Rox loves me some Prince. Little Red Corvette, Diamonds & Pearls, Purple Rain, Let's Go Crazy ... even that damned duet with Sheana Easton (who happens to also be performing in Vegas, lovers). Anywho, so I have hated his last 15 solo albums or so and had starting longing for "Bat Dance 2" when finally he released an album that has some potential. Planet Earth is Prince's new album and although it reunites P with the long-estranged Wendy & Lisa, as well as diva drummer Sheila E it doesn't break any new ground in the very short 10 tracks on the album. Now what it does do is make you realize what a genius he is and if he actually spent as much time creating the music as he does figuring out new ways of marketing his music then we might have the next Purple Rain one day. On "Planet Earth" he delves in a myriad of styles and flavors and marks stylistic growth -- From head-bopping rock to soul-heavy funk to rich and sensual smooth jazz, this multi-textured album is perhaps Prince's most eclectic and close-to-really-good album since he changed his name back to Prince.
Things seems very promising with the hit first single, "Guitar," on which the legendary axe man rocks out the title instrument or his male organ, I'm not sure the reference. On the tender "Somewhere Here On Earth," the artist displays his most sensitive side, crafting a smooth jazz ballad with a delicate piano sound and sensual muted trumpet, all behind Prince's falsetto. (I wonder who has him by the, well, guitar strings?!) With this new album he does seem like he's having a lot of fun and at least groovy like it's 2007 with some really promising tracks that don't quite deliver on their potential. However, it's still in Rox's CD player in the car so there must be something I really like about it ... or I'm simply an optimist! TTGP gives "Planet Earth" 3-cans out of a six pack of soda (with an extra can thrown in just because he's Prince...).
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