Comeback accomplished, Prince now settles into a groove with 2007's Planet Earth, his 26th studio album and successor to the two deliberate comebacks, Musicology and 3121. Those two albums were designed to storm the top of the charts but, more importantly, they were made with the intention of making Prince prominent again -- a gambit that worked since Prince worked hard, stealing the show at both the Superbowl and the American Idol fifth-season finale and turning into an in-demand concert ticket once again. Both records were recorded with the expectations of making a splash, and 3121 even made some overtures toward modern music, most noticeably in the sleek electro workout of "Black Sweat," which suggested that Prince had heard the Neptunes, even if he didn't pay them much mind. In contrast to such grudging nods at his progeny, Planet Earth doesn't attempt to make concessions to contemporary music, although it does make a point of addressing the modern world, whether it's in the neo-apocalyptic warnings of destruction and God on the title track or his offhand reference to "this digital age" on the sweet slow jam "Somewhere Here on Earth." Such passing asides are enough indication that, even if Prince may belong to his own universe, he surely lives in our world, something that's also apparent from his move to give away the album with Sunday newspapers in the U.K., a move that infuriated record labels in Britain -- since how can you sell something that's being given away for free? -- yet makes some sense in terms of sheer marketing. After all, Planet Earth is the kind of sturdy, highly enjoyable music that needs some manufactured hoopla around its release; otherwise, it will fade into the artist's prodigious back catalog because of its very nature. This isn't a self-styled comeback, it's an album that showcases a still-vital veteran relaxing and playing music that's not surprising, not fashionable, but not stodgy or fussy. That may mean that Planet Earth isn't much more than a quite good Prince album, one that hits upon his most accessible personas -- impish popster, funk-ocker, seductive balladeer, charmingly mystic weirdo -- and doesn't go much further than that, yet it still offers plenty to enjoy, either as sheer music (some of the synths are a bit glassy, but nobody knows how to make a record sound warm like Prince) or as songs. If there are no classics here -- or even songs that are as instantly grabbing as "Lolita" -- there are no bad songs either, with the very funny, tightly wound rocker "Guitar," the light, frothy "The One U Wanna C," and the NPG knockoff "Chelsea Rodgers" being as engaging as slow jams like "Future Baby Mama." There's no fluff and no fat, just ten strong songs delivered with just enough flair to remind you it's the work of Prince, yet strategically avoiding the indulgence that marginalized him throughout the '90s. Ultimately, 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.
Prince - Planet Earth(Columbia, 2007)4 stars out of, uh... One day, I read every Prince interview on this website, and a maxim he holds dear in regards to any criticisms of his records emerged quite clearly: if you're going to say something, make sure it's nice, or else don't say it. I will keep this in mind as I write my latest MOG review about the new album, Planet Earth, performed by Prince ...
More >
Prince at the O2 Arena, London, England, August 25, 2007.I am embarrassed to say that before this show I had never seen Prince before - but that's behind me now so let's not speak of it again...This show was around #16 of Prince's "21 Nights in London" residency at the O2 Arena. Upon entering the arena and passing through the turnstiles attendees were handed a copy of Prince's new CD, Planet Earth
More >
The Purple One is giving a big finger to SONY BMG in the UK. Instead of doing what bands normally do and releasing his new album Planet Earth on said release date (July 16th in the UK, July 24th in the US), Prince has struck a deal with UK publication The Mail on Sunday that will release the CD with the paper in the UK only.Prince's 10-track Planet Earth will be dispensed as a "covermount" with...
More >
Prince has released the first single from his summer release Planet Earth via Verizon Wireless phones. Mobile phone users subscribed to Verizon’s V Cast Song ID program, which identifies songs when you hold the phone next to a speaker, can download the free program, then retrieve the video by going to various Websites (like MySpace, YouTube, etc) to play the video holding the phone close by.Bel.
More >
Prince - Planet Earth(Columbia, 2007)4 stars out of, uh... One day, I read every Prince interview on this website, and a maxim he holds dear in regards to any criticisms of his records emerged quite clearly: if you're going to say something, make sure it's nice, or else don't say it. I will keep this in mind as I write my latest MOG review about the new album, Planet Earth, performed by Prince ...
More >
Here is a little piece of Prince trivia and some big news all rolled into one:This Saturday night while much of planet Earth is tuned into the multiple Live Earth concerts, Minneapolis will be focused on one earthling - PRINCE. The mogOsphere has already been abuzz with the news of Prince playing his hometown this weekend, and the weird venues that he chose - MACY's and Target. Venues that we...
More >
Today is the day! The day that "Guitar," the first single off of Prince's new Planet Earth is released that is. The rest of the album will be available from Columbia Records on July 16th, except in North America, who won't have access to the full length album until July 24th (heh, right). According to pitchf*#k, his band mates on Purple Rain Wendy and Lisa, have contributed to the new album...
More >
So us North Americans don't get too jealous of Prince's 21-date London residency at the city's O2 Arena this August and September, the Purple One has just announced a seven night Los Angeles residency beginning this Saturday, June 23rd! The shows will take place at the posh Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel's 200-capacity Blossom Room and are scheduled for June 23rd-24th, 28th-30th.Prince will most lik...
More >
This week's Tuesday Tunes includes the upcoming release of Prince.Visit Write State of Mind for a mini-review and sound selections (plus a download) from his twenty-fourth studio album, Planet Earth.
More >
Prince at the O2 Arena, London, England, August 25, 2007.I am embarrassed to say that before this show I had never seen Prince before - but that's behind me now so let's not speak of it again...This show was around #16 of Prince's "21 Nights in London" residency at the O2 Arena. Upon entering the arena and passing through the turnstiles attendees were handed a copy of Prince's new CD, Planet Earth
More >
| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Planet Earth |
|
|
| 2 Guitar |
|
|
| 3 Somewhere Here on Earth |
|
|
| 4 The One U Wanna C |
|
|
| 5 Future Baby Mama |
|
|
| 6 Mr. Goodnight |
|
|
| 7 All the Midnights in the World |
|
|
| 8 Chelsea Rodgers |
|
|
| 9 Lion of Judah |
|
|
| 10 Resolution |
|
|
© 2006-2009 Mog Inc. All Rights Reserved
 "Planet Earth")
