Search - Prince :: Lovesexy

"Love Erratic"

Scott T. Rivers | Los Angeles, CA USA | 12/18/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Prince's follow-up to his triumphant "Sign 'O' the Times" is a slight letdown. "Lovesexy" (1988) certainly has its moments: "Glam Slam," "Eye No," "Anna Stesia," "I Wish U Heaven" and the gloriously extended "Alphabet St." Unfortunately, the remaining songs are forgettable, including "When 2 R in Love" (a weak ballad lifted from the legendary "Black Album"). Whenever Prince decides to remaster "Lovesexy," he should include the "Alphabet St." instrumental remix as a bonus track."

Prince gives you a plus sign and a reason to "Dance On"

Vincent M. Mastronardi | Michigan | 07/19/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Prince was not the most successful aritst sales wise of the 1980s (even though he toppped the charts with "Purple Rain" and a number of big singles) but arguably it was his greatest decade of musical output. Nearly every year the prolific singer-songwriter-musician had a full studio release out (excluding only 1983 when he was touring, making "Purple Rain" and working a handful of albums for others in his Minneapolis fam). In the case of "LoveSexy", the experimental musical madman messed with the emerging format of compact disc. Instead of letting listeners go right to their favorite tracks, one of the many benefits of the new media, the 1988 album was released as only one long track with nine songs almost seamlessly mixed so that it is almost one continuous song.



Thematically, the album is a companion to the dark, dense and humorous "The Black Album". Released as a substitute when that album was pulled and shelved by Prince and Warners, "LoveSexy" sounds like the complete opposite (although the trademark offbeat humor is there). Nearly every track has a euphoric upbeat groove and lyrics as exhibited in "Positivity" ("Have you had your plus sign today?"). There is something so urgent yet peaceful as Prince sings over layers of guitars, keyboards and drums. He is a at peace about having "No smack on his brain". While the funky and carefree "Alphabet Street" (featuring playful banter with rapper Cat) was the hit, the two singles that weren't so succesful are gems not to be missed. "I Wish U Heaven" starts with a simple drumbeat (likely provided by Sheila E. as it is in the video) but then the track soars as Prince's vocals and a beautiful musical arrangement carry this request out. "Glam Slam" is an effective rocker with a passionate Prince screaming over a wailing guitar and great synthesizer work. While the album is mostly dance music with a very positive message about God and love, "Anna Stesia" is sinister song about sin (where Prince seems to confess in order to be saved) while "When 2 R In Love" is a sexy ballad that seems strangely out of place thematically here as it did on "The Black Album" where it was originally a track. Still, the album has no weak spots and the reason for making it one track makes sense so it feels like such a full experience rather than just songs placed on an album to fit an obligation.



As a follow up to "Sign O the Times" and the predecessor to the misguided "Batman" soundtrack, "LoveSexy" is arguably one of Prince's last great albums that works as a tight concept album but also an amazing sounding pop album filled with joy filled bliss about heaven but also some great Prince kinky quirks (including the controversial cover) that showed Prince was still not a saint and certainly not stale."