Review in German news magazine DER SPIEGEL:

http://www.spiegel.de/kul...31,00.html

They give it a 7 out of 10 overall.

I don't have time to translate now, just a quick summary: the reviewer basically says that it's Prince going back to 1985 and that it's fun to listen to, but also that the collection of styles is a bit inconsistent. I especially liked the last two sentences. Quick translation:

It's not the big thing, a new "Rainbow Children" or "Musicology". At least, he keeps the same name for four albums now.

Early Impressions: My Top 10

1. Somewhere Here on Earth - Inimitable. The aural beauty of One Nite Alone distilled. Transcendent. The only song here that's worthy of classic status. But I'm a bit bothered by some plastic sounding percussion creeping in in some places. (Or is it just the inferior copy I'm listening to)

2. Lion of Judah - Faceless at first but, surprisingly, a grower. Wins through sheer emotion.

3. All the Midnights in the World - Puts a smile on the face. Quirky, in the tradition of Starfish & Coffee. Simple but does not sound contrived or overdone.

4. Planet Earth - The piano melody is somewhat similar to that of #3. This one is reminiscent of When I Lay My Hands On U and Empty Room but with more epic flourishes by way of squealing guitars and Prince's trademark screams.

5. Future Baby Mama - If you make a song out of extracting all the good things from Silly Games and Journey 2 The Center Of Your Heart and make it sound organic and a bit vintage, it's this.

6. Resolution - Sounds very much like an Indigo Girls song. The intro reminds of the song Fill It Up Again from the duo's All That We Let In album. Not bad.

7. The One U Wanna C - Somewhere between raucous and innocuous. The energy is its salvation. The guitar work is exemplary.

8. Chelsea Rodgers - it's not all that in my opinion. The most conventional sounding track in the album. Very much like what Jamiroquai would do, a bit out of place on the record, But the instrumentation and some moments that stick save it from being forgetful.

9. Mr. Goodnight - sounds like a laidback JT Taylor-era Kool and the Gang joint. It's in my bottom 3 but still in some ways enjoyable.

10. Guitar - Lyrics are forced. The melody is the least memorable in the album. This is a vacuous rehash of Fury though it helps when the volume is upped and just let the guitars drown everything else.

This CD sounds so fascinating

emilio319 said:

Those numbers are my rating out of 10.000. I like some space to play in (damn org-hickups!)

forkupine said:

I agree that this track is out of place on Planet Earth. But imo, that's only because it isn't pop fluff as most of the record is. I do hope I'm wrong and when I get the actual cd it will reveal a good many nuances, but unless it's a new mix with the guitars turned up to the front, I just don't see that happening. That's an aside, I suppose, but this song should be a Prince standard. As I've already said, it's got a great groove, vocals and it makes you want to dance, which really, is all one can ask of pop music.

Out of place? Yes. But only because it doesn't reek of convention.

And while I'm sure he's not reading nor does he nor anyone care what I might have to say -- I challenge Prince to make an actual rock record. Purple Rain is a rock record -- but he's not done one with live drums and I think, if he wanted, he could make a real classic in an afternoon.
[Edited 7/10/07 4:34am]

Well, I've now listened to this in low quality, and I have to say I really like some of the new stuff. To put it into perspective, I dug a few songs of Musicology, a few more further still on 3121 yet felt on both records lacked any cohesive sound - and suffered from over production and a tendancy on Prince's part to keep adding gloss. A lot of the instrumentation felt too computerised to me, and I was really hoping for something a little more organic from Planet Earth.

Organic it isn't, but that doesn't mean to say he's retreading the same ground as with the previous two records.

Planet Earth is not whatt I expected at all, and sets the tone for a lot of what is to follow - there is a definite rock leaning with this record. I see the comparisons to Empty Room, but i dont think this is as good. I dont like the way it meanders a bit in the middle, and Id have liked to have heard a bit more Crystal-ball-esque experimentation, but its a good album opener for sure.

Guitar is Prince in throwaway mode. having heard the demo and thought not much of it, i found it hard to get enthused about this. A lead single it is not, and while he does improve on the demo version - there isn't enough about this to make love it. I keep wanting to put on Peach or Cream when I hear this.

