On 16-Mar-08, at 2:18 PM, police-request@mailman.xmission.com wrote:

You know, that's a pretty accurate response. Not everybody will be happy whatever the Police end up doing. I was very interested in your short little story about fellow Police-fans you knew when they did Zenyatta. I can't even imagine anybody not liking Zenyatta Mondatta. I see their side though, it certainly was nothing like the previous two albums. They were much more punkish, raucous in their sound and Zenyatta could definitely be considered more commercialized.

I remember the reaction to that album quite well. It was definitely the case that there was something of a backlash; the "serious" fans were somewhat put off. (I believe all three band members have since said it was a rush job.) I recall a couple of critics defending "De Do Do Do" but also remember my best friend's younger sister latching onto the group and their becoming a phenomenon, and Sting a sex symbol. Shouldn't have mattered that much to me (wouldn't now), but I was only about eighteen, and I didn't like the album as much as the previous two. I sort of (stupidly) forgot about the group until I was won over again by "Every Little Thing" a year or so later. Although I still think that, at least sonically, "Ghost" was a disappointment as well. I know a lot of Police fans don't love Synchronicity (i.e., "Stingronicity"), but I though it was a strong progression and return to form. And it still sounds great, in terms of production, twenty- five years on, which in my opinion is more than you can say for "Ghost."

I, like you, really have not heard a Police or Sting album I have not liked. Even Mercury Falling, which everyone is soooo quick to disparage.

Mercury Falling was the last Sting CD I listened to more than once or twice. I haven't even heard the last two (lute included). But when someone posted a YouTube video of "I Hung My Head" a few weeks back, I realized (again) how much I had by that time become an unquestioning "fan." It's pretty dreadful stuff, in my opinion. I missed the "Dream" tour (didn't come near me); saw the "Nothing" tour in Toronto which I thought was great largely because of the musicians involved; saw the "Soul Cages" tour in Vancouver which I thought was great as I loved the smaller band and Sting seemed to be having a really good time and it was very musical; saw the "Summoner's" tour in Vancouver and remember thinking when he worked "Invisible Sun" into "Every Breath" at the end that it made perfect sense to get the Police back together as he'd said what he needed to solo. But he continued to spin his wheels, and I saw the "Mercury" tour in Mountain View, California, and it felt pretty flat to me. Then I bailed; diminishing returns. Buying a new Police or Sting album used to be an Event for me; I could tell you what shop and with whom I bought almost every one. But that ended. There's so much great music now, I rarely listen to Sting or The Police. Occasionally something will come up on shuffle on my iPod and makes me smile. I'm glad I saw the reunion tour in Vancouver, but life goes on. There's lots of great music out there. I'm not a "classic rock" kind of guy. I'm listening to, and seeking out, the next Police. Chris