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Thread started 06/22/16 7:34pm

sro100

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Hit N Run 2 is finally growing on me

Like many a Prince abit, at first listen, I didn't really care for HNR Phase 2 at all. It just seemed so tame, so boring. It reminded me of when Green Day followed their raw rock with the middle-of-the-road blahs. Compared to Phase 1 (which also took time to grow on me) it just seemed flat.

But now 2's hidden pleasures are seeping into me. A lot of the grooves are so deep you don't really connect at first.

Some highlights:

"Baltimore" a truly strong opener.

"Groovy Potential" it just grows.

"Black Muse;" I love the way it shifts.

etc.

etc.

I can say that now I'm digging this all the way through.

A worthy final disc.

And y'all?

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Reply #1 posted 06/22/16 9:42pm

GoldStandard

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It's best appreciated when you can absorb multiple instruments at once. You really need to feel what everything is doing, feel the space between the notes of each instrument, etc. If you just listen to the vocal melody you won't consider this album as a masterpiece, but there are so any hidden layers to it (plus some of the song themes paint a movie). The ending of "groovy potential" changes rhythm completely because it was supposed to lead into "...when she comes". That's done on purpose. That 30-second groove at the end is the part of the movie where they finally get down and dirty, and when she comes is when they're lying in bed relaxing afterwards... most of his albums flow like a movie both musically and lyrically, and HNR Phase Two is more subtle in the musical department because of how natural the instruments sound I think.

[Edited 6/22/16 21:45pm]

Nobody I know gun' bite
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Reply #2 posted 06/22/16 10:04pm

sro100

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GoldStandard said:

It's best appreciated when you can absorb multiple instruments at once. You really need to feel what everything is doing, feel the space between the notes of each instrument, etc. If you just listen to the vocal melody you won't consider this album as a masterpiece, but there are so any hidden layers to it (plus some of the song themes paint a movie). The ending of "groovy potential" changes rhythm completely because it was supposed to lead into "...when she comes". That's done on purpose. That 30-second groove at the end is the part of the movie where they finally get down and dirty, and when she comes is when they're lying in bed relaxing afterwards... most of his albums flow like a movie both musically and lyrically, and HNR Phase Two is more subtle in the musical department because of how natural the instruments sound I think.

[Edited 6/22/16 21:45pm]

Correctumundo about the layers. I was just listening to it in my car and couldn't believe the little things that seem to come to life.

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Reply #3 posted 06/22/16 10:19pm

suomynona

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sro100 said:

A worthy final disc.


Thankfully this won't be his final smile

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Reply #4 posted 06/22/16 10:23pm

TrivialPursuit

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I think it was Aerogram that stated HNR2 is just a very well compiled set of songs. I'd agree. They run well together. I like it more than HNR1. "Big City" is just wonderful. I also like the added horns on "Rocknroll Loveaffair".

"eye don’t really care so much what people say about me because it is a reflection of who they r."
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Reply #5 posted 06/23/16 3:41am

MMJas

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TrivialPursuit said:

I think it was Aerogram that stated HNR2 is just a very well compiled set of songs. I'd agree. They run well together. I like it more than HNR1. "Big City" is just wonderful. I also like the added horns on "Rocknroll Loveaffair".

Totally agree with you. Big City is wonderful.

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Reply #6 posted 06/23/16 3:43am

SimonCharles

Still can't quite bring myself to listen to it.

Picked it up this morning...flipped it over in my hands a few times...put it back down. It's been sat on my office table for three weeks or so...can't quite bring myself to put it in the stereo.

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Reply #7 posted 06/23/16 4:34am

NoSwan

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Indeed, HNR2 is definitely a grower with a solid, multilayered sound design and some little shining gems like Stare (da bass is da funk!), When She Comes (wow, I feel here some Parade's breeze), Xtraloveable (a dance in an electric boudoire) and the smooth caresses of Revelation.

But...

I'm for HNR1, that escorts us to fresh sonic places - not necessarily experimental - and gives back to the listener (at least me, as a listener) a sense of excitement, of air and FUN that I can hardly feel in the latest release.

And the truly mastepiece is here: 1000 x's & o's!

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Reply #8 posted 06/23/16 5:00am

anangellooksdo
wn

I love Revelation". still haven't gotten HNR Ph II
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Reply #9 posted 06/23/16 6:26am

thedance

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I own the Phase 2 cd,

But I can't listen, I find it sooo boring.. sad

Phase 1 is good though. Great cd. cool

Prince 4Ever. heart
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Reply #10 posted 06/23/16 6:36am

SPYZFAN1

"Phase 2" is great. It's really grown on me too since it's release. It's a nice laid back, organic-old school style R&B record. I even dig "Screwdriver" (and I used to hate that song). "Revelation" and "Stare" are fantastic and "Black Muse" is the best song off the album.

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Reply #11 posted 06/23/16 7:37am

leadline

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Loved this album from the first time I heard it, I mean it really covers a lot of ground musically. The songs are super strong on top of that.

Black Muse combined with 1000 Light Years Away is an absoulte joyous combo.

