“I see songs not as a commodity used up when the album goes off the charts, which is often the case with pop songs. I see them as a body of work. Life should be breathed into them” – Sting

The quote bears some truth in regards to the music industry today. Auto-tuned vocals, electronic beats and repetitive lyrics are commonplace in mainstream music. Sting however, relies on his vocal prowess to bring out the best in his music compositions.

Symphonicities is a reinterpretation of Sting’s most popular songs such as “Englishman In New York”, “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” and “Roxanne” flanked by an orchestra. The album doesn’t feature the standard drum, bass and guitar line-up that teenagers are accustomed to. Instead, youths will be exposed to other beautiful musical instruments commonly associated with orchestras such as violins, cellos and oboes. Metallica fused metal together with San Francisco Symphony Orchestra for a live show in 1999. The collaboration proved to be successful as Rolling Stone Magazine as described it as “the performance succeeds….the monster numbers benefit from supersizing. The effect is…one of timelessness.”

Sting however, didn’t write his name in folklore, as the tracks in the album are mediocre.

The standout track of the album is unquestionably “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic”. The kids from the 90s era will be receptive to the song as it’s in the same mould of Disney soundtracks: Upbeat, melodic and happy. The earnest vocals of Sting will pull the listener into a heartwarming feeling of falling in love.

Sting then removes the punk-influenced “Next To You” by tastefully substituting these with violins, cellos and clarinets; while retaining its upbeat melody. The song featured the talents of the New York Chamber Consort,  who included tuneful improvisation during parts of the verse and chorus.

Unfortunately, Sting’s adventure or rather lack of adventure in his 10th studio album can be attributed to the constant transposition of guitar tunes into cellos playing power chords.

This, however, was pretty much the extent of the rather mundane attempt to freshen the structure of the songs, and some of them didn’t stray much from the original compositions.

In fact, the arrangement for “Englishman In New York” is almost identical. The use of symphonic instruments suggests that this album might only be used to add more moolah into Sting’s already overflowing pocket, not that the critically acclaimed singer, who’s in both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriter Hall of Fame, needs it anyway.

Vocally, Sting may be one of the best musicians of our generation but don’t count on this album to add any more gold to his already glistering career. Teenagers will now learn of Sting’s legacy with the release of this album despite the use of symphonic instruments which teenagers are not really accustomed to.

That said, Symphonicities is a decent release from an 11th time Grammy Award winner. Sting might have not ventured far away with the release, but the listeners will still adore the suave frontman for his quintessential vocals.

Rating: 3/5 stars

Album: Symphonicities

Artiste: Sting

Language: English

Record Label: UMG Recordings, Inc.

Release Date: 13 July 2010

Genre: Pop

1) Next To You

2) Englishman In New York

3) Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic

4) I Hung My Head

5) You Will Be My Ain True Love

6) Roxanne

7) When We Dance

8) The End Of The Game

9) I Burn For You

10) We Work The Black Seam

11) She’s Too Good For Me

12) The Pirate’s Bride