Different, this guy is hitting on all points, odd background vocals that would be hard to repeat. He is a breath of fresh air to the music industry. what great job experimenting with odd grooves that work.{I taught his son in elementary] I WISH PRINCE WOULD TRAVEL DOWN THE ROAD VAN IS ON, SEEMS HE IS TRAVELING ALONE. RADIO WILL BE TO AFRAID TO PLAY IT BUT ITS PHAT. IN HURRY EXCUSE THE CAPS

I am a big fan of his. I love that he experiments, but he actually goes a bit too far. There is a reason why I don't listen to jazz. I don't need top 40, but I need something I can digest. It is not like the first two albums were easily accessible pop. I'll buy this one like I do all of his albums, but I hope I listen to it as much as the first two.

donnyenglish said:

Being a fan of Van's myself, I have to say that after a few listens, his new album is his least engaging and cohesive effort to date.

There are several solid songs in this set, but some of the songs are half-baked. What Were You Hoping For? is no less adventurous and far more consistent. Maybe it will grow on me over time.

[Edited 8/5/15 13:24pm]

namepeace said:

Being a fan of Van's myself, I have to say that after a few listens, his new album is his least engaging and cohesive effort to date.

There are several solid songs in this set, but some of the songs are half-baked. What Were You Hoping For? is no less adventurous and far more consistent. Maybe it will grow on me over time.

[Edited 8/5/15 13:24pm]

wow,really, so U not feeling HATS, PUDDING,CANT STOP THINKING ABOUT U. oh well i love some complex funky music.and those few are very simple. his music usually grows on u. once u relize what he is doing.

joelmarable said:

namepeace said:

Being a fan of Van's myself, I have to say that after a few listens, his new album is his least engaging and cohesive effort to date.

There are several solid songs in this set, but some of the songs are half-baked. What Were You Hoping For? is no less adventurous and far more consistent. Maybe it will grow on me over time.

[Edited 8/5/15 13:24pm]

wow,really, so U not feeling HATS, PUDDING,CANT STOP THINKING ABOUT U. oh well i love some complex funky music.and those few are very simple. his music usually grows on u. once u relize what he is doing.

Do you mean French for Cloud when you wrote Can't Stop Thinkin' About You?

That's my least favorite song but still very pleased with the album overall and VH delivered.

Emotional Criminal and If I Wanna Dance With You are my favs.

I didn't need a few listens and started off with headphones and let it soak in.

-

Besides his albums, I also bought (from Amazon) a live set and an acoustic EP with an unreleased track Hidden Charms that shouldn't be missed.

-

Van Hunt and Maxwell have been my most anticipated releases and hope to see them in concert.

joelmarable said:

namepeace said:

Being a fan of Van's myself, I have to say that after a few listens, his new album is his least engaging and cohesive effort to date.

There are several solid songs in this set, but some of the songs are half-baked. What Were You Hoping For? is no less adventurous and far more consistent. Maybe it will grow on me over time.

[Edited 8/5/15 13:24pm]

wow,really, so U not feeling HATS, PUDDING,CANT STOP THINKING ABOUT U. oh well i love some complex funky music.and those few are very simple. his music usually grows on u. once u relize what he is doing.

Good for you. Condescend much?

"She Stays With Me" and "Vega" are the standouts on this album. It's just my least favorite of his efforts overall.

If you like, "complex funky" music, Hiatus Kaiyote is eating everybody's lunch in 2015.

namepeace said:

joelmarable said:

namepeace said:

Good for you. Condescend much?

"She Stays With Me" and "Vega" are the standouts on this album. It's just my least favorite of his efforts overall.

If you like, "complex funky" music, Hiatus Kaiyote is eating everybody's lunch in 2015.

cool. i will check Hiatus out then,thanks,no offense meant nor was i trying to be condescending.

joelmarable said:

joelmarable said:

namepeace said:

cool. i will check Hiatus out then,thanks,no offense meant nor was i trying to be condescending.

Okay, sorry if I overreacted. Maybe it's because the vinyl's been delayed for several months!

Happy listening.

After spending two plus months with this album, I agree with NP: this is Hunt's most subdued
and least interesting album yet. Where I was very excited upon it's release, after some time,
there are two or three tunes that I really enjoy and find musically interesting.

As for Hiatus, they sound too studied for me.

Unlistenable.

I guess it's an ego thing - apparently for him it's not enough to make good music or to make music just for having fun; it rather looks he wants to come across as someone who is a "TRUE ARTIST".Probably this is why all his latest stuff sounds so wannabe artsy.

Unfortunately for him (and me) "art" seems to translate for him to "muddy", "distorted" and also apparently recognizable melodies are just for whimps.Honestly, it's a mystery to me how he wants to remember his vocal lines for playing live - melodies pretty much don't exist or are not memorable in any human way.

It's a shame as i still think his first 2 albums belong to the best R&B stuff that has been released in the last 20 years.If only he could let go his "I'M AN ARTIST ! I'M AN ARTIST!" ego..

[Edited 8/8/15 0:37am]

This album was my first taste of Van Hunt (never would have checked him if it wasn't for the Org). I listened through twice on the NYT stream before buying. I like it a lot, I found it to be not predictable and somewhat of a curiousity, which I like. I wonder if I'll like his previous albums, I plan to find out sooner or later.

beatz01 said:

Unlistenable.

