Prince spent the latter half of the '80s courting the pop audience, and by the time of Graffiti Bridge, he had lost much of his R&B fan base. As a response, he formed the New Power Generation and recorded Diamonds and Pearls, his first record to reconnect with the urban audience since 1999, as well as his first to acknowledge the hip-hop revolution. Although he still has a problem with rap — "Jughead" is simply embarassing — he manages to skillfully reinvent himself as an urban soulman without sacrificing his musical innovation. The New Power Generation is a more skilled band than the Revolution, and they are able to make Prince's funk jazzier, particluarly on "Willing and Able," the breezy "Strollin'" and "Walk Don't Walk." It's clear that these subtly textured songs are where his heart is at, but the songs designed to win back his audience — the slamming dance-floor rallying cry "Gett Off," the sexy T. Rex groove "Cream," the extraordinary Philly soul of the neglected masterpiece "Money Don't Matter 2 Night" and the drippy mainstream ballad "Diamonds and Pearls" — are all terrific pop singles. However, much of the rest of Diamonds and Pearls is comprised of middling funk and R&B that sounds less like inspired workouts than stylistic exercises. Even with such weak moments, Diamonds and Pearls is a fine record, even though it's only marginally better than Lovesexy and Graffiti Bridge. — Stephen Thomas Erlewine

a partially highlighted sentence in a copied & pasted review of an album has no meaning unless you tell more as to why you believe in that lone statement.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

yeah, whatever

I have to agree with you. I've been an avid listener, or fam- it that's what you want to call me- of Prince since 1981, and after Parade, I was ready for something different.

It's refreshing to hear from those who have a true appreciation for all music

The album had its moments but its over-produced and half the songs are very weak.

I hated every single from this album!!!

Gett Off: Plods on incessantly. Sounds like a re-working of the earlier B-side "Get Off". Lyrically and musically, it sounds like a Hanna Barbera version of Prince. Embarrassing.

Cream: Repetitive. Has one of the most annoying (and childish) choruses he's ever written. Terrible video.

Diamonds & Pearls: Sounds like the theme tune to a daytime soap. What is he singing about? "Would U be a happy boy or a girl?" - is it a love song??? I especially hate the bit where Rosie Gaines screams: "U would be color blind". Aaaargh! Its in my head!!!

Money Don't Matter 2night: I'd like this song better if the words didn't change tack towards the end of the song. Quite touching until he starts singing about the Gulf war. A missed opportunity. The B-Side, "Call The Law" is appalling.

Thunder: Bearable but could be two minutes shorter without anybody noticing.

The songs I actually like from the album are "Strollin'", "Walk, Don't Walk", "Willing And Able" and... erm, that's it. Oh - the B-Sides "Violet The Organ Grinder" and "Horny Pony". They're okay, I guess.

Cream is a fantastic song! so also is money dont matter 2nite!! .....!?!?!?!?!?!

paulcfc said:

I agree. D&P had lots of interesting things going on.

OdysseyMiles said:

Yeah... Like the holographic cover.

BinaryJustin said:

And heck, Jughead. Say no more.

I still love it but I remember being dismayed at the first appearance of rap in Prince music. I still have alow opinion of the genre in terms of real music and Prince was - and still is - one of the best keepers of the real music flame. I had nothing against Tony M. - he actually was as good as any of these thugs that the kids worship today. But what people fail to recognize is that rap can only be so good on a musical basis as so much of it is not music
[This message was edited Mon Mar 8 11:55:19 2004 by NPGLOVER]

NPGLOVER said:

I actually don't mind his little rap on "Willing And Able" - it does actually add something to the song.