The Album Club: "Seal" by Seal

Trollheart · 10-16-2017, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TechnicLePanther

This album is held together by Seal. If anyone else made an album this eclectic and yet simultaneously by-the-numbers, it probably wouldn't work at all. Even this only works minimally, but it definitely works. I found myself enjoying this album at certain portions, and finding it at least not annoying at other sections. The performances are all bland and lifeless excepting Seal himself, again exemplifying why and how he holds the album together. All in all, the songwriting is pretty by-the-numbers too. The perfect adult contemporary mix of jazz, R&B, soft rock, and electronic influences mixed into one very unique, and also completely tame and expected, album. Not much else to say, this was good but not anything particularly special. Probably won't listen again ever, or at least until I forget I've already heard it. 6/10

Bikini Kill - Pussy Whipped
Seal - Seal [1991]
The Divine Comedy - Casanova

innerspaceboy · 10-17-2017, 02:55 PM

[Cue "Crazy"] Oh... so THAT'S what this song is called. I'm curious if Seal sat down with the full intent of crafting Music for the Dental Office Waiting Room or if it just turned out that way?

Having never voluntarily subjected myself to Seal, my first impression of the opening track of his self-titled album seems like a watered-down, less-enthusiastic, bland rendition of Basement Jaxx' "Red Alert". The entire record's instrumentation is generic to the point of self-parody. The musical tropes effectively namecheck every token property of the worst elements of 90s dance pop. If it weren't for the familiarity of Seal's voice, which I know only from his appearance on the soundtrack to Batman and Robin, (hey... it featured Underworld's epic, "Moaner"...), then I would presume this entire album to be generic discount bargain bin CD fodder. It is unmoving, uninteresting, safe, conventional, and fantastically dull.

I appreciate that the very same could be said of the bulk of my ambient listening. I routinely enjoy unobtrusive sonic wallpaper, even venturing into the deep waters of Hearts of Space and the dreaded loathsome abomination that is so-called "new age" music. This just strikes me as music that no one would ever listen to intentionally. I cannot imagine a person sitting down and deciding to willingly invoke such uninspiring sonic tap water. At least with ambient music, there is an understood intent of music for subconscious consumption. Music for meditation has a demonstrable objective merit, whereas this album is full-on half-assed. It's framed as a pop album, with lyrics, percussion, and synthesized instrumentation, but it leaves absolutely zero impact on the listener.

Forgive my lack of perspective, I'll just have to suppose that there are listeners who have no particular taste and enjoy the transparency and lack of affect here. It's music to put on for people who don't particularly care to listen to music. You really have to force it upon the listener, precisely why it's been relegated to use as hold music while you wait for 45 minutes to be transferred to an agent because your new modem won't port forward correctly.

2/10

OccultHawk · 10-17-2017, 03:01 PM

Whoa

Trollheart · 10-17-2017, 03:10 PM

OccultHawk · 10-17-2017, 03:11 PM

lol good one

Trollheart · 10-17-2017, 03:21 PM

Something must be done.

Psy-Fi · 10-17-2017, 07:41 PM

1. What were your VERY FIRST impressions on listening to the album, say from the first five minutes in?
Club/dance music with a bit of acoustic guitar added towards the end of the first song.

2. What did you think of the opening track?
I thought it was the least interesting track on the album. Except for the acoustic guitar towards the end of the song, it sounded like typical, standard club/dance music fare to me.

3. What did you think of the next track?
Much more interesting. It sounded like it could fit into a psych/prog album without any difficulty.

4. Did you like the vocalist? Hate him/her? Any impressions?
Above average vocalist. I thought his vocals worked very well within the songs on the album.

5. Did the music (only) generally appeal to you, or not?
Some of it was quite good and some of it didn't do much for me musically. Interesting variety of styles going on throughout the album either way.

6. Did the album get better or worse as you listened to it?
It went back and forth between good and above average.

7. What did you think of the lyrical content?
I thought some of the lyrics were quite good and some were rather mediocre at best.

8. Did you like the instrumental parts?
Most of it, yes.

9. What did you think of the production?
It sounded very good to me.

10. Did you know of this artiste prior to listening to the album, and if so, did that foreknowledge colour your perception of this album?
Had heard of him and had heard a couple of songs by him. The album was close to what I was expecting to hear, based on the limited exposure I had to his music.