Somewhere Here On Earth is absolutely beautiful. Exactly what I wanted from a Prince ballad now. I've hear enough horn driven soul from him lately, i wanted something abit more hanuting. Definitely got the vibe of Power Fantastic and One Night Alone - and one which I hope he performs live over the summer.


The 1 U Wanna C. How can people hate on this. Its so damn catchy I was humming it after one hearing. It doesnt speak country to me, its just a pop/rock number, i hope he tears this one up live. Great falsetto and guitar solo at the end - could be a little longer, but i hope he sees sense and releases this as a single. Also is that bass line ripped from I Feel For You? Sounds exactly the same.

Future Baby Mama. Yes the title sucks, but that melody in the verse is gorgeous, and i haven't heard a prince falsetto vocal this good for ages. Great song / love it.

Mr Goodnight. Just feels pointless to me. Sounds like an Exodus throwaway. Is that Wendy & Lisa? Seems like a waste to use them on such a below mediocore track. Its an apt title - enougn to send anyone to sleep.


All The Midnights in The World - Haven't heard it yet.

Chelsea Rodgers is great. A bass heavy dance track from the master that doesnt sound embarassing. I think the bass reminds me of Daft Punks "Around The World", although it could be something else. A bit disappointed there isnt more Prince on it - but hey what does it matter.

Lion Of Judah is ok. Im not having too many thoughts about this yet except that it neither grabs me nor turns me off. I think itll probably be a grower.

Resolution. When one reviewer mentioned Christian Rock I thought of Last December (a song I quite like), but this is better than i thought. I like the lyrics, even if they are a little simpistic, but it flows nicely enough.

Overall i wouldnt say i prefer this album to 3121 - its probably about on par. Half of it I really dig, the other half I could do with out.Those hoping for a rennaisance of his former 80's self should give it up now as thats never gonna happen. I think its still perfectly evident that Prince is a genius & masterful at constructing songs that appeal to all leanings. This may not be a challenging album, and it may not set the charts on fire, but its still a solid effort at creating a pop/rock album. I do miss the funk a bit, but im sure it wont be long before he gets his funk back on.

As with all his albums of late, this would probably sound better recorded live with his band.

I loved it.

The people that are dissing the album have absolutely no clue

[Edited 7/10/07 8:20am]

Riverpoet31 said:

....i'm a prince's fan since the 80's..i did not hear yet the new album (only Guitar)...and when i read about your comment....i have the feeling that i'm born again as the Fan i was 20 years ago!

That first vocal on Somewhere Here On Earth is just like something straight off For You. Beautiful vocal.

Not crazy about the album just yet but I think it'll grow on me. IMO I like 3121 a lot more.

My fav tracks so far are Planet Earth, Guitar, The 1 U Wanna C, Chelsea Rodgers, and Lion of Judah is growing on me. On a scale of 1-10 I probably give it a 6.5

wow. this album is going to be one of my favourite Prince albums.

The loose performances and arrangements on the title track, lion of Judah and a few others work for me.

can't get into Mr. Goodnight or Future Baby Mama but the rest of the songs are keepers.
it looks like possibly Prince had an agenda with it or a theme (like TRC) and it worked for him. 3121 and Musicology to me were just a bunch of songs he put together.

its gonna be good.

MendesCity said:

No way! I hate Emancipation with a passion and Mr. Goodnight is my favorite song off Planet Earth....definitely better than the tripe that's on Ecrapcipation.



(no throwing tomatoes, please! )


oh, btw I asked my friends (who like Prince alright, but probably only have "The Hits" on their iPods) to listen to the album...didn't say anything about what songs I liked or overall opinion, just asked them to be honest. Here's what they said:

Male friend (who plays guitar really well) said:



Female friend said:


^I'm pretty sure her fave Prince song is Gett Off.



formatting edit
[Edited 7/10/07 8:49am]

Today I listened to the whole album again and I love the whole album.

