ARTIST: Adam & the Ants
TITLE: Prince Charming
YEAR RELEASED: 1981
CHART ACTION: #94 US, #2 UK
SINGLES: Stand and Deliver (#38 Dance, #1 UK), Prince Charming (#1 UK), Ant Rap (#3 UK)
OTHER SONGS YOU MAY KNOW: Nope
LINEUP: Adam Ant, Marco Pirroni, Merrick, Terry Lee Miall, Gary Tibbs
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: Oof. What a disappointment.
SOME WORDS, PHRASES AND CLAUSES ABOUT THIS RECORD: Starting with horn charts, “Scorpios” kicks off the record on a hopeful note, but soon, as the song devolves into a cluttered mess, you know something was up.
What was up? Instead of a record chock full of fun and exuberant songs, Prince Charming became a vehicle to deliver a great single (“Stand and Deliver”), a so-so single (the title track, way too repetitive), a good deep cut with a goofy name “Picasso Visita El Planeta De Los Simios”, and unfished, hacky gunk and what sounds like leftovers from his previous albums.
On what planet would “Ant Rap” work? Not this one.
The songs are slight, repetitive, and unfocused. The production is messy. The second side grinds to a boring halt. Adam & the Ants weren’t supposed to be boring, but there’s even a song about sex that puts you to sleep.
The Ants split soon after, with Adam taking Marco along for a solo career. Thank goodness he had “Stand and Deliver”.
NOTES & MINUTIAE: There’s a hidden cut called “The Lost Hawaiians” which isn’t really worth the mystery surrounding it.
IS THERE A DELUXE VERSION: Yes. Demos. Joy. Unpolished demos of unfinished songs. Hooray!
GRADE D+: Two good tracks, one fair track, dreck, and the mother-f’n “Ant Rap”.