Customer Reviews

Seal

5 star:		(76)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

There are a very good number of pop albums out there that absolutely are extremely creative and highly intelligent with miles and miles of depth and thought-provoking lyrics and moody music. Seal's second self-titled album is one of those albums that has it all: substance, depth, enjoyability, excellent production, and timeless quality, all of these to an extreme level. Building upon the talents that came blasting through on his spectacular debut, the house dance elements that defined that awesome debut, are for the most part, replaced by a much more soulful blend of pop, R&B, and even occasional New Age elements on some of the songs.

I got my first dose of Seal's incredible music in the summer of 1994 when I was just 11 and first heard "Prayer For The Dying" on the radio back when this album was new and before then, I never even heard of him but later on when I first heard the whole album in the car on a trip and when "Kiss From A Rose" became a giant hit on the charts, I was instantly a fan for life. I loved his music when I first heard it when I was 11 and today, his music has gotten even better with age. I can remember a whole bunch of alternative rock artists that I loved during the tail end of the grunge era just before it winded down in 1995 and then the fads came along for the next few years which I enjoyed for a short period of time but later became embarrassed at hearing later on as I matured. Seal's music however is not one of those passing fads. His music has such a mature and highly fluid quality that makes all of the music that he has composed stand up ot the passing years and both this and his debut albums are classics and albums that I feel I need to have in order to survive.

When I was younger, I just simply enjoyed this album for its dark, dramatic and cloudy day tone to it but something happened to me that later on, made this album a diamond of a treasure and this album has taken on a whole new meaning that still rings today.

I was going through a severe downward spiral depression after losing a close friend of mines in a car accident several years ago when I finally managed to pick this album up one day and let me tell you, every song on here lifted me back up to my secure self again and because of this, this album has and always will have a special place in my collection as long as I live. The lyrics to songs like "Kiss From A Rose" such as the line "Light Hits The Gloom On The Grave" lifted me out of the dark depression that I went through following the loss that the song is totally meaningful and even before all this happened, the song was a very gorgeous song to listen to. The fact that this song became one of the biggest singles of all time is one of the rare moments when a truly great and meaningful song got the praise that it deserved even though it isn't my favorite song on this album. I still hear this awesome song on the radio relatively frequently. "Prayer For The Dying" became almost like my grief theme for the time but also a rather uplifting upbeat song while being sad all at the same time and for that, this is one of my favorite songs from this incredible CD. After all that turmoil, this album became a life-altering experience (in a positive light) and now this album has a special place in my collection.

While this album might be known primarily for the massive hit single from "Batman Forever", the best songs are the `non-singles' that are the real highlights. Several include the dramatic but fun opening track "Bring It On", with it's intense, grey, and dramatic melody, the warm, dreamy "Fast Changes" which is a highly uplifting song, and the elegant "People Asking Why", and the danceable "Newborn Friend". Even the `non-highlight' tracks that I haven't pointed out shouldn't be cast aside either as they are spectacular on their own.

I just don't know how to describe the nature of this album except that in the years since then, no one in my opinion has toyed with soul, pop, jazz, and occasional New Age blending the way Seal did with this album and his debut and I can easily say his second album could very well be his artistic crowning achievement of his career although his debut album does provide some competition. Even though 1998's "Human Being" doesn't quite rank up there with his first two albums, even that album shows that Seal has lost none of his edge.

I cannot find any major flaws on this album. The closest I could come is the hypnotically beautiful closer "Bring It On Reprise" but that's just because of it's short playing time and that it leaves you hungry for more but even then, it makes for a fantastic closer.

The fact that this incredible CD went platinum was one of the not so frequent times when a truly gifted artist got the attention he/she deserves with his/her talents and that this and his debut and even "Human Being" remain popular is testament that his music has (possibly) found a new audience. As I look back at my memories of 1994, and the joy of what this album has brought me over the years since then in spite of the turmoil I went through, this album is a wonderful portrait of the memories of that period in music. Seal is a living legend and one that no one around today will ever see again. Please buy this album. I don't know of many straight out pop albums that have so much depth and feeling the way this album does. Buy it new! Support Mr. Samuel! Support real talent in music! Enough said, just go and buy this album! What will it do for you?

I'm not the kind of person the music industry likes to see.

