I can do without all of the generic-sounding effects, especially when they're laid over mostly B-level Prince material. Overall, it's a mediocre album with only a few highlights. I don't think I'm in the minority with that opinion.

I see this in the same light as Teddy Riley producing MJ, or Timbaland producing Justin Timberlake . . . where the producer's influence almost overshadows the performer. But in those 2 cases I mentioned, the end results were stellar. HNR1 is not.

The formula doesn't work for everyone. When Timbaland produced Chris Cornell (after having successfully produced JT and Nelly Furtado) the end result almost tanked Cornell's career. Luckily he rebounded very quickly.

i liked that it was an experiment to hear what Prince sounded like with a sound of the time.

i also believe that the guitars and bass were all Prince on this.

"Straight Purple Mack, Baby!"

idc about most of this album, but if josh is responsible for the way 1000 hugs and kisses sound than damn good job cause that track is perfect and smoother than silk

In theory, I should hate this album. I'm one of those fans who prefers when Prince is responsible for 99% of the sound you hear. I'm also one of those fans who criticized Prince when he chased trends. So I should bash this album, right?

But for whatever reason, I like it. It's fun to listen to and pleases my eardrums. And when it comes to listening to music, that's the bottom line, right?

On a side note, I think the most cliched dance music Josh came up with where some of the sounds in Art Official Cage (the song, not the album as a whole).

lurker316 said:

But for whatever reason, I like it. It's fun to listen to and pleases my eardrums. And when it comes to listening to music, that's the bottom line, right?

I like the album too, but defending it on the org is a task for masochists only. (See also: Newpower Soul, Rainbow Children.)

MIRvmn1 said:

HNR1 is one of the worst Prince albums (well it's Josh featuring Prince). It's one of those albums that should have stayed in the vault together with Plectrumelectrum but there's at least 2 really good songs on it, 1000 X’s & O’s and June. [Edited 6/25/22 12:19pm]

I'd much rather listen to HNR1 than Emancipation or Planet Earth.

lurker316 said:

MIRvmn1 said:

HNR1 is one of the worst Prince albums (well it's Josh featuring Prince). It's one of those albums that should have stayed in the vault together with Plectrumelectrum but there's at least 2 really good songs on it, 1000 X’s & O’s and June. [Edited 6/25/22 12:19pm]

I'd much rather listen to HNR1 than Emancipation or Planet Earth.

Heresy, I know, but I'd rather listen to HNR1 than Batman, Grafitti Bridge, Diamonds and Pearls, Chaos and Disorder, Rave Un2, and a few others.

lurker316 said:

MIRvmn1 said:

HNR1 is one of the worst Prince albums (well it's Josh featuring Prince). It's one of those albums that should have stayed in the vault together with Plectrumelectrum but there's at least 2 really good songs on it, 1000 X’s & O’s and June. [Edited 6/25/22 12:19pm]

I'd much rather listen to HNR1 than Emancipation or Planet Earth.

There is a reason why Planet Earth was FREE.

dustoff said:

lurker316 said:

I'd much rather listen to HNR1 than Emancipation or Planet Earth.

Heresy, I know, but I'd rather listen to HNR1 than Batman, Grafitti Bridge, Diamonds and Pearls, Chaos and Disorder, Rave Un2, and a few others.

I agree. HNR1 is a more enjoyable listening experience than any of the albums you listed.

The other album I'd put below HNR1 is Come.

dustoff said:

lurker316 said:

I'd much rather listen to HNR1 than Emancipation or Planet Earth.

Heresy, I know, but I'd rather listen to HNR1 than Batman, Grafitti Bridge, Diamonds and Pearls, Chaos and Disorder, Rave Un2, and a few others.

.

The only trouble I have with listening HNR1 is that it reminds me that this is last time Prince experimented with taking his music further. I always much preferred it to HRN2, which was been there, done that, when will we see HRN3.