Sign 'O' The Times

You know it was all right, but it wasn't as good as some other Prince albums.

Some of Prince’s music is tantamount to genius, but this is fairly weak.

PRINCE MADE SEX

Love Prince.

I can appreciate the musicianship and clear talent that Prince has but it just doesn’t hit for me. Some good tracks with some fun funk but it’s bloated and too much of the album sounds very similar, especially for the length. Not sure Prince is for me. Top Tracks: Play in the Sunshine

När det är bra är det så bra att det gör ont. Adore är en av världens bästa kärlekssånger någonsin. Och då finns det ju lite konkurrens. Tyvärr kan man inte få en femma för en så här rörig samling låtar. Ingen linje och oerhört varierad kvalitet, även om Prince geni vilar över alltihop. En stark fyra

This would probably be a 4 star album if it was edited a bit. Some of the lesser tracks could have been cut for me and it would have elevated the whole thing but as it is it’s probably a 3.

Eh

the frequency and the frequency and the volume and the volume of the percussion is irking me.

Album No. 0219 on my list. Being fully aware of his significance, I have to admit that I’ve never been much into Prince’s music. So I thought “Sign 'O' The Times” was a perfect opportunity for me to close some knowledge gaps. From the sheer amount of songs and variety, this is really a huge one. One can really hear all the creativity of Prince, his musical genius, his virtuosity. “Sign 'O' The Times” really incorporates a lot of ideas, styles and influences. Personally though, I’m afraid that the songs themselves are mostly not that great. Unfortunately, they just didn’t really stick with me… Maybe it’s just my ignorance, but while I really do appreciate what has been done on the album, the results are just somewhat, well, mid to me… I guess it’s just the creativity on this one that impresses me more than the actual outputs themselves… I’ve enjoyed the second disc more than the first one. Will add “Sign 'O' The Times”, “U Got The Look”, and “If I Was Your Girlfriend” to my playlist. 3/5 stars.

Phenomenal album!

Muddy Waters yesterday Prince today what did I do to be so spoiled. Prince was such a generational talent and if this album doesn’t prove it I don’t know what will. This double album caps off a run of records he put out in the 80’s that hold up as well as anything. Specifically, the late 80’s seemed like such a transitory time in pop music (from the outside looking in), which resulted in some clanky sounds suffocating what would otherwise be good songwriting. Prince doesn’t suffer from that issue. Just like on Purple Rain, he finds a way to use the drum machines and synthesized sounds to create punchy instrumentals. “Play In The Sunshine” is an infectious track whose happy nature is hard to deny. Much like PR’s “Let’s Go Crazy”, the song is relentless in its insistence that you dance along in joy. “It” has such a fascinating instrumental. It’s really only got one melodic quality to it, a looped set of synth notes. Meanwhile Prince is losing his mind in the vocal booth. Few people were horny like this guy was, or maybe few people could convey that emotion so specifically well. “If I Was Your Girlfriend” is a gender-bending banger. So many little 2 second hooks scattered about this song. How was Prince so adherent to religion and religious personal principles for so long, but also cranking out forward-thinking songs like this?? “I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man” always feels like Prince’s take on the Springsteen Born In The USA era of pop writing. Shouted lyrics over an anthemic melody, hand clapping fillers. I think this albums expansive nature both works for and against it. Prince goes anywhere and does anything, with success in many of the waters he dips his toes in. But the last 20 minutes of this album or so feel unwarranted, especially with him just throwing a live song in there. I can’t give this a true 5/5, though I really want to. He’s already got Purple Rain, save some 5’s for the rest of us

An interesting album, not as good as i had expected tbh. I think i love his innovation and creativity more than some of the actual music :/

Has Prince's standing dipped a little bit in recent years? I know some of you hear the synths and drum machines on this and see it as quintessentially 80s, and may not realise just how fresh a lot of it sounded at the time. It also seems like some modern listeners hold his fecundity against him. Yes, he could sometimes have done with more editing, but for me the restless creativity is part of the appeal. I'm happy just to let him pour everything out on this one.

