Musicology

1	Musicology
2	Illusion, Coma, Pimp & Circumstance
3	A Million Days
4	Life 'o' The Party
5	Call My Name
6	Cinnamon Girl
7	What Do U Want Me 2 Do?
8	The Marrying Kind
9	If Eye Was The Man In Ur Life
10	On The Couch
11	Dear Mr. Man
12	Reflection

Barnes & Noble

That silly symbol phase firmly behind him, Prince Rogers Nelson kicked his career back into high gear in 2004, with his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the return-to-form Musicology. Although it would be nearly impossible for His Royal Badness to recapture his Purple Rain glory days, the disc signals that his genius has been revived, his energies newly refocused on making his music digestible for the masses. In contrast to the title track -- a polished funk exhibition anchored by an Ohio Players–worthy horn section and a bubbling bass line that would make his sometime tour partner Larry Graham proud -- the stripped-down "Illusion, Coma, Pimp & Circumstance" is preceded by Prince surfing the radio and finding several of his seminal hits, including "Little Red Corvette" and "Kiss." Years from now that song, with its simple bass line, DJ scratches, and stream-of-conscious lyrics, may be among those classics. A throwback to the gospel-rooted romanticism of "Diamonds and Pearls," "A Million Days" finds the reformed player musing, "You're the perfect picture of what love should look like, and I want to be your frame." Although saccharine sentiments like that, and those found on the gushing slow jam "Call My Name," aren't what we've come to expect from the freak who conjured images of "Darling Nikki" in a hotel lobby masturbating with a magazine, Prince is still a sexual force. Now he just drives women wild with promises of kinky monogamy. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is Prince's outspokenness. As he did on the social commentaries "Controversy" and "Sign 'O' the Times," here he uses his music as a platform to denounce the "holy war" on terror ("Cinnamon Girl") and racism ("Dear Mr. Man"). Regardless of whether or not Musicology lives up to its mission statement to inspire a new generation of artists to become musicians, it certainly marks the regal return of one of contemporary pop music's greatest talents. Tracy E. Hopkins

Rolling Stone

It's open, easygoing and inclusive, the sort of album anyone might like. Most notably, Musicology restores a refreshing sense of songcraft to Prince's writing. Anthony DeCurtis