CD
Retro Fan Review
While
reevaluating all of Sting’s original studio albums in the run-up to
his new release, 57th and 9th
(November 11), I was amazed to rediscover the brilliance of his third
solo album from a quarter century ago, The Soul Cages.
His
first and second records, The Dream of the Blue Turtles and
Nothing Like the Sun, have always held special places in my
heart, especially since they came out when I was in middle school and
high school, respectively.
But
I had forgotten what an amazing and incredible album The Soul
Cages is, with its pensive, brooding, and dark elegance and
eloquence.
The
title is no happenstance coincidence, as the record is the most
personal and soul-searching of Sting’s post-Police works. It is
also his most rocking album (when it rocks), with outstanding
musicianship from his band, including Dominic Miller at his best in
his first outing as Sting’s go-to guitarist.
In
terms of thematic concepts and sonic style, The Soul Cages,
which represents what a sixth original Police studio album might very
well have sounded like, is without a doubt Sting’s unparalleled
solo masterpiece.
As
an intriguing afterthought, the three solo Police albums that are the
most similar in terms of sound and feel are The Equalizer &
Other Cliffhangers (1988) by Stewart Copeland, The Golden Wire
(1989) by Andy Summers, and The Soul Cages (1991) by Sting.
--Raj
Manoharan
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