Reviews (page 4 of 12)
The hits on this album (walking on the moon and message in a bottle) are amazing but what surprised me the most was the other songs on the album.
It's weird but I always hate the production they put on Sting's voice so it sounds like his breathy, upper level tone is singing into an echoey, empty hall. It's why I've never really liked The Police. But damn, can these cats jam. Great musicianship and even their deep cuts on this album sound fresh and exciting.
Nice!
The album tracks aren't superb but there are amazing moments on this album that I found very sonically interesting.
Some of the tunes are a bit camp but the overall album is good. It's interesting to hear each of the three musicians at that stage of their careers.
This album is very good. I don't really understand all the hate for The Police. Let's move on. They have. Andy is a photographer. Stuart does soundtracks. And Gordon is still Sting.
really solid album, very unique police sound, mixing rock reggea and new wave to something very distinct
So many iconic songs I grew up with, big fan of the drumming and bass. Overall just an enjoyable album.
The Police are such an odd band. They're all so freaking good at what they do but seem to want to do anything except write hits. They're so good at the hits too. Message in a Bottle is one of my top 100 favorite songs of all time. The rest of the album does not disappoint but goes to such odd places. I love weirdo music but it just feels like such a waste of what we could have from this band. All around excellent album.
killer album. these guys at their best.
Good shit
Começar com Message In A Bottle me parece uma péssima ideia. Provavelmente a melhor canção dessa banda, logo de cara, e tudo que vem a seguir soa pior. Enfim… minhas expectativas a respeito do disco eram baixas. Conheço os grandes hits do grupo, e é aquilo, são canções OK, tocadas até o ponto de exaustão (especialmente Roxanne). Nunca ouvi um disco inteiro deles e não sabia exatamente o que esperar. Fui até que surpreendido. A banda é tecnicamente bem boa. A percussão e o baixo são ambos fantásticos, essas faixas possuem uma progressão rítmica sem igual. Faz jus a suruba hedonística de Reggae com New Wave e pedaços de Punk. Os vocais do Sting podem machucar o espírito de vez em quando, mas nada tão agravante quanto uma Janis Joplin da vida. Uma coisa é certa, o grupo se destaca no imenso oceano de atos New Wave deste período. Disco bom e envolvente. Difícil ficar parado. 4/5
A good album, very much rooted in their own reggae sound and full of hooks. The best part of the album is that it doesn’t sound all the same, while remaining coherent. There is also some solid writing, but it’s mostly about the music as the title track (with lyrics that are mostly sounds) clearly suggest. I found myself very impressed by the drums, over the record they print around fast and furious, and they try a lot of different things (like on Walking on the Moon). Obviously, there is also that incredible base line in Message In a Bottle. That hit alone makes it worth a listen. I don’t know that I like all of it, cause the middle of the album is a bit stiff but I can vibe with it well. The opening however is quite interesting, (up to Bring On the Night) and clearly the popular part. However, I don’t understand the lack of love streaming wise for I found No Time This Time, not a hit, but very interesting and forward sounding, (it’s giving the Who on speed). On any other day is however, on there. The song is about a man’s birthday being a crybaby and lamenting, and the worst thing that happened to him is that “ My fine young son has turned out gay”. Yeah. Not great. The pitch for the song is a good idea, and the construction is clever going down like that, but not a fan of lyrics that are homophobic. However, it's one song out of eleven. It’s offensive, but “ it would be okay any other day”? Overall, it’s fun, and while not better than their first outing it’s solid and still relevant today sonically. That one line though.
The best combination of rock and reggae I've ever heard. Really great bass, guitar and drum playing on the whole album. Got my head bopping a lot. As with almost every Police album the beggining is stronger than the end but it's still great overall.
Loved this! Wasn't familiar with most of the songs but I found most, if not all of them very enjoyable.
I like the Police but did t think this is one of their best
Chill. Message in a bottle is a classic.
Interesting to know that the title translates to "White Reggae". Apparently I like watered down reggae. Tracks to Track: Walking On The Moon
Yeaah
Favorite Track: Message In A Bottle
Good on though I have heard it all before.
Had this album already. Some great songs and popular hits. Easy to listen to.
♥️
Stuart Copeland is full tilt on this album and drives the whole thing along. Big singles and no real duds.
Iconic Police album
The hits and highlights were great. There was some fluff which explains why you never hear the songs anymore.
8/27/25: Another classic to start off the album- Message in a Bottle. I appreciated the reggae vibes mixed within this rock genre.
4.9
Oh yea fantastic album
There has been a lot less Sting and his mates than I thought on this list. Averaging their output, I much prefer the songs without the reggae undertones. Notable classic songs Message in a Bottle, and Walking on the Moon stand out. Though I am not sure much else jumped out at me - not to say I didn't enjoy the album. Really found myself bopping along to the second half. In my opinion, more of a collection of songs than anything cohesive. I think that pretty much sums this review up, too. Can't complain with this one.
Loved how this is a mix of reggae, punk, and a hint of jazz. Great album that I enjoyed more than I thought I would.
Message in a bottle!
Ah, now this is more like it from them. Had Synchronicity recently which really didn’t do it for me. Enjoyed this one much more. Message in a Bottle is an all time classic and the rest is good too with top musicianship and more variety and quirkiness than I expected. Still a greatest hits girl when it comes to them though
Hard to assess this objectively, but it’s pure gold
This was a nice listen, enjoyed the instrumentals a lot.
Sting is an enigma and made for best ofs. He writes some wonderful songs with insightful lyrics, and then every album has a couple of dross tracks.
Dope
8th grade science fair, 3 piece band Message in a bottle Walking on the moon
On any other day starts with a bang. I liked the latter half better.
I still love Stewart Copeland Will I listen to again: 95%
So many classics on one album!
9/10
I find it quite sad how The Police seem to be one of those bands who are slowly being forgotton. There are artists out there who will likely be remembered forever, ie The Beatles etc. But The Police's contributions to rock music often do unacknowledged, which is a shame because not only were they super influential, but it's also just plain and simply really good music.
Iconic album, so many great songs and some pretty terrible songs too!
The Police are cool and this album is cool. Message in a bottle right out of the gate. Stewart Copeland just smashing the drums from start to finish.
great
good
Nice trax
Brought back memories
The Police aren't just white reggae, they're reggae lite, they've nothing to do w/ Haile Selassie or the political machine crushing Kingstown natives. They're rhythm moochers and profoundly shallow, but they're a group that makes so much out of so little that I can't help but dig their one-off brand of pop music. Sting's voice is a permanent mainstay in the listener's brain after hearing him but once, as are the buoyant guitar riffs and the indelible wielding of the hi-hat, perhaps the crucial item for the band's signature sound. 'Some say / Tomorrow's another day / You stay / I may as well play.' That's a laudable axiom, and a helpful one for appreciating this more-than-popular group, impossible to forget tho you may forget to throw them on.
I liked this album from the past. I also liked the videos for the 3 songs on the album that were their big hits and were very popular with the fans
Not the police's best album but still iconic.
One of the bands that has a sound all their own. Holds up great
GM
Enjoyable! The Police are awesome
My favourite police album. I don’t listen often but when it’s on, I love most of it. Admittedly I don’t love every song but I still Find it. Solid album with some standout tracks (love the bass in message in a bottle).
