Mercury Falling (1996)
Don’t you dare listen to any poor review of this album. Those who speak ill of Mercury Falling simply don’t know how to appreciate what it does. It is arguably Sting’s most cohesive and consistent record he has released up until this point. Veering away from the more mainstream pop rock of Ten Summoner’s Tales, the somber and personal tones of The Soul Cages, and the heavily jazzed influence of his first two outings, Sting creates a body of work unlike anything he’s done. Taking inspiration from gospel and soul music and then blending it all together with his signature pop rock hooks. Sting on his fifth go around has created an No Skip Album.
Mercury Falling is filled with passion and drama. Hammond organs are ALL OVER these tracks and they are as bright and lively as ever. The Hounds Of Winter and I Hung My Head have these gospel choir like backing vocals carrying the opening tracks to blistering heights. The Dark Side of The Moon type backing vocals are exuberant and no other song is a better example of that than Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot. Amen, Sting. It is as infectious as it is moving. There is even a fantastic A&G Great Divide Mix that introduces some extended techno and dance energy into the song that is complete and utter fun. Worth checking out and fully worth shaking your ass to.
I’m So Happy I Can’t Stop Crying is littered with country influence and twang. Lyrically and musically, this song is some of Sting’s best work. He made a country song listenable?? What can’t this guy do? Can he do a spanish guitar, bossa nova styled song sung in French? Of course he can. La Belle Dame Sans Regrets is the ninth track on the album and it is gorgeous. It is upper echelon Sting without a doubt.
Say what you want about Mercury Falling. Say it is “underwhelming” and “pretentious” like a lot of the internet. Say it is lacking energy and uninspiring. Say it is Sting’s boring attempt at an adult contemporary album. But just know by saying all of that you look like a big dummy and you should go take your dunce cap and sit in the corner where you and your music taste belong. Once you apologize and realize this album is amazing for what it is, rather than what it isn’t in comparison to Sting’s earlier work, we will let you back into the party. Take your time. We will wait.
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Highlight Songs:
The Hounds of Winter
Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot
I’m So Happy I Can’t Stop Crying
I Hung My Head
You Still Touch Me
La Belle Dame Sans Regrets
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Own it, Stream it, Forget about it?
Do I even have to say it? Go buy it! You will look silly for not owning Mercury Falling. Stream it until your phone breaks and then by a hard copy and play it until it explodes. Don’t worry about skipping tracks. You don’t need to. This is Sting’s first NSA. Own it.
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Overall Rating:
5 Stars
