Disco de Seal: “Human Being”

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.

I will only say that this CD, especially track 10, "Still Love Remains" kept me from committing suicide just over a year ago. I would normally ramble on and on for eons about the lush arrangements and production of this release, but since this holds such a special place in my heart and in my life, I won't be so self indulgent this time. As a piece of pop/soul music, it's brilliant and effortless. As a reminder of the value and power of music and it's ability to heal the human spirit, it's essential. Thank You Seal, for saving my life. Crying through a devastating heartbreak has never been as cleansing as it was while I listened to your voice and slowly began healing from the inside. For that reason alone, this CD will forever "Remain..." in my collection.

Though his least successful commercial album, this is his most original, personal, and daring album. It was hurt by lack of a radio hit, but from beginning to end, this album is a true work of art. At the time he made it, this was Seal's favorite album. This is an album to be savored from beginning to end. A little darker, deeper, and more reflective than his previous albums, it shines as a collection of songs for those that are willing to dig a little deeper for good music. My favorite Seal album by far, and I like all of his work.

I find it surprising that so many people (including established music critics) panned this album. The opening track, as the slinky cover art suggests, is dark and forboding with Seal's husky voice soaring above the chaos. The album is thick with texture, thanks in part to the fabulous production of Art of Noise alumni Trevor Horn and the orchestral arrangements of Anne Dudley. There's a lot of "panned" stuff going on that will pop out at you if you listen with headphones.

Although the album is heavy with strings, it also has acoustic flavorings smartly mixed in with the rest (the liner notes include a heated conversation Seal had with his producer concerning the inclusion of the acoustic). "Latest Craze" is a dance groove with an intoxicating guitar riff on the chorus that will float in and out of your dreams in you're not careful.

Much of the album centers on the quest for love and the longing for love lost. "Just Like You Said" is my favorite. The acoustic guitar carries the weight, but the lyrics speak of profound sadness and nostalgia ("say if you can its OK/just like you said way then"). Another gem is "No Easy Way", the last song (excluding the "reprise") and a fitting lyric for the finale. When Seal sings "if I see a tear in your eye, it's an easy way to goodbye", it seems as if the person who's the focus of his lyrics is walking away from him as he sings.

Find yourself a good chair, turn the lights low, and really concentrate of what you are hearing, lyrically and vocally. This album will grow on you; I guarantee it.

For the longest time I've been curious as to how this album really was. When it first came out, it was so badly panned that I never bother to buy it or listen to it. I thought the 1994 album was great but I'll be honest, I was sucked in by "Kiss From A Rose". Since I hadn't heard anything on the radio from "Human Being," I figured it wasn't worthwhile.

Boy was I wrong! After listening to acoustic versions of some of the songs on this album, I decided to find it and buy it. It has turned out to be money very well spent! This album is a sheer masterpiece. I'll even go on record and say that it's his best work. The only thing better is the acoustic bonus CD on his greatest hits album.

Sure, there's no radio friendly sing along hit on it but all of the songs on this album are solid and Seal's vocal performance is top notch. Another thing I like about this album is that it has a much darker feel to it and it's not overly polished like his other albums. I think the sparseness is what I like about this and the acoustic CD.

If you consider yourself a Seal fan, or you want to hear more of his raw talent, you must buy this album. It will go down as his best!