I'm not likely to go out and buy the latest Pearl Jam just as it rolls into the mall - quite the contrary, actually. My usual CD purchases tend to be releases so old the artist in question has stopped recording by now. Or worse, in the case of Jim Croce or Karen Carpenter. I did buy Michael Jackson's Thriller -- over a decade after its release. Also Meatloaf's Bat Out of Hell -- a good eight years after it came out. I hear songs on the radio, and if they catch my ear while they're hot, and then later, maybe years later, they STILL grab me when they come on, well, ok. It's time to buy that one.

And so it was with SEAL II. Of course I had heard Kiss from a Rose, who hasn't? And Don't Cry as well, both of these songs were grabbers, hooking me in on their non-traditional chord progression structure. So I bought SEAL II one day, among a few other CDs I had held out on a while.

I can remember playing tracks 4-6 a lot at first, after all I knew 4 and 6 and Fast Changes between quickly became quite listenable. But something marvelous happened as I gave the other tracks more and more play, over time: ALL of them grabbed me. In each track there was more you could hear, in the lush orchestrations or the odd percussions, with every hearing. Not that everything isn't supporting roles for Seal's voice -- it is, and justifiably so. The clarity, power, SOUL of that voice, comfortable in either high or low range and always full of intense sincerity, should be the showcase and it always is. But I came to realize, on the 10th or 15th playing of track 3 (Metaphors) that everything else underneath is also exquisitely perfected. I'm not a musician myself so I still don't understand those rhythm structure, or those chord progressions. But it all belongs, it always adds, never detracts, and I don't know now, even after 50 plays or more, if I won't hear something new when I next play any one of the tracks from this awesome album. If I do, it won't be a false note, I know that much.

So. As SEAL II grew on me until it was practically the only thing I was listening to, and I became aware of the existence of Human Being (or Hu manBe in g as Seal spells it on the spine), I was driven to something I very seldom do. I won't say it's unprecedented, but nearly so: I bought a CD without ever hearing a single cut beforehand. (Only about a year after its release, too!) And unlike his previous album, Human Being I bought 'alone', without a pile of other artists to listen to at the same time.

Quickly spinning through once, I had that pit-of-stomach feeling I'd been had again. Seal was a one album number. (Yes, I know about SEAL I.) Only tracks 2 and 6 (State of Grace and Lost my Faith) seemed there at all. I played 2, 6, 2, 6 for a while and I felt a bunch better. The same mystifying thing was happening that never happened to me listing to a Seals and Crofts or Billy Joel album: every listening was bringing me more depth, more interest, and... more feeling. Seal's music is not to be dismissed on one hearing. I spun the whole thing again. Now 4 (Just Like You Said) is grabbing me. I'm thinking now that I should slow down, and let this album overwhelm me slowly, like the last one did. Maybe all at once is too much.

As of now (in my current reading of it), Human Being seems to be, not darker exactly, but sadder, than SEAL II was -- not as uplifting or as hopeful. I know Seal is pouring his personal soul and life into these releases - it's likely the main reason they take so long to get made - and so it seems he'd had a pretty trying 3 or 4 years. Too, his view of the external world seems darker than it was 8 years ago when SEAL II was being written. But the music hasn't suffered. From the minimalist accoustic pieces to the fully orchestrated reprise of the title track, Seal's power to grab you and submerse you remains. You do have to give him a chance. But in exchange for having to work a little - to really listen instead of just have it on while fixing dinner or something - you get a unique view, from inside his music. There's nobody out there like him, and my suggestion is: don't miss out on it.

-- Joeygray --

Seal is, by far, the most talented artist I've ever heard. His last album debuted in 1994 -- I'm writing this review in 2002. His voice is sweetly beautiful, and has no match. His music is vague and soulful, but without the canned mysticism that haunts other wanna-be singers.

I have never, and will never, be awestruck when I see a celebrity. Madonna's pathetic, the boy bands are a passing fad, Britney Spears will be selling herself for money (as if she isn't already) in a couple years. But Seal is the one man who could completely capture my attention and, dare I say it, worship, with his voice -- let alone a live concert, which I would kill to go to. I don't rate him according to other musicians, I hold him up to others as the ideal they should become.

