Prince Album: “Love Symbol Album [Edited Version]”

Who knows what signs Prince interpreted from the resurgence of his career with the success of Diamonds And Pearls. Songs like "Gett Off" and "Push" signalled a more hip-hop/new jack/house party, with rap incorporated by both he and Tony M. That sound went into overdrive with (Symbol). And despite the new music scene of grunge, Prince seemed to look forward in the same light as he did the 80's, as judged by the futuristic buildings on the (Symbol) album, and the name of his band, the New Power Generation.

"My Name Is Prince"--yes, at least until the Beautiful Experience and then the Gold Experience. After an airy synth beginning, it's hip-hop/house overdrive, where Prince raps more than sings. Raps? His voice is more a loud and hoarse in the same way John Lennon sang "Twist and Shout" till his vocal chords were shredded. Part braggadocio, part affirmation that he's one to be reckoned with, and part reflections on being a star: "big cars and women and fancy clothes/will save your face, but it won't save your soul." Other songs that incorporate that thumping hip-hop/dance is "The Max" and "The Flow," which is another Prince/Tony B rap.

With a title like rapping "S-xy MF" Prince was clearly not looking for radio play in this naughty song with strong guitar, horns, and organ support.

The soulful ballad with jazz/rock stylings, "The Morning Papers" shows Prince in romantic poet mode: "if he poured his heart into a glass and offered it like wine." My favourite song here, especially with the fiery guitar and horns. So is the leisure jazz number "Blue Light," which features Eric Leeds on sax.

A fuzzy bass synth sound permeates in the bouncy seductive first experience and beyond of "I Wanna Melt With U", where Prince intones more than sings--that job's for his backing vocalists.

Everybody gets burned by love so hold back those tears. That's the advice Prince gives to some sweet thing in "Sweet Baby," which is another great keyboards and piano ballad done in Prince's falsetto. Smoother and more polished than "Insatiable," it's more a song of comfort compared to hotter material like "Do Me Baby" or "Slow Love." "D-mn U" is a lush slow-dancing strings/piano ballad, where his lyrical creativity is still alive, describing love as "having a hundred million little heart attacks."

"The Continental" is analogous to this album's "U Gotta The Love," with the grinding guitar and a heckuva party atmosphere. Carmen Electra has a soft-spoken guest rap in the latter part of the song.

"7" incorporates Biblical Revelation imagery with a futuristic vision of an enlightened and educated youth who will never grow old. A worthy enough choice for a single. Genesis is the reference for "And God Created Woman," with references to taking a rib, temptation, and serpents as experienced in his life.

The mini-opera "3 Chains Of Gold," which put together are the nucleus of his soul, has differing tempos and rhythms, part early swinging Prince, part lush falsetto ballad, part airy guitar solo, and even a section reminding me of the "I'm such a poor boy with a poor family" part of "Bohemian Rhapsody" All that's missing is a "mamma mia let me go."

"The Sacrifice of Victor" with backing by the Steeles, sums up Prince as a product of the civil rights era, with references to Dr. King's death and the rioting and burning that followed, and the discipline and perseverance to make it where he was.

As defining and groundbreaking as Sign O The Times, with as much material, (Symbol) can be considered the last masterpiece Prince put out. Prince then took the symbol as his new name, issuing five albums under it, as well as older unreleased material under Prince. That's another chapter, which sadly isn't as rich as the previous ones.

This album, the 1992 followup to 1991's "Diamonds and Pearls," is where the Artist shines beyond anything previous; it is the culmination of all his work up until that point, and it's a purely joyful musical experience. It encapsulates every genre Prince had adapted -- rock, funk, jazz, rap, orchestral, and just plain strange -- and it never lets up; it's a party on a CD. Listen to the musical meltdowns during "The Morning Papers," "The Max," "The Continental," and "The Sacrifice of Victor," and you'll understand what I mean. It also contains the notable hits "Sexy MF" and "7." Though "Purple Rain," "Sign O the Times" and even "Lovesexy" are perhaps more *important* albums, this one is more polished and fun. If you listen to it enough to pick up on the musical nuances, you'll find yourself in pure wonderment as to how he even *conceived* of the arrangements, let alone the lyrics; Prince desreves many kudos as producer alone, aside from his performance!). This album was a fairly big success at the time, topping the Billboard charts at #5 (higher than "Sign O the Times"), selling over 1 million copies, and producing the top-ten single, "7" (which, ironically, peaked at #7 on the singles charts).

The only flaw in this album is the "Kirstie Alley/Reporter theme," which attempts to tell a story, but ends up confusing.

Best Songs: "My Name is Prince," "Sexy MF," "The Morning Papers," "Blue Light," "The Max," "The Continental," "7," "Three Chains O Gold," "The Flow," and "Damn U," (one of his greatest ever ballads).

Find this album and cherish it; things changed for Prince after this one -- it was so good, he didn't even follow it up with an album the following year, only a "Greatest Hits" collection. I don't think that was a coincidence; I'll bet Prince felt he couldn't possibly top it for a while. (It wasn't until 1995 that he released his next purely "new" album, "The Gold Experience," (1994's "Come" being more or less a loose contractual obligation) which was absolutely incredible in its own right).

Immensely entertaining product, provided at an exceptionally reasonable price, combined with better-than-expected, expeditious delivery... "A-for effort" simply isn't an adequate representation; this is an A+ product/customer service rendering. Thank you so very kindly!!!

I came across this album at the age of 16. Now, 10 years later I listened to it again. It still makes the same glorious effect. Diamonds and pearls, compared to this masterpiece? Come on. Let's be serious. This album is a work of art. Funky rhythms... great soul... and what's the matter with 3 chains of gold? It's sexy, and its opera, and its metal... is everything u wanna hear. If u are a classical trained pianist... like me, you hear... passion. That's the right definition. Passion. 10 years later when I hear... "i wanna melt with u..." It still gives me the creeps. This is maybe the most underrated album ever. I don't know the real reasons, but maybe it was obfuscated by the symbol-name-record company problems and disagreements. The same fate of the COME album... which is also great.

The SYMBOL album however is not 4 everyone. U really need an open mind even if it has many great songs that your ear can pick up in a moment. Seven, My Name is Prince, Sexy MF... are just a couple of them. U have to expand your mind to enter in the beauty of this album... and that's why maybe it wasn't a huge hit. However I see a REAL PRINCE in this masterpiece.

Have fun. Even if u don't buy it...

An album that wasn't received as well as his previous release "Diamonds & Pearls," the o)+> album is probably one of Prince's most adventurous efforts. It has the experimental feel of "Parade" and "Sign 'O' The Times" but with more lavish orchestration and tighter production (however, I still wouldn't rank this album above "Sign 'O' The Times"). Prince dips his magic hands into reggae, opera, techno, and gospel. He pulls gold from this album. The 2nd track on this album, the infamous "Sexy M.F.", has got to be the most singular funky song he ever produced. James Brown guitar, punchy horns, back-bottom drums, it is funk perfected and personified in one song. This album is a weird mix, but give it enough time and it will grow on you.