Comments on: Soldier of Love http://musicbestseller.com/soldier-of-love Your Bestseller Music Collection that you would like to listen in your radio, CDs and Audio Devices. Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:33:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: William Merrill http://musicbestseller.com/soldier-of-love/comment-page-1#comment-21 William Merrill Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:44:51 +0000 http://www.musicbestseller.com/soldier-of-love/#comment-21 The mere fact that Soldier of Love is Sade's first album in nearly a decade demanded my attention. Add in the mostly very positive reviews (ex., A- from EW, A from Mojo), and it promises to be a real treat for Sade fans. The album starts really strong, with an elegantly melancholic song called "The Moon and the Sky," featuring a deluxe yet understated arrangement and backing from the Sweetback guys (her band). Then comes the highlight of Soldier, the excellent title track with its martial rhythms and aggro electric guitar riffs. (The video for the tune is good too, a striking piece of art, although it seems ripe for parody.) From there, the album slowly slides into some kind of a lovely trance state. The songs are nearly all down-tempo ballads, to the point of near drowsiness, but Ms Adu's silky vocals and the smooth backing band give it all a sheen of beauty and light. Beyond the title track nothing really stood out for me, but if you like hearing Sade sing - and I really do - these songs are well suited to showcase her singing style. I kept thinking of the phrase "languid and bittersweet" from Steely Dan; I think that's a good description of Sade's music. By the way, if you want to challenge my description of the sleepy quality of these songs, try listening to just these two songs back to back, by themselves - "Long Hard Road" and "Be That Easy" - and just see if your mind doesn't begin to drift off a bit. It's a good kind of sleepiness, though - I'm not complaining!<br><br>Rating: 4 / 5 The mere fact that Soldier of Love is Sade’s first album in nearly a decade demanded my attention. Add in the mostly very positive reviews (ex., A- from EW, A from Mojo), and it promises to be a real treat for Sade fans. The album starts really strong, with an elegantly melancholic song called “The Moon and the Sky,” featuring a deluxe yet understated arrangement and backing from the Sweetback guys (her band). Then comes the highlight of Soldier, the excellent title track with its martial rhythms and aggro electric guitar riffs. (The video for the tune is good too, a striking piece of art, although it seems ripe for parody.) From there, the album slowly slides into some kind of a lovely trance state. The songs are nearly all down-tempo ballads, to the point of near drowsiness, but Ms Adu’s silky vocals and the smooth backing band give it all a sheen of beauty and light. Beyond the title track nothing really stood out for me, but if you like hearing Sade sing – and I really do – these songs are well suited to showcase her singing style. I kept thinking of the phrase “languid and bittersweet” from Steely Dan; I think that’s a good description of Sade’s music. By the way, if you want to challenge my description of the sleepy quality of these songs, try listening to just these two songs back to back, by themselves – “Long Hard Road” and “Be That Easy” – and just see if your mind doesn’t begin to drift off a bit. It’s a good kind of sleepiness, though – I’m not complaining!

Rating: 4 / 5

]]> By: John Green http://musicbestseller.com/soldier-of-love/comment-page-1#comment-20 John Green Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:18:38 +0000 http://www.musicbestseller.com/soldier-of-love/#comment-20 Sade's newest release is the first one with the boys- Matthewman, Hale and Denman- since Lover's Rock, with a somewhat different vibe. Going in new directions for artists can be good for them, but now it's time to either take another fork in the road or circle back. When I first heard the cd, I assumed that she was still working without the fellas. Once I discovered they were together again, it only added to the disappointment. <br /> <br />The music is not cohesive and sometimes feels like they're trying to find the groove. Remember the show "Name That Tune"? Whereas once upon a time you could identify a Sade song in three seconds, now you'd be hard pressed to name any of these after a listen-through, nevermind in three bars or less. There's a couple of tracks that remind you of the glory days, but they only serve to make the rest seem even more un-Sade like in comparison. <br /> <br />Someone once said songs are bad poetry set to music, and this cd is proof of that. Too many times the lyrics are rambling and repetitive, or else just badly looped clips dropped in like a demo tape. Sadly her voice suffers also; too many times that sensual, feminine-husky caress feels as rough as sandpaper. <br /> <br />As a longtime fan, I'm willing to admit maybe I miss the old glory too much, but after listening to it twice, not one single track caught my attention. Put it this way: does anyone remember Annie Lennox's Songs Of Mass Destruction? (Anyone?) Well, this is the Sade version. <br /> <br /><br><br>Rating: 2 / 5 Sade’s newest release is the first one with the boys- Matthewman, Hale and Denman- since Lover’s Rock, with a somewhat different vibe. Going in new directions for artists can be good for them, but now it’s time to either take another fork in the road or circle back. When I first heard the cd, I assumed that she was still working without the fellas. Once I discovered they were together again, it only added to the disappointment.

