I have all of Sting's CDs except for the brand new one. I've only heard the single and, although his voice in in prime shape, the song was really dull. I'm just afraid that he's leaning more & more into the true pop realm.
Anyway, 'Blue Turtles' is, as always, fantastic. The song "Russians" is among his best. It also features some of his darker tunes "Childrens Crusade" and "We Work the Black Seam". Obviously, being his first solo album, it's quite close to later-era Police. Some of the songs would have fit perfectly on "Synchronicty".
"Mercury" is a severely underrated record. If you enjoy "SOul", you'll enjoy this one. Trust me. But what you REALLY need to do is find the singles that were released from this record (they're all still in print). The single for "You Still Touch Me" (a very good, but not spectacular, song) features two non-album Bsides that, in all honesty, would have been THE BEST songs on the record. They are "Pirate's Bride" & "Lullabye to an Anxious Child". These BOTH sound as if they're pulled directly off of Soul Cages!
"Ten Summoner's Tales" is, by far, his weakest effort. The singles were GREAT, but the remainder of the album is really pretty weak. Get this one last, if at all.
