20Ten
{{use mdy dates|date=April 2016}}
{{Infobox album
| name = 20Ten
| type = studio
| artist = Prince
| cover = prince20ten.jpg
| border = yes
| alt =
| released = July 10, 2010
| recorded = Early–mid 2006; 2009–early 2010{{cite web |url=http://www.princevault.com/index.php?title=Album:_20Ten |title=Album: 20Ten – Prince Vault }}
| studio = Paisley Park, Chanhassen, Minnesota, US
| genre = {{hlist|Pop|funk|rock|soul}}
| length = 39:18
| label = NPG
| producer = Prince
| prev_title = Lotusflow3r
| prev_year = 2009
| next_title = Plectrumelectrum
| next_year = 2014
}}
20Ten is the thirty-fifth studio album by American recording artist Prince. It was released on July 10, 2010, by NPG Records as a free covermount with the Daily Mirror and Daily Record in the UK and Ireland,{{cite news |first=Roy |last=Greenslade |title=Mirror and Record to give away Prince album |date=June 29, 2010 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2010/jun/29/daily-mirror-prince |newspaper=The Guardian |accessdate=July 9, 2010 | location=London| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100702161158/http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/greenslade/2010/jun/29/daily-mirror-prince| archive-date=July 2, 2010 | url-status=live}} and Het Nieuwsblad and De Gentenaar in Belgium.{{cite web|url=http://www.nieuwsblad.be/article/detail.aspx?articleid=UA2S76CE&kanaalid=1371 |title=Prince geeft nieuw album weg via uw krant|work=Het Nieuwsblad|date=June 28, 2010 }} It was also released on July 22, 2010, with Rolling Stone magazine in Germany,{{cite magazine |url=http://www.rollingstone.de/news/article.php?article_file=1277763000.txt&showtopic=The%20Pop%20Life |title=Prince: Neue CD "20Ten" exklusiv im Rolling Stone |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=June 30, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100701233516/http://www.rollingstone.de/news/article.php?article_file=1277763000.txt |archive-date=July 1, 2010 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} and Courrier International in France.{{cite web|url=http://jeux.courrierinternational.com/albumprince/|title=Courrier international crée l'evènement|work=Courrier International|access-date=July 2, 2010|archive-url=https://archive.today/20100703072350/http://jeux.courrierinternational.com/albumprince/|archive-date=July 3, 2010|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}
The album was produced, arranged, composed, and performed by Prince at Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota. It is his thirty-third studio album released in the UK.{{cite news |title=Prince throughout the years – timeline of the music legend's career |date=July 6, 2010 |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2010/07/06/prince-throughout-the-years-timeline-of-the-music-legend-s-career-115875-22385683/ |newspaper=Daily Mirror |accessdate=July 10, 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100710104500/http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2010/07/06/prince-throughout-the-years-timeline-of-the-music-legend-s-career-115875-22385683/| archive-date=July 10, 2010 | url-status=live}} 20Ten contains musical elements of funk, pop, rock, and soul music.{{cite news |title=Prince: 20TEN – one day left: La Roux, Rio Ferdinand and Scott Mills give their verdict |date=July 7, 2010 |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/2010/07/08/prince-20ten-one-day-left-la-roux-rio-ferdinand-and-scott-mills-give-their-verdict-115875-22399155/ |newspaper=Daily Mirror |accessdate=July 10, 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100713101237/http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/2010/07/08/prince-20ten-one-day-left-la-roux-rio-ferdinand-and-scott-mills-give-their-verdict-115875-22399155/| archive-date=July 13, 2010 | url-status=live}} Some titles of the tracks from the album were revealed as clues in Prince's song "Cause and Effect" which was released to radio earlier in 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.drfunkenberry.com/2010/02/23/mpls-89-3-to-premiere-new-prince-song-this-friday |title=MPLS' 89.3 To Premiere New Prince Song This Friday |publisher=Drfunkenberry.com |date=2010-02-23 |accessdate=2011-09-01}}
Release
