@@ImpartiallySpeaking Jeez, can’t anybody say anything without the picky police popping up? Just kidding, I mean it’s a transitional album to me, synths, synth guitar, horns, all just sound unlike the previous and the next album. Very 80s. Unusual, that’s all. I still love it. I have both I Advance Masked and Bewitched… I hear similarities but the horns…
I think those synth sounds were actually created by Andy Summers with his guitar synth, like in the instrumental part of 'Don't Stand So Close To Me' 🙂
I feel the last 3 tracks of this album are moving in a new direction as there are more synths and the music sounds darker. Zenyatta Mondatta needs to be your next Police full album! Perfect album
You can hear Andy Summers more in synths and guitar synthesizers on this record. I always suspected that it was the work on this album that induced Fripp to call him up. But hey, they reportedly knew each other for a long time so maybe it was just a good time in their careers.
Since you’ve brought me back to this album, I learned that they re-released this album with a completely different track listing. It’s still on my to-do list to make a Spotify playlist with the re-released track order. Anywho….I really enjoyed listening to this album with you. It wasn’t my favorite as I was growing up (my favorites were their first, 3rd and 5th albums), but I’m enjoying it more as I grow older (same with their 2nd album). Cheers!
Great track. “Secret Journey” is far from being the shortest song on Ghost in the Machine! "Spirits in the Material World", "Hungry for You", "Ωmegaman", "Rehumanize Yourself" and "Darkness" are shorter, but it's true that we could have liked the piece to be a minute longer , as its atmosphere is captivating and successful. It's Andy Summers who creates these mysterious sound textures on his guitar synthesizer. I don't think you will approach "Darkness" since you listened to it before starting the rest of the album, that said you might enjoy hearing the many outtakes from this period, some of which will end up as singles B-sides. “I Burn for You”, “Once Upon a Daydream”, “Shambelle”, “Low Life” and “Flexible Strategies” are worth checking out.
@@JonsCopyright Absolutely! I even suspect Andy's "Someone to Talk To" as well as Sting and Andy's "Once Upon a Daydream" were recorded during the Ghost in the Machine sessions. They had a lot of musical material available during this period (not counting the demos "Don't Give Up Your Daytime Job", "Don't You Believe Me Baby", "Don't Think We Could Ever Be Friends", " It's Never Too Late" and "Don't You Look At Me").
@@jaybird4093 Thanks Jaybird! I uploaded it several years ago on a blog but you can listen to it on TH-cam by typing this: The Police - Definitive Edition Demos (Ghost in the Machine).
This was one of the first albums I ever bought. I was in 6th grade when it came out. I had older cousins in their 20s who got me into the Police. The next album I got was Synchronicity in 83'. Synchronicity is a reference to a concept introduced by Swiss-German Psychiatrist Carl Jung. The Police have always had deep lyrics.
This album review has been the first time I've listened to GITM for a long while. It strikes me that it has quite a sombre sound compared to other Police albums, so I guess it's appropriate that it ends with Darkness. My favourite track is the obvious choice and, I think, the biggest hit: Spirits in the Material World. On side 2, I like the last two tracks best.
If you like to listen to Stewart, then the album Zenyatta Mondatta is a must. It’s one of my favorite albums for listening to the drums. It’s mixed in a way that highlights Stewart and his playing. I rank ZM, as far as drums, with the four albums from Rush starting with Hemispheres and ending on Signals.
This was the only Police LP I ever bought. Have no idea if it's better or worse than their others but I liked it, and this song stands out as among the best. Sting did a helluva job introducing big thinkers to The Police's audience, like Arthur Koestler (Ghost in the Machine) and Carl Jung (Synchronicity). Some nerds nevertheless remain irked that his effort to find a slanted rhyme for "shake and cough" resulted in the mass of people mispronounced Vladimir Nabokov's name.
Dear Justin, maw man with the always positive vibes; You'd done the album's final song 'Darkness' already several moons ago, so it'd be great if you gave one of the B-sides a spin, and my vote goes to 'Shambelle' 😊👍 And yes, it's quite cool how effective it can be to delay the drum rhythm by 1 beat! 😀
Secret Journey and Darkness are my two favorite tracks on this album. It’s unusual for me to find that the end of an album is the best part. For old time’s sake, here’s my ranking of tracks. Darkness Secret Journey Rehumanize Yourself Omega Man Invisible Sun Spirits in the Material World Every Little Thing She Does is Magic Too Much Information Hungry for You One World Demolition Man
👍My ranking is similar to yours with the exception of "Rehumanize Yourself" which I would have placed lower, between "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic" and "Too Much Information"!
Easily my fave on GITM, possibly my favorite Police song overall. The weird intro and bridge hurt its chances as a hit single, but OMFG, that chorus... And you're right, it FEELS short. But it's still 3 1/2 minutes long.
That fade in has some connection to their earlier albums, I think. Can't think of the song, but someone who knows their music better than me could probably discern it. (Although it's a very "stretched and distorted" transformation of the sound). Either that or it's just a "Police sound" created anew at the time of this album, and then stretched and distorted into a ghost of itself going through some wall. It's a good thing to be hearing ghosts in an album like this, I suppose.
I think it's Andy Summer's Roland GR-300 guitar synth that makes those lush sounds. He used it on the middle section of Don't Stand so Close to Me on the previous album.
This song would gave had great potential, but due to the strange fade in and quick fadeout, unfortunately becomes a missed opportunity/throwaway. To me, this is the most frustrating of the Police albums.
This is my absolute favorite Police song. No contest
Not as good as Darkness.
Mine, too.
@@mstephens44 An opinion
Thanks for sticking with this unusual Police album, bringing back the memories.
Unusual?
@@ImpartiallySpeaking
Jeez, can’t anybody say anything without the picky police popping up?
Just kidding, I mean it’s a transitional album to me, synths, synth guitar, horns, all just sound unlike the previous and the next album. Very 80s. Unusual, that’s all. I still love it. I have both I Advance Masked and Bewitched… I hear similarities but the horns…
My favorite song on this album. Thanks, Justin!
I love the drumming of Stewart Copeland like on every Police album, but here on this one his drumkit sounds sooo good. Love those synths too.
I think those synth sounds were actually created by Andy Summers with his guitar synth, like in the instrumental part of 'Don't Stand So Close To Me' 🙂
@@mightyV444 Yes, I think a Roland GR-300 guitar synth.
@@mancuniancandidatem - Thank you for confirming 🙂👍
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
😀🙌💚🌈☀️🎵🍀🥂
I feel the last 3 tracks of this album are moving in a new direction as there are more synths and the music sounds darker. Zenyatta Mondatta needs to be your next Police full album! Perfect album
YES!! Zenyatta Mondatta!!! Bought that one in a used vinyl bin a few months ago and it's been living on my turntable ever since.
+1 for 'Zenyatta Mondatta' next! My favourite Police album! 🤩
You can hear Andy Summers more in synths and guitar synthesizers on this record. I always suspected that it was the work on this album that induced Fripp to call him up. But hey, they reportedly knew each other for a long time so maybe it was just a good time in their careers.
Since you’ve brought me back to this album, I learned that they re-released this album with a completely different track listing. It’s still on my to-do list to make a Spotify playlist with the re-released track order. Anywho….I really enjoyed listening to this album with you. It wasn’t my favorite as I was growing up (my favorites were their first, 3rd and 5th albums), but I’m enjoying it more as I grow older (same with their 2nd album). Cheers!
I adore this song.
Great track. “Secret Journey” is far from being the shortest song on Ghost in the Machine! "Spirits in the Material World", "Hungry for You", "Ωmegaman", "Rehumanize Yourself" and "Darkness" are shorter, but it's true that we could have liked the piece to be a minute longer , as its atmosphere is captivating and successful. It's Andy Summers who creates these mysterious sound textures on his guitar synthesizer. I don't think you will approach "Darkness" since you listened to it before starting the rest of the album, that said you might enjoy hearing the many outtakes from this period, some of which will end up as singles B-sides. “I Burn for You”, “Once Upon a Daydream”, “Shambelle”, “Low Life” and “Flexible Strategies” are worth checking out.
B-Sides of this album are soooooo good. I don't know why they didn't make the tracklist.
@@JonsCopyright Absolutely! I even suspect Andy's "Someone to Talk To" as well as Sting and Andy's "Once Upon a Daydream" were recorded during the Ghost in the Machine sessions. They had a lot of musical material available during this period (not counting the demos "Don't Give Up Your Daytime Job", "Don't You Believe Me Baby", "Don't Think We Could Ever Be Friends", " It's Never Too Late" and "Don't You Look At Me").
@@a.k.1740I always enjoy reading your comments a.k. Where can I hear those demos?
@@jaybird4093 Thanks Jaybird! I uploaded it several years ago on a blog but you can listen to it on TH-cam by typing this: The Police - Definitive Edition Demos (Ghost in the Machine).
