"Purple Rain" was a lightning in a bottle moment for Prince. #1 song. #1 album. #1 movie. All at the same time. Prince was also a lightning in a bottle talent so if anyone could do it, it would be him. Unfortunately, neither the film, "Under the Cherry Moon", nor the film's soundtrack, "Parade", would … Continue reading Prince – Parade (Music From the Motion Picture “Under the Cherry Moon”) (1986)
Prince – Around the World In A Day (1985)
"Around the World In A Day" was a major departure in sound from "Purple Rain". If this album is known for two things, that fact is one (the other is a certain song about a fruit colored clothing accessory). For anyone who wonders "why?" I will attempt to provide some context as to the timing … Continue reading Prince – Around the World In A Day (1985)
Prince – Purple Rain (1984)
Steps for musical success and worldwide domination according to Prince. Step 1: Learn to play guitar, bass, piano, keyboards, and drums among other instruments. Have an amazing singing voice with tremendous range. Step 2: Get signed to a major label while still a teenager and insist on maintaining the creative freedom to write and produce … Continue reading Prince – Purple Rain (1984)
Cyndi Lauper – She’s So Unusual (1983)
"I wanna be the one to walk in the sun. Oh girls, they wanna have fun." By the summer of 1983, Cyndi Lauper, born Cynthia Lauper in 1953, had just turned 30 years old and was likely thinking that the window of opportunity to make it big in the music industry was rapidly closing. Her … Continue reading Cyndi Lauper – She’s So Unusual (1983)
Prince – 1999 (1982)
"Don't worry, I won't hurt you. I only want you to have some fun." "Party like it's 1999", a term used to describe the act of partying and having fun as if there is no tomorrow, has become part of our lexicon, regardless of whether or not you listen to or enjoy Prince's music. The … Continue reading Prince – 1999 (1982)
Ice-T – Rhyme Pays (1987)
"6 'n the mornin' police at my door. Fresh Adidas squeak across the bathroom floor." N.W.A.'s "Straight Outta Compton" gets a lot of credit for pushing gangsta rap to the mainstream but anyone who followed west coast hip-hop in the late 80s knows that Ice-T's 1-2 punch of "Rhyme Pays" along with his title song … Continue reading Ice-T – Rhyme Pays (1987)
Smashing Pumpkins – Adore (1998)
"It's you that I adore. You'll always be my whore." Billy Corgan, the lead singer, songwriter, guitarist and creative force behind the Smashing Pumpkins has always been a bit of a wild card. He is often labeled "insufferable" or "difficult" by bandmates, peers, and managers (Sharon Osbourne famously ended her 4 month tenure as Smashing … Continue reading Smashing Pumpkins – Adore (1998)
