Planet Earth
by Prince
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Jul 24, 2007
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 28
  3. Negative: 2 out of 28
  1. Spin
    90
    Planet Earth is a consistent, exhilarating winner from our reigning genius. [Sep 2007, p.121]
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  2. Los Angeles Times
    88
    A sound as sharp and renewable as anyone's in pop history.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Though we'll never get another "Purple Rain," it feels right, in a lavender drought, to settle for something at least approaching another "Parade." [27 Jul 2007, p. 64]
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  5. Stylus Magazine
    83
    Planet Earth marks a slight improvement on that one ["3121"], which is progress of a sort, but incremental advances like this almost guarantee that the marketing hoo-hah will get more attention anyway.
  6. Amazon.com
    80
    There's an elegance to it that Prince fans, no strangers to pop music that's truly sublime, won't fail to appreciate.
  7. Billboard
    80
    While the album doesn't break new ground, there's plenty to like about its mix of pumping rock and old-school soul.
  8. Vibe
    80
    A resurgent Prince unleashes his strangest yet most alluring rock project since 1988's astonishing "Lovesexy." [Sep 2007, p.137]
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  9. The A.V. Club
    75
    It's unquestionably a fun record, but the pleasures are modest and superficial. The lack of ambition, surprises, and plain old weirdness means Planet Earth is conspicuously un-Prince-like where it matters most.
  10. AllMusic
    70
    Planet Earth is the sound of a working musician working, which makes it a bit of a passing pleasure, yet there's no denying that it is indeed a pleasure having him turn out solid records like this that build upon his legacy, no matter how modestly.
  11. Sputnikmusic
    70
    Planet Earth is one of the more varied albums Prince has done, yet all the same it's probably his most straight-forward release in a long, long while.
  12. Rolling Stone
    70
    Planet Earth is one of those albums he makes when he's trying a little harder than usual, if not hard enough to alienate his core audience, which loves him for indulging himself.
  13. Hartford Courant
    70
    Planet Earth has its moments--he is Prince, after all--but instead of muscling their way forward, most of these songs seem content to stay where they are: firmly in the middle of the pack.
  14. PopMatters
    70
    On the song 'Planet Earth,' but also throughout much of the album ('All the Midnights of the World,' 'Resolution'), he hits sincere, haunting notes, his voice fluctuating between his lower and higher registers like a small plane being batted around by turbulence.
  15. Boston Globe
    70
    Somehow these songs don't beg for a repeat listen.
  16. Prefix Magazine
    65
    With only the faintest hint of retracing his past successes, Prince is still on top of his game.

Awards & Rankings

90
#90 Most Discussed Album of 2007

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 60 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 60
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 60
  3. Negative: 13 out of 60
  1. Paxster
    Oct 12, 2010
    7
    One of Prince's better 'new' albums, Planet Earth is probably worth more than a free hand out in the Daily Mail. Apart from its strangeOne of Prince's better 'new' albums, Planet Earth is probably worth more than a free hand out in the Daily Mail. Apart from its strange release idea it has some decent highlights. 'Guitar' is a good song if pushed a little too much as a single and 'Chelsea Rogers' is some damn good soul. There are some fillers as well, a grainy slow jazz number which name eludes me now. The title track is nice and epic but lacks a true Prince vibe. One thing we learn from the album is that Prince is at his best when he is doing his own thing.… Full Review »
  2. JamieS.
    Sep 27, 2007
    1
    My Lord...This just STINKS!!!!! I have loved Prince through thick and thin...I own all cd's including spinoff work...but come on, this My Lord...This just STINKS!!!!! I have loved Prince through thick and thin...I own all cd's including spinoff work...but come on, this is so bad. There is not one listenable song on this. Most sound like someone in high school who has just written his first song- ala' "Lion of Judah" or "Guitar". What happened to the Purple Genius?? He ran out of ideas I guess.… Full Review »
  3. GaryC
    Sep 1, 2007
    9
    Fantastic album. Well arranged and well composed.
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