Prince promised to deliver "an album that matters," and he succeeded with this double-LP. Despite the importance intended by the album's title (and the seriousness of the eponymous song), Sign 'O' the Times shows Prince toning down the funk. That doesn't mean he shies away from sexual content and dancy numbers. Some of his best rave-ups, including "U Got the Look," "Hot Thing," "It's Gonna Be a Beautiful Night," and "Housequake," are here. Some of his best relationship songs are here, including the cross-dressing "If I Was Your Girlfriend," "It," "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man," and "Strange Relationship." While it has been mandated that listeners must hear tracks like "The Cross" and the title track, this album is highlighted by its quiet numbers, like "The Ballad of Dorothy Parker," "Starfish and Coffee," and the album's closer, "Adore." While not as passionate or perverse as 1999, this record proves to be one of Prince's most balanced. Sadly, he has never quite lived up to its vast potential since.
By: Yerblues