When Sade released their second studio album in 1985, they were still riding the waves of their multi-platinum debut, Diamond Life (1984), which was still staying strong on the Billboard 200, and would be through 1986. As such, Promise immediately joined it, surpassing it to reach number one. It too would go multi-platinum, and peak on multiple charts across the globe.
Despite its chart success, critics were not kind upon its release. Anthony DeCurtis of Rolling Stone would say, "The careful elegance of the production and instrumental settings seems little more than a strategy to conceal the limitations of Sade's vocal range and skills as a song stylist." Meanwhile, Robert Christgau of The Village Voice would state, "Even when it's this sumptuous, there's a problem with aural wallpaper—once you start paying attention to it, it's not wallpaper anymore, it's pictures on the wall. And while as a wallpaper these pictures may be something, they can't compete with the ones you've hung up special." Admittedly, the latter seems like a word salad that's difficult to decipher. Perhaps it's best summed up by Spin Magazine's quote, "Sade is a torch singer without the torch. Her voice has no blood, no guts, and no soul." Basically, critics were saying that Sade stunk, even though the charts were not reflecting this.
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While I won't say it stunk, it's definitely not for me. Promise is more or less the same that was delivered with their debut. For me, the hit, Sweetest Taboo, is why I bought it, but on the same hand don't really necessarily have much love for the tune.
If I'm being honest, I found the whole listening experience to be boring, but at the same time, I expected this. I can respect what the band was doing and acknowledge that they had massive hits in the 80's. Frankly, that's the reason why I own them. Sade is me checking a box in my 80's collection, and I have no problem in being honest in that aspect.
I didn't expect to like this album, and I didn't. Everything sounds like a lounge act straight out of Leisure Suit Larry. It's great ambience if you're running around as Larry Laffer, but dull and drawn out if you're just sitting there taking it all in. To put it bluntly, it's quite boring. So much so that I wanted to give up on listening to it and ultimately had to force myself through it.
I will finish out their 80's discography, which consists of one more album, 1988's Stronger Than Pride, but I'm certainly not looking forward to it. Sade isn't bad music. It's just not my kind of music.
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