11. Is this, generally, the kind of music you listen to or not?
Not usually.

12. Assuming you listened to the album more than once, on repeated listens, did you find you liked the album more, or less?
I listened 3 times and my reaction to it was mostly the same by the third listen. I did find some of it more interesting with subsequent listens, though.

13. What would you class as your favourite track, if you have one?
The second track "Deep Water" was the closest I came to having a favorite track from this album. It had a bit of a psych/prog vibe running through it which I thought made it sound more interesting than the other songs on the album.

14. And the one you liked least?
See answer to question #2.

15. If the album in question is a debut, did that fact allow it, in your mind, any leeway, and if so, was that decision justified or vindicated?
Didn't make a difference one way or another.

16. Are you now looking forward to hearing more from this artiste, if you have not heard any of their other material?
Probably not. It wasn't bad but it just isn't the type of music I'm much into.

17. Were you surprised by your reaction - positive or negative - to the album?
No. Except for a couple of tracks, it was pretty much what I was expecting to hear.

18. Did the album end well?
The last song "Violet" was pleasant but boring and went on for too long, so I'll give the ending a "meh."

19. Do you see any way the album could have been improved?
Maybe leave the first song off the album or replace it with another song?

20. Do you think the album hung together well, ie was a fully cohesive unit, or was it a bit hit-and-miss?
I thought it hung together very well.

6.5/10

Anteater · 10-17-2017, 08:07 PM

Trollheart · 10-19-2017, 04:27 PM

Weird. I could have sworn I already reviewed this album, yet when I go looking in my journals, nada. Mind you, words like “Seal”, “Crazy”, “Killer” and so forth aren't easy to search properly on! In the absence, then, of a review I can just repost, here we go.

1. What were your VERY FIRST impressions on listening to the album, say from the first five minutes in?

Decent if a little formulaic I guess.

2. What did you think of the opening track?

Decent if a little formulaic I guess.

3. What did you think of the next track?

Much better. I like the way it changes from slow acoustic to a more upbeat style.

4. Did you like the vocalist? Hate him/her? Any impressions? (see note 1)

I like Seal's voice. Not mad about it, but I certainly don't hate it and he has his own very individual style that's hard to miss.

5. Did the music (only) generally appeal to you, or not? (see note 2)

Generally, yes. Nothing I really did not like.

6. Did the album get better or worse as you listened to it (first time)?

Only listened to it the once. This is my life now.

7. What did you think of the lyrical content?

I like the deeper meanings in Seal's lyrics, and the upbeat message in songs like “Crazy”

8. Did you like the instrumental parts? (see note 3)

Yep

9. What did you think of the production?

Insert answer here

10. Did you know of this artiste prior to listening to the album, and if so, did that foreknowledge colour your perception of this album?

Yes of course I've heard of Seal.

11. Is this, generally, the kind of music you listen to or not?

Not as such. Soul pop? I wouldn't not listen to it, but I wouldn't necessarily be seeking it out.

12. Assuming you listened to the album more than once, on repeated listens, did you find you liked the album more, or less?

See question (6)

13. What would you class as your favourite track(s), if you have any?

“Deep Water”, “Crazy”, “Killer”, “Future Love Paradise”, “Violet”

14. And the one(s) you liked least?

Wasn't crazy about “Wild” or “Show Me”

15. If the album in question is a debut, did that fact allow it, in your mind, any leeway, and if so, was that decision justified or vindicated? (see note 4)

As a debut this is pretty damn impressive.

16. Are you now looking forward to hearing more from this artiste, if you have not heard any of their other material?

Possibly. I did hear Soul II and that was good, though it is an album of covers.

17. Were you surprised by your reaction - positive or negative - to the album?

No. I know his hits so the chances were it would be at least somewhat decent.

18. Did the album end well?

Yeah, I love the closer. So smooth. Reminds me of Lighthouse Family. Shut up.

19. Do you see any way the album could have been improved?

Not really no.

20. Do you think the album hung together well, ie was a fully cohesive unit, or was it a bit hit-and-miss?

Hung together very well.

