Audio CD review:
Seal - System

Seal - System

Band: Seal Title: System Rating: Release Date: 2007-11-13 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: If It's In My Mind, It's On My Face 2: Amazing( Thin White Duke Edit) 3: Just Like Before 4: Loaded 5: Wedding Day 6: System 7: Dumb 8: The Right Life 9: Rolling 10: Immaculate 11: Amazing

Seal's best album? Sure, much has been made of working with a different producer for the first time (the brilliant Trevor Horn produced Seal's first 4 studio albums). This album grows and grows and grows on me, as if there's a system to it. But that's not what makes this album so great. Rather, it's the writing. Whereas every Seal album since his debut seemed to go downhill, the writing here is so consistently strong, with great melodies and thought-provoking lyrics. And the passion is back. On Seal's debut album, I often felt as if this young man with a huge soul was brought off the street straight into the studio, and laid down all emotions, raw and otherwise. On subsequent albums, the club scene and snowboarding and supermodels took that away. But on System, Seal bellows with passion, as if in a global confession. This is his most dance-oriented album, so it's a bit thin on mellow songs and ballads, which are often his forte. Nonetheless, it's a brilliant album. As for the producer question, Horn is the greatest producer of the past 3 decades. On Seal's debut, for example, Horn provided a much broader sonic pallet for Seal to work with. If Seal had given him songs like this to work with, it might have been one of the greatest albums of all time. "System" by Seal It criticized Seal for not having partnered up with Travor Horn as he has in the past. I saw a review that almost made me not get this CD. But two thumbs up to Seal. And if you are a die-hard Seal fan like me, you too will enjoy listening to this CD. It's gritty, sensual and has some outstanding club beats too! Seal's soulful sounds are still in tact. He didn't need Trevor. . Marvelous return to form! "System" is one to have. Be mindful, if you enjoyed tracks like "Tinseltown", "Get it Together" or "Love's Divine" then you might have to put those yearnings to the test as this album brings back the energy that was present on his 1991 debut self-titled classic with songs like "If It's on My Mind", "Amazing", and the atsmopheric disco of "The Right Life". A long four years since his previous album entitled "Seal IV", the British singer of modern soul returns with his fifth solo album entitled "System" and like he has explained in interviews, it marks a major return to the dance roots of his debut album. Many have expressed negative views on "Wedding Day" which featured the suprise duet with his wife, Heidi Klum. Though I was somewhat like "Huh?" when I saw the note, WD turned out to be a suprisingly great song. Actually among my favorites. This could've easily been a disaster but Seal actually generates a future classic with it. "Dumb" is probably the only song that carries any elements of his previous album with the acoustic guitars that we've become familiar with. Those who yearn for some older sounds might find some solace in "Dumb". It took some time to digest but "System" has become another five-star work of art in my book and am glad it's very different from the previous. THat's what makes artists new albums exciting, knowing it will be very different from the old. Highly recommended. :) . HIGH ENERGY Its a high energy version. Let's face it this is not a typical Seal CD. All great songs, Yes, some people might say that all the songs sound the same. I like the fact that they do because instead of having a fast song, then a slow one. . etc. . . . the songs are fast paced, fantastic songs after one another. I can't get enough! Seal is addictive! . Feel the Power This is an impressively upbeat soaring album, where Seal's "Amazing" says it all. The first thing that catches you about the album is Seal's energy. After his first two epic releases, I lost interest and left Seal on the shelf. Seal's third album saw him going into more complex territory which I avoided, but fast forward a few years later and SYSTEM showcases Seal stepping out in full club mode, and providing great continuity between the singer's past and present. Well written and integrated, my only complaint is that a couple of tracks sound more similar than they should. Even his duet with wife Heidi Klum sounds cool - hardly a John Lennon-Yoko Ono travesty. Great production. You can see a complete list of all Seal discography, or go back to the Seal tabs