a thread to post reviews...

http://www.humo.be/cd-reviews/302977/prince-art-official-age-plectrum-electrum

Wow, Serge Simonart. That's quick.

All in all pretty fair review, for the likes of S. Sim.

for those who speak french (i don't, at least not good enough to translate the whole thing)

here's a track by track review for both albums:
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http://www.funku.fr/2014/prince-art-official-age-titre-par-titre/

I had Chrome translate them... always fun.

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I might have made my way through the French, but I got the main idea even in autotranslate.

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Keep 'em coming!

EddieC said:

I had Chrome translate them... always fun.

.

I might have made my way through the French, but I got the main idea even in autotranslate.

.

Keep 'em coming!

and ......................

Just to give you an idea: in Humo (the Belgian magazine, first link), AOA got 3/5, PE 2.5/5, Songs of Innocence by U2 1.5/5. The P reviews are written by a veteran, Serge Simonart, who knows the likes of Prince and David Bowie personally. He's been around for ages. The U2 review is written by someone considerably younger.

Here's a quick translation:

+++++++++++++++

God has a new record. Two, to be precise. And ofcourse, with the help from, and dedicated to, God. I try to establish objectively whether they are must-haves or not.

The opening song of 'Art Official Age', called 'Art Official Cage', is a melting pot of opportunistic 4/4-beats (i.e. the kind of beats that even a disabled, demeted granny can accurately clap her hands to - not coincidentally the rhythm of the most hackeneyed hits), eighties effects, nineties techno lite (that kind that could even then totally ruin a rave party), and a funky guitar riff that to His standard is subpar. And some bloated and irrelevant samples of oneliners (amongst which one in German - Warum, mein Gott?!). A postmodern failure, but I was also the only Belgian who thought that Daft Punk's latest was a bad incarnation of Chic, with a trite electro layer on top.

'Clouds' is the Nth lesson in love ('You should never etc.'), a cosy meandering eighties pop tune, good, but not grand.

'The Gold Standard' doesn't live up to its own title. Funky, sure, swinging, yes, but again a kind of song that sounds like three blended into one, when you are waiting for one briliant song.

But then, our friend really gets in the groove. 'Breakdown' is the next in a long line of superior ballads - nicely composed, masterfully arranged, beautiful chorus, sublimely sung. Phew, he still has it in him. The only setback is that it sounds so polished - perfect, and so, too clean, not dirty enough. Live, 'Breakdown' will without a doubt sound even better.

'U Know' is a kind of a drunk loop of an intro that never seems to lift off, but it is a hypnothizing track. 'Breakfast Can Wait' is the kind of title with a Prince patented horny pun - even if he sums up what's on the breakfast table, you would still know that a naked, yearning woman (or 6) is lying next to him, and why breakfast just isn't the priority.

'This Could Be Us' makes bald assertions ('you want me like a pair of new shoes'), uses a trite drum machine, and arrives a little late, or too early, because it is such an elegantly bobbing tune that every summer lounge bar would happily play. And again that brilliant falsetto - if you know one who can do that, be sure to let me know.

'Affirmation I & II' is a long, spoken, philosophical intro, spoken with a British accent ('me and mine are control mechanisms...'), a little in the vein of 'I Hate U' or 'International Lover', which contains carelessly narrated but meaningful sentences ('never wanted... a trophy wife... all I wanted was to be left alone' - especially the subtly mocking sniggering after 'trophy wife' speaks for itself). As a bonus track, you also have 'Affirmation III' ('we're communicating telepathically now...'), for whoever expects some new age wit from the Master.

'Funknroll' is more riff and call for battle than song, and the track bridges the gap between the funk on this record and the rock on 'Plectrum Electrum'.

The long, but not lenghty 'Time' closes the album, and does it well - a deceptively simple track, a bass riff determines the groove, a subtle synth plays something dreamy, en the backing vocals sound like Wendy & Lisa, even if it's not them. Beautiful.

3/5.

The HUMO review of Plectrum Electrum, I'm translating tomorrow. I'm tired, everyone. Time for bed... and one day closer to the release date!

Wow - that was pretty brutal for a 3/4 ranking. Though 3/4 is only 75% - so barely a passing grade.

Thanks for the translation.

These look like they could be reviews for any other Prince album from the last 15 years.

Better than expected but we need to calm down. These seem like two nice releases but this wont be a big "comeback" moment for Prince, which is fine.

I like the Tin Machine parallel. Seems on point.

emesem said:

Better than expected but we need to calm down. These seem like two nice releases but this wont be a big "comeback" moment for Prince, which is fine.

I like the Tin Machine parallel. Seems on point.

Wrongo. This IS a comeback moment for Prince. Arguably his best material since TGE – almost 20 years – so I would say that qualifies as comeback status.

[Edited 9/24/14 20:22pm]

While I'd love to see the new albums sell gazillions, whether AOA goes platinum or aluminum foil is of no consequence to me. IMO, Prince has just released his best, most cohesive, most adventurous album since his purple heyday. That's all that matters. Plus, the likelihood is that regardless of how AOA is received now, it will be elevated to classic status with time.

Agreed, KingSausage and livewire.

There is now a sticky thread dedicated for each album and its tracks - thanks