Kinda chill rock with reggae vibe 4/5
Bit conflicted with this one. But it's quite fun and musically they are great
Great - loved it. Well, most of it! Good classics
Genre: New Wave A fun time is always had when one listens to The Police. Bouncy reggae-style rhythms and guitar licks, Sting’s classic vocals, and slick 80s production has always made these guys a joy. There are big hits (Message in a Bottle) and also some solid deep cuts (The Bed’s Too Big…). The album does a great job of showcasing the group as a whole, with very technical, but measured approaches to their craft. Great record. 4/5
3.5 rounded up starts to blend together at certain points, but also an undeniable classic highlights: message in a bottle, bring on the night, no time this time (apr 12 2026)
I think this proved to me that the police are a greatest hit band. They’re great, Stewart Copeland is obviously the stand out being a top 20 drummer all time, but some of these songs are so average. Naming the album white reggae is so funny and apt. Message in a bottle is phenomenal but the rest of the album is very samey and indistinguishable, but good!
Classic, timeless, periodt! I enjoyed some of the other non-hit songs as well even though they sounded similar. Good album relative to the rest in this list, but definitely not approaching 5 territory. 4
Okay, I loved this album with the exception of On Any other Day. The delivered the corniest heap of shit on that track... but I there's so many strong songs on here that it doesn't linger for too long. Both the song before (Walking on the Moon) and the one after (The Bed's Too Big Without You) are top-tier songs. I am so impressed by this 3-piece bands huge sound. Together they are greater than the sum of their parts, which is saying something. Everyone in The Police are at the forefront of their instrument. I love how Sting and Copeland in particular are in this pull/push dynamic where Sting is laying into the beat with his syncopated bass lines and Copeland is as on top of the beat and pushing it as you can get. Very cool, no one sounds like them. Real strong 4/5. Would've been a five without that one stinker
Phenomenal album that defines The Police. Love the ska vibe, and nearly every song gets you moving.
This hit that deep nostalgia chord for me. I was surprised how all the lyrics came flowing right out of my mouth. When The Police hit I thought the sound was so unusual and it was a nice change from my non-stop Beatles and Dylan rotation. As I was singing On Any Other Day that one line came out so naturally while my mind was saying "what the fuck?!" Maybe it's the nostalgia speaking but I still like this album.
Very good. Enjoyable to listen too throughout.
Another great Police album!
Um belo disco que consegue produzir um resultado agradável através da fusão da economia sonora do Reggae com a energia crua do Punk Rock, com a adição de elementos de New Wave. A primeira metade é bem superior, apresentando-se mais consistente com faixas como "Message in a Bottle", "Bring on The Night" e "Walking on The Moon". Já na segunda metade perde um pouco o fôlego, com temas menos inspirados, como "On Any Other Day" e "Does Everyone Stare".
Yeah, this is still my least favorite Police album. I'm not sure why thus is on the list over *Outlandos de Amour*. With the exception of "Message In a Bottle" even the singles are better. (possibly also "Bring On The Night" but I much prefer Sting's 1995 live version over the original). The Copeland songs are the weakest link on the album, and this has more Copeland songs than any other Police album. I do, however, like the Sting/Copeland co-written "It's Alright For You" even though it totally rips the Rhythm from "Too Much Monkey Business" by Chuck Berry Also, unlike any other police album, less than half, only lives only five songs, were written solely by Sting (with three by Copeland, also two credited to the whole band.) All in all I've always felt this felt like a hasty follow up to *Outlandos*, even though it did chart higher and is actually more critically acclaimed than their debut. (8.33) ★★★★
A fairly classic Police album on the surface. This has Message In A Bottle and Walking On The Moon which are amongst their very, very best. It does get a tad stretched in the second half and with a surplus of wacky, often subpar Stewart Copeland songs. On Any Other Day is pretty cool tbf with its snotty, monotone rap delivery that is a bit like proto Bloodhound Gang. Does Everybody Stare is more like I’m Dancing In The Show Tonight by Ween. Greatest Hits is their ultimate album but all their albums along with this one need to be on 1001 tbh. Easy 4 stars.
I don't care if this makes me an idiot, but I prefer Reggatta de Blanc to Synchronicity. The punkish energy on Reggatta suits the new wavish songs better and really lets each band member showcase their skills. The first three singles are all great.
Regatta De Blanc suffers from The Police Syndrome - too many filler tracks, but the hits are hits for a reason. The fillers are more interesting here than on Synchronicity, but there’s also tracks like “Contact” keeping the record from being a joy all the way through. It’s not a massive 4, but there’s enough great tracks on here to keep it from being a 3.
I love the Police but I've never actually heard this whole album before. The hit songs that you have heard a million times are great but there are some other less popular songs that are still a great listen. Great vocals and music. Really a power trio, big sound coming from these three.
An absolute top-tier five star band. But a little too much atonal filler here for a five star album for me.
Such a great album by the Police.
Great album. Some of my faves are not the radio friendly ones but I like those too.
They really just said "Fuck it we ball" and started off this album with Message In A Bottle. I would have never guessed it was the first track on the album.
Literally the only police I’ll say I like lol Not my favorite from their discography, but it’s still a solid record. One of those bands that sound truly in-sync. Fantastic drummer.
Great record, to be honest, not really a miss on it. Knew the police, knew the hits, but the album was a first time listen and it did not dissapoint.
Really good.
The Police early albums are solid and this LP is no exception. There are a couple of mediocre tracks, but for the most part this album slaps (as the kids say nowadays). 4/5 #104
I love this record. Copeland's drums, some great songs (ignore the cringey "Any Other Day"), early edgy Police sliding into their heyday. And I have always loved 'Walking on the Moon'. Plus, funny story (so you can ignore): after years of not having a turntable, my kid bought me a vinyl LP of this, because he thought we had a record player. Instead of returning it, I bought a turntable. And many records since. And I love it. So 5 stars to the Police.
Love the spiky, raw, but still kind of poppy qualities of many of these songs.
Stuart Copeland is a god. So many cymbal tinkles.
Three white boys doing reggae, kinda uncool guys
Tenia escuchado los temas mas iconicos de The Police, y me gustaba; pero haber escuchado uno de sus discos completos, me hizo enamorarme mucho de la banda. Lineas de bajos iconicos, y guitarras sonoramente perfectas (A mi gusto). La voz cantante es super agradable de escuchar. Una banda iconica que ahora entiendo mucho más su relevancia.
Police fan. Strong discography from top to bottom. Check out all of it!
Very interesting blend of new wave and reggae, the band are very tight with excellent rhythm. Solid album, perfect length, something I'll come back to again
On another day, banger! Message in a bottle, mästerverk.
Nice
The Police is a band whose catalogue I really need to explore more. The hits are all a little overplayed, but the rest of the music is deep and has a lot of interesting things going on. 3.5/5
Good
Real good album. Some songs sound like they influenced Stick Figures
I was surprised that I didn't really remember any reggae undertones to The Police...and then I paid more attention to the album title and felt like an idiot. Decent album. Starts off with an absolute banger with Message in a Bottle. The rest of the songs are fine, but nothing that really stood out to me over the others. Apparently (based on listens on YouTube Music) Walking on the Moon is popular, but I hadn't heard it before. It was ok but a bit repetitive. Overall, a fine album. I like The Police just not a superfan.
Pues nunca habia escuchado varios tracks de "The Police", sus ritmos me recuerdan a sodastereo, la verdad si me gustaron varios pero solo reggata de Blanc fue mi favorita, le daré 4 estrellas porque si me lo volveria a escuchar otra vez
Pjúra snilld
I really enjoy the reggae influence of this album. Pretty basic accessible dad-rock otherwise but with a great spin. Good listen.
7/10 Da Police. Message in a bottle and walking on the moon are enough to give this a four stars 6-15-2025
Having listened to, I think, synchronicity (not sure on spelling or if that's just a song) and having found said listening experience a bit whack, this was a nice surprise! Lots of good songs! Strong 3.5*!
Classic accept no imitations
Listened to this while playing Final Girl. I won! This album was much better than I was expecting considering it translates to White Reggae. Some instantly recognizable gems. My partner was humming along at times.
