Prince Album: “Love Symbol Album”

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).

I'll be honest, I wasn't a big fan of this album when it came out twenty years ago (!). I felt Prince, normally was a trend setter, was falling in line with the trends of rapping, scratching, and a latecomer to the whole New Jack hip hop rhythms when he tried working all these different elements into the Love Symbol album. But for some reason, I decided to go back and give this album another listen and was really surprised how much I enjoyed it today. It's hard to explain why it got better with age. Maybe it's because it's one of the last albums where he wasn't afraid to get dirty and nasty like on the classic funky "Sexy M.F.", or he made soulful grooves without making them overly sappy or emotional on "Damn U", or becomes triumphant without taking it too far over the top in "My Name Is Prince" or "The Flow". It keeps shifting gears through the album while you get the feeling as in "1999", "I don't want 2 hurt u, I just want 2 have some fun". He seems like he's having a damn good time and it comes off much better today as a reminder of the genius he is and one hopes he'll let himself and release another one of these in the future.

Many have explained this album before, many have stated (and I agree) that this album is underrated and underappreciated. With beautiful songs like 7 (a single that I witnessed a mother buying for her 10 year old son...now how often would u have had that happen back in the day with prince's lyrics?) and of course the deliciously over-the-top opera of the Sacrifice of Victor, it's hard not to find something to love. And God created Woman was also very beautiful. Very much in the operatic vein as well. And for those who states that Prince tends to lean towards objectifying women (as opposed to worhsipping them) with songs like Sexy MF, simply did not listen to the lyrics.I've always loved the fact that on the surface the song tends to be saying one thing, but when you listen to the lyrics you find that you were wrong. "It ain't about the body/it's about the mind". I've always loved Prince's songwriting skills. As someone who writes myself (though I'm still working on getting published)I can appreciate the subtleties, the ironies and the effectiveness of the words he chooses. And yes I did find it ironic that on the same album (see accompanying video Chains O' Gold) that he used to announce his name change that his first song is called "My Name is Prince". and being Prince means he doesn't have to play by our rules. While the segues are a bit distracting and sometimes interferes with the flow of the album, I don't mind them really. I love Kirstie Alley and she was a good choice for the video etc. I'm a huge Cheers fan so anytime two things I love intertwine, I'm happy. But, he is attempting to set up the "opera" with the segues so It's something you can deal with. I also agree with the person who said that Sign O' the Times was his favorite album. Mine too. I use that one to showcase Prince to anyone who asks. But this album is a definite must have especially for anyone who grew up in the nineties (and may not have been aware of the 80's Prince. This shows his talents/evolution in the second major decade of his carreer. I hope that Rhino who put out the Diamonds and Pearls dvd will also put out the 3 Chains O' Gold video on dvd. so everyone has a chance to see it in conjunction with this album. It's a real treat to see the video and listen to this album it will make you appreciate it a whole lot beter. Either way I want to recommend this to anyone who's just getting started with Prince. You can always go safe with Purple Rain or you can just start with the best of the best, starting with 1999 then onto Sign O' the Times then this album and then for later years 3121. And once you get into those and understand how his musical mind works you can fill in the gaps at your leisure. Though I'd highly recommend Around the World in a Day as well. Take your time and just relax your mind and listen. Don't read any reviews (except this one of course lol) and don't read any criticisms, because critics are bored and hate music...and make up your own mind. Once this music starts flowing into your ears and goes deeper inside of you you'll know exactly what I mean. There's a lot to love about this album.

Ever since Prince "converted" there's been a slightly subdued "edge" to his music. The "love symbol album," as this one is commonly referred, shows the singer at his most enigmatic, hedonistic, self-centered, controversial, and, to a certain extent, spiritual, than anything he produced up to that time, and, perhaps, more than his releases in the last decade. When he announces "My name is Prince" in the first track, the listener should be prepared. There is truly no one else like the guy from Minneapolis.

With backing on vocals and instrumentation by The New Power Generation, Prince has never sounded better and clocking in at just under seventy minutes, there's a lot of good music to behold.

The album comes with a "parental advisory" for the album's explicit lyrics and that disclaimer is warranted. Even though many of the songs are populated by profanities, they don't detract from the songs. In fact, unlike others who need a "cuss word" or two to supply a shock, Prince's songs are enhanced by a zinger here or there. But, mind you, the subject matter is definitely for the adult and caution should be advised when playing around "little ears."

Highlights include the aforementioned first cut, the James Brown-like "Sexy M.F.,", "The Max," "Blue Light," "I Wanna Meet with U," "Damn U," "The Flow," the gospel-influenced "7", and "And God Created Woman."

The entire album is a showcase for the funkiness of an artist that has been influential for close to three decades...with many more to come.