The lengthiest break in between albums - a whole year without an album, and the Police get back together despite the unbearable tension between the band members to record Synchronicity, the LP which would turn out to be their last one even if the band itself weren't at all aware of the fact at the time of recording. As everybody knows, of course, it was also their biggest commercial success, a smash worldwide hit that even threatened Thriller. This, of course, does not mean it's their best effort; but let it be stated loud and clear on the spot that in no way do I belong to the decisive party of Synchronicity-bashers. It is still a great record, and pretty unique in its little own way.
The album's success was, of course, due to it being mainly a springboard for Sting's hit singles - 'Every Breath You Take' is the most grandiose of those, but 'King Of Pain' and 'Wrapped Around Your Finger' were also successes, and 'Syncronicity II' and 'Tea In The Sahara' also received a lot of airplay in their time. But the album is more than just a collection of singles. It has often been called a 'virtual Sting solo album', because Mr Sumner clearly dominates in a huge way that was unheard of before. The once famous band interplay is reduced to naught here; the best songs do not even feature Copeland's drumming in any interesting way, and as for Andy, well, he's definitely there, but he's starting to look more and more like a session man if you ask me.
[George Starostin]
The lengthiest break in between albums - a whole year without an album, and the Police get back together despite the unbearable tension between the band members to record Synchronicity, the LP which would turn out to be their last one even if the band itself weren't at all aware of the fact at the time of recording. As everybody knows, of course, it was also their biggest commercial success, a smash worldwide hit that even threatened Thriller. This, of course, does not mean it's their best effort; but let it be stated loud and clear on the spot that in no way do I belong to the decisive party of Synchronicity-bashers. It is still a great record, and pretty unique in its little own way. The album's success was, of course, due to it being mainly a springboard for Sting's hit singles - 'Every Breath You Take' is the most grandiose of those, but 'King Of Pain' and 'Wrapped Around Your Finger' were also successes, and 'Syncronicity II' and 'Tea In The Sahara' also received a lot of airplay in their time. But the album is more than just a collection of singles. It has often been called a 'virtual Sting solo album', because Mr Sumner clearly dominates in a huge way that was unheard of before. The once famous band interplay is reduced to naught here; the best songs do not even feature Copeland's drumming in any interesting way, and as for Andy, well, he's definitely there, but he's starting to look more and more like a session man if you ask me. [George Starostin]