MUTED 'EARTH' TONES: Prince's latest is no masterpiece, but it'll do
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070722/ENT04/707220534/103
9
July 22, 2007
BY MARTIN BANDYKE
FREE PRESS SPECIAL WRITER
After a number of inconsistent albums, Prince has thankfully been making a
significant comeback as a recording artist over the last few years,
releasing the back-to-basics "Musicology" (2004) and "3121" (2006). "Planet
Earth" is another worthy bid from this music icon to re-establish a
connection with those who may have lost track of him. Nope, it isn't the
masterpiece Prince fans have longed for, but it'll do just fine.
Reunited with Revolution band mates Wendy (Melvoin) and Lisa (Coleman),
Prince is in excellent voice throughout the 10 songs on "Planet Earth," even
if the material doesn't always rate with his past glories.
Notably, his lyrics these days barely even creep into PG-13 territory, not
at all like his former, XXX-rated self. So be aware that if you like the
Purple One only when he's in a lascivious mood, you'd better stick to your
copy of "Dirty Mind."
"Guitar" certainly shows that Prince can still rock as convincingly as he
did in his early days. This one starts out with a guitar lick that owes more
than a little to U2's "I Will Follow" and is delicious fun, similar to such
adrenaline-fueled oldies as "Let's Go Crazy" and "Delirious."
Quieter but equally compelling is "Somewhere Here on Earth," a gorgeous mix
of old-school soul and smooth jazz. Prince's ageless falsetto is more than a
little reminiscent of vintage Smokey Robinson, and the addition of some
muted trumpet and gentle piano accents lend this ballad an elegant touch.
There are some scattered misfires, including "Future Baby Mama" and "All the
Midnights in the World," both a touch lifeless and uninspired. The idea of a
singer as gifted as Prince rapping in a monotone on "Mr. Goodnight" is not a
good one, either.
Much better is the eco-friendly title track, which has melodic echoes of one
of Prince's heroes, Joni Mitchell. The best thing on "Planet Earth,"
however, is the groove-filled "Chelsea Rodgers," which has funky, disco-era
drum and bass lines that are simply Chic, plus a kicking horn riff right out
of Earth, Wind & Fire. More of this and Prince could've achieved something
on the order of "1999" in 2007.
Copyright C 2007 Detroit Free Press Inc.
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