'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

this time around, i think its more like he's reminding people what artistry in music is all about. he doesn't need to teach...his class ended years ago. this is more like a review.

and muthafuckas need to pay attention cuz they are about to fail!

Great review. I agree with everything that guy said. Prince is definitely doing work that is a few notches down from the level he used to be at. You can't expect him to totally recapture that old genius, but it'd be nice if he got closer.

All the songs on Musicology are just rehashes of old hits..his worst album to date...don;t believe the hype.

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[/quote]

This kind of statement always bugs me. I find myself wanting to remind the writer that it's not us, but him, that has the expectation here. If a person gets upset and their expectations not being fulfilled, then THAT'S THEIR PROBLEM and no one else's.

Every time Prince releases a new album, I only look for one thing - the possibility that is present in the album, and I'm never disappointed, because I don't place expectations where they don't belong!

Get the point? Good, let's dance!

Eric

RupertZ said:

What is your point, here? Gosh, you people get on him when he writes new stuff, and you get on him when he wants to do similar stuff to what he used to do? WHAT'S THE DEAL?

poetbear68 said:

I totally agree with you Poetbear. Eveyone's a critic - Seems like nobody can be satisfied nor do they want to be! Sad...

July said:

Critics kill me with teaching something new. B4 u can learn something new u have 2 pass the class b4 u move on, and prince is teaching step by step. Schools in fools so pay attention!!

July said:

I have to admit that this is a good point. But when I heard those snippets for the first time in the album context I just wanted to skip quick to the next song right away. So it can work the both ways, I guess...

RupertZ said:

How can you call this a great review? You're missing the point along with this critic. Prince is clearly not making any attempt to go into to studio and re-create Purple Rain, 1999, or any of his former sounds. And as a musician myself, I appreciate a motherfucker who makes a concious effort not to repeat him/herself.

Get off of this "he doesn't sound like he used to sound" bullshit. Think about it, do you do things today the same way that you did them 20 fucking years ago? Haven't you developed some new ideas in the past 20 years? On second thought...don't answer that.

This is actually a very accurate review in my opinion. I couldn't have said it better myself. As a longtime diehard Prince fan, I'm very disappointed in this album. We've heard it all before, only we've heard it much, much better. Most of the tracks are average and even boring to listen to--again, in my opinion. What a shame that this should be the release for his big comeback. It's only going to make people say, what's all the fuss about? It hasn't nothing even remotely close to the excitement of albums like Purple Rain, Lovesexy, Sign O The Times, or even the Symbol album.

switters said:

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all of the above mr negative yes truth yes

you took the words right outta my mouth, exactly, i cant believe how poor this album is,he should change his old advice line from "dont buy the black album" 2 "dont buy musicology cos its piss poor" its also really sad this album being backed by a major label and gets excellent reviews because of it. also im not buying a lesson in music, im buying a cd 2 enjoy or (not as in this case), im looking 4 hooks, killer melodys,originallity, and this aint it. one reviewer compared this 2 a 2004 version of sign of the times, how i laughed my tits off!

anyway prince keep up the good work..lol

youngyosh said:

The album is getting good reviews bcuz they like it, just like they did'nt like RAVE even though the great Clive Davis and Arista loved iit. It's all subjective, but the non-prince fans that i play it 4 love the cd. TMBGITW was a major hit without the backing of a major label. I personally liked RAVE bcuz it was different from NPS. It just might turn out 2 b a single disc version comparable 2 SOTT becuz of the new and younger audiences that might become attracted 2 it especially if this years tour is their 1st Prince live xperience. The different styles in the 1st 4 songs 4 these newjacks might have the same affect that the 1st 4 songs on SOTT had on the critics and most of the peeps that i grew up with were blown away at the different styles that he covered, and if u look close enuff Musicology has the same feel with less songs!