The Police - Reggatta de Blanc (Remastered) (CD)

All Music Guide

By 1979's Reggatta de Blanc (translation: White Reggae), nonstop touring had sharpened the Police's original blend of reggaerock to perfection, resulting in breakthrough success. Containing a pair of massive hit singles the inspirational anthem "Message in a Bottle" and the spacious "Walking on the Moon" the album also signaled a change in the band's sound. Whereas their debut got its point across with raw, energetic performances, Reggatta de Blanc was much more polished productionwise and fully developed from a songwriting standpoint. While vigorous rockers did crop up from time to time ("It's Alright for You," "Deathwish," "No Time This Time," and the Grammywinning instrumental title track), the material was overall much more sedate than the debut "Bring on the Night," "The Bed's Too Big Without You," and "Does Everyone Stare." Also included was Stewart Copeland's one and only lead vocal appearance on a Police album, the witty "On Any Other Day," as well as one of the band's most ...eerie tracks, "Contact." With Reggatta de Blanc, many picked Sting and company to be the superstar band of the '80s, and the Police would prove them correct on the band's next release. - Greg Prato, All Music Guide Read more Less