Human Being

Seal

Product Details

• Audio Cassette (November 17, 1998)
• Original Release Date: November 17, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B00000G30G
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (172 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,372,894 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Human Beings

2. State of Grace

3. Latest Craze

4. Just Like You Said

5. Princess

6. Lost My Faith

7. Excerpt From

8. When a Man Is Wrong

9. Colour

10. Still Love Remains

11. No Easy Way

12. Human Beings (Reprise)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Why is it that Seal's albums seem to be readily disposable at first listen but always prove to be more timeless than could be predicted? On Human Being, Seal's third release (and first with a title other than his name), several of the tracks are layered with prominent, syrupy strings, and his predictable vocal crescendos veer dangerously into the land of forgettable grocery-store-intercom adult contemporary. But hang in there; there's a lot more substance here than what will first reach your ear. This complex release is a little harder to categorize than his debut record (the dance album) or his second disc (the power-ballads album). The first two tracks hint that--oh, no--it's going to be another late-'90s trip-hop album, but thankfully, Seal doesn't go there. Listen a couple of times--you'll hear everything from orchestral swells to tinny rhythm guitar, experimental keyboard effects to late-night jazz piano accompanying Seal's standard "Can't we all just get along?" lyrical message. These tracks are heavily produced and thickly layered but at the same time his most intimate and personal songs to date. The album's cover art is a good metaphor for its mood: Seal is naked and crouched over--cowering or ready to strike? So, too, the songs lash out, then plead, then sting, then soothe. Start counting; this album has a long shelf life. --Beth Bessmer

Product Description

Same as Us Release. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Tragic Journey Through Pain, April 9, 2000

By	"madshell" (Ft. Lauderdale, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Human Being (Audio CD)

Emerging from his cover of Miller's "Fly Like An Eagle" for the pop cultured WB movie Space Jam, Seal digs deep into his own personal wounds with Human Being, his first release since the 1994 second self-titled album. But, as some time has transpired for this new rock/pop artist -- Seal shows us that the high life of a superstar is still wrought with emotional tremor.With Seal's total artistic bravery this album rides. Most songs deal with the deep sinking, mind twisting games we play with each other and ourselves. With Seal's strong vocal performances, resonating both the pain and the pleasure of living, feeling and relating to others, he produces the most haunting album this reviewer has heard since the mid-seventies. "Human Being" sets the tone of the album right away; he broods along with "State of Grace." "Latest Craze" shows him battling conscience, to the stripping of his own soul in "Lost My Faith." In "When A Man Is Wrong" & "No Easy Way" he tries to mend his errors, leading only to the reprise of "Human Being" which spirals with funk and understated melody. Absolutely a brilliant album through and through.

26 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seal is more than just a 'Human Being', February 24, 2003

By	Distant Voyageur "Nicholas Computer" (Io) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Human Being (Audio CD)

Seal's third CD is a big departure from the chart-topping classics of his first two albums, both of which are among the best of the 1990s. Much darker, and more twilight, and winter in mood, Seal's third album is more of a mix of futuristic trip-hop and a bit of 70s sounding production. There aren't any really commercial sounding songs on the album, probably why this amazing CD didn't sell through the roof like his first and second albums did and it's a shame because while it's not as up there as the former, it still deserves a lot more recognition and attention than what it gets.

This album has more of a twilight mood as opposed to the brighter, more up-tempo mood of the 1994 album and the club-oriented self-titled debut album. However, Seal's passionate, soaring vocals are definitely present and it definitely makes "Human Being" almost as grabbing as the other two, even with a couple of weak songs.

HUMAN BEING A+ This is a fantastic opener with a dark, intense atmosphere and Seal's soaring vocals blending with a dark, yet uplifting song. It starts off as a dark and ominous minor note song and blasts into an uplifting major note song but keeping its dark undertone mood. Another classic from one of the most underrated singers of our time.

STATE OF GRACE B+ This is a mellow and very twilight sounding song with strange wobbly guitars and a very subdued, down-tempo mood to it. A nice song.

LATEST CRAZE A+ Seal goes trip-hop and it works very well. It's a very trippy, semi-danceable song with a dark and futuristic twilight mood to it. It also has a bit of a bluesy sound to it as well. The electronic sound effects are bubbly and not sounding like a video game in the background and it works so well.

JUST LIKE YOU C This song is a mellow and very quite in mood. It's one of the less engaging songs on the album but it's still a decent song.

PRINCESS B- This is a short and pretty little acoustic number and is a pleasant song to listen to.

LOST MY FAITH A- If you liked "Kiss From A Rose" you might enjoy this track as it has a similar chord structure and vocal arrangements but not quite as powerful but still great.

EXCERPT FROM A++ This is one of my favorite songs on the album. It starts off with a haunting ambient intro and becomes a trippy, groovy song with a dark, twilight mood to it and what a beautiful song it is. The only complaint is that it's just three minutes long. Oh Well.

WHEN A MAN IS WRONG A This song has classic Seal written all over it with the soaring vocals and brighter mid-tempo melodies of Seal's second album.

COLOURS A This song starts with a bubbling melody and a dark minor note giving a feel of being outside on a cold winter evening until when the song becomes a major note and has a classic Seal feel to it.

STILL LOVE REMAINS A+ This is another favorite of mines. "Still Love Remains" is definitely on song that I think could've fit well on the 1994 self-titled album and those who might've been turned off by the darker tone of "Human Being" should be pleased with this song. I personally love it. Well done Seal.

NO EASY WAY C This is my least favorite song on the album and is probably the weakest song that Seal has ever done. It's just a mellow, bluesy song that doesn't quite take off like the others. Still not a bad song but doesn't rank up with the others.

HUMAN BEINGS REPRISE A+ This closing track brings the album full circle with a second version of the title track. It's just an instrumental version. It kind of though goes backwards, going from the major note upbeat song to a dark minor note song and with the beat fading out, the echoing guitars or synthesizers fade out closing out this underrated gem.

This album is a must-have for those who want to hear something unique. For someone who viewed 1998 as a boring year in general for music, this album one of a few that made that dull year one to remember. Buy it now.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another Side of Seal, March 14, 2000

By	J O'Malley (Long Island NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Human Being (Audio CD)

Human Being is my personal favorite of his three albums, filled with moody, introspective yet uplifting songs. Seal and his brilliant producer Trevor Horn produce an album that is very different from the previous two releases.

Once again, Seal's vocals are a shining beacon in today's music scene. The arrangements on the songs are incredibly diverse. Ranging from a techno styled beat to lush and full sounding strings, that are augmented by bass, guitars, drums, swirling keyboards and a great sounding organ. All of the songs capture an atmosphere that many of today's "popular" music artists simply fail to grasp. Seal's vocals are wonderfully textured and impassioned yet he doesn't go for overkill which too many singers of guilty of today.

There are no real catchy songs or surefire radio hits. Songs such as Human Being, Just Like You Said, State Of Grace and When A Man Is Wrong are my favorite tracks from this subtle yet incredibly powerful album. Most certainly one of the best albums to emerge from 1999.