Synchronicity

These guys are what Steely Dan could've been if they bothered to make interesting music. There's some actually fun songwriting and some really strange experimentation in some parts. For crying out loud, Mother sounds like it could've been written by Xiu Xiu without much change to it. The whole albums really manages to set itself apart from a lot of other 80s rock despite having the most stereotypically 80s rock sound they could've had in 1983. It's fun, pretty varied, and even uses weird time signatures at a few points. They should probably get rid of the most stalker-y stalker song ever, though.

Fun and uppity. The watching you song still hits.

Thier best. That is saying something. Had a hard believing it was thier last alblum. A guess they saved the best for last.

Always thought "King of Pain" was underrated.

Excellent as always

Beautiful transition for The Police into jazz, growth, experimentation, and the contemporary issues of the time, (and today).

all killer no filler. truly banger album from start to finish.

Excited to have his as a listen and really like the album. I'd heard it before from recommendations but didn't know it was the fifth & final album from The Police. Favorite song is by far "Synchronicity II" and used to play the hell out of it on Guitar Hero. Awesome band and album. Generational talents and bangers.

has some elements of the beatles in some songs looooving this album so much "Miss Gradenko" and "Synchronicity II" are great, and an amazing lead up to Every Breath You Take

Love

Front to back, extremely dark lyrics. From Synchronicity II to Wrapped around Your Finger, Murder by Number, absolutely bangers. It felt kind of twisted to like these songs as they portray evil topics. Synchronicity II appears to be about mundane living and questioning the purpose of living at all, Every Breath is wide known to be about a stalking situation, and wrapped around your finger seems to be about adultery and infidelity. I fuck with this album 100%

YOOOOOOOO THIS ALBUM IS ACTUSLLY FREAKJNG HEAT MY MANZ NAHHH 2 2 WORD TO MY LIFE THIS ALBUM IS GOOD. in all seriousness though, this album is good and i wasn’t expecting it to be as good as i thought it was. i was just expecting regular rock music with the occasion of every breath you take but wow man. the intro blew me away and its like this album has a variety of tracks to listen to and i love that. every song sounds different and you aren’t expecting what’s coming next. for the “every breath you take” album, i wasn’t actually just listening to this album just for the sake of the hit song, i was listening to it for every song and for the first listen?? imagine how good this album gets with more listens. this is definitely an album i’ll listen to more and more as time goes and goes. the last half of the album was such a vibe i just want to mention that. 10/10

Do they really watch every breath i take?

Buen disco. Nunca lo había escuchado todo. Muy cambiante con muchos estilos y me atrevería a decir subgéneros también. Lo disfrute bastante, de hecho lo escuche varias veces en el día. Grandes letras, inspiradas en grandes obras que disfruto. Un disco lleno de texturas que logran un sonido único e inconfundible de Sting, aunque me gustaría decir de The Police. Creo que es un disco muy autentico y uno de los más íntimos y libres que he escuchado de The Police.

I always think this is a classic album... until I listen to it. It starts off strong with "Synchronicity I". The album then starts to slowly get worse. Stings voice makes anything he sings sound good though. "Walking In Your Footsteps" is more of a hypnotic trance. "Mother" is annoying. Side A (if you were listening on vinyl in 1983) ends with "Synchronicity II" which is great. Side A starts and ends with 2 really good songs and has 4 not very good songs between them. Side B should have been Side A. "Every Breath You Take", "King Of Pain", "Wrapped Around Your Finger". "Murder By Numbers" is another really good song but it wasn't even released on the vinyl. Weird sequencing. It is a classic album but Is it the best Police album though?

One of the first albums I bought for myself.

4.5 rounded up!

THAT’S WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT

Fine surprise. I'm the kind who only ever heard Every breath you take. It surprised me how sonically adventurous this album is. As expected the production and sound is amazing and Sting's vocal range here, just amazing, going to listen to it again soon.

It has been a while since I gave an album a 5. This is what I call a fantastic album.

I feel surprisingly won over by this album. I had always thought of Sting and the Police as kind of corny, perhaps because of their hits or their representation in pop culture. Or rhyming “cough” with “Nabokov.” But my mind grew more open when I found “Synchronicity” in my father-in-law’s CD collection after he died. This was a guy of broad but cultivated taste, and over the years he only held onto the books, albums, and movies he truly loved. He knew more about poetry than anyone I’ve ever met. I wish I knew what he had heard in this album. So I listened to the album with his ears and I heard the poetry in it, the references to everything from dinosaurs to Paul Bowles. I feel intrigued rather then creeped out by “I’ll Be Watching You” and “Murder By Number.” And of course there’s “King of Pain,” which to me always transcended whatever ideas I might have had about the group. So it’s a five, maybe the most surprising five I’ve given so far, even if it may have been obvious to many other people.

One of my favourites, although it only has one of their hits and signalled the end of the band. Creative, different, thematic 5 - a near-perfect album

one of the few heavily positive toned albums i like. it feels goofy, honest, energetic.. and what a steam train of ideas! also: sting's voice, it's just otherworldly!

Yeah, too bad about Mother and Miss Gradenko, the two token non-Sting written songs. Everything else in here Sting is at the height of his songwriting before going all prissy precious in his solo life. Every Breath was so overplayed I can't stand hearing it any more, but Synchronicity II is my favorite police song. Murder By Numbers is a cool song added to the the Remaster I hadn't heard before, but I'd always loved that this album leaves you with the moody thoughtful slightly weird story turn on Tea in the Sahara, putting a completely different mood than the rest of the album, very cool.

Likely one of the best albums ever. I'm not even a huge fan overall, but even the worst songs on this album are creative and genre-defining. Songwriting, arranging, guitar, drums, and keyboards. All come together here like almost nowhere else.

One of the best

Me ha gustado mucho

This is top 20 worthy

what to say. I LOVE the Police and I love this album. Standout tracks for me on this one ALL OF IT except Mother, never liked it but I can appreciate. Copeland is my looooove ever since the 80s (insert 1000 hearts here)

Classic

Synchronicity feels like the moment The Police finally stretched their sound as far as it could go. It is sharp, tense, colourful, and constantly shifting, but somehow it all holds together. The band lean harder into atmosphere and texture here, mixing their usual tight rhythmic precision with something more restless and psychological. Even when the songs sound clean on the surface, there is a nervous energy underneath that keeps everything moving. The big tracks still hit with full force. “Every Breath You Take” may be overplayed to death, but within the album it lands differently, colder and more obsessive. “King of Pain” and “Wrapped Around Your Finger” add to that moody, elegant tone, while “Synchronicity II” explodes with anxiety and frustration in a way that still feels electrifying. What makes the album interesting is how these polished pop songs sit alongside stranger, edgier pieces that hint at the band’s experimental instincts without losing accessibility. If there is a flaw, it is that the album can feel slightly uneven, with a few tracks that clearly sit more on the eccentric end of the spectrum, but even those detours have personality. Overall, Synchronicity works because it captures a band at their creative peak, right before everything collapsed. It is clever, catchy, and full of tension, and that combination gives it a timelessness that still holds strong.

This is a great album. Love it

Classic. Always a good listen

Wer Police nicht kennt, lernt Sie nun hier kennen. Die Musik, die Stimme, all das ist Police.

This is just about perfect for what it is, and it's also one of the only albums that captures what I love about Talking Heads, outside of the genuine article. That being said, I don't think The Police are just "a band like Talking Heads", they very much do have their own identity that I've learned to appreciate. And this is one of their creative peaks. There really isn't a mis-step here. Sure, Mother is weird, but I've always loved that song. I actually thought the weakest point was Tea In The Sahara for a while. And while it hasn't aged the best, I do now think it's a good song. With these two out of the way, everything else is the peak of The Police. Super tight playing, eccentric, but pop-friendly writing, daring and interesting aesthetic, it's all here. And there are a bunch of cool lyrical moments here too. Walking In Your Footsteps is a really interesting reflection on the dinosaurs, their wisdom, and their end, and how it all connects to us. A less talented lyricist could have turned this song into a real mess too. Another stand-out is ultra-hit (and deeply ironic wedding favorite) Every Breath You Take. You know the trick by now: a love song grows slowly darker, until revealing itself to be about a stalker. It feels obvious, but it's very effective. In addition to these, some of my other personal favorites are King Of Pain, Synchronicity (I and II), and Murder By Numbers. But the consistency here is ultimately a strong suite here: it's not like there's a bad song. I didn't see this coming, but I honestly am feeling the 5 on this one.

