Police Synchronicity

AMG:
Despite their legendary status, the Police only released five albums during their brief reign from 1978-1983. In addition, the trio had amassed a healthy amount of both studio and live B-sides, plus songs that only appeared on soundtracks. For the 1993 four-CD box set Message in a Box: The Complete Recordings, every single song the Police ever recorded is included. All the tracks were digitally remastered for the project, sounding superior to the original CD versions of the single albums. Also included is a 68-page booklet that includes an interesting (and often humorous) biography, a time line, and notes from all three bandmembers regarding the rarities that appear for the first time on compact disc here. But of course, the real charm of the box set is the music – album tracks ("Hole in My Life," "It's Alright for You," "Driven to Tears"), hits ("Message in a Bottle," "Can't Stand Losing You," "Spirits in the Material World"), and rarities ("Fallout," a live version of "Next to You") are all timeless classics. While the set is highly recommended to newcomers just discovering the wonders of the Police, longtime fans should consider replacing their tinny-sounding single CDs with the definitive Message in a Box. After all, it contains a total of 24 tracks unavailable (for the most part) anywhere else.

The first of several Greatest Hits compilations, this collection was issued in 1986 after the band made their infamous attempt at a studio reunion. The original plan - to re-record updated versions of their hits - faltered after only two tracks had been given the treatment, as the band quickly slipped back into their warring ways. One of these tracks, a remixed Don't Stand So Close To Me '86 showed some promise. It was totally different to the original pop-version, and much darker and bleaker. If there is a weak spot on the album it's that the original version isn't included for comparison purposes. That apart, this record can't get much better. All of their strongest singles are on the album, which is 45 minutes of pure excellence.

The Best-Selling Greatest Hits Album From The Police, Every Breath You Take: The Classics. Digitally Remastered From The Original Master Tapes. Features All Of Their Classics Including 'Roxanne,''Message In A Bottle,' 'Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic,''Every Breath You Take,' 'King Of Pain' and 'Wrapped Around Your Finger'.

Before they'd become one of the biggest success stories of the '80s with such chart-topping albums as Ghost in the Machine and Synchronicity, the Police toured continuously and extensively. In 1980-1981, the trio performed in India and Egypt (one of the first bands to play there), plus Japan, Australia, Latin America, and the U.S.A., which is captured on the 1983 home video Around the World. The 77-minute vid is a candid glimpse of the Police on tour, featuring potent renditions of the early favs "De Do Do Do," "Don't Stand So Close to Me," "When the World Is Running Down," "Truth Hits Everybody," "Next to You," "Roxanne," and "Shadows in the Rain," among others. Featured throughout are amusing skits (such as pint-sized guitarist Andy Summers attempting to wrestle an enormous sumo wrestler in Japan), and behind-the-scenes going-ons. Besides the music, there's plenty of sightseeing and samples of exotic lands – highly recommended.

Certifiable: Live in Buenos Aires is a live album and concert video by The Police. It was recorded in December 2007 and was released in November 2008. 109 minute 1080 HD concert presented in surround and stereo. Bonus feature: "Better Than Therapy," directed by Jordan Copeland, which is 50 minutes of exclusive content in HD detailing the Police's historic reunion tour with interviews with the band and crew. Also contains two HD photo galleries of the Police on tour, one by guitarist Andy Summers and one by Danny Clinch.

In 1995, A&M released Every Breath You Take: The Classics to replace the original album. It features a slightly different track listing: the original version of "Don't Stand So Close To Me" replaces the 1986 recording at track 5; the '86 version appears at track 13. A 'New Classic Rock Mix' of "Message in a Bottle" is included as track 14.