The tracks that make this album stand out are "Don't Cry," "Kiss From A Rose," and "Dreaming In Metaphor." The rest are incredible, too, but these three are what I listen for. I admit that I'm an mp3 downloader, but when I hear music I truly respect -- which is rare -- I buy the CD. Seal is one of the only one albums I've bought, and I will never regret the money I spent on it; I only wish more of it could go to Seal.

First off, this isn't the kind of thing that I usually listen to- nearly everything in my CD case is either heavy metal or progressive rock, and Seal comes nowhere near to either of those. But this is music awesome enough to transcend genre boundaries, and I'd recommend it to the most dyed-in-the-wool metalhead, or the hickiest country fan, for that matter. Seal is a vocalist of tremendous gift and skill, with pipes worthy of Peter Gabriel and enunciation that brings to mind the very best R&B. His songs are beautiful, deep, poetic, and heartfelt. And the production on this album is gorgeous- a layer of sound that manages to be sweet without being saccharine, intricate without being overproduced, and soothing without losing its edge. Pure music, regardless of what you call it, and one of my favorite albums- even if I do file it in between Prong and Skinny Puppy.

Seal's second album is extraordinary. Though he is not extremely well known, he is good at what he does. Besides, it's a good thing that the radio does not overplay his songs. However, he does receive a good amount of recognition. "Kiss from a Rose" is included on the soundtrack for "Batman Returns", the movie. There is a lot more behind Seal than just his good sound. Not only does he write his own lyrics, but he also writes his own music. This fact alone shows that he is talented. Anybody who can write their own music and make it sound good is worth listening to. Seal is also refreshingly different from the classic pop sound, and also from the classic rock style. His style is unique, but he does not sacrifice music for originality. Most groups who try to sound different only succeed in sounding terrible. I would suggest at least listening to Seal, even if you never own one of his CD's. You may be surprised by his style and enjoy listening to him.

Seal really outdid himself here with a colorful and complex tapestry of moods and music carried along by his slightly raspy unmistakeable soulful voice. All told, this disc was like a balm for my soul at a very dark and trying time in my life.

"Bring It On" is a perfect opener with it's dramatic entrance and fierce rhythmic pulse, funky, yet somehow VERY unusual, with dark stormy atmospheres and some nice soaring guitar interjections from Jeff Beck, of all people to appear on a Seal album! "Prayer For The Dying" is unique in its ability to be simultaneously somber and uplifting, great vocals and a VERY happening arrangement to boot, easily my favorite track. It just gets better with "Dreaming In Metaphors". Normally I enjoy power ballads about as much as a stomach flu, but "Don't Cry" is a miraculous exception to that for me. "Fast Changes" with its lively percussion and flutes supporting Seal's multi-layered vocals is a track that just hypnotises you. While "Kiss From A Rose" is very beautifully written and produced, I skip over it just from over-exposure, though I do like its mysterious poetry.

"People Asking Why" is another favorite, that plaintively asks the listener to contemplate the grand scheme of things and not just theoir own little world. Musically this one really hooks you with it's soulful and ethereal chord progressions. "Newborn Friend" is an infectiously danceable track with TONS of musical substance to it. "If I Could" just haunts me for days after I hear it, Joni Mitchell's vocal contributions are a nice addition here, emphasising Seal's heartfelt yearning to make a difference in someone's life, very nice arrangement too! "Im Alive" for me though is one of the weaker tracks comparatively speaking, not as interesting as th others but still pretty good. "Bring It On-Reprise" brings it all to a rousing close, it's actually a very cool variation on the opening track with a great loping bass part and ethereal backup vocals.

All throughout, many musical styles interweave in interesting ways (I hear rock, soul/r&b, pop, folk and even tinges of Yes-like progressive rock, house and ambient flavorings) constantly holding your attention. Seal's rough around the edges yet melodic voice and his enigmatic/mysterious lyrics just add to the allure, along with Trevor Horn (ex Buggles, Yes) once again producing.

Again I say, if only 99.9% of pop music was THIS GOOD!!

