Customer Reviews

Lovers Rock

5 star:		(272)
4 star:		(108)
3 star:		(45)
2 star:		(31)
1 star:		(18)

 

 

Aside from one of the most erratic recording schedules in pop history, Sade has spent her career being known and revered for her indisputably original sound. Imitators have come and gone, and countless artists site her as an influence (as controversial as it sounds, she is as important and unique to R&B as the Beatles were to rock), but in the end there is only one Sade, with a voice as warm as an island breeze and grooves as fluid as an ocean's tide. And thankfully, a seven-year hiatus after 1993's "Love Deluxe" hasn't dulled those sensibilities, either: the comeback record "Lovers Rock" proves itself exceedingly worthy of a place in her musical legacy.

Make no mistake; Sade is no more conscious of musical trends than she ever was. She still favors sparse but insistent rhythms, still sings with a deceptively simple seduction, and is still backed up by the same musicians (keyboardist Andrew Hale, guitarist Stuart Matthewman, and bassist Paul Denman). These elements make the first track (and single), "By Your Side," instantly familiar, for all its melodic understatement and flowing beats. A sort of cross between 60's rock and soul, the song is classic Sade all the way. But be prepared to raise an eyebrow elsewhere on the record; "Flow" offers a surprising taste of hip-hop folk, while "King of Sorrow" pairs up traditional Spanish influences with a warm wah-wah guitar. The smooth, destined-for-radio "Somebody Already Broke My Heart" adds a dose of modern soul, while "Every Word" even finds Ms. Adu dabbling in a dose of rock.

Another important aspect of trying new ideas is knowing when to let them end, and impressively, the reggae pop of "All About Our Love" and the swinging lullaby of "The Sweetest Gift" both clock in under three minutes and still sound like perfectly complete ideas. The production on "Slave Song" is another triumph, as the surreal percussion and keyboard effects are the perfect compliment to a lyric that tells a narrative most of us can barely even imagine; the end result is appropriately haunting. Another effective moment comes on the socially-conscious "Immigrant," which once again proves that less is more: giving examples of the humiliation a man of color endures in the face of prejudice, a simple line like "to even the toughest among us/that would be too much" sums things up so clearly and eloquently, the lyric gets its point with all the force of an expletive-laden rap song.

But the album's most irresistible moment, however, is more familiar but no less impressive: the sensual samba of the title track supports a sparse, lushly-chorded keyboard line and intricate guitar highlights, all topped off with Sade's unique poetry ("I am in the wilderness/you are in the music in the man's car next to me") and a distorted spoken section thrown in for good measure. The track represents everything a Sade fan looks for in one of her songs. Then again, for all its musical uniqueness, gentle experimentation and stylistic maturity, "Lovers Rock" represents everything a Sade fan looks for in one of her albums. She's still a smooth operator indeed.

Nobody makes pain feel as good as Sade. Since her 1984 debut, the oh so sensual chanteuse Sade Adu and her moody groovers Stuart Matthewman (on guitar and sax), Andrew Hale (keyboards) and Paul Spencer Denman (bass) have made a successful career out of their exotic, down-tempo odes to love and loss.

In the eight years since they released their last studio album, Love Deluxe, Sade has, if anything, gotten sultrier. And with today's marketplace dominated by hyperperky teen pop, she returns as the Anti-Britney. (sorry Brit)

With a sound that's strikingly real for these digitized times, Lovers Rock doesn't look only at the rocky side of romance. The disc-opening single, "By Your Side," with its arrangement laying bare, a simple yet poignant lyric, is positively uplifting. Even such sad songs as "King of Sorrow," "Somebody Already Broke My Heart" and the achingly beautiful ballad "It's Only Love That Gets You Through" attest to the adage that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. And with Sade, the melancholy makes for some mesmerizing music.

For every emotion and mood there is a song goddess. For the broken hearted street sista "catchin hell" there's Mary J. Blige, for the jazzed out romantic, there's Anita Baker, for the outspoken, take-no-mess diva, there's Aretha Franklin, for the conscious groove there's Erykah Badu and Jill Scott, and of course for the rainy nights of isolated individuals or on and off again lovers just the same, there's always been Sade. And she is back.

Lover's Rock picks up where Love Deluxe left off, with Sade's melting, haunting vocals over smooth, beautiful tracks that ignite passion, pain, and everything in between. "By Your Side" opens this passage into the soul and with each song, it cuts deeper and deeper. This is classic Sade but it's also Sade's who has grown lyrically and musically. She delivers the gospel of the heart. The moodiness of the mind. And the mysteries of the spirit all in one. Creating an endless experience. An album that'll be played as much as you played Love Deluxe and Love is Stronger Than Pride.

No one brings the passion to music like Sade. She's like the remedy to your loneliness, the counselor to your difficult relationship, and the sermon to your dreams.

Rock on.

Sade is back big time with Lovers Rock. She sounds great throughout this CD. By Your Side is a wonderful song about all the things that a person should receive in a relationship like encouragement, support, and tenderness. All About Our Love is another good song about the affrimation of love between 2 people. Lovers Rock is a great song about how the power of music can become a source of strength during tough times. Sade deals with deeper themes on the song Slave Song. It is a powerful song about maintaining a sense of optimism that future generations won't have to endure the suffering slaves have gone through. I love the beat of the drums on this song. Somebody Already Broke Heart is about a yearning from someone wanting to be treated with kindness and tenderness after a painful breakup. You will enjoy this CD.

