Third and Final Set of Duo's 80s-Defining Series of Masterful Albums Hall and Oates’ biggest-selling album also stands as their most ambitious. Recorded in 1982, when the duo practically owned the pop market, H20 strikes a keen equilibrium between polish, melody, muscle, and craft. The vocalists expand the emotional reach of their songwriting, and shepherd meticulous production and measured arrangements toward thrilling intersections of blue-eyed soul, edge new wave, soft rock, and dance. Staked to two giant singles, the double-platinum affair lingers as the group’s last masterwork. Oh-oh, here she comes! Yes, you know the refrain. In their number-one smash and album-opening “Maneater,” Hall and Oates distill all the trademark traits that made their music irresistible. Swinging verse structures; call-and-responses choruses; catchy, stick-in-your-head hooks; smooth synthesizer layers; doo-wop vocal fills; and here, even a reggae-nodding rhythm and cool saxophone lines to stir up the mood and atmosphere. The blend of seemingly disparate styles would seem disastrous in nearly any other artists’ hands, yet here, it’s euphoria. All of H20 follows suit. Hall and Oates H20 Track Listing: 1. Maneater 2. Crime Pays 3. Art of Heartbreak 4. One on One 5. Open All Night 6. Family Man 7. Italian Girls 8. Guessing Games 9. Delayed Reaction 10. At Tension 11. Go Solo
9**T
~ H2O Gets a remastered Extra tracks edition with updated liner notes and good looking package ~
1982, another great release from the duo!This remastered edition sounds good and it comes with good updated liner notes. Very nice graphics as well throughout.3 bonus tracks are "FAMILY MAN" 12" Rock Mix, "MANEATER" 12" Special Extended Club Mix, " ONE ON ONE" 12" Club Mix.* Highly recommended if you don't have this edition and it's not overly priced as some other editions are.The album as a whole is really good to listen to all the way through. I actually like this album better than "Private Eyes" as a whole, songfor song. I do love these rereleased editions since I never owned these studio albums on CD before.The 2 CDs that I have owned prior to these are "ROCK 'N SOUL, part 1" and "THE VERY BEST OF.." which consists of 18 tracks from their hits "Sara Smile" to 1984;s "Out of Touch"/"Method of Modern Love".** Goes well with the "BIG BAM BOOM" and "PRIVATE EYES" editions. As of this writing, I am not sure if "VOICES" has this type of release, but I will get it once it is done, certainly.
G**A
Commercial pop (what the hell does that mean anyway) 80's style
The tension on this album cover, the sweat, the energy. 11 albums deep. Daryl & John. You can cut it with a knife.H2O is awesome. It's everything that millennials love about Hall & Oates, from the potentially hokey album cover to the hits, to the vibe. This kicks off with freakin' "Maneater", does that not get the point across right out of the gate? What Hall & Oates do so well is curate a vibe from all of the musicians to create a perfectly realized sound. It's smooth and catchy, but it's got a little edge that cuts in, whether it be a distorted guitar lead, some lyrics that catch you off guard with their honesty, or that protoypal early 80's machismo that comes through in the songs. Daryl specifically just oozes front man here, when John takes lead vocals over, things suffer, but Daryl, he's just on fire here.I'm a relative newbie to Hall & Oates' full body of work, but the allure of this album made me leapfrog to it. And this is a perfect diving in point if you ask me, it's got the hits, it's got solid deep cuts, and it has everything that made these guys the icons they still are. Watch out boy.
F**S
H20 Mobile Fidelity Remaster is the bomb!!!
Hall & Oates' H20 is one my favourite albums from the duo's extensive catalogue (Big Bam Boom is numero uno followed by Abandoned Luncheonette and Voices). There are so many great songs on this album - Maneater, One On One, Family Man - and some very good ones as well (Open All Night, At Tension, Go Solo, Art of Heartbreak). For mine this is a four-star album but I'm giving it 5 stars simply for how good this Mobile Fidelity remaster is. It sounds absolutely sensational. I've been listening to this album on and off for 30 years and it has never sounded better than on this version. When the needle hit the record and the familiar drum and synth pattern of Maneater started it sounded like I was listening to a different record. The gorgeous One On One has never sounded better (there is a great version that CeeLo does with Daryl on his YouTube channel that's worth hunting down if only for the fact that it proves that Hall & Oates have some serious street cred).Being a limited edition you will want to act quick before they sell out but the Original Master Recording of H20 is definitely a must-buy if you're a fan of Hall & Oates. Highly recommended.
J**U
if your'e an audiophile, get it!!
if you want the best in sound quality, this is it. yeah, they're a little pricy, but they are remastered using the "20 bit K-2" method. basically it's as close to vinyl as you can get yet very clear. comparing it to the old cd release, it's like a whole new album. also, this along with the rest of the japan reissues are in these cool LP style cases, exactly like the vinyl! the main thing here is still the sound quality. it can't be beat. i won't mention any names but you can find it at a relatively cheap price elsewhere. all i'll say is that they are "import cds", get it? if you've been a Hall and Oates fan since the vinyl days, you'll appreciate every penny spent on this and the rest. pick your favorite album, buy it and check it out. i am now going to gradually get the rest, it's worth it.
T**Y
A good follow up to Private Eyes
This album, overall, is pretty good. There are a few songs that don't seem to fit in, but I do really like it. I actually would have given 4.5 stars if I could. The real gem for me was the Family Man extended mix. I have always loved that version and it was not on the original LP. It was great to hear it again.
J**D
It's Hall & flipping Oates what is not to love.
Any 80's collection is not complete without some H&O. I already had most of the songs on my ipod but was craving some more "original ones" not so much on the radar so picked up this, and three other H&O cd's and love them all. Was well worth it, this is music, this is what it's all about people.
W**.
A great retro album from Hall and Oates - one of their best!
Well I loved Hall and Oates in the 1980's and 1990's, and now I wish I'd bought this album back then to enjoy it more! Chock full of hits, also a great pop album. Highly recommended and great pop music, well crafted and from when Hall and Oates were at the top of their game on the charts!
P**R
Five Stars
Love this album
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