Planet Earth is Prince’s 24th officially released studio album. I just got a hold of an advanced copy yesterday and as a long time Prince fan, I am very well pleased. I didn’t even know about this album’s release until I started doing research for my Top 12 Most Anticipated Album of the Summer article. Then when I read that former Revolution members, Wendy & Lisa, were going to be involved in the project, I couldn’t stop the drool from leaving my mouth! Let’s just say I have been waiting (with baited breath) for a Revolution reunion and this is probably the closest to it we’ve seen yet. The album only has 10 tracks and clocks in at just over 45 minutes long, but it’s some of the best 45 minutes this musical genius has produced in a long time. Because I don’t have a listing of the album’s credits, it’s hard to say which tracks Wendy & Lisa had a hand in, but this CD is more eclectic and musically superior to anything Prince has released since 1987’s Sign O The Times. Let’s get on with the song by song review.

01. “Planet Earth” (9/10) - The title track to this album, left me a little unsure upon first listen. The style is kind of a Rock Opera and sounds like it belongs on Prince’s Love Symbol album for 1992. It kinda reminds me of “The Morning Papers“. The song starts of with a soft piano and gradually grows; adding drums and eventually electric guitar by the middle of the tune. Then the song takes on a different tone with a tempo change and added horns before returning back to the original theme, but more grandioso as Prince ends the song with an amazing guitar solo.

02. “Guitar” (8/10) - This is the first single from the album and was released to radio about a month ago. Not sure how it’s doing on the charts, but it does have a pop-rock feel to it. Kinda reminds me of “Girls & Boys” but with more guitar. This is definitely one of Prince’s rockier-styled songs. My one complaint about this song is that the song is cut short. Prince starts his guitar solo with 20 seconds left of the song and it just fades out. There has to be an extended version of this somewhere! Let’s hope it’s on the final retail release.

03. “Somewhere Here On Earth” (10/10) - Ohmygod, can Prince write a love song!! This song is amazing! Nice sultry vocals over a jazz piano with an accent of a muted trumpet. Kind of reminds me of a jazzy version of Heatwave’s “Always & Forever”. As much as I love Prince on guitar, I love him just as much on the keys. This song will go down in history along with Prince’s “Insatiable” and “Do Me, Baby”.

04. “The One U Wanna C” (9/10) - It has been reported that this is one of the songs that Prince collaborated with Wendy & Lisa and you can definitely hear Wendy singing in the background. A very pop-sounding song, this one could easily fit in on an 80’s radio station. Kind of reminiscent of “I Could Never Take The Place of Your Man“.

05. “Future Baby Mama” (10/10) - I think Wendy & Lisa may have had something to do with this song too. This is a nice slow R&B jam, kind of in the same league as “Diamonds & Pearls” or “Eye Hate U”. This is definitely single material and I hope he releases it to radio next. I love that he used his signature drum machine pattern from the 80’s that so many artists are imitating today. The only annoying part of the song is the radio DJ gimmick at the beginning and end of the song. Other than that, perfect R&B.

06. “Mr. Goodnight” (9/10) - This is kind of a pop-R&B song. Interestingly enough, Prince raps the songs verses. Not as bad as you may think. His flow has improved since his early 90’s attempt at rap. This song is in the same league as “Space” from Prince’s 1994 Come album.

07. “All The Midnights In The World” (7/10) - This song is basically filler as it’s less than 2 1/2 minutes long. Artists today would call this an Interlude! It’s a soft pop number with the main instrument being the piano. Nothing too exciting here.

08. “Chelsea Rodgers” (9/10) - This right here is classic Prince funk. I wonder who the female vocal is? Sounds almost like Rosie Gaines — naw can’t be. This song has a nice groove with a nice horn breakdown in the middle of the song. Could be compared to the classic “Sexy MF” or “It’s Gonna Be A Beautiful Night”, but with more soul.

09. “Lion of Judah” (6/10) - Kind of a a pop-rock ballad, reminiscent of “The Holy River” but not as catchy. This is probably my least favorite on the album.

10. “Resolution” (9/10) - Another song where I can here Wendy & Lisa’s influence. This is a bounce acoustic pop-rock number. Classic 80’s Prince right here. This song could have easily been written around 1986-87 as a throw away track for Sign O The Times. Actually the more I listen to it, it kinda reminds me of “Dolphin” from his 1995’s The Gold Experience.

Prince, to me, is the Mozart of our times and Planet Earth just proves that you can still write a great song at 49 years old. I’m so glad he settled his differences with Wendy & Lisa and they have come together for what matters the most — the music. The great thing I always find about a Prince CD is that it keeps me longing for more. I give Planet Earth a 9 out of 10. It’s simply some of the best music I’ve heard from him in a while. Scheduled to be released here in the States July 24th, run out a get this!

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