- Audio CD (19 April 2004)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Columbia
- ASIN: B0001Z2R5K
- Other Editions: Audio CD
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 32,943 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
Jubilee Offer: Patriot Classics for £2.50 |
Product details |
Track Listings
| 1. Musicology |
| 2. Illusion, Coma, Pimp & Circumstance |
| 3. A Million Days |
| 4. Life 'O' The Party |
| 5. Call My Name |
| 6. Cinnamon Girl |
| 7. What Do U Want Me 2 Do? |
| 8. The Marrying Kind |
| 9. If Eye Was The Man In Ur Life |
| 10. On The Couch |
| 11. Dear Mr. Man |
| 12. Reflection |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Prince's Musicology--his first major-label release for some time--doesn't disappoint. Most of the songs are produced, arranged, composed and "per4med" by the artist himself, with the occasional musician chipping in here and there.
This complete control for the most part works to great effect but there are moments when it does dip into a mire of self-indulgence. The ballad "A Million Days" suffers from simply too much: too much fuzz guitar, too much "ooooooo" and way too much cheese--easily done with a slow song. Thankfully "Call My Name" doesn't follow the same route--Prince opts instead for the smooth soul that influenced latter-day artists such as D'Angelo.
The opener and title track is unabashed funk in a block-party style that the mainstream hasn't seen for many years. Namechecking Run DMC and Public Enemy while the music tips a nod to James Brown's backing band, the JBs, it already sounds like vintage rare groove. "Illusion, Coma, Pimp & Circumstance" sounds most like a session from the Revolution days, with a party vibe expressed in funky guitars, electro stabs and warm synths.
Like most Prince albums, when Musicology is good, it's incredible--when it's not, it just sounds like some recluse mucking about on his own in a recording studio. Thankfully, most of the twelve tracks fit into the former section. --David Trueman
Review
OK, this may be a bit pretentious - well, it is Prince - but I think Prince is a bit like Mozart. They are both obviously musical geniuses.Musicology has more expression in the first note than I've heard from some artists in their entire careers. Both are incredibly prolific. Both had large egos and disputes with patrons who didn't understand them -Emperor Joseph II and Warner Bros respectively. But whereas Mozart died and was buried in an unmarked public grave, Prince set up a website and started releasing albums on the internet.
Musicology is Prince's first album back with a major and as the title suggests it's a bit of a stylistic retrospective. There's the James Brown influenced funk of the title track and"Life of the Party"Towards the middle of the album there's a nod to his literally purple patch of the mid 80s with"Call My Name","Cinnamon Girl"and"What Do You Want Me 2 Do".
He takes a stand against our society's current paranoia in a way only Prince could."They can bug my phone, people round my home, they'll only see you and me making love inside."
Sadly, Prince's tendency towards pretentious overly heavy rock opera also surfaces on a few tracks. If you want good opera stick with Mozart.
As a comeback of sorts Musicology may not set the world on fire but there's more than enough good music to download to your iPod. Also, it has made me realise a couple of things.
1. His name is Prince and he is still funky.
2. Can you imagine what Mozart might have achieved with a good ISP? --Jim Simmons (courtesy of 6 Music)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
In the early 90s Prince albums seemed to become rather shallow and lacksoul for want of a better word. His more recent releases have been deeper,jazzier affairs - good music, but not really commercial. Musicology fallsneatly between the two - a decent album, with soul, a slab of funk andsome rockier numbers - with a full commercial release.
Track-by-track - It starts in a classic funk groove with Musicology.Illusion, Coma, Pimp & Circumstance is again funky, but with a nod to themodern urban sound. The 'songs' start with A Million Days which has alittle of that 'anthem' style heard in his 90s work, but it works. Life'O' Party returns to the ICP&C style, not a classic track, but enjoyable.With the funky party over, the lights go down with Call My Name - aclassic Prince ballad, a carefully crafted song and the next singlejudging by the sticker on the album. Cinnamon Girl is political and hencerocks it a little, like The Marrying Kind, which at times is slightlyreminiscent of the Purple Rain era. If I Was The Man in Your Lifecontinues in a similar vein. In between is What do u want me 2 do, alovely quirky number with a catchy chorus and great music. On the Couchhas a real old soul feel, demonstrating again how Prince can turn his handto most musical styles. Dear Mr Man is a decent laid back lyrical tunewith some nice horns and guitar. It stays laid back for the final track,Reflection (thankfully not one of those Queen style rock anthems seen inthe 90s) but a cool, classic Prince song which ends leaving you wantingmore.
Musicology is the most commercial, accessible and consistent Prince albumfor an age - with a mix of styles as always. As with all his recent albumsthe musicianship is exemplary - also worth a session with the headphonesto make sure you hear all that is going on in the production. Prince isback in the mainstream - but fanatics knew he'd never gone away, it wasjust a matter of time.
Track-by-track - It starts in a classic funk groove with Musicology.Illusion, Coma, Pimp & Circumstance is again funky, but with a nod to themodern urban sound. The 'songs' start with A Million Days which has alittle of that 'anthem' style heard in his 90s work, but it works. Life'O' Party returns to the ICP&C style, not a classic track, but enjoyable.With the funky party over, the lights go down with Call My Name - aclassic Prince ballad, a carefully crafted song and the next singlejudging by the sticker on the album. Cinnamon Girl is political and hencerocks it a little, like The Marrying Kind, which at times is slightlyreminiscent of the Purple Rain era. If I Was The Man in Your Lifecontinues in a similar vein. In between is What do u want me 2 do, alovely quirky number with a catchy chorus and great music. On the Couchhas a real old soul feel, demonstrating again how Prince can turn his handto most musical styles. Dear Mr Man is a decent laid back lyrical tunewith some nice horns and guitar. It stays laid back for the final track,Reflection (thankfully not one of those Queen style rock anthems seen inthe 90s) but a cool, classic Prince song which ends leaving you wantingmore.