The music is not cohesive and sometimes feels like they’re trying to find the groove. Remember the show “Name That Tune”? Whereas once upon a time you could identify a Sade song in three seconds, now you’d be hard pressed to name any of these after a listen-through, nevermind in three bars or less. There’s a couple of tracks that remind you of the glory days, but they only serve to make the rest seem even more un-Sade like in comparison.

Someone once said songs are bad poetry set to music, and this cd is proof of that. Too many times the lyrics are rambling and repetitive, or else just badly looped clips dropped in like a demo tape. Sadly her voice suffers also; too many times that sensual, feminine-husky caress feels as rough as sandpaper.

As a longtime fan, I’m willing to admit maybe I miss the old glory too much, but after listening to it twice, not one single track caught my attention. Put it this way: does anyone remember Annie Lennox’s Songs Of Mass Destruction? (Anyone?) Well, this is the Sade version.

Rating: 2 / 5

]]> By: Robert G Yokoyama http://musicbestseller.com/soldier-of-love/comment-page-1#comment-19 Robert G Yokoyama Wed, 10 Feb 2010 01:15:29 +0000 http://www.musicbestseller.com/soldier-of-love/#comment-19 Sade is back. She has always had a sensual quality to her music. This album continues that trend. She has a excellent band of musicians that enhance the music on this disc. Stuart Matthewman plays a smooth sax. Ian Burdge plays the somber cello. Juan Janes plays the romantic guitar on one track. All three musicians contribute their talents to make this Sade's best effort in years. I love this new disc. My favorite track is the title cut. I love the tight beat of the drums on this track. This song lifts my spirit. "In Another Time" is my other favorite track here. It is a song with lovely musical arrangements. I can feel the purity in her voice here. I love the piano playing and saxophone featured on this track. "Babyfather" leaves me feeling very calm. It has a nice regaae sound. "The Safest Place" is a very romantic song. The cello playing is beautiful on this track. "The Moon And The Sky" is a lovely song about trying to cling to a relationship. "Long Hard Road" is a reminder for me to never give up. The guitar playing sounds pretty here. "Be That Easy" is a song that puts my mind at ease. This song is very soothing. I love this new music from Sade. <br><br>Rating: 5 / 5 Sade is back. She has always had a sensual quality to her music. This album continues that trend. She has a excellent band of musicians that enhance the music on this disc. Stuart Matthewman plays a smooth sax. Ian Burdge plays the somber cello. Juan Janes plays the romantic guitar on one track. All three musicians contribute their talents to make this Sade’s best effort in years. I love this new disc. My favorite track is the title cut. I love the tight beat of the drums on this track. This song lifts my spirit. “In Another Time” is my other favorite track here. It is a song with lovely musical arrangements. I can feel the purity in her voice here. I love the piano playing and saxophone featured on this track. “Babyfather” leaves me feeling very calm. It has a nice regaae sound. “The Safest Place” is a very romantic song. The cello playing is beautiful on this track. “The Moon And The Sky” is a lovely song about trying to cling to a relationship. “Long Hard Road” is a reminder for me to never give up. The guitar playing sounds pretty here. “Be That Easy” is a song that puts my mind at ease. This song is very soothing. I love this new music from Sade.

