DR. PRINCE TEACHES "MUSICOLOGY" 101
by Mike Mucchetti

I've been a Prince fan since I was old enough to understand what music truly was, and I can say with utmost certainty this is far and away his best album since "The Gold Experience." For those unaware, that was released in 1995. So, for almost a decade, we've had generally mediocre albums with gems sprinkled here and there. Occasionally we got a healthy serving of good material like "Crystal Ball," a bootleg collection released in 1998. That was the exception. Not the rule. "Rave un2 The Joy Fantastic"(1999) and "The Rainbow Children"(2001), his two most recent studio albums, were certainly not his best work. "Rave" sounded contrived and forced, and "TRC," while musically very impressive, was bogged down by its own weight. Too much spirituality and theocratic debate on one record. Not to say that Prince hasn't tackled these issues in the past, but he has done so in a more subtle manner. "TRC" was just to much at one time.

Now he gives us "Musicology," the first true Prince album of the 21st century. Funk, soul, jazz, blues, and R&B are fused perfectly. Prince's bouncy tenor and soaring falsetto sound as breathtaking now as they did in 1984. "Musicology" as a single is the most infectious groove he's released since the early 90's. Its a stark reminder of just how powerful and addictive a simple chord progression and a thumping bassline can be. The track sounds almost a little too simple on a first listen, but then again, so did "Kiss" the first time you heard it. Like Anthony DeCurtis said in his review for Rolling Stone, less is more. "Illusion, Coma, Pimp & Circumstance," the second track on the album, is an important song for two reasons. One, it reminds us just how good of a story teller Prince is, and secondly, it illustrates that when he wants to be, he can be very, very funny. "When Dorris caught'im in her arms / She shrugged her shoulders and said no harm / Just put u're name on this prenup / and we can all hit the disco." Brilliant.

"A Million Days" and "Cinnamon Girl," the two true rock'n'roll tracks on the album, are some of the strongest songs Prince has released in a very long time. "A Million Days," while it certainly displays the sorrow and melancholy of the singer, feels like a sing-a-long single. This is a top 40 hit if theres ever been one. It combines a catchy rhythm with meaningful lyrics and good instrumentation. A combination seriously lacking in most pop music today. "Cinnamon Girl," while not as viable as a single, smacks of 80s contempo-rock with a hook that Bruce Springsteen wishes he'd thought of. Its not as musically complex as "A Million Days," but its strengthened by a guitar solo and good acoustic backing. The most noticeable thing lacking on "Musicology" is the soaring guitar work that Prince has been known for throughout his career. Sparse solos on a few tracks and some funky riffs on "Musicology" and "Illusion, Coma, Pimp & Cricumstance," but thats about it.

The albums strengths, however, far outweigh its weaknesses. "Call My Name" sends every neo-soul singer straight back to school, and "On The Couch" is a slinky, bluesy, horny little track that Andre3000 of Outkast could take a few cues from. "Life 'O' The Party," by far his best party song since "Sexy MF" in 1992, is an ass-slapping club shakin' dance jam that conjures memories of "Housequake" and "Erotic City." The track is infused with funk, reggae and hip hop, and while it might not become a favorite among his faithful, it'll move heads onto any dance floor. The one track that sounds a bit out of place on the record is "What Do U Want Me 2 Do," which sounds like a redone outtake from 1987's "Sign 'O' The Times." Not a bad song, but the drum machine and hollow sounding synth with a rather quiet vocal doesn't flow very well with the general sound of the record. It sounds better out of the context of the album, and might have been better suited to the b-side of a single.

Prince's ability to meld styles and sounds is legendary, but it does fall flat on "The Marrying Kind," which is by far the weakest track on the album. It sounds like a combination of contemporary R&B rhythm with a 80s hard rock charged guitar overlayed with a layered vocal that doesn't fit the sound of the track very well. However, it leads into "If Eye Was The Man In Ur Life," which is a spirited and totally enjoyable upbeat jam with a quick, clever lyric and an interesting story to tell. It also showcases Prince's acrobatic and outstanding NPG Horns, possibly the best funk horn section around. By the way, Prince's band, The New Power Generation, is one the tightest funk units the planet has ever seen. The talent among the group is almost frightening.

