Corporate Line: With Musicology, Prince is back to show everybody just how it’s done: the seamless blend of sweet soul sounds, pulsing post-modern dance grooves, and hard rock riffs filtered through the uncanny and unerring instincts of the greatest one-man band in pop music history. Musicology is, in the main, “produced, arranged, composed and per4med by Prince,” who contributes nearly all of the album’s instruments and voices.
Right off the bat, on the album’s title track, Prince lays out a 21st century manifesto as potent as the apocalyptic partying of “1999” while paying homage to a who’s who of old school funkmasters including Doug E. Fresh, Earth, Wind & Fire and James Brown himself.
“I am really an artist and musician at heart, that’s what I do,” Prince says. “Musicology has no boundaries or formats. It is a long overdue to return to the art and craft of music – that’s what this album is about. School’s in session!”
The Good:
“Musicology” – Prince opens up the show by making us feel at home and proving he’s still got the funk.
“Life O’ The Party” – Is an invitation to the party while taking shots at Michael Jackson (“My voice is getting higher / I ain’t never had my nose done”).
“A Million Days” – Breathless. With the pain and agony of love that has gone sour and with a breaking heart that can’t be fixed.
“Cinnamon Girl” – Prince is deep and if you take your attention away you’ll miss it. Prince sings, “We know how this movie’s ending” yet he is still seems miles above us—certainly his ending is different from ours and that is what makes it so interesting.
“If Eye Was The Man In Ur Life” – Stay with it—it takes more than one listen to get into the groove.
The Average:
“Call My Name” and “What Do U Want Me 2 Do?” – Par for course as Prince does his ballad right.
“Reflection” – Domestic bliss doesn’t so as grand as it is.
“Dear Mr. Man” – Prince has no problem taking on politics; “What’s wrong with the world today?” If only there was an answer that could fit into a four minute song. “Maybe we should write a letter.”
The Ugly: Nothing.
Frankly: Prince is still funky—oh, how we missed him. Hopefully Musicology will wake up the sleeping giants (record labels) and let them know we want and need good music again.
+ Charlie Craine
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