I was hesitant to buy this cd because of some negative reviews I'd seen, but I am so glad I went ahead and purchased it. This is a more mature Sade, both emotionally and musically. The music is spare, it lets her voice and emotion come through unfettered, and Sade has a lot to say. She is happy, she knows that life sends it's own problems, but she has her lover's rock, and that is enough. Sade has gone through a lot of changes in her life, but she has found a place to rest from the storms. This is the first Sade cd I actually sat through and didn't get bored with her voice or what she has to say. This is not a work for those used to the Mya's, Monica's or Brandy's of the world, but for those who have come through teen angst to the other side, to adulthood, and adult love and all that it brings. Love how she has matured and taken us with her.

Sade has become one of those artists whose recordings I will by without having heard them, resting assured that I won't be disatisfied with my purchase. I happened to be in a record store a few weeks ago, and this cd was playing. Though I only stayed long enough to hear one chorus of the title track "Lover's Rock", the hook of the chorus stuck in my head until I finally, inevitably bought a copy. I was not disappointed, and considered the cd a promise fulfilled. Sade basically picks up where she left off with some of her later recordings, straying from her initial sound (which counered her voice wonderfully against saxaphone) to a more subdued, acoustic sound which puts her unique voice and evocative lyrics in the spotlight they deserve. The featured instrument here is her voice, harmonized with itself through the magic of over-dubbing. This is grown-up music in that it bypasses the trends of celebrity-producer-rapper cameos and endless melismas and focuses on honest, straightfoward music. Stand-out tracks include "By Your Side", "King of Sorrow", "All About Our Love", "and "Lover's Rock", not to say that the rest of the cd is filler. Every song here stands on it's own quite well. It all satisfies. In the end, more of the same from Sade is more than enough.

Its been a long time, long time coming. It was worth the wait. Her first single "By Your Side" is a great cut. Pop the CD in and listen to tracks like "Somebody Already Broke my Heart", "Flow" "All About Our Love" and heck the WHOLE CD is nice!!!!!! What a mellow and romantic CD. She takes me to a place thats been missing in the music industry, my soul. Her lyrics are always unforgettable and she keeps the consistency. Welcome back Sade!!!

I deejay on one of the local radio stations has been talking about this long awaited album, it seems for ages. First it was spring of '99 and then fall '99, winter, etc. Well, it has finally arrived and as a Sade fan, I am delighted. I have worn out her greatest hits CD which still gets played on a regular basis. The new album portrays a softer, mellow, matured flavor that satisfies the soul. I immediately fell in love with the first track and current release, "By Your Side", reminding me of a mellow country reggae tune reminscent of Bob Marley. "King of Sorrow" reminded me of old Sade tunes. "The Sweetest Gift" was smooth and "Slave Song" shows her ongoing consciousness. Those Sade fans expecting the upbeat tempo of older tunes such as "Smooth Operator" and "Hang Onto Your Love" will be disappointed but rest assured Sade still has the capacity to stir those loving feelings on a cold night.

I have to say I was never one of Sade's biggest fans.Okay like millions I did buy and enjoy Diamond Life,but after a while I found her songs to be a bit bland and always sounding the same.Maybe it's because she hasn't done anything for 8 years and even though the overall sound is similar to what she has done previously-I can't help but I like this c.d.

The start helps enormously.From the first laidback,mellow chords of "By Your Side"-this c.d. has grabbed my attention.It's just a beautiful late night tune-and it's just so catchy-you find yourself humming this as you drift off to sleep.The pace and mood of the c.d. hardly changes at all-party music it ain't!It's totally designed for a late night chill out time.Apart from the songs of romantic optimism there are also songs of great hurt and sadness in the romance stakes that is.Song 3 "King Of Sorrow" and the amazing song 8 "Every Word",illustrate this.In fact the latter with it's Red Hot Chili Peppers guitar riff at the start and it's feint Euro vocoder vocals it's my favourite song on the c.d.Song 4 another about "a broken heart" has the heavy bass and drums of Massive Attack-an excellent song.Then the more optimistic and upbeat song 5 "All About Our Love" is also really magnificent with a killer catchy chorus.So we're 5 songs in and the high standards of excellence have been maintained all along.

The next song "Slave Song" shows a welcome change of lyrical content and it's an issue Sade touches on in song 9 "Immigrant" also.Unfortunately while these may have the best lyrics on the album,I just didn't think the actual tunes were as good.The reggae riff on "Slave Song' is also a nice change,but I do think it's one of the few weak songs on the c.d.

The Sweetest Gift is such a simple,short and very uplifting song.It's the shortest on the c.d. but the sentiment comes across so well,when all it needs is Sade's excellent voice and one acoustic guitar.The title songs has a guitar and rhythm to it which is very reminiscent of Finlay Quaye.It's not one of her better songs though.Finally the closing track is just so hauntingly beautiful with an organ and a piano that would be so suited to a smokey late night bar.It finishes off this album superbly.

So after Sade is back and it's a really superb return to form for her.I'm not surprised this c.d. has done so well chart wise.I would totally recommend this c.d. to all.

Being a Sade fan, I am very impressed with her new CD, this is something that you can sit by the fire and enjoy the music and lyrics, all have been thoughtfully written and each song has a meaning that would apply to you or someone you know. Welcome Back Sade.