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Detroit Freep Review: "MUTED 'EARTH' TONES: Prince's latest is no masterpiece, but it'll do" Prince
"Planet Earth" THREE STARS (Columbia) In stores Tuesday Freep.com » Entertainment » Music MUTED 'EARTH' TONES: Prince's latest is no masterpiece, but it'll do July 22, 2007 BY MARTIN BANDYKE FREE PRESS SPECIAL WRITER After a number of inconsistent albums, Prince has thankfully been making a significant comeback as a recording artist over the last few years, releasing the back-to-basics "Musicology" (2004) and "3121" (2006). "Planet Earth" is another worthy bid from this music icon to re-establish a connection with those who may have lost track of him. Nope, it isn't the masterpiece Prince fans have longed for, but it'll do just fine. Reunited with Revolution band mates Wendy (Melvoin) and Lisa (Coleman), Prince is in excellent voice throughout the 10 songs on "Planet Earth," even if the material doesn't always rate with his past glories. Advertisement Notably, his lyrics these days barely even creep into PG-13 territory, not at all like his former, XXX-rated self. So be aware that if you like the Purple One only when he's in a lascivious mood, you'd better stick to your copy of "Dirty Mind." "Guitar" certainly shows that Prince can still rock as convincingly as he did in his early days. This one starts out with a guitar lick that owes more than a little to U2's "I Will Follow" and is delicious fun, similar to such adrenaline-fueled oldies as "Let's Go Crazy" and "Delirious." Quieter but equally compelling is "Somewhere Here on Earth," a gorgeous mix of old-school soul and smooth jazz. Prince's ageless falsetto is more than a little reminiscent of vintage Smokey Robinson, and the addition of some muted trumpet and gentle piano accents lend this ballad an elegant touch. There are some scattered misfires, including "Future Baby Mama" and "All the Midnights in the World," both a touch lifeless and uninspired. The idea of a singer as gifted as Prince rapping in a monotone on "Mr. Goodnight" is not a good one, either. Much better is the eco-friendly title track, which has melodic echoes of one of Prince's heroes, Joni Mitchell. The best thing on "Planet Earth," however, is the groove-filled "Chelsea Rodgers," which has funky, disco-era drum and bass lines that are simply Chic, plus a kicking horn riff right out of Earth, Wind & Fire. More of this and Prince could've achieved something on the order of "1999" in 2007. http://www.freep.com/apps...20534/1039 | |
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PurpleCharm said: Prince
"Planet Earth" THREE STARS (Columbia) In stores Tuesday Freep.com » Entertainment » Music MUTED 'EARTH' TONES: Prince's latest is no masterpiece, but it'll do July 22, 2007 BY MARTIN BANDYKE FREE PRESS SPECIAL WRITER After a number of inconsistent albums, Prince has thankfully been making a significant comeback as a recording artist over the last few years, releasing the back-to-basics "Musicology" (2004) and "3121" (2006). "Planet Earth" is another worthy bid from this music icon to re-establish a connection with those who may have lost track of him. Nope, it isn't the masterpiece Prince fans have longed for, but it'll do just fine. Reunited with Revolution band mates Wendy (Melvoin) and Lisa (Coleman), Prince is in excellent voice throughout the 10 songs on "Planet Earth," even if the material doesn't always rate with his past glories. Advertisement Notably, his lyrics these days barely even creep into PG-13 territory, not at all like his former, XXX-rated self. So be aware that if you like the Purple One only when he's in a lascivious mood, you'd better stick to your copy of "Dirty Mind." "Guitar" certainly shows that Prince can still rock as convincingly as he did in his early days. This one starts out with a guitar lick that owes more than a little to U2's "I Will Follow" and is delicious fun, similar to such adrenaline-fueled oldies as "Let's Go Crazy" and "Delirious." Quieter but equally compelling is "Somewhere Here on Earth," a gorgeous mix of old-school soul and smooth jazz. Prince's ageless falsetto is more than a little reminiscent of vintage Smokey Robinson, and the addition of some muted trumpet and gentle piano accents lend this ballad an elegant touch. There are some scattered misfires, including "Future Baby Mama" and "All the Midnights in the World," both a touch lifeless and uninspired. The idea of a singer as gifted as Prince rapping in a monotone on "Mr. Goodnight" is not a good one, either. Much better is the eco-friendly title track, which has melodic echoes of one of Prince's heroes, Joni Mitchell. The best thing on "Planet Earth," however, is the groove-filled "Chelsea Rodgers," which has funky, disco-era drum and bass lines that are simply Chic, plus a kicking horn riff right out of Earth, Wind & Fire. More of this and Prince could've achieved something on the order of "1999" in 2007. http://www.freep.com/apps...20534/1039 u say that Prince uses "Falsetto" meaning " Artificially produced tones in an upper registar", in "Somewhere Here On Earth". you are very Wrong. Prince's Voice is Very Genuine as are his Lyrics and Music. [Edited 7/22/07 22:02pm] | |
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ReginaCarman said: u say that Prince uses "Falsetto" meaning " Artificially produced tones in an upper registar, in "SOmewhere Here On Earth". u are very Wrong. Prince's Voice is Genuine as are his Lyrics and Music.
oh lord "Half of what I say is meaningless; but I say it so that the other half may reach you." - Kahlil Gibran | |
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Raze said: ReginaCarman said: u say that Prince uses "Falsetto" meaning " Artificially produced tones in an upper registar, in "SOmewhere Here On Earth". u are very Wrong. Prince's Voice is Genuine as are his Lyrics and Music.
oh lord  | |
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