Review Summary: A blissful stroll through the sonic wonders within the workings of a genius' mind.
Released three weeks before the motion picture, "Under The Cherry Moon",
Parade can be labeled as a soundtrack album, similar to how
Purple Rain was. However, even if you haven't seen the movie, it stands as its own album and as its own identity, it is a phenomenal album that explores some of the most variety that Prince has ever done; it seemed that Wendy and Lisa's influence on his music was at its most on this album, and it all came together. The film is forgotten in the canals of time, and was drilled into the ground with negativity, hate, and bitterness, while the album stands as one of his many career peaks.
It's admirable how fast Prince was moving with his music and changing rapidly at this time, he was on a non-stop creative journey, we're talking on the likes of David Bowie in the 70's, or The Beatles and Beach Boys in the 60's. Within barely just a few days after the
Purple Rain tour ended, and before
Around The World in a Day even released, he was already on his way to completing this album. Now, it did go through many tracklist changes before settling down on the final one, with songs scrapped and replaced, reworked tracklists, and alternating compositions, but this album is a
MASTERPIECE. You may not get it at first, but upon a few listens, you'll fall deeply in love with the elegant workings of classical music intertwining with jazz, a pinch of psychedelia sprinkled atop, and the usual funk rock of his prime.
The first four songs are all done in sequence and work as a medley of sorts, being recorded somehow within the same session (I'm convinced this man was superhuman, not sure how exactly he manages to not get tired really),
"Christopher Tracey's Parade" (originally "Wendy's Parade) is a treading of the rainbow-splashed psychedelia he explored on his previous album, but feels more complete than the ones on it, with the ornate horn and string arrangements working to make an unforgettable opener that bursts with genius. The horn is dissonant yet revolves with the main melody perfectly. The harmonies of Lisa, Wendy, and Prince all intertwine together to create an amazing vocal performance, as
"New Position" follows, with a drum break provided by Prince, before exploding into an absolute groove of Funk Rock, with an incredible bassline and use of steel drum, and
"I Wonder U" follows. The song is a dip into psychedelic rock and avant-garde, though it feels unfinished; like a sketch of a song, this makes sense, as it was intended to be a duet with Prince and Wendy, but Prince removed his vocals at the last minute for some reason, and while Clare Fischer's orchestration sounds lush and wonderful, Wendy's vocals are good but the guitar riff lacks. Luckily it ends quickly, and we move on to the following track with one of the purple one's most soulful vocals.
If the first song is the title track of the album,
"Under The Cherry Moon" is the title track to the film, it's a beautiful jazz-influenced piece that drives along a steady drum pulse with some amazing guitar playing, creative use of finger-cymbals and background guitar that gives it a flavor thats very lovely and unique. Prince's vocals are heartfelt, and his swooning performance drives home the message in the lyrics. "Maybe I'll die young/Like heroes die" sets the theme of the album; beyond sex, and this prevailing theme of life and death carries on. In a way, it foreshadows the ending song.
"Sometimes it Snows in April" is a masterpiece as well, one of the best songs ever made. The seven-minute ballad that is the curtain closer is not just a lament for his character in a movie, but from the long soulful vocals in the opening, and soft strokes of piano chords with acoustic guitar strums, it beautifully evokes a sense of lost friendship, grievance for times gone by with a loved one and friend, reflectance on memories, and transcending beyond earth, in hope for a better afterlife. "All good things they say never last/Love isnt love until its passed." Beauty.
"Girls & Boys" is one of his most creative songs, taking influence from jazz with its saxophone use and horn arrangements, with the keyboard producing a low tone that sounds mysterious yet inviting, and features both live drumming from Bobby Z., and the Linn-M1 drum machine. The lyrics are great and even mention French landscapes in interesting ways, and it even has a spoken rap part towards the end and a poem.
"Life Can Be So Nice" is divisive, some find the Clare Fischer orchestration with the harpsichord, cowbell, and flute to be a bit busy, but it actually works quite well and is fun. The song cuts out abruptly but that's done as an artistic choice to be a statement on how simple joys in life are great, and life can end at any minute, quicker than one could expect.
"Venus de Milo" with its horns, string arrangement, and tinkling piano sounds like a classical masterpiece that builds a whole sonic landscape, while
"Mountains" opens side 2 and is a better single than
"Kiss", no questions asked. The guitar riff is funky and phenomenal and works with the orchestration with Prince exploring his falsetto and lower tones, and some very empowering lyrics ("It's only mountains and the sea/Love will conquer if U just believe."),
"Kiss" holds up as a masterpiece of minimalism, 'nuff said about that one.
If you're looking for some smooth grooves aligned with the material Prince released on
Purple Rain and prior,
"Anotherloverholenyohead" is raunchy funk rock at its finest, and one of the best songs with amazing keyboard work and bass. The only real miss is
"Do U Lie?" which is a try-hard French-style song that has its reach exceed its grasp, being cheesy and Prince's cracking voice sounds awful, a definite miss.
I'd honestly say in terms of creativity and brilliance that this album beats out
Purple Rain, and is so close to being his greatest, and it deserves the universal acclaim it gets and wide respect, but what came next knocked it out of the park. Sadly this would be the last album he did with The Revolution, ending his most commercially successful era and a large chapter to his legacy. To think so many fantastic albums came out from him in the 80's, and his main rival in pop, Michael Jackson, only made two.
Track by Track:
1. Christopher Tracey's Parade: ★★★★★
2. New Position: ★★★★
3. I Wonder U: ★★★
4. Under The Cherry Moon: ★★★★★
5. Girls & Boys: ★★★★★
6. Life Can Be So Nice: ★★★
7. Venus de Milo: ★★★★★
8. Mountains: ★★★★★
9. Do U Lie?: ★★
10. Kiss: ★★★★★
11. Anotherloverholenyohead: ★★★★★
12. Sometimes It Snows In April: ★★★★★
