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.
Norah Jones
Feels Like Home
...AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD
The Century of Self
Serena Ryder
If Your Memory Serves You Well
THE GO-BETWEENS
That Striped Sunlight Sound
PAPERCUTS
You Can Have What You Want
DAN HICKS AND THE HOT LICKS
TANGLED TALES
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