The Police are one of those bands that everyone knows. Since the late 70’s they’ve been a staple of FM radio. To help mark the 30th anniversary of “Roxanne,” their first hit, they have embarked on “The Police Reunion Tour .” After years of bickering, Stewart Copeland, Andy Summers, and Gordon Matthew Sumner (aka Sting) are together again. But what would be a tour without a record to promote?
The Police have put together 28 of their best songs in a beautiful bright yellow package that includes all of their hits and a few tracks that more casual fans might not have heard. For instance, the album opens with their first single, “Fall Out,” an example of the band’s punk beginnings.
Therefore, you are getting a little more than the standard career recap. Of course, the collection includes chart toppers like “Can’t Stand Losing You” from the Outlandos d’Amour album and later gems like “Every Breath You Take,” which I remember being on the radio non-stop when I was first getting into pop music.
These literate new wave songs hold up well after 20 plus years. The incredibly catchy, “De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da,” the dark “King of Pain,” and the classic “Wrapped Around Your Finger,” show the band’s wide ranging talent.
Important songs are left off any anthology. However, if you feel like certain tracks are missing here, like the great “When The World Is Winding Down” or “Shadows In The Rain” from Zenyatta Mondatta then you should probably be buying complete albums.
The Police, loved by fans an critics alike, came from nowhere to rule the world of Rock n’ Roll. In a short period of time they made a lasting mark. By incorporating Copeland’s progressive rock leanings with reggae beats and Sting’s unique vocals, the band differentiated themselves from everyone else.
To give you an idea of The Police’s place in history: Synchronicity, their last album, was the one that finally booted Michael Jackson’s Thriller, from the number one spot. Soon after, they called it quits but not before becoming the “Biggest Band in the World.”
The Police have released anthologies before, including Every Breath You Take: The Singles. If you already own a Police greatest hits album then this collection would be mostly redundant. A&M records probably could have thrown in a rarities/live disc to round out the offering and given long time fans a reason to buy it. Also, if this is to be the definitive collection of Police songs, then I would have liked to see more extensive liner notes as part of larger booklet accompanying the 2 discs. Still, if you are going to own only one album by The Police this should be it.