Not understanding the negative reaction to this album, again, and again you can all **** yourselves. Give this a good 7/10. Falters a little after FLP but comes back strong in the end I feel.

**Frownland** · 11-05-2017, 11:50 AM

How I feel about this album in six photos

View Poll Results: How much did you enjoy the album?
Loved it	2	14.29%
Liked it	3	21.43%
Meh	4	28.57%
Disliked it	3	21.43%
Hated it	2	14.29%
Voters: 14. You may not vote on this poll

10-17-2017, 03:01 PM	#43 (permalink)
OccultHawk one-balled nipple jockey Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dirty Souf Biatch Posts: 22,006	Whoa __________________ 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Member of the Year & Journal of the Year Champion Behold the Writing of THE LEGEND: https://www.musicbanter.com/members-...p-lighter.html

10-17-2017, 03:10 PM	#44 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,994	__________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

10-17-2017, 03:11 PM	#45 (permalink)
OccultHawk one-balled nipple jockey Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dirty Souf Biatch Posts: 22,006	lol good one __________________ 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Member of the Year & Journal of the Year Champion Behold the Writing of THE LEGEND: https://www.musicbanter.com/members-...p-lighter.html

10-17-2017, 03:21 PM	#46 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,994	Something must be done. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

10-19-2017, 04:27 PM	#49 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,994	Weird. I could have sworn I already reviewed this album, yet when I go looking in my journals, nada. Mind you, words like “Seal”, “Crazy”, “Killer” and so forth aren't easy to search properly on! In the absence, then, of a review I can just repost, here we go. 1. What were your VERY FIRST impressions on listening to the album, say from the first five minutes in? Decent if a little formulaic I guess. 2. What did you think of the opening track? Decent if a little formulaic I guess. 3. What did you think of the next track? Much better. I like the way it changes from slow acoustic to a more upbeat style. 4. Did you like the vocalist? Hate him/her? Any impressions? (see note 1) I like Seal's voice. Not mad about it, but I certainly don't hate it and he has his own very individual style that's hard to miss. 5. Did the music (only) generally appeal to you, or not? (see note 2) Generally, yes. Nothing I really did not like. 6. Did the album get better or worse as you listened to it (first time)? Only listened to it the once. This is my life now. 7. What did you think of the lyrical content? I like the deeper meanings in Seal's lyrics, and the upbeat message in songs like “Crazy” 8. Did you like the instrumental parts? (see note 3) Yep 9. What did you think of the production? Insert answer here 10. Did you know of this artiste prior to listening to the album, and if so, did that foreknowledge colour your perception of this album? Yes of course I've heard of Seal. 11. Is this, generally, the kind of music you listen to or not? Not as such. Soul pop? I wouldn't not listen to it, but I wouldn't necessarily be seeking it out. 12. Assuming you listened to the album more than once, on repeated listens, did you find you liked the album more, or less? See question (6) 13. What would you class as your favourite track(s), if you have any? “Deep Water”, “Crazy”, “Killer”, “Future Love Paradise”, “Violet” 14. And the one(s) you liked least? Wasn't crazy about “Wild” or “Show Me” 15. If the album in question is a debut, did that fact allow it, in your mind, any leeway, and if so, was that decision justified or vindicated? (see note 4) As a debut this is pretty damn impressive. 16. Are you now looking forward to hearing more from this artiste, if you have not heard any of their other material? Possibly. I did hear Soul II and that was good, though it is an album of covers. 17. Were you surprised by your reaction - positive or negative - to the album? No. I know his hits so the chances were it would be at least somewhat decent. 18. Did the album end well? Yeah, I love the closer. So smooth. Reminds me of Lighthouse Family. Shut up. 19. Do you see any way the album could have been improved? Not really no. 20. Do you think the album hung together well, ie was a fully cohesive unit, or was it a bit hit-and-miss? Hung together very well. Not understanding the negative reaction to this album, again, and again you can all ** yourselves. Give this a good 7/10*. Falters a little after FLP but comes back strong in the end I feel. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018*

11-05-2017, 11:50 AM	#50 (permalink)
Frownland SOPHIE FOREVER Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East of the Southern North American West Posts: 35,541	How I feel about this album in six photos __________________ Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth. d e a f b o x