SEAL - IV

Seal...  His first two albums seem to be what most people think of when you mention his name.  They don't consider the subsequent work.  And let's be honest, he hasn't had the same chart success he had back then.  But Seal is one of those unique artists...  Even if he isn't the same chart topping superstar he was, he's never left us or compromised the integrity of his work.  And "IV" proves it.

Seal's principal songwriting partner on this release is a man named Mark Batson.  I'm not familiar with him, but I can say he has an amazing grasp of various forms of music.  That will be more apparent as I break the album down.  'Get It Together' reminds me of 'Bring It On' from his second album.  Not just because of the positioning of the song, but the effect is has on the album as a whole.  The song is horn blowing R&B with tons of soul and a great rhythm.  It sets the ton of the album just like 'Bring It On' did.  It excites you, mellows you and prepares you for the journey you're about to take.  'Love's Divine' is the big single from this record and a song I've related to in my own life.  Although the tempo slows a little on this track, it stays incredibly solid and maintains the groove built up to this point.  The lyrics are tragically heartfelt and lovely.  'Waiting For You' introduces an almost urban beat.  Those great horns are back and the song moves at a jagged pace.  It seems to slow and speed up with a classical bridge in the middle.  It's also a great song!  So we've had a TKO right off the bat.

'My Vision' hearkens back to earlier Seal times.  It feels slightly out of place on this record and would've been more at home on his first album.  For fans of that record, I'm sure this number is a particular treat.  But it moves away from the traditional R&B/Soul feeling this album has created thus far.  'Don't Make Me Wait' starts out sounding like a spiritual before transitioning into a beautiful ballad.  'Let Me Roll' starts off pretty funky.  The music is very cool and the beat is groovy.  Another stellar track.  'Touch' is one of those ballads that are simply breath taking.  Once again, Seal achieves an amazing thing.  He writes and performs a ballad worth hearing.

'Where There's Gold' kicks in and you'll be shocked to hear a Reggae beat sliding underneath Seal's animated vocal delivery.  This one, although mellow, is still a strong number.  'Loneliest Star' delves into the more popular urban sound.  It's another delicate ballad.  'Heavenly...(Good Feeling)' is another one that might've done better on a previous album.  This one I can hear on his second album.  It's still a pretty good track and I like it a lot.  'Tinsel Town' keeps the echo effect on the drum patch and meanders along at a sexy pace.  It sounds like something George Michael would've recorded.  Very powerful song though.  Even with the softer music, Seal packs a punch on this one.  The disc ends with 'Get It Together (Reprise)'.  It's essentially an version of the song focusing more on an acoustic guitar in the arrangement.  It's a satisfying end to the disc.

Seal continues to deliver quality product even years after he's "Peaked".  This is a traditional soul artist who needs more exposure and opportunity.  His voice is majestic.  My final words:  A CLASSIC, WRITTEN IN CLASSIC STYLE!!!!

SEAL - IV
01. Get It Together
02. Love's Divine
03. Waiting For You
04. My Vision
05. Don't Make Me Wait
06. Let Me Roll
07. Touch
08. Where There's Gold
09. Loneliest Star
10. Heavenly...(Good Feeling)
11. Tinsel Town
12. Get It Together (Reprise)

GEORGE MICHAEL - PATIENCE

I hated Wham! when I first heard them. I thought George Michael looked like a male version of Belinda Carlisle. My sister liked them and I automatically hated everyone she liked. Even when he went solo I didn't like him. Granted there were a couple songs on his first disc I liked, but his popularity really turned me off. I thought he was a joke. Even in the 90's I tended to dislike him. My best friends loved him. I just avoided him.

When 'Patience' came out, I had the chance to download the disc and I decided to give it a shot. If nothing else, I'd have it for my friends. What I ended up with left me stunned and silent. I remember the first time I heard the song 'Fastlove'... I thought, "Wow, that's a guy who's really reaching out for understanding and help." Of course, years later you learned his lover had died but he was in the closet and no one knew what he was going through. He reached out with his music to survive a tragedy and basically told the world he was trying to fill his broken heart with empty sex.

What I heard when I listened to 'Patience' was more of the same honesty. This isn't an artist who writes about his personal life and experience using vague metaphors; he really opens up and shares. Certain songs have obvious meaning such as 'My Mother Had A Brother'; which chronicles the story of a sister with a gay brother who commits suicide after she has a son. The son turns out to be gay and learns of his uncle's struggle for equality and how it ultimately discouraged him enough to take his own life. Both 'American Angel' and 'Amazing' deal with his new love. They talk about the salvation he's found in a new partner who's brought feeling back into his life. Whereas 'Older' was George's cry for help and dealt with the death of his lover, 'Patience' is an affirmation that he's survived and found his way back.

There's a great feel to the album with certain songs being absolute club hits. The track 'Shoot The Dog' was released on the UK version and also as a single, but failed to turn up on the American release. The American version being the one I eventually bought. I wish I'd have tracked down the UK version as I really love that song. 'Freeek! '04' is an awesome track. It's highly sexualized dealing with the sexual nature of media, advertising and entertainment in general. He makes a comment on the trend of targeting younger ages with sexual marketing.

With sensitive and emotionally charged lyrics, along with deep club beats and timely themes, 'Patience' is a refreshing and exciting album by an artist I'd never really bothered with. This is the one that's brought me around to George's side. Listen to the gentle fun beats of 'Round Here' and the critical 'Cars And Trains'... I dare you not to enjoy it. My final word: SURPRISING.

GEORGE MICHAEL - PATIENCE
01. Patience
02. Amazing
03. John And Elvis Are Dead
04. Cars And Trains
05. Round Here
06. My Mother Had A Brother
07. Flawless (Go To The City)
08. American Angel
09. Precious Box
10. Please Send Me Someone (Anselmo's Song)
11. Freeek! '04
12. Through
13. Shoot The Dog (Internet Bonus Track)

GEORGE MICHAEL - AMAZING THE MIXES

This single contains two mixes and the album version of the song. It was the only single I found to buy from the CD. The mixes are quite fun and energetic, though nothing extremely memorable about either one. Still, it's one of my favorite songs from the album and I'm happy to have this disc. Even if it is on the more dull side. It's still entertaining.

My final words: TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT.

GEORGE MICHAEL - AMAZING THE MIXES
01. Amazing (Album Version)
02. Amazing (Jack 'N' Rory 7" Club Mix)
03. Amazing (Full Intention Club Mix)