Disco de Prince: “Musicology”

Musicology is one of the most accessible prince albums of the last years, no real tricks or treats, just old fashioned funk and soul. The title song really is a killer, also nice is that a video of the song is added to the CD which you can view on your PC. Some highlights: "Life O the party" is a solid party jam with a nice role for Candy Dulfer (which i like as a dutch citizen:), "Call my name" is in my view destined to become a classic prince song, "Dear Mr. Man" is a nice political song in the funk tradition of sly stone. If there is any criticism to make i would like to say that the last few tracks of the CD seem to be less brilliant than let's say the first six songs, however I am not complaining about the quality in general.

Maybe this album can put Prince back in the spotlight, a place he deserves if you look at the quality of his work and his undeniable influence on many other artists. If you ever liked prince, but didn't appreciate his latest albums, don't hesitate, buy it, you won't be disappointed.

Prince is definitely an artist that you can't define. After listening to this album, No one can run through many styles of music with this much ease. The lead single "Musicology" is a straight funky song as well as the second song "Illusion,Coma,Pimp, and Cirumstance". Then he switches gears into a nice mid-tempo rock song " A Million Days". The music on this album that he touches are straight funk, jazz, rock and roll, and soulful r&b. This album is definitely a study of music. R&B folks might be put off by a couple of rock songs like " A Million Days" and "Cinammon Girl" and vice versa. But this entire album flows from the first song to the last song. You definitely can't put a format on this album. I love all kinds of music and this album braces this concept. No one can run through many different styles of music like this but Prince. That brother knows MUSICOLOGY!!!

Prince has released yet another masterpiece. Most people that wrote a review here had only listened to the album a few times. Hate to break it to you... but no Prince album is felt or understood with a few spins. Months after having my hands on his latest release I am blown away. At first listen it seems so different than his recent work (past 5 years) and seems too "pop sounding". Later you come to realize it is pop but it is so deep at the same time. He made something with a message but still appealing to the mindless masses that love pop music.

Musicology - Gets you ready for the album and is a tribute to the old school. This is far too easy for Prince and I love how fun this song sounds.

Illusion, Coma, Pimp & Circumstance - Another great story by the man in Purple. I often wonder how many of these little tales are true to his life. Entertaining nevertheless.

A Million Days - Anyone who has ever experienced love will understand this song 100%. Anyone currently single person who understands this song will probably weap.

Life O' The Party - I didn't care for this song the first few dozen times I heard it. But I later came to appreciate the simple and fun aspect of the song.

Call My Name - Simply beautiful.

Cinnamon Girl - Was not an immediate fan of this track. Sounded too pop like but after listening to the lyrics and message I came to really enjoy the song.

What Do U Want Me 2 Do - This song has the same qualities for me that Ballad of Dorothy Parker has which is one of my favorite songs.

The Marrying Kind - Songs like this make me proud to be a Prince fan! Again I wish I knew who these stories were about! I can feel the emotion in songs like this.

If Eye Was The Man In Ur Life - I love the Piano in this song and the Chorus. Great Song.

On The Couch - Anyone who doubts Prince should listen to this song. One of the best tracks on the album.

Dear Mr. Man - My favorite track on the album. Political Message, Funk Inspired, and Prince.. what's not to like :)

Reflection - Another beautiful song.

This album is sure to please any Prince fan or casual listener. Those looking for a Purple Rain stick with musicians that don't evolve. Prince will continue to change and although I love Purple Rain I don't want a sequel. Open your mind you are missing out on beautiful and meaningful music.

Prince has released a solid, coherent and cohesive pop album full of well-crafted songs with gr8 melodies and catchy arrangements. 2 things u may like 2 know:

1)The ROCK SONGS R BACK! 4 of the 12 tracks r energetic, immediate rock/pop numbers.

2)The lyrics r the most interesting and accessible since 'Sign o' the times'.

MUSICOLOGY:Propelled by a catchy 'Sign 'o the times'-style bass line, this is a simple, spare funk number about 'the old school joints' we all miss. Tasty synth and organ fills add 2 the interest. The first time I've listened 2 this song I've thought 'good but nothing special' but I was wrong. Give this a little time. It brings back the classic Prince rhythm magic. And it's not even that J.Brown tribute that it seems. Listen carefully:it's pure Prince.