1. Sign 'O' The Times - 5/10 2. Play In The Sunshine - 6/10 3. Housequake - 7/10 4. The Ballad Of Dorothy Parker - 8/10 5. It - 6/10 6. Starfish And Coffee - 7/10 7. Slow Love - 8/10 8. Hot Thing - 5/10 9. Forever In My Life - 8/10 10. U Got The Look - 4/10 11. If I Was Your Girlfriend - 8/10 12. Strange Relationship - 6/10 13. I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man - 7/10 14. The Cross - 7/10 15. It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Night - 5/10 16. Adore - 8/10 OVERALL - 6.6/10

No me dice nada, la gente describe a este tio como un genio pero el disco no vale la pena, tiene alguna canción medio buena pero nada más

I remember enjoying the concert film, so I suspect I'll probably enjoy this too. Prince isn't really my thing, although I respect the hell out of the talent.

Grovy funky vibes, but not anything special, nothing memorable

I enjoyed it, but isn't my favorite thing I've heard from Prince. Might grow on me more with repeat listens. Really long, but has enough energy to go by quickly. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Is it a sign of the times that I’m just meh here?

Faves: I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man If I Was Your Girlfriend

Super groovy just really listenable pop tunes.

only 2 good songs

I listened to this when it came out, quickly focused on a couple of favourite tracks and didn't listen to the rest much. Listening through, it is technically impressive but uneven. Title track is particularly engaging (though not perfect); Housequake seems silly rather than electrifying; my appreciations of Ballad of Dorothy Parker and Starfish and Coffee are deepened by a bit of reading around; some later songs do seem like products of too much solo studio time; but some are awesome nonetheless, eg Hot Thing. If I Was Your Girlfriend still works today. But then It's Gonna Be a Beautiful Night is too long to sustain interest outside a live setting. So the album is so uneven that I wouldn't play the whole thing through, more inclined to drop single tracks into compilation lists. The tracks I don't like aren't Bad, but they do pull the overall rating down from Pretty Wonderful to just Very Good, 8/10.

I liked it but it’s probably a one time listen, I’m not that into Funk

особо не впечатлен, есть и поприкольнее песни.

Not his best

ho vibato di brutto, che cazzo di capolavoro

Very funky all over, and the album flows very nicely together. It jumps seamlessly across genres, from stark social commentary to infectious pop-funk. I can't say it was the sound that I would usually associate with Prince, but this style from him was nice. I would put this on again. 7.5/10

Prince knows how to throw a party. Great to dance to and super impressive musicianship. Harmonies were practically angelic.

What a monolith. I’ve always admired Prince from a distance. Of course I knew the hits, and his 2007 Super Bowl halftime show left a major impression on me as a child. That being said, I’d never listened to an album of his front to back. Like Songs in the Key of Life, this did not disappoint. It was almost overwhelmingly good—almost too much. It’s amazing how many artists sound as if they’re building their careers in Prince’s image. The Weeknd, Childish Gambino, Frank Ocean: I’m looking at you. It’s difficult to rate this album because, at this point, I’m still soaking it in. Although, I will admit some of the songs did kind of roll off of me or drag out a bit.

Call me what you will, but Prince has never really done it for me. His pop tunes are great (the title track...YES! that flippin' guitar stuff in the bridge...DOUBLE YES!), but he spends most of his time ripping out half-baked funk tracks that aren't as good as the original stuff. This feels especially derivative and less fun and less authentic in light of the Family albums--Sly even did the minimal drum machines first. An eight-minute funk song based on the Winkie chant? Give me a break, brother...

Oh, the B side! 😍🙌🏼. Prince will never not be a winner! 👑

not my favorite

I think I prefer my Prince listening in doses - I can't deny that this made me want to boogie a lot of the time, and there were some total bangers in here. But, as other reviewers have noted, there were a lot of tracks that were just forgettable at best and kinda corny at worst. This is definitely an album that shows its age, in that it has a very distinct 80s drum kit/synthesizer sound. (Side note: I've also always had an issue with the digital mixing of Prince's albums generally, like why is the vocal track always so quiet?) Not sure about it being the most critically acclaimed Prince album, considering Purple Rain exists...but not a bad listen by any means (as demonstrated by the fact that I couldn't pick just 3 favorite tracks). 3.5/5 rounded up Favorite tracks: Sign O' The Times, It, U Got The Look, The Cross

Not the best Prince, but not bad.

