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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
Seal IV
Mixed or average reviews
Based on 11 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 18 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Warner Brothers
Release Date: 09 September 2003
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Adult Alternative, Rock, R&B
Summary
Never one for original album titles, Seal returns with just his fourth LP in his 12+ year recording career. Trevor Horn produces.
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Blender
Seal remains one of the best half-dozen male pop singers drawing breath. [Sep 2003, p.129]
Rolling Stone
While that heal-the-world sentiment soon becomes repetitive and rarely approaches the poetic heights of past classics, that gorgeously granulated voice is never less than sublime.
Read Full Review >Amazon.com
Seal never goes all out in any direction and this coolness, combined with Trevor Horn’s perfectionist production, plants the album inescapably in the realm of adult contemporary (although this is as good as adult contemporary gets).
Read Full Review >All Music Guide
Despite being heavy with unexceptional tunes, Seal IV has enough going for it to warrant the next four years of anticipation.
Read Full Review >Launch.com
Horn's work is so effective that it takes several listens before you notice how often Seal's songwriting depends on it.
Read Full Review >PopMatters
Seal IV is actually much better than one would expect from an artist whose last decent album is now nine years old. At the same time, something about it is off; for the first time, Seal is not merely outside his time (good), but behind it (bad).
Read Full Review >Splendid
Seal IV... finds him retreading old ground and misguidedly attempting to claim new territory.
Read Full Review >Entertainment Weekly
Much of Seal sounds dated and tepid. [12 Sep 2003, p.152]
Uncut
Even the proficient production of Trevor Horn can do nothing to perk things up. [Nov 2003, p.114]
Q Magazine
Most of it already sounds a decade old. [Dec 2003, p.137]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 8.4 (out of 10) based on 18 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Katrina M gave it a9:
I. Love. This. CD. Admit it, Seal in love sounds great. "Loneliest Star" is probably one of the best love letters ever written. If you are in love, miss being in love, want to be in love, then this CD wraps up all those feelings.
Sroop gave it a10:
He is beyond music of this age.
Sean L gave it a 5:
His first three were made with love. Seal IV was kicked forward with an urgency for money. The poet is lost (somewhere)...
Eric B gave it a 9:
As any true fan of Seal's music knows, the man does not make a bad or even mediocre album, and Seal IV is living proof of that. In the end, it boils down to what messages conveyed in music affect you personally, because instrumentally and vocally every track here is enjoyable and inspiring. Unfortunately, the world has been growing a general fear and loathing of expression of sentiment over the past decade or so, so the love and healing themes of most of the lyrics throughout IV probably won't appeal to a large number of people out there which is tragic. However, if you're unafraid and not put off by a positive emotional flow, chances are you'll find most of the tracks rather inspiring, especially "Don't Make Me Wait", which is a personal favorite simply because of it's classic R&B feel, which is missing in today's R&B and pop music. Overall, while not his best album of the quad, it's definitely an extremely good listen and a welcome addition to my CD collection. By the way, if you are looking for his best album, I'd suggest picking up the underrated commercial flop, Human Beings. It was very sad that such an extraordinary album failed to gain public attention.
F Sharpe gave it a 10:
Greatest CD from Seal i've heard
Thomas A gave it a 9:
Redeem the world with just one sound. You know music has the power to take you to the 4th dimension. Well this one does it. Forget about the lyrics, its music and the intention what makes this holy music.
Linda W gave it a 10:
Ya can't beat this man and his sound!
