HitnRun 2 is a great album. Theres only one version of the album as far as i know. Just because hes using real instruments it doesnt mean its predictable. Black Muse is also a great song in my opinion. In fact there isnt a song i dont like on it. Each to there own!

I HNRP2!!!!

FlyOnTheWall said:

I stop myself from entering a Prince album thinking "okay time to have my mind blown for the 39th time!!!" because that is a sure way to ruin new music for you haha

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I thought the album was pretty good - in terms of the quality of the songs and performances. Plus there were a few interesting sounds that were new to him - like Groovy Potential album had an indie rock sound in the first half, and Baltimore had that guitar dueling orchestra section almost like it was off the Beck song Paper Tiger.

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I bet if you keep your expectations low and refind the album at a later time you'll be surprised at how good it is. That is what happened to me when I started listening to his 90s work right after his 80s stuff. My response is similar and later on I was able to appreciate the music for what it was instead of what it was not.

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It's cool though - too bad you didn't like it a whole lot.

i loved hit and run phase 2. phase 1 was even good starting at the second half. the best parts of his last 4 albums were pretty great if you ask me. jsut gotta go into it with a clear mind and no intention on comparing it to his past work which isn't really fair for any artist. of course they have gloy periods. not much will top 78-88 but there's a hell of a lot after that that could stand up to his best.

long story short, HRN2 was a great body of work. i agree. it was like rainbow children without the JW overtones.

i enjoyed it ... i still enjoy putting this album on .

Do any other fans expect to be blown away by the artists they love. I would imagine you go into most listening experiences wanting to feel moved either in your feet or your heart, wanting to let melodies and harmonies flow through your ears, waiting for interesting little hooks and emotional or sensual nuances, feeling embraced by the singer's voice..etc. Subtle nuanced craftmanship is something to be embraced as well. Music that blows you away doesn't always hold up over the years. It can become dated once it no longer blows your mind. People shouldn't lower their expectations for Prince albums. They should probably not have any expectations at all except expecting Prince and his band to put forth their best effort. Hit and Run phase II is not a 5/10 album like the other poster said. Is it edgy in a raw type of way? No. Is it sexy--hell yeah. Its a good album. I played Revelation for my 11 year son recently. His reaction was that it was "weird". I asked "Is weird a bad thing?" He said "NOpe". It seems like it blew his mind a little bit.

BEing blown away is a bonus--almost like an accident. It shouldn't be an expectation. I don't think P's earlier albums were necessarily intended to blow people's minds. He was just making his mark and doing his thing--expressing a vision.

"Safe" can just mean tight and in the pocket. Not a bad thing.

26ten said:

I stop myself from entering a Prince album thinking "okay time to have my mind blown for the 39th time!!!" because that is a sure way to ruin new music for you haha

.

I thought the album was pretty good - in terms of the quality of the songs and performances. Plus there were a few interesting sounds that were new to him - like Groovy Potential album had an indie rock sound in the first half, and Baltimore had that guitar dueling orchestra section almost like it was off the Beck song Paper Tiger.

.

I bet if you keep your expectations low and refind the album at a later time you'll be surprised at how good it is. That is what happened to me when I started listening to his 90s work right after his 80s stuff. My response is similar and later on I was able to appreciate the music for what it was instead of what it was not.

.

It's cool though - too bad you didn't like it a whole lot.

[Edited 12/30/16 11:46am]

NorthC said:

And I have a question: I know there's two different versions of this album: the original that was sold by Fetus and a later version. I don't know which one I've got! How can you tell the difference?

The only difference I've ever heard of had to do with the booklet--the Electric Fetus ones are complete, and the general retail ones (or at least many of them) are missing some pages. No difference as far as the actual content of the album.

I really like Phase 2.

I get that some of the songs had been released as digital singles. Though IIRC the versions on the album were different to the previously released mixes.

He doesn't use his falsetto much on this album. Not to say he doesn't at all, but most songs are in his lower register - even a couple of ballads/slow songs.

Coming off the back of Phase One, I really don't think it could have been described as predictable. It sounds nothing like the album that came before it.

RnRLAffair, Look At Me, Stare, ExtraLovable, When She Comes, Screwdriver, Revelation - All classic Prince IMO. Black Muse would be in there too if not for the entire second half of the song existing for no real reason.

Noodled24 said:

I really like Phase 2.

I get that some of the songs had been released as digital singles. Though IIRC the versions on the album were different to the previously released mixes.

He doesn't use his falsetto much on this album. Not to say he doesn't at all, but most songs are in his lower register - even a couple of ballads/slow songs.

Coming off the back of Phase One, I really don't think it could have been described as predictable. It sounds nothing like the album that came before it.

RnRLAffair, Look At Me, Stare, ExtraLovable, When She Comes, Screwdriver, Revelation - All classic Prince IMO. Black Muse would be in there too if not for the entire second half of the song existing for no real reason.

The entire second half of Black Muse is what makes that song classic Prince!

IIRC Michael Dean said on his podcast that the second half (dawn out instrumental that doesn't really go anywhere) was actually an entirely different song, which Prince added to make BM longer. Not sure where the info comes from but it kind of makes sense since it never really returns to the main groove.

I love Prince's lower register. Its textured and resonant. His middle range can be nasally but that's what makes it funky. His falsetto is often clear as a bell. I love the contrasts. However, the different voices might be why he is an undervalued singer at times. To someone who hasn't heard all the contrasts, they have only know him as the "skinny mofo with the high voice"...for example.

