too much of on "Emancipation" and "Crystal Ball". But it's a little better, perhaps just because it's one cohesive CD instead of 3 disjointed catch-all's. Interestingly, it's not an Artist & NPG cd; it's just the Artist and some guests. Prince is credited with some of the work (stuff the Artist did when he was Prince if you don't follow), and the NPG contribute only a little. Finally, don't let the words "Enhanced CD" put you in a tizzy; all it does in your PC is connect to the Artist's web-sites. In fact, hidden track 17 is an ad, which is a pretty obnoxious "sign of the times". Hidden track 18 is pretty good, though. Here's the upshot: if you're a die-hard fan, you'll buy it anyway; if you're middle of the road, sample all you can on the Web or listen to your friend's disc first; if you're the average listener who normally doesn't buy Prince/Artist music, you're gonna be bored by this one. I'm somewhere between hard-core and middle of the road and I know that buying Prince/Artist music is tough these days - hope this helps! wrockage@home.com"

Absolutely Fantastic!

blusapphireiceangel | Denver Colorado | 01/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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.)"