Groupe et album connu. Très novateur à l'époque (et inégalé depuis), la musique de police est un mélange unique de diverses influences porté par d'excellent musiciens. En particulier j'aime beaucoup le jeu de Stewart Copeland, vraiment très impressionnant. Cet album contient vraiment beaucoup d'excellents morceaux : 'Message in a bottle', 'Regatta de Blanc', 'Walking on the moon' (+++) 'Bring on the night', 'Deathwish' (++) 'The Bed's Too Big Without You', 'Contact' (+) J'aime un peu moins les 2 derniers morceaux de l'album, il n'atteindra donc pas la note maximale. =>4/5
4⭐ for message in a bottle alone (fav song in year 9 lol)
Any pop album worth its salt delivers four singles: here it's job done. (Bottle, Moon, Beds Too Big, Night). Do the rest match it? Not really. Hence the fouriest of four stars. Does it sound like it was recorded really quickly without a real album's worth of A-Grade material. Yes.
Sweet I've never listened to a police album from start to finish. I like this. 4 stars.
Good album, but not my favourite of theirs. They sure pumped out a lot of good material in under five years, even though their albums tended to have some serious b-side filler.
The energy of this album is just so good! Brings back memories. This sounded like nobody else back in the day. Almost a five. “Does Everyone Stare” is holding me back.
I like The Police a lot. But I'm not sure there's one single album of theirs that is amazing. This one is very good but the back third drags. The sequence of This Bed's Too Big Without You, Contact, Does Everyone Stare, and No Time This Time was just okay; the closing track was the best of the four. The first third rocks. Message in a Bottle is an incredible track (one of my favorite of theirs), the title track is damn good (never listened to it before but the musicianship is so good), and It's Alright For You is a fun rocker. The middle is solid. Bring on the Night is good and Deathwish is another solid instrumental piece. Walking on the Moon is another classic (though not one of my favorites of theirs) and I really liked On Any Other Day - classic satire and playful approach from these guys. Overall a solid, solid album but not a 5 for me.
I still think The Police were the most interesting thing to come out of punk.
Vibe. 4/5
I'd say a spot-on 3.5 for me, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt, just because their sound and songs are so unique and silly, and there are some bangers there.
Not as many classics, but a well rounded Police albums with some good deep tracks. low 4/5
I’ve always been a sucker for the Police and Sting. Some of the tracks don’t hold up, but I love Does Everyone Stare, which is new to me.
music for aspiring private investigators
Several really good songs, but feels more like a 4 than a 5 near the end
I really like this album. I love the meaning of the song Message In A Bottle. All the tracks are great and unique Edit Apr 22 2026: 5 --> 4
Although I prefer the raw sound and energy of Outlandos d'Amour, Copeland’s drumming on this is amazing. Then again, so is Andy Summer’s guitar work, then I really noticed Sting’s bass lines coming out as well. Incredible musicianship from these three guys. Perhaps like some of the other songs more than the hit singles.
Un peu plus solide que le premier, tout aussi énergique sinon plus. Réalisation à la fois raw et slick qui sert les tounes parfaitement. Plusieurs deep cuts très bonnes. 4.49 étoiles
Classic!
Jeg har aldrig hørt et helt studiealbum fra The Police før. Men deres Greatest Hits var i heavy rotation en overgang i mine teenage år. Det lyder både som forventet og ekspanderer på deres lydunivers. Det læner sig op af post-punk med reggea-rytmer.
Breezy and enjoyable, and a step up from their debut. Deeper cuts like The Beds Too Big Without You and Bring on the Night still sound great due to dubby basslines and Copeland’s hyperactive drumming
I liked this way more than I thought I would. The Police have always been a meme band to me, so to hear musicality and grooves from them was a pleasant discovery.
Fun!
Cops suck, but The Police are pretty rad. Mostly good energy, music and vocals work well together. A solid album all around.
A very nice consistent album from The Police. I don't think you can go wrong with them, solid drumming, nice singing, everything is just cohesive. Great stylistic inspos as well.
Nice 70s vibes, generally quite fun.
Partially listened before Fav tracks: Contact, On Any Other Day, Walking on the Moon
Great mix of new wave and reggae. A few true classics. Some of the Copeland-songs are a little weaker.
Bring on the Night is fantastic. The singles are great and overall an enjoyable listen. They were a tight band with a good sound.
I know that Sting is the breakout star of the band, but that drummer makes fucks. I couldn’t get enough of his sound.
White boy reggae is all fun and games until someone gets hurt.
I should really listen to The Police more. This album is a lot of fun and has a great mix of styles. Their sound is a mix of rock n roll, punk, and reggae that they fuse into a style you instantly recognize as The Police. There are two big hits on this album, though I'm not even sure those are necessarily the best songs. The album cuts are excellent too. I can imagine finding more favorites the more I listen to this. I’m also starting to appreciate how weird The Police can get. They have a quirky side to their music for sure.
Growing up I didn't really like The Police or Sting. I think it's because I heard "Fields of Gold" a million times on soft rock radio in the car on the way to school and it drove me crazy, but in my late 20's I started to listen to the Police and I've definitely grown to like them since then. Their songs have so many elements that I love and are present on this record- amazing inventive guitar and bass parts, great vocals and lyrics, and super tight drum grooves that act as the ultimate glue for this blend of subgenres. "Message In A Bottle" and "Walking On The Moon" are amazing songs and I could make an argument that both could exist on my "stranded island and I have to pick from 100 songs to have to listen to" list. This is a strong 4/5 for me. Outside of those two tracks, the album does fall off a little bit in my opinion and several songs go by without me stopping a single time to say "oh I liked that one thing".
It's a polished album with immaculate production, decent songs, good vocals, cod reggae rhythms and a new wave sensibility. All in all, it's an enjoyable listening experience.
Surprisingly good album throughout, even in the wake of Message in a Bottle which is great.
CONS: Their lyrics are a little creepy. They took ska and added pop. Police corruption is horrific. PROS: But I like ska, so it's not all bad. Catchy pop hits. Police uphold the law and capture criminals.
I learnt to play bass to many of these tracks, (well, the Greatest Hits album), still holds much nostalgia for me. There are couple of lacklustre tracks, but overall enjoyed relistening!
3.5? 3.75?
Definitely the best Police album I’ve listened to, more stand out tracks
Surprisingly good. I don't know why I wasn't expecting much but I am pleasantly surprised. Half the songs here are basically Space Reggae. Stings vocals have definitely inspired a ton of artists, two that are very obvious are Björk (Especially her early stuff), and Fever Ray. Pretty cool actually. I may revisit this album.
Some of it was a bit left of Centre, but mostly I enjoyed it
polis
Banger. Love Copeland's quirky On Any Other Day. Shame the blistering title track is so short.
super classic i really like the guitar strumming paterns on 2/4 instead of the emphasis on 1/3 which gives it more reggae-ish vibes
Fun, lots of synth and reggae
Classics. Not terrible but not my first choice most days.
great hits like message in a bottle, walking on the moon and bed's too big without you.
I underestimated The Police. I'm not the biggest fan of Sting's vocals, and I thought the white reggae would grate on me, but the big singles on this album are obviously great, and I really enjoyed the drumming. In fact the whole rhythm section gives a lot of tracks a real drive/energy that I wasn't expecting.
A nostalgic sound for a time that I wasn’t there.
I’m a total sucker for a three-piece band that doesn’t do a bunch of overdubs and so the bassist just has to rip way harder than most other bassists. I love Rush, Primus, The Fall of Troy, Muse and I’ve always put the police in that same category, but I’ve never listened to an entire album by them before. Surprised to hear some Proto pop punk.
Essential The Police record, amazing songs and flow from start to finish.