Prince revealed the name of the album when receiving a lifetime achievement award at the 2010 BET Awards in June 2010. He stated to the Daily Mirror that he chose the title because, "I just think it's a year that really matters. These are very trying times."{{Cite news |first=Peter |last=Willis |title=Peter Willis goes inside the star's secret world |date=July 5, 2010 |newspaper=Daily Mirror |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/latest/2010/07/05/prince-world-exclusive-interview-peter-willis-goes-inside-the-star-s-secret-world-115875-22382552/ |accessdate=July 21, 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100710225652/http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/latest/2010/07/05/prince-world-exclusive-interview-peter-willis-goes-inside-the-star-s-secret-world-115875-22382552/| archive-date=July 10, 2010 | url-status=live}} He considered the album a personal diary of the year.{{Cite news |title=Pop idol Prince seeks pied a terre in France |date=July 8, 2010 |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6671R220100708 |accessdate=August 12, 2010 | first=Victoria | last=Bryan}}
Over 2.5 million copies were distributed by Trinity Mirror, the publisher of the Daily Mirror and Daily Record. Prince was featured in the publications, to which he granted his first interview in a British newspaper in over 10 years. The issue of the Mirror cost 65 pence; the album was not available as a digital download or in retail stores.{{Cite news |first=Helienne |last=Lindvall |title=Prince's war with iTunes plays into the hands of illegal filesharers |date=July 12, 2010 |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2010/jul/12/prince-itunes |accessdate=July 12, 2010 | location=London| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100715050349/http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2010/jul/12/prince-itunes| archive-date=July 15, 2010 | url-status=live}} Prince stated to the Mirror that this method of releasing the album was "the best way to go... no charts, no internet piracy and no stress,"{{Cite news |first=Tom |last=Bryant |title=Purple reign |date=July 10, 2010 |newspaper=Daily Mirror |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2010/07/10/purple-reign-115875-22402175/ |accessdate=July 12, 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100713115722/http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2010/07/10/purple-reign-115875-22402175/| archive-date=July 13, 2010 | url-status=live}} although the album is easily available for illegal download via peer-to-peer networks.{{Cite news |first=Jared |last=Moya |title=Fans Bypass Prince, Distribute New 20Ten Album Online |date=July 13, 2010 |work=ZeroPaid |url=http://www.zeropaid.com/news/89873/fans-bypass-prince-distribute-new-20ten-album-online/ |accessdate=July 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100716184459/http://www.zeropaid.com/news/89873/fans-bypass-prince-distribute-new-20ten-album-online/ |archive-date=July 16, 2010 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} The publisher released that sales of the Daily Mirror increased by 334,000, and sales of The Daily Record increased by 45,000 copies on the day it included the album.{{Cite news |first=Andre |last=Paine |title=Prince Giveaway Boosts Mirror's Sales |date=July 13, 2010 |magazine=Billboard |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3id62c14caef9dce16d67b0a9d88612e10 |accessdate=July 13, 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100717130655/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3id62c14caef9dce16d67b0a9d88612e10| archive-date=July 17, 2010 | url-status=live}}
Prince released his album Planet Earth in July 2007 under a similar arrangement with the British newspaper The Mail on Sunday. No plans for a U.S. release have even been announced.{{Cite news |first=Daniel |last=Kreps |title=Prince Preps Funky New Disc '20Ten' |date=June 29, 2010 |magazine=Rolling Stone |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/17386/122641 |accessdate=July 9, 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100702150552/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/17386/122641| archive-date=July 2, 2010 | url-status=dead}}
On October 8, 2010, Prince told French radio station Europe 1 that he was reportedly planning on releasing an updated edition of the album called 20Ten Deluxe.{{cite web| title = New Prince Song Snippet!~ "Rich Friends" Listen Now | work = Dr. Funkenberry.com| date = October 8, 2010| url = http://www.drfunkenberry.com/2010/10/08/new-prince-song-snippet-rich-friends-listen-now}}
Reception
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = AllMusic
| rev1score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}
| rev2 = MusicOMH
| rev3 = NME
}}
