It's a strong, cohesive album with some quality songs. I'd be interested to hear what the album opener was prior to 'Baltimore' as my understanding is that this may have been a later addition that substituted a different track. 'Revelation' for me is a truly classic Prince song and up there with his very greatest work. 'Black Muse', 'Look at Me, Look at U' and 'Stare' are also very strong but there isn't a poor song on the album. 'Screwdriver' sounds out of place (I'd have prefered 'Shades of Umber') but even that's a minor criticism.
That sums it pretty well.
I would prescribe the "Black Muse" / "Revelation" pair to anyone suffering depression. And if "Baltimore" doesn't lift you up and makes you believe in a better future, you definitely ain't got no Groovy Potential. This is an album best enjoyed played at 11.
The Colors R brighter, the Bond is much tighter
No Child's a failure
Until the Blue Sailboat sails him away from his dreams
Don't Ever Lose, Don't Ever Lose
Don't Ever Lose Your Dreams
The Colors R brighter, the Bond is much tighter
No Child's a failure
Until the Blue Sailboat sails him away from his dreams
Don't Ever Lose, Don't Ever Lose
Don't Ever Lose Your Dreams
Black Muse and Stare are as good as anything that he has ever made. There is not one song I don’t like on the album. Amazing that his last tour and his last album were among his best.
I am certainly no conspiracy theorist but I have wondered about this too. When Phase 1 came out, I thought it was his weakest album- ever. I thought June was oddly personal. I thought 1000 Hugs was good but, not as good as the early 90s original. I just felt he was trying too hard to sound like 'now'.... then he mysteriously surprise releases phase 2 which is a total opposite of phase 1. It is organic, it is well written....it has some of his greatest music ever in Black Muse, Groovy Potential, Look at Me, Baltimore ...REVELATION!! I asked myself, why would he slip in such an organic album 2 month after Phase 1. Then, all the confessional stuff on AOA, and his very open commentary during the Jan.21 Piano and Mic shows. Just the fact that he did Piano and Mic shows....is all of this coincidence?
I think there is more to the story that has not leaked out. My gut sort of tells me he may have known something b/c the last album, the last tour, his openess all seemed to be a message. If there is anything we know, we know he spoke through his music and if you accept that, it's pretty clear that he was saying 'goodbye'....
also, and I know this may be reaching, his hair....the man changed hair styles frequently throughout his career. Yet, he kept that afro from at least 2013 to 2016...3 years, in Prince years, is a very very long time. He kind of goes out with the same style he had when he started.
I'm sure it is a coincidence but it just makes his life and career that much more incredible...the way he went out was so....what's the word...