Just Gets Better and Better

This is an amazing body of work. The songs are not only thought provoking but will make you dance with sheer joy! This is one of his best. You will love it!!!

My second favorite Sting Cd

Nothing can compare to Nothing like the Sun but this comes pretty darn close. I have been playing it now nonstop for a week and still love it! Worth every penny and more!

WARNING: NOT SACD as stated in other review

I ordered this Japanese import CD based on the only other review (at the time) which states that this is a hybrid SACD. It is not. I thought maybe the Amazon information was wrong, so I took a chance based on that review. No luck, just a plain old CD.

Now for the really bad news: This album is a major disappointment. Before diehard Sting fans dismiss this review out of hand, let me first say that I am a long-time Sting fan. I have every one of his albums, most in multiple editions. I have the original releases, Mobile Fidelity gold discs, "the Sting remasters", lp records, and various rare imported editions. I have a collection of almost all of his singles as well. He has a great many wonderful B-sides. I have attended many Sting concerts as well. I love Sting's music. As I recall Sting's earlier albums, each one has maybe one or two songs on it that I don't care for--the rest are great. But when I listen to this album, I honestly cannot say I like any of the songs. So what's wrong with this album?

The first track, "Inside", starts out sounding very similar to "Desert Rose", alright but not very original--but by the end of the song it kind of turns into Nine Inch Nails lite: "annihilate me, infiltrate me,incinerate me, accelerate me, mutilate me..."etc.
The second track, "Send Your Love", is alright, but nothing more. Certainly not top notch Sting.
"Whenever I Say Your Name" starts off wonderful, but after the first verse it starts to fall apart to my ears. There are parts of the song where the lyrics become unintelligible. The song has a lot of promise, but it just sounds like neither Sting nor Mary J. Blige put a lot of heart into their performances. Strange.
"Dead Man's Rope" is not bad, but not spectacular either.
"Never Coming Home", "Stolen Car", in a word; boring.
"Forget About the Future" and especially "This War" may come as a shock to long-time Sting fans accustomed to his political songs criticizing third-world dictators and torturers("They Dance Alone", "Fragile")--this time he seems to support the dictator! Rather than write a song about Saddam Hussein and his party raping and torturing Iraqi civilians, Sting chooses to attack President Bush. Odd. I guess politics is more important than right and wrong. And I always find it amusing when millionaire rock stars criticize others for being rich. Kind of hypocritical, huh? "Russians" was a great political song. "This War" sucks. Sorry, Sting, but until you become an American citizen, you have no business insulting our President. Pick on Tony Blair. If you have a problem with Bush's policies, that's cool, but don't insult his integrity or his religion. And remember this, it's always easy to tell someone else to turn the other cheek. If it was London and Liverpool that suffered terrorist attacks and not New York and Washington, do you honestly believe that you could turn the other cheek? I think not.

"The Book of My Life"; boring.
"Sacred Love" is pretty good, but I expected better from Sting.
The Japanese version also contains the bonus tracks "Shape of My Heart"(live), "Like a Beautiful Smile", and "Moon Over Bourbon street"(Cornelius mix). Nothing essential here. The Cornelius mix of "Bourbon Street" is dumb. Sorry, but it is dumb.

Throughout the album it seems to my ears that Sting has lost something in his voice. It seems the passion is gone. The whole album seems forced, like he was contractually obligated to do this album, not like he wanted to. It seems a little bit fake, like a middle aged, bored rock star just trying to pay his bills. This is the first Sting album that really dissappointed me. I hope he gets back into the studio to work on the next album soon. And before you think that I'm just mad because Sting insulted President Bush, consider this: I believe he has a right to say anything he wants, but that right does not make what he says right. I think Sting is completely wrong on Bush, but if what he says was legitimate--or even original--I would be willing to listen. Unfortunately, Sting's opinion is neither. Hey, I love Sting's music, but I wouldn't be me if I didn't call 'em like I see 'em. But disagreements do not change my opinion of Sting. I think Sting is one of the best performers and songwriters alive today. I place him in my personal upper echelon of U2, Peter Gabriel, J.J. Cale, Van Morrison, Crowded House, Bob Marley, Led Zeppelin. I still love most of Sting's music, but this album is a stinker. But I know any hardcore Sting fan will buy this album anyway. I'm just here to prepare you for the disappointment. Don't leave work early to go home and listen to this album. And bring a gas mask. Two stars--only because it's Sting--anybody else would get one star. Sorry, but I call 'em like I see 'em--or hear 'em.