Sade – Soldier of Love Album Review
Have you ever heard a Mermaid sing a song? How about an Angel? The Sunset? How about all three wrapped in one? If you have then you know exactly how Sade sounds, like Heaven disguised as the wind. I don’t think there is a more beautiful voice than the Quiet Storm that is Sade. Even for a lady who is in her 50’s (I need to see a birth certificate!), she hasn’t lost a note!
Sade returns with, Soldier of Love, after a 10 year break. You can’t rush diamonds or fine wine when it is being created, so goes the same with Sade. The band takes their precious time living life and waits for the experiences to tell them what to say, where as so many of today’s artist just serve us microwaved themes and melodies of the same old same. You know “same shit, just a different toilet.” Soldier of Love serves as a reminder for those of us who may have forgotten just how beautiful music can sound when a band backs up the singer. Here you won’t get the drum machine and fake hip-hop beats, you just get the Quiet Storm! Something that your parents told you about, Smokey even sung about it, but Sade gives it to us live and uncut.
Soldier of Love features 10 solid tracks that gives the listener just enough to satisfy our hunger, but leaves room for a little more. You never have the feeling that you are overwhelmed by the amount of music. The tracklist is short and sweet. After 10 years, 10 tracks is just enough to fill you up just to the point where you won’t get tired of the menu.
The album starts strong with The Moon and The Sky a tale of betrayal of two lovers. He chased her until she gave in and fell in love. At that point he walks away just enough to keep her hanging on.
Soldier of Love is up next and it is a love it or hate it type of song. Many long time fans don’t agree with the hip hop styled aggressive track. But in the context of the album, this song serves it’s purpose. An aggressive song for such a dark, melodic album.
Morning Bird is another dark sounding song sung over a sparse piano and strings soundscape. Adu sings of a love that she won’t leave even if she is unchained. She sings beautifully how she won’t run. Just as the song builds slowly and Sade sings so hypnotically, it ends.
When Baby Father comes on next, you welcome the upbeat Reggae feel compared to the sad darker ones that preceded it. The song may not be one of the strongest on the album, but once again it fits the vibe of the album perfectly. It is not simply an album filler.
On a Long Hard Road, Sade let’s us know that it is going to be alright. Even though it is a long road ahead, a voice in her head let’s her know it is going to be alright. And you believe her. After all Sade won’t lie to us, would she? Sade follows up this declaration of hope with Be That Easy. This song is one of my personal highlights on an album full of em’. The track has a upbeat country, island type of vibe. Imagine Kenny Rogers smoking with Bob Marley and Sade just happened to pass through the session and you would have this song. Be That Easy is the story of a lover who is built up by her love only to end up slowly falling down to reality. Some people may hate this one, and others will love it. I fall in the latter.
In Another Time is another one of my jams. It is one of the most beautiful sounding songs I have heard in a long time. Especially with the use of violins, the sax, and pianos; who does this anymore? It is heaven to be able to listen to music that wasn’t produced with the use of fruity loops or MPC’s. The song speaks to young girls who may hurt now, but soon in another time the tears won’t leave a trace. Lovers come and go.
Skin picks back up the step with a song where Sade is ready to leave the man for a change. She sings how she is going to wash and peel away her love. Say goodbye. I even think I caught a little nod to the King (MJ) in one of the lyrics. And the beauty that is Soldier of Love ends with a nice quiet storm in The Safest Place.
If I don’t hear another album this year I maybe straight. Soldier of Love is the album that makes waiting 10 years worth the wait. One again Sade drops their timeless classic muse on us. Thanks Sade for appearing and bringing us such a beautiful slice of Heaven. May you return to your island hideout in peace, and be safe till you return to grace us again.
UML Rating out of 5:
