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In hindsight it’s pretty incredible to look at what The Police were able to accomplish in just 5 years. Their debut album “Outlander d’Amour” released in 1978 with career staples “Roxanne” & “Next to You” gave The Police the springboard they needed to continue to push boundaries of the music they created. “Regatta De Blanc” (1979), “Zenyatta Mondatta” (1980), Ghost in the Machine (1981) all of which took the Police’s unique blend of Rock, Funk, Reggae, New Wave and more to a wider audience. With hit after hit the band continued to hone their craft and deliver great album after great album. However, it’s 1983’s “Synchronicity” that has stood as the band’s definitive release. Effectively making The Police “The Biggest Band in the World”, “Synchronicity” would ultimately see the demise of The Police. With constant in-fighting, creative differences and immense pressure that most could not fathom. Sting, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers managed to deliver arguably the greatest “swan song” in rock history.
I’ve always enjoyed the the ebb and flow of this album. I think the pacing Is just perfect and a prime example of why playing a great record from front to back is such a special experience. From the synth based opening of “Synchronicity I” to the laid back groove of “Tea in the Sahara” the album takes many twists and turns that somehow feel exactly natural. So many individual moments of course but I urge if you haven’t heard this album before, or it’s been a while. Take it in as one entire bite!
Side 1 packs a great overview of all things Police from the exciting synth opening of “Synchronicity I”. This song could easily have been placed on “Ghost in the Machine” and would have fit nicely next to tracks like “Demolition Man” and “Rehumanzie Yourself” and has that overall Police feel and vibe before veering to the laid back “Walking In You Footsteps”. The next track “O My God” is one of my favorite, often overlooked tracks on this great album. Pay special attention to the cool hi-hat trickery Stewart Copeland drops during the verses! He is a madman. Up next is the heavily debated Andy Summers’ penned “Mother”. It’s manic and bizarre. You ether love it or you hate it. Most hate it. If you watch my monthly podcast “Cover to Covered” then you already know my co-host Mike often uses “Mother” as an example of one of the worst songs ever. Personally, I think it sounds like King Crimson. “Miss Gradenko” penned by Mr. Copeland is the most grooving tune on the album. The tension filled interplay between Sting and Copeland is on full display here, I think this is a great example of what a fantastic rhythm section the Police were. Side 1 closes with “Synchronicity II” A masterful song and a perfect example (as well as “Wrapped Around Your Finger”) of Sting’s lyrical prowess. I am huge lyrics guy and If you’ve never read the lyrics to this song, do it immediately. You’ll still be thinking about them two weeks from now. Brilliance in my opinion. Another thing I must point out is the bass line Sting is playing while singing lead vocals. Out of this world! This track also kicks off the hit after hit run that continues for the rest of the record.
Side 2 opens with The Police’s biggest hit and one of the most popular songs of all time “Every Breath You Take”. The story goes that Sting and Stewart Copeland actually got into a fist fight while trying to get this song just perfect. Imagine punching someone while trying to record a ballad. Only those two. There is some really cool stereo chorus and delay things happening with the guitar and bass! If you pay close attention to this rhythmic interplay you’ll find that this is actually what is driving the entire song, not the drums. “King of Pain” follows, another massive hit and another near perfect song. We can also thank this song for one of Weird Al’s most under appreciated parodies “King of Suede” but I digress. Next up is “Wrapped Around Your Finger”, yet another massive hit and a song I consider an absolute masterpiece. The drumming/percussion is a masterclass, the bass playing is magnificent and the guitar parts are perfection. This is another lyrical skyscraper, read them! “I will turn your face to alabaster” a direct hit of a threat! When I first heard this lyric, I had to google what “Alabaster” was. This made the visual of this that much more impactful. The Vinyl LP closes with “Tea in the Sahara” a perfect melodic period to end this great album. Now, if you had the cassette or subsequent CD versions of “Synchronicity” the album ends with the fantastic “Murder By Numbers”. Drummers beware, try and count it and fail miserably! This song could only have been constructed by these three gentlemen. I have heard many attempt it, no one plays it right.
Most know this but some do not. There are over 30 different versions of the album cover of “Synchronicity”. Next time you see two copies in here, compare them and you’ll find many subtle differences! Another fun fact… The original LP was pressed on audiophile “black” vinyl but hold an original press up to the light and you’ll see that it’s actually transparent purple!
When I was a 14 year old metal disciple I would tell people I hated The Police, that they sucked. I was wrong, I sucked. As I have gotten older and less narrow-minded they have become one of my all time favorite bands. The uniqueness and power of these 3 guys is simply unmatched. They took the rule book and threw it out the window and created something that can only be described as “The Police”. While I love all of their records “Synchronicity” is the one that stands just a bit taller. Even 40 years on you’ll hear over 60% of this album on the radio any day of the week. This is one of those records that you can say “I remember when…”. It will forever be a main stay in my and many collections!
-Nick
To celebrate it’s 40th anniversary (Never mind that it’s been 41 years) “Synchronicity” will be released tomorrow in a wide variety of configurations including a single picture disc LP, 2 LP Colored Vinyl, 4 LP Box Set, 2 CD Set and a mammoth 6-Disc CD Box set featuring demos, live tracks, bonus mixes and all sorts of other goodies. It’s worth noting this is the first time any Police album as been given this “Deluxe” treatment! Come by and grab your copy!
