Album reviews: Prince's 'LotusFlow3r' and 'MPLSound,' and Bria Valente's 'Elixer'

By now, most music fans are well aware that Prince will self-release three albums that will sell in one $11.98 bundle at Target and on the artist's website starting Sunday. Which one you fancy the most depends on what flavor of Prince "u" prefer -- the nasty antiquity of "MPLSound," the guitar-hero antics of "LotusFlow3r" or the VIP-lounge purrs of his protégée Bria Valente on "Elixer."

"MPLSound" is a valentine to Revolution-era traditionalists. The nine-song collection pays homage to Prince's beloved Minneapolis and trades in nostalgia, lifting the syncopated drum machine beats from "When Doves Cry" and name-checking Rick James. But it's not all naughty retro: "MPLSound" also incorporates Prince's faith as a Jehovah's Witness, like when he shouts "thank you, almighty" and "hallelujah" to a lover in "Dance 4 Me."

All three albums have a touch of the spirit, an abiding cleanliness that elevates sex to heavenly communion, but "MPLSound" might be the most pristine for what it ultimately lacks: the sense of real, lusty sin.

Ballads "Better With Time" and "U're Gonna C Me" leak syrup all over the soundboard, but "Chocolate Box," a strutting bit of funk braggadocio set in the club with a guest spot from Q-Tip, is electrifying. In "Valentina," Prince addresses Salma Hayek's daughter: "Tell your mama she should give me a call." Hayek might be one of the world's most voluptuous movie stars, but new mothers and their "nightly feedings" are not the typical pop subjects.

Possibly the album's most notable track -- for reasons fine and regrettable -- is the spirited romp "Ol' Skool Company." Here Prince, his voice doctored to sound like he's taking hits of helium, lets his curmudgeon rip for more than seven minutes, longing for an "old-school melody when God, his son and the love of family ruled in the community."

Valente, Prince's latest in a storied line of beautiful muses, has a lovely voice that matches his current tastes for the clean line. Her soundscapes, produced and arranged with Prince, are lighter than her mentor's, traipsing from velvet-chaise funk to street tales of girly crushes to dance-floor siren calls.

The problem is that not enough of "Elixer" sounds strong or fresh. Her single "Another Boy" is sweetly reminiscent of '80s freestyle icons Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam, but it doesn't have that group's rhythmically inventive backbone. In "2Nite," Valente whispers "disco," a genre that needs at least one modifier to not sound mummified in polyester -- and then reports that there are "no drugs or guns up in this place," just "old-school jazz put a smile on your face."

It's one of the many times when Valente feels uncomfortably like the mouthpiece for Prince and his oldster agenda.

The biggest challenge of Prince's triptych is "LotusFlow3r," a guitar-steeped odyssey that bounces from Steely Dan jazz chords to James Brown-esque mandates for funk to the tattered-flag psychedelia of Jimi Hendrix. Though Prince has covered Radiohead's "Creep" on several occasions, he's not interested in mimicking Jonny Greenwood's articulated melancholy. Instead, Prince's guitar is a warm explosion, sometimes self-indulgent but always rendered with starry-eyed fascination for the instrument, endearing from a masterful musician who plays so many.

In an effort to align himself as a true rocker, Prince includes a reverb-soaked cover of Tommy James and the Shondells' "Crimson and Clover," but it doesn't improve on Joan Jett's definitive rendition. His own compositions are much more twisty and tasty. "Feel Good, Feel Better, Feel Wonderful" is a jaunty slice of party funk with Prince's most charismatic vocals this side of "Kiss" -- screechy, swaggering and caterwauling. "Love Like Jazz" swings the other way, a bewitching gem that wouldn't sound out of place as the intro to a '60s sitcom.

Prince geeks out on the whammy bar, drawing long, noodly jams on "Boom" and the songs that bookend the album. But it's more rewarding when he introduces control and structure, delivered by a crew of stars including Maceo Parker and keyboardist Morris Hayes. "MPLSound" might be comfortingly familiar, but "LotusFlow3r" is the work of a musician who's still curious after all these years.

-Margaret Wappler

Prince
"LotusFlow3r"
Three stars

Prince
"MPLSound"
Two and a half stars

Bria Valente
"Elixer"
Two stars

Comments

[Ben Ohmart]

I'm a Prince fan and I'll buy the set anyway. But I would also like to ask - anyone at the LA Times like old movies? I publish books on old stars and find it a LOT harder to get any kind of attention than Prince.

[Scott]

Keep listening to it--I did and have found it an album that will really grow, with time. MPLSOUND is fantastic--Prince in the studio, alone, with the LINN? Priceless. LotusFlower is also very good, with only two songs I don't really listen to (both albums seem to have 1 or 2 that I usually skip--the rest is very cool). Think Jimi Hendrix, if he were still around now. Bria's disc also grows, reminds me of Sade, but not as good. Only 2 tracks I immediately liked. Overall, well worth $11.99 for all three. Buy it!

[digitalpharaoh]

I got it, listened to it...and reviewed it on my site. This is some of the WORST music he's put out. Period.

[Dillon]

Ben, I think that your review pretty much matches with mine. I definitely agree that only two tracks on Valentes album I really liked. Overall I would give the set as a whole 3.5 to 4 stars out of 5. Keep going strong Prince :)

[Daniele Brunengo]

digitalpharaoh, if you think this is his worst, where were you in the nineties? Actually, I think this is some of his best in 20 years. The genius still has road to travel. Go Prince go.

[<+Shaun]

This CD leaves no lasting impression on me. The Last CD that truly sounded fresh was ONE NITE ALONE piano & Vocals.

Something you said was so True and what made prince truly prince is now lacking.

His recent music {ultimately lacks: the sense of real, lusty sin.}

[al]

this is the worst prince i have heard in a long time. his worst was crystal ball set, onthis third album there is a beat on every song from the song when doves crys. artist should only release the junk when they are very old. when your young give your fans only your best. on elixer why does this lady sound just like prince. if prince is going to produce people it would be nice if he gets out side help.give them better material, and for heaven sakes ,dont make them sound like prince. give them their own sound. I gave this album away.

[Chicago Joe]

Some of these reviews are very harsh and very SAD. I disagree that this is his worst music ever. I have only had the CD's for about a week but LotusFlow3r is FANTASTIC. Was I the only one that heard a little of Frank Zappa crossed with Magit Brain from Funkadelic. The more I listen to this the more I like it. I give it 4 out of 5 stars

[PiLL HiP]

A long time ago I had two or three Prince LPs - I sadly lost `em.
Sure the "Pop & Hiss" is still a musical love symbol -
too realist lyrics & too fine melodies - no one should deny those facts.
Relentless -The King of Pop is dead. For heaven´s sake, but the Prince "o" eruptions still sings and jams quite alive in my CD- and tape player.
Ey, I started to listen and buy Prince´s CDs and tapes on Ebay again
(Total discography: ca. 50 albums) - hmm, and they make me feel good!