Jeremy Gloff 2008-11-25

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I filmed a video review for this album but it was too large. I uploaded it to my website instead. In short, I basically said this is my favorite Prince album of all time. It's amazing.

Matthew H. Greene 2008-10-27

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I've listened to Dirty Mind some in the past and always liked Prince from afar but never really understood all the raving until I gave Sign 'O' the Times a couple of solid spins. This record keeps on giving and I agree with the earlier post that it ranks up there with "Here, My Dear", "Songs in the Key of Life", etc. But also, like [...] points out, it belongs in a larger canon alongside the classic "messy" double LPs like "Exile on Main Street" and The White Album. It's fun, crazy, romantic and downright profound throughout this huge listen of a record.

Micky 2008-10-05

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Prince's Sign O The Times is one of those albums that's so good that you're tempted to criticize it. It is definitely sprawling and all over the map. It blows the previous "Parade" to shreds. Prince tries everything here and it all works. The only song I'm not crazy about is "It." "It" is filler and the only misstep but It (lol) is surrounded by such quality material that it makes it easier to ignore IT. Don't let IT distract you. Ok, enough about It. Just get this if you haven't already. Also seek out the B-sides that were recorded during these sessions. Shockadelica and La La La He He He are up in quality with the rest of the album. Now what we need is a re-release of the Sign O The Times concert video on DVD.

David McNally 2008-08-27

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Every generation gets the White Album it deserves, and after 20 years of dust-settling we can take a clear look at this generation's. I dont want to go through the album track by track, but I would like to single a few out; On 'It' the contrast between the synthetic beats and Prince's all too human vocals makes for one of his very best tracks; in fact the whole thing sounds like someone trapped inside a giant thumping robot Wicker Man, trying desparately to shag his way out.For me it's the best vocal he's ever done and even casual observers will know that's saying a lot; plus only Miles Davis has done more with two chords and a short shard of melody (on 'Black satin'). 'Slow Love' and 'Adore' are the most voluptuous things he's done and 'Forever In My Life ' the most romantic. It really is an album of contrasts and superlatives.

Morton 2008-04-21

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Prince-Sign O' The Times ****1/2

To be perfectly honest, Sign O' The Times is not a masterpiece, it is very close, but it is not one of Princes five star albums. Now given a five star album for Prince means something different then a five star album from say Aerosmith, or Bullets & Octane, or Marvin Gaye, they are all different artists so they must be graded accordingly. What I am getting at is with as good as this album is you can't compare it to Purple Rain, Dirty Mind, and say Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic.

While Prince did cover many genres with this truly eclectic album, and did do most of them well, their are a few slight filler tracks here. 'Hot Thing' and 'Housequake' being the most obvious in my mind. While they had the potential to be great funk numbers they fall short. 'Hot Thing' really reminds me of a bad James Brown parody. On disc two the only song that could be concidered filler is maybe 'Its A Beautiful Night' that just comes of as somehow stupid from Prince, but at the same time is fun an enjoyable every once in a while so all is not bad.

As for the rest of the album it is pretty stellar! on disc one we have the albums title track, 'Sign O The Times' which is easily one of the artists all time top five tracks. Lyrics are fantastic and the opening pearl drop synth lick is timeless where the rest of the synth on the album is not. 'Play In The Sunshine' in someone elses hands would have failed but not in the purple one's hands. The same can be said of 'Dorothy Parker.' 'It' speaks for itself. 'Starfish And Coffee' is true Prince having fun. The lyrics are out there but the music is great and it just feels fun, so forget all the naysayers. 'Slow Love' is classic, old school Prince. 'Forever In My Life' is tender and actually one of the better ballads of his career. Disc two, just completely owns. it could have been it's own album. 'U Got The Look' is my least favorite hit single off the album but still is fun upon each listen. 'If I Was Your Man' is timeless and one of his very best songs. The bouncy rhythm and extended jam on this album version show of some of Prince's best guitar work of the decade. 'Strange Relationship' follows suit as classic Prince and one that would have easily been yet another hit single off the album. 'The Cross' is one of Princes very first overly religious songs, and one of his best. As well all know he is deeply involved in his faith now, and this was a sign of things to come. 'Adore' closes the album and does so perfectly. The lovely ballad is recorded live and is probably the best song on the album.

So while Sign O The Times is not the best Prince creme de la creme, and there are better albums in his career, it is still essential. Yes it is true that some of the tracks sound dated and very 1987, it still makes for an enjoyable listen every time around. Highly, highly recommended.