The last album that British trio The Police recorded is the one that sent them into the stratosphere. Released in 1983, Synchronicity is one of the classic albums of the 80s, with the chiseled jawlines of the band members appearing in videos, posters, magazines around the world. The album recorded at AIR studios in Montserrat by producer Hugh Padghan was fraught with infighting and the band recording their parts in separate rooms. In contrast to these well known stories, in interviews included in the CD booklet, the band is highly complimentary to what each member brought to the sound of the album.
Arguably one of the most backloaded albums in the history of rock music, Synchronicity starts with the tension of the title track (part I); a bit new wave, scientific, and a lot of energy. Carl Jung’s theory of synchronicity is never far away from Sting’s lyrical inspiration. “Walking In Your Footsteps” switches the sound to African percussion courtesy of drummer Stewart Copeland while singer/bass player Sting sings of the extinct dinosaurs. With Sting taking writing credits for most of the tracks on the album, Andy Summers is the writer on “Mother”, the most decisive track on the album. A screeching bit of a post punk that is at odds with the radio friendly sounds of the rest of the album.
The first side closes with part II of the title track that was released as a single and the best true rock moment on the album. “Synchronicity II” tells of a man living an anxiety ridden suburban existence that is juxtaposed with the image of a monster rising out of a Scottish lake. The next track is rated as one of the most played radio songs ever recorded. While on first listen, “Every Breath You Take” is a song of love, it is on repeated listens that the sinister side of a stalker emerges. Andy Summer’s guitar helps power the song that is one of the signature songs of the 80s.
Two more big hits follow on songs that would go top ten around the world. The piano driven tension on “King of Pain” is as unsettling as Sting’s lyrics about “a black spot on the sun today” and a “black hat caught in a high tree top”. “Wrapped Around Your Finger” is another song about control that makes many mythological references. The album closes with the tender band favourite, “Tea In The Sahara” while the CD version of the original album closes with the comparatively slight, “Murder By Numbers” which also appears here.
The second disc in this collection is a mix of B-sides, unreleased tracks, and live versions. A bit of a mix bag, the songs included are not exclusive to the Synchronicity era with songs like “Message In A Bottle” and “Walking On The Moon” appearing in live versions. The B-sides included are more straight up rock songs including Andy Summers’ “Truth Hits Everybody (remix)” with a terrific rumbling bass. Best are the backing track versions for “Roxanne” and “Every Breath You Take” that punches up the piano not as noticeable on the regular version.
Synchronicity – 9/10
Extras – 7.5/10
The Light Appears 