Mercury Falling - Sting (CD 1996)

I think a lot of people see this album as a step down from the highly successful, career-defining "Ten Summoners Tales". In terms of sales, and singles, that is probably true. The album didn't sell, and is easy to find on the used racks. Many people think this reflects the quality of the music. To me, it does not (in most cases). In fact I've gotten close to half my CD's used. I hold the general opinion that the people who keep the recording industry alive are mostly idiots (when it comes to music). They are the people who buy two copies of the latest N'Sync album to help them break a sales record. I'm grateful for these people, because without them real musicians like Sting, Dave Matthews, Pearl Jam, and others could never get their music widely released. But by the same token, they are still idiots. They dont like albums like "Mercury Falling" because it didn't have a hit single.

I hope I will never be so superficial (and I concede that I'm exaggerating). I think "Mercury Falling" is a wonderful gem of an album. It is musical, melodic, thoughtful, and more challenging to the listener than 90% of todays popular music. I don't consider myself a passive listener. I am an active listener. I admire greatly those people who can listen to Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, and other jazz greats. That is much more challenging to listen to, and I am not up to it. I can't get past Sting, Dave Matthews, and Radiohead.

"Mercury Falling" is one of Sting's most challenging records. It doesn't have ballads like "Fields of Gold", "If I ever Lose My Faith In You" that fit right in there with the pop and adult contemporary shlock played in barber shops and grocery stores all over the country. It has soul, jazz, country, and even some rock.The lyrics are well written, and as close to poetry as pop music gets. The musicianship is, as always with Sting, excellent. The only complaint I have is the first 2-3 minutes of "I Came to My Senses" and "Valparaiso". They are just too boring. I concede that they are technically very musical, but I just get bored and skip them.

So, I highly recommend this album, with the disclaimer that for the new Sting listener, to truly appreciate this album it is best to also listen to "Fields of Gold" Sting's greatest hits collection from 1984-94.