Musicology is the most commercial, accessible and consistent Prince albumfor an age - with a mix of styles as always. As with all his recent albumsthe musicianship is exemplary - also worth a session with the headphonesto make sure you hear all that is going on in the production. Prince isback in the mainstream - but fanatics knew he'd never gone away, it wasjust a matter of time.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Even back in the day when Prince Released albums like, Around The World in A Day, Sign 'o' Times, Lovesexy, he was criticised for not producing his best work. References to these albums being no Purple Rain was often made. These albums, however, are now considered some of his best work.
The problem with Prince in the past was that he was often ahead of his time - creating new sounds that were unfamiliar, that took time to appreciate. I don't think that is the case any more. But what you get with a new Prince album is a uniquely Prince Sound with all his subtle trade marks from over the years thrown in.
Another feature of Prince's music is that it is constantly changing. Just when he releases an album you really like, the next one will be completely different. Personally, I don't mind this too much as it is interesting to see what he can do. The Rainbow Children and NEWS were definitely esoteric and more enjoyable from a musician's point of view, rather than pop records.
That's where Musicology differs. It is definitely more of a pop album and you don't necessarily have to have an acquired taste to enjoy it. In so many ways it has the feel of a "good old" Prince album. Not necessarily in sound, but in arrangement and choice of types of songs. It is new, but feels kind of familiar. So it is no wonder that is being heralded as a return to form.
So what is his form like then? When I first listened to this album the songs that stood out for me were, Musicology, A Million Days, and Call My Name. I quite liked, Cinnamon Girl, What do u Want me 2 Do and If Eye Was The Man In Ur Life. The rest really seemed like weak fillers, initially for me.
After repeated listening I managed not to skip over Illusion, Coma, Pimp & Circumstance and Life 'O' The Party. I really didn't like these songs at first, but after a while began to appreciate them for what they are. I also had difficulty with the last three song. I still don't like On the Couch, but think Reflection is a perfect end to the album with its gentle nostalgic vibe.
Now after a few weeks of listening, the album really flows right the way through. What makes it all hang together is the diversity of each song. This is a good album and it grows on you with time. As always all the instruments are performed superbly, with the usual nuances and touches you come to expect from Prince. There is something not quite there to make this an outstanding album . But overall I think this is a great album to own.
42 of 49 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
after a number of years of jazz influenced albums released on the internet, prince returns to the mainstream with a knockout pop album in the style of his "gold experience" album from 1995.
...superb pop songs like "a million days" and "cinnamon girl" are some of the strongest songs he has released in years. strong prince ballads include "call my name" and "on the couch" are of course included.
...the funk is not forgotten with the brilliantly titled "illusion,coma,pimp and circumstance" and the title track "musicology"
...if you have been waiting for prince to return with a good ,solid pop album then wait no longer. this is a great return to what he does best.
...superb pop songs like "a million days" and "cinnamon girl" are some of the strongest songs he has released in years. strong prince ballads include "call my name" and "on the couch" are of course included.
...the funk is not forgotten with the brilliantly titled "illusion,coma,pimp and circumstance" and the title track "musicology"
...if you have been waiting for prince to return with a good ,solid pop album then wait no longer. this is a great return to what he does best.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Better than "3121", but still not great
This isn't the comeback it was said to be...
Prince lost a lot of fans because of his antics and output in the 1990s, and this was supposedly his "return to form", but... Read more
Prince lost a lot of fans because of his antics and output in the 1990s, and this was supposedly his "return to form", but... Read more
Published on 5 Mar 2009 by Peter Lee
poor show
Well I wish those people who keep saying each album Prince releases is a return to form because in my humble opinion he's been in slow decline ever since Lovesexy! Read more
Published on 27 Aug 2006 by zyggy
Have to listen to this
I'm not really sure whether to give this album 3 or 4 stars.
When I first listened to 'Musicology' I wasn't impressed. Read more
Published on 5 April 2006
Not Bad
Prince has returned and this is a great attempt but sadly its not as great as i hoped it would be! His talent blows me away, the beats and the lyrics on some of these tracks,... Read more
Published on 21 Dec 2004 by Jules
The King of Funk Continues
Soon as you press play you know ur gonaa be playing this cd again and agin! A must for all Prince fans, just wich it had a few more tracks!
Published on 9 Oct 2004 by "richkeith"
Prince is Brilliant
Hi,
I got this album Musicology and its brilliant,its worth having in your collection if you are a fan of Prince,His music is fantastic and my favourite track has to be Cinamon... Read more
Published on 6 Sep 2004 by K. Russell
Prince is back with the Funk!
After listening to this album you will recall the days of purple rain. You will remember the old Prince and how he used to Jam! Read more
Published on 2 Sep 2004 by DJ Master G
Musicology
Recently, the word "comeback" has been very loosely used in music literature. Whenever an artist disappears, whether willingly or due to an ailing career bump, critics are fast to... Read more
Published on 29 July 2004 by Nasser Alqatami
The Muts Nuts - Musicology is different class
Seriously, this album is brilliant. Even my wife likes it which is saying something as she hates Prince. So there you have it. If she likes it then you will too.
ITS GREAT.
Published on 13 July 2004 by "andy_b_to_the_o"
Still the life of the party? I'm Not sure
It would be a lie for me to say that Prince has come back like hes never been away. It would be lying because this new set "Musicology" is quite average, lacking just about... Read more
Published on 10 Jun 2004 by V. Ryan
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