The Police – ‘Every Move You Make: The Studio Recordings’ (2019) – Box Set

Originally released on vinyl in 2018, they smartened up and finally released this on CD on November 16, 2019. I missed out on the vinyl, but luckily did grab this even though it wasn’t until back at the end of December when UdiscoverMusic had a 50% off sale. I think I picked this up for like $25 or so and free shipping. That is always key!! The box set contains every studio album (there are only 5) plus a bonus disc called ‘Flexible Strategies’ which contains all their B-Sides as well. The Discs are all housed in a gatefold vinyl-like jacket made of cardboard and those are all housed in a sturdy box that is decorated inside and out!!

But there is something missing. This isn’t the Complete Recordings released back in 1993 so this isn’t everything they’ve recorded. And it is also missing a booklet that gives us writing credits, song credits, lyrics or anything about the band. That was a little disappointing in my book. But I’m also a casual fan so I still think this set is great as it gives me all I need really which is the music to enjoy.

If you don’t know who The Police are…well…you are missing out. It is made of Stewart Copeland on drums, Andy Summers on guitar and Sting on bass. They all do some vocals but most is handled by Sting. They started in 1977 and were very punk with a reggae swag to their music. They transitioned to a more post-punk and pop sound with their later albums and what I liked about their albums were they were all different and their song writing and playing kept getting better. I always thought of The Police as a “Smart” band as they used words I never heard before (just look at some of the album titles). The songs were so intelligent and they based a lot fo stuff off books and things they read. And I think that was also what made them interesting. It was great songs, great musicianship and they had something to say.

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Def Leppard – ‘Yeah! II’ (2021) – Album Review (The Def Leppard Collection Series)

On June 11, 2021, Def Leppard finally released The Collection, Vol. 3. It had been 2 years since the released of Vol. 2 in part probably due to Covid-19. By 2021, things were slowly starting to get back to normal. This was a crucial collection because these albums were not available on vinyl prior to this. So, it is is a must have set for you vinyl collectors. Ok, not really because they are available now individually…well…except for the bonus material. This is the only place for those. And we are going to talk about one of them here now called ‘Yeah! II’.

‘Yeah! II’ is a collection of cover songs throughout Leppard’s career including all the bonus tracks from ‘Yeah!’ so no need to buy 3-4 different versions of that album as you get them all here in one set. The set includes some B-Sides and other rare tracks from Leppard and there are a total of 19 songs in this splendid collection. I love how they used a variation of the cover of ‘Yeah!’ and added the ‘II’. It is also a 2LP set and includes a gatefold with some great shots of each of the band members, Rick Allen, Rick Savage, Joe Elliott, Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell. This is a lot of cover songs that is for sure, but what an awesome treat to have them in one collection.

SIDE A:

The album kicks off with a cover for the Mick Ronson song, “Only After Dark”. Originally this song appeared as the B-Side to “Let’s Get Rocked” and it is a raw, headbanging rock song from the band. It has a great, catchy groove, a swing to it and it basically kicks ass. They did a different version for ‘Retro Active’ that added more guitar parts, but this version might be better.

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The Police – “Roxanne” – The 45 Single (1978)

In the continuing sage of the vinyl filled box I found another 45 single and this one was by The Police.  It was for the song “Roxanne” which is one of their signature songs.  Sadly, I don’t have a cover jacket for it.  The sleeve it was in was for Columbia Records; however, the single was released by A&M so I know it is not the right sleeve.  No matter, the single still plays regardless.  Below are the Original UK cover (left) and the alternate cover in the UK (right – is Stewart picking his nose???).

And here is mine…

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