1999

 

 

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Prince, barely in his 20's, recorded a cultural landmark in 1982, called "1999". It showed how genius could turn vulgarity into erotica, synthesizers into orchestral weapons, and weirdness into eccentricity. This double-album introduced his band, The Revolution, before they came out fully on his 1984 seminal album, "Purple Rain". But on this album, he's still a one-man band, mastering the synthesizers and the experimental Linn drum machine. The album also broke through his 1981 album, "Controversy", which was a backlashed and disappointing set. This double-album (now compact disc) is way too extended. There are only 11 songs, but some of the songs extend 6 or 9 minutes long. It's really not like a typical double album, having a range of musical styles or having far-reaching scopes. It's an album that has extended dance jams and ballads. The album opens up with the famous title track, "1999", a song about dancing through the night even as nuclear war erupts. The song has some killer drum and synthesizer work. The song is a classic. "Little Red Corvette" is a slow, bass-driven song with many liquid-type synthesizers being played throughtout the song. It's another one of those feel-good Prince classics. And it's true, Saturday night does make everything alright! "Delirious" has some catchy synthesizer hooks and killer drum beats (drum programming). The song, itself, has a cool melody. "Let's Pretend We're Married" is an upbeat explicit tune with non-stop computer drum beats. The drum patterns are mellow and the synth is crisp. On this song, his lyrics are downright, sexually explicit and really down-to-earth. The songs starts off nice and lust, and then the synthesizers and drums go into a long breakdown and the song gets too far into sex. What makes this song real surprising is the ending, when he's talking about God and the afterlife. Yes, the song is strange, but it's also brilliant. Then, after the 7-minute, "Let's Pretend We're Married" fades away, the 8-minute, "D.M.S.R" comes in. "D.M.S.R" is a funky, dance song with chunky synthesizer fills, repeated drums, and bloated, yet rhythmic guitars. The song sounds like a Morris Day cut. "Automatic" is a song that has many sex-laden lyrics and a funky beat. On this song, the synthesizer overlaps the drum beat, to show the listener how the beats fit together. "Something in the Water (Does Not Compute)" is an up-tempo, experimental tune that features a smooth non-stop drum beat. "Free" is a syrupy, political anthem, that has a somewhat spiritual vibe in it. "Lady Cab Driver" is an 8-minute, up-tempo tune that has Prince making some kind of sexual fantasy. It's really a notorious, electro-funk cut. "All The Critics Love U In New York" is a strange, upbeat tune that has Prince attacking the hipsters. "International Lover" is a slow, R&B cut with Prince having a passionate night with a lover in terms of flying an airliner (Prince International). The album, "1999", was probably one of the best releases to come out in 1982-83. It was not only Prince's first megahit, but it was his first masterwork. In my opinion, it laid the groundwork for his next classic, "Purple Rain". The one thing that shocked me the most about this album was that it didn't (and still doesn't) have any "parental advisory" sticker on the cover or anywhere on the album, with all the explicit themes some of the songs have. "1999" still remains one of the definitive statements of the 80's. Though, it's not the apex or pinnacle of Prince's career, it's still Prince at his best. Yes, "1999" is one of Prince's most experimental and self-indulgent works, but it's an ambitious and innovative classic. This is a 5-star must buy. A+

Although the majority of "The Revolution" was already in place they were not formed at this point. Wendy, Lisa, and Brownmark are all present on this album even the then unknown Vanity sings backup vocals. Released Feb 1983 this double album is a definate classic and must own for any Prince fan. 1999, Little Red Corvette, Delirious and Automatic feed your pop craving and D.M.S.R, Something in the water (Does Not Compute), Lady Cab Driver, and my favorite track on this album All The Critics Love U In New York feed your dance craving. Free and International Lover feed your slow jams craving. This album also had many significant points that are often overlooked by the casual fan. "I will buy you Diamonds and Pearls" in 1983! Credited on "The Time's" first album was an unknown Jamie Starr who is also credited on this album and Prince claims "Jamie Starr is a thief!, It's time to fix your clock(A reference to The Time)" in D.M.S.R. Which we later learn the entire album was written by Prince and he played all the instruments on the album under the alias Jamie Starr. This album is unlike alot of Prince albums as it is easily dated back to the 80's but honestly it doesn't hurt this collection one bit. This is not the best Prince album but that is not due to the quality of this record. It is better than nearly every album from it's era. Prince has over 20+ albums rating this one the best would be difficult but that is because Prince has touched every genre of music and he is so many things to so many people. This is a must have for anyone who grew up in the 80's.

