PlectrumElectrum
by Prince
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 20
  3. Negative: 2 out of 20
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  1. Classic Rock Magazine
    Dec 16, 2014
    60
    This is a more conventional album. [Dec 2014, p.104]
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  2. Mojo
    Nov 7, 2014
    60
    PlectrumElectrum, the band set, although rockier and fuller, is just as random [as Art Official Age]. [Nov 2014, p.90]
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  3. The New York Times
    Sep 30, 2014
    60
    What constrains PlectrumElectrum is its rigorous, deliberately retro back-to-basics mandate. Prince at his best doesn’t just collect and recreate genres; he smashes them together.
  5. Billboard.com
    Sep 30, 2014
    60
    The formidable 3rdEye ladies want badly to be a raw, stripped-down rock band, but despite their chops and the analog production, the performances are slightly anodyne, scrubbed of menace.
  6. Uncut
    Sep 29, 2014
    60
    There are no songs here to touch past glories, [3rdeyegirl's] excitement in the studio is captured.... They just remind you he's still around; short of a tune, but the unique inhabitant of a purple planet all his own. [Nov 2014, p.80]
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  7. AllMusic
    Sep 29, 2014
    60
    If the songs on PlectrumElectrum don't stick the way those on Art Official Age do, it's nevertheless a quiet thrill to hear Prince spar with worthy partners, as he does throughout this record.
  8. The Guardian
    Sep 29, 2014
    60
    3rdEyeGirl are an impressively tight funk-rock band, and their presence inspires Prince to some imposing soloing on the instrumental title track and at the conclusion of Anotherlove. The issue with PlectrumElectrum is the variable quality of the songwriting on offer.
  9. Consequence
    Oct 13, 2014
    58
    Neither Art Official Age nor PLECTRUMELECTRUM aims to be a legendary Prince record, but both hit their marks anyway.
  10. PopMatters
    Sep 30, 2014
    50
    While Art Official Age is assuredly the more melodically assured of the two discs, PLECTRUMELECTRUM is at times way more fun, with Prince unleashing his iconic guitar skills in a litany of rockers that call to mind early cult favorites like 1979’s “Bambi” before falling into a generic pop spiral that he never really recovers from.
  11. Los Angeles Times
    Sep 29, 2014
    50
    He and band move through riffs, guitar solos and drum fills with a compact tightness that shouldn't surprise; Prince is a legendary taskmaster. The problem, though, is that half the songs, most obviously "White Caps," don't pop, don't scream for replay and should have landed on the cutting-room floor.
  12. Rolling Stone
    Oct 15, 2014
    40
    Prince does his Hendrix thing over turgid live-band grind, and songs like ''Whitecaps'' and ''Aintturninround,'' where 3rdEyeGirl step out front, have a New Age-y alt-rock feel, like No Doubt in a Funkadelic phase.

User Reviews

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User Score
5.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 33 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 33
  3. Negative: 11 out of 33
  1. Mintymona
    Apr 28, 2020
    7
    I feel as though the beats the band lay out with the musical legend are good enough to qualify as a good album, although it may not have theI feel as though the beats the band lay out with the musical legend are good enough to qualify as a good album, although it may not have the most meaning set in some songs in the list.… Full Review »
  2. gbblovesbrc
    Oct 18, 2014
    10
    Saw many of these compositions live when Prince & 3rdeyegirl visited Portland, OR in 2013. Longtime Prince fan have always dreamed of himSaw many of these compositions live when Prince & 3rdeyegirl visited Portland, OR in 2013. Longtime Prince fan have always dreamed of him putting out a unfiltered rock album......here it is and its lovely. The ladies of 3rdeyegirl are much more present in these songs than the ladies in the Revolution were back in the day. Straight up rockers "Another Love", "Ain't Turning Around", "Fixurlifeup", "Marz", and the incredible "Plectrumelectrum" carry this album. The latter song absolutely lit up the crowd at the Prince concert in Portland last year.....I mean the room was electric! "Whitecaps" is a timeless ballad and "Boytrouble" is a funky and very nice rap and "tictactoe" is song that could have been on "ArtOfficialAge." Excellent work, I'm so glad he did this one...its one for the ages! Once people get past their little snarky "Prince" issues and really listen to this album and "ArtOfficialAge" they will come around. Superb work!… Full Review »
  3. Revenant87
    Oct 3, 2014
    6
    Definitely the weaker of the two new Prince albums. When its good ("AnotherLove" "Wow" "Fixurlifeup") its very, very good- good enough for meDefinitely the weaker of the two new Prince albums. When its good ("AnotherLove" "Wow" "Fixurlifeup") its very, very good- good enough for me to give it a considerably higher score than I would have otherwise. Unfortunately outside of those 3 songs this is mostly a very throwaway album. "Stop this train" and "pretzelbodylogic" are decent enough, there are several tracks that have no real Prince element to them, such as the consecutive trio of "ainturninround" the instrumental title track and "Whitecaps" ...not intolerable songs by any means but it feels like the star of the show is missing and you're instead listening to a generic girl rock group. Then theres the absolute lowlights of the album "Boytrouble" probably takes the cake, again lacking an obvious Prince presence and containing some truly painful rapping. "Marz" has potential but feels underproduced and half finished (it clocks in at under 2 mins) while album closer "funknroll" is essentially a rubbish version of the song of the same name on Princes new solo release.

    All in all, if "Wow", "FixUrLifeUp" and "AnotherLove" had been plucked from this album and put on Art Official Age instead, PlectrumElectrumt would have literally no reason to exist.    … Full Review »
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