If you're still sick to your stomach because bigheaded Sting broke up the group that recorded "Don't Stand So Close to Me" so that he could go record "Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot," be ye sick no more. Grand National delivers a record that culls all the greatness of the 1980's English pop, mixing ska, punk and dance to deliver a masterpiece for today.
The opener is an aptly-titled moody piece called "Drink to Moving On," put on the front end of the album almost as if to get the pain out of the way already. The healing continues with a little bit more moodiness "Talk Amongst Yourselves," breaking across the ears with a Kraftwerkish synth arpeggio. But with all that out of the way comes the beginning of a good drive through the rest of the record. "Playing in the Distance" kicks with some bass and gritty guitar mirroring each other to a Clash driving drum set. And this is the track where the visions of a younger Sting begin, with what sounds like the Newcastleman himself echoing the lead vocal.
Also on the disc are some bonus cuts and remixes not included on the UK version, including Sasha's remix of "Talk Amongst Yourselves," which some may remember as the first track on the DJ's Involver mix. Brilliant!