Message in a Box: The Complete Recordings
The Police · 1993
285 min · 78 tracks · new wave
A vibrant fusion of rock, reggae, and new wave that captures the urgency of late 1970s and early 1980s Britain.
Top tracks — play these first
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Roxanne — This track stands as one of The Police's signature songs, blending rock with reggae influences while addressing themes of love and longing. Its innovative structure and emotional delivery set it apart as a timeless classic.
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Every Breath You Take — Often misinterpreted as a straightforward love song, this track reveals darker themes of obsession and control through its haunting melody and poignant lyrics. It's emblematic of the band's ability to merge catchy hooks with complex narratives.
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Message in a Bottle — The song encapsulates loneliness and the search for connection, resonating deeply during its release and beyond. Its memorable chorus and lyrical depth make it a standout representation of The Police's style.
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Walking on the Moon — With its laid-back groove and celestial imagery, this track highlights the band's reggae influences while showcasing Sting's unique vocal delivery. It's a perfect example of their innovative sound during the peak of their career.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
This box set captures The Police's diverse sound but lacks the cohesive narrative of a single album.
What we noticed
- Several tracks feature live versions alongside studio recordings, providing a contrast between the band's raw energy and their produced sound.
- The sequencing alternates between high-energy tracks and more introspective pieces, maintaining listener engagement across its extensive runtime.
- Key singles like 'Roxanne' and 'Message in a Bottle' are strategically placed to highlight the band's most impactful moments.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic flow with peaks
- infectious melodies for sing-alongs
- wave-like pacing and energy
- rich lyrical storytelling moments
- for nostalgic road trips
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer standalone tracks only
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A comprehensive box set that serves as a retrospective rather than a standalone album.
- Career context
- Released in 1993, this box set compiles The Police's entire discography, marking a significant retrospective after their breakup in 1986. By this time, each member had pursued successful solo careers, with Sting achieving notable commercial success. The compilation serves not only as a celebration of their iconic sound but also crystallizes their impact on popular music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Talking Heads· The Clash· U2
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Fallout 2:03
- 2 Nothing Achieving 1:56
- 3 Dead End Job 3:35
- 4 Next to You 2:52
- 5 So Lonely 4:51
- 6 Roxanne 3:14
- 7 Hole in My Life 4:54
- 8 Peanuts 4:01
- 9 Can’t Stand Losing You 3:01
- 10 Truth Hits Everybody 2:54
- 11 Born in the 50’s 3:44
- 12 Be My Girl‐Sally 3:23
- 13 Masoko Tanga 5:43
- 14 Landlord (live) 2:36
- 15 Next to You (live) 3:11
- 16 Landlord 3:09
- 17 Message in a Bottle 4:50
- 18 Reggatta de Blanc 3:06
- 19 It’s Alright for You 3:13
- 20 Bring on the Night 4:15
- 21 Deathwish 4:11
Disc 2
- 1 Walking on the Moon 5:02
- 2 On Any Other Day 2:57
- 3 The Bed’s Too Big Without You 4:25
- 4 Contact 2:38
- 5 Does Everyone Stare 3:46
- 6 No Time This Time 3:20
- 7 Visions of the Night 3:05
- 8 The Bed’s Too Big Without You (mono) 3:29
- 9 Truth Hits Everybody (live) 2:26
- 10 Friends 3:36
- 11 Don’t Stand So Close to Me 4:03
- 12 Driven to Tears 3:20
- 13 When the World Is Running Down, You Make the Best of What’s Still Around 3:36
- 14 Canary in a Coalmine 2:26
- 15 Voices Inside My Head 3:52
- 16 Bombs Away 3:06
- 17 De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da 4:09
- 18 Behind My Camel 2:54
- 19 Man in a Suitcase 2:19
- 20 Shadows in the Rain 5:02
- 21 The Other Way of Stopping 3:23
Disc 3
- 1 A Sermon 2:32
- 2 Driven to Tears (live) 3:29
- 3 Shambelle 5:00
- 4 Spirits in the Material World 2:59
- 5 Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic 4:20
- 6 Invisible Sun 3:43
- 7 Hungry for You (j’aurais toujours faim de toi) 2:52
- 8 Demolition Man 5:57
- 9 Too Much Information 3:42
- 10 Rehumanize Yourself 3:10
- 11 One World (Not Three) 4:46
- 12 Omegaman 2:47
- 13 Secret Journey 3:33
- 14 Darkness 3:14
- 15 Flexible Strategies 3:43
- 16 Low Life 3:45
- 17 How Stupid Mr. Bates 2:41
- 18 A Kind of Loving 2:03
Disc 4
- 1 Synchronicity I 3:22
- 2 Walking in Your Footsteps 3:36
- 3 O My God 4:02
- 4 Mother 3:05
- 5 Miss Gradenko 2:00
- 6 Synchronicity II 5:03
- 7 Every Breath You Take 4:14
- 8 King of Pain 4:59
- 9 Wrapped Around Your Finger 5:13
- 10 Tea in the Sahara 4:13
- 11 Murder by Numbers 4:36
- 12 Man in a Suitcase (live) 2:17
- 13 Someone to Talk To 3:08
- 14 Message in a Bottle (live) 4:51
- 15 I Burn for You 4:49
- 16 Once Upon a Daydream 3:31
- 17 Tea in the Sahara (live) 5:06
- 18 Don’t Stand So Close to Me ’86 4:51
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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