2013-10-10
After a long hiatus, Sting returns with a series of songs for a play about shipbuilders in Newcastle (his home town)--their failing industry, lives, loves and families. It comes off as a soundtrack, and not especially riveting listening without the action on the stage. Only a couple of songs feel like they work apart from the action: "And Yet," which takes a Sting-classic jazz approach and "August Winds," a gorgeous number that stands alone. Sting handles all of the vocals here, with only two exceptions, and again, listening to the narrative about ships and harbors song after song doesn't give the disc-listener a lot with which to connect. I can imagine the production on stage going well, with this music the perfect companion. But alone, not as much. 10/13 Michael J.
OMAR TORREZ BAND
The Beat Outside
Various Artists
Sigmatropic: 16 Haiku & Other Stories
Imogen Heap
Speak For Yourself
Space Vs. Time
The Old and New Avant-Garde
LOVE FOSSIL
Scientists, Save Us!
CHANCE JONES
The Incident at Primrose and West
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