'Musicology' familiar old lesson

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/4787502/

New album features Prince's classic jams but doesn't break new ground

Prince basically rewrote the textbook for funk, rock and soul over his 25-years-and-counting career.

“Musicology,” Prince
Though Prince has been releasing new music at a steady pace for years, he’s done so in relatively obscurity — at least for someone who used to be a multiplatinum superstar. By eschewing major record labels to dole out his music his way on his terms, he’s fallen out of the pop spotlight — a spotlight he’s now trying to reclaim.

The normally reclusive singer has embarked on a media blitz that’s included a nationwide tour, television appearances, and an album release on Columbia Records. But he won’t call it a comeback attempt. Instead, the newest member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame sees his latest CD, “Musicology,” as his opportunity to school the kids on true music in an era of sampling, lip-synching and nebulous talent.

Problem is, there isn’t much new — or inspiring — in his teachings. Instead, it seems as if he’s dusted off his old lesson plans to try and reach out to a new generation.

Of course, given that Prince basically rewrote the textbook for funk, rock and soul over his 25-years-and-counting career, any lesson he gives is worthy and relevant. But it’s not terribly exciting.

The title track, while engaging, is a retread of those same James Brown-inspired funk grooves he’s done in the past; “Life of the Party,” “Illusion, Coma, Pimp and Circumstance,” about an ugly, rich woman and the man teaching her to groove, sounds disjointed and silly, and lacks the lyrical wit we’ve come to expect from the Purple One. And despite the thumping groove of “Life of the Party,” it’s not something you’d really want to party to.

Certainly, there are some gems here. “Call My Name” is yet another luscious ballad that shows Prince is still the master of intoxicating pillow talk, even as the Jehovah’s Witness has cleaned up his previously naughty act.

“What Do You Want Me 2 Do?” lures you with its mellow, jazzy sound, while “Dear Mr. Man” is a searing, sobering indictment of today’s society that certainly rivals anything he’s done in the past.

But it’s rare his new work reaches the artistic peaks of his previous material — and that’s his conundrum. Those old hits, and even misses, are still dynamic and innovative for today’s musical landscape, and you can’t get them out of your mind.

After the first track, he makes the mistake of interloping snippets of his past hits as a testament to his musical greatness. But it just makes you want to pull out those old tunes and listen to them instead.

It may not be fair to expect Prince, after years and years of being a musical innovator, to keep topping himself. But he’s the one that spoiled us with his musical genius. So we do expect him to teach us something new.
— Nekesa Mumbi Moody

You know, I think this is somewhat unfair. I mean, Prince can't win for losing. There was sect of the population that longs for his old stuff; you know, the one that compares everything to PR and SOTT. Then there's another sect of the population that longs to hear something entirely new and refreshing. I just think he can't win for losing...damn if he does, damnation if he doesn't!

Very good review. Nice to see they aren't simply jumping on the media blitz bandwagon. Side by side, quality wise, I really don't see whats so special about Musicology versus his last several albums. I'm bewildered how people are referring to it as some magnificent return to form.

Quite a few tracks sound computer generated, not like a real band with talented musicians. Hell, TRC probabbly would have fit better with his current ramblings about a lack of musicianship.

I think different people are endeared to Prince for different reasons, but the people who have been endeared to the Music of Prince will look forward to the future musical endeavors of Prince

Sounds like the reviewer is a bitter fan who can't let go of Purple Rain. I'm not saying this because her review isn't favorable of Musicology. But the following statement makes her appear that way:



That alone, proves that she's not giving this album a fair review. No one in musical history has had the power to keep topping him/herself by rivaling their previous output. Based on what she's saying it sounds like the only true stinkers on the album are LOTP and ICPC....which I agree with. But based on the other 10 tracks, Prince put together a solid album. Nothing innovative, nothing groundbreaking... but it's solid. Andre3000 becomes the critics darling for Prince-like rehash and Prince can't even get his due props for making a short and to the point cohesive album
[This message was edited Tue Apr 20 12:21:28 2004 by psykosoul]