Click above to hear an audio version of this review, with musical selections. Audio produced by Derrick Stevens.

Prince's fourth album, made in Hollywood in 1981, can now be seen in retrospect as a transitional release.

Controversy was an album that beat you to the punch with its title. "Let's Work" was the biggest single from the album, which went to 21 on Billboard's Album Chart. "Let's Work" became a phrase that, maybe, those working with Prince have heard more than any.

His first single was called "Soft and Wet," and his previous album was called Dirty Mind. Prince had to work hard to make people think he was more than just a sex-talking party animal.