Seal pays tribute to his lady (“You Are My Kind”). On “Feels Like Fire,” Dido is quick to put the past behind her and press on after a breakup. With a little help from Placido Domingo, the operatic “Novus” envisions “children living in peace and harmony.” Artists bravely put gold statuettes in perspective on “Since Supernatural” (“I won’t sell my soul for fashion/Grammy night—too much hype, too much cars, too much ice”). Tracks seek romantic reconciliation (“Nothing at All” with Musiq, “The Game of Love” with Michelle Branch).
Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger may confuse listeners regarding what it takes to enter heaven on “Why Don’t You & I.” The disc serves to promote shamanism (a holistic, New Age spirituality involving a leader who interacts with good and evil spirits, and heals with music and herbs). CD art includes abstract nudity.
Carlos Santana has said, “This new message with Shaman is to invite people to embrace their divinity.” In Entertainment Weekly he explained, “What I do is about collective consciousness vibration.” Yeah. Okay. The songs don’t preach New Age thought, but it’s hard to take these lyrics at face value knowing the artist’s motivation.