Synchronicity is an absolute masterpiece and every song has its charm, even the ever controversial Mother. The Police may be more known for their singles, but if you’re going to listen to a Police album, you could do far worse.

i love this album so much. In general, i'm more of a fan of sting's solo stuff than the general police things however this album still slaps hard. my mom is a hardcore sting fan as has been since she was a kid, so i was pretty much raised on his music. however i do also think this album holds up on its own as well.

So many amazing songs. SO MANY. "Synchrinicity II" is my personal favorite from The Police, so that was a total treat. Other favorites of mine include "Every Breath You Take"(one of the most iconic 80s songs, period) and "King of Pain", so hearing them all in a row on the same album was perfection. Where this album messes up is the rest of the stuff. Don't get me wrong, most of the songs are either just fine or decent. I enjoyed a couple of the deepest cuts. But there is one huge, glaring problem. And it's called "Mother". Never play that one for me ever again.

Fantastic album and probably the best Police album. Forgot about Mother until I relistened to this again after a long time - I always found it odd but not bad. Also Every Breath You Take always surprises me that people found it upbeat considering it's very dark song.

Excellent. Rich and a lot going on in the soundscapes, off-beat and inventive but super well produced and clear musical skill. Mix of amazing melody, voice, trippy rhythm section, shifting through interchanging beautiful and creepy scenes this brings to mind

Love it.

Mother is peak y’all don’t get it

nothing better in the world

Well this one’s gonna be easy as its another absolute classic! The album starts with a hypnotic (guitar?) synthesizer riff in 6 and off we go! Every single song on this album is great, most of them written by Sting which shows you where the songwriting talent really was. Even the twisted piece in 7 by Andy Summers and the sing along one by Stewart Copeland are fun to listen to and make a great contrast against Sting’s songs. For a 3-piece band it’s harmonically rich, the vocal melodies and lyrics are great, and the drumming is subtly complex. It’s no wonder they broke up after this album as they definitely hit their peak here in their career and they surely would not have been able to top this one. I hadn’t heard this album in a while but managed to listen to it around this time last year so it was nice to pull it out again today for this project. What fun it was to sing along from the beginning of the album to the end!

‘Let’s put all the weird jams on Side A and make the kids flip the record for the hits’-the only thing the police agreed on. Solid 5 for the record that has king of pain!!!

The haters try to dunk on this record by citing the lyrics to Walking In Your Footsteps and to me, that's a weak sauce critique! The run from King of Pain to Tea In The Sahara is an all-timer.

Classic New Wave 80's LP from one of my favorites!

Basically a greatest hits album. Classic after classic. A true diamond in the rough, and a great time from start to finish. All you Sting haters, be stung.

The roots of coincidence Synchronicity I Every breath you take King of pain

Very good 🎸🎶

Amazing, I dont even have word to describe, the oolice being incredible as always

So many great tracks: "Synchronicity I", "Walking in Your Footsteps", "Synchronicity II", the massive "Every Breath You Take", my favourite "King of Pain", and the haunting "Wrapped Around Your Finger". The only track that I've never really liked is "Mother".

Fantasic album.

Outside of a greatest hits box set that my POP had in the house, this was the record by The Police that shaped my understanding of their music and of a lot of life for better or worse. It's been playing during milestone events and journeys — it's intertwined with personal history in ways that only classic albums can. The kind that are there when you want them and then unavoidable when you don't. Don't you wish that when you were growing up someone helped you understand the healthy way to love someone and to demonstrate that love? Meanwhile, I'm growing up with The Police's Every Breath You Take / King of Pain / Wrapped Around Your Finger / Murder By Numbers / Mother giving me instruction through tales of surveillance, possessiveness, obsession, and worse. But at least I could have Tea In The Sahara with you.

Classic.

Phenomenal.

visions of mazda millenia

Not much can’t top this as a band capper. Except ‘Mother’…

Superb!

Very fun and trippy, different from their other stuff

Great album!

Listened to this a few times already, a 5 star album for sure. Aside from that one darn filler tracker, Mother, it's a perfect album.

They ended on the highest note. Great album. Fav: Tea in the Sahara

Great album.

This album was better each time I ran through it. What a treat.

Great band & great album

One of my favorite

Even tho kind of lame, it the album made up in techniques of three-piece playing, and the synth bloops are very delightful and interesting, a lot of hooks tho simplistic, but is interesting and creative. Lol.

אהבתי ממש,הכרתי שיר אחד משם וכל שיר ממש מיוחד

Amazing album slightly tarnished by the presence of mother

Excellent

Classic.

Great songs awesome music

Magnifico, meraviglioso

A great album, creative, full of hits. Shines with glimpses of their future solo careers (Murder by Numbers) yet has roots in their prior works--see last lines in O My God. Obviously strangest (and most annoying ) track is Andy Summers' contribution Mother, followed by Copeland's Miss Gradenko, but hey it was the culmination of the Cold War in the 80's. Both Synchronicity I & II have drive. So many of the tracks have haunting lyrics like Tea in the Sahara, Wrapped Around Your Finger and King of Pain. The Police will always be considered one of the most creative groups of their era.

I vacillate between a 4 and a 5 for this one. On the 4 side, there's THE song. The song that the Police is most known for, the song Sting sued Diddy for, the song the rest of the Police is now suing Sting for, and the song that everyone is tired of. I am, of course, referring to "Murder By Numbers." Seriously, I think a lot of Police fans could go their whole lives not hearing "Every Breath You Take" ever again. But trying to listen to it for the first time with open ears, it is pretty much a song of the 80s: dark lyrics that people misconstrue, catchy beat that may go on a little too long. Others are also not a fan of "Murder By Numbers," and Someone had taped the album off of a cassette for me when I was younger. So I didn't get to hear that track until later. At first glance it sounds like a bit of a throwaway, but it is a fun, jazzy song (I am partial to when Sting went up and played it with Frank Zappa. In 1984 Jerry Falwell had said the song was written by the Devil himself. Sting went up onstage with Zappa in 1988, he said "Not to kick a man when he's down but... I wrote the f**king song."). I know that there are others that do not like "Mother" as well, but I dig it. It's so unlike anything else on the album. On the 5 side is... well, everything else. Pretty much every other song on the album is finely crafted rock and pop, showing off all of the band's creative talents. "Synchronicity II" is probably my favorite Police song of all time. The band had said that Summers could put together a 16-bar solo and it was better than people who could play for a good minute. And they were RIGHT. Every other song there is easily a great song, and relisten-able. Which, to me, lends the album to be a strong candidate. As much as the previous albums have great moments, this album was their pinnacle. No wonder they went their separate ways; how could they top this? Yeah, I guess the pros outweigh the cons of this album for me, so... 5 stars.

Floored by this album. I had only heard the ubiquitous hits, most of which I quite liked. I was not expecting the creative breadth, challenge and experimentation on this record, with such remarkable aural soundscapes and just fabulous songs. The Police operate in their own lane.

Grew up listen to this. Perfect except Mother - should have added Murder by Numbers instead. 9.6

A stunning album from start to finish. I knew this album would be good, but wasn't expecting it to go quite that hard. Stewart Copeland, Andy Summers, and Sting really do go all in for this one. A must listen if you're at all interested in 80s music

one of the more unique albums by the Police. Highly recommended

Possibly the greatest lyricist in popular music, before he was regarded as a legend. Disarmingly simple yet moving

I’ve always like the Police, but as I grow older I’ve come to appreciate how amazing a drummer Stewart Copeland is. Sting’s songwriting is still great, though sometimes creepy - I think we all know at least one song on this album that fits that - and Summer’s guitar work is also solid. But Copeland was move of a backbone than I originally realized.

Great album! One of my favorites of the 80's.

Undeniably awesome. Mother is the most difficult track, but easily the most cerebral.

This is another one of ny favorites and a desert island disc for me--been lots of these lately! Wore out the vinyl when it came out and it continues to be stellar in all respects (except maybe "Mother" but you have to take that for the joke it is). I always loved how side 1 is so different from side 2, with side 1 having the faster, more rocking songs and side 2 with the contemplative, slower ones. It now ends with "Murder by Numbers," a bonus track that got officially added somewhere along the way. Love that song too so it's (literally) all good. I don't think Sting's songwriting has ever been as good as this album. A close to perfect album (even with "Mother")

Synchronicity, Every Breath You Take, Wrapped Around Your Finger and King of Pain are all classics. Great album. Probably their best.

Incredible perfect. Not only is this nostalgic of my own childhood but it’s just an amazing album beginning to end.

