Seal | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 20 May 1991 | |||
Recorded | November 1990 – April 1991 | |||
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Genre | ||||
Length | 52:17 | |||
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Producer | Trevor Horn | |||
Seal chronology | ||||
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Singles from Seal | ||||
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Seal is the eponymous title of the debut studio album by Seal, released in 1991. It contains the singles "Crazy", "Future Love Paradise", "The Beginning", "Killer" and "Violet". The album debuted at number one in the UK and went on to win Best British Album at the 1992 Brit Awards. Seal's following album, released in 1994, was also named Seal . It is usually referred to as Seal II.
There are two versions of the album, with minor and major differences in three songs. [4] The shorter version of "Wild" is more rock-based and heavy than the original. The shorter version of "Violet" contains no dialogue within the singing. Track lengths of both versions are given for each song affected. The only way to tell the difference is the CD Matrix; the Pre-Mix matrix is 903174557-2; the Remixed CD has the same Matrix but with .2 at the end (903174557-2.2). "Killer" is a re-recorded version of the UK number one single by Adamski, which also features Seal on vocals.
Many of the songs (including various ZTT mixes) were featured in the Greg Stump 1991 film Groove Requiem in the Key of Ski.[ citation needed ] Later Seal tracks appeared in other Stump films as well. The track "Killer" was also featured on the American crime series Homicide: Life on the Street and was included on the 2-disc soundtrack album.
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Chicago Tribune | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Entertainment Weekly | A [7] |
Los Angeles Times | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
NME | 7/10 [9] |
Pitchfork | 7.4/10 [10] |
Q | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Select | 2/5 [13] |
Vox | 8/10 [14] |
In Melody Maker , critic Push wrote that although "some of the ideas could be called pretentious and others sound a tad MOR", Seal showcases "Seal's passionate and emotional nature, a rare fusion of strength and sensitivity". [15] Vox 's Isabel Appio praised the album's "textured vocals, sophisticated hooks and full and fascinating orchestral arrangements", [14] while Q 's Mat Snow deemed it "a fine debut" which "promises even better vibes to come." [11] Stephen Dalton of NME found Seal "remarkable for its coherence, confidence and sheer character." [9]
Andrew Harrison was unimpressed in Select , panning Seal as "tastefully dull" while describing Seal himself as "so New Age it makes your eyes water". [13] Robert Christgau named "Crazy" the album's sole highlight, designating it as a "choice cut" in The Village Voice . [16]
Retrospectively, AllMusic reviewer MacKenzie Wilson credited Seal and producer Trevor Horn for the overall sound of Seal, which she said stood out amidst "the early-'90s mediocrity of post-hair metal and manufactured synth bands." [5] Writing for Pitchfork , Philip Sherburne stated that despite its occasionally "asinine" lyrics, "you don't come to Seal for poetry; you come for that voice and the way it navigates Horn's productions". He noted the album's origins in the early 1990s UK rave scene and found that it "drew sustenance from the spirit of that volatile era", calling it "idealistic, unfocused, and beautiful in its innocence." [10]
All lyrics and music written by Seal, except where noted.
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
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Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Australia (ARIA) [37] | Gold | 35,000^ |
Austria (IFPI Austria) [38] | Gold | 25,000* |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [39] | Gold | 100,000* |
Canada (Music Canada) [40] | 3× Platinum | 300,000^ |
France (SNEP) [41] | Gold | 100,000* |
Germany (BVMI) [42] | Gold | 250,000^ |
Netherlands (NVPI) [43] | Gold | 50,000^ |
New Zealand (RMNZ) [44] | Gold | 7,500^ |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [45] | Platinum | 50,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [46] | 2× Platinum | 600,000^ |
United States (RIAA) [47] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Human Being is the third studio album by Seal, released in 1998. The title track was written about late rappers Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. Human Being received mixed reviews ranging from being panned for its overtly dark and moody feel, to being described in terms such as "pop perfection". The album failed to sell in the same way as his 1994 multi-platinum album, Seal. However, it is a fan favourite and was inspired by his then-girlfriend, Tyra Banks and their breakup.
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Tuesday's Child is Canadian singer-songwriter Amanda Marshall's second album, released in 1999. The album was certified triple platinum by the CRIA selling over 300,000 copies across Canada. The singles off her second album include, "Believe In You", "Love Lift Me", "If I Didn't Have You", "Shades of Grey", and "Why Don't You Love Me". This album produced two top 10 hits in Canada.
Simplified is the ninth studio album by Simply Red, released in October 2005. It features new, rearranged recordings of the band's older songs, and four new songs: "Perfect Love" and an alternate version, "My Perfect Love", a cover of Leon Russell's "A Song for You", and "Smile".
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Soul 2 is the eighth studio album by British soul/R&B singer Seal. The album was released on 4 November 2011. Like its predecessor, Soul (2008) the album consists of soul classics, and it was produced by David Foster, Jochem van der Saag, and long-time collaborator Trevor Horn. It was preceded by the lead single, "Let's Stay Together" on 30 September 2011.
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