Great unique guitar riffs. Sting has such a unique voice
White. Reggae
This is one of my favorite bands but they ain’t perfect! All of the Police’s albums are marred by the inclusion of a couple stoinkers. Seems like they should’ve dropped “On Any Other Day” and “Contact” and they just might’ve squeaked out a 5-star review. Half the fun of listening to these guys is listening to all the unusual drum parts Stuart Copeland comes up with for every song. It seems like he is hearing them for the first time as they record them. Standouts: “Message In A Bottle”, “Reggatta De Blanc”, “It’s Alright For You”, “Bring On The Night”, “Walking On The Moon”, “The Bed’s Too Big Without You”
It was fun! Probably the first reggae rock album I’ve listened to in full and damn there were some grooves on there. Like a more fun, more concise London calling. Really my only complain is stings voice I just can’t get into it
3.8
Some pretty good tracks on here. (26 known/53 new)
i’ve been so wrong about the police. this album was pretty amazing and stewart copeland is just SUCH a beast on the kit. definitely feel inspired to work on my drum chops because of this record.
4 stars. Really enjoyable and fun listen
Classic album, easy afternoon listening.
Pretty decent good songs none of them were horrible
Too spotty to be truly great, but still better than most.
A blast from my younger days. A great album with Some amazing energy. I think people not familiar with the band (hard to believe) will enjoy
Extremely funky but it doesn't always pay off. Good album, though.
I thought when a second Police album came up, I may get a little tired of it. Once again, I knew a couple songs on the album, but they're among some of my least preferred of their hits. Despite this, I enjoyed it, the album had good pacing and some interesting songs. It had enough grit to keep me in, but maintained a pretty relaxed ambience overall. Another good background album for working.
Knew the first song, the rest was good and i noticed alot of samples from other songs. The singer has an uncomfortable high pitch sometimes
Yes sir. I’m so stupid for never diving into the police. This energy is really impressive.
custom_rating: 7
Good music, that is.
really enjoyed it, ill have to listen to more police
they'rrreeee great!!!
This whole album made me want a pina colada by the beach, especially message in a bottle.
4.0/5.0: Great
enjoyed the first half way more than the second half, but overall it was a good album
Very 80s. For better and worse
Had me Walking On The Moon. On Any Other Day, The Bed’s Too Big Without You.
Probably the polar opposite of the previous album good kid, m.A.A.d city, with easy to understand lyrics and funky instrumentals. Enjoyed the album and see myself relistening to some songs.
not a mind blowing concept album but a nice rock and reggae album that really anyone can pick up and enjoy. it's a nice album
This album was way more hit and miss than I remember. The hits are good enough to carry this to a 4 though; I never get tired of Stewart Copeland's drumming. 3.5/4
Already listened to this one, The Police is real 🔥🔥
The Police being The Police
Message In A Bottle should have had two minutes more of sending out an SOS
I’ve known about The Police my entire life, and of course, their big hits are always on the radio. Beyond that, I just saw them as a classic rock band with some new wave elements and didn’t think much more of it. But after listening to Reggatta de Blanc, the first thing that stood out to me was the strong reggae influences throughout the album. I never picked up on that in the songs you hear on the radio. After doing some research and giving the album a few more listens, I have to admit I now see them in a whole new light and enjoy their music more than before. I also noticed some subtle punk influences in a few sections, but overall, this album is a very polished pop record that mixes 70s classic rock with reggae influences.
A solid album with a couple of familiar songs. Overall, I like The Police though they aren't super exciting.
# The Enduring Legacy of *Reggatta de Blanc*: A Comprehensive Analysis of The Police's Sophomore Masterpiece The Police’s 1979 sophomore album *Reggatta de Blanc* stands as a pivotal work that solidified the band’s transition from punk-infused newcomers to genre-defying innovators. Released just a year after their debut *Outlandos d’Amour*, the album refined their signature fusion of reggae, rock, and new wave while introducing atmospheric depth and tighter musicianship. Chart-topping singles like “Message in a Bottle” and “Walking on the Moon” propelled the band to international fame, but the record’s lesser-known tracks reveal a trio grappling with creative growth under commercial pressures. This review dissects the album’s lyrical nuances, musical experimentation, production ethos, thematic undercurrents, and lasting influence, ultimately arguing that *Reggatta de Blanc* remains both a product of its time and a timeless blueprint for genre synthesis. --- ## Musical Composition: Bridging Punk Energy and Reggae Grooves The Police’s musical evolution reaches its first zenith on *Reggatta de Blanc*, where Stewart Copeland’s frenetic drumming, Andy Summers’ textured guitar work, and Sting’s melodic basslines coalesce into a taut yet expansive sound. The opening track, “Message in a Bottle,” exemplifies this synthesis. Summers’ shimmering arpeggios intertwine with Copeland’s machine-gun snare fills, creating a paradoxical sense of urgency and isolation that mirrors Sting’s lyrical themes of alienation[4][5]. The song’s coda—a repeated “Sending out an SOS”—transforms into a hypnotic mantra through layered guitar overdubs and vocal harmonies, showcasing the band’s studio ingenuity despite their limited £6,000–£9,000 budget[2][5]. Reggae influences permeate the album, most overtly in “The Bed’s Too Big Without You,” where Sting’s syncopated bassline and Summers’ offbeat chords pay homage to Jamaican rocksteady. However, the band avoids mere imitation by injecting punk aggression, particularly in Copeland’s explosive fills during the bridge[1][4]. Similarly, the title track “Reggatta de Blanc” leans into instrumental experimentation, blending reggae’s rhythmic bounce with psychedelic guitar washes and free-form vocalizations (“Eeyo, eeyo, eeyo-yo”). This track, alongside the brooding semi-instrumental “Deathwish,” highlights the trio’s improvisational chemistry, with Summers later recalling that these jams emerged spontaneously during studio sessions[1][2]. Not all experiments succeed. Copeland’s “On Any Other Day” leans heavily on music-hall piano and slapstick lyrics about suburban malaise, its jaunty tone clashing with the album’s darker undercurrents. While the track showcases Copeland’s irreverent humor, its cabaret-style delivery feels incongruous alongside Sting’s introspective songwriting[1][5]. Conversely, “Bring on the Night” repurposes a discarded composition from Sting’s pre-Police band Last Exit, transforming its grim origins into a reggae-rock anthem buoyed by Summers’ staccato chord stabs and Copeland’s tom-tom flourishes[2][5]. --- ## Lyrical Themes: Isolation, Alienation, and Fleeting Connection Sting’s lyrics on *Reggatta de Blanc* oscillate between poetic vulnerability and cringe-worthy contrivance. The iconic “Walking on the Moon” pairs a haunting bassline with lyrics that juxtapose cosmic wonder (“Giant steps are what you take”) with mundane anxiety (“I hope my legs don’t break”). While the verses’ literal imagery has drawn criticism[1], the chorus’s minimalist repetition of “Walking on the moon” evokes the existential loneliness of space travel, a metaphor for emotional detachment[4][5]. This thematic thread continues in “Message in a Bottle,” where Sting’s castaway narrator shifts from despair (“A hundred billion castaways”) to cautious optimism (“I’ll send an SOS to the world”), mirroring the band’s own journey from club-circuit obscurity to stardom[5]. Interpersonal estrangement surfaces in “The Bed’s Too Big Without You,” a breakup ballad steeped in reverb-drenched melancholy. Sting’s doubled vocals during the chorus (“It’s the big bed, baby / That’s driving me mad”) amplify the song’s claustrophobic intimacy, though the track’s reggae beat prevents it from descending into maudlin territory[1][5]. Less effective are Copeland’s lyrical contributions: “Does Everyone Stare” marries a collegiate piano riff to observational humor about social awkwardness, but lines