Back in '83 my friend M and I were dropped off at the mall and we went to Cavages to get the new Police album that was all over the radio - every hour, every day. Immediately afterwards we walked across the hall to the pizza shop and sat in a booth eating a slice and opened up our new purchases - yeah obviously we couldn't listen to them there but you HAD to read the liner notes ("are the lyrics there??") because that was 50% of the joy of new albums. I can still picture all of this quite clearly - simpler times. But it was then that I got this sinking feeling that I'd been ripped off because while I bought the obviously higher-quality vinyl version M had purchased the chintzy cassette.... but it had a BONUS SONG on it ...???? What is this absolute bullshit??? M laughed at me for which I should have punched or at least thrown a pepperoni at him but not being a violent sort I just kept it in as usual but then he said the weirdest things; I still remember and am only now understanding: M: "...ok listen I know I can be kind of a prick but honestly don't worry about it because in like 40 years you can just listen to the entire extended album on your *phone* - extra song and all - and the *best* part about that is that not only can you get this (admittedly not really all that great) extra song BUT you can much more easily repeat the lesser-known and actually *far* better and cooler songs on this album like, well, just about everything* on side 1 - the Synchronicities, O My God, Miss Gradenko, Walking In Your Footsteps... those all sound like full group efforts and collaborations; a bit of the early Police but with a great dose of modern production and world music influence - right?" "As for Side 2 which omg they're playing "Every Breath You Take" right now right here in the pizza joint that's hilarious right?! But hahaha you think you're tired of it *now* as well as the rest of those milky smooth songs on Side 2 that have Sting at the forefront (omg you *know* he's gonna break up this fking band isn't he? ugh that dink... just look at this smug asshole all over the cover, I'm surprised he let the other guys even get a mention in the credits...) - just wait a few decades, because those songs are gonna be like easy listening - you'll hate them. HATE them. I know, I know. They're fanTAStic songs, but you'll never want to hear them again - trust me on this." *"oh right, one more thing - i know you love every goddamn song ever written in 7/8 and I don't even understand what you mean by 7/8 but "Mother" is so bad, am I right? What the heck are they thinking? But yeah you can keep that off your playlists when we're older, too." "but the wild thing is that if we're even still alive we'll probably *still* be listening to this album and that's kind of a cool thing... anyways, what time is your mom picking us up?" [I thought about a 4 for a soft second side that has the mega hits but for the last 30 years I really have skipped nearly every time but kinda wimping out and feels like I have to give...] 9/10 5 stars for historic/timeless/greatness/etc... although their debut was still my favourite.

4.5* rounded up, simply because of Mother. I know it's supposed to be annoying and, boy, does it succeed. Rest of the album is top-shelf. Synchronicity I and I are two of my favorite Police songs, which is saying something.

“Mother” always annoyed me, but that’s the only blemish on what for me is one of my absolute all time favorites.

Listened twice - really enjoy The Police, and even saw Sting in the late 90s in Dublin. Great music but rather disturbed by the middle of the album - Mother in particular rather jars! Recommended to all.

No doubter five star. One of my favorites.

Right at the top of the list for album of the '80s, with two strong contenders for the song of the decade ("Every Breath You Take" and "King of Pain") and a third great song right next to those ("Wrapped Around Your Finger") and several other very strong songs. The tour was great, too. Oh does this take one back but the its greatest mark of quality is how well it stands up.

I like the police and this album slaps.

Discazo, totalmente energico pero con letras medio oscuras, te describe como un tipo esta atrapado en su cuepo con sus obsesiones, su trabajo poronga, sus traumas con su vieja pero q sueña otra realidad. Steward es un capo, de los mejores bateros q hay, sting como siempre fachero y aunque medio gilaso, y andy bastante eclectico, muchas veces si sacas el ritmo reggae queda una guitarra q podria estar en discos de rock gotico, y queda bien combinado con los sintes q le meten.

i have for a while filed the police under bands im P Sure I Dont Like, and maybe their other albums are worse (this doesnt contain any of the singles that i Know annoy me), but if the maribma rocker opening track didnt melt through my defenses, the lyrics about dinosaurs on the second track made me throw my hands up in instant defeat. this record absolutely rules and just never stops ruling...just clearly one of the most creatively arranged and played set of songs on a rock album from this decade. the songs themselves almost dont need to be good when u have so many good Sound Ideas, and such a brilliant uneasy chemistry between the band where everyone seems to be playing lead (except funnily enough for my fave andy summers, who's watercolor-y guitar parts on here are kind of revelatory), but they rly Rly are anyway. ive had a passive annoyance with several police megasingles, but every breath you take has never been one of them, ive always been willing to hand it to them as That Good...just a perfect piece of emotional subjectivity and expressionism in a soft pop song context, and im never not moved by the "bridge" that seems to come at an inverted early place in the song and perform an imagined catharsis that is unachievable for the protagonist. yet with so many goodies here offering similarly Singular Pleasures im not even sure its the runaway fave...deffo gotta give this band more time at some point

This album was just terrific! I loved this album back then. Still love it to this day. 5

I really did enjoy this. Never listened to a full police album before. Mother surprised me. Lots of variation on here. Very fun listen.

Amazing

did not expect tbe opening synth. “mother” was SO GOOD. my dad glazed this album and i kinda get why. “every breath you take” is of course a classic. i also think i liked “synchronicity ii” better than synchronicity i”. i’ve lowkey been on a streak of good albums so don’t hate me for my 4th 5/5 in a row.

The first police album I ever owned! Great album, listened to it 3 times.

Muy buen disco de los 80

The Police's final album is the one with the most hits and consistent themes. It's short and sweet and hits all the right notes on the way out.

c'mon

Track by track. -Synchronicity I is kind of like the Sgt Pepper's opening track. It sets the fun mood but isn't too deep by itself. -Walking in your footsteps sounds dumb the first time, as mentioned in one of the reviews. All the dinosaur stuff is weird. But once you listen a little closer, it's brilliant. It's a comparison with nuclear warfare. Also, Stewart Copeland is amazing. -O My God indeed. -Mother is pretty funny. Summers is crashing out something else. -Miss Gradenko sounds like it's sung by Sting even if it's not, and for a drummer song, it's lyrically pretty solid. -Synchronicity II is a songwriting highlight. -Every Breath You Take is Andy Summers' moment. That guitar is so haunting. -King of Pain is sharp. There's a skeleton choking on a crust of bread bites. -Wrapped Around Your Finger is such a good breakup song. That's what I call bass. -Tea in the Sahara is my least favourite apart from Mother. The lyrics bore me. But the guitar is great. -Murder By Numbers is Sting's Agatha Christie novel. Overall, I love The Police. As for the cultural appropriation stuff, I don't really see it. His accent is not Jamaican at all (go listen to Marley and you'll see) and the reggae style drumming and bass is just inspiration. If you start calling this cultural appropriation, then everything from The Beatles to Songhoy Blues is too.

After nearly a thousand albums there is an obvious boot when an album of such essential worth is played. I would put every bit of this is on a level above most of the albums I’ve listened to. The songs are so good. The musicianship sublime. This is an album.

Sterke låter. Alltid elsket trommespillet til Copeland. God lyd. «Mother» er eneste låt jeg ikke liker.

Brilliant album. Wasn’t expecting much when it generated but really enjoyed this one.

Such a cool album. King of Pain and Murder by Numbers are such rad songs that don't get played enough.

I feel like I have never heard this album all the way through, considering it was pretty much the Top 40 soundtrack of my childhood. After listening today, I know I have never heard side one, as all the songs we all know so well are on side two, which I found pretty unique. This album is already a classic, but I appreciate it even more after finally hearing side one. Another interesting fact when reading about it that when the album came out, it had 36 different versions of the cover. Favorite tracks, Synchronicity I, Mother, Synchronicity II, and King of Pain.

Every song hits. Like every album by The Police.

A must own for a RNR fan.

