POP/ROCK
Prince, "20Ten" (NPG)
While Prince tries to secure U.S. distribution for his new CD, I landed a copy from England, where the disc was distributed in Sunday's Mirror and other European publications. This album is misnamed; "Nineteen80" might have been more appropriate. Sonically, this disc exudes the kind of synthesizer minimalism the Purple One purveyed in the early '80s. As for the lyrics, Prince doesn't have a dirty mind, but he says mortgage bankers do, in the gospel-funk social commentary "Act of God."
Back in 1980, Prince was all about getting frisky; now he's singing about friendship, freedom and fulfillment. Oh, he wants to be your lover, too, judging by the cooing, falsetto ballads "Walk in Sand" and "Sea of Everything." Still, he has bigger, more universal goals here.
However, Prince comes up short. This is his slightest effort since 1996's contractual obligation "Chaos and Disorder." He reaches his nadir on the closing "Everybody Loves Me," an artless wad of sprightly synth bubblegum. The ensuing hidden track (Track 77, of course) is the treat. On the slow funk "Lay Down," Prince uses a talk-sing delivery that borders on rap, declaring "from the heart of Minnesota/Here come the Purple Yoda." It's a much-need slice of frisky fun from sexy Purple funkytown.
JON BREAM, Star Tribune
Macy Gray, "The Sellout" (Concord)
You can't sell out if you don't buy in. That notion defines Gray's career. After she started the neo-soul '90s with eccentric vocals and epic hit melodies, audiences grew confused by her occasionally bizarre behavior and increasingly odd albums. Here, as a songwriter, she lacks the hooks and lyrics to aid her wicked voice and wild flow. However, the Rodney Jerkins-produced "Help Me," the thrillingly intimate "Still Hurts" and the tender Bobby Brown duet "Real Love" show Gray is clearer than ever without having lost an iota of weirdness. She sings Friday at Glamorama at the Orpheum Theatre.
A.D. AMOROSI, PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
