Song: Call My Name
Album: Musicology
Year: 2004
A simmering slow jam from what AllMusic calls Prince's comeback album (given the 8 years wandering in the wilderness of his own self-indulgence after his "emancipation" from Warner Bros.). It's a solid, competent and relative concise (clocking in at 5:16) slow groove. For Prince it feels restrained - no virtuoso instrumentals, no spoken word seductions, no vocal acrobatics - and that restraint is welcomed. The musicianship and backup vocals are tight. It all blends together well into a laid-back soul/pop offering. In case you were wondering, he does whisper to you that his name is Prince, just in case you thought it was Mr. Goodnight.
Verdict: 4/5 stars
Would I sing it at karaoke? I wouldn't dare.
Song: Sunday - Moby Remix
Album: Heathen
Year: 2002
Like Call My Name, this Bowie offering represents an accomplished artist making a bit of a comeback. He brings back producer Tony Visconti, with whom he had not collaborated since 1980's Scary Monsters album. The sound is restrained and assured, though (and again like Call My Name) there is enough of interest within the track to warrant repeated listens in which more nuance is continually discovered. The lyrics seem post-apocalyptic and, though listeners have suggested references to 9/11, Bowie has stated that the song was written before those events transpired. The Moby remix brings some more pronounced electronic flourishes to the forefront and somewhat diminishes the brooding tone of the original.
Verdict: 3.5/5 stars
Would I sing it at karaoke? Should world events dictate, yes.
Winner: Call My Name
Running Score: Bowie 5, Prince 3
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