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The Rainbow Children
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The Rainbow Children Image
Metascore
54

Mixed or average reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 52 Ratings

  • Summary: This religion-themed concept album is the artist's first official release in 10 years under the Prince name.

Top Track

Rainbow Children
"With the accurate understanding of God and His law they went about the work of building a new nation: the Rainbow Children. "The Wise One who... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 10
  3. Negative: 2 out of 10
  1. Q Magazine
    80
    His most consistent work since 1991's Diamonds And Pearls, although you'll need to ignore the peculiar narrative episodes in order to fully enjoy it. [Jan 2002, p.106]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Spin Cycle
    75
    Unfortunately, the record is burdened by a pretentious, overarching narrative about "the Wise One" and his struggle with "the Banished Ones."
  3. Billboard
    70
    It deftly balances sweet ballads, outer-space jazz, acid-rock, and firecracker funk superior to almost anything he has offered since perhaps "Sign O' the Times."
  4. E! Online
    58
    The experiments sometimes work, but the album is mainly weighted down by cryptic religious ramblings that sap the pop life right out of it.
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    58
    The album's light jazz-funk grooves sink under the weight of his sanctimony. [23 Nov 2001, p.82]
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  6. Uncut
    40
    The music, though lithe and limber in a jazz-fusion-funk bag, lacks melodic distinction, while the vocals are delivered in a variety of electronically treated styles that are irritating at first and increasingly so on repeated exposures. [Feb 2002, p.125]
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  7. Spin
    20
    The music, such as it is, is a river of fat-free, dirt-free, melody-free jazz Olestra. [Feb 2002, p.112]
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See all 10 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 24
  3. Negative: 4 out of 24
  1. Simon
    Jan 17, 2002
    10
    As with all Princes music - the more u listen the more amazing it gets.
  2. ChaliseG.
    Apr 13, 2002
    10
    Outstanding piece of work..People need to erase the image that they have of Prince from the past and appreciate the man for his musical Outstanding piece of work..People need to erase the image that they have of Prince from the past and appreciate the man for his musical creativity. He is the most versitile performer I have ever encountered and he is a true artist and musical genius.… Expand
  4. shawshank01337
    Sep 25, 2010
    10
    I have not bought much music in a while as there is not much out there worth buying. I love this disk. I love the music, and the creativityI have not bought much music in a while as there is not much out there worth buying. I love this disk. I love the music, and the creativity of lyrics. It's not like most disks where all of the songs sound alike. Give credit where credit is due. An just because you are not spiritual that does not diminish his creativity. Funky, jazzy, and worth buying.....… Expand
  5. MikeB.
    Jan 17, 2002
    9
    Hmmn. I think I really liked what I just listed to. Yes, I have been a hardcore prince fan for years. I remain that today, even though I have Hmmn. I think I really liked what I just listed to. Yes, I have been a hardcore prince fan for years. I remain that today, even though I have been disillusioned at times by some of his recent work. Love the groves on the TRC, but yes the lyrics don't take the great music higher. I know he has more Grammy caliber work in him, if he wants to put it out!! This might not be it but stay tuned.… Expand
  6. jugi
    Dec 4, 2002
    8
    somehow the critics missed the incredible groove in this album. one of the most straightforward funkiest albums prince ever made.
  7. orlandoD.smith
    Sep 24, 2006
    7
    On then surface I positively accepted it, was initially disappointed in some tracks, one where he tried to sound like bohemian spiritual On then surface I positively accepted it, was initially disappointed in some tracks, one where he tried to sound like bohemian spiritual rapper in' muse to pharaoh' but grew to like it. Happy that he's made a transition, and not resting on a vain attempt to appeal & appease to the youth, visually on his LIVE AT LAS VEGAS cd featuring some of songs-I'm even more impressed.… Expand
  8. RP
    Jun 13, 2008
    0
    This one is almost imposible to enjoy unless you wear purple toned glasses. It is as cheesy as anything he released in the 90's The This one is almost imposible to enjoy unless you wear purple toned glasses. It is as cheesy as anything he released in the 90's The compositions are just as predictable tired and uninspired as anything he did in the 90's except played by great musicians. If you like jazzy Prince find Madhouse "6" you will enjoy it a lot more and your eyes wont hurt from rolling them so much.… Collapse

See all 24 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

30
#30 Most Discussed Album of 2001
82
#82 Most Shared Album of 2001

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