[Edited 6/23/16 7:38am]

"You always get the dream that you deserve, from what you value the most" -Prince 2013
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Reply #12 posted 06/23/16 7:41am

stringerbell

The whole thing is good. It is multilayered -- and it is thoughtful. And, as always, it is pure funk.

Baltimore (I'm partial to my hometown and the concert he gave here last year)

Xtraloveable

Groovy Potential

Big City (alright you Polaroids!)

But the masterpiece - the modern "As" - is Black Muse. Richly layered (vocally and instrumentally). Historically poignant. Spiritually uplifting. The only thing I might change is the ending which seems like a bit of a come down (running out of things to say, so I think I'll just close for now).

The transition from the Black Muse section to the 1000 Light Years away section is pure brilliance musically.

And that intro bass line. Just incisive.

It should be in the pantheon of Prince's hits.

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Reply #13 posted 06/23/16 7:48am

RiotPaisley

I listen to this one all the way through every time. I don't skip a single track.

One of my favorites for sure. If I made a compilation cd of his last three releases, all the tracks on here would be included.
Surprise, surprise.
Another treat. Another trick.
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Reply #14 posted 06/23/16 7:57am

PurpleColossus

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Phase 2 is a great album. For me Groovy Potential and Revelation are the real gems from it. music

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Reply #15 posted 06/23/16 8:37am

yukoncornelius

I think it is his best album since 3121. I didn't care for Phase 1. I think the album would have been even stronger had several of the songs not been released in the last few years. Once "Stare" kicks in there's about 6 solid songs in a row.

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Reply #16 posted 06/23/16 8:59am

Baduizm

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For me, "When she Comes" is so soulful, it has a kinda Al Green feel to it. I love it!

I'm in the news again
For paying dues my friend
And not the type of ganda U prop up in my way
Don't Play me
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Reply #17 posted 06/23/16 9:10am

EyeOfOlympus

suomynona said:



sro100 said:


A worthy final disc.




Thankfully this won't be his final smile

It won't?
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Reply #18 posted 06/23/16 10:10am

MIRvmn

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It's an amazing album, I still think it's his best since TRC smile Revelation, Groovy Potential and Black Muse are my favorite songs from HnR2
Welcome 2 The Dawn
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Reply #19 posted 06/23/16 10:19am

CAL3

suomynona said:

sro100 said:

A worthy final disc.


Thankfully this won't be his final smile



It most certainly is.

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Reply #20 posted 06/23/16 5:28pm

TheGhostlyNun

suomynona said:



sro100 said:


A worthy final disc.




Thankfully this won't be his final smile



HITnRUN Phase Two was, is, and always will be his final disc. The final album released by Prince himself. This is a fact.

Anything released from this point on is an unofficial release, no matter who's involved in bringing the project to the public.
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Reply #21 posted 06/23/16 7:10pm

JoeyCococo

MIRvmn said:

It's an amazing album, I still think it's his best since TRC smile Revelation, Groovy Potential and Black Muse are my favorite songs from HnR2

I also agree that the last album to hit me all the way through was Rainbow Children. I loved Art Offical too ....I loved One Nite Alone, and most parts of many of the albums since. However, HITNRUN 2 is AMAZING TO ME. I just loved the arrangements and have made an observation. Like Sign O The Times, this was a collection of songs he did over the previous 4-5 years. He picked thbest of those years, or most cohesive and released together as one album. It is perfect.

It is amazing to me that he ended a 40 year career with such an amazing album w/o knowing it. It amazes me that his hair style was the same as the one he had in his first year of his career. It really is amazing, his story.

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Reply #22 posted 06/24/16 6:00pm

AlgeriaTouchsh
reek

unfortunately I was dumb enough to not get hold of it via TIDAL pre Christmas - how are you supposed to give anybody a Christmas present if it isn't physical?

.

Anyway, it basically pisses over everything for the past decade that isn't Art Official Age.

.

My only regret is not telling Prince that when I was beamed up by aliens the sound I heard when I got to heaven was the opening Roland D50 chords to eye Know, therefore proving beyond doubt from a statistical sample of one that all alien abductions are simply guided hallucinations and Roswell is a complete fraud!

i wish i'd never kissed your lips, bearded lady
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Reply #23 posted 06/24/16 6:22pm

AlgeriaTouchsh
reek

AlgeriaTouchshreek said:

unfortunately I was dumb enough to not get hold of it via TIDAL pre Christmas - how are you supposed to give anybody a Christmas present if it isn't physical?

.

Anyway, it basically pisses over everything for the past decade that isn't Art Official Age.

.

My only regret is not telling Prince that when I was beamed up by aliens the sound I heard when I got to heaven was the opening Roland D50 chords to eye Know, therefore proving beyond doubt from a statistical sample of one that all alien abductions are simply guided hallucinations and Roswell is a complete fraud!

Thankfully David Brent Life On The Road actually exists!! *snigger* seriously it's the best Prince album by a 56 year old man ever, the man's a genius

[Edited 6/24/16 18:23pm]

i wish i'd never kissed your lips, bearded lady
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