Rating: 5 / 5

]]> By: isuaint http://musicbestseller.com/soldier-of-love/comment-page-1#comment-18 isuaint Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:42:45 +0000 http://www.musicbestseller.com/soldier-of-love/#comment-18 I feel about as disappointed with "Solider of Love", as I was when "Lovers Rock" was released 9.5 years ago. Sade and Sony are trying to get another one over on us. They did it with Lovers Rock and now this one. Although I must admit Lovers Live was rather nice. My suggestion is MAYSA, A WOMAN IN LOVE, instead of this one. I've been a fan of Sade since 1984 and though disappointed I'm still a fan. The fact of the matter is that all artist have a creative window, which if lucky will be open for about 8 or 9 years. Sade and Sweetback's windows have officially closed! <br /> <br />I was a senior in high school when, Smooth Operator, hit the airwaves. I was known as the tape king, because I practically had the entire high school (including teachers and staff)enrolled in Columbia House record and tape club under me. When you would enroll or "introduce" someone to the club, you'd receive three free cassettes tapes or albums. I would always suggest "Diamond Life", to my new inductees, and they would raved about it, once they'd put ear it. <br /> <br />The key word above was cassette tapes and albums. You see back in those days, an artist was confined to the time limitations of cassettes and albums. Artist or groups that really wanted to give a gift to their fans would release double cassettes or double albums. Why couldn't she release a double Cd, with this being her 26th year in the business? I mean with the release cycle that she's used, we only have 6 studio albums over a 26 year period. <br /> <br />The point that I'm attempting to convey in this space is this; With the advances in technology recording format, IE (Cd)which has the capability of holding at least 72 minutes of music, but most will hold 80 minutes and with the mp3 format being limitless there is no excuse. That being said, I feel a bit slighted when an artist who hasn't released any music in almost 10 years, give me less than 42 minutes of music and this is supposed to be a major release. And more-so not all of the songs are quality songs. <br /> <br />The deal is that the poor blinded fans are going to buy the music simply because it's Sade and you long to hear her voice. Even though the music is sub-par, it doesn't matter to the blinded fan, who just wants to hear Sade. <br /> <br />I've always been of the mind set to demand more from the artist. If the artist is only going to release 10 tracks, at least give me 5 and a half or 6 minutes of quality music per track. Though disappointed, I'm still a fan, but I desire and deserve more. The only reason I'm purchasing the Cd is because I have a gift card, other than that, I'd download it for free. <br /> <br />A $1.29 per song for a mp3 download is still too much, for sub-par music if you ask me. The longer the industry gives me sub par releases the more, I'll download for free. <br /> <br />An artist of Sade's caliber could release a quality song or two a year from her website and I'm confident fans will BUY the music downloads. That's going to be the new model of future. <br /> <br />Lil Louis said it best, in 1992 on I NEED A NEW DANCE BEAT, from his CLUB LONELY release. "They use to laugh at me, but I saw the future, dance floor boredom, record company recession and copy machines spit out song after song" <br /> <br />I'm wondering if Sade, Sweetback and Sony are laughing at us for purchasing this sub par recording. And before anyone says, it'll grow on me, I'll understanding it later, allow me to say, NO! I understand it now! What I understand is that her most creative years are behind her and the window has closed. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><br><br>Rating: 3 / 5 I feel about as disappointed with “Solider of Love”, as I was when “Lovers Rock” was released 9.5 years ago. Sade and Sony are trying to get another one over on us. They did it with Lovers Rock and now this one. Although I must admit Lovers Live was rather nice. My suggestion is MAYSA, A WOMAN IN LOVE, instead of this one. I’ve been a fan of Sade since 1984 and though disappointed I’m still a fan. The fact of the matter is that all artist have a creative window, which if lucky will be open for about 8 or 9 years. Sade and Sweetback’s windows have officially closed!

I was a senior in high school when, Smooth Operator, hit the airwaves. I was known as the tape king, because I practically had the entire high school (including teachers and staff)enrolled in Columbia House record and tape club under me. When you would enroll or “introduce” someone to the club, you’d receive three free cassettes tapes or albums. I would always suggest “Diamond Life”, to my new inductees, and they would raved about it, once they’d put ear it.

The key word above was cassette tapes and albums. You see back in those days, an artist was confined to the time limitations of cassettes and albums. Artist or groups that really wanted to give a gift to their fans would release double cassettes or double albums. Why couldn’t she release a double Cd, with this being her 26th year in the business? I mean with the release cycle that she’s used, we only have 6 studio albums over a 26 year period.

The point that I’m attempting to convey in this space is this; With the advances in technology recording format, IE (Cd)which has the capability of holding at least 72 minutes of music, but most will hold 80 minutes and with the mp3 format being limitless there is no excuse. That being said, I feel a bit slighted when an artist who hasn’t released any music in almost 10 years, give me less than 42 minutes of music and this is supposed to be a major release. And more-so not all of the songs are quality songs.

The deal is that the poor blinded fans are going to buy the music simply because it’s Sade and you long to hear her voice. Even though the music is sub-par, it doesn’t matter to the blinded fan, who just wants to hear Sade.

I’ve always been of the mind set to demand more from the artist. If the artist is only going to release 10 tracks, at least give me 5 and a half or 6 minutes of quality music per track. Though disappointed, I’m still a fan, but I desire and deserve more. The only reason I’m purchasing the Cd is because I have a gift card, other than that, I’d download it for free.

