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Purple Rain by Prince

Purple Rain

Release Date: 8/6/1984

Recording Date: 8/1984

Tracks: 9

Length: 00:43:50 Hrs

Label: Warner Bros.

Type: CD,CS

Genre/Styles:
Soul, Pop/Rock, Urban, Synthesizer, Contemporary Pop/Rock, Piano (Electric), Vocals, United States of America, Synthesizer Pads, R&B, Dance-Rock

Album Tracks (9)

Song Title
Length
1.
Let's Go Crazy
04:39
2.
Take Me with U
03:54
3.
The Beautiful Ones
05:15
4.
Computer Blue
03:59
5.
Darling Nikki
04:15
6.
When Doves Cry
05:52
7.
I Would Die 4 U
02:51
8.
Baby I'm a Star
04:20
9.
Purple Rain
08:45

What the Critics Say

Prince designed Purple Rain as the project that would make him a superstar, and, surprisingly, that is exactly what happened. Simultaneously more focused and ambitious than any of his previous records, Purple Rain finds Prince consolidating his funk and R&B roots while moving boldly into pop, rock, and heavy metal with nine superbly crafted songs. Even its best-known songs don't tread conventional territory: the bass-less "When Doves Cry" is an eerie, spare neo-psychedelic masterpiece; "Let's Go Crazy" is a furious blend of metallic guitars, Stonesy riffs, and a hard funk backbeat; the anthemic title track is a majestic ballad filled with brilliant guitar flourishes. Although Prince's songwriting is at a peak, the presence of the Revolution pulls the music into sharper focus, giving it a tougher, more aggressive edge. And, with the guidance of Wendy and Lisa, Prince pushed heavily into psychedelia, adding swirling strings to the dreamy "Take Me With U" and the hard rock of "Baby I'm a Star." Even with all of his new, but uncompromising, forays into pop, Prince hasn't abandoned funk, and the robotic jam of "Computer Blue" and the menacing grind of "Darling Nikki" are among his finest songs. Taken together, all of the stylistic experiments add up to a stunning statement of purpose that remains one of the most exciting rock & roll albums ever recorded. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

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