Turning The Hourglass

That terrain is what Brand New Day is all about. There's nothing like the sun here, no waking up between the dream of the blue turtles and a memory. No signs of mercury rising and only the vaguest imprint of Ten Summoner's tales.

The album starts watchfully with A thousand years (even you'd be cautious if you were trying to cope with the enormously overwhelming task of squeezing a thousand years into a five minute song... ) And it ends on an optimistic note with the title track Turn the Clock to Zero, Honey. But it's what transpires in between that is most interesting in between that is most interesting.

 

Sting experiments like a person running out of time. There's a sense of urgency that hasn't been seen before. From country-style twangs in Prelude to The End of the Game to extensive Arabic chants in Desert Rose or even using as much French as English in a Perfect Love Gone Wrong' (where he jams with French rapper Cheb Mami, though that's not entirely new, he's done it with Shaggy on `This Cowboy Song' before) - Sting seems to be an old man in a hurry to leave a more indelible mark on the face of musical history. He needn't bother, his place is already reserved. Lyrically, the album comes up with some fine moments - a lot of dwelling on unconsummated desires and love (lost as well as found), but what is a sheer pleasure is the Helleresque sarcasm when Sting comes to jealousy. It's a dog's life loving you baby, when you love someone else, Now he's moved my basket, I'd like to put him in a casket, I'll wear my best coat to his funeral.' More gems in Big lie small world which alone makes the album worth buying, but this isn't one of Sting's best. Wake up, it's a brand new day.