like “My fine young son has turned out gay” reflect outdated stereotypes that undermine the song’s playful intent[5]. The album’s most perplexing moment arrives with “Contact,” a Copeland-penned ode to casual sex that pairs a driving rhythm with cringe-inducing couplets (“I like the jeans you’re wearing / I like the way you fill them”). While arguably intentional in its crassness, the track clashes with Sting’s more nuanced explorations of human connection[5]. --- ## Production and Atmosphere: Lo-Fi Ingenuity and Cohesive Mood Recorded in just four weeks at Surrey Sound Studios with producer Nigel Gray, *Reggatta de Blanc* benefits from the band’s insistence on creative control over lavish production. The sparse arrangements—often featuring nothing beyond guitar, bass, drums, and occasional synth pads—create a claustrophobic yet immersive atmosphere. Gray’s decision to record Sting’s vocals with heavy plate reverb on “Walking on the Moon” lends the track an otherworldly quality, while Copeland’s drum sound—dry and punchy, with minimal compression—preserves the raw energy of their live performances[2][4]. This minimalist approach occasionally backfires. “It’s Alright for You” suffers from muddy guitar tones and a compressed dynamic range, with Sting’s vocal buried beneath Copeland’s overzealous snare work[5]. Conversely, the instrumental “Reggatta de Blanc” thrives on its live-in-the-studio spontaneity, capturing the band’s telepathic interplay as they shift from dub-inspired verses to frenzied punk choruses[1][2]. The album’s sequencing enhances its thematic coherence. Side A’s opening trio—“Message in a Bottle,” “Reggatta de Blanc,” and “It’s Alright for You”—builds momentum through contrasting textures, while Side B’s melancholic stretch (“Bring on the Night,” “Deathwish,” “Walking on the Moon”) deepens the album’s introspective mood. This deliberate flow marked a significant progression from the scattershot feel of *Outlandos d’Amour*, reflecting the band’s growing confidence in album-length storytelling[1][4]. --- ## Themes and Influence: Blueprint for 1980s Genre Fusion *Reggatta de Blanc*’s fusion of punk, reggae, and pop foreshadowed the genre-blurring ethos of 1980s new wave. Tracks like “Message in a Bottle” demonstrated that reggae rhythms could anchor chart-topping rock songs, a formula later adopted by bands ranging from The Clash (“Rock the Casbah”) to UB40[3][5]. The album’s atmospheric tendencies—particularly Summers’ use of chorus and delay effects—also influenced post-punk acts like Echo & the Bunnymen and The Cure, who similarly prioritized mood over technical virtuosity[3]. The Police’s minimalist trio format became a template for 1980s acts seeking commercial viability without sacrificing artistic credibility. Bands like Rush and Primus drew inspiration from Copeland’s polyrhythmic drumming and Sting’s melodic basslines, while the album’s emphasis on studio experimentation over live tracking presaged the home-recording revolution of the digital age[3][5]. --- ## Critical Analysis: Strengths and Limitations **Pros:** - **Genre Innovation:** The album’s seamless blending of reggae, punk, and pop set a new standard for cross-cultural rock music, expanding the genre’s possibilities beyond three-chord aggression. - **Cohesive Atmosphere:** Unlike their debut, *Reggatta de Blanc* sustains a unified mood through careful sequencing and textural consistency, particularly on Side B’s haunting second half. - **Musical Chemistry:** Copeland, Summers, and Sting perform with telepathic precision, whether locked into reggae grooves (“The Bed’s Too Big Without You”) or unleashing punk ferocity (“It’s Alright for You”). **Cons:** - **Lyrical Missteps:** Sting’s occasional reliance on clumsy metaphors (“Walking on the Moon”) and Copeland’s dated humor (“On Any Other Day”) undermine the album’s emotional resonance. - **Filler Tracks:** Instrumentals like “Deathwish” and throwaways like “Contact” lack the melodic sophistication of the album’s singles, suggesting a rushed creative process. - **Uneven Production:** While generally strong, the mix falters on rock-oriented tracks, with Summers’ guitar often drowned out by Copeland’s drums. --- ## Conclusion: A Foundation for Global Domination *Reggatta de Blanc* remains a testament to The Police’s ability to transform stylistic restlessness into coherent artistry. Despite its flaws—the half-baked instrumentals, the lyrical misfires—the album captures a band refining their identity under mounting commercial expectations. Tracks like “Message in a Bottle” and “Walking on the Moon” endure as blueprints for intelligent pop craftsmanship, while deeper cuts foreshadow the jazz-inflected explorations of later albums like *Synchronicity*. For all its contradictions, *Reggatta de Blanc* solidified The Police’s place in rock history, proving that genre boundaries could be dissolved without sacrificing emotional depth or musical rigor.
generally, i like the police, but i mostly max out at a like. they have some terrific songs but often i find that their albums get marred down by their pretension. their highs are high, their lows are... boring and eye-rolling. this album is no exception. the two smash hits off of this, 'message in a bottle,' and 'walking on the moon,' are great. most of the album tracks are fine. good even. but did we need stewart copeland's off-kilter, off-tune singing on this one? did we? eh. anyways. it's a solid enough album. there's nothing here that is even close to horrendous, but it's not my favorite police album and it ends up firmly in the 'good, not great' camp for me.
Nice trip down memory lane..this is the 1st album I can remember liking due to my older brothers *then* good taste in music. Still holds up pretty well.
I am a victim of the popularity of The Police's overly common hit singles. You can't escape them and I would be fine never hearing Roxanne, or Every Breath you Take again. As such I was kind of turned off from exploring the deeper catalogue. Pure over saturation. This album is great and I am glad I gave it a go! and Copeland lights up every track.
4 sterne
Seems a little top heavy, as are albums with breakout major hits. But deep tracks still solid.
Whimsical and pretty
Pretty freaking nice
Played this to death back in the day still have vinyl Stand out tracks are Message in a Bottle Bring on the Night Beds to Big Without You Sting definitely the better songwriter
This is exactly what I imagine the 80s sounded like
I really enjoyed this album. Of course, I am familiar the hits/singles, but they bring much of the same character throughout the whole record along with a vibe that is distinctly theirs. I still don't quite know what to make of them. Clearly, they are all very talented, and Sting's vocal range and playfulness kept me interested throughout.
Have this on vinyl but was happy to listen again.
Exemplary musicianship. I had a great time listening to Stewart Copeland's drumming. I enjoy how tight and yet rough around the edges this album is. It feels real. Created by some seriously good musicians who clearly love pushing the boundaries of what they want to do.
Track opening and closing the album are really great. Some of my favourites for a long time. The rest of the album had a great vibe but not as re listenable as the singles.
Message in a Bottle is one of my all-time favourite songs (just to get that out of the way). I didn't know the album as a whole. I've decided it's a bit like early U2: loads of energy, fast songs and interesting guitars, but you can tell that there's a serious, ponderous brain at work somewhere in the background. The result is good, although I prefer early U2, who seemed to have a clearer direction, and hit me more in the feels, as they say nowadays. This is fresh and fun, though, with its interesting mix of pop, punk and African influences. There are one or two overly-experimental moments which probably are best forgotten (plonky piano on Does Everyone Stare being a case in point) and the last track is a bit of a mess, but overall I liked it. (MIAB is still the best thing on it by miles, though, imo)
Very good album
Nice album! Not as cliché as expected.
More reggie then expected
Ännu ett riktigt bra album! Stewart Copeland är så jävla bra. Ibland tycker jag mixen känns lite "tunn" och jag är faktiskt inte något stort fan av sting som sångare. Det till trots så är låtarna tillräckligt bra för att bära helhetsupplevelsen. Landar på någonstans mellan 3-4, får bli en 4a.