@@a.k.1740Thank you. I’m amazed by how much you know about music!
This was one of the first albums I ever bought. I was in 6th grade when it came out. I had older cousins in their 20s who got me into the Police. The next album I got was Synchronicity in 83'. Synchronicity is a reference to a concept introduced by Swiss-German Psychiatrist Carl Jung. The Police have always had deep lyrics.
This was my favourite song of the albumn when it came out all those years ago..nice trip down memory lane
This album review has been the first time I've listened to GITM for a long while. It strikes me that it has quite a sombre sound compared to other Police albums, so I guess it's appropriate that it ends with Darkness.
My favourite track is the obvious choice and, I think, the biggest hit: Spirits in the Material World. On side 2, I like the last two tracks best.
If you like to listen to Stewart, then the album Zenyatta Mondatta is a must. It’s one of my favorite albums for listening to the drums. It’s mixed in a way that highlights Stewart and his playing. I rank ZM, as far as drums, with the four albums from Rush starting with Hemispheres and ending on Signals.
Voices In My Head is basically a drum feature.
@@jimhardiman3836I agree. It might be my favorite Copeland performance. Driven to Tears is great, too.
Badassed, if you ask me. Stuart is SO good!
Great song, great album.👍
This was the only Police LP I ever bought. Have no idea if it's better or worse than their others but I liked it, and this song stands out as among the best.
Sting did a helluva job introducing big thinkers to The Police's audience, like Arthur Koestler (Ghost in the Machine) and Carl Jung (Synchronicity). Some nerds nevertheless remain irked that his effort to find a slanted rhyme for "shake and cough" resulted in the mass of people mispronounced Vladimir Nabokov's name.
Maravillosos
Dear Justin, maw man with the always positive vibes; You'd done the album's final song 'Darkness' already several moons ago, so it'd be great if you gave one of the B-sides a spin, and my vote goes to 'Shambelle' 😊👍 And yes, it's quite cool how effective it can be to delay the drum rhythm by 1 beat! 😀
There are only a handful of drummers that can drive a song along, or a group for that matter. Copeland is one, a master at pushing it.
Stewart Copeland absolutely rules on Ghost in the Machine.
the police always left you wanting more..
One of their greatest tracks ever.....very short yes. 😅...leaves you aching for more
Secret Journey and Darkness are my two favorite tracks on this album. It’s unusual for me to find that the end of an album is the best part. For old time’s sake, here’s my ranking of tracks.
Darkness
Secret Journey
Rehumanize Yourself
Omega Man
Invisible Sun
Spirits in the Material World
Every Little Thing She Does is Magic
Too Much Information
Hungry for You
One World
Demolition Man
👍My ranking is similar to yours with the exception of "Rehumanize Yourself" which I would have placed lower, between "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic" and "Too Much Information"!
@@a.k.1740I’m a sucker for a fast tempo. 🍭
I didn't even that you did a video about "Darkness" three years ago.
Easily my fave on GITM, possibly my favorite Police song overall. The weird intro and bridge hurt its chances as a hit single, but OMFG, that chorus...
And you're right, it FEELS short. But it's still 3 1/2 minutes long.
Stewart Copeland....King of syncopation.
That fade in has some connection to their earlier albums, I think. Can't think of the song, but someone who knows their music better than me could probably discern it. (Although it's a very "stretched and distorted" transformation of the sound). Either that or it's just a "Police sound" created anew at the time of this album, and then stretched and distorted into a ghost of itself going through some wall.
It's a good thing to be hearing ghosts in an album like this, I suppose.
I think it's Andy Summer's Roland GR-300 guitar synth that makes those lush sounds. He used it on the middle section of Don't Stand so Close to Me on the previous album.
@@mancuniancandidatem Thanks.
I know you’ve compares Andy to Fripp before, and this is another song that could have been on KCs Discipline.
A great, but disjointed album. Great tracks are on there along with the repetitive ones. I still think it’s my favorite album cover, though. ❤
Yes, great album cover! Simple but effective.
Wait, is that a synth sound? I thought it was Andy Summer's guitar.
Yes, it's a Roland GR-300 guitar synthesizer (which Robert Fripp, Pat Metheny and a few others also used).
I agree. WAY TOO SHORT.
This song would gave had great potential, but due to the strange fade in and quick fadeout, unfortunately becomes a missed opportunity/throwaway.
To me, this is the most frustrating of the Police albums.