Transcending the Moment 5 Out Of 5 Stars
If the debut album by Seal was an expression of celebrating life, the second was the meditation of life itself. A deeper, far more thoughtful album than anyone could have expected, "Seal II" transformed Seal from not just a terrific singer, but into a soul singer that few artists in the 90's have since matched. Even his look changed. The debut had the wild haired singer staring you down from the cover art, but now a naked, shaven headed Seal strikes the pose of a supplicant, head bowed and arms outstretched. It's almost as if he knelt to his muse and allowed it to flow into the new music.
The initial single, "Prayer For The Dying" was stunningly direct in its ascertainment of life in the early 90's:
"Fearless people, Careless needle.
Harsh words spoken, And lives are broken.
Forceful aging, Help me I'm fading.
Heaven's waiting,It's time to move on."
I remember almost going into shock the first time I heard this song. I was so struck by its beauty and acceptance, as the chorus soared into the line "hold on say yes while people say no." It remains, for me, Seal's finest moment.
Yet this is an album that contains many moments of musical bliss. The ubiquitous "Kiss From a Rose" became a huge and deserving hit, thanks to being in the "Batman Forever" movie along with the silky harmonies through the song's bridge. Joni Mitchell lends an appealing duet vocal to the hopeful "If I Could." For those who still need the funk of the debut, there's the opening call to action of "Bring It On."
Like on the debut, Trevor Horn layered a sonically lush production that suited Seal perfectly; this was one of the best produced albums on the 90's in addition to simply being a great album overall. It would have been easy for Seal to clone his debut or to have tailored his second album to the reigning hip-hop-pop albums of the day (Ace of Base, Snow, PM Dawn, etc). Instead, he created an album that maintains its integrity and depth as it closes in on its 20th anniversary. Seal didn't just act as a performer who mirrored the times, with this album, he became an artist that transcended them.
2 comments:
Always loved Seal. What a voice.
Hwy, how's things? I'm still ranting against the god crowd... stop by if you're bored sometime. Sane people are always welcome.
Thank St B. I do read your stuff as you post, though have not commented much as of late.
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