Prince (Or Whoever) Returns To His Legendary Music Style

OK, maybe he’s formerly known as Prince. But fans of his finest work, from “Purple Rain” to “Sign O’ the Times,” are going to recognize this as his Royal Badness himself.

Prince is back, no matter what he calls himself.

Prince fans are among the most long suffering in rock, perhaps equaled only by fans of Elvis Costello and Neil Young. While Costello and Young were going through explorations of everything from classical to techno, fans were left fuming, knowing that these artists could produce great albums if they desired.

Both have since returned to form. Now Prince joins them.

You wouldn’t use the word “masterpiece” to describe “The Gold Experience.” It is, however, Prince’s most exciting, most accessible album since “Sign O’ the Times,” though, again, you might not want to mention it in the same category as that brilliant double album.

For years critics have had to dig deep to justify calling Prince a genius since his last truly brilliant album and tour, 1988’s “Love-sexy.”

Nearly every album since - “Graffiti Bridge” being an ugly exception - had several truly fine cuts.

Now there’s a tunefulness, consistency and sense of purpose Prince hasn’t shown in years. The songs are upbeat, stirring and fun.

Even now, though, he shoots himself in the foot. The album leads with its weakest, most juvenile and most sexist track, “P. Control,” a sure turnoff.

But it’s part of his trademark lewd/ sacred flip-flops. Go to the album’s final cut, “Gold.” Perhaps nowhere else in his canon will you find a more reflective, mature piece of work. “Gold” is one of Prince’s finest works, the capper on a truly fine album.

“I Hate U” is a painful ballad questioning a partner’s infidelity - a theme Prince has explored before but never with this intensity. “Dolphin” is an upbeat, purposeful rocker that uses imagery of wildlife and reincarnation as a statement of artistic freedom.

Overall it’s a fun yet compelling album of creative rebirth for one of the true visionaries working in music today. He has rarely sounded better.