Album Essentials: The Police - "Synchronicity"

By Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor

After six years of consistently upping their game, the Police entered 1983 somewhat on top of the world. Each previous album was more successful than the one before it, they were on the radio, on MTV, and selling out concerts. Their unique hybrid of pop, rock and reggae varnished with a punk energy had proved a winning combination scoring hits such as "Roxanne," "Message in a Bottle," "Don't Stand So Close To Me," and "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic." There was nowhere to go but up!

Released in the summer of 1983, Synchronicity would serve as not only the band's biggest seller but their swan song. Talk about going out on a high note! The album hit No. 3 on the Billboard charts and went Top 10 around the globe. Stylistically the album brought in a new angle on the band's sound. The man behind the board on Ghost In The Machine, the ever talented Hugh Padgham was brought back as the band decided a bigger but less cluttered sound would mark this album.

That approach was the ticket as the singles ''King Of Pain," "Wrapped Around Your Finger" and "Every Breath You Take" all gracing the Top 10 with the latter claiming the number one spot -- their only chart topper!

After the Synchronicity tour the Police took a well-deserved break which, sadly, turned into the demise of the band. A few live shows and some failed attempts to record another album only showed the band the writing on the wall -- that their time was indeed done. But what an amazing run of music!

In 2007, a highly succesful reunion tour surprised and thrilled Police fans, but as of now, that is the end of the story. On this, the 40th anniversary of Synchronicity, we bring it to you as another 'essential,' though that could be said about pretty much every Police album! Enjoy!

Tune into The Summit FM all day Thursday, June 29 to hear tracks from Synchronicity as our Summit Album Essential of the week!