Not nearly as good as the other Prince album in my opinion but still might be a sleeper upon relisten

A Prince record I've never heard. Great pop tunes

Heard better from Prince

Prime Prince!

I'm not a fan of Prince.

Prince was an icon, you have to respect his ability to try things and innovate, often this results in albums with moments of genius tempered by moments of nonsense but I think Sign O The times is probably his most consistent end to end album. It’s not 💯 killer but it’s close enough for a man who was prolific with a capital P and not afraid to release things without regard for commercial viability. 4.5

Solid and consistently good throughout

Very good

I mean, it's a great record that shows off all of Prince's talents. Variety of sounds from funk, to pop, to ballads, all on the same record. I will say, it's a little bloated and there is definitely some filler on this one.

Really interesting listen! I have never dug into Prince beyond the big hits. This record surprised me in a few different ways. It’s kind of all over the place but I think that’s also the point. I didn’t super enjoy all of the songs here at first but upon revisit there is a lot to admire and appreciate. There are also a few standout tracks that really struck me right away. This is absolutely a record I plan to revisit in pieces and in its entirety many times again. I keep coming back to this and it's solidly in the 4.5 range now. Could end up being a 5!

So fucking cool man wowee, I was intimidated by the length but it went by so fast

Is this my favorite Prince album? Nah, that honor goes to Purple Rain and the '89 Batman album. But Prince is unquestionably an amazing musician who doesn't really DO bad albums. This one doesn't have any of the mainstream recognizable hits, but its still well worth the listen.

Highlights: everything Spoiler alert! This is probably my favorite Prince record, and he is my favorite artist... Therefore the verdict is already obvious. Why is that so? Because the guy was oozing with creative output at the time. It's not so much as what is on the record, but what isn't. Shit that made it onto these two discs is just the cream of the crop. Thematically it's kinda all over the place. It talks a lot about societal issues (AIDS, hurricanes), drugs (horse), religion (cross), strange relationships and so on and so forth. But when he's done sulking, he goes back to his usual sex and partying. And he does it all while riding high on his creative peak. Damn. I wouldn't say this is a thematically consistent record at all, but it's a perfect collection of every bit of Prince you could think of. Serious or playful, sexy or religious, modern or classy... And this inconsistency isn't a fault. It's kinda like him telling the listener that the world is shit, but that it's ok to have fun while also flexing about his sex drive. Based. The messiness also comes from the fact that he just made a shit ton of material for something way bigger that he had to trim down to this size. He also mixed in a couple of other projects (high pitched Camille), so this really is a mish mash of a lot of stuff, dare I say a compilation. I especially love the use of drum machines on display. Since breaking up the Revolution he switched up his sound and this is a very refreshing record as well as Parade which was also a departure from the Revolution phase. I believe that the musicianship and showmanship on display here are the main reasons this record is so highly regarded. It's truly an encapsulation of him. Lately I've come to appreciate the slower tracks a lot. Ever since I've heard the deluxe edition, which contains a lot of the cut material, I can really see how there was a cooler nocturnal spin to this project as well, but alas we are left with only a few of those. Overall, this is a certified classic even though it isn't dearly remembered as Purple Rain. I've heard both a billion times and they both have their own time and place. They are not to be compared directly.

I grooved a little bit

Definitely has the iconic Prince sound to the album! It's a really good album and I really liked it! I wouldn't say it's as good as 1999 or Purple Rain but it is one of his best albums!

Glad I listened to this all the way through. I had heard two of the songs before on this album but never listened to all of it. There’s something about Prince that you can just tell by the music that it’s Prince. This is one of those albums.

Funky, soulful, great songs, politically aware, musically intelligent. All the good stuff. It’s rare to find all of this in one place, and for it to be a genuine good time. Love it.

Bien mais sans plus

Bon album, ça reste du prince. Mais pas son meilleur (surtout le début où les sons ont pas super bien vieillis)

Well. Certainly not a fave.