Heres a couple tracks i did my best on transcribing
Im not sure if any one allready has
(feel free to corect any mistakes)
? Unsure of

Lion of Judah


Sitting on the floor of an all white room
Feeling like the color blue

Thinking about the words can use
2 get this through 2 U

A million mistakes and then some
've made with the 1's befor

Probably [? direction]
But still adore U
Adore U....

Looking 4 the energy 2 take U there
The place's U wanna go

Knowing if do, U'r fully aware
The press will turn it in to a show (A show)

Everyone expects this outcome
But still they jump 4 all the [crew ?]

Guess should be happy but 'm still not
Sure that U realy love me.....
love me.....
love me.....
love me.....
U love me.....

Like the lion of Judah (Judah)
strike my enemys down

As my god is living
Surley the Trumpet will sound

There was 1 who would stand by my side
Through the the good and the bad

Let that 1 stand with pride
The best that ever had
Like the lion of judah

Driving away with a smile on my face
Wind blowing through my hair

Wondering how U'll feel when U find out
How much really care ( care)

Hoping that the tears roll down U'r face (Down U'r face)
Your body grasp who we are (Who are we?)

2 gypsy beggers who only [?]
Who came 2 be a star
A super star
A star
That's what we are...

Like the lion of judah (Judah)
Strike my enemys down

As my god is living
Surley the trumpet will sound

Lion.....judah
Lion.....judah


Like the lion of judah (Judah)
strike my enemys down
Like the lion of judah (Judah)
Surley U....gonna hear the trupet sound
Hear the trumpet will sound

(ohhh)
Lion....Judah ...
.Judah.....

The lion of judah


-----


Resolution


(Come with it)
(Yeah..yeah..ohh)

The main problem with war
Is that nobody ever wins
The next generation grows up
Learns how 2 do it all over again.

No matter who started the argument
Just matters how each one ends
How many people really want resolution ?

The main problem with people
Is they never do what they say (They say)
1 Minute they want peace (Want peace)
Then do everything 2 make it go away

Dropping bombs on each other
In the act of saving face
Tell me now people how is that resolution ?

Either U do or U don't
Either U will or U won't
Making amends (Make amends)
Is a difficult pill 2 swallow

What can we lose if we try ?
With no water, A flower dies
With no one 2 lead
Resolution will follow

(Ohh, Yes it will)
Resolution

(Ohh yeah)

is like a circle
No beginning and no end
A will mend
When U love it like your best friend

Handle U'r with care
It's as delicate as a wing
When the storms come again
Pray for resolution

Either U will or U won't (Either U will or U won't)
Either U do or U don't

Will U want resolution ?
(Either U do or U don't)
Come On eveybody
All over the world
(La,la,la,la,la)
All over the world
(Do,do, do, do, do)
Tell me now
How many people really want resolution ?

mplsmike said:[quote]
Probably [? direction]
But still adore U
Adore U.... [quote]

I've probably passed my expiration date
But still I adore you

[quote]
Everyone expects this outcome
But still they jump 4 all the [crew ?]
[quote]

Everyone expects this outcome
But still they jump around with glee

[quote]
2 gypsy beggers who only [?]
Who came 2 be a star
[quote]

2 gypsy beggars who all live by grace
Who came to be a star

"I might be past my expiration date, but still I adore you..." - LION OF JUDAH

It's funny - both ha-ha and weird. After almost two decades of flatlining egowank, rainbowless, treasureless repitition & recycling, vile stillborn hip-hop pastiches and a walled-in mindset oblivious to the universal law of diminishing returns - Prince Nelson admits what even the hardest of the die-hards has suspected - he's a lonely man who feels old and out of touch.

"Looking for the energy to take u there/The places u wanna go/Know if I do you will fool me again and the press will turn it into a show." - LION OF JUDAH

Yet, it's in these lines I fall for the guy again. Maybe it's the odd, quivering vocal inflection or the plantiff, castaway spirit of the melody carrying this actual true, honest lyric. No assertations that he's the muthafukin' bezt, that he's the Daddy Pop, the true King of Music.

N
o.

