Posted 4/19/2004 8:17 PM



Prince regains his R&B throne on 'Musicology'

http://www.usatoday.com/l...n-up_x.htm

Prince finally has his act together after years of record company battles, name changes and other distractions.

R&B:

Prince, Musicology (* * *½ out of four) After years of scattershot releases, moniker confusion, industry battles and a retreat into his self-contained Internet kingdom, Prince can again be formally known as relevant. Musicology is a potent reminder of his undiminished skills as a soul crooner, rock guitarist and pop songsmith. Rehabilitating the vintage-vibed funk/rock of his heyday, Prince is focused and ferocious in a dozen concisely drawn tunes that summon his feverish impulses but never lapse into shapeless jams. Newfound religious faith has curtailed his randy nature, yet a sensual humidity permeates every space, from the blistering funk in Life 'o' the Party to the warmth of ballad Reflection to the snaking blues of On the Couch. In the title track's heady swirl of old-school rhythms, Prince pays homage to yesteryear's brotherhood of R&B greats while re-establishing his role as the fraternity's president. —Edna Gundersen

and titles like this are exactly why he should not release call my name as the next single.

SassierBritches said:

And why is that? It's an R&B song, and a damn fine one.

I think its funny how he writes a title/song called "Call my Name".. when he didnt have a name for like 7 years.. I just think that title is open for jokes, and what have u.. but its a great song.

MendesCity said:

because the heading of this article in usa today reads "Prince regains his R&B throne on 'Musicology''. when peeps see that they will automatically lump it into an rnb category. the album is so much more than one genre. if he releases a funk song followed by a slow jam (even if it is a great track) people who may not be interested in funk/rnb/soul may just bypass the record althogether.

Dig if u will a picture...

Imagining Call My Name b4 U heard it?

What does it sound like than?

Better yet when U call me what do U say?

A pathetic plea or a whoa is me?

Listening to it now what do U hear?

Have U yet 2 hear Call My Name in its entirety?

2004
1984

uh oh...someone's been in the purple kool-aid...

Purple Wannabees aside , I think the R&B label in the headline also misfires. It's probably born out of an unconscious thing. Prince couldn't possibly be "rock" or "pop." He's too, well, you know...

USA TODAY cannot say "finally" anything. They've been prasing most of Prince's releases in the 90's-see "Rave" and "emancipation" reviews.

skywalker said:

If you follow USA Today you will know that Edna Gunderson is a big P fan. I can't recall any story or review of P's not being written by her over the last 15 years or so in USA Today.

ThreadBare said:

you know, it always bothers me that when i go to most record stores, prince is filed under r&b/soul. how is that possible? it color coding also cracks me up when i see janet and michael under r&b/soul but madonna and justin timberlake and britney spears are under pop. whatever.

SassierBritches said:

SassyBritches said:

In Europe, in the early 90s, Prince was often filed under Techno/Hip-hop.

SassierBritches said:

"USA Today: Prince regains his R&B throne on 'Musicology"


something
big
IS
coming

SassierBritches said:

U out yo' head. Call my name is one of the best songs on the album!