System by Seal (CD, Nov-2007, Warner Bros. Records Record Label)

What this album lacks in the presence of killer singles such as Crazy or Waiting For You, it makes up for in being Seal's most consistent listen. For those readers who have heard that this album is more dance oriented and are concerned about that, let me assure you, this is the Seal you know and love.
The tracks are what one could say about most Pet Shop Boys songs, dance for listening, not for dancing. In fact, most of the tracks are mid-tempo.

What makes the tracks so good? First, the overall sound. I miss this sound. Synth-string laden tracks, minor 7th chords, etc. Second, Seals vocals are amazing and up front where they belong. Trevor Horn took them front and center on the last album, and that is where they have stayed. The first three tracks do sound quite a bit of Madonna's Confessions album production wise. While they are excellent, I prefer the rest of the album myself, which sounds more like early fairlight synths and whole note tones are being used. Seal has had a penchant for making tremendous singles, but filling the rest of albums with strummy tepid ballads. This is not to say he hasn't written some of the best ballads out there (Prayer For the Dying is my favorite Seal track), but I can't sit through his third album do to them. Maybe they just aren't my cup of tea. This album lacks those tepid ballads. His lyrics remain philosophical yet anonymous as usual on this album.

System is proof (not that we didn't already know), that Seal is much more than just a Trevor Horn vehicle. It's an album that takes his music to new places, yet retains his signature sound. That's what new albums are all about, and what is so very very lacking in the recent music scene as a whole. Suprisingly, one of the slower tracks on the album, the duet with his wife, might just be the best track on the record. Just a note if there are any Mark "Spike" Stent fans out there; his mixing on track 4 is excellent as usual. He is my favorite mixer and tends to show up on everything I listen to, from ABC to Pet Shop Boys, the KLF, Depeche Mode, Jah Wobble, Erasure, Bjork, New Order, et al.

A strong candidate for album of the year. It will certainly be in my player for awhile.