Chicago Tribune; Chicago, Ill.; Nov 25, 2001; Greg Kot;

Prince
The Rainbow Children (NPG)

Though "The Rainbow Children" is being hyped as a concept album, "concept" has never been Prince's strong suit. The story behind this 70-minute song cycle is muddled, at best; it may or may not be about the rise of a post-Apocalyptic nation of true believers, Prince's ongoing feud with the record industry, the search for an alternative universe . . . who knows? And who really cares? Because what's truly meaningful about these "Rainbow Children" is the music, some of Prince's strongest in years, a veritable fashion show of killer melodies dressed up in funk, gospel, soul and gypsy-rock finery. The kaleidoscopic scope of the music -- most of it played by Prince in his one-man band guise -- recalls the reach of his 1987 masterpiece "Sign O' the Times." Only Najee's unctuous sax and flute playing is a distraction; otherwise, Prince is back at the top of his game.

(Copyright 2001 by the Chicago Tribune)