Taken from this months new issue of renowned UK Gay magazine 'Attitude':

PRINCE - MUSICOLOGY (NPG/Columbia)
Rated: 4 out of 5

The world seems primed for the return of the true king. What with the eminent re-release of Purple Rain - both album and film - later this year, Prince rocking the Grammys with Beyonce and hitting the road for the biggest tour he's done in over a decade, the buzz is sho nuff buzzin'. The man looks younger, more vital than he has in years and - as anyone who caught his london shows last year will tell you - is at the peak of his powers as a musician and performer!

SO is Musicology going to see him back on Top of The Pops? The answer is 'no'. As good as this album is - and, let's be clear there are some utterly fantastic moments on offer, Prince has bypassed fads and fashions to, yet again, make the record that he wanted to make.

This is no bad thing, Musicology is almost a condensed history of black music, from the old school swagger of the title track to the minimal horn-blessed funk of Life O' The Party, and the slow grinding rythmn and blues sensuality of Call My Name (a Do Me Baby pt II).

Elsewhere we dip into jazz, several modes of soul and rock-funk before the triple-punch climax of On The Couch (a career-high gospel-style soul number to make even Al Green vex and every other male soul singer see red), Dear Mr Man (utterly wonderful funky lament about the state of the world which - hurrah - features Sheila E on shaker!) and the simple but beautiful Reflection. In short - strong songs, great grooves and a versatile collection of sounds.

There may not be a top five hit here, but give me a consistent album over a quick fix anyday.

School is most definately in.
~ Elia Rulli
[This message was edited Fri May 7 8:51:11 2004 by bananacologne]

"Return Of The True King"

I like that!

Nice honest review.

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I thought the "triple-punch climax" was "The Marrying Kind," "If Eye Was The Man In Ur Life," and "On the Couch." I like "Dear Mr. Man" as well, but "Reflection" doesn't do much for me -- nice song, yeah -- but makes me sleepy.

Love the review. I think it is well ballanced, honest and straight forward. I love the acknowledgement that Prince "bypassed fads and fashion." He could have made a much more hip-er album, complete with contributions from the hottest rappers, to a duet with Beyonce. The guy shot from the hip. And hey, it's a pretty good shot! Like the review says, "there may not be a top five hit here, (which has yet to be seen actually) but give me a consistant album over a quick fix any day."


Peace
Reece

This is a complete review..very balanced!

Its concise and to the point, without wallowing in psycho-babble or the reviewer's own pretensions.

Jasziah said:

I agree. "If Eye..." is my favorite moment on the disc.

bananacologne said:

I read about the film, but the album?! Anyone got any info on this!??!