Zenyatta Mondatta

"Originally released in 1980, 'Zenyatta Mondatta' was the third (and most focused up to that point) studio album from The Police. It remains to this day a superb recording, displaying perfectly this group's stunning diversity & skill within the "pop" music idiom.

The album opener, "Don't Stand so Close to Me" is a story about an illicit affair between a teacher and his young female student. A re-recorded version was released some years later, during '86 to be precise, and it became an even bigger hit than the first. However, this said remake is rumoured to have taken the band a grueling three weeks to record, as by that stage of the game they were at each others throats. Both versions are excellent, but the initial one featured here is my favourite.

The second track, "Driven to Tears" is an elegant song and one of many on 'Zenyatta Mondatta' to feature the distinctively orchestrated sound that The Police developed over the course of their career. Oh yeah, remember to pay attention to Andy Summer's short but elegant guitar solo in the middle of it - lovely stuff.

"When the World is Running Down (You Make the Best of What's Still Around)" is up next and is nothing short of amazing - a truly inspiring song. "Canary in a Coalmine"; the mantra-like "Voices Inside my Head"; & "Bombs Away" follow briskly along and are all consummate examples of the band's amazing songwriting + instrumental prowess.

Then, of course, we have another single in "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da", which remains one of The Police's most memorable successes ever; incorporating a wonderful lyric from Sting. After this the album changes tack entirely and drops with ease into one of the coolest numbers on this CD, Andy's atonal instrumental piece, 'Behind My Camel' - unsurpassed for me in its extraordinary, atmospheric glory!

"Man in a Suitcase"; "Shadows in the Rain"; and a second instrumental (this time by Stuart Copeland), "The Other Way of Stopping" finishes the album off brilliantly. It demonstrates once again everything that The Police excelled at: first-rate playing; tight, well-constructed tunes; and intricate yet seemingly natural arrangements.

All in all 'Zenyatta Mondatta' comes highly recommended, so check it out!"
-MARTY (20/01/2008)