A $1.29 per song for a mp3 download is still too much, for sub-par music if you ask me. The longer the industry gives me sub par releases the more, I’ll download for free.

An artist of Sade’s caliber could release a quality song or two a year from her website and I’m confident fans will BUY the music downloads. That’s going to be the new model of future.

Lil Louis said it best, in 1992 on I NEED A NEW DANCE BEAT, from his CLUB LONELY release. “They use to laugh at me, but I saw the future, dance floor boredom, record company recession and copy machines spit out song after song”

I’m wondering if Sade, Sweetback and Sony are laughing at us for purchasing this sub par recording. And before anyone says, it’ll grow on me, I’ll understanding it later, allow me to say, NO! I understand it now! What I understand is that her most creative years are behind her and the window has closed.

Rating: 3 / 5

]]> By: Edward Baiza http://musicbestseller.com/soldier-of-love/comment-page-1#comment-17 Edward Baiza Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:42:07 +0000 http://www.musicbestseller.com/soldier-of-love/#comment-17 WHEN I FIRST HEARD HER SINGLE SOLDIER OF LOVE I WAS VERY EXCITED AND WHEN I LOOKED AT HER UPCOMING ALBUM AND REVIEWED THE SONGS I COULD TELL THAT IT WAS NOT GOING TO HAVE ALOT OF SONGS LIKE AND SIMILAR TO IT FIRST SINGLE. <br />I HAVE BEEN A BIG FAN OF SADE SINCE THE EARLY 80'S, HER MUSIC IS STILL THE BEST IN JAZZ/ SOUL GENRE. UNLIKE HER LOVERS ROCK ALBUM THIS ONE IS LACKING ALOT OF PERCUSSION THEMED SONGS, IT ONLY HAS BALLADS WITH DOWNTEMPO VIBES. THE ONLY SONG WITH A GOOD PERCUSSION BEAT IS SOLDIER OF LOVE. DON'T GET ME WRONG SHE SINGS FROM THE HEART AND SOUL, BUT THIS CD IS LACKING THE POWER DOSE OF WHAT DIAMOND LIFE, PROMISE, STRONGER THAN PRIDE, LOVE DELUXE (MY OPINION HER BEST ALBUM PERIOD), LOVERS ROCK. I UNDERSTAND THE TIMES IN MUSIC IS CHANGING AND ARTIST ARE TRYING TO GET AWAY FROM POPPY SOUNDS AND COMMERCIAL CASH INS. YOU EITHER LIKE IT OR DON'T AND HER RECORD SALES IN STORES IS WHAT SELLS HER MUSIC. SHE KNOWS HOW TO MARKET HER MUSIC AND IS SMART. HER CONCERTS ARE MINDBLOWING AND DEFINITELY EXCITING TO SEE PERFORM.<br><br>Rating: 3 / 5 WHEN I FIRST HEARD HER SINGLE SOLDIER OF LOVE I WAS VERY EXCITED AND WHEN I LOOKED AT HER UPCOMING ALBUM AND REVIEWED THE SONGS I COULD TELL THAT IT WAS NOT GOING TO HAVE ALOT OF SONGS LIKE AND SIMILAR TO IT FIRST SINGLE.

I HAVE BEEN A BIG FAN OF SADE SINCE THE EARLY 80′S, HER MUSIC IS STILL THE BEST IN JAZZ/ SOUL GENRE. UNLIKE HER LOVERS ROCK ALBUM THIS ONE IS LACKING ALOT OF PERCUSSION THEMED SONGS, IT ONLY HAS BALLADS WITH DOWNTEMPO VIBES. THE ONLY SONG WITH A GOOD PERCUSSION BEAT IS SOLDIER OF LOVE. DON’T GET ME WRONG SHE SINGS FROM THE HEART AND SOUL, BUT THIS CD IS LACKING THE POWER DOSE OF WHAT DIAMOND LIFE, PROMISE, STRONGER THAN PRIDE, LOVE DELUXE (MY OPINION HER BEST ALBUM PERIOD), LOVERS ROCK. I UNDERSTAND THE TIMES IN MUSIC IS CHANGING AND ARTIST ARE TRYING TO GET AWAY FROM POPPY SOUNDS AND COMMERCIAL CASH INS. YOU EITHER LIKE IT OR DON’T AND HER RECORD SALES IN STORES IS WHAT SELLS HER MUSIC. SHE KNOWS HOW TO MARKET HER MUSIC AND IS SMART. HER CONCERTS ARE MINDBLOWING AND DEFINITELY EXCITING TO SEE PERFORM.

Rating: 3 / 5

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