Just 20 years ago, Prince was king. He was partying like it was 1999 and about to embark on the royal reign of Purple Rain. He was at the top of his game and at the peak of the pop-music mountain along with Michael Jackson and Bruce Springsteen. That anniversary merits a major statement, like a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction (check) or a world tour (check). But don't add Musicology to that list; it's a solid and occasionally hot album, but like so much of Prince's work in the last 15 years or so, it's merely good work from an artist who has laid the groundwork from which we expect greatness. Musicology is certainly an apt title; few performers maintain Prince's breadth and diversity, and these 12 tracks traipse all over the musical map, from the sinewy funk of the title track, "Life O' the Party" and "Illusion, Coma, Pimp & Circumstance" to the old school R&B balladry of "Call My Name" and "Reflection" to the lush, smooth pop arrangement of "A Million Days." "Cinnamon Girl" (not Neil Young's) and "The Marrying Kind" are convincing rockers, while "Dear Mr. Man" taps into the soul tradition of social commentary. But nothing is infectious or innovative enough to be particularly memorable. There's a feeling of retrenchment throughout-a been-there-done-that quality--and a number of surprisingly rote, wooden grooves never really get swinging. Prince may be well-studied in his field, but Musicology is hardly a master class.

"Just 20 years ago, Prince was king. He was partying like it was 1999 and about to embark on the royal reign of Purple Rain. He was at the top of his game and at the peak of the pop-music mountain along with Michael Jackson and Bruce Springsteen. That anniversary merits a major statement, like a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction (check) or a world tour (check). But don't add Musicology to that list; it's a solid and occasionally hot album, but like so much of Prince's work in the last 15 years or so, it's merely good work from an artist who has laid the groundwork from which we expect greatness. Musicology is certainly an apt title; few performers maintain Prince's breadth and diversity, and these 12 tracks traipse all over the musical map, from the sinewy funk of the title track, ""Life O' the Party"" and ""Illusion, Coma, Pimp & Circumstance"" to the old school R&B balladry of ""Call My Name"" and ""Reflection"" to the lush, smooth pop arrangement of ""A Million Days."" ""Cinnamon Girl"" (not Neil Young's) and ""The Marrying Kind"" are convincing rockers, while ""Dear Mr. Man"" taps into the soul tradition of social commentary. But nothing is infectious or innovative enough to be particularly memorable. There's a feeling of retrenchment throughout-a been-there-done-that quality--and a number of surprisingly rote, wooden grooves never really get swinging. Prince may be well-studied in his field, but Musicology is hardly a master class.

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