Police

Regatta de Blanc

White Man's Reggae. Or is it?

Review Score:

(8/10)
"Regatta De Blanc" means "White Mans Reggae" in English. It's not completely reggae, not at all, but it's definitely different from the Police's first album. Sting and the boys have jumped from punk to new wave, and seem more comfortable in this new skin.

There is still a trace of the pop-punk energy of "Outlandos D'Amour" on "It's All Right For You", a track that could have fitted very well on that album. Apart from that, the Police's sound has moved on. They're sick of pretending to be punks, and want to show us what they can really do. Compare the musical maturity of "Bring on the Night" to their last album, and you can see there has been a lot of growth. There are many styles of music incorporated into their new wave sound. The guitars have more effects put over them, the lines and solos more adventurous. Synthesizers start to appear, like on the creepy crawly "Contact". On the airy hit "Walking on the Moon", you can hear how the drumming is more complex, more interesting than ever. Sting's lyrics become clearer and wittier. "I never notice the size of my feet, until I kicked you in the shin" - that line from "Does Everyone Stare" always makes me chuckle. He has even started dealing with issues like the madness of modern life, the loneliness (Message in a Bottle) and the ridiculous speed of working life (No Time This Time)

There are none of Sting's politics here, or his seriousness. Compared to the Police's later records, Regatta De Blanc has a real light-hearted vibe, playful, almost goofy (as far as serious Sting can get to goofy). Take the mumbly false start of "Does Everyone Stare" with its clunky piano intro, or Stings manic phased singing on "No Time This Time" (probably the Police's fastest song). You can tell Sting, Andy and Stuart are relaxed and having fun. The most playful moment is Andy Summer's song "On Any Other Day". It is a song, sarcastically half spoken, half sung with Police trademark harmonies, involving very silly lyrics and a sillier chorus ("My wife has burnt the scrambled eggs, the dog just bit my leg..."). It ends with some sped up voices singing "Happy birthday dear Andy, happy birthday to you". The Police would never be that fun ever again.

It's good listening for the most part, but for me, songs like "Bed's Too Big Without You" and "Deathwish" are pretty forgettable. They're not bad, fine as background music, just not very interesting.

Essential for Police fans, and a good record for newcomers to pick up. It's probably the best CD to "get to know the band" with, since it is so carefree and loose, and the members personality shines through. Casual fans should go for a greatest hits CD, this only has two well known songs on, "Message in a Bottle" and "Walking on the Moon".

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