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BlenderLess of the recent Jesus-jazz, more funk minimalism--so far so good.... But the once-and-future Prince doesn't seem to be rooting around in the rich melodies of "Raspberry Beret" or the frenetic nu-wave soul of "Uptown." [#27, p.144]
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As a whole, it’s a 3 [out of 5], but the first two tracks are worth the extra point.
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With Musicology, the doctor of sexual funk puts the self-indulgence on hold and digs back into the enticing grooves and towering melodies of his glory years.
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A casual exhibition of Princeliness, stocked with a handful of old tricks but no new ones.
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Musicology is a thrilling, electric statement by an artist who just might be building toward another creative peak.
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The A.V. ClubMusicology is never bad, and though it does get bogged down in indistinguishable ballads, it usually finds a way to recover. [28 Apr 2004]
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Music that, while often pleasant, lacks the power of not only his best work, but also most of his successors' stuff.
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At least 'Musicology' reunites us with that trademark Prince sound, that regal sparkle that’s influenced many and been matched by none.
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It’s a phenomenal album. And best of all, it’s unmistakably Prince.
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While this album does not break new ground, it focuses on a fun and playful Prince whose turn of phrase and instrumental dexterity call to mind why we embraced him in the first place--and still do.
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Musicology strongly suggests Prince has finally roused himself from a decade-long self-indulgent torpor.
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These dozen songs, which swing with the organic, old-school funk Prince began embracing in the late-’80s, also avoid his ‘90s excesses, combining rock and soul as effortlessly and succinctly as he ever has.
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UncutMight be a primer for his various selves, so redolent are individual tracks of previous songs. [Jun 2004, p.92]
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Q MagazineHis best work in many a long year. [Jun 2004, p.105]
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As appealing, focused and straight-up satisfying an album as Prince has made since who can remember when.
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Entertainment WeeklyThe retro-leaning Musicology... sounds as if Prince is less interested in fighting Mr. Man than in giving in to him. [30 Apr 2004, p.160]
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MojoBrilliantly produced and performed, rather than astoundingly well written. [Jun 2004, p.112]
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A collection of frisky funk, slinky soul, raucous R&B and heated rock ‘n’ roll based on real songs, rather than the doodles and sketches that have recently become the norm.
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Ultimately, 'Musicology' is a kind of flawed redemption, neither inspired enough to be a true classic, nor insipid enough to make it unworthy of your attention.
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Make no mistake, this isn't the second coming of Purple Rain or Sign 'o' the Times or even Parade -- in other words, it's not a masterpiece, more like a more confident and consistent Diamonds and Pearls without the hip-hop fixation -- but it's a strong album, one that impresses on the first listen and gets better with repeated plays.
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It's so obvious that he's having fun again, and that infectious feeling is what comes through loud and clear throughout the entire album.
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Not only is the product musically conservative, chocked full of soul ballads and tame funk workouts, there's nary a trace of the devilish sense of risk that has permeated even his worst material.
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The Purple One has reconnected with that deep vein of funk after experimenting with his splendid and messy excesses since the cusp of the nineties, and turned out his best album since 1987's "Sign of the Times."
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Musicology is noticeably spare and controlled. This development gratifies its admirers, and rightly so.
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 29 out of 40
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Mixed: 2 out of 40
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Negative: 9 out of 40
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JoeGMar 21, 2006
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AndrewMOct 6, 2005
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JasonCApr 9, 2005