Very underrated deep-cut by Prince - stripped-down New Wave influenced funk. I particularly love the way Prince recorded electric guitar during this part of his career - this song is a good example of that. The electric guitar almost sounds as if it's being played at full volume and distortion......but in a nearby room.
Some musical sleuthing I've conducted here:
I actually think Prince's "All The Critics Love U In New York" was influenced by The Talking Heads song "The Great Curve" from their Remain In Light album which was released in 1980 - approximately 2 years prior to Prince's 1999 album. "All The Critics..." is by no means a rip-off of "The Great Curve" but the two songs have things in common. Check out the electric guitar squeals on "The Great Curve" from 1:54-2:30 as well as from 5:30-6:23. The electric guitar on "All The Critics..." sounds very similar to that. Similar sound (almost heavy metal-ish) and particularly similar in the way the guitar was recorded. It's uncanny. Also, both songs have a three note bass-line repeated from start to finish which gives both songs a sense of urgency. And both have a simple rhythmic beat that is repeated for the whole song.
Again, Prince's ATCLUINY is not a rip-off of TH's "The Great Curve" - but I do believe there was an influence there. At that time, the Talking Heads were a critical New Wave favorite New York band. Prince was listening to a lot of New Wave at that time.
Very underrated deep-cut by Prince - stripped-down New Wave influenced funk. I particularly love the way Prince recorded electric guitar during this part of his career - this song is a good example of that. The electric guitar almost sounds as if it's being played at full volume and distortion......but in a nearby room.
Some musical sleuthing I've conducted here: I actually think Prince's "All The Critics Love U In New York" was influenced by The Talking Heads song "The Great Curve" from their Remain In Light album which was released in 1980 - approximately 2 years prior to Prince's 1999 album. "All The Critics..." is by no means a rip-off of "The Great Curve" but the two songs have things in common. Check out the electric guitar squeals on "The Great Curve" from 1:54-2:30 as well as from 5:30-6:23. The electric guitar on "All The Critics..." sounds very similar to that. Similar sound (almost heavy metal-ish) and particularly similar in the way the guitar was recorded. It's uncanny. Also, both songs have a three note bass-line repeated from start to finish which gives both songs a sense of urgency. And both have a simple rhythmic beat that is repeated for the whole song. Again, Prince's ATCLUINY is not a rip-off of TH's "The Great Curve" - but I do believe there was an influence there. At that time, the Talking Heads were a critical New Wave favorite New York band. Prince was listening to a lot of New Wave at that time.