Romance1600's Musicology Review

01. Musicology (4:24)
The lead single, and title track of the album - there's no love loss here, this sounds like another 'James Brown by numbers' mid-tempo 'funk' (and I use the term loosely) song in the vein of The Work pt.1 (from 2001's The Rainbow Children) and 'Prettyman' (from 1999's Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic).

This song is very similar sonically to some of the NPG Music Club Year One material (now available for download as two separate albums,

In Prince's own words, "Why should eye do that, when eye can do this" - I don't know Prince, you tell us, why do this (Musicology) when you can do that (Head, Xogenous, Crystal Ball, All My Dreams, Family Name).

> Rating: 3/10


02. Illusion, Coma, Pimp & Circumstance (4:45)
Prince is still trying to catch up with the Hip-Hop/"urban" crowd, and this is more proof that he just can't pull it off. An embarrassing parade of talented old man trying to make the kind of trash the school kids listen to.

File next to 1998's New Power Soul and 2000's The Chocolate Invasion (NPGMC Year One)

> Rating: 1/10


03. A Million Days (3:50)
Cute, moody pop-rock song, sounds a lot of 1993's Dolphin (from The Gold Experience), only not as catchy or well-crafted.

> Rating: 5/10

04. Life O The Party (4:29)
Anything but. From the same mold as track two, and would slot perfectly on 1998's New Power Soul (that is not a compliment).

> Rating: 3/10

05. Call My Name (5:15)
Another stock Prince ballad. Think Adore, Scandalous, How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore except that it's schmaltzy and tame and sounds like something from a mid-90s Patti Labelle album.

File next to Emancipation Disc II (not a compliment)

> Rating: 4/10


06. Cinnamon Girl (3:56)
Cute little guitar-pop song, a little softer than 1999's 'So Far, So Pleased' (with Gwen Stefani), but all the better for it. Nice simple pop song, nothing he hasn't done before, but he's done so much, at least this makes a stand for itself.

> Rating: 6.5/10

07. What Do You Want Me 2 Do (4:15)
A melancholy, slightly whimsical guitar melody opens the track along with 'try to hard' Linn drum beat (think carbon-copy of If I Was Your Girlfriend).

Reminded me of 'Tangerine' from 1999's Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic. Quite an enjoyable track, laid back and confident.

> Rating: 7/10

08. The Marrying Kind (2:49)
Operatic Prince rock (think dirty guitar and harpiscord tracks like 'Dolphin', 'Strays Of The World', and several tracks from Chaos & Disorder) and also reminded me of one of the highlights from recent years, 2000's 'When I Lay My Hands On U' (from NPGMC Year One)

An enjoyable rock ballad. One presumes this may have been edited down for inclusion since it could well do with a guitar solo at the end, instead it segues (rather nicely) into the next track.

> Rating: 7/10

09. If Eye Was The Man In Ur Life (3:09)
Continues on from 'The Marrying Kind' with the same guitar and trademark high snyth sounds (a staple since the early 90s) - here they remind of 1991's 'Diamonds & Pearls', and towards the end there's a similar horn fanfare, then a slightly out of character (for the song) breakdown with some frantic percussion.

A good track, this and 'The Marrying Kind' work together great.

> Rating: 7/10

10. On The Couch (3:33)
Another R&B ballad, doesn't do anything to improve on Call My Name

> Rating: 3/10

11. Dear Mr.Man (4:14)
Nice laid back R&B groove, sounds quite 70s influenced. Probably the most rounded, comfortable track on the album. Nice unhurred horn solo and strings as it fades.

> Rating: 8/10

12. Reflection (4:14)
This song has been available the longest as a streaming file for members in the NPG Music Club for about a year now I think.

It didn't do much for me then, and doesn't do much for me now, sounds like an out-take from 1996's Emancipation, the lyrics are quite nice, but a disappinting ending to the album.

> Rating: 5/10

Overall:
The last "proper" Prince album, 2001's The Rainbow Children saw Prince go in an interesting direction, after 5 or 6 years of knocking out sound-a-like, tinny, genre chasing LPs, he released an album that sounded like nothing before it - an increasing jazz interest was evident in the album (which followed by 2 instrumental jazz-tinged released in 2003).

There isn't much of that jazz sensibility here, but there is a little too much of back-tracking to the sounds of albums from that down period of 1996-2000 - Some of the tracks here would slot a little too easily on albums like 1996's Emancipation, 1998's New Power Soul and 2000's unreleased 'High' album (made available as downloads from the NPG Music Club).

There are touches of the highlights from that era too, there are touches of the guitar work that evoke 1997's semi-acoustic album, 'The Truth' and songs like Cimmamon Girl show that Prince can still write a nice little pop tune when he wants.

The main problem with the album is a sense of back-tracking after The Rainbow Children, songs like 'Musicology', 'Illusion, Coma, Pimp & Circumstance', and 'Life O' The Party' are the low-points.

The fake 'street' lyrics, and the copy-cat R&B beats are as cringe-worthy and self-conscious now as they were in 1996 (for a second on 'Life O' The Party' it seems like he's going to go all "tikkee-tikkie-tee" Missy Eliott).

