Prince (October 27, 1982) – 1999 Album Release / “It’s Message Music: The Message Is S-E-X” Review - The Louisville Times (November 20, 1982)
Released on October 27, 1982, Prince’s 1999 receives a highly enthusiastic four-star assessment from music editor Laurie Niemetus in The Louisville Times. Under the provocative headline “It’s message music: The message is S-E-X,” the review examines Prince’s continuing fascination with sexuality while praising the musical growth, arrangements and production of an album regarded as stronger than its predecessors. The same page also reviews The Time’s What Time Is It? and announces that Prince and The Time would perform together at Louisville Gardens on December 5.
Publication: The Louisville Times
Publication Date: November 20, 1982
Album Release Date: October 27, 1982
Country: United States
Reviewer: Laurie Niemetus
Album: 1999
Label: Warner Bros.
Rating: ★★★★
THE REVIEW
The article opens by joking that a warning about sexual content would not seem out of place on Prince’s album covers.
Laurie Niemetus argues that sexuality is deeply embedded within American culture and presents Prince as an artist particularly capable of exploring the subject through music.
The reviewer describes Prince as capable of finding different meanings within sex: communication, self-knowledge, liberation and enjoyment.
At the same time, the article argues that Prince’s work is not exclusively celebratory. Relationships can also contain pain and confusion, and Niemetus finds those contrasting ideas throughout 1999.
MUSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Although the headline concentrates on sexuality, the review makes clear that Niemetus believes Prince has developed considerably as a musician.
The article praises Prince’s voice, noting that the falsetto familiar from Dirty Mind and Controversy remains present but is now used with greater effect alongside Prince’s normal register.
Niemetus also finds greater range and depth in Prince’s vocal performance.
The arrangements receive particularly strong praise. Compared with Dirty Mind, the new album is described as possessing a “lusher” sound.
The reviewer singles out the gospel influence heard on “Free” and the prominently sustained synthesiser sound running through “Automatic.”
1999
The title track receives particular attention.
Niemetus describes “1999” as a party song set against the threat of nuclear destruction, capturing the contrast between an apocalyptic theme and celebratory music.
The review notes that the song was already successful on Black music charts and in discos and argues that it deserved a wider audience.
D.M.S.R.
“D.M.S.R.” is another important track within the review.
The initials are identified as:
Dance, Music, Sex, Romance
The song is characterised as one of the album’s strongest dance-oriented moments and an effective example of the themes running throughout 1999.
FREE
“Free” is highlighted as Prince’s patriotic anthem.
The reviewer notes its concern with appreciating freedom and describes it as one of the pieces demonstrating greater ambition within Prince’s writing and arrangements.
INTERNATIONAL LOVER
The review describes “International Lover” as one of the album’s most effective pieces.
Niemetus praises the track without dwelling heavily on its lyrical details, identifying it as another strong component of 1999.
THE ALBUM’S LENGTH
Not every aspect of 1999 receives unqualified approval.
Niemetus notes that the album contains numerous lengthy performances and argues that the songs appear designed almost as much to wear the listener out as to satisfy.
The review suggests that Prince’s approach can become excessive, although the overall assessment remains strongly positive.
THE TIME – WHAT TIME IS IT?
The same page contains a separate review of The Time’s album What Time Is It?, awarded:
★★★
The article identifies The Time as another Minneapolis group and explicitly notes Prince’s role in helping the band secure a Warner Bros. recording contract.
Frontperson Morris Day is discussed as sharing Prince’s enthusiasm for music and performance while delivering a different message.
Where Prince’s material revolves heavily around sex, The Time’s dominant idea is described as “cool.”
Songs discussed include:
“Wild And Loose”
“The Walk”
“Gigolos Get Lonely Too”
Niemetus regards the album as better defined than The Time’s debut, though the reviewer believes it still lacks artistic intent comparable with the group’s entertaining performances.
LOUISVILLE CONCERT
The caption beneath photographs of Prince and Morris Day provides an additional important piece of information:
“Prince (left) and Morris Day, of the Time, will perform at Louisville Gardens on Dec. 5.”
The clipping therefore connects both album reviews with a forthcoming joint appearance involving Prince and The Time.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
Published on November 20, 1982, the review appeared several weeks after the October 27 release of 1999.
Unlike the considerably more mixed Jon Bream review published in Minneapolis later that month, Laurie Niemetus gives 1999 the page’s highest rating and concentrates strongly on Prince’s musical progression.
Although sexuality supplies the deliberately provocative headline and much of the discussion, the review ultimately gives equal importance to Prince’s development as a singer, arranger and recording artist.
The accompanying photographs show Prince and Morris Day, with the caption promoting their forthcoming Louisville Gardens appearance.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: Contemporary review of 1999
Album Release Date: October 27, 1982
Publication Date: November 20, 1982
Reviewer: Laurie Niemetus
Album: 1999
Label: Warner Bros.
Rating: ★★★★
Additional Review: The Time – What Time Is It? ★★★
Concert Mention: Prince and The Time at Louisville Gardens, December 5
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
• Four-star review of Prince’s 1999
• Headline “It’s Message Music: The Message Is S-E-X”
• Discussion of sexuality as a central element of Prince’s songwriting
• Praise for Prince’s increased vocal range and depth
• The arrangements described as lusher than those on Dirty Mind
• Specific discussion of “1999,” “D.M.S.R.,” “Free,” “Automatic” and “International Lover”
• Some criticism of the length and intensity of the album
• Three-star review of The Time’s What Time Is It?
• Discussion of Prince’s connection with The Time
• Prince and Morris Day advertised for a December 5 appearance at Louisville Gardens
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