I first heard the songs on this album while watching Spike Lee's movie Clockers. It's not Spike's best film -- but I was completely haunted by the songs. I thought, "This sounds like that guy who sings 'Kiss From A Rose'..." Anyway, I bought it, and it's been one of my favorite albums for the last 7 years. Almost every song is golden, with touching lyrics, great chord changes, fantastic harmonies. "Prayer For The Dying" and "Kiss From A Rose" were, justifiably, given lots of radio play, but I also love the groove of "Bring It On" and "Newborn Friend" and the melodic reflection of "Dreaming In Metaphors". There's a song on this album to fit almost any mood you're in. The only bad news is I drove my wife crazy playing it so much...And that's as bad as the news gets. This is, truly, one of the top albums of the decade.

I discovered Seal the same way that most people did: through his utterly beautiful song "Kiss From A Rose". I heard it on the radio one day, and played it constantly for months after that until I finally decided to purchase the album the song was from. As it happens, the song is from Seal's most revered album, his multi-platinum 1994 self-titled album. (This is not to be confused with his other self-titled album, his debut, released in 1991.) I didn't know what to expect when I bought the album, having heard only one song from it, but months after purchasing it I'm glad I made the gamble.

I think that the sub-genre which best classifies SEAL is urban. Urban music, according to All Music Guide, is smooth and polished, often romantic, sometimes uptempo and funky, and features soulful vocals. SEAL has all of this and more. It has techno beats, but they're not as overwhelming as one might expect. They blend together with peaceful, occasionally ethereal guitars and Seal's incredibly soothing singing. This is, no doubt, stylish music, but first and foremost it's a collection of warm, encouraging songs penned by a very talented musician. There's nothing that comes close to being a bad song here; there's not even a slightly weak composition. Thus it's a little harder to pick highlights than usual. Some highlights include the strong opening track, "Bring It On"; the emotional hit "Prayer For The Dying"; the shimmering "Dreaming In Metaphors"; the upbeat "Newborn Friend"; and, needless to say, the absolutely wonderful "Kiss From A Rose". The closing track, "Bring It On (Reprise)" is another beautiful song, but "Kiss From A Rose" is possibly the most lovely song I've ever heard. Listening to it in the warmth of one's home during a snowy December afternoon is an incredibly powerful experience.

The message of the album, if there is one, is "Keep on going - life is beautiful!" It could fail under any other popular artist, but Seal succeeds marvelously. This is some of the most heartfelt, inspirational singing I've ever heard. There's a delightful optimism in Seal's singing that sounds strong rather than naiive. It's hard to feel down after listening to such an uplifting album as this. Seal is certainly one of the most talented musicians of R&B (or rock - you decide). These songs have clear, strong messages, warm, inspirational lyrics, heartfelt, soothing singing, danceable beats, and a whole lot of emotion.

Once you've heard "Kiss From A Rose", I guarantee you'll want to pick up the album. If you're already thinking of doing so, then I encourage you to go forward and buy it; you won't regret it. It's become one of my favorite albums. When you're feeling disillusioned or depressed with the state of your life or just life in general, look no further than SEAL to make you cherish it once again.

Over the years I have used this album as THE REFERENCE for testing audio systems. I thought its production values so superior to the competition at the time that it would always be the first CD out of the box!
The real trouble with it is that it sounds good on ANYTHING! It seems to have been mixed and EQ'd so perfectly that it flatters anything from a high-end hi-fi system to an inexpensive car audio. You'll always get goosebumps at that first chorus in "Prayer For The Dying!" Even on a £19.99 boogie box. So be careful with this recording; it's sonic sugar!

I believe that great albums endure. That with enough passing time, you can pull it out, listen to it again, and still say, "Fantastic - just as good as the first time."

Such is the case with this particular Seal release. There isn't one false step on the entire album. 10 years after release, it's still as evocative and powerful as ever. Seal has a complicated, multi-layered voice that never disappoints even on lighter-weight material. He can bring you to tears on "Prayer for the Dying" and awe you with his poetry on "Kiss from a Rose." He'll als have your foot tapping - like it or not - with "People Asking Why."

The production of "Seal" is top-notch.

For an even more rewarding experience when listening to Seal, the lyrics must be read.

* Personal side-note: you might want to get Seal's work before the guy gets cancer of the tongue, throat, lungs, or whatever. From what I understand, he's a super-heavy smoker. For our sakes and his life and talent, I wish he'd quit.