20Ten received mixed reviews from most music critics. Columnist Tony Parsons reviewed the album for the Daily Mirror, the newspaper marketing the album.{{Cite news |first=Paul |last=Morley |title=Paul Morley on music: Prince |date=July 11, 2010 |newspaper=The Observer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/jul/11/paul-morley-on-music-prince |accessdate=July 11, 2010 | location=London| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100714114920/http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/jul/11/paul-morley-on-music-prince| archive-date=July 14, 2010 | url-status=live}} He wrote that it was "as good as [Prince's] all-time classics like Purple Rain and 1999 " and that it's "his best record since Sign o' the Times 23 years ago."{{Cite news |first=Tony |last=Parsons |author-link=Tony Parsons (British journalist) |title=Prince – 20TEN the first review: This is his best album for 23 years says Tony Parsons |date=July 7, 2010 |newspaper=Daily Mirror |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2010/07/07/prince-20ten-the-first-review-this-is-his-best-album-for-23-years-says-tony-parsons-115875-22386952/ |accessdate=July 8, 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100710085940/http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2010/07/07/prince-20ten-the-first-review-this-is-his-best-album-for-23-years-says-tony-parsons-115875-22386952/| archive-date=July 10, 2010 | url-status=live}} Joachim Hentschel, writing for the German edition of Rolling Stone, viewed the album as Prince's best effort since 1992's the Love Symbol Album.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.rollingstone.de/news/article.php?article_file=1278456060.txt |title=Prince: Was erwartet uns auf "20Ten"? |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240524231324/https://www.webcitation.org/5rMqhc9MV?url=http://www.rollingstone.de/news/article.php%3Farticle_file=1279752060.txt&showtopic=The%20Pop%20Life |archive-date=May 24, 2024 |url-status=dead }} Jason Draper of NME gave 20Ten a 4/10 rating, stating that while it "has its moments", the album was "no way" his best in 23 years, but likely his best in four years.{{cite web |first=Jason |last=Draper |title=Album Review: Prince, '20Ten' (NPG) |date=July 12, 2010 |publisher=NME |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/prince/11437 |accessdate=July 12, 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100715060436/http://www.nme.com/reviews/prince/11437| archive-date=July 15, 2010 | url-status=live}} MusicOMH writer Luke Winkie gave it 2 out of 5 stars and described it as "one of the slightest albums the man has ever recorded; fluffy, anti-climatic, and utterly boring".{{cite web |first=Winkie |last=Luke |title=Prince – 20Ten |work=musicOMH |date=July 12, 2010 |publisher=MusicOMH |url=http://www.musicomh.com/albums/prince-5_0710.htm |accessdate=July 20, 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100721104024/http://www.musicomh.com/albums/prince-5_0710.htm| archive-date=July 21, 2010 | url-status=live}} Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic gave the album 2½ out of 5 stars and wrote that its songs feature "enough of a shape to be attractive from a distance, not enough to withstand closer scrutiny... hooks don’t sink in, funk jams are stuck in low gear, sensuality only simmers, the rhythms are somewhat stiff, and Prince’s deliberate mining of the past only highlights how he’s stripped the freakiness out of his entire persona".{{cite web |first=Stephen Thomas |last=Erlewine |title=20TEN > Review |date=July 12, 2010 |publisher=Allmusic |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1942199/review|pure_url=yes}} |accessdate=July 20, 2010 }}
Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = 20Ten track listing
| all_writing = Prince{{cite AV media notes |title=20Ten |others=Prince |date=2010 |type=back cover |publisher=NPG Records }}
| title1 = Compassion
| length1 = 3:57
| title2 = Beginning Endlessly
| length2 = 5:27
| title3 = Future Soul Song
| length3 = 5:08
| title4 = Sticky Like Glue
| length4 = 4:46
| title5 = Act of God
| length5 = 3:13
| title6 = Lavaux
| length6 = 3:03
| title7 = Walk in Sand
| length7 = 3:29
| title8 = Sea of Everything
| length8 = 3:49
| title9 = Everybody Loves Me
| length9 = 4:08
| title77 = Laydown
| note77 = hidden track
| length77 = 3:07
| total_length =
}}
Notes:
- Tracks 10 to 76 contain five to six seconds of silence.
Personnel
- Prince – all vocals and musical performances, except as indicated below
- Liv Warfield – background vocals
- Shelby J – background vocals
- Elisa Dease – background vocals
- Maceo Parker – horns
- Greg Boyer – horns
- Ray Monteiro – horns
Release history
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.discogs.com/Prince-20ten/release/2349465 20Ten] at Discogs
{{Prince albums}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Prince (musician) albums