Ok, I'm a bit of a lurker, but I just had to come to Sting's defence in light of all these negative reviews. Sting's old stuff was musically better... can we move on now, this is agreat album! I have a feeling that the people on this list (including me) feel that we are Sting's biggest fans, I suppose that this also makes us his biggest critics. Lately on this list, however, it seems like all we want to do is trash him. The new album is certainly nothing like his older ones, but Sting's albums have been changing in a big way since Summoner's Tales. I know this doesn't mean we have to like the new stuff, but I can't understand all these negative views. Think back to when you first descovered Sting's magic and charm. I bet you had an affinity to the music because it touched on you on some level (helped you understand a situation, reminded you about how you felt about a girl/guy). Think about this: When we play a new cd 10 new songs flood us at once and we expect them all to be as close to us as his old music is. Listen to the songs separately and give them time. The fact is these songs have to grow on you and link into new areas of your life that make them make sense to you. After a few listens I love Sting's new CD, Dead Man's Rope is as beautiful as older songs like I Hung My Head and Why should i cry for you. Stolen Car is a great song that makes me feel for people stuck in a rut and how they'd love to be swept away by someone. War is a very new sound for Sting in my view and takes me back to some of his more political days. I could go on but I don't want to mention all my interpretations of the songs, we should make our own (Book of My Life is also a favourite.) The use of "computer type stuff" and the occasional drum machine sound is a let down, but it does not ruin this CD. Sting's lyrical genius and his soul searching style and subject matter is still present. I urge you guys to let it grow on you. Like many other things nothing is as good as the first time we descovcer it (a book, a movie, the first month in love), its the same with Sting's music. Five albums from now this will be the one we think about as old school and good. Enjoy him while he's here folks! Make the songs yours!

PS: A let down to me was the reviewer who was "glad that it was getting negative reviews". Why? So you're not alone and we can all diss together? I know its out of context, but why "glad"? We should be happy if other people like the CD. I'm not trying to start a personal "flame" war, but jeez lets be optimistic!

Morgan