There is a reason why this band is my favourite of all time, just brilliance. One of the best intros to an album, such an amazing build up to Synchronicity I, which balances Sting's complex lyrics with the brilliant rock. Then to the more world music of Walking In Your Footsteps, which is a showing of the more worldly sound that the Police were aiming to achieve, experimental but well-polished. Then, O My God, OMG this song is BRILLIANT. The references to Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic are magic (the best song ever), the build-up, the bass, the subtle brilliance of Copeland in every he does just perfect. The bridges have such fun and groovy riffs, they just add so much. I might be this song's number one fan. And then Mother, if it were anyone else but Summers singing, I would hate it so much, but it's so fascinating. A real nod to their more punk eras, also sounds like a good ringtone!!! THEN, ARE YOU SAFE MISS GRADENKO, ARE YOU SAFE?!!? Such a cheesy little song with so much substance, with brilliance from Copeland as ALWAYS. Then, SYNCHROINCITY II!!! What a song, such a guitar-heavy song, but Summers really tells a great story with it. Still highlights Sting's brilliance in producing lyrics that really don’t make much sense, but produce such a good story, and he sings it so well too. That ending, so good. Then, the classic “love song” that everyone knows is just a stalking song (so playing it at my wedding for the fun of it), this song is the quintessential 80s song in my opinion, a bit different from the rest of the album with it’s more simple lyrics, but so catchy and that bass is brilliant. Another great ending, the repetition adds so much to its claims as a love song, but it’s so not. Then King Of Pain, the glockenspiel at the start makes such a great suspense building, for the rest of the song. I have always found this song as the most Police sounding song, with the reggae backing beat, interesting guitar work, and the worldly feel that the Police developed into. Then Wrapped Around Your Finger, no wonder Copeland is one of the greatest ever. How he does such simplicity into such brilliance, I have no bloody idea. I love the more mysterious but worldly sound of this song, but have no idea what it means. Tea In The Sahara, not one of the flashier tracks, but brilliant in all of the right ways, just soft and brilliant for the original ending track. Not in the original album, but I love Murder by Numbers, it is more of their original vein of songs. A bit on the darker side, but with the brilliance of Copeland, it makes a well-completed song. Also, equating murder as easy to learn as A, B, C, is exactly what I would expect from this lot. As mentioned, there is a reason why I have 3,407 plays of the songs on this album. Interesting lyrics sung so well by Sting with the ways of Summers and the greatest drummer ever with Copeland in their most polished. With all of them being at odds in the tiny island of Montserrat, it was tragic that it was their final album, but it allowed them to be experimental in their subsequent adventures. This review is long enough, 5/5.

I forgot how great this album is. I remember seeing videos for all these songs in the 80s.

I’ve listened to “Every Breath You Take” about a quintillion times, and it still doesn’t get old.

One of my top three of my life. Includes Hounds of Love and Dark Side. I love this music more each time I listen, and I don’t need sound to enjoy. I play it in my mind.

A dark swan song for these pop pioneers. Excellent and moody, with ebon textures and lyrics at times both thoughtful and chilling. It used to play on repeat in my car. Highly recommended.

This album is weirder than I thought it would be, in a good way. Has probably my two fav police songs, King of Pain and Wrapped Around Your Finger. There just isn't really another band like The Police?

Great album

It's a great album to wrap up such a great career.

An old album I actually listened to as a kid and didn't discover later in life! Amazed at how much I still like it all these years later (well, except for "Mother" which I never liked). The Police had really evolved their sound at this point from their more ska-type roots but still had a lot of variety, craft, and slightly-over-intellectual lyrics that were still relatable. I give it a five because it stayed with me for so long and is still very listenable today.

Synchronicity is such a great album. The first two Police albums are much more rock focused mixing other genres it. The next two albums features a lot of experimentation which a leads perfectly to this album. Using the new sound of the latter two albums while creating amazing lyrics to go along with it. The last half of this album is perfect with no bad songs but the first half is lacking a bit. Miss Gradenko and Mother are lacking compared to the rest of the album. Other than that though everything else is great. My favorites are Synchronicity II and Murder by Numbers. Copeland is still an incredible drummer and Summers still kills on the guitar and Sting's vocals tie everything together. An easy 5 star. Liked songs: Synchronicity I, Walking in Your Footsteps, O My God, Synchronicity II, Every Breath You Take, King of Pain, Wrapped Around Your Finger, Tea in the Sahara, Murder By Numbers.

Love this one.

I love the balance.

Absolute class. Nothing like them when they first entered the music screen and went on to produce some iconic tunes.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Good album, some legendary songs especially on the second part of the album. Not as good as Reggatta, still very good.

The Police were big, very big before Synchronicity. They were absolutely HUGE after it. Side A is good, very good. Side B just crushes it! Mother is just weird, fun, and funny. Sync II has always been a Police fav. The whole concept of synchronicity is appealing. Many miles away something crawls from the slime … I’m not sure how it’s related, but it is. (4.6*s)

The Police’s album Synchronicity is undoubtedly a masterpiece that stands out in the history of music, featuring innovative sound and profound lyrics that explore themes of interconnectedness and the complexity of human relationships. Released in a musical context saturated with repetitive patterns, Synchronicity stands apart from the rest, combining rock, reggae and pop elements in a way that is so unique that nothing else has come close to matching it. Its bold and experimental sound, exemplified by iconic tracks such as “Every Breath You Take” and “King of Pain,” solidified the album as a game-changer, proving that creativity has no limits and that music can transcend time and trends.

Some weird stuff in this album. Especially the pseudo African/arabic beats :D. But I have definitely been entertained. A good number of absolute bangers on the album. Rediscovered „King of Pain“ which was one of my fav songs as a teenager. Lovely! 5/5

mother!

Once that you've decided on a killing First you make a stone of your heart And if you find that your hands are still willing Then you can turn a murder into art There really isn't any need for bloodshed You just do it with a little more finesse If you can slip a tablet into someone's coffee Then it avoids an awful lot of mess It's murder by numbers, one, two, three It's as easy to learn as your ABC's This album is on some real shit. 5/5

A jam and a half

Such a great album- I remember reading something that said ‘King of Pain’ might be the perfect pop song and they might be right.

Hell yeah

Damn, always been more of a greatest hits police fan, but this ruled, need to be listening to the rest of their albums all the way through.

Take out mother and it’s a perfect album

Brilliant. Perfect album

This brought back a lot of memories. I want to dislike this album, since it was so popular, but it's not easy. How do I know so many Synchonicity lyrics??? Btw, Mother is, by far, the best song on this album. Liked Songs Added: Mother Miss Gradenko Synchronicity Ii Murder By Numbers

This album is a vibe. Best songs: Synchronicity I Every Breath You Take Murder By Numbers Wost song: Mother

My kinda music! Great memories.

It’s tight and controlled, but still feels alive. The energy is a little like Talking Heads, but with more polish. It keeps surprising you without feeling forced. Everything about it works together, even when it feels unexpected. Except Mother. What the fuck is that?

The end of this great band where they could only separately bring their parts down - but what an amazing album it is! Stewart Copeland does so many fizzly great things with his drums and percussion that it's no wonder he followed up on that in his later studio career. Andy Summers is imho underrated - his guitar is a great counterpoint to Sting's later partners on guitar. And yeah, of course Sting, who did much great solo work with nothing really reaching the great heights of what he did with the Police (Sting is an amazing artist whose solo work can be great or pretty bad - one of those artists who I'd wished they had certain things differently). Enough has been said about the great music on the albums most of them written by Sting so I want to say that I absolutely love Mother, written and sung by Andy Summers. It sounds like a song by The Birthday Party and is a fresh different take compared to the other material. It sits perfectly as track number 4 to positively irritate the listener.

The hits make it a 5 but also a lot of filler

The police kept getting better and better with each album

This almost lost a star just for the song "Mother", but I couldn't bring myself to do it. It's an all-time favorite.

Love, love, love this record. I've heard it many times and already knew it'd be a 5. I think the tracklist is perfect and has such a satisfying flow, and it features the best song about dinosaurs I know. My favorite songs are Synchronicty I and II, but they're all excellent, even the unsettling Mother.

A fantastic album with one terrible must skip track, Andy Summer's "Mother". "Every Breath You Take" and "King of Pain" are too absolutely timeless masterpieces and the production and diversity is superb throughout the album.

Jadis, je me posai la question si je donnerais à cet album un 5 étoile, évoquant quelques défauts mineurs et impression floue comme arguments soutenant sa révocation à un 4. Mais bro, j’ai physiquement pogué quand il m’a été généré. On retrouve le son reggae/pop/new wave/rock de The Police, avec une force sinistre en action en dessous des couvertes, à la manière du White Album ou de Fear of Music. C’est pas mon pref des policiers, Ghost in the Machine reste mon petit bijou, suivi de près par Reggata de Blanc. Je pourrais continuer encore, mais sti, c’est Noël là, faut que j’monte à Québec!

Classic. Brilliant

A couple of good tracks like Tea in the Sahara and Every Breath You Take. A few experimental tracks that have weird hums, not a fan of those. In general, it is a good album. The vibe is a bit more funky which is not my cup of tea. I like some tracks but would not want to listen to the whole album again.

