Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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53 of 54 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sting at his best, November 30, 1999
Starting this review, I intended it to be an ode to my most cherished CD. Instead, I simply cannot find the words. The rich tapestry of music and lyrics that enfold the listener defy description. Words that other reviewers have used, like "hypnotic," "poetic," and "beautiful" are right on target. This album takes you along on the artist's introspective tour of grief, love, and missed opportunities, and leaves you with a sense of peace and - if not understanding - at least contentment resulting from having the courage to undertake the journey in the first place.You'll find everything here, from the sweeping "Island of Souls," "Wild, Wild Sea," and "When the Angels Fall;" to the heart-breaking "Why Should I Cry For You?;" the catchy "All This Time" and the harder, pop-ish "Soul Cages;" the elegantly simple acoustic guitar of "St. Agnes and the Burning Train" and the jazzy "Jeremiah's Blues, Pt. 1;" and the stunning depth of lyrics and imagery of "Mad About You." Evidenced by my above descriptions, the music style swings from the sounds of Northumbrian pipes reminescent of the sea, to ensemble jazz, to solo acoustic guitar, to lush string arrangements. There's really something here for every music fan, but that fan has to be prepared for the overall somber tone of the album. This is my favorite album to listen to after the end of a hectic day, as it ultimately leaves you with a sense of peace. For sheer musicianship and sonic quality, this album deserves at least a listen. For the depth of involvement the music inspires in the listener, this album deserves a permanent place in any collection.
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Pinnacle of Sting's Illustrious Career, February 17, 2004
After erasing doubts that he could float in a post-Police world with two solid solo albums, Sting entered a period of grief-induced writer's block caused by the death of his father, whose approval and affection Sting had always sought but never received. It took finally facing up to the ghost of his father, and making amends with him. This is what we see on The Soul Cages, a brilliant marriage of pain, regret, sorrow and finally emotional liberation. This albums reads and plays like a beautiful, sad novel; one that takes more than one read to really understand. With Sting's father as the main thematic focal point, Northumbrian Pipes open "Island of Souls," where the story of Billy and his shipbuilding father is told. This long elegy subtly displays Sting's musical prowess, with a strange time signature (classic Sting) and a dark, brooding vocal. Next is "All This Time," one of Sting's most popular songs. It also tells the story of a man and his father, and the gap between them, but it is veiled and never obvious. This album can be very mysterious and difficult to uncover, but it is most definitely worth the effort. "Mad About You" and "Jeremiah Blues" stray from the father/son theme, but provide more of Sting's brilliant arrangements and storytelling (Mad About You is about King David and his desire to be with Bathsheba). The next track highlights the emotional climax and despair of the album: "Why Should I Cry For You?" is by far the most moving song here. The depth of the lyrics (full of nautical references and symbolism regarding his father and he) will move the listener, and it is here that you begin to truly understand the struggle inside the songwriter. This song is so heavy that Sting has admitted he placed the beautiful instrumental "St. Agnes and the Burning Train" after it to give listeners somewhat of a mental break. Then comes the final stretch of "The Wild Wild Sea," "The Soul Cages," and "When The Angels Fall," which feature brilliantly dark and mysterious melodies and equally thought-provoking lyrics. The album ends on a positive note for the singer, whose vocal timbre and lyrical sentiment indicate that the demons have been conquered and the battle with the ghost is over. The circle has been completed by the end of the album, with Sting introducing his own children to his deceased father in a way that is both sad and hopeful. This album is most definitely not easy listening, and it is not for those who dislike lyrics that you must think about. These are the reasons I love the album, however. The most powerful line and the climax of the album comes in the bridge of "Why Should I Cry For You?" where Sting sings to his father: "Sometimes I See Your Face, The Stars Seem To Lose Their Place." Take a close listen to that and see if you can keep yourself from becoming involved in the beautiful story behind this album. His autobiography, "Broken Music" is a perfect companion to this album, and after reading it the album has taken on a much deeper meaning and significance for me. Hope you like it as much as I do!
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
It isn't fair to use stars for this album..., February 8, 2000
...because it absolutely transcends the idea that it should be "ranked", among Sting's albums let alone everyone else's. I completely agree with the many people here who say this isn't just their favorite Sting album, it's their favorite album in their library. The first time I heard this album, shortly after its release, I was absolutely transfixed from start to finish. "Island of Souls" sets the scene, a story of childhood escapism and tragedy that is told as much by the mournful wind instruments as by the words. From there, the listener is taken on a tour of the various emotions and experiences that shape a man's life when he was born in a "workingman's home." Every song on here is utterly without flaws: I rank "The Wild Wild Sea" as the absolute pinnacle of what a songwriter should aspire to. It is perfect. I don't usually praise albums unreservedly, and my love for this album may just be a reflection of the state of mind I was in when I first heard it as a semi-tortured 17-year-old. But even today I find that its melodies and lyrics are timeless. And now that I'm kind of a grown-up, I understand the lyrics on a level that is more parallel to the original messages. It's just a perfect album.
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by Sting 
