Sting: The Soul Cages (1991) - Song Review

[caption id="attachment_557" align="alignright" width="307"] Official Score = 3 1/2 Devils[/caption]

Sting... What can I say about this guy? I mean sure, he doesn't play the type of head banging song that you would be more accustomed to, but he is that other side of the, 'Rock' genre... What I mean by that is this guys knows how to draw people in to some truly dramatic and some times heart wrenching music that can kick peoples ass... All while staying more closely in to the genres like, 'Soft Rock' and 'Jazz'!

And a great example of this is the song, 'The Soul Cages'...

Now to understand part of the reason why this song is so powerful is the fact that this song came out around the time that Sting's father had passed away, and had used his music as a way to deal with the passing, and it really shows in not just this album, but there is another album that definitely shows this as well... But we get in to this a little bit later.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Sting on, 'The Soul Cages' tour in the early 90s![/caption]

As for the song that I wanted to mention here, I wanted to mention, 'The Soul Cages', now when I first heard this song with my Dad back in the early 1990s I actually hadn't known about the back story and I just found this to be just a fun and interesting song with some great melodies, and some great lyrics that all connect to an amazing story that truly rocks!

Regardless, in my opinion this song is one of my favorites that he has ever produced, and if you are a fan of Sting's or are interested in getting in to the soft rock genre, then I would recommend checking this one out, it is well worth it!

http://youtu.be/3H22WKcLl4s

The Police - Zenyatta Mondatta: De Do Do Do De Da Da Da (1980) - Song Review

[caption id="attachment_330" align="alignright" width="220"] Official Score = 2 1/2 Devils[/caption]

Now you may and probably are wondering why I am doing a review for a, 'Police' song...  I mean they are not exactly hard core heavy metal, rock 'n roll, or even classic rock!

Well the reason that I thought that I would do a review for a song of theirs is because  they are, 'soft rock'... Or well this song is... and I would say that is probably about closer to what they are then the harder stuff, but the truth is, is they got some truly fun songs under their belt, that are well worth a listen if you get the chance!

And as a matter of fact, I would say from their catalog would be the song: 'De Do Do Do De Da Da Da' from their 1980 album, 'Zenyatta Mondatta'!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="320"] Zenyata Mondata... The name of the album that has, 'De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da' on it![/caption]

What makes this song so great, well this song was really well defining of the Police... Which I would define as a soft rock/alternative style sound... I mean they had infused in to a lot of their songs different elements from different musical styles, and I found that I particular liked this song... (well for me it was probably because I grew up listening to it when I would visit my dad.)

But besides that I was really impressed with the work that Sting did in writing the song... (In all fairness though I think that one of the best traits of, 'The Police' and later with Sting's solo career, is the interesting way that he can create these totally off the wall songs some times, and yet make them sound completely awesome... And in some cases, poetic!)

But for this song I found it to be of particular note, because (and I could be wrong) but I kind of feel like since this was the song that helped not only introduce me to the work of a musician that I have been a fan of since I was barely out of diapers, but also it helped me see the world music beyond just the narrow minded scope of what could be defined as one's singular interests in music, and expanded my interests to the point where I can honestly say that I like most forms of music... With the exception of actual opera and country... And I hope one day to find an opera and a country music singer that I could enjoy!

In the end, if you haven't had a chance to listen to either, 'Sting' or, 'The Police' then I would recommend checking out this song, it is the one that introduced me to Sting in both his career in, 'The Police' and as a solo artist, and it might help you get in to his music as well!

http://youtu.be/7v2GDbEmjGE

Journey: Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) - (1983) - Song Review

[caption id="attachment_330" align="alignright" width="220"] Official Score = 2 1/2 Devils[/caption]

You know there is a lot of great tunes that have come out of the 1980s... Some might say that, the 80s was one of the last great decades for music... (I don't exactly agree with that myself though...)

Never the less there has been some truly classic bands and songs during this time period, including works from: Metallica, Dokken, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden... And that is just to name a few of the harder music! There have also been some truly awesome softer rock bands as well, including: The Police & Journey to name a few...

And speaking of Journey, I first got in to their work when I discovered through a friend of mine the, 'literal video' craze that had hit youtube a few years ago... I discovered this through the literal video version of Journey's song, 'Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)'... And you know what, despite the fact that this song was truly quite hilarious, I found that I really enjoyed the instrumentals in this song as well and went on a, 'Journey' of my own to try and find it!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="385"] Journey... A truly classic band with some truly classic tunes![/caption]

When I found the song itself, I found that I liked this song even more! The reason being is that I loved the soft rock lyrics that Steve Perry sang, but I also have to admit that I really enjoyed the drumming work of this band!

And considering the fact that this song was made about a year after I was born, I have to admit that I was also really impressed with just how well the song withstood the test of the time!

In the end, Journey was & still is a truly amazing band that is pop-culturally important, and this song in my opinion is probably one of the best songs that they ever did... And that is saying something because they have done more then a few songs in their decades together!

http://youtu.be/LatorN4P9aA