ILLUSION...:Funky song about a young man having a relationship with an ugly but rich woman. The singing is playful and vivacious. Features a synth line reminiscent of P's 1989 b-side 'Sex'. Interesting guitar licks provide a counterpoint 2 the rhythm. Note that an average arranger would have emphasized in some way the chorus, while P keeps it bare all through the song.

A MILLION DAYS:Easily the best track. Stunning rock song with killer melody and the lyrics about parting r sung in a touching way. Tremendous crescendo, short but blazing guitar solo. Beautiful.

LIFE O'THE PARTY:Funky party song. The melody of the chorus is borrowed from P's 'Nasty girl'. The groove is a hard,'Gett off'-style beat, the production is sparse. P's vocal r delivered with energy.

CALL MY NAME:Gr8 love song. Effective and soulful. Neo-soul rookies need 2 go back 2 school. Check out the bass line.

CINNAMON GIRL:Immediate rock/pop number about the aftermaths of 9/11.

WHAT DO U WANT ME 2 DO?:Jazzy pop song with well-crafted melody and harmony. Features the best drum pattern in years with the classic Linn LM-1 drum machine ingeniously programmed, completed by a killer bass line.

THE MARRYING KIND:witty rock melody with P warning a friend not 2 leave his woman or the purple 1 will get her straightaway.

IF I WAS THE MAN IN UR...:the former song and this 1 -altough clearly distinct- work like a 1 narrative, musical-like number. This time he urges a woman 2 leave her man and get with him. Gr8 rock song with beautiful verse.

ON THE COUCH:Bluesy number with classic P falsetto and passionate soul vocals. Check out the organ.

DEAR MR MAN:An open letter 2 the government. Powerful drumming with sparse arrangement(bass,wha guitar,Rhodes and beautiful horns highlighting discreetly some parts of the song).

REFLECTION:peaceful,contemplative pop song with hints of Joni Mitchell and intimate lyrics:'What does that 1 thing have 2 do with the another 1?/I don't know I was just thinking about my Mother.......Mirror tiles above the bed/fishing nets and posters all over the walls/Sometimes I just wanna go sit out on the stoop and play my guitar/and just watch all the cars go by'.

The cd includes the video for 'Musicology' which I think is very good.

Bottom line:P is back in2 the mainstream with immediate and strong songwriting. But be aware that there's nothing sloppy, boring or 'commercial' about this album -in fact it takes repeated listenings 2 fully appreciate it:P never sounds (and never sounded, in my opinion) like any1 else. Still it's a simple and accessible record. What more do u want from a pop album?

This album is by far the true Emancipation. Everything around it says that this man is really in-tune to his craft and that it's time to let the past remain there.

Songs that stand out to me are Cinnamon Girl which almost reminds me of "I could never take the place of your man" from Sign O' the Times and "Call My Name." His name is Prince but he is truly the King of R&B Ballads.

I had the pleasure of going to the concert (Musicology) and I was not even surprised that he would make the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center his house.

To top it off, we all recieved a copy of the CD which , since the cost of it is included with the ticket sales, is at the top of the music charts. He should get a Grammy for just being the businessman that he is alone. Correct me if I am wrong but I think he is the first person to ever pull such a stunt.

Finally, to all of you who are still looking for "Purple Rain" - THOSE DAYS ARE GONE!!! Let me say it again. THOSE DAYS ARE GONE!!! If you want Purple Rain so much, then I suggest you go to the DVD store and purchase the anniversary edition of the movie. He (Prince) is retiring P-Rain after the tour and frankly, I think he should have done it before the millenium came in. The Purple Rain Prince was 25 years old. The man we know today is 45. He has evolved into the man we all knew he would evolve into. If he's wanting to leave that 20 year old album behind him, what makes you think that you somehow have the right to insist that he shouldn't? Who's really dwelling in the past here? Can't wait 'til the next album Prince. Bring it on!