"Dear Mr. Man" and "Reflection," the closing tracks on the record, show Prince for what he truly is now. A man nearing middle age, reflecting on his past, wondering about his future, and trying to make sense of all of it. "Dear Mr. Man" is Prince's best social commentary since "Money Don't Matter 2nite" off of 1991's "Diamond's and Pearls." It combines a strong message with a slick, funky R&B groove; a solid track all around. "Reflection" is just what it sounds like: talking about the old days, and wishing for simpler times. It doesn't come across as whiny or trite, but wistful. I can't help but get the feeling that Prince was smiling while he recorded the vocals on this one. All in all, this is the best album that Prince has produced since he changed his name to a symbol in 1993 (Remember this thing : ?). Its a record that shows us that not only is he still important, but that he's still better than all his imitaters put together. People can borrow his sound, rip off his style, sample all they want, and they won't ever come close. 26 years after he released "For You," his first record in 1978, the truth is plain: Prince is one of a kind. And nobody else will ever come close.

Rating : 4 out of 4 stars
Recommended to : Fans of neo-soul, underground hip hop, or anyone looking for something new and different.

very nice review, Mike. I might not agree with all of your opinions, but this is a great and thoughtful piece! For what paper was this written, and would you mind if I supplied it to the editors of our university's student paper? Most of my students already know me as the professor with what they have deemed the "prince affliction", so a review from me might not be viewed as objective.

Octavius said:

It was written for the Quinnipiac Chronicle, although I haven't submitted it yet since the album hasn't been released in stores. As for supplying it to the editors of your university's paper, I have no problem with that at all. I'd be rather flattered actually.

cool! thanks. i'll send it in next week (week of april 19th).

Octavius said:

by the way, i'd like 2 know which opinions u disagreed with. i'd like 2 have an intelligent discussion about this album with someone.

Starting tomorrow night (Monday April 12th), you can hear my radio show "The Mothership Connection" streaming live over the web on 98.1 WQAQ. Check our website www.wqaq.com for details. If a special link is needed, I'll post it here tomorrow during the day. Tune in!

Tomorrow night we'll be doing a James Brown tribute, playing tracks from "Musicology, " Talking about a file sharing article in the latest Rolling Stone, and playing some ass kickin' funk!

getwild007 said:

Nice write up GW..it was cool meeting u at Staples.

Nice review dude. One of the better ones I have seen up here. However, I must say that I

strongly disagree with your take on the “Marrying Kind.” I think that track is one of the

few original/least consciously derivative songs on the record. TGE guitars spliced with

the bounce of Dirty Mind. Probably the only track on the record with edge and a fresh

sound.

17ways69days said:

thx 4 the feedback. the sound of "marrying kind" just didn't work 4 me, although i know peeple have been digging it. all feedback is appreciated.

Yeah, I agree with 17ways...for the most part I loved your review -- but The Marrying Kind has been kicking my ass for going on 3 weeks with no signs of stopping. The lyrics are hot, sweaty and smart, the organ is grinding, and his vocals oh my GOD his vocals!!!!!

Here's my review for your review:

It's a good review for the most part, but you might want to reconsider the length of the paragraphs - they're a bit too long to be published in a newspaper. Also there's some unnecessary repetition throughout the writing, but for the most part the text is fluent enough.

Also, voicing opinions such as "he hasn't done anything worthwhile since 19xy" have no place in a review - you might see some journalists doing it, but it doesn't mean you have to sink to such levels. Referring to other critics is also something that is best avoided. And never, ever, use such expression as "contrived" to describe anything - unless you are willing to back it up with further arguments.

But good work nonetheless!