Disco de Prince: “Planet Earth”

I should begin this review by telling you what I was expecting from Planet Earth: not much. I've learned several painful lessons over the last 12 years, from various Prince stinkers (Stink-os & Disorder, Rave Un2 The Stink Fantastic, The Rainbow Stink), but the main lesson is this: Prince's fastball ain't what it used to be. I can accept that now. There was a time when I couldn't accept that, a time when I proclaimed Emancipation to be the greatest album of the 90s, and in fact as good as Purple Rain.

Now I'm older and hopefully more mature (though I did throw on Emancipation one more time the other night, still searching for that greatness I thought I once heard). After the horrific artistic crime that was The Rainbow Children, I officially gave up on Prince. It was SO CLEARLY OVER. And everyone knew it but pointy-headed critics and him.

But of course, as a fan I never stopped hoping. When Musicology came out, of course I bought it. However, I waited two whole months instead of rushing right out to get it. As an album, Musicology was definitely an improvement (which is like saying North is better than When I Was Cruel), but overall it was not a good album. I listened to it for a week and then put it away, saying he had gone away from pretentious concept junk and was back to putting out bland junk.

However, two songs did stick in my mind: "Call My Name", and "What Do You Want Me 2 Do?" Those two diamonds in the dogpile did provide a flicker of hope. And let me tell you, those two songs are as good as anything Prince has ever done (so is 1+1+1 Is 3, but it's on The Rainbow Children and that album is a total affront). There was something else, too, but I couldn't figure out what it was, and I didn't want to revisit "Illusion, Coma, Pimp & Circumstance" ad nauseum.

Then came 3121, which is easily Prince's best album in a long time, since his acoustic "The Truth" CD that accompanied his 3-CD Crystal Ball. Then I understood. With Musicology, 3121, and now Planet Earth, he has stopped trying to say, "I'm brilliant." He is now trying to say, "Play this song, you'll like it." That's a good move.

He is now Radio-Friendly Prince, the good company man that Warner Bros. has always wanted him to be. No fake voices, no weird and ultimately dumb interludes between songs between characters in slowed-down voices. Just a collection of 10-12 songs clocking in at under 45 minutes, designed to go Top Ten.

Now Planet Earth finds him once again content to follow trends as opposed to setting them. And you know what? I'm actually ecstatic about that. So while Planet Earth represents Prince running in place, as opposed to the quantum leap in quality that was 3121, for Prince that's a bit of a victory. It means I still have some hope for the next album (which I pray won't be released until 2010).

Planet Earth careens dangerously toward the bland, and initially I dismissed it. But "Mr. Good Night", "Guitar", and "Chelsea Rodgers" all find Prince in fine form. Even the token "Arms Of Orion" cut (named for his worst song on the album) isn't utterly skippable, the way "Te Amo Corazon" was on 3121. On Planet Earth, the "Arms Of Orion" Badtastic Song Award goes to "All The Midnights In The World".

But in the end, this is not the album for newcomers to Prince to start with. And while I'm still in the Prince Artistic Desert, I'm now seeing vegetation as opposed to sand and rocks. I may never discover water again, but for the first time my hope has not yet been shaken.

And that next Prince album? I'll be buying it the day it comes out.

I have been a fan since I was 11 years old.. yeah back in 1981!

Prince is still THE artist of our time, before his time.

But I think he missed the boat with this CD.

I sometimes have to listen a couple of times before deciding what I like on his CDs, but I can't get thru this CD a second time. I do not enjoy it, and its sad to say, but true.

I enjoyed Musicology, but haven't REALLY loved a cd of his since Emancipation. Once you start to see Prince on Verizon Wireless commercials, you know its a different time....

Hope he brings the funk back the next time around.. many of us who have been fans from the beginning will be waiting..

With every album Prince unveils, comes the hope that he will serve up another classic like Purple Rain or Sign O' the Times- albums loaded with raw, sexy funk music, racy lyrics, catchy choruses, and at least a handful of potential hit singles that would leave a permanent mark on pop culture. Well, apart from last year's 3121, that hasn't happened since the early nineties. 3121 brought back the Prince of the 80's- at least a little bit, with songs like Black Sweat & Lolita. So with the arrival of Planet Earth and all the critical praise that has surrounded it, I had high hopes. Reuniting with Purple Rain-era bandmates Wendy & Lisa, not to mention Sheila E., almost guaranteed a return to his 80's glory, right? Sadly, no.

Planet Earth is watered-down, mediocre Prince. It's not that it's bad. It's just not great. The highlights here are the 3 (yes, only 3) uptempo cuts. "Guitar" is fun, but too lightweight. "The 1 U Wanna C" is breezy guitar pop but its country-rock flavor will be lost on some fans. "Chelsea" is the only dance-able funk song here, but its lead vocals are by New Power Generation member Marva King. The rest of the 10 tracks here are slow to midtempo R&B ballads, none of which stand out. I like to think these songs will grow on me with time, but I remember the good ol' days when a new Prince album would be so addictive, it wouldn't leave my stereo for months! So come on, Prince! You're headed in the right direction- just give us something spicier to chew on!

One last thing- this CD has NO booklet or lyrics on the inside. Save yourself a trip to the store & just download it from I-tunes.

this CD has to grow on me. It's Prince and I'm a fan. I wouldn't encourage anyone to buy it, but I wouldn't send mine back either.

Everyone knows Prince is always jammin' but this CD has some timeless jams. And they are catchy, but wonderfully unique and artistic. Like secret pearls. So take a listen and discover the secret. I recommend starting the CD with track #10, take a listen to it a couple times, you'll be hooked - then move to track #8 and jam to this a few times. Oh yeah, you'll be feeling O(+> really good! Thank you my fellow musician, I respect you always! : ) Then move on up to #2 and hit the new single and remember that Prince can rock better than most since the 60's - he is a master, a true legend - then jam out to #5 and women - enjoy - this is Prince back at his absolute best. This song can bring life into the world over and over, this is a song of romance, love and truth. Jam out to #6 - and smile at his infectious groove, and kick back and check out the rest of this CD. Oh wait, check out #4 and wow - #3 so Smokey. I like this vocal. Very very Smokey. This CD is deep, different, and grows on you like his classic CD's. It is a 5 star effort, watch, it will grow on you more and more and more - how does he do it? At 48 he sounds 17 ready to explore and he is funkier than ANYONE out today - no one can compare. NO one. : ) Jam on my favorite one. : ) GOD BLESS ALWAYS. Love light in the universe..............PLANET EARTH! Make sure you check out his website for lyrics and pictures. You won't be disappointed, Prince, "Future Baby Mama" is so so sweet. I'd love to sing with you one day! You are just too much, and I LOVE IT!! You keep me young. : )