Excellent album minus Mother

“Mother” makes so much more sense to me now that I know Andy Summers palled around with Robert Fripp.

This is one I've loved since early High School. If there was a weak spot in the album it would be the Lp closer "Tea of Sahara" which is kinda a look forward to Stings solo career, which I like, but never near enough as The Police together. But man other than that even the "weird" tracks (Mother, and Miss Gradenko) I think really work in context. 10 ★★★★★

How I never listened to this before it’s so good?

I do in fact love this album, and own several copies (did you know that there were at least 36 different versions of the cover?). The Police were at the height of their fame when they released this album, sold out their world tour, and then broke up. The album included radio-ready singles, deep cuts, and even a "Revolution #9"-like song, "Mother" that sounds like something Robert Fripp would have composed (of course, Andy Summers and Fripp had recorded "I Advance Masked" and "Bewitched" together, too). There's enough meat on this record for many, many listens.

5 estrelas

Synchronicity I and II are a couple of my favorite Police songs. This album has several hits.. Every Breath, King of Pain, Wrapped Around Your Finger. Some hits get overplayed and get worn out but no matter how many times I hear these songs, they still really get me. The Mother song is a bit odd. The Police sometimes dip into a bit of a reggae groove (Miss Gradenko). Dig it. Great album!

This album is pretty flawless, aside from the unfortunate Mother song. What the hell is that? Feels very out of place, but the rest makes up for it. King of Pain is one of my favorite songs ever. So many other great hits (including the stalker song!) and non-hits on here too. Love love love.

Classic album with great synth sounds and amazing guitar work.

This album is really solid. The weirdest song is Mother and that doesn't mean its bad. The run of songs from Miss Gradenko to Wrapped Around Your Finger is amazing.

Everything here is practically perfect. I’d happily even go for a full album like Mother and feel the same. Never not astonishing, this band.

OK. I cannot be unbiased but in some sense I can try to be objective in my write up at least. For those of you who may not be super fans like I am, you might find the first half of this album a bit gritty, hard, or even somewhat unhinged at times. Nevertheless, even here it is hard to resist the feeling that this band is "pretty darn interesting" and variable. Then the second half... I think every one of these songs was a massive hit and fairly so. Deep, melodic, fantastic. I don't know of many albums that can claim this... (there are a couple but...) I really do feel that The Police was one of the greatest bands of all time...

I remember when this came out. It was huge. Then they broke up and I was bummed. I think The Police were brilliant. They had a strong 5 album run and went out on top.

I came around to this one. The run of Synchronicity II, Every Breath You Take, and King of Pain is excellent and the heart of this eclectic and dynamic album. The combination of world music, electronic, new age, punk, reggae, etc. is exciting and reveals something new every time. The only song that wasn’t so great for repeat listens was Mother, but it’s still shocking and memorable. This one is classic.

A great album by one of Rocks best trios.

The opening to this album. Makes me feel like I can punch through a wall. Minus two duds (Mother + Every Breath You Take... strangely) this is a perfect album to me and I'm gonna give it a five because I adored it so much. YES!

This was the first cassette tape I bought with my own money. I don't think I'd heard anything on it. I was only 10 years old and I think I picked it because of the display at Musicland and the cool cover. It's an album I have practically memorized. As I got older and more accomplished as a musician, I found more and more to love about this album and found new ways in for the songs that I wasn't really drawn to as a kid. This is one of my all-time favorite albums.

Loved it!

Excellent

It’s hard to comprehend that a single track could propel an album to a *5 rating nearly by itself, but in this case it does. The impact that “Every breath” ( and the album) had on the 80’s cannot be understated. The are plenty of others on here that are heavy, heavy hitters as well. The drumming is in another stratosphere, especially on “Oh my God”, and the rest of the musicianship and song writing is top notch as well. The way the recording was done in separate rooms was an interesting fact I didn’t know.

An excellent last album from a short-lived group of master class players. As an up and coming drummer at the time who was obsessed with Stewart Copeland, I of course owned this cassette. With the majority of the songs all playing a part in helping to define the 80s, it would be hard to rate down here. A few tracks for sure are not needed (the excruciating Mother), but Synchronicity I and II, Every Breath, King of Pain, Wrapped Around Your Finger, Murder By Numbers all are bangers. Definitely some world music seeds being planted here too of what would become Sting’s new solo life.

I don't understand why people are always yelling out "Run, it's the police!" or "F*ck the police!" These guys are great musicians. I wouldn't want to run from them, I'd instead sit down and enjoy their music. And as to the other, well, I don't have that particular bent. I'm sure they're nice enough guys, but I'm certain that carnal knowledge of them does not suit my tastes. I wonder if one of them said something derogatory about hip hop at one point, because those folks seem to be awfully prejudiced against these guys, calling them all kinds of ugly names and deriding their talents at every turn. In the end, all of them are musicians. Why can't they all just get along?

Отличный альбом, великолепный Стинг, есть свой стиль.

Muy bueno

It’s all subjective, right? Personally, I love The Police and Sting’s 80’s stuff but I’ve never been a fan of Morrissey or The Smiths. I’m going to waste my time counting the Morrissey albums on this list, but it’s a lot. This list is very biased and I don’t agree with a lot of the subjective choices Dimery makes. Synchronicity is a weird album, it’s really back heavy and 3 of the big tracks on the second side feel very samey to me. It’s probably a 4 star album but I just can’t stand to give 4 stars to 50% of the inclusions of one of my favourite artists out there. So 5 stars, and also more Sting please.

Stewart Copeland speaks to me in ways no one else can or should, was so sick of all this shit we’ve gotten over the past 2 weeks. EVERY GIRL I GO OUT WITH BECOMES MY MOTHER IN THE END EVERY GIRL I GO OUT WITH BECOMES MY MOTHER IN THE END THE PHONE IS RINGING IS THAT MY MOTHER ON THE PHONE

One of my favorite albums ever. Even the two "oddball" tracks not written by Sting are catchy and fit with the themes of the album. It's best that The Police never recorded new material after this. It would have been impossible to improve upon it.

My favorite Police album. Great stuff

Album 522 of 1001 The Police - Synchronicity (1983) Rating : 5 / 5 Great album. Full of awesome tracks. Their 5th and final album. Wrapping it up with an instant classic.

One of the best New Wave albums

4.5/5

Try as I might, I can't bring myself to dislike this album. It feels like coming home. I'm happy and comfy here.

For me - when this broke it was a whole new sound. And that sound was fantastic.

Masterpiece

I wore this out back in the day

Day225 - the police are definitely in my top fifteen favorite bands and synchronicity is my favorite by them. this album has six hits that i’ve loved since i was nine

Everything about this album was fantastic. I love the jazzy vibes and the fun lyrics. Murder by Numbers was an unexpected favourite.

here we go again

Classic from my high school years, know it well. "Mother" is god awful but oddly entertaining. The rest of the album is almost a greatest hits collection.

I keep getting albums I wish I could talk to my dad about. Of course I loved this

The Police never released bad album, and what an album to end on.

Lush, mystical gems

fantastic album, i really enjoyed it! i listened to it about three times. synchronicity i - an absolute banger, deserving of far more attention than it gets. walking in your footsteps - sting wrote a song about how much he loves dinosaurs? that's kinda based. it's giving crash test dummies' "in the days of the caveman" but 80s o my god - honestly didn't care much for this song until around the last minute or so. is this the first appearance of those last four lines of the song? they're definitely put to better use in every little thing she does is magic, but it's cool to see them show up here. also these drums are funky and this solo is wild. mother - yesssss what a cool, weird, kinda creepy song! love the 7/4 time and the unsettling Residents-y vibes on this one. andy summers wrote this one, and I expect he was thrilled once caller ID became commonplace. miss gradenko - eh, it's fine. at least it's short. synchronicity ii - one of the best songs the police ever made. love the lyrics, love the music, just absolutely incredible. every breath you take - ah yes, sting's stalker song. this is a classic and well-deserved. king of pain - beautiful and moving track. I've always liked this one. wrapped around your finger - good, though seeing the title always makes me start singing linger by the cranberries first tea in the sahara - this is the kind of music I feel sting makes in his solo career. it's kinda boring and empty, just like the sahara. murder by numbers - cool track, nice closer. favorites: everything but miss gradenko and tea in the sahara.

Glorious, and contains so many hit songs.

Amazing album with many catchy songs

Wasn't a fan of this when I first heard it - just a bit too different. But came to love it and the new direction. Fantastic cap of an album for such a diverse band.

tolles album mit mehr bekannten als unbekannten songs. immer wieder gerne!

