Search - Robert Palmer :: Addictions 2

Intriguing Reworking of Palmer Favorites

James E. Bagley | Sanatoga, PA USA | 02/21/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When Robert Palmer's first "Addictions" volume came out in 1989, it included most of his biggest hits such as "Addicted To Love," "Bad Case Of Loving You," and "Simply Irresistible." This 1992 follow-up concentrates on his lesser hits and favorite album tracks and makes for a far more interesting collection."I Didn't Mean To Turn You On" was the one big hit not found on the first volume and is included here in its original form. The majority of the rest of the tracks, however, have been remixed, revoiced, or flat out remade. "Every Kinda People" appears on both volumes. Here it has been remixed to emphasize the acoustic guitar. It is nice, but so was the original, so there really wasn't much need for its reworking. "Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley" has had the overdubs removed so that it is just Palmer and the Meters jammin' and the end result is a far more potent sound. "Man Smart, Woman Smarter" also eliminates the overdubs. Its raunchier sound helps it prevail over the silly lyrics. The Todd Rundgren ballad "Can We Still Be Friends" has been remixed, with added overdubs, which results in a suitably more polished recording.Palmer's liner notes on each track contribute to the collection enormously, as he explains why he felt these tracks needed to be reworked and how he went about "improving" on the original versions. On "You Are In My System," for instance, Palmer relates that he was rushed to put down his vocal on the initial release. Now, it has been revoiced and does indeed benefit from a stronger vocal performance.Additions 2 concludes with two songs which weren't reworked and are the weakest tracks on the collections. Gary Numan's "I Dream Of Wires" is monotonous and morose, while "The Silver Gun," sung by Palmer in Urdu, is just plain weird. These two selections reflect Palmer's often esoteric musical tastes."

Addictions Vol 2 Worthy Follow Up For Palmer

Thomas Leonard | Pittsburgh PA | 06/28/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"1989's Addictions Vol 1 was a comprehensive "best of" collection of Robert Palmer's work since going solo in the mid 70's. Combining big hit singles with lesser known album tracks and live favorites, all of which were chosen by Palmer himself, the album was a multi million seller in the US and a Top 10 hit in the UK. In 1992 Palmer released the follow up, this time spending moere time remixing and/or re-recording older songs from his early days that he felt weren't done properly originally. Palmer lamented his lack of production experience early in his career and essentially took this album as a chance "to get it right" so to speak.



Some of the songs are better, at least more contemporary sounding, when re-done for this compilation. Big hits however are hard to find, except for "I Didn't Mean To Turn You On" (Top 10 in both US and UK) and "She Makes My Day" (Top 10 in the UK). This set focusses much more than Vol 1 did on album cuts and lesser known material so casual fans might not recognize more than a couple of selections.



Combined with Vol 1, the two albums make for an excellent complilation of Robert Palmer's work for the first half of his solo career (no material after 1988 is included in either album). Because much attention is given to less well known songs, some major hits from the period are excluded ("Hyperactive", "Early In The Morning"). Also, niether album is a complete look into Palmer's long career since the last 15 years he recorded aren't included. Still, some of the strongest work the singer did is included in these albums and even casual fans should be entertained by either set. VOL 2 is highlighted by an excellent re-working of "Every Kinda People", complete with a new guitar figure,the anti racism themed ballad that gave Palmer his first Top 20 hit in the US back in 1978. Palmer also placed a premium on liner notes and both albums feature extensive info about each song, written by Palmer himself. That alone makes either album a worthy buy for any collector."

Remembering Robert Palmer 1949-2003

andy8047 | Nokomis,Florida | 10/25/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The late Robert Palmer planned to release this album in the fall of 1990,a year after ADDICTIONS VOLUME 1. But he opted for another all-original album that both rocks hard and gently serenades. In this great 15-song compilation released in 1992,you get more of the blue-eyed soul man's best tunes like his first hit from 1974,at least in America,SNEAKIN' SALLY THROUGH THE ALLEY,from the album of the same title. REMEMBER TO REMEMBER is from 79's SECRETS. Palmer had other hits like SHE MAKES MY DAY,EARLY IN THE MORNING,I DIDN'T MEAN TO TURN YOU ON,HYPERACTIVE,GET IT ON(BANG A GONG) and COMMUNICATION(the latter two are from 1985's THE POWER STATION). Palmer released another album in '92,preceding or following this one,RIDIN' HIGH which is very much like 1990's DON'T EXPLAIN. The other songs are great. I dedicate this item to the memory of Palmer(January 19,1949-September 26,2003)."