Kism

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For fans of andy summers, lovers of 80s pop and guitar-driven music, followers of the police, and listeners interested in solo artist ventures.
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LA RECENSIONE

Years ago in Berlin, while browsing in a used vinyl store, I came across this LP. Considering the ridiculous price and the fact that it was still sealed, I bought it.

The album was released immediately after the disbandment of the main group. Years earlier, I had purchased an album solely by Summers, but it was a completely instrumental collaboration with Robert Fripp.

Here, however, it is a pop album, entirely sung by Summers. Sung, so to speak, as his vocal qualities are really limited, to the point of being accompanied