Kinda dense for a Prince album but there's enough funkiness to make it a 4

Suffers a little bit from how good "peak" Prince was I think. It's still good, and all the elements are there - the songmanship, the vocals etc, but that little bit of magic that made some of his work elite tier gold isn't quite there somehow

Prince didn’t invent baby-making music. He is the reason that anyone ever reproduces.

Why do I not like this? I feel like I should with the era, the fact it's Prince, and the cool production. It all comes together and I don't necessarily care for it.

Didn't like it , i don't have an elaborate review as to why. Insufferable pot clinking

(6/1089) It was an interesting experience for me. I liked the energy of this album. But some songs are too long for what they have to offer. Also some of the songs feel a bit flat and bland - for instance, "Forever in My Life". Favorite: Slow Love, Hot Thing, U Got the Look Least favorite: Forever in My Life 5/10

3/5

Me hizo volver a amar la música después de haber pasado por algo que me traumo un poco, gracias

I’m only a fan of Prince’s 1999 and Purple Rain albums. Sign ‘O’ The Times is just okay for me. Not remarkable, but solid background music.

I mean this in the best way: this is Nine Inch Nails for more conventional people who love sex. One of Prince's peaks

I rate this a 3 because I either really enjoyed or really disliked the songs. Although 3 feels a bit harsh and reductive - love it or hate it, this was never boring.

Was looking forward to listening. I never really appreciated prince in his heyday. But man this record did nothing for me. Finally got to a song that interested me with I can never replace your man. Actually three of the last 4 songs were great. Everything else did nothing for me. Fully expected to give this 4 stars but I won’t do it.

Hmmm, Prince still eludes me.

I know people love Prince. Listened to this entire double-album and it just never spoke to me.

Prince is just one of a kind. I am so sad I never got to see him in concert. Anyway, this album is quintessential Prince in my mind even though he had so many other records and a lot of people weren’t keen on this album because it was so different from Purple Rain. I love the power of this album in terms of Prince’s vocal range and just the sexy, cool style of the music. You can really feel him trying out new sounds. “I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man” is my favorite Prince song. Hearing that and the other singles from this album in context of the complete record was a cool listening experience. This album makes me want to sing and dance around.

7.0/10. A slower, heavily R&B with some rock and a dash of funk at times album, it's very clearly a love ballad through and through. Enjoyable to listen to, Prince was such a good artist, and truly new how to make good music. Though a long album, each song has its length for good reason, and the songwriting is very good. Though some of it is heavy, I would listen to it again.

No private session used for Spotify. Prince was unavoidable during the 80's and several of the songs were on steady repeat. Normally I am not a fan of the double albums as it seems there is a lot of filler crammed into it, but not so with this one. With keyboards and the electric drums, it's clearly rooted in the 80's.

I really do like this album, my dad told me it sounds like Bruno mars and now I can’t get it out of my head. It’s still a great album. A bit too long for what it is but I’d definitely listen to it again when I find the time.

An artist i have never really got into (especially the tunes of the early 90's) which were unclean but not in a good way) Will try and give it a fair hearing, even if I have never understood what the fuss was about. Christ nothing dates a record like syn drums, and they're all over this album, horrible. Really struggling with this one. I'm just not enjoying it. I get that he's an immensely talented man and a fantastic guitarist (his solo on While My Guitar Gently Weeps at the concert for George is phenomenal) bit i just dont get it.. Not entirely sure that this album was meant for me. Its soaked in hot sweat and bodily fluids, which isnt my bag. Will persevere but my.mind is made up, i dont.like this record and it will remain unplaced in my racks. . An artist to be respected but not necessarily liked...

