Classic Rock Album of the Day- The Police- Zenyatta Mondatta- (1980) ** 1/2
With apologies to the Talking Heads, who were by defacto critical and fan based adoration considered the "best in genre". My interest around New Wave bands was mostly limited to "The Cars", and to a lesser degree "The Police". New Wave from my POV, was really only melodic Punk. And in the late '70's and early '80's, the airwaves, and with MTV's help, this kind of stuff flooded the market. Included with this wave, was an infestation of UK Wuss Bands. Remember Flock of Seagulls? There were at least 50 that looked and sounded just as inane and stupid. Honestly, the early 1980's were a pretty shitty time frame for rock music. If I have insulted your genre or taste, my apologies, but .... my opinion.....my review.
For the 10% that was listenable, I did enjoy the works of "The Cars", and today's Band "The Police". Where the Cars used finely succinct hooks with really catchy synth, plus almost dance worthy stuff. You could bounce around nicely with your oxford shirt, skinny tie, and sun glasses. OTOH, the Police had a bit more complexity in the songwriting, and you could see at least 70% of it with variable added reggae infusion. The tone of The Police music also is much less upbeat, with kind of an angry sarcastic tone. Back in the early 1980's I would have given The Police's discography probably a better rating, but some reason and perspective, their sound hasn't aged well through the test of time.
Sting, Summers, and Copeland are of course, very well known as very talented musicians. In fact I would challenge that dollar for dollar, they are the best in genre in that respect. Where they do suffer, is in the songwriting acumen. Every Police album they made, could be expected to yield 2 or 3 excellent tunes, but the balance? They suffer from the "Van Halen Filler Factor", and that is why I can not credibly give any one album more than a couple of stars.
Choosing today's review was between this work and "Ghost in the Machine". I like the sinister tone of Ghost, but ZM, was just a tiny bit more consistent.. And by 1983 (Ghost), Sting seemed to start buying into his own ego and adulation as international superstar. A real ass hole. Many equate the success of the band to Sting, but the talent pool was a heck more equitable as far as I was concerned. But is no secret that Sting's ego is why the band only lasted 5 Studio albums. He just couldn't wait to become a solo artist, and drain 100% of the spot light. But my best advise... Stick with a compilation,.... specifically the "Singles" edition from 1986.
Fun Fact: 75M sales worldwide. Props to them for getting that kind of mileage out of just 5 studio LPs.
Side 1-
------------
Don't Stand So Close to Me- Very neat reggae off beated underlined with deep synth, that morphs into a pyramiding phrasic chorus. Subject matter that might not be acceptable now in the musical vernacular. Male adult teachers being tempted by high school co-eds kind of gets frowned upon nowadays. Catchy stuff though, and the best on the LP. 1
Driven to Tears- Uber-repetive bass line and woke too. Some nice Copeland guitar included that gives it some redemption- 5
When the World Is Running Down, You Make the Best of What's Still Around- A sure long title to describe filler. Lazy songwriting, as far as I am concerned. And honestly, Sting is over rated as Bass player. 8
Canary in a Coal Mine- Silly off-key ska'. This tune would have killed the canary by gag response- 10
Voices Inside My Head- Band kind of takes it into a semi-funk direction. Lead singing comes off as background, which is pretty unique concept. In the vein of voices in their head I guess. Dropping Sting's vocals a couple of dozen decibels was a nice respite too. 3
Bombs Away- Nonsensical tune, that does have a decent hook to save it. Summers does have a decent solo. 4
Side 2-
-----------
De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da- Seinfeldish theming, before the sitcom. This has some of the best reggae-ish licks and actual musical cohesion. 2
Behind My Camel- Sounds like a mashup of a horror film and elevator music from Istanbul. Pointless instrumental filler- 9
Main In a Suitcase- Should have been called a Canary in a Suitcase. Songs are so drastically alike. Before anyone tries to claim the greatness of the Police, they really need listen to the whole package- 6
Shadows in the Rain- . Man, this sucks. 11
The Other Way of Stopping- More filler, but does have some nice Copeland percussion 7
With apologies to the Talking Heads, who were by defacto critical and fan based adoration considered the "best in genre". My interest around New Wave bands was mostly limited to "The Cars", and to a lesser degree "The Police". New Wave from my POV, was really only melodic Punk. And in the late '70's and early '80's, the airwaves, and with MTV's help, this kind of stuff flooded the market. Included with this wave, was an infestation of UK Wuss Bands. Remember Flock of Seagulls? There were at least 50 that looked and sounded just as inane and stupid. Honestly, the early 1980's were a pretty shitty time frame for rock music. If I have insulted your genre or taste, my apologies, but .... my opinion.....my review.
