Planet Prince: B+

After experiencing a turbulent expedition through the '90s, Prince ushered in the new millennium with a comeback of sorts in 2004, releasing Musicology and 2006's equally strong offering 3121. Both made Billboard's Top Ten, with 3121 peaking at No. 1. In 2007, after a showstopping halftime performance at Super Bowl XLI (where he played "Purple Rain" in, uh, purple rain) and after stirring some controversy in London for giving away early copies of his new album, Planet Earth was officially released to the public. \nOn Planet Earth, listeners will find Prince playing his heart out and touching almost every dynamic while sounding like classic Prince. He opens the album with light commentary on the album's self-titled track. When his first guitar solo hits just after the five-minute mark, Prince lets the listener know he's here to rock. Immediately following is the album's first single "Guitar," featuring a catchy riff that sounds like it came from the U2 catalogue. Prince then slows it down with the jazzy horns and piano of "Somewhere Here On Earth," and in "Future Baby Mama" he delivers a tranquil bounce that journeys into a spoken interlude, bringing the listener swaying back into the chorus. The strong backbeat and flow of "Mr. Goodnight" leads into the soft pop of "All The Midnights In The World." "Chelsea Rodgers" is an album highlight, a funk spaceship of sound that bounces on bass and hits the listener with soulful singing. Closing the album is "Resolution," which ends the album similar to the way it began, with soft music and light commentary.\nAble to change it up and keep the album cohesive, Prince fans will find it all here. He rocks. He grooves. He slows it down. And he solos. Oh, how he solos. \nWhile Prince may be an artist whose career has already peaked, the strength of his last few albums, as well as the return of Purple Rain contributors Wendy and Lisa for Planet Earth, leave room for Prince fans to be optimistic about the future. Amazingly still relevant, it's hard to believe a 49-year-old Prince can still sound so well -- and look so good.