Here, he finally admits he's a bit lost. The words also convey his need to know the people listening to his music understand the effort it takes to craft - and more importantly, why he still does it. Wow, seimesic!
The fans also thirsting for the cartoon persona the press portray come in for a lace-sleeved swipe, the swine, even them, the bastard, blind to his pearls. How care they question this cartoon, one dimentional persona he is only too willing to play, trade upon and exploit. Pimp. The Conflict - he knows what we want, what we expect, what we crave. Yes - the child and suckle urge in him wants to deliver, but an impish bellyminddemon - borne of deep insecurity - hoodwinks his better nature, continually persuding him to flip the lid on expectation and confound all and sundry - even himself. He'll never give you what you want. Ask for it and you'll get a grin and the clackety-clack of his heels as he walks away. And you'll be looking at his ass while he does, straight or gay. He'll die a tease.

"Sitting on the floor in an all white room/Feeling like the colour blue.." - LION OF JUDAH

It's no coincidence these words are sung over a chord sequence and guitar tone immediately calling to mind Purple Rain, the albatross which has inhibited his musical growth & freeze-framed his public persona since 1984. Mix the colours white and blue, you get purple. He purges this sacred cow here, similar to Kurt Cobain exorcising Teen Spirit (both song and actual) in Rape Me.

"I guess I should be happy but Im not sure if u really love me."

Doubt.

Then of course.

The theory's blown apart like a Palestine marketplace by the triumpalist, ego-wanking chorus about how great and better than everyone else he is and always will be. He believes his struggles to be Biblical to future perception. From egoless verse to cock-waving chorus. Oh, and white and blue don't make purple. Sometimes making things up and fronting like you know better can fool a lot of people into thinking you're talking a higher sense when you're not. This post was a nasty-hearted experiment in language.

I went through all of that while reading your post. Anyway, can't wait to listen to the song now.

This song is sort of painful to listen to.
Its the same odd, poorly crafted lyrics with absolutely no melody thing that Cinnamon Girl had. Dolphin basically did the same "message to the fans" thing with a lot more craft.

Number23 said:

I think it's a more personal song than either Cinnamon Girl or Dolphin. Those two songs deal with social issues.

Lion of Judah is a very personal confession of one's failures, an admission of weakness, and ultimately, a declaration of faith. For Prince, therein lies his vindication.

It might be painful to listen to only because of the plaintiveness, the "quivering", as Number23 has noted, of Prince's voice.
[Edited 7/10/07 9:40am]

I've deleted the leak from my hard-drive...let's say that I had a religious experience...

I love the 1st four tracks I've had the opportunity to listen to. Princey!

Number23 said:

Great post
This is definitely one of my favorites on the album, because the lyrics really pull all his contradictions into focus. A million times more interesting than the simpleminded Dolphin, in my opinion.
[Edited 7/10/07 9:46am]

Question: Now why didn't Prince name the album The One U Wanna C?

NUMBER23 Said:
"Mix the colours white and blue, you get purple."

did you fail kindergarten? Red and Blue make purple!

nice try tho.

emesem said:

You didn't read the post to the end.

calldapplwondery83 said:

OOOPPS BUSTED

Snap said:

Cause save the save the Earth thing is very now. I guess he thinks its sells better.

I will post my formal review later, but after my first listen, I think this album is one of the most cohesive efforts that Prince had put forth since TRC. It sounds like a complete album…like every song works together. Musicology and 3121 felt like a bunch of songs thrown into a group. By themselves, those songs were fine and even great in some cases. But, this one feels like a set to me. The entire album has a consistent vibe throughout and, when listened to as a whole, is quite a nice ride. Even the bad songs aren't that bad when taken in context with the rest of the album. I know it's always exciting to get new music and the freshness of the songs makes every new album "a current favorite" for me. But, that excitement usually wears off and it becomes just another Prince album that I play from time to time. The complexity of some of these songs and the overall good feeling that I got from listening to the whole thing makes me think that this one may be in heavy rotation for some time to come. I feel like this effort is a more mature effort than the last few albums and the songs feel like the right kinds of songs for a 49-year old man to be performing. I like it very much!