Hitnrun Phase One

This is not a return to form, it's a completely new direction that, once again, shows that prince is magic. Unlike many of his post-Diamonds and Pearls cds, nothing on here sounds forced. If anything, it sounds like prince, again, is showing that whenever he wants, he can do any kind of music. This cd has beats and sounds that we've never heard him do before and I don't think we ever expected.While it's not perfect, it doesn't sound like he's chasing trends, like he's done sporadically since Graffitti Bridge. This is the most engaged he's sounded since Musicology, let alone last year when he dropped two sprawling dimes. X's Face and the new version of This Could Be Us are not only highlights of the album, but his post-80s catalog. The same can be said for the exquisitely odd June and the infectious 1000 X's and 0's (which I've loved since the version with Nona Gaye surfaced on the bootleg scene 15 or 20 years ago).Ain't About to Stop finds Prince and Rita Ora riding a beat as hard as the lyrics suggest, "I come from North Minny and I never run from any. And I ain't about to stop right now!" But it could have used a tad more Rita. Million $ Show with Judith Hill (from the Voice) sounds like it's on the album simply so you can go crazy and sing along when it starts the live show. Both will sound better with repeat listening and could use decent videos (please, Prince!). Fallinlove2nite lost something when he removed Zooey Deschanel vocals. Hardrocklover could have a home on some of Prince's greatest albums. And Lianna La Havas' voice is always a delectable treat, even though the song, Mr. Nelson, is basically a reworking of Clouds from last year's massively underappreciated Art Official Age.Bottom line - This is music to appreciate now. This if for fans that enjoy the slightly indulgent, artistic Prince of In the Bed Eye Scream, Joy in Repetition, Waiting Room (No Doubt), Tick, Tick, Bang, Man O War remix, and U Know.HitnRun is an undaunted Prince blending funk, EDM, alternative, and dub like only he can. I have several of these songs on the same playlist as Little Dragon, St. Vincent, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. It's not Purple Rain II or Sign of the Times II, but I believe, with a modicum of promotion, it will stand the test of time and find a position in the upper echelon of Prince albums.

Today is one of the sadder days of my life. I went to bed last night grooving to "HardRockLover" and was so excited for the official release of "Phase 2" next week. When I woke up in the morning, incredible sad news hit my computer screen. Tears have continued to go down my cheek every few hours since hearing of Prince's passing.As for the CD itself, there are 2 very good songs that would compete with anything from Prince's most popular days."HardRockLover" is absolutely incredible. Listen to it 10 times before making judgement. You will be blown away!!!The other song that is an obvious hit and once again makes Prince one of the most romantic artists of all time is "1000 X's and O's."The moment I heard the song, I sent part of the lyrics to my girlfriend and got major points from her. She even shed a tear!The most significant line on the album is on "Mr. Nelson." It goes "Mr. Nelson........ Where you are now is a place that does not require time!

今回の新作、前作のパロディみたいなジャケットのせいでいまいち期待が膨らまず、（こんな人は多いかと・・・）それもあって飛びついて買おうという気になれず、どうせなら国内盤を待とうと思い待ちました。（あと、西寺郷太氏の解説も読みたかったのも理由で）←凄く良かったです。さておきそのジャケットから連想したイメージとは全く逆で、とんでもなくカッコイイ　「今の」　殿下の作品でした。１曲目からある種のスピード感や緊張感がアルバム全体に流れており、１曲の中に対しても　「次はどう展開するんだ？」　「どんな音が飛び出してくるんだ？」と、ドキドキさせられます。（本当です）そして各曲の間に曲間が無いのも功を成して、アルバム一枚で１曲といった印象も持つことが出来ます。（勿論良い意味で）中にはここ数年のＵＳのポップシーンに目立ったサウス系のダルなヒップホップトラックや、完全にパターン化したＥＤＭ曲のテイストを取り入れた楽曲もあるけれど、どれも極上ともいえる殿下経由のアレンジになっており、安っぽさが皆無どころか　「音楽とはこうだ～」　と提示したいかのような素晴らしい出来になっています。さすがだ！と聴くたびに感じてしまってます。とにかくどの曲も一切だれることなく聴け、聴くたびに発見があるような全盛期の殿下の作品のような印象すら感じさせてくれます。８０年代の殿下は孤高の存在だったけれど、今の殿下は皆と歩幅をなるべく合わせ、その上で凄く良質な作品を聴かせてくれるイメージが個人的にあります。その意味ではこの作品は最高傑作かもしれないと思っています。長々と書いてしまいましたが、ただひたすらにカッコイイ曲が続く　凄くカッコイイアルバムだと思います。※前作の　「アート・オフィシャル・エイジ」　を夢中でずっと聴いていた間に、いつの間にかこんな新作でこんな事を！？殿下の音楽に随分と久しぶりにこう感じれた事が何より感無量です。

アルバム「ヒット・アンド・ラン」にはフェーズ1と2が出ていますが内容的に両者は別物で、このフェーズ1はむしろ前作「アート・オフィシャル・エイジ（以下、AOA）」との関連性の方が高いです。　先ず曲目、数曲はAOAと重複、もしくはリミックスとなっていること。そしてプロデューサーがこのアルバム、AOAとジョシュア・ウォルトンが関わっていること。最後にジャケット、同じ絵柄ですね（笑）。つまりこのアルバムはAOAの続編、もしくはそのリミックスアルバム的な存在だと言えるのではないでしょうか。そう言えばこのアルバムは曲と曲との間に間を置かず、メドレーのようにくっつけているものが多いです。ダンスフロアでかける事を意識したアルバムですね。でもその分一曲一曲の完成度は低いように感じます。そこに星一つマイナスです。　プリンスは晩年自分の開いたパーティーでよくDJをしていました。Macのノートパソコンを用いて。もしかしたらそういう感覚がこのアルバムに反映されているのかなぁと。

This CD is awesome! Prince did it again and every song on this CD is a winner. Don't listen to the people that didn't like it, I don't know what that is about because the CD is classic Prince with a twist of hip and modern. I can jam off of every song and listen to this CD all day which I have since I bought it. So upset that we have lost him, but his music and spirit will live on and you can definitely hear it in each of these songs. Ignore the naysayers and if you want to get this CD you won't regret it and if you are a TRUE Prince fan you will love it as I do.