Älskar detta rakt igenom. Kreativt, hits, deep cuts, knäppt, catchigt
Feels slightly odd to suggest that this kind of reggae influenced post punk and new wave (made by white guys) is what I prefer to straight reggae (most likely made by black guys), but the variety on this album is what sets it apart from the admittedly very small amount of traditional reggae that I've listened to. A major gripe that I've had with the genre was the sameness of the songs, but this album does not have that problem at all. And Stewart Copeland is one hell of a drummer. To be honest this album would be getting a positive review just on the strength of Message in a Bottle alone, but there's still more here to enjoy. 4 stars. Pretty iconic album cover as well.
Message in a bottle is one of the greatest opening tracks of any album. The rest of the album is also good, but none of the songs come close to Message in a bottle.
Message In A Bottle, the ska influence in the vocals are strong, borderline problematic in 2025 lol. They can really write a pre chorus! “I hope that someone gets my” building up like that really gets you riled up. When the title is sung it’s almost underwhelming, but it works because then all the energy comes back in for the verses. All the instrumentation is so tight, especially in the repetition at the end. The solo guitar licks are tasteful and nicely placed in the production. Reggatta De Blanc, title track, immediately the drums are incredible, soooo tight so fast. The “lyrics” all the way through are just vocalisations, well interesting. Not what i was expecting at all. The harmony used on them is great. This is a celebration song. It’s Alright For You, this is a rock-pop tune. Everyone in the band are locked in from the get go. It explodes into the song. Lyricism is nothing ground breaking but its chorus is fucking catchy. It’s like spoken poetry for majority. Bring On The Night, the tension with the guitar is so fun. The lyrics make it quite sad, but then the ska rhythm contradicts that. So from what he’s saying, “couldn’t stand another hour of daylight” makes you worry for him but the groove makes it sound like he’s ready to party so “bring on the night”. There’s some more tension made by the guitar about half way through. I like it. Deathwish, this is about being a reckless driver. They’re a male band in there 20s gotta write what you know i guess lol. Again as always with The police, the bass is beautiful, drums are tight and guitar adds to it all but doesn’t run the show. I appreciate their talent for sure. Walking On The Moon, i’m seeing this as a song about wanted life to work out for you even if your taking risks. You got to have a lot of courage to follow the arts, “some may say i’m wishing my days away”. I think they did the right thing, if that’s even what this is about, could be missing it by miles. Love the outro, they do them very well too, make them memorable. On Any Other Day, what an opening. “you want something corny you got it” looool they delivered. I’m assuming this is a response to people saying they steal from genres that aren’t theirs??! i’m truly guessing and not looking it up. So they wrote lyrically, a cookie cutter pop tune. The only difference you can tell is that the instruments are played at an extremely high technical level. I like it. The Beds To Big, the jamaican twang of his singing in this one is getting to me a little. slightly cringe. You can use the rhythm and instrumentation of a genre of course, inspired by is fine but copying the inflections of an accent is a bit far for my pc ass in 2025. These boys can really play ska tho, clearly came natural/they worked v hard. Concept is regretful love song and it’s good. Contact, this is quite fun, short and sweet. Love the melody rhythm, it’s interesting. Quite talky this one. We are back to some punk rock genre. Sting can play the damn bass for real , shock lol. Does Everyone Stare, this is a musical jazz number??? This feels like a swing to the right but there’s still the syncopation they love present. Key changes happening makes this demand your attention, and the harmony, and the drum fills. I enjoy this one I love that they just tried something different ish. No Time This Time. Oh it’s time to mosh. It’s so fucking fast. Great way to end the album. “I’d slow the whole word down….i’d stop it spinning round”. Everyone still feels there’s no time for anything 45 years later. A timeless statement of a song, vocals are great, big harmonies in a decent and fast pace chatter. Brilliant guitar solo, very impressive bass work, drums are phenomenal, that fill at 2:50mins damn! The police did a big one with this. Look I know The Police cos of my dad first and foremost, so i have always had a soft spot for them cos he loves em. Now I know sting hasn’t been the most loved celeb over the years but him, Stewart Copeland and Andy summers could write and play the fuck out of their ska/punk/pop songs. And i’m happy for them and I like this album.
One of my favorite bands. Not my favorite of theirs, but still great IMO
I'll send an SOS to the world! I can confidently say this is an album that truly belongs here.
Some great singles and performances, but there's a lot of halfway house tracks that just facilitate a cool riff to be turned into a full track without anything more to them.
Funny British man (Sting) singing reggae Amazing drumming from Stewart Copeland Very full sound from a trio Andy Summers' great guitar tone Sting's beautiful voice
Pretty solid. Gotta love the sound, even if it is a bit one-note. More classics for a good reason.
good, cool, was interesting
8/10. This seems like a great album to listen to while trimming your toenails. No, I didn't trim my toenails while listening to this album, it's just a thought. It doesn't have to do with the music...actually, never mind, just listen to the music. If you don't like it, then just go out looking for Sting's SOS to the world, and listen to your Beatles. I'll be here, vibing to the Police. :)
Despite the presence of a couple songs that are among the best in their catalogue, this has a fascinating unevenness to it where you can almost hear the band struggling with, but ultimately, finding their way through, their sophomore slump. It was really the only time in their career, brief though it was, that they came in not sure what to record, but they became a better band for it.
i like how the drum rhyme with that extraordinary guitar riff
Rock, 1979 -> 4
The Police have a sound that is unmistakeably, authentically them. Sting's voice & rhythmic splashes of bass, Andy Summer's slinky reverberated guitar, all brought together by some really clever drumming patterns thanks to Stewart Copeland. Really enjoyed this album, even though only 3 songs truly stood out. It started off as though an album built for stadium/ live show, with the way Sting's vocals sit almost at the back of your ears like they would in a large room full of people. But it constantly changes, as did tempo, and occasionally the tone with some lyrics being a lot harsher and in your face. I like that a lot, because although the album was taking you on this journey, evolving as the songs went on, at no point did I not know who the band was. They were always, without a doubt in my mind, The Police. You can't mistake it. I enjoyed this album more than I thought I would.
Actually pretty fire. Really liked it actually!
Yah.
Message In A Bottle and Walking On The Moon are real hits!
This is one of those albums I know by heart and I know exactly which songs are brilliant without even looking at the playlist. Message in a Bottle Bring on the Night Bed’s Too Big Without You They all play so well on this album. So many great bass lines and guitar riffs and Copeland's drumming...outstanding!
Banger
The Police. Название звучит слегка угрожающе. Всё, что я знал об этой группе ранее, что это панки новой волны из Великобритании. Но вот я включаю их второй альбом «Reggatta de Blanc» и сразу же получаю два сюрприза: во-первых, это вообще не панк. Во-вторых, солистом группы оказывается Стинг. Да-да, тот самый сэр Гордон Самнер, который позже будет петь про розу в пустыне, как будто это дзен-медитация. Начало альбома — три трека, которые звучат так, будто кто-то взял одну длинную песню и просто порезал её на куски. Пришлось даже пару раз свериться с плейлистом, чтобы понять, это другая уже композиция началась или всё ещё та же самая. И только ближе к середине начинаешь понимать, что The Police — это не про хаос, это про контроль. Их музыка — это танец на грани между жёстким роком и расслабленным… рэгги. Да-да, рэгги. Этот альбом настолько пропитан ямайскими ритмами, что в какой-то момент я почти услышал голос Боба Марли. Представьте себе: панки в отпуске, в гавайской рубашке, с коктейлями в руках. Вот и весь Reggatta de Blanc. Главные жемчужины альбома — «Walking on the Moon» и «The Bed’s Too Big Without You». В них чувствуется, что The Police нашли свою формулу: гипнотический бас, синкопированные ритмы и голос Стинга, который звучит, как ангел, застрявший в телефонной будке. В итоге Reggatta de Blanc — это настоящий коктейль из контрастов: рок и рэгги, серьёзность и лёгкость, революция и релаксация. Возможно, он не станет вашим любимым альбомом, но точно заставит задуматься, как далеко можно зайти, если смешать несмешиваемое.
