Synchronicity - The Police (1983)

Discog-ology

An interesting side note to this album is that it’s constructed upside down from the other Police records. They had always front-loaded the first side of each record with the most radio-friendly tunes, and saved the second side for more experimental stuff and various filler. The second side of Synchonicity is definitely the more vital and important, comprising several of the band’s biggest hits and (as far as I’m concerned) no misfires.

The first side, on the other hand, is not really all that memorable. The lead track is a great little trip, but doesn’t really sound like anything else. The second incarnation of the title is a pretty good song. Then there’s also Summers’ lone contribution, Mother. It’s actually kind of a funny lyric, but the combination with the dissonant, pounding guitar and the endless repetition make it unbearable.

Discog-ology

Next: Sting would continue his ascent as a rock and pop god. Summers would continue to explore jazzy and moody guitar music with several great records nobody’s ever heard of. Copeland would be a tv host, a great interview, and continue to be an amazing human being.

Previous: Ghost In The Machine

Tracks I Liked

Every Breath You Take - Along with Born In The USA, one of the most misinterpretted songs in the canon. It’s often used as a wistful declaration of love. It is, in fact, a creepy wall-full-of-covert-photos-having-ass psycho stalker song. Ignore that if you like, but it’s right there in the lyrics.

King Of Pain - per usual, we have complex emotions wrapped in a very lovely tune.

Murder By Numbers - One that doesn’t get enough credit. According to that Youtube piece on Copeland I linked above, the album version is the first and only take.