When I was growing up there was always a clear line between my musical taste and my brother's. I was into The Jam, The Specials and Madness and my brother was The Police fan. At the time I didn't really get The Police, but in the last few years have really got into the first couple of albums in particular. When they reformed a few years back we went down to Manchester to see them and was pleasantly surprised at how good they were. Easy to forget how many good singles they had over the years. If push came to shove, Regatta De Blanc would be the one for me, full of great pop songs with all three members contributing equally without being overly flashy. It also sounds as though the band were having fun, which you don't get so much on the later albums.
Looking back I probably just didn't like them at that age because my brother did, but thankfully now I can appreciate them for the great band that they were. Of course none of this detracts from Sting's solo output being, by and large, awful.
You are right about Sting or Stink as he's known in Portugal
ReplyDeleteI am reminded of the urban myth about the guy who gets lifted and the Polis ask him "Have you got a police record" "Yeah, Walking on the Moon" was the reply shortly before he fell down the stairs
I thought it went "have you got a criminal record!, "yes, Rumours by Fleetwood Mac"!
DeleteBadum-tish! Charity Chic leaves the comment of the day!
ReplyDeleteFirst off, well done, CC. Big smile.
ReplyDeleteNow, this won't be too popular in our part of the blogging world, but I like the Police. Sting, no, not as a solo artist or anything else. He may as well be Bono. Everything he says and does bugs me.
I remember JC at the old Vinyl Villain railing against Zenyatta Mondatta, and most of our crowd seemed to agree. I think I kept quiet that day, but I will proclaim today that I even like that album. All I can say is that if you play the band's show from the Bottom Line, NYC, 1979, and they still don't do it for you, then yes, you don't like the Police. Scott, happy to hear you came around to them a bit. I always liked Stuart Copeland's songs the best... and Klark Kent still remains a good listen.
When I came to work earlier last week I found my boss in conversation with the big boss. Now, my boss just returned from his holiday in Spain where apparently he had the "chance" to see Sting in concert and the two of them were praising him and his shitty solo output as if he were a godlike figure whilst I just sat there and shook my head in disbelief! I'm willing to have a small bet that not one of them has EVER heard something by The Police pre 'Every Breath You Fucking Take'!!!
ReplyDeleteSee how big a fan I am? Stuart when it should have been Stewart... Doh!
ReplyDeleteI'm saying nothing
ReplyDeleteAs usual I will go against the grain and say that in my ever humbler opinion 'The Dream Of The Blue Turtles' and 'Nothing Like The Sun' are truly great albums. But I'm glad I'm not saying this in the physical presence of all my fellow commenters..
ReplyDeleteI forgot to add, Scott, that Walking On The Moon is great pop single.
ReplyDeleteLuca, Way to go. When is a good day to present you with the medal for bravery? I'm guessing the silence stems from everyone urgently sharpening their sticks. Uh, I've got your, uh, back? Just kidding with you, pal.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm going to need all the help that I can get, Brian..
DeleteI have come late to this, not for me Scott have always had them with Bonzo and his mates, utter shit and pretentious wank an all.
ReplyDeleteHahahahahaha. I wasn't expecting that last statement regarding Stink. Not a fan of the solo stuff. A bit precious & pretentious for me, but the Police were (and still) a great band that radio killed for a lot of folks, Years later they still sound snappy, bratty & somewhat funky. I like them. Stink on his own is a whole 'nother thing…… :)
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