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Post by Rit on Oct 18, 2005 18:39:05 GMT -5
My introduction to the Police was because my friend lent me his Police box set, which his mom won in a radio contest. and i kept it for a year, and i totally idolized Sting and the band. the musicianship and the fantastic Stingian songwriting was great, a huge splash in my life at the time.
i eventually moved on, and i was forced to return the boxset to my friend, but that's another story.
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Post by Dr. Drum on Oct 19, 2005 7:23:44 GMT -5
It was a toss up with "So Lonely" but I picked "Driven to Tears" on this one. Always really loved that tune. Also quite like album tracks such as "When the World is Running Down", "Omegaman", "Rehumanize Yourself", etc. that aren’t part of this poll, BTW.
I'd put all the Police's studio albums in the 3 ½ to 4 star range – including Ghost in the Machine (4 stars). I guess at this point I fall somewhere between Rit's 'nothing more than a good pop band' and Ken's more enthusiastic stance on this one. Probably leaning a little more toward Ken's take – their songs do sound spot on when I pull one of their records out. However, I can't say I feel the need all that often these days.
On the question of influence, I’m a bit dubious. I’ve seen both Edge and Peter Buck run through their list of influences on multiple occasions, for example, and I can’t recall Andy’s name being mentioned. Though he definitely was an influence on Alex Lifeson for a couple years there in the mid-80s... Actually I think the difficulty in tracing definite Police influence on their peers and subsequent generations is part of the reason the band is not held in higher esteem. Not that I think this necessarily should be the case, mind you...
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Post by maarts on Oct 19, 2005 7:36:19 GMT -5
Every Breath You Take might be overplayed on MOR-radio but still it's one of the best crafted songs I know....
That little guitar-arpeggio nicely supported by that pumpin' bassline, the little washing synth underneath, later joined by that staccato piano...Sting sings it so delicately, a simple lyric like a shopping list-song. Great break halfway through- again, the elements are pretty much stand-alone but they fit very well. Not overdone in production, just the right amount of crispness and volume in the sound. It sounds good, it feels good...
Just my opinion, of course.
The Police had many great songs- Invisible Sun's one of my favourites but Regatta De Blanc is my favourite album, with somgs like Contact and Deathwish....
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Post by JesusLooksLikeMe on Oct 19, 2005 8:18:13 GMT -5
The Police (and Sting) were dead to me after Zenyatta Mondatta. If Sting was my son I'd have long ago changed the locks and declared he was no son of mine.
From the list provided, "So Lonely". But it's not on the same planet as songs like "Message In A Bottle" and "Walking on the Moon"
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Post by Rit on Oct 19, 2005 8:23:08 GMT -5
Zenyatta Mondatta was terror-bile.
which is a shame, because Regatta de Blanc is a treasure.
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Post by Rit on Oct 19, 2005 8:23:50 GMT -5
all those cute, catchy, winsome songs on Regatta.
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Post by JesusLooksLikeMe on Oct 19, 2005 8:26:08 GMT -5
Zenyatta Mondatta was terror-bile. which is a shame, because Regatta de Blanc is a treasure. Yep. That's what I meant to say, but I'm too verbose by half. |
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Post by Rit on Oct 19, 2005 8:26:52 GMT -5
at least you're not a pike.
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Post by Rit on Oct 19, 2005 8:28:59 GMT -5
hope Dolly and yourself are doing well, btw.
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Post by maarts on Oct 19, 2005 8:30:38 GMT -5
You're a harsh father, JLLM. Look how your 'son' repaid you with Ghost In The Machine and Synchronicity....two probably less impressive albums than Outlandos and Regatta but certainly marked improvements on Zenyatta.
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Post by JesusLooksLikeMe on Oct 19, 2005 8:35:56 GMT -5
The odd moment from Sychronicity works okay. Ghost In The Machine... no way.
Cheers Rit. Enjoying your Wolf Parade recommendation right now mate.
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Post by Rit on Oct 19, 2005 8:43:33 GMT -5
the wolf Parade is mos def one of the better releases this year.
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Post by bowiglou on Oct 19, 2005 11:26:49 GMT -5
I bought the Police debut very shortly after its release, and loved the first two albums........from then on it was touch and go..I have seen the Police and Sting live, and will admit the Police were a terrific live act...but Stings solo career as millimeters from Phil Colllins
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Post by melon1 on Oct 19, 2005 14:28:40 GMT -5
Regatta De Blanc was my fave.
Same here, Rit. IMO, the best album of '79, even ahead of London Calling. Yeah, I said it  .
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Post by melon1 on Mar 2, 2006 2:02:11 GMT -5
Thought I'd pull a few up for the new guys/girls.
I can't believe that all but one got a vote on this list. What a great band!
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