Enjoyed this a lot more than their early albums I'd heard this has much a much more cohesive sound. Also forgot that they were coked out weirdos some of these songs are fucking bizarre. But all in all had a great time, awesome musicians, silly guys, great combo

Nice

This album has everything going for it; well established band with solid song-writing, there are so many hits on it and it was released at a time when music was nearly everything to me (High School). There isn't a single bad note from beginning to end.

Loved this album when it came out and still holds up today.

istened to this album many times. Great songwriting by great musicians. How does Mother make it on this album with Murder by Numbers only a bonus track? "Many miles away, there's a shadow on the door..."

I've seen Sting in concert a few times in the past years (a very memorable one was with Shaggy) - it's incredible how he's still got it: "Every Breath You Take" and such a range of songs on each album.

Some of these songs were played to death on the radio when I was a kid. But listening to the album now there is a deeper appreciation for the music and lyrics (except Mother which was quickly fast-forwarded). The Police have their own iconic sound. Ironically, one of the songs on this album were included in the PowSab Spotify Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/00gGuI2RcApWVfDTCzIRh4?si=MUKSoV4VSlSTVCFAcHTKIA&pt=653dea9fae1afd0e38b5eb7351917b59&pi=b0yq1wnORq-46

Listened to this album many times. Great songwriting by great musicians. How does Mother make it on this album with Murder by Numbers only a bonus track? "Many miles away, there's a shadow on the door..." 5 stars. Listened to this album many times. Great songwriting by great musicians. How does Mother make it on this album with Murder by Numbers only a bonus track? \"Many miles away, there's a shadow on the door...\" 5 stars. I've seen Sting in concert a few times in the past years (a very memorable one was with Shaggy) - it's incredible how he's still got it: "Every Breath You Take" and such a range of songs on each album.

2nd half is very, very good

Lots of nostalgia here - I have this on vinyl from when it was released. Can't fault it. Just listened again - picked up my phone a couple of times to do some "research" but quickly put it down again so I could just listen and enjoy.

One of those ‘nothing wrong with it’ albums - all the songs on here are good except ‘Mother’, and that song’s weird enough to not be a waste of time. End.

Listening to this album brought back good old memories of my teenage years, of getting together at a friend's house to listen to this band and others that were so important to us growing up! Back in the days of cassettes, walkmans and pirate radio ;-)

Synchronicity by The Police is a masterful swan song, a tour de force that encapsulates the band's creative brilliance and personal turmoil. Sting's songwriting reaches new heights, delving into themes of existential dread, failed relationships, and societal decay with poetic lyricism and haunting melodies. The album seamlessly blends genres like new wave, post-punk, reggae, and jazz-fusion, showcasing the trio's musical versatility and innovative spirit. Standout tracks like the chilling "Every Breath You Take" and the apocalyptic "Synchronicity II" are elevated by the band's impeccable musicianship and Hugh Padgham's masterful production. Copeland's thunderous drumming on the title track is a tour de force, propelling the album's sonic exploration with relentless energy. While personal tensions linger, the band's chemistry shines through, with Summers' "Mother" and Copeland's "Miss Gradenko" providing welcome moments of levity. Synchronicity is a crowning achievement, a timeless record that solidified The Police's legacy as one of rock's most influential and innovative trios.

4.6 this stuff is quite unique

Amazing record!!! I love everything Sting has done. Amazing voice and musicality overall. It's a shame that, from this record, only Every Breath You Take became a hit, because there are a lot of songs that are waaaaaaay better and more complex (not saying that that song is bad, it is an amazing song). Overall, I loved this record. P.S.: What the hell is with the song Mother??!?!?!?!?!

Still holds up in 2024.

the definitive Police album. Mother is the only song worth skipping.

I have always loved this album, though I had to stop listening to it because some of the great songs on it got way over played on the radio and when you listen on cassette tape, it's hard to skip. I still listen to it a couple times a year and I always find the themes in it interesting: stalking, extinction, sadism/masochism and murder. These were themes in a number one album, I am a little out of touch with number one albums today but isn't it all about breakups and unrequited love. The song Synchronicity II is probably somewhere in my top 50 song.

💖 miss gradenko 🗣️ 9️⃣

Aunque Sting ha sido el Police que más ha trascendido creo que la percusiones eran otro de sus puntos fuertes. Imprescindible más allá de su super éxito del Every breath you take. El eclecticismo puede despistar, pero es mejor disfrutarlo. Me gustan Synchronicity I y II, Miss Gradenko, King of pain, Wrapped around your fingers y Tea in the Sahara. 5 estrellas.

Holy shit. One of my all-time favorites. I can still remember getting this in my Christmas stocking. Had to be 7. Played it so much, the tape warped and the liner notes disintegrated. Goddamn this is all flooding back. It’s been a thousand years since I did this end to end. Every note is imprinted on my brain. I love this so much I could cry. Fuck anyone who doesn’t like this. It’s still great. I love all the stupid shit, the playful, the experimental, the serious. It’s all over the place and I am absolutely here for every second of it. LOVE LOVE LOVE love love love

Love this album, happy to listen to it again!

It's a shame that they couldn't follow this up. This album really only started to show what they were capable as a band, outside of the punk pose that they had started out as. Stings songwriting get's truly elevated by Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland.

The last Police Album and boy did they come with guns blazing. This is one of those albums that captures a band at the moment right before they disband. Egos and creative differences all come to a head and while it can make a record go wrong, if it gets done it really pushes the artists to limits that they may not have reached elsewise. A masterpiece, start to finish.

Fourth album to get back-to-back listens.

Quality.

Loved this album, get why The Police are so revered now. Complete, with amazing grooves and punchy singles. Top tier music.

love the Police. Easy background music. Stood the test of time.

Really good album, new song discovered - king of pain

Einfach großartig. Das wohl beste Album von "The Police". Mit der unvergleichlichen Stimme von Sting.

The apex of The Police's musical career. The first musically challenging album to go mainstream in pop music. Tea in the Sahara is a hidden gem. It never gets tired.

I surprisingly knew a lot of the songs on the album. I never realized how psychedelic The Police are. They seem to have a lot of off beat reggae style in many of their songs. Enjoyed most of the songs

Such a fun, upbeat, and weird album! I’ve heard The Police’s hits before and never really got the hype, but listening to this album makes me understand more. Favorite song is “Mother” of course

This album is so...freaking...good.

This one got some heavy cassette play back in the day. Scary to think that was 40 years ago.

An amazing album. Sting's bass, the guitar and drums are all at an super easy listen. Synchronicity and Synchronicity 2 are almost industrial and dystopian world sounding, in my mind's eye

This album is an absolute pleasure. Perfect blend of punk/new wave, reggae, and pop. Performances are amazing. Song arrangements are solid. Lyrics are thought provoking while remaining fun and anthemic. One of my absolute favorite albums. This is the album you give anyone who has never heard The Police. Their other 4 studio albums are great and solid throughout, but this is THE iconic album that shows off everything The Police were about and what they could do.

This was such a fun listen. The middle chunk of the album (Mother through King of Pain) was just 80s alt-pop perfection. I see a lot of reviews complaining about Mother, but I enjoyed the different sound. Also King of Pain scratched an itch in my brain I didn’t even know I had. It’s an ear worm that will be on repeat for me for a little while.

🐐

"Synchronicity" is the fifth and final studio album by British rock band the Police. The album was inspired by Arthur Koestler's book "The Roots of Coincidence." It was noted for a reduction in reggae and more liberal use of synths in their music. Musically, it's firmly planted in the new wave and rock-pop categories. The album was their most successful hitting #1 in the US and UK and was widely acclaimed. In 2023, it was inducted into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for its artistic significance. "Synchronicity I" starts out with urgent sounding synths. The drums kick in with Stewart Copeland playing some different time signature (6/4?). I really like vocalist Sting's rapid fire lyrics. It's based on Carl Jung's theory of synchronicity (meaningful coincidences that seem to have no cause). Guitarist Andy Summers wrote and sung one song, "Mother." Listen to it if you must. The first side ends with "Synchronicity II." I remember this video being pretty cool, very futuristic. Laser synths. A very 80's sounding guitar melody - probably since they were the early 80's. It's the story of the disparities and depressing life of a father connected symbolically to parallel events. "Every Breath You Take" starts an extremely backloaded second side. Everyone knows this iconic song. The story of a possessive lover's control and perhaps, Sting's best emotional vocals in a song. The melancholic slow piano keys open "King of Pain." It's based on Sting's post-separation from his wife. And really, pretty brilliant lyrics within the whole synchronicity theme comparing nature events to his situation. A slower pace drum beat with background synth and guitar sounds begin "Wrapped Around Your Finger." A great vocal chorus and continued outstanding lyrics as he turns the tables on someone who had been in control. The music and vocals come to a great climax....my favorite song on the album. This album is not perfect but the highs are very high. The heavy use of synths works. Great musicianship by all three members especially Copeland with all his signature changes. The second side is loaded with iconic songs and just brilliant lyrics. They pretty much were the pop-rock "it" in 1983. And, you can hear the hints in a few songs of the jazzy next step Sting would take.

