SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE POLICE – SYNCHRONICITY (SUPER DELUXE EDITION)

THE POLICE
SYNCHRONICITY (SUPER DELUXE EDITION)
UME/POLYDOR

The Police owned 1983. Synchronicity was the album of that year, featuring five hit singles, selling over eight million copies in the world and was nominated for five Grammys. One would hear it everywhere, radio, stores, and even television. It was also an international chart topper and their tour of the album was an instant sell out. Following the tour, The Police called it quits. Like The Beatles, they went out on top. And like The Beatles, whom they credit for influencing their decision to put together and release the deluxe version of the album, Synchronicity has returned in all its glory.

Synchronicity was the fifth album by The Police, and one could see how they reached this pinnacle. Each album by them, from their debut, Outlandos d’Amour in 1978 to 1981’s Ghost In The Machine paved the road for Synchronicity. It is hard now to imagine the impact of the album. In 1983, the album was very unique and had its own style. It really stood out from the other music of that year. The Police mixed jazz, pop, a bit of reggae, and rock to release a very original and influential album. From the dance rock of “Synchronicity I” to the jazzy “O My God” to the ballads (such as “Wrapped Around Your Finger”), the album was really a cornucopia of well-produced sounds. Credit must be given to the co-producer of the album, Hugh Padgham, who had a key role in the overall sound of the album.

The Police were always known for their musicianship, but on Synchronicity they all excelled. And yet, not one member was trying to steal the show. They worked as a unit and seemed to bring the best out of each other. On this new box set, the deluxe version, listening to the demos and alternative versions, gives a small glimpse into not only their creative process, but how they related to one another. “Murder By Numbers”, a song that was originally only on the cassette version of the album, is here in all of its glory. But the demo shows how far they went with the song. The box set also allows fans to hear The Police having some fun with their jams of “Rock And Roll Music” and the Eddie Cochrane classic “Three Steps To Heaven”.

There is also a lot of live material in the set, including a never before heard concert of The Police at The Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Sept. 1983. The Police never failed to impress their fans during concerts. They proved that they were not a studio band when they stepped on the stage. One can hear the energy and excitement the band brings to the stage, and yes the fun. The Police sound like they are having as much fun as the audience in this concert.

The box set also has some surprises and treats never heard before, such as “Every Bomb You Make” a parody of “Every Breath You Take” for the television show, Spitting Image. It is amazing to hear Sting sing the different lyrics that are sadly relevant today. There is an early version of “Loch”, a section of “Synchronicity II” on its own which is quite interesting. And there are some previously unreleased gems, such as the instrumental “Ragged Man” and “Goodbye Tomorrow”, which became “Someone To Talk To”.

After the Synchronicity tour the band split and all had successful solo careers, again, much like The Beatles. And although there have been occasional reunions, The Police had a definite beginning, middle and end. Synchronicity was a perfect way for the band to bow out. They produced a masterpiece full of brilliant songs. This Super Deluxe Edition of Synchronicity is long overdue. It is a box set jammed full of essential music and is a document of a band hitting their creative and commercial peak and calling it a day. It is beautifully packaged with a book about the album and The Police at the time. This is a great listening experience.

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