For the 10% that was listenable, I did enjoy the works of "The Cars", and today's Band "The Police". Where the Cars used finely succinct hooks with really catchy synth, plus almost dance worthy stuff. You could bounce around nicely with your oxford shirt, skinny tie, and sun glasses. OTOH, the Police had a bit more complexity in the songwriting, and you could see at least 70% of it with variable added reggae infusion. The tone of The Police music also is much less upbeat, with kind of an angry sarcastic tone. Back in the early 1980's I would have given The Police's discography probably a better rating, but some reason and perspective, their sound hasn't aged well through the test of time.
Sting, Summers, and Copeland are of course, very well known as very talented musicians. In fact I would challenge that dollar for dollar, they are the best in genre in that respect. Where they do suffer, is in the songwriting acumen. Every Police album they made, could be expected to yield 2 or 3 excellent tunes, but the balance? They suffer from the "Van Halen Filler Factor", and that is why I can not credibly give any one album more than a couple of stars.
Choosing today's review was between this work and "Ghost in the Machine". I like the sinister tone of Ghost, but ZM, was just a tiny bit more consistent.. And by 1983 (Ghost), Sting seemed to start buying into his own ego and adulation as international superstar. A real ass hole. Many equate the success of the band to Sting, but the talent pool was a heck more equitable as far as I was concerned. But is no secret that Sting's ego is why the band only lasted 5 Studio albums. He just couldn't wait to become a solo artist, and drain 100% of the spot light. But my best advise... Stick with a compilation,.... specifically the "Singles" edition from 1986.
Fun Fact: 75M sales worldwide. Props to them for getting that kind of mileage out of just 5 studio LPs.
Side 1-
------------
Don't Stand So Close to Me- Very neat reggae off beated underlined with deep synth, that morphs into a pyramiding phrasic chorus. Subject matter that might not be acceptable now in the musical vernacular. Male adult teachers being tempted by high school co-eds kind of gets frowned upon nowadays. Catchy stuff though, and the best on the LP. 1
Driven to Tears- Uber-repetive bass line and woke too. Some nice Copeland guitar included that gives it some redemption- 5
When the World Is Running Down, You Make the Best of What's Still Around- A sure long title to describe filler. Lazy songwriting, as far as I am concerned. And honestly, Sting is over rated as Bass player. 8
Canary in a Coal Mine- Silly off-key ska'. This tune would have killed the canary by gag response- 10
Voices Inside My Head- Band kind of takes it into a semi-funk direction. Lead singing comes off as background, which is pretty unique concept. In the vein of voices in their head I guess. Dropping Sting's vocals a couple of dozen decibels was a nice respite too. 3
Bombs Away- Nonsensical tune, that does have a decent hook to save it. Summers does have a decent solo. 4
Side 2-
-----------
De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da- Seinfeldish theming, before the sitcom. This has some of the best reggae-ish licks and actual musical cohesion. 2
Behind My Camel- Sounds like a mashup of a horror film and elevator music from Istanbul. Pointless instrumental filler- 9
Main In a Suitcase- Should have been called a Canary in a Suitcase. Songs are so drastically alike. Before anyone tries to claim the greatness of the Police, they really need listen to the whole package- 6
Shadows in the Rain- . Man, this sucks. 11
The Other Way of Stopping- More filler, but does have some nice Copeland percussion 7
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