Symphonicities (2010)

Symphonicities takes some of Sting’s classic songs and re-records them with a full symphony orchestra. It’s well-produced and it’s a reminder of how good a songwriter he is, but it falls short of being a standout, and it never feels like anything new.

The upside is the sound. The arrangements are impressive, and the orchestra gives these tracks a rich, dynamic backing. Sting’s voice is in top form too, powerful and emotional, riding all that sweeping instrumentation.

The problem is that it plays it safe. The second you hear the concept, orchestral versions of Sting’s best-known songs, you can already picture exactly how it’ll sound. And that’s exactly how it sounds. The arrangements are well-done, but they don’t add much in the way of creativity, and since every song here is an established hit, there are no surprises in the track list either. You’re left thinking this could have been so much more.

For what it is, a collection of orchestral takes on classic Sting songs, Symphonicities is solid. But there’s no new material and nothing all that inventive in the arrangements, which makes the whole thing feel like a missed opportunity. Fans will enjoy a spin or two, and it’s a pleasant listen, but it’s not the standout some were hoping for.

——————————————————

Highlight Songs:

• Roxanne

• Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic

• Englishman In New York

——————————————————

Own it, Stream it, Forget about it?

Completely and entirely depends on whether or not you are into orchestral music. If so, go ahead and buy this but know that it is safe in terms of what it went for. If that puts you off, then stream it. For everyone else, it’s worth a first listen just to know what it was, but after that it’s alright if you don’t go back to it.

——————————————————

Overall Rating:

2.5 Stars