Search - Strontium 90 :: Police Academy

BRENDAN H. from PALO ALTO, CA
Reviewed on 4/18/2009...

go check out clips on amazon of towers electron.

Great stuff for Police fans, but it could have been better.

Nicole N. Pellegrini | Philadelphia, PA | 01/15/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"If you are a diehard Police fan, you are probably already familiar with the story behind this unusual snippet of the band's history. As the Police (at the time with Stewart Copeland, Sting, and Henry Padovani) were struggling to break onto the scene, the chance came to make some extra money helping out Mike Howlett with some demos and a Gong reunion at a concert festival. Henry was not needed for Mike already had a guitarist lined up: Andy Summers. As such this became the first time Sting, Andy, and Stewart performed together, and Andy would soon join the Police, setting the stage for the band's eventual worldwide success.



Therefore the live tracks on this album represent an important historical moment and are fascinating to listen to for that reason. "Three O'Clock Shot" is great as you can hear lyrics and music taking shape that would eventually become part of other Police songs, and it bristles with energy. "Visions of the Night" would later become a Police b-side. Most of the other tracks are Howlett compositions, and the difference is obvious--they aren't bad but they lack the vitality and freshness of the Sting tracks. A demo version of "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" is a wonderful piece, although it feels completely out of place on the album.



Why three stars? Because as a Police fanatic, I want to hear the entire 5/28/77 performance, not just the songs included here. The booklet and notes are sparse, coming only from Mike Howlett's perspective. And while I do recommend this for Police fans, this is not really an album that would be of much interest or great value to anyone else."

Strontium 90 - 'Police Academy' (Ark 21)

Mike Reed | USA | 02/22/2004

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Anyone remember Mike Howlett?He was bassist for the band Gong until he left in 1977.Within that same timespan he just happen to bring together an unknown singer (we now) know as Sting together with drummer Stewart Copeland and guitarist Andy Summers to play on his demo.Strontium 90 was a short lived band but they did manage to perform at a large hippie festival in Paris in May,1977 where the three live tracks on this release was taped,"Three O'Clock Shot","Electron Romance" and "Lady Of Delight".The ONLY Police cut on here you're likely to recognize is "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic".The only other decent tunes here are "Visions Of The Night" and "Towers Tumbled" because they do feature Sting's trademark vocals.I was pretty dissapointed with 'Police Academy' mostly for the reason is that it just SEEMS that it could've been so much better.On the upside,however if you happen to be a MAJOR Police nut,you may very well enjoy it.Nice cover,though."