ROCK/SOUL
“3121”
Prince
Universal
“Prolific” doesn’t even begin to describe Prince, the reigning king of rock, soul, funk and pop (sorry – Michael Jackson abdicated that throne a long time ago). The man releases so many albums it’s easy to lose track of them from year to year.
Fortunately, “3121” makes an impression with its seductive grooves, trademark blasts of treated guitar and Prince’s inimitably squirrelly vocals. He conveys a sense of hilarious excess with lines like, “Take your pick from the Japanese robes and sandals/drink champagne from a glass with chocolate handles,” while underpinning it with booty-shaking grooves and bizarre synth flourishes.
On standouts “Fury” and “Lolita,” which revisit themes of irresistibly dangerous women, the man’s voice and jagged guitar riffs have never sounded better. Even if he’s not reinventing himself, Prince is delivering the goods, which is more than can be said for many living legends.
– John Wenzel
GLUM ROCK
“The Back Room”
Editors
Fader/Kitchenware
Editors are being hailed as the biggest new band in the world you haven’t yet heard. When the sophisticated British brood-rockers’ debut record was finally released in the U.S. on Tuesday, it was already long platinum in the U.K.
So why is it that on first listen to the despondent, echoing laments of Tom Smith, Editors don’t sound so much new as descendants of Joy Division, Depeche Mode and Interpol? Dour plaints such as “You don’t need this disease,” “All sparks will burn out” and “People are fragile” sound positively (negatively?) Morrissey. Even the band’s original name – Snowfield – suggests a quartet that is stylish, pretty and aloof. One that wallows in darkness but sleeps with the lights on.
In Smith, the newest wave of mopey goth teens have found a pretty new bosom to embrace, but the disc’s best tracks, “Munich” and “Blood,” reveal tantalizing hints of a band that deep inside may really want to shake the shackling influences of their boyhoods. Perhaps a sophomore effort will uncover a more confident crew that wants to stop moaning and start dancing.
Editors play the Bluebird Theater on April 21, co-headlining with stellastar.
– John Moore
POP COUNTRY
“Water & Bridges”
Kenny Rogers
EMI
Kenny Rogers has more hit records than most country acts have guitar picks. He produced his best work some years ago, at least until the release last week of “Water & Bridges.”
Not only is Rogers’ singing superb – no overwrought vocals here – but the 11-song CD contains the best material he has had to work with in some time.
The title track, a song of regret, stands among the best songs of Rogers’ long career. Don Henley joins Rogers on the standout “Calling Me.” Another highlight is “Someone Is Me.” “Water & Bridges” boasts Rogers’ trademark love songs, including “I Can Feel You Drifting,” “You’ll Know Love” and “One Life.”
– Ed Will
