record collections / colin .

Regatta de Blanc - The Police (1979) Their second album, Regatta de Blanc is a great combination of atmospheric songs ('Walking on the Moon') mixed with beautifully crafted pop gems ('Message in a Bottle'). The album is consistently expansive yet remains cohesive. The drony piano-driven 'Does Everyone Stare' is reminiscent of the Beatles, but is somehow followed quite nicely by the Zeppelin-esque 'Contact'. Sting's playful yet sincere lyrics ('this bed's too big without you') are complemented nicely with Andy Summers' hypnotic guitar lines. And Stewart Copeland's brilliant work on the hi-hats is repeatedly awing. Often clumped together due to their fusion of punk and reggae, I always found The Police to be more interesting than The Clash (but don't tell Ryan). Under-rated album gem: 'Bring on the Night'