Prince Releases Solo Record, Album with 3rdEyeGirl On the Same Day
Only Prince drops two totally different albums in one day.
The first, a solo record called Art Official Age, is a return to classic, ’80’s-style Prince funk. The stuff is unmistakable. Prince produced, arranged, composed and performed the music on the album, along with Joshua Welton, according to the Sacramento Bee. Welton is a young producer and husband of drummer Hanna Ford Welton of Prince protégé backing band 3rdEyeGirl.
Why does that matter? Well, the OTHER album Prince released is PlectrumElectrum, his collaboration with 3rdEyeGirl. Featuring Danish bassist Ida Nielsen and Canadian guitarist Donna Grantis.
So, for bass-lovin’ Prince fans, your choices are summed up by these two songs:
Prince, in classic funky style, as epitomized on “FUNKNROLL.” (Interestingly, there’s a different version of the song on the 3rdEyeGirl record.)
or, a slightly more rock Prince — check out “FIXURLIFEUP” from PlectrumElectrum.
Which shall you choose?
Art Official Age is available on CD, vinyl, and for digital download (iTunes and Amazon MP3) and PlectrumElectrum is available on CD and digital download (iTunes and Amazon MP3).
Art Official Age Track List:
- ART OFFICIAL CAGE
- CLOUDS
- BREAKDOWN
- THE GOLD STANDARD
- U KNOW
- BREAKFAST CAN WAIT
- THIS COULD BE US
- WHAT IT FEELS LIKE
- affirmation I & II
- WAY BACK HOME
- FUNKNROLL
- TIME
- affirmation III
PlectrumElectrum Track List:
- WOW
- PRETZELBODYLOGIC
- AINTTURNINROUND
- PLECTRUMELECTRUM
- WHITECAPS
- FIXURLIFEUP
- BOYTROUBLE
- STOPTHISTRAIN
- ANOTHERLOVE
- TICTACTOE
- MARZ
- FUNKNROLL
personally I prefer Art Official Age. The songwriting is much more interesting (goofy futuristic theme aside). The girl guitar player on PlectrumElectrum has the worst tone I’ve heard since the 70’s ugh! and the generic female vox all over that album really detract. That aside there are bright spots on plectrumelectrum. Wow is fun with an addictive chorus, Fixurlifeup is mostly fun. and I prefer that version of Funknroll. Of the two albums The Gold Standard is my favorite song which reminds me of both the albums 1999 and The Black Album, as well as sounding like a song The Time could have done (maybe even better!). If you can only afford one get Art Official Age.
TIME ! From Art official Age – what a bass ! (played by Prince himself !) What a song !