Sting sometimes has a rather crazy way to create songs. Riding the horse from behind, he initially created for his new album kind of song skeletons in the studio together with all the contributors, based on a musical basic idea, regardless of lyrics. In this procedure, all contributors - on the album 57TH & 9TH there are not less than twenty of them - complement and vary the given basic idea in turn in some sort of ping-pong. The resulting individual musical contributions are later linked together by Sting to the melody part of the songs, the lyrics still missing. The lyrics are developed by Sting in follow-up depending on the musical emotion of the song. Concentration-promoting measures, including self-castigation, are welcome. In the cold season, for example, Sting tells to lock himself out of the warm apartment working on the terrace to enhance self-discipline, until the song stands. All in all, a really crazy and ultimately time-intensive way to make songs ready for release: three months of concentrated work where put into 57TH & 9TH. What emerges as a product in this individual procedure is remarkable. Remarkably good. This first album after thirteen years, which is amazingly close to the rock ‘n’ roll à la The Police, has a mighty energy not least with regard to the lyrics.
"Fifty Thousend" turns out to be a requiem for colleagues who died in 2016: Prince, David Bowie, Glenn Frey, and Lemmy. "One Fine Day" is dedicated to one of the hot topics of our time, to the global climate change. No less relevant is the subject of "Inshallah," a prayer of a refugee from the Middle East: "If it's God's will then it shall be." With "If You Cannot Love Me", Sting goes on an inner journey through his past as a singer / songwriter. "The Empty Chair" refers to the cruel death of journalist James Foley, who fell into the hands of ISIS's murderers. Hardrock, staged in a refined manner as a guitar festival, is the subject of "Petrolhead". How do you feel in the midst of a violent relationship? "Down Down Down". In the realm of country songs, one finds oneself in "The Pretty Young Soldier". "Heading South On The Great North Road" you will find Sting soulfully singing, merely accompanied by an acoustic guitar.
The fact that 57TH & 9TH has become a really excellent Sting-album, as already said, is due to not less than twenty contributors, such as Dominic Miller, the longtime Sting-crony, Vinnie Colaiuta participating in Joes Garage and at the end of the seventies member of Frank Zappas band, Josh Freese Ex Guns'n'Roses man and Lyle Workman, lead guitarist for among others Todd Rundgren.
Last but not least, the rich sound of this download contributes to the successful performance of the new 57TH & 9TH Sting album.