Search - Seal :: Seal IV (W/Dvd) (Dlx)

Disappointing but I just keep hoping....

AlexMedina | Southern CA | 01/26/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I have been a big Seal fan ever since his first album came out. He became a household name with Seal II becuase its an amazingly deep and well produced album with great songwriting and vocal performances. Getting his single on the Batman soundtrack didnt hurt sales, either. When Seal III came out and was a commercial flop, I was not suprised. But poor sales dont mean an album is bad,just as big album sales dont necessarily mean a great album. Seal III is an artistic triumph. Some of the songs (ie No Easy Way)are utterly beautiful. Please give it a listen, readers. That being said, we come to the topic of the new album, Seal IV. I was waiting for something at least as good as Seal III, and hopeing for something even better. Like its predecessor it also appears to be a commercial letdown. I personally have not even listend to it many times. The reason for that is that I just can't stand hearing it for more than a few minutes at a time. There is one HUGE,GLARING PROBLEM with Seal IV. For me , that problem lies in the fact that Seal chose to Pitch Correct his voice on on this album, and it sticks out BIG TIME! Seal, I hope you read this review! Your voice shouldn't ever be tampered with in that way again! It takes the soul out of the vocal performances! I really am disappointed that you allowed that to happen. It sucks. The subtle pitch imperfections that are part of a natural vocal are GLARINGLY missing. You dont need to resort to such studio tricks. You're no amatuer. Dont follow that trend! Its a crappy trend. Its the type of trick that producers for film songs resort to when trying to get Eddie Murphy's "Donkey" to sing on pitch. Ah, the heights from which you have fallen. I pray that your next album wont suffer from such a blatent identity crisis. Your unique raspy voice is one of the things you are known and loved for. Why tamper with it? Please! I anxiously await Seal V!

"

IV stars

Anthony Rupert | Milwaukee, WI | 01/30/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Although I've always liked Seal, this is actually the first album I picked up from him. I read a lot of reviews and most people are saying that his first two albums were his best ones. Maybe that's true, but that doesn't mean there aren't any gems to be found on his fourth album.



As usual, you'll find some nice ballads on here, like "Don't Make Me Wait", "Tinsel Town" and "Love's Divine". And the funky tracks are also good, as evidenced by the first single, "Waiting For You". Seal also does a good job of covering otherwise played-out subject matter, like the we-are-the-world song "Get It Together" and the keep-your-head-up song "Where There's Gold". Unfortunately, though, I can't say the same about "Let Me Roll", a rather silly attempt at a club-rocker.



I didn't really care for "Touch" either, but that's okay because songs like the laid back "Loneliest Star" will remind you why you picked this album up to begin with. And no offense, but I wonder if the reviewers that complained that Seal isn't getting any airplay in the States have ever heard of VH1. Anyway, Seal IV definitely gets the seal of approval.



Anthony Rupert"

Seal IV

Anthony Rupert | 06/02/2004

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I am a huge fan of Seal's first 3 albums, so I rushed out to buy this one the minute it came out. What a disappointment!! Most of the songs sound like old remixes of Curtis Mayfield tunes. The only 2 with that eerie signature 'Seal' sound are 'heavenly' and 'tinsel town'. I'd say go to Itunes....listen to the songs...buy the tunes you like (if there are any) and call it a day."