BBC Radio 2:Critical List Review Around The World in a day

Featured on Saturday 21/08 you can listen to programme again if you go to following link http://www.bbc.co.uk/radi...ticallist/

FEATURED ALBUM 21/08/04

PRINCE
AROUND THE WORLD IN A DAY
Producer: Prince
Paisley Park 1985


Hear tracks from the album
Listen to a Radio 2 documentary on Prince

So how exactly do you follow Purple Rain, one of the defining musical moments of the 1980s, an album that sold over fifteen million copies worldwide and remained at the top of the US album charts for a staggering 24 weeks?

Predictability is not one of Prince's traits so he was never going to produce a Purple Rain II. Instead he decided to release Around The World in a Day, a shimmering piece of psychedelic pop, laced with multitudes of guitars, elaborate string arrangements and vocals bound up in impenetrable metaphors.

Although it requires a few more listens than Purple Rain, there are elements of pop-genius in there. Raspberry Beret, Paisley Park and Pop Life remain the album’s stand out tracks, while Condition of the Heart reflects what a fine lyricist Prince had become.

In Pop Life Prince denounces the drug fuelled materialism of the superstar, thus revelling in his outsider status. Bizarrely, half way through the track we are treated to a selection of thuds and audience boos, which allegedly came from Prince’s ill fated tour supporting The Rolling Stones in 1981.

Prince was never going to replicate the success of Purple Rain, but in a career of over twenty albums over twenty-five years, Around the World in a Day remains a firm favourite with Prince aficionados – an album produced when the 62 inch funkateer was at the height of his powers.


Kris Shaw
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radi...ticallist/

I actually prefer 'Around The World In A Day' to 'Purple Rain', I love them both but ATWIAD kind of gets more stereo time in my house.

swiftyweb said:

smoothpants said:

Radio2 said:

i love this album... one of my all time favorites!!!