A great Police album. It starts off great with Message In A Bottle, and ends it with No Time This Time, both solid songs. The album's title track is so, so good, even for being an instrumental. In between are a great example of what The Police were doing, bringing radio-friendly reggae to the world. Even the album's title, translates loosely to White Reggae, or maybe that IS the translation. That's what their early sound was, white boy reggae. Not that it's cultural appropriation or whatever people call it these days, it's more of a tribute to a great genre of music and bringing it to the masses in an approachable way. I don't blame them for playing music they like, and made it radio-friendly. This was happening a lot in late 70's Britain. The Specials, Madness, etc.. were all making similar music. The Police just softened up the ska and reggae sound and sold a lot of records. This album was followed up by Zenyatta Mondatta which is nowhere as good as this one. Their pièce de résistance would come a few years later with Synchronicity, which is on this list too and it truly is an album you must hear before you die. Is this album worthy of a must listen before you die title? Yeah....kinda. Must hear tracks: Message In A Bottle Reggatta De Blanc Deathwish Walking On The Moon 4/5
+5 stars for Message In A Bottle. What a great fucking song. -1 star for On Any Other Day. What a stupid fucking song.
норм
[7/10] Did not know that the police were a white boy reggae band but there it is in the album title
Great album, not only based on Message, but also with such admirable compositions as Regatta, The bed's, Deathwish and of course Bring On The Night. Almost a five. For saying the truth a 4.2
Good album, surprising favorite it’s alright for you
This is #day141 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... somebody, call The Police! Now, Sting is a musician I get to associate with my childhood and early teenage years, like, his work on Brand New Day ("Desert Rose" still gives me goosebumps) and Sacred Love (I remember watching "Stolen Car (Take Me Dancing)" on TV and hearing "Send Your Love" on the radio). There was also, of course, Leon and "Shape of My Heart." I even remember a mash-up of Every Breath You Take by P. Diddy (just checked, it was called "I'll Be Missing You"), which wasn't exactly the ideal introduction to The Police, but I think I also recall Message in a Bottle from somewhere. I only hope it was the original version! Why do I remember so much? Or, rather, why do I link so many memories to music? I’ve come to appreciate The Police relatively late, probably in my '20s, but I do love them. Not sure if Sting's presence influences that, but when I listen to their music, it just feels like home. Songs like Walking on the Moon with its atmospheric groove, and "Bed's Too Big Without You" with its mix of reggae and post-punk influence have a timeless quality. That said, I guess I'll always prefer Synchronicity, the band's swansong and peak in terms of musical exploration and lyrical depth, or its more experimental predecessor "Ghost in the Machine." The Police had a knack for mixing pop, rock, and reggae in a way that feels fresh decades later. As for this album, it still holds its own with classic hits and some lesser-known gems, which is why it earns a 4 out of 5. Looking forward to #day142.
It's like the music of this older Police album has a thinner sound, but the songs are still good.
Another tour de force for a power house of the 80s
That's jaunty!
Closer to a 5 than a 3.
Nice. I quite enjoyed this one! I only knew 2 songs - Message In A Bottle (banging tune) and Walking On The Moon. But the rest of the album was catchy and upbeat 4 ⭐️
This album was really good. I might start exploring The Police now to be honest. I vibed with most of the songs they were great. I really loved Bring On The Night, Walking On The Moon, and On Any Other Day to name a few. No Time This Time was a great way to end the album. Overall I really enjoyed nearly every track on the album and it has no skips for the most part.
Message in a bottle still bangs after all these years. What a way to start an album! the 2 big hits stand this album up on their own. the Jamaican influence is evident. Probably a 3.5, but I have given it a 4 because of the 2 standout tracks
Until now I really only knew their big hits and I was neutral at best with those. Overall, I enjoyed this album though. More than I thought I was going to. This is a high 3 for me, but I’m giving it a 4 for exceeding my expectations.
This album is an easy 5/5 thinking of it on its time. But of course sound wise maybe it loses half star compared to Synchronicity which is an easy 5/5 from all perspectives. Music wise, this is just genius. All instruments sound so much fun to listen or to play! The voice and armonies on point, and the music very touching. Also impressive the amount of influences from different styles. 4,5/5
Well Sting is always welcome to my ears. I first saw him in Monty Python’s Secret Policeman’s Other Ball and I was stunned by his voice and ethereal beauty. Message in A Bottle is iconic. 4/5 (saving 5/5 for Barbra or Neil or Sarah or Glenn)
Definitely a really good album. Will be adding a few songs to the playlist.
The Police and Sting's songs are my guilty pleasure. I don't know why but something is always very interesting about those. Also, as a guitarist myself, the guitar work in this band was always extremely fun and intricate. I almost broke a joint (or at least that's how it felt) while trying to play Message In A Bottle. Anyway, great record!
Hab mich sehr gefreut, weil ich großer Fan von Message in a Bottle bin. Der Rest des Albums konnte leider nicht mit dem restlichen Album mithalten. Songs der Playlist hinzugefügt: Message in a Bottle
Good album.
Always happy to see The Police pop up. I only knew “Message in a Bottle” but I enjoyed the rest as well.
Message in a bottle starts off the album amazingly but then nothing reaches it’s quality, walking on the moon comes close but not quite. But side one is genuinely great (just realised walking on the moon is side two but it should’ve closed side one), then it’s quite bad honestly it feels like reverse synchronicity 4/5 cuz of strong side 1 though
I enjoyed it more than I thought I would... Nice
The hits are all great. The reagge tone to a lot of the album is very enjoyable. I dig it!
Long time ago.... Still nice to hear.
I like later Police better but this is good
starts off pretty strong, ends off pretty strong, weird reggae in the middle
Timeless
Uno de los icónicos álbumes de esta gran banda que Sting encarna tan acertadamente. Su música es innegable mente adictiva y de allí su gran exito. El bajo y la percusión dominantes hacen que el cuerpo se mueva solo. De cinco estrellas los premio con cuatro, bien puestos.
The Police did sold great stuff and this album is the best showcase for that. It also showed what Sting was able to pull off years later.
A big player. My wife has all the lyrics down pat, and when I fired this up on the hi-fi, hips were in full sway. That alone gets them 4 stars.
Leaving aside the question of cultural appropriation (at least they were honest in the album titling), this was a high-performing band, perhaps even overachieving. They seemed to have a plan and executed with very few missteps. "Message" and "Walking on the Moon" and "Bed's Too Big" are all excellent and the rest is solid-plus. In retrospect, it seems utterly unsurprising that they would seen be the best band in the world for a brief shining moment in time.
Some great singles and some ok other songs
Great playing by all the musicians, though.
