CD Review: The Police, 'The Police' CD Review: The Police, 'The Police'
By Matthew Price
Published: June 29, 2007
Rock
The Police, "The Police” (A&M)
In honor of the Police's live tour and the 30th anniversary of their recording debut, "The Police” is a double-disc set containing 28 of the band's best-known songs.
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The Police — guitarist Andy Summers, drummer Stewart Copeland and bassist/vocalist Sting — was one of the biggest bands of the 1980s, bringing a reggae-styled punk flavor into the New Wave. The band only lasted for five albums — an attempt to record together in 1986 produced only one subpar recording.
The compact discs unfold in chronological order, starting with "Fall Out” and finishing with "Tea in the Sahara.” The two discs split in the middle of "Zenyatta Mondatta,” with "Canary in a Coalmine” closing out the first disc, and "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da” opening the second. Listening to the CDs in sequence allows listeners to follow the Police's evolution, from the earlier, more punk-inspired tunes of "Outlandos d'Amour,” to the later, Jungian territory explored on "Synchronicity.”
If for some reason, you're unfamiliar with the Police, this is a great sampler. The compilation wisely avoids the train-wreck that was "Don't Stand So Close to Me '86” (but does include the superior original). Of course, the set includes the band's biggest U.S. hits: "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” from "Ghost in the Machine” and "King of Pain” and "Every Breath You Take” from "Synchronicity.” The most glaring omissions are "When the World Is Running Down, You Make the Best of What's Still Around” from the third album, "Zenyatta Mondatta” and "The Bed's Too Big Without You” from the sophomore effort "Regatta de Blanc.”
"The Police” is a successful sampler that hits the high points effectively.
— Matthew Price
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