PLECTRUMELECTRUM (2014)
1. WOW
2. PRETZELBODYLOGIC
3. AINTTURNINROUND
4. PLECTRUMELECTRUM
5. WHITECAPS
6. FIXURLIFEUP
7. BOYTROUBLE
8. STOPTHISTRAIN
9. ANOTHERLOVE
10.TICTACTOE
11.MARZ
12.FUNKNROLL
This is one of those albums that if the song order had been completely reversed, I might have actually enjoyed it slightly better. Released on the same day as Art Official Age, this one differs in that it highlights Prince’s backup band 3RDEYEGIRL. Also, it’s quite heavy on the guitar which is usually a good thing. To be honest, this record seems to be a tad too similar to most latter-day efforts- he mostly sounds like he’s just checking off a box. Or in this case, doing his backup band a favor.
I think I said this the last time he released more than one album simultaneously – I almost wish he would have combined the best of each offering and made one solid, really strong album. In fact, I confess that most of the album sounds somewhat mediocre until he gets to the 3RDEYEGIRL vocal led WHITECAMPS. Once he arrives here, the songs pick up a bit and the experience doesn’t seem quite so tedious as it once did a few songs earlier.
Maybe this was the intention, but the songs that shine the best on this record are where Prince lets his band sing lead. (Whether 3RDEYEGIRL has more than one lead singer, I honestly don’t know. It’s obviously a female and obviously not Prince.) The best song on here is arguably TICTACTOE closely followed by STOPTHISTRAIN. Other than the ubiquitous guitar playing, one might not even know the songs were credited to Prince.
I’m glad he gave his band some exposure. It’s just ironic that this record is just as good, if not better, than most of the man’s late period.
Go back to the main page
Go to the Next Review