The Police’s second studio album marks a pretty significant leap forward from their debut, showcasing the band refining their distinctive blend of reggae, punk, and new wave into something truly flavourful. From the opening moments of “Message in a Bottle,” there’s a sense that the band has tapped into something deeper, both musically and emotionally. What stands out most across the album is the unique “flavour” of the sound — a spicy, sun-soaked fusion that feels equal parts Caribbean and British post-punk. It’s this unmistakable sonic identity that makes the record so appealing, even when its edges are a bit rough. The title track, “Reggatta de Blanc,” is a highlight not just for its hypnotic instrumental repetition but for how it distills the band’s chemistry into pure vibe. Sting’s melodic basslines and distinctive vocal phrasing dance around Andy Summers’ sharp, delay-drenched guitar, all while Stewart Copeland’s drumming anchors the rhythm with an agile looseness. The interplay here isn’t just tight, it’s flavourful in a way that invites the listener to sink into the sound, like swaying in humid air with nothing to do but move. There’s also a deeper emotional pull to some of the songwriting that wasn’t as pronounced on “Outlandos d’Amour”. “Bring on the Night” and “Walking on the Moon” both stretch out into moodier territory, and their more spacious arrangements make room for atmosphere to bloom. It’s not just about catchy hooks - although there are plenty - it’s about the texture, the feel. You can practically taste the reverb and delay, and the way Sting leans into his vocals gives the whole thing an edge that’s sultry rather than aggressive. That said, the album isn’t perfect. There are moments when the songwriting feels secondary to the sonic experimentation, and a couple of tracks blur together without leaving a strong impression. Still, even at its less memorable points, “Reggatta de Blanc” retains that essential “flavour”; that sense of something new, exciting, and slightly exotic. In the end, this album earns a 4 star rating from me. Not just for its hits but for its sense of place and identity. It’s an album that sounds like no one else - even The Police themselves would evolve into something slicker and more polished in later years. But here, in this sweet spot of experimentation and raw talent, they crafted something genuinely special. The flavour lingers long after the music stops. 4/5
Great sound, with some really catchy songs. One of the "new wave" bands that really transcended the sounds of the day.
81% Best: Message In A Bottle; Walking On The Moon; The Bed's Too Big Without You; Does Everybody Stare Must-Hear? Sure, I guess?
4.5 stars. White reggae, a great album. I enjoy the instrumental aspects of this a lot but Sting is a bit more mood-dependent for me. At times he's great and I can appreciate his singing and other times he's grating, but that's more due to my personal taste. Overall this is a fun listen. "Walking On The Moon" is the standout, with the musical/instrumental aspects of "Deathwish" making it a hidden gem.
Love it
I think I prefer older Police than Synchronicity, though I gave that a 4. Coming back to the Police after a long time, I'm enjoying it so far, I think this is another 4 album for me.
This is not a perfect album. They're not quite at their final-form, but they're still writing interesting songs, and they're playing tight as hell. It's a mostly a 3-star album, with two ridiculously strong songs in Message In A Bottle and Walking on the Moon. Bumps it up to 3.5, and I'll go ahead and round up to 4.
So much better than synchronicity
отличный альбом для весёлого настроения 8/10
always has and always will be a banger of an album truely iconic
This is the very first album that I remember getting. Guess it must have been Christmas 1979 which made me 8 years old and I loved it mainly cause of message in a bottle and walking on the moon. Listening today it still sounds great but at least I now don’t have to deal with the cassette getting stuck in the player and using a biro to wind it back up 😂
Fine album.
good rock high energy
Visit all right album with a couple of total classic hits. It's interesting to hear the title track, which I don't believe I've ever heard before, and then there's also a couple of things where it sounds like they're emulating other hits of the day. Like Billy Joel, we didn't start the fire. Overall it's not as full and Rich and deep a sound as I prefer these days. But I do very much remember playing this on repeat when I was in high school.
LP
Very fun album but only one real banger. High 4
3/5
When you get a Police album, you know exactly what to expect, yet it doesn't bore. They just have such a distinctive sound, which is displayed in a variety of ways on this record.
Really really liked this album - reggae overtones hit well, beds too big without you was a lot of fun. Need to listen to more of the police! 4
Calling this white reggae is pretty much accurate. It’s pretty good though. Sting’s voice is instantly recognizable. My biggest complaint is they don’t really know how to end songs. Every single song ends in a fade-out without much of any outro at all. This wouldn’t be that much of an issue if it wasn’t the case for every single song on the album. Favorites were Message In A Bottle, It’s Alright For You, Deathwish, and No Time This Time.
Je pensais que Synchronicity allait être mon album préféré de The Police, mais Reggata De Blanc est vraiment supérieur. Globalement c'est tellement un album qui a une meilleure consistance, les compositions sont plus intéressantes, moins de trucs expérimentaux décevants, plus de focus en général. 8/10
Buenisimo
Pretty good album. Classic vibes
Classic oldie. 3.75/5
I liked the drums, also didn’t realize message in a bottle was one of their songs
I grew up in a pretty conservative household in which I wasn’t allowed to listen to anything but Christian music. One of the first secular rock songs I remember hearing and being obsessed with was Message In A Bottle. It’s just so infectious, perfect guitar part with perfect drumming and bass playing with perfect singing with perfectly interesting lyrics. I love that song so much, and I think it’s the Police’s best. I also think this album as a whole is their best. I’m not sure that The Police had a bonafide masterpiece, but this was their closest. Its first half is amazing but tapers off a bit in my opinion. Still great.
Da staune ich - steht bei mir nicht im Regal zwischen den anderen Police-Scheiben. Da muss ich aber Abhilfe schaffen.
норм мне понравки , расщедрюсь ради стинга
Just great music from Sting and the boys. It's going into my collection. Five stars.
Vet. Vooral de drumpartijën maakten dit voor mij een hele cool project. Super creatief. Op een of andere manier dit album altijd vermeden maar ik vond t erg goed. Skuuuuu
A fun and sweet album with a unique cool atmosphere and style. Always very enjoyable feels like sailing a ship
"Reggatta de Blanc" is the second studio album by British rock band the Police. The Wiki-listed genres are new wave, reggae rock and post punk; I was curious as to the exact grouping of the Police. The album was produced by Nigel Gray and the Police and it was recorded in four weeks over a few months at Surrey Sound in Surrey, UK, which was low budget and allowed them more freedom. It shows on some of these songs. Commercially, it was their first album to top the UK charts and reached #25 in the US. The album received mostly positive reviews. The guitar and drums and then the bass and Stings 'Ohhhh' open "Message in the Bottle." A great mix of all the instruments. A tremendous vocal chorus and guitarist Andy Summmers at his best. It's the story of a castaway who sends a bottle seeking love and one year later wakes up to find a hundred billion washed-up bottles and realizes there are more lonely people than him. One of the Police's best and my favorite from them. "Reggatta de Blac" is mostly an instrumental song and was developed from stage jams of "Can't Stand Losing You." A song that best-features the band on their instruments. A nervous-sounding bass, slow drums and jazzy, echoing guitar create a foreboding atmosphere and begin "Bring on the Night." Layered vocals and the guitar switches to more reggae. Back to the echoing guitar. A song written three years earlier and based on Gary Gilmore, the US murderer who demanded his execution. "Walking on the Moon" was inspired by Sting's girlfriend and developed after getting drunk and walking around "the room." Well, moon sounds better than room and, now, this song makes sense. Thumping bass, reggae guitar slashes, various percussion sounds. "The Bed's Too Big Without You" has a repetitive drum and bass reggae beat and more of the jazzy, reggae guitar. It's a song that was inspired (wrong choice of words maybe) by Sting's first girlfriend who committed suicide after their break-up. There's some deeper meanings than I had originally thought in a few of these songs. The first side of this album is nearly flawless; the band is tight. There's a great mix of all the instruments, no overcrowding with the vocals and Andy Summer's guitar, in particular, shines. Mostly, the band just rocks. And then, we come to the second side.... poor Stuart Copeland. Yeah, two of the three songs he wrote just don't work. "Contact" is OK. Overall, the first side makes this album worth it and half the second side is decent.
Really cemented their classic sound with this album with Andy summer's unique guitar sound and style as well as Copeland's awesome drumming and some of Sting's best songs Not as consistent all the way through but most is still very good and enjoyable
4.5
4.5
Good stuff. New but familiar when first listened years ago.
Great album. Best tracks are Message In A Bottle and Walking On The Moon 4/5
3,7
Better than the other police album on this list by a country mile
The title track is exceptional. The rest of it, with the reggae schtick and Caribbean vocal affectation, gets old really quick.