Sign 'O' The Times Albany OR

Sign 'O' The Times

Prince

Paisley Park, 1987

REVIEW BY: Michael R. Smith

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 09/16/2007

[READ THIS FIRST]

After successful forays into rock, psychedelia and pop, Prince returned to his soul roots with the monster double album opus Sign ‘O’ The Times. This was the Prince album that bowled over critics and fans alike, rivaling Purple Rain as one of his greatest, most consistent releases ever. 

Like most of his work, it is filled with some surprising twists and turns, proof of just how restlessly creative Prince is as an artist. The thing I like so much about Sign 'O’ The Times is the way it marries funk and techno, blending the two genres into a sound that Prince can truly claim as his own. Even the points of the album where the lyrics and music are on the thin and repetitive side (“Housequake,” “It” and “Forever In My Life” come immediately to mind), you don’t seem to mind because it all adds up to one hypnotic and entrancing mix.

The title song is smartly placed as the album’s first track, bringing social awareness to the forefront right off the bat. Prince’s vocal and the spare synth melody come secondary on this song that discusses the perils of the current day, from AIDS to drug abuse to natural disasters. After such heady stuff, Prince follows it up with the lighthearted romps “Play In The Sunshine” and “Starfish And Coffee,” where we are told to leave our worries at the door, forget about all of our cares in the world and have fun -- even if it is just for a moment. Such soul throwbacks would do Chuck Berry and Little Richard proud, and they certainly help to balance out the heavier moments.