Prince - Dirty Mind

This album totally blows Prince's first two away. I don't know whether it's the overall musical accessability, or the fact that it's stemmed a large number of hits, but whatever the case this one seems like a solid effort, and despite its obvious age it holds a lot better musically over the past few decades than For You or Prince.

Mixed with rudimentary early electronica (evident in the title track) with some funk and pop-rock the whole album is very solid.

The only track I really don't care for would have to be 'Gotta Broken Heart Again', which to me is very mainstream and not really all that impressive. The thing that really wins me over are the first 2 tracks, from the thumping keyboard-laden opening track to the surf-guitar sounding 'When You Were Mine'. 'Do It All Night' is a bit more filler in my ears, along with 'Gotta Broken Heart Again', which to me are very mainstream and not really all that impressive (Do It All Night sounds like some The Cars would write).

'Uptown's a great track, but not one I listen that often. And of course you have two of the most controversial Prince songs, played back to back for an even mightier impact: 'Head' and 'Sister', both of which are pretty obvious in content based on their titles; the great thing about these two songs are the incredible musicianship, however, and extremely clever lyrics.

'Party Up' is pretty obvious too, a dancey track which is fun to hear but not for repeated listens, but it does close the album on an interesting note.

Dirty Mind is a really great album. Right from the first track, the intensly sexual mood of the record is apparent. The first side of the LP is interesting, yet, for me, it is only when the vinyl is flipped over that things really get interesting. Side B starts with the party slammer-jammer 'Uptown'; this track is fantastic, just so much fun and good feelings. Then the next track, 'Head,' is very steamy and erotic. All in all, a good album, yet, although with this album it was starting to become clear that Prince was no ordinary artist and that he possessed in abundance a talent for unique musical expression, it is still a long way behind the pop-funk juggernauts that were 1999 (1982) and Purple Rain (1984). Last word: get down on it, get down with your bad selves. Peace and love to all.

Prince's first stone cold classic, this "thirty minute vibrator ride" (to quote Eric Weisbard, of whom I'm no fan) is the quintessential stripped-down erotic funk classic - kinks including fellating brides to open relationships to incest to wearing lingerie in public (pay attention, Madonna) get hardwired to synth-laced uptempo jams. Essential.