As a teenager I always quite liked Sign O The Times and U Got The Look, so was intrigued to listen to the rest. Jeez this record sounds very dated. Synth drums? Terrible. Some of the songs are simply awful, others simply meh. This was so close to getting a 1 but a couple of half decent songs save it from that ignominy. A fairly generous 2/5

Wow, it seems Bruno Mars built an entire career ripping Prince off then huh? Prince is another revered artist I've spent a lifetime criminally underappreciating, so I was looking forward to this. Look, I'm an indie kid who grew up in floppy black jumpers moping to the Sisters of Mercy; tight, fun, funk-rock steeped in R&B was never going to be my thing. It can be toe-tapping, but for my tastes it was patchy, I liked some songs, the more self-indulgent and jazz-noodly the better other;s were, well hard work, I may have strained my eyes rolling at all the "oohs"...a double album of this was purgatory. Maybe i need to be in the garden chatting to mates on a sunny day, enjoying gin and tonics, to get on the right side of the vibe, it would definitely land much better. The individual songs vary from 2 to 4 but the album.en mass is just too much for me.

I realized how little I have actually heard of Prince outside of his 10 biggest hits and Purple Rain. This album is not flashy at all and was not a hit-maker, but there is something undeniably groovy and fun about it. It has a great vibe and just a fun listen throughout with great moments. Nothing majorly stands out, but just excellent pop/funk/rock music that is so Prince in every way. Top Songs: Play in the Sunshine, Housequake, U Got the Look, Strange Relationship, I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man

I wish I could go 3.5. I’ve heard this album a few times but this was the first time I listened intently. I don’t know if it’s Prince’s best but it’s pretty great. A little all over the place but you get a bit of everything that makes Prince, Prince. “Starfish and Coffee” as well as “The Cross” were my favorite tracks

I was excited when this popped up and expected it to be full of bangers But I thought it was spectacularly average

Not his best work but still highly enjoyable. If anything, Sheila E.

Didn't draw me in, maybe one day i'll listen again.

Aight

Prince‘s best album. Full of hits and almost flawless. (Listened to it on vinyl)

liked the first song a lot, a couple of not so great songs. In some ways a typical prince album - a few I really like a couple that I don't like. overall a nice album - would definitely listen again

first prince album full listen, yeah this nigga got it

Always good music and composition and just overall amazing. This didnt get much airplay but it is a really good album although no song stood out to me it all made sense and the song order is crucial

that’s it?

My first Prince album and I'm...disappointed.

So much variety and the grooves are amazing. The quieter songs work really well too.

살짝 듣기 거슬리는 음악도 있었지만 전체적으로 평범한 느낌의 앨범이었다. There were some tracks that were slightly grating to the ear, but overall, it was an album that felt ordinary.

Really not even close to the same tight quality of Purple Rain. Starfish and Coffee really makes Side A - the others are mostly a mixed bag of 2s and 3s. Side B is shorter but the song quality goes down a little. Especially if I was your Girlfriend and the cross which are both bad for different reasons. Side A: 2.6/5 Side B: 2.2/5 Total: 2.4/5 -> 2/5

I have never really got Prince's music and I think I didn't know a single song of this one. I found some songs quite good but the album is overall not particularly exciting and a bit pointless too. The whole "Camille" thing is also a little ridiculous. Not because of the singing per se but because thousands of people sing falsetto or modify electronically their pitch (not sure what Prince actually did here) without calling the result an "alter ego" (included in the credits) or thinking that that alone makes them androgynous. Not that surprising that the project failed.

Good good but not great the reviews praise the variety it is to me a bit lumpy on parts not as good as stevie

In a rare case for me, I'm really glad the record company exerted their control over an artist. "No tthird disc to listen to" is probably the best part of this album for me. I am ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE Prince is an excellent musician; I've seen it before. Though excellent musicianship does not a good album make. This all felt like album filler to me. Nothing stood out as exceptional, but nothing was bad either. I'm not seeing the "Prince's beat album" here at all. If anything with this overly long round-up of pretty average tracks, it's my least favorite of his. ⭐⭐⭐

I enjoyed this album more than 1999, but I still don't really get into Prince.

This really might be a 4.5 for me but it needs time to cook in my brain. Outside of mainstream Prince hits, I've had zero listening time with him before. Opened this album today in a foul mood and came out delighted, so that says something!

Okiiii

I have to dock a star for the handful of shit tracks on here. Why would you ever take Prince's beautiful voice and distort it like that?

Some of this I liked and others not so much. I was actually surprised at how bored I was listening to it.