'Life O' The Party' is the new faux-rap "anthem" that had Prince fans everywhere spilling the same tears on their vinyl copies of Parade that they wept in 1991 with 'Jughead' and 1998 with 'Freaks On This Side'.

The high-lights on the album are not so in as much that they are new Prince classics, on par with Mountains, All My Dreams, Lady Cab Driver or Do Me, Baby or anything pre-1988 really - but they do stand up to the best of Prince's work for the past 10 years.

The album is a consistent collection of songs, a far cry from the mix-n-match attitude to some previous albums that attempted to show Prince can do every style of music whilst making you a vegan three course meal at the same time. The main focus here is Rhythm & Blues, with tinges of Rock, Pop and 'Nu-Soul'.

Prince as the innovative artist, the trend-setter, the 'hot-sh*t by the seat of your pants this stuff is bizarre, but I can't stop listening to it' - that Prince it seems has been dead and buried for a while now (long time fans, myself included, still cling to the hope that it is only 6ft of dust he is covered in).

In conclusion, this is yet another Prince album that gives us 4 or 5 enjoyable "Prince"-branded derivitive tracks, but doesn't give us much else other than treading water and following trends.

More of a follow-up to 'Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic' than 'The Rainbow Children'

6/10


There we go, BTW, please don't tell me you know the year of releases so I didn't have to include them, I know you guys know all that, but I've been cross-posting this review here and there, and some other readers are so learned on the music of Prince


/- typo edit, edit.
[This message was edited Mon Mar 29 7:40:21 2004 by Romance1600]

Very good review, Romance. I disagree but that's what's sweet about individual reviews.

Particularly interested that two of the tracks you rated were ones I thought of as being solid, but pretty uninteresting - The Marrying Kind and If I was the man in your life.

I've got a feeling that a few UK music mags will follow your line on this, but I still think this album's got some great tracks on it, and is a very solid album.

now that is a good review. best one ive read here so far, and the most fair, well reasoned and articulate. thanks.

I'll be downloading when I get home (may take all night with a 56k modem!!) so will be interested to see how my thoughts compare.

Just wanted to comment though that it already seems like the tracks that one fan likes are the tracks that another doesnt rate, and vice versa.

In other words, it appears to be a typical Prince situation. I for one am just glad to see him continuing to put out music and seeming to enjoy it more than ever.

More power to his elbow.

Romance1600 said:

Or "Pussy Control," "Now", "Get Wild" for that matter... very forced, self-conscious and square... too much like an older person trying to prove he can do what the kids these days are doing (shhh don't tell the Emperor he's buck naked!). However, as far as beats go, I do like "Love Sign" or at least the Shock G remix.
[This message was edited Tue Mar 30 0:50:10 2004 by Nyabinghi]

Romance1600 said:

Hmmm, sounds scary. In fact, this part is so well written I have to take the comment seriously.

I strongly disagree with this review. Were it an Outkast album you would be creaming your pants! This album is filled with great songwriting, singing, and the production is far ahead of the hip-pop (intentional) pulp we're being fed with by the radio.

Romance1600 said:

Papaj said:

That is incorrect.

Papaj said:

I'm fine with that, your views are your's and my views are mine - neither one is definitive truth.


/-typo edit.
[This message was edited Mon Mar 29 5:47:18 2004 by Romance1600]

I kind of agree with your review except for on the couch that I find it is a good song, better than call my name

it´s a just a nice little album, I may get to like it better after a few more listens.

I so have to disagree about "illusion, coma..."!

Totally disagree with this review.

I really expected a crap album. In fact songs I didn't like in the first place like what do u me 2 do or Reflection work fantastically well in the context of the album

Life o the party is so damn Funky. Same story with Pimp. These songs are so damn good. And I'm not at all in Pussy Control (which I still think is a very average tune).

It is a great commercial album. Very well done, very well arranged.

It works where Rave and NPS lamentably failed. It is the first time for a long time manages to do something exciting with catchy tunes.

Very very enjoyable. Great surprise as well after what I expected.

seriously now, how come you don´t like "on the couch"?

So can I take it as fact that Prince decided to make an album a la Rave with lots of R&B and a little bit of rock, pop and funk?

To each their own or something to that accord? So many gifted critics here. Like your actually an authority on something??? It's just an opinion, as is this. i actually really like Musicology as a single and vid, and thought it was better than some of the stuff he did in the past. Giving something a '1' is an insult. I'd like to see what you could do.. So many gifted critics here.

Abrazo said:

i think they mean rhythm and blues as in modern R&B, not old 50s/60s R&B.

agentmonday said:

Like I said above your views are your's and my views are mine - neither one is definitive truth.

This review is my opinion, not a personal attack on your own opinions, you really shouldn't take things so personally.

Romance1600 said:

Unless, of course, Agent Monday is Prince.

In which case he has to take it personally.

Don't take this review so seriously guys, anyone giving Illusion Pimp and circustamce a (1) does not know what the fck they're talkign about. It's a great pop album, trust me. It's not better than TRC but it's very creative and is way better than RAVE, it does not have a plastic production. It's a band playing pop tunes.

