What is your opinion of The Police (music band)?

[RagingInMiami]

Although I grew up in the 1980s, I was never a big fan of them and couldn't understand why everybody thought they were so great.

Tonight, I saw them in concert on their reunion tour because a friend had an extra ticket and invited me. I still think they are kind of lame although I like the songs "Roxanne", "Can't Stand Losing You" and "So Lonely", which are all off their first album.

But I find the other songs extremely mediocre and can't understand why there were 40,000 people at the concert tonight cheering loudly.

[begin_within]

1. The timbre of Sting's voice has always been the deal-breaker for me.

Sounds like a pig being strangled. They had a few listenable hits in the late 1970s- early 1980s, but nothing really earth-shaking or revolutionary. I personally have never seen what the big deal is about them. And Sting's vocal sound just irritates me. Sorry...

[enigmatic]

2. overrated

The most interesting thing they've ever done was "Message In A Bottle", which is about as good a pop song as it gets, but while "Ghost In The Machine" has some good cuts, "Synchronicity" was a glossed out mess of a record.

Stewart Copeland was the stalwart of the band, though; going back to his Curved Air days he's always been brilliant...

[Hippo_Tron]

3. I enjoy them, but I couldn't justify spending the money to see them

Mostly because it seems that Sting's age has made him lose his ability to hit the high notes, a big reason I listen to them. "Message In a Bottle" and "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic" are great songs IMO.

[unsavedtrash]

4. They should have kept their day jobs. n/t

[SouthoftheBorderPaul]

12. Hmmm, let's see...

Keep day job or tour the globe as an internationally recognized musician and make 10s, if not 100s of millions of dollars. Day job it is!

:sarcasm:

[MonkeyFunk]

5. never liked 'em

I can't stand Sting.

[Dr. Strange]

6. Loved their music.

On the other hand, I haven't been terribly impressed with Sting's solo stuff. I do like some of Andy's solo stuff though, especially his instrumental work.

[Left Is Write]

11. I'm the same way with Sting's solo music -

I love the Police, but Sting's solo efforts only left me bored.

[eyepaddle]

7. I respect them, but they do nothing for me.

I'm not quite sure where that fits in. There are a bunch of artists like that for me. Prince would be another one; he's talented and of that there's no doubt, it just doesn't resonate with me.

Stewart Copeland is kind of the standout for me.

[Zavulon]

8. I always thought they were terrible and never understood the appeal.

I don't even like the songs you mentioned, although they are among the band's most tolerable.

[kwassa]

9. I love "Roxanne" and like some of their other songs

I thought Sting was doing a vocal imitation of Bob Marley in the early days, which bothered me at first. I do like his voice, though. I like the reggae and jazz influences in their music. I also like bands that can make a lot of sound with only three pieces. Most pop artists cover up their inadequacies with massive back-up ringers. With only three pieces, there is no place to hide.

The Police are a good, competent pop rock band. I also like Sting's first two solo albums. He has some great jazz players working with him. He writes good pop melodies, a fairly rare talent to have on an ongoing basis.

[Left Is Write]

10. Funny you should ask. I'm listening to the Police right now.

I like them. Always have.

[jobycom]

13. I liked their musical sense, but I hated Sting's voice.

I like hearing other people do their stuff. Sting has a good musicality and rhythm, but a grating voice, to me.

[jonnyblitz]

14. i thought Roxanne was ok at first but i always found them

BORING. Sting solo is even worse for me. I put him in the same catagory as Michael Bolton or Kenny G. :puke:

[Richardo]

15. I liked them a lot

Saw them in concert (opening act: the Go-Go's) in 198something.

I liked the album cuts more than the hits, which were extremely overplayed. Among my faves: Demolition Man. Stewart Copeland is one of the best rock drummers of all time.

[supernova]

16. You have to understand the context

It's the end of the 70's. What's played on the radio is mostly over-produced over orchestrated PAP. Even the "rock." And disco is still going strong, and again over-produced.

The streamlined sound of The Police and other bands in the Punk movement, just one or two vocals, one or two guitars, drums sounded so refreshing and uncomplicated, and most notaby authentic, even if it was imperfect technically. Imperfection is the point actually, not wanting anything that sounds too slick and overly complicated.

[Richardo]

17. Context is everything

Good post. :thumbsup:

[Beaverhausen]

19. Very well said. They are one of my fav bands of all time

which is why I shelled out way too much money to see them at Dodgers Stadium a few weeks ago.

[underpants]

20. Plus, seems to me, that anyone in England who wants to start a band

just learns a few reggae chords and off they go

The Police were a garage sound for the time

[applegrove]

18. I used to think Sting was so hot.

[redqueen]

21. I love them!

No big deal if you don't get it... different strokes and all that.

I love them, though. :)

[mitchum]

22. I hate Andy Summers' guitar tone and Sting is a prat

never cared for The Police