Great Rock Albums of 1979: The Police- Regatta de Blanc

I was first introduced to The Police when a marine buddy suggested I listen to the song "Message in a Bottle" from this album. I won't go as far as to say I was hooked or converted but I did like the song enough to check out the rest of the album. What I found was a sound that I thought was different at the time and for me it worked. The marines had opened my eyes to many forms of music and although I already knew the musical path I wanted to take, I found myself liking this new sound called reggae, thanks to Bob Marley. Therefore, when the reggae-rock fusion from The Police reached my ears, I liked it.

"Regatta De Blanc" has not one but two number one singles on it, for those who think that's important. The track "Walking on the Moon" also reached that plateau although I feel it's not as good as "Message in a Bottle." What I like about this album is how the tracks seem to alternate between a rock and a reggae sound. There is a definite reggae influence in the two hit singles but a more rockier feel in songs such as "Its All Right For You," "Contact" and "Ne Time This Time." With my old man's head on, I theorize that The Police were still looking for which direction they wanted to go with this album. My belief is this album should have been the direction they eventually went. 

Track Listing:

1. Message in a Bottle

2. Regatta De Blanc

3. Its All Right For You

4. Bring on the Night

5. Deathwish

6. Walking on the Moon

7. On Any Other Day

8. The Bed's Too Big Without You

9. Contact

10. Does Everyone Stare

11. No Time This Time

The Police

Sting- bass, lead and backing vocals

Andy Summers- guitar, piano

Stewart Copeland- drums, guitar on verses and chorus of "Its All Right for You", lead vocals on "On Any Other Day"

A few years after this album, in my mind and the minds of many others, The Police would eventually sell out and become another top forty band. However, this album reminds me of another time and it's these memories that I will always keep. 

Next post: Fleetwood Mac- Tusk

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