I guess it's an ego thing - apparently for him it's not enough to make good music or to make music just for having fun; it rather looks he wants to come across as someone who is a "TRUE ARTIST".Probably this is why all his latest stuff sounds so wannabe artsy.

Unfortunately for him (and me) "art" seems to translate for him to "muddy", "distorted" and also apparently recognizable melodies are just for whimps.Honestly, it's a mystery to me how he wants to remember his vocal lines for playing live - melodies pretty much don't exist or are not memorable in any human way.

It's a shame as i still think his first 2 albums belong to the best R&B stuff that has been released in the last 20 years.If only he could let go his "I'M AN ARTIST ! I'M AN ARTIST!" ego..

[Edited 8/8/15 0:37am]

It sounds as if he's waded into those waters (he's not the only talent to succumb to that in recent years). I'm willing to continue on this journey with him, but you make some legitimate points.

duccichucka said:

After spending two plus months with this album, I agree with NP: this is Hunt's most subdued
and least interesting album yet. Where I was very excited upon it's release, after some time,
there are two or three tunes that I really enjoy and find musically interesting.

As for Hiatus, they sound too studied for me.

Agreed; as for HK, that's a legit assessment but a KILLER effort all the same.

namepeace said:

joelmarable said:

wow,really, so U not feeling HATS, PUDDING,CANT STOP THINKING ABOUT U. oh well i love some complex funky music.and those few are very simple. his music usually grows on u. once u relize what he is doing.

Good for you. Condescend much?

"She Stays With Me" and "Vega" are the standouts on this album. It's just my least favorite of his efforts overall.

If you like, "complex funky" music, Hiatus Kaiyote is eating everybody's lunch in 2015.

Hell yea!

namepeace said:

joelmarable said:

namepeace said:

Okay, sorry if I overreacted. Maybe it's because the vinyl's been delayed for several months!

Happy listening.

Okay namepeace im all over hiatus music its allthat thanks,she is bringing it,anybody else u know on that complex funk style please let meknow

Glad you enjoyed it. I can't say that I know of many other acts you might find interesting in that vein, but Bad Rabbits release decent tracks every now and then, and Bilal has dropped a new album.

The Stepkids first album from 2011 is in that alt-funk vein.

KingSausage said:

Van's new album is amazing. Hiatus is a total snooze. To each their own.

Hunt remains the most interesting songwriter in R&B even if his latest effort is bordering on
being a bore-fest. And I'm inclined to agree with you abut Hiatus.

duccichucka said:

KingSausage said:

Van's new album is amazing. Hiatus is a total snooze. To each their own.

Hunt remains the most interesting songwriter in R&B even if his latest effort is bordering on
being a bore-fest. And I'm inclined to agree with you abut Hiatus.

Agree with ducci on Van's album, nice effort, but his weakest to date. Disagree with both on Hiatus, but reasonable minds can disagree.

[Edited 8/12/15 9:22am]

Absolutely quality album! But does anyone know when the vinyl is coming out? I pre-ordered it on Amazon months ago but they keep pushing the date back - now it's just 'unavailable'. Anyone have any info?

superflybenito said:

Absolutely quality album! But does anyone know when the vinyl is coming out? I pre-ordered it on Amazon months ago but they keep pushing the date back - now it's just 'unavailable'. Anyone have any info?

I would email him directly. Or message him via Twitter as this sounds like some bullshit.

superflybenito said:

Absolutely quality album! But does anyone know when the vinyl is coming out? I pre-ordered it on Amazon months ago but they keep pushing the date back - now it's just 'unavailable'. Anyone have any info?

I got it at my local vinyl shop. If yours sells new vinyl they should be able to get it for you. It may be delayed because the demand is so high. Discogs.com is an option too.

(I even delayed listening to the album until I got the vinyl because it came with a free MP3 download!)

[Edited 8/19/15 12:35pm]

Thanks for the responses guys! Maybe it is simply because demand is so high. It's listed as 'Sold Out' in a few different places. Surprisingly, i couldn't even find the vinyl version on Discogs!

Amazon has set a new date of Sept 4, so I'll see what happens.

Just to say again though - what a quality album!!

superflybenito said:

Just to say again though - what a quality album!!

He's always good for great lyrics (another reason why he's R&B's most interesting songwriter
these days) but he's capable of better work. I think he's much more capable. Anyways:

Popular 10/10
What Were You Hoping For? 8.5/10
Van Hunt 8/10

On The Jungle Floor 7/10

The Fun Rises, The Fun Sets 6/10

Just wanted to add my opinion....

This is one of the best albums i have heard in such a long time along with Black Messiah.

This is just perfection. Excellent prodcution, bold ideas, NEW ideas, experimental, innovative and most of all....funky with a dark groove.

Wish i could say that about my fave artist.

WetDream said:

duccichucka said:

He's always good for great lyrics (another reason why he's R&B's most interesting songwriter
these days) but he's capable of better work. I think he's much more capable. Anyways:

Popular 10/10
What Were You Hoping For? 8.5/10
Van Hunt 8/10

On The Jungle Floor 7/10

The Fun Rises, The Fun Sets 6/10

I like all the Van Hunt albums but I'm going to have to give On The Jungle Floor the top spot in my favorites. Love that one!

On a side note I pre-ordered the Fun Rises/Sets vinyl from amazon on June 3 and the latest I've heard is release date is September 10, 2015 - September 12, 2015. I have the CD but I'm really looking forward to spinning this one on wax.