This is the "funky"est album in his whole catalog. he blended funk and rock seamlessly, like Funkadelic (not quite the same style though). "Little Red Corvette" is the best song on the album, which goes without saying since it's probably one of the top 30 songs in all of rock. his artistry reached a peak with that song, but the whole album is great. (also, remember when, even ten years ago, people on the radio would play ALL of that great song, but now at the height of PC, they cut it off before the *a* word. how repressive and puritanical is that?) my next favorite song is probably automatic *A-U-T-O'MATIC* 9:25 of nasty sounding funk, it's such a fun, pulsating song. although fun isn't what it's all about, the album has a dangerous edge to it, you get the feeling that Prince could say anything at anytime (and he does). it's also conveyed in the music. warning about this though, buying a classic album might enhance your awarness of the sad fact that no-one makes music this daring or gutsy anymore. you know why right? ($)

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5.0 out of 5 stars Tour de Force
The first three tracks form an electrifying sequence: from the pulsating 1999 through the rocking Little Red Corvette and into the hypnotic Delirious. Read more

Published on Nov 6 2008 by Pieter

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!! Biggest Fan Here!
His name is Prince, and he is funky! His name is Prince, the one and only! Let's get started about the music you can have included in your CD collection... Read more

Published on May 25 2004 by blusapphireiceangel

5.0 out of 5 stars what art is supposed to be listen up
This is simply a great work of art how synths, bass, power pop guitar and vocals. I do not have to add any more words to what the other reviewers have said about this masterpeice... Read more

Published on May 15 2004 by E. D. Daniels

5.0 out of 5 stars Doesn't get any better
My favorite Prince album, by far. Mostly because of the non-radio tracks like DMSR, Lady Cab Driver, Something In The Water, etc. Read more

Published on April 14 2004 by Scott Lukas

5.0 out of 5 stars ONE OF HIS BEST ALBUMS!!!!
THIS IS ONE OF PRINCE'S BEST ALBUMS. BACK IN THE DAY WHEN HE WAS WITH THE REVOLOUTION; WHEN HIS GROUP WAS CALLED PRINCE AND THE REVOLOUTION. Read more

Published on April 11 2004 by A. R SCOTT

5.0 out of 5 stars Greatest Prince CD Recorded
Words really can't describe this CD. Prince is a great talent and he can basically do whatever he wants when it comes to great music and lyrics, but he reached his climax with... Read more

Published on April 2 2004 by Warren H. Burns

5.0 out of 5 stars Come to Prince's dance party!!!
This is Prince's ultimate dance record.

1999, little red corvette, delerious, let's pretend we're married, dmsr, automatic, something in the water (does not compute), free,... Read more

Published on Mar 12 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars Prince parties like it's 1999,17 years too early
1999 was released in late 1982. This was Prince's first megahit. He recorded two or three albums before this one starting in the late 70's. Read more

Published on Mar 2 2004 by andy8047

5.0 out of 5 stars OOOOO Prince You So Groovy
Yo. 1999 long gone but we can still party like it you cuz we got funky that night!!!! Helz yeah!!! Me and my man Peanut-head found us some fine honeys to mack and Prince was on in... Read more

Published on Feb 3 2004 by Sh'awnne Jefferson

5.0 out of 5 stars Remember the eye on the record?
I remember my sister buying a copy of the cd and it didn't have DMSR on it! That is the best song on the album. Read more

Published on Dec 2 2003 by Ruby Lee

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