antiMusic.com: The Police - (2CD Anthology) Review

The Police - (2CD Anthology) Review
by Dan MacIntosh

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This collection of The Police music is a healthy one, providing all the hits -- both big and small. It also traces the group's career timeline, from hyperactive New Wave trio, to the backing group for Sting's increasingly sophisticated and egotistical musical persona. In fact, I can revisit my interest (and lack thereof) in the band merely by perusing this set's song list. I dug 'em from the punkish "Next To You" up until the still relatively aggressive "Demolition Man," which comes along around about the middle of disc two. I was still firmly on board up to then. But once Sting's narcissism began to infect hits like "Every Breath You Take," severe apathy started to infect me and drain the blood out of my band support. Similarly, his two band mates eventually publicly called Sting out as the "King Of [the] Pain in the neck" he truly was, and then the group imploded.

Although The Police entered the public eye during the punk era, this group was never truly punk. Sure, early music � like "Truth Hurts Everybody" � railed against the status quo in the same way The Sex Pistols and The Clash expressed similar economic/social displeasures. But Sting's inner feelings, exemplified by "Wrapped Around Your Finger," eventually butted in and took center stage. He was less concerned about the world's welfare than he was about how world events affected him. The biggest social issue in Sting's life quickly became, well, Sting. Even so, it's hard to argue with the wonderful music this band produced, especially before out-of-control ego inflation took permanent sway.

After I opened this package, I immediately skipped to "Driven To Tears," my personal favorite Police song. Andy Summer's electric guitar vamp is contagious � even after all these years. And the line, "Too many cameras and not enough food," still rings tragically true in our modern, TMZ.com world. Similarly, "Roxanne" [even with the visual of Eddie Murphy singing it for the movies firmly planted in my brain] stands up well. In the same way The Police weren't punk, they were also not -- as the album title "Regatta De Blanc" might mislead you to believe -- reggae. Even so, "Walking On The Moon" has a loping Rasta groove that just won't quit. Also, the way "So Lonely" deftly switches from reggae verses, to punkish rock choruses, is incredibly smart.

The Police may not have been naturally reggae or authentically punk, but they were unquestionably serious � maybe too serious � much of the time. The teacher-student sexual tension of "Don't Stand So Close To Me" offers a rare exception to this sober mood rule. But even with its dopey song title, "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" is, in fact, a justice-seeking critique of political policy. This is not to say that The Police's social/political thoughts were not also effective. "Invisible Sun" gives me the chills � even now.

I imagine this two-CD set was released specifically to coincide with The Police's reunion tour. It is likely a good primer for what the group is playing on these dates. But if you're not wealthy enough to pay the high ticket prices for one of these anticipated shows, perhaps this double disc set will have to do for you now. If you're anything like me, you may also need to separate Sting's annoying self-loving image from the music itself, which will (free free) set you free to receive nostalgic pleasures from of this release.

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The Police - (2CD Anthology)
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