Seal
Human Being

THE REVIEW

FROM THE CREATION OF THE EARTH TO THE UNIVERSAL JUDGMENT
(From the birth of life to its end, the soundtrack of the extreme phases of being)

"Human Being," Seal's third album takes no half measures. It shows no interest whatsoever in the surface, but delves deep into the soul of man. The opening track "Human Beings" best represents this inclination. A song majestic and powerful, it could be perfectly used as the terrifying and dazzling soundtrack of a scene of universal judgment. Listening to these notes is like standing beneath a towering ancient obelisk, looking up at its peak.

We are both attracted and frightened, intimidated by the mass, yet captivated by its enormous beauty and extreme simplicity. The sound is beautiful yet unsettling, Seal's voice is perfect and powerful. The artist's interpretation expresses a deep anxiety, typical of someone who does not know what will become of his (and humanity's in general) fate, but already knows it is indelibly marked. This is also reflected in the splendid lyrics, as in:

"Please Human being, If you bleed they will say it was destined. . . So destined desperate. . . We're mere human beings, we die It's destined..."

The expressive strength of the first track does not wane in the following 11, which maintain the same high musical tension. A shell of ultra-modern pop sound encloses a romantic and ancient heart, expressed by the artist's warm voice and the anguished and passionate lyrics. It's like installing the latest high-tech stereo within the stone walls of an ancient medieval castle. This would be the perfectly fitting environment to resonate the notes of this album. Other tracks worth mentioning: the haunting yet enchanting "State Of Grace", the rapid and synthetic sound leading to a splendid chorus in "Latest Craze", the compelling "Just Like You Said", the serene and aware resignation of "Lost My Faith", the sweet and powerful "When A Man Is Wrong" and finally the marvelous guitar and voice song "Princess", a timelessly splendid ballad.

The central theme of the work is the mystery of the inescapable destiny that human beings face. Everything is realized with notes that perfectly convey the essence the texts wish to communicate. The words are full of sensitivity and humanity that well interpret the best side of the album's title (that is, the Human Being). Seal's vocal performance for this album is absolutely priceless.

1998, "Human Being": an absolute masterpiece.