Stimmungsvoll

Banger after banger, with clever, subversive, and stirring rock songs throughout—making it a very enjoyable listen.

Brilliant and eclectic, in distinctly Police fashion. Grabbing you from the keyboard intro of Synchronicity I, followed by Walking In Your Footsteps with almost Caribbean sounding percussion and barely any guitars. O My God is mid paced, built around a funky bassline. Mother is the sole low point, bizarre vocals and carnivalesque melodies. Miss Gradenko brings back the groove and a catchy vocal hook. Synchronicity II is a straightforward rocker full of memorable riffs. Somehow side two is stronger, leading with Every Breath You Take, but King of Pain and Wrapped Around Your Finger might outshine it. Essential stuff.

Probably my favorite Police record. Don't have to hesitate, five stars. A classic Art From Adversity record - some of Sting's very best songwriting. The band's best arrangement sense is on display, stripping tracks back in arrangement and mixing to their more essential parts. "Wrapped Around Your Finger" might still be my favorite Police song, and having it couched deep in a record loaded front-to-back with huge hits like "Every Breath You Take," "Synchronicity I," "Synchronicity II," and "King of Pain," this is one of the easiest five-star ratings I've yet given.

Released in 1983, The Police's "Synchronicity" stands as a landmark album, marking a culmination of their musical evolution and solidifying their place as one of the most influential bands of the era. This review delves into the album's intricate tapestry, exploring its lyrical themes, musical prowess, production choices, and lasting impact. Lyrics: Navigating Love, Loss, and Existentialism Sting's lyrics on "Synchronicity" are introspective and thought-provoking. He tackles themes of love and loss in songs like "Every Breath You Take," a seemingly romantic ballad with a darker undercurrent of possessiveness. "King of Pain" explores emotional vulnerability and the search for solace, while "Wrapped Around Your Finger" delves into the complexities of manipulation and desire. Beyond personal struggles, the album grapples with broader existential questions. "Synchronicity I" and "Synchronicity II" explore Jungian concepts of interconnectedness and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. Songs like "Tea in the Sahara" and "Omegaman" touch on societal anxieties and the potential for dystopian futures. Music: A Fusion of Genres with Enduring Appeal Musically, "Synchronicity" showcases The Police at their most diverse. The band's signature reggae influences remain present in tracks like "One World (Not Three)" and "Mother," but they seamlessly blend them with elements of new wave, pop, and rock. The album is a testament to the band's versatility, with Sting's distinctive vocals, Andy Summers' inventive guitar work, and Stewart Copeland's dynamic drumming creating a cohesive yet multifaceted sound. Production: A Polished Soundscape for a New Era The production on "Synchronicity" is polished and sophisticated, reflecting the advancements in recording technology at the time. Producer Hugh Padgham's work is evident in the album's layered textures, prominent use of synthesizers, and overall clarity. While some have criticized this approach as a departure from the band's earlier raw energy, it undeniably contributed to the album's commercial success and mainstream appeal. Themes: A Reflection of the Times "Synchronicity" captures the anxieties and uncertainties of the early 1980s. The Cold War, technological advancements, and the rise of individualism all find their way into the album's themes. Songs like "Synchronicity I" and "Omegaman" reflect a sense of unease about the future, while "Every Breath You Take" and "Wrapped Around Your Finger" explore the complexities of human relationships in a rapidly changing world. Influence: A Legacy of Innovation and Inspiration "Synchronicity" has had a profound impact on music, influencing countless artists across various genres. The album's innovative blend of styles, introspective lyrics, and catchy melodies continue to resonate with listeners today. Bands like U2, R.E.M., and The Killers have all cited The Police and "Synchronicity" as sources of inspiration, highlighting the album's enduring influence on the musical landscape. Pros and Cons: A Balanced Perspective Pros: Strong songwriting: Sting's lyrics are thought-provoking and delve into complex themes, while remaining accessible to a wide audience. Musical diversity: The album seamlessly blends various genres, showcasing the band's versatility and creating a dynamic listening experience. Polished production: The production is clean and sophisticated, contributing to the album's commercial success and enduring appeal. Lasting influence: "Synchronicity" has had a significant impact on music, inspiring generations of artists and shaping the sound of the 1980s and beyond. Cons: Departure from earlier sound: Some fans may find the album's polished production and reliance on synthesizers a departure from the band's earlier, more raw energy. Overplayed singles: The success of singles like "Every Breath You Take" and "King of Pain" may overshadow other equally deserving tracks on the album. Lyrical ambiguity: While some find Sting's lyrics open to interpretation, others may find them lacking in clarity at times. Conclusion "Synchronicity" is a testament to The Police's artistry and their ability to evolve and adapt while staying true to their core sound. The album's introspective lyrics, diverse musical palette, and polished production have cemented its place as a classic, leaving an undeniable mark on the music world. While some may find the album's polished sound a departure from their earlier work, it's undeniable that "Synchronicity" is a masterpiece of songwriting, musicianship, and production, showcasing The Police at their creative peak.

I try not to, but I love The Police

Murder by numbers, what a banger. Definitely would listen to this album on a regular basis

Every track is great. The Police truly do something different here.

I have not listened to this album in its entirety for a very long time but listening now from my perspective as an adult (who appreciates many different kinds of music now), I have a very different appreciation for this work of art. Sting is a lyrical genious, painting picture after picture with each song on this album. This album deserved all the awards and accolades it received. Excellent album !!

I forgot how good this album was. Yeah, it does have a couple of "WTH?" songs, but so many guys and others that are just enjoyable to listen to. Great drumming, arrangements and vocals. I couldn't ask for more.

I have loved this album ever since it was released right around my college graduation. It's one that I've listened to enough that I know as one track ends, what track is coming next. The title track starts things off with (what I now consider) the "classic Police sound", with Sting's distinctive voice. The percussion on "Walking in Your Footsteps" has a cool African or Caribbean feel. I'm not sure I ever paid attention to many of the titles: "O My God", "Mother" (which I've never enjoyed and is the only track on the album that I really dislike), "Miss Gradenko" (which I always thought of as "Is Anybody Alive in Here?", and "Tea in the Sahara". The hits were hits for a reason - they're great: "Every Breath You Take", "King of Pain", and "Wrapped Around Your Finger". Having them come back-to-back-to-back on the same album is pretty amazing!

This album is great! I've thought for a little while that the reggae used by the police was a little strange so I'm happy to see them move away from it. I never had listened that closely to the guitar part in every breath you take (which I now have learned was bartok inspired) but I guess it was recorded in one take. You can hear a bit of stutter on it in the intro and first verse which is very cool. I love the 3 on 2 in murder by numbers and the drum track on King of pain is just absolutely killer!

Very nice - sorry, but I love songs like "Every breath you take" ;-)

Yup. I know every track.

I come back to this album every few years. It’s truly a ‘they don’t make em like this anymore’ affair. It gives you some of the best songs ever recorded and the production is incredible. I forgot how early Mother hits in the track list. I do concede it is the worst song by the Police and it’s absolutely bizarre to put this on an album that is going to include Every Breathe You Take. I do love it though. This is one my all timers

5/5. Great album. I'll listen to it whenever. King of pain was my jam for a while.

I'd give this a 4.5 for just a couple of "ok" songs ... but I'm more than happy doing 5. Amazing musicians, amazing lyrics, incredibly known songs.

One of the best albums from one of the top bands ever.

Solid

Album 2/1001 Going into this album I was aware of The Police and their radio hits, so pretty excited to get to a full album. Was quite surprised by the variety here since the singles all were fairly similar. "Walking in your footsteps" made the dinosaur loving kid in me happy, while simultaneously feeding into my present-day anxiety about the future ahead of us. "Mother" was an odd track, but aside from that it was a great album and was not disappointed. No choice but to give their ultimate album a 5/5 Best Song: Synchronicity II ( likely guitar hero nostalgia ) 5/5

Delightful, hadn't heard quite a few songs that are gems (e.g. the batshit "Mother").

