The Police (no, not those police) crashed onto the scene in 1977 and dominated the airwaves from the late ‘70s through the mid-‘80s. Blending British new wave with reggae-rock and punk grit, they became the biggest band in the world.
Released on April 14, 2009, The Police’s 50 Greatest Songs album is a three-disc trip down memory lane. From haunting ballads to reggae-infused anthems, it reminds us why The Police became legends. Sting’s haunting vocals, Andy Summers’ razor-sharp guitar work, and Stewart Copeland’s manic drumming created a sound that was equal parts punk attitude and polished brilliance.
But behind the scenes? It was chaos. Sting, the brooding perfectionist, wanted everything tight and polished, while Copeland, the wild and unpredictable drummer, craved raw energy and spontaneity. Put them in a studio together, and it was like tossing two roosters in a cage. By the time Synchronicity rolled around in 1983 and the height of their fame, tensions were off the charts. Copeland even said recording that album felt like “going to war.”
And poor Andy Summers? The guy was just trying to keep the peace while Sting and Copeland duked it out. But even he couldn’t stop the inevitable. After the Synchronicity tour in 1984, they disbanded. Sting’s solo career was taking off, and Copeland and Summers were done with the power struggles.
But no amount of drama could overshadow the music. 50 Greatest Songs takes you on a journey through all their finest moments.
If you grew up with The Police, this album is a time machine. It’s 3 discs of pure nostalgia that’ll take you back to when Sting ruled the airwaves, Copeland tried to break his drum kit, and Summers held it all together. (And let’s pretend that the disbandment didn’t happen, even just for a minute.)
This album is a masterclass in blending raw punk energy with polished pop sensibilities…and damn, it still holds up.
Rock on,
Sam
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