I think Phase 2 is full of sophisticated melodies and hooks and is warm and sexy in a laid back way. Nothing wrong with that.

Noodled24 said:

I really like Phase 2.

I get that some of the songs had been released as digital singles. Though IIRC the versions on the album were different to the previously released mixes.

He doesn't use his falsetto much on this album. Not to say he doesn't at all, but most songs are in his lower register - even a couple of ballads/slow songs.

Coming off the back of Phase One, I really don't think it could have been described as predictable. It sounds nothing like the album that came before it.

RnRLAffair, Look At Me, Stare, ExtraLovable, When She Comes, Screwdriver, Revelation - All classic Prince IMO. Black Muse would be in there too if not for the entire second half of the song existing for no real reason.

EddieC said:

Agree with original post, it is Prince in his comfort zone, but that's no bad thing. As a fan of albums it was nice to see some of those orphan releases find a home.

TheKid94 said:

Noodled24 said:

I really like Phase 2.

I get that some of the songs had been released as digital singles. Though IIRC the versions on the album were different to the previously released mixes.

He doesn't use his falsetto much on this album. Not to say he doesn't at all, but most songs are in his lower register - even a couple of ballads/slow songs.

Coming off the back of Phase One, I really don't think it could have been described as predictable. It sounds nothing like the album that came before it.

RnRLAffair, Look At Me, Stare, ExtraLovable, When She Comes, Screwdriver, Revelation - All classic Prince IMO. Black Muse would be in there too if not for the entire second half of the song existing for no real reason.

The entire second half of Black Muse is what makes that song classic Prince!

Agree about Black Muse. The second half is the best part! I really enjoy Phase 2 as a whole though.

Doozer said:

NorthC said:

If I have to keep my expectations low in order to like an album, them there really is something wrong. In other words: "I'm used to 10/10 albums, but if it's 5/10 this time, it'll be alright." For me, it doesn't work like that. And I'll be the first to admit that it has some great musicians on it. I'll give it another listen and it might grow on me, but I doubt I'll ever call it a great album. Next stop, Phase 1. Maybe it won't be as bad as everyone says!

agree with u.

PHASE 2 is not BAD at all, but it lacks energy, it is predictable, it's safe... It's a little bland, a little boring...

Any album that lacks energy is never going to be a GREAT Prince album.

Noodled24 said:

IIRC Michael Dean said on his podcast that the second half (dawn out instrumental that doesn't really go anywhere) was actually an entirely different song, which Prince added to make BM longer. Not sure where the info comes from but it kind of makes sense since it never really returns to the main groove.

The second part of BM was actually a song called a 1000 Light Years Away..it was originally slated for 2012's Welcome 2 America album.

i burned a cd for the car:

2y2d

look at me

stare

groovy potential

when she comes

revelation

xtralovable ...

in this order for when i want to skip the last one. nothing touches the original version,imo.

RNRLA is genric or a take me w/u rip off. i can't decide. maybe both.

screwdriver is idiotic

i like the singing on baltimore but confess i skip it at home.

[Edited 12/30/16 17:36pm]

feeluupp said:

NorthC said:

If I have to keep my expectations low in order to like an album, them there really is something wrong. In other words: "I'm used to 10/10 albums, but if it's 5/10 this time, it'll be alright." For me, it doesn't work like that. And I'll be the first to admit that it has some great musicians on it. I'll give it another listen and it might grow on me, but I doubt I'll ever call it a great album. Next stop, Phase 1. Maybe it won't be as bad as everyone says!

agree with u.

PHASE 2 is not BAD at all, but it lacks energy, it is predictable, it's safe... It's a little bland, a little boring...

Any album that lacks energy is never going to be a GREAT Prince album.

I feel that Hit n Run Phase II has plenty of energy focused into its detailed arrangements that you may need to dig through much pop music to find an equivalent.

>

Over years of listening to Prince's singing, which can be predictable at times after x-number-years performing, I can still find elements in this collection of songs that entice my ear. He mixes up his styles well on this one and I find the balance to be exceptional and fun to hear. He mailnly eliminates the high screaming here and keeps the tempo below high, factors I think that could tip one to frame the collection as average/ not bad--along with the fact that many of the songs were already known by fans. They were mainly fresh to me as I resisted the urge to hear the singles until they were presented in a collection.

>

To have heard many of those songs fresh worked to protect their novelty. The top-notch musicianship and the great lyrical content makes it a really exceptional album for me.

I truly consider it a masterpiece. Prince plays it safe, sure, but he does what he does best and it's just brilliant IMHO. Little did we know it would be his final album, but at least it's a wonderful final album to end a wonderful discography.

[Edited 12/30/16 23:34pm]

I prefer Phase 1


I truly wonder why you all like this very very boring album (Phase 2)..

NorthC said:

NorthC said:

EddieC said:

The only difference I've ever heard of had to do with the booklet--the Electric Fetus ones are complete, and the general retail ones (or at least many of them) are missing some pages. No difference as far as the actual content of the album.

Then I have the retail version. That's what I wanted to know, thanks.

I had no idea about this!?!

Mine has lyrics to all the songs, a credits page and a picture centerfold. I got it from somebody who got it in MPLS (either at Fetus or Paisley Park). Guess I have the original, complete one?!? What pages are missing in the retail version?