These are about my sentiments too.

I do like the vocal delivery of 'Illusion, coma, pimp, circumstance' (imagine a DJ announcing that track
at topspeed), as I do like the sound of the guitar in that track. That's as funky as it gets. 'Reflection' is good.



I can see the commercial potential of 'Cinnamon girl', although its arrangement is quite generic. And
that is in my opinion the big problem with this album --- production. Prince has been sounding like this for
some time now, and this album sounds dated as of now. He pays a big price for producing himself this
time around. Considering this is the first real album to come after 'The rainbow children', it is a drastically
big step back into the mediocrity of the bland records of the nineties (Emancipation, New power soul,
Rave un2 the joy fantastic, to name 'a few').
Whereas 'The rainbow children' sounded coherent and was produced intensely warm, the tracks on
'Musicology' are all over the place and sound like and extremely auto-piloted collection jammed
coincidently on the same disc.



'The marrying kind' and 'If eye was the man in ur life' work well together, but sound too much like he's trying
to tap into the pop-market, only to show that he really stopped moving amongst those ranks fifteen years ago.

'Dear Mr. Man' has a pleasant beat, somebody referred to 'Strange relationship', especially its ONA-arrangement.
Don't get me started on the ballads, I just ate a sandwich with really nice old French cheese, and this cheese can't
measure up.




I understand that this project will be given a full swing promotional push, but this record can't live up to the
expectations of the general public, when he makes his grand entrance du comeback. This from a guy
who sees his body of work as a composite consisting of entirely different structured pieces. He is right about
one thing though --- it is a 'return to form', albeit a negative thing.

TheFrog said:

That must've taken a lot of brain power to come up with that. Anyway, anyone can say what they like, just don't go giving lame ass reviews....a '1'.....yeah right....I am giving you a '1'. Now, I am off to sleep, and i won't be coming back here in a while....lame ass reviews with numbers....geez all bloody xperts....analysing everything, like you actually know anything...i'd like to hear your album:)

My first stament is directed at Romance1600, it could be interpreted differently as it flows so nicely with 7salles' post...





By the way, where does the fuzz-toned guitar intro from 'A million days' remind me of?
It's on the tip of my tongue...
[This message was edited Mon Mar 29 6:54:29 2004 by deMatthijs]

agentmonday said:

*Lifts up pink hand-bag* "Oooooo 'ark at her!

Romance1600 said:

I know he wants to have my babies really.

nice review Romance. Luckily, there are still people on this forum who can articulate their opinion with good arguments and nicely written, without lowering themselves to the HATER vs FAM black and white discussion.

Hail to intelligence!!!

Considering that you gave "Musicology" a 3/10 rating has me thinking I definitley won't be taking your review to heart. Nevertheless, nice breakdown of the songs and their descriptions.

My review of your review

You like songs I'm not crazy about and dislike songs I could be crazy about. You are good at voicing your opinions. Unfortunately, your opinions sound like rethreads form the Post-Collective debacle years. They lack soul, have an awful programmed beat and you can't dance to them because they are written for a chorus line of one-legged rockettes.

2/10!

deMatthijs said:

I could not agree with you more. U would think the guy would buy some new equipment every now and again! I was really suprised that he played all the instruments on this one. His music loses something lately when he doesn't have the contribution of other artist. Think of how TRC would sound if it was completely composed, performed and arranged by Prince.

Songs like ICPC, and A million Days, would sound so much better with Mr.Blackwell on drums, Renato on keys, and Rhonda on base.

As for the review, I think it was fair. I don't agree, but I could see how he came to the conclusion on some songs.

It just seems like we've heard all these chords and riffs played with more passion and warmth before. I spend much of my time listening to this albun and thinking to myself where have I heard that before. Sounds very dated compared with anything being produced today.

If you listened to the CD directly after coming out of the concert, as I did, it does make a sharp contrast to his earlier and better work. I'll spin it for a while and probably take a couple of songs from it and put it on some Prince mix cd or something.

Life of the Party is probably a 1, I see what he was trying to do but that's the problem, he's trying way too hard on this one. It really does remind me of JugHead, worse song I"ve heard by Prine in a year or two.

I love Dear Mr. Man. Especially the intro. Take the first 16 seconds of that song before the groove kicks end. Now imagine if Prince just would have stayed there for a while and made an entire song with that groove, or with the same energy that he song the chorus of IPCC.

romance 1600 shouldnt listen to these damn hippies moaning about 'so many critics in here' 'what could you have done' blah blah, thats BS. people are entitled to give their opinions. just cos it offends your 'prince is god' worldview, doesnt mean its wrong. and as for that 'what could you do thats better' crap, well, why should that matter? i could equally say to everyone posing that question that 'you cant do any better, thats why you think princes rubbish songs are good'.

Nice review. From what you said I think I'm gonna love the first half of the album and dislike the second. Like I did with Rave.

thanks for the review... I fell asleep during Musicology (the track) and woke up when Andre3000 was screaming in my ear