At some point, one has to know when the buck stops. The most ironic thing about this album being called Synchronicity is that the band who made it was far less synchronized than before. Yet it didn't diminish the fact that they were in top compositional form, regardless of how seemingly corny/annoying/cheesy/creepy-in-retrospect Sting's lyrics/vocal style can be. The Police had an incredible run and this is the kind of album a band goes out on a high note on. There was no way to top it or better it, no matter what.

great album, so much energy

Great '80s pop-rock but with more surreal, fantastical lyrics. And with extra keyboard, perhaps.

I really enjoyed this album it was very nice and relaxing

I loved this album! Sting's voice is great of course, and I also really love the sound of the drums on the album. So punchy! There were no songs that I got bored with, and I would listen to the whole thing again for sure.

We had this album on cassette tape when I was a kid. I remember a church camping trip that our family went on to local state park, where I brought along this tape, and listened to it on my yellow Sony Walkman. I was obsessed with side 2, and listened to it several times during that trip. I was especially drawn in by "King of Pain," whose lyrics were unlike anything I'd heard at that point ("there's a king on a throne with his eyes torn out" was some pretty vivid imagery for my little ten-year-old brain). Fast forward to when I graduated from college in the winter of 2007. I had recently lost three close family members, gotten dumped, and had no idea what to do with my life post-graduation. In the midst of all my angst, I changed the profile name on MySpace to "King of Pain," and I don't think I ever changed it from that name before abandoning my page for eternity. Good times. Anyway, I absolutely love this album, and it's easily one of my favorites from the 80's. "King of Pain," "Wrapped Around Your Finger," "Synchronicity II," and "Every Breath You Take" are all fantastic. I love Sting's vocals, and try as I might to sing along to these songs in the car, I'm always frustrated that I can never come close to how great he sounds. The instrumentation is incredible as well. In earlier classic rock discourse, I don't Stewart Copeland got the recognition he deserved as a drummer, but I think that his work is starting to be appropriately appreciated these days. His drumming on this album is incredibly tight and precise; on the faster tempo songs, his drumming is best described as manic but controlled, and on the slower songs, his drumming is almost hidden, peeking through just enough to let you know it's there. Andy Summers' guitar is outstanding too. That quiet little jangling riff on "Every Breath You Take" is perfect. Sting's bass playing is great too, and it really helps solidify the band's unique sound that's half new wave and half post punk. The Police's work before this album is great, but they knock it out of the park with this album, and I think a lot of why I enjoy the sound here so much is their use of synthesizers. I love the songs on this album so much. I don't know what it is about "Every Breath You Take," but that song just awakens this overwhelming nostalgia in me every time I hear it. I know, it's a creepy stalker anthem and whatnot, but damn, I love that song. Speaking of the songs on this album... "Mother"... Andy Summers, blink twice if you need help! Also, I love that the whole tantric sex thing has become the first thing we associate with Sting these days. In reality, there was probably one time where he said "I'd like to not immediately nut" and the rest of us just collectively lost our minds, and now it's the only quality we've assigned to him.

Iconic. Still holds up

This was my absolute favorite album when I was 15. In fact, it inspired me to declare to myself that The Police were going to be my first official favorite band and that I would buy every single one of their albums to come. Sigh. Nothing else sounds like this album, not even the other Police albums. It was quite a joy to listen to the whole glorious thing today again.

Just seeing the cover of this album made me happy. Because of my good fortune to have a cool senior as my stand partner in band who loved The Police, I saw this cover everyday on our music folder. So edgy! The listening part made me even more happy because, although I have listened to this album many many times, it has been many many years since the last time I did. Love it!

I listened to this one a lot with my bestie back in the day and every song sounds like a hit to me, even Mother and Miss Gradenko. The song Synchronicity II is one of my karaoke jams and a favorite song generally. I love the imagery evoked by such lines as, "We have to shout above the din of our rice krispies," and "Packed like lem-mings in-to shi-ny me-tal bo-xes." I hadn't realized before today that this was The Police's last studio album --- I just sort of assumed they were still recording. Ah well. This is a good one!

OH YEAH! This is THE Police album. Synchronicity is one hell of a way to kick off an album. I’m drawn in immediately by its urgency. Then a parade of spectacular songs follows all the way to the end. Theres are perfect variety of songs in a diverse set of styles that nonetheless cohere perfectly as a whole. Monster hits that deserve every bit of adoration… and then a slew of lesser played tunes that I love just as much. Walking In Your Footsteps… Oh My God…Mother… Miss Gradenko… Tea In The Sahara… Murder By Numbers… This album is teeming with songs you should hear before you die. From the incredible madness of Mother to the quiet beauty of Every Breath You Take this album never fails to be worth my time. What a perfect way to spend the next 45 minutes. TERRIFIC! TERRIFIC! TERRIFIC!

You can’t think 80s and Britain’s second invasion without thinking of Gordon, Andy and Stewart. Synchronicity is an iconic album from the greatest 3-piece iconic rock band in history.

Great live album.

"Mother" is terrible. Trying to imitate the least interesting of King Crimson's creative impulses, and doing even worse. The rest is wall-to-wall awesome, so they get a bye.

Not all hits, and a couple of tracks sound like bad Beetles.

I've always enjoyed The Police and this record is near perfect, save for the one really strange track entitled "Mother." It just takes me out of it, and while I love some of their odd songs, it sort of ruins the flow. Otherwise, this is a stellar record from start to finish.

One of the first albums I owned back in the day.

Not a bad album. Very distinct sound. Sting's voice and the percussion are what makes The Police unique. I was already familiar with Every Breath you Take and Wrapped Around your Finger. I really enjoyed the entire album. There weren't really any fillers. The song Mother was a little weird. This is a thoroughly good album.

El disco más experimental de The Police. Con tintes progresivos y casi teatrales, el legendario trío británico de música alternativa se luce con una lujosa selección de canciones, en donde dejan claro que cuentan con talento de sobra para interpretar sus instrumentos y construir pistas pegajosas.

Syncopation and prog influences - I had no idea! Much more layered than I expected.

HELLA BIASED FOR THIS ONE but yeah, big fan the last 5 songs just don't stop giving BIG 5*

Great album, classic!

4.5. The experimentation on this album is truly amazing. I especially like that they blurred some genres. Mother was definitely different from the feel of the album, but it worked out in the end

Awesome

This is one of my favourite albums of all time.

Some classic anthems on this one, in particular the second half of the album is flawless. All round brilliant musicianship and lyrics and nearly a perfect album - I have no idea how Andy Summer convinced them to add Mother to the album, but it makes me appreciate all the other songs more.

I was very surprised how good it was

Fuckin’ A junior! If you can’t dig this move on over and give it up. Awesome shit!

Awesome-a band at the peak of their collective powers!

have listened so many times...

Loved this one. Upbeat but complex and dark all at once.

Really good new wave classic! Tracks I didn’t know which I very much like

Not many albums with a lineup of #6 - #9 that are this good! I like SII and King of Pain best. A GREAT 3 piece band!

I hadn't played this for 30 years! Good stuff. In between the usual filler tracks (Miss Gradenko, etc) there are some musical giants: Tea in the sahara, King of pain, Wrapped around your finger, Every breath you take.It has to get 5 stars, despite containing some rubbish.

Fantastic from start to finish

Such unexpectted diversity in sound, incredible songwriting.

writing this as I am listening, just heard a song about dinos and now an unhinged guy scream about his mother. loving it. now he is stalking his ex, but we know that all dont we. at this point he is talking about murder. God I love this man. Also I love the police/or sting in that aspect because of two things: 1. my italian teacher used to live next to him in italy ans she always told the funniest stories of "her neighbor sting" 2. my ex loathes sting and always made fun of me for liking him, then put "englishman in new york" as my alarm. bc f him.

I have a distinct memory of sitting in my mom’s minivan listening to the Police in the early 2000s. When listening to King if Pain, I would intentionally substitute “King of Pain” with “King of Spain 🇪🇸” and it drove my brother absolutely bonkers. I still think about that anytime I hear this song. Love it

Great band. Great album. This gets the fifth star simply because my brother played this cassette non-stop during the summer of '83. I hear these songs and it brings back memories so vivid that even the mundane remembrances can invoke nostalgia.

Another suburban family morning…

i love the police 5/5 for sure i love sting stewart and andy fave band

What an album. So many hits and such great song writing. It's unfortunate this band couldn't remain together because I'm not a big fan of Sting's solo stuff but the group was great.