Review Summary: Prince successfully creates an album's worth of songs that feeds off of his ideas on Around The World In A Day. This album is usually a repeated listening affair, and one that holds up surprisingly well.
To the average die-hard Prince fan, the years 1984 to 1988 are the absolute pinnacle of Prince's sheer creativity. Not to sound bias, but Prince could do no wrong in this time period of 4 years. After the mammoth 1984 release of Purple Rain, Prince needed a change. He had developed the now legendary "Minneapolis Sound", and with that he sprung off with music he had written for himself and others (The Time, Sheila E., Vanity and Appolonia 6 just to name a small few), and often used other names as the writing credits show. His genius could not be underestimated, and the public finally started to "get it". While Purple Rain was the definition of this trademark sound he created, he decided to, lets say, really challenge the listeners.
1985 saw the release of the much-loved, but honestly uneven Around the World in a Day .It had elements of The Beatles, early day Pink Floyd, and its psychedelic sound whole-heartedly divided his listeners. People didn't know what to think of it. So what does Prince do? He keeps that sound, refines it, and releases an album that stands proudly amongst his classics. This album is none other than Parade.
Parade is the soundtrack/individual album that went along with his 1986 film, Under the Cherry Moon. To be fair, to understand this record is to understand the movie itself. The film was shot in black and white, and the scenes in the shooting areas give it an almost European, 1950's feel. This is part of the reason why the music works so well as they compliment each other through and through.
Things start off with a bang with "Christopher Tracy's Parade" with an almost treadmill feel to the rhythm. The melodies are rich, and the brass section in the song itself adds very classy touches. Next up is the awesome "New Position" with the simple drum beat and the Steel Drums adding its element of humor, and fluidity. With that comes the Wendy and Lisa-penned "I Wonder U", a strong song in its own right with its simple lyrics, and scarce guitar licks. Legend has it that Prince performed the drums on these three tracks all in one sitting with one take.
"Under The Cherry Moon" is a personal favorite with fantastic lyrics such as "If I don’t find my destiny soon/ I'll die in your arms Under the Cherry Moon". The haunting piano and finger cymbals really add to the space Prince conveys. Leave it to Prince to make something out of barely using anything.
With any Prince album, one needs funk to fulfill their listening experience. "Girls & Boys" more than happily obliges with the stellar and underrated Eric Leeds providing the irresistible Saxophone licks. G & B is a true classic and a song that’s highly underrated as a whole.
Next up is "Life Can Be So Nice" with a great drumming performance by Sheila E. To me, I feel while this song is a perfect fit for the album itself as it keeps with the whole theme, it just doesn't click so well. Perhaps it's too kicky. Nonetheless, it is still a fine tune, and just because its not one of my favorites does not mean it can't be one of yours.
The instrumental "Venus De Milo" adds a nice breather of quiet piano and strings courtesy of Clare Fischer. Things heat up with the bonafide fan-favorite "Mountains". Sadly, this is the only track where it feels like Prince and The Revolution are actually performing together, instead of it being a Prince tune with The Revolution moniker.
"Do U Lie" REALLY stands out on this album, due to its sheer catchiness. Do not be fooled in thinking this song is a bummer because it takes a few spins to really appreciate it. The drums (played by the late Jonathan Melvoin, brother to Wendy, and was the temporary keyboard player who died while in The Smashing Pumpkins) quietly moves this song along with the European instruments layered on top, such as the accordion. This song makes one feel like they are in a French Cafe on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Strange, but you'll see it.
Of course, there's "Kiss". Kiss is the odd ball of this record as it does not go with the overall sound and theme. Regardless, it's still one of his best hits, and still gets recognition to this day. "Anotherloverholeinyohead" is a fan-favorite with its fantastic chorus, and its ability to make people relate to the lyrical issue.
Alas we end with "Sometimes It Snows In April". A simple acoustic tune, its lyrics are based upon Christopher Tracy's death at the end of the film, and it truly is a fitting, classy way to end this record.
While the casual Prince fan might steer away from this album due to its overall uncommercial sound to it, its fruits really bear with repeated listens. It's no secret people's favorite albums aren't the ones they love right off the bat. They have to grow with it, and find new ways to relate to it. Since Parade has one of Prince's biggest hits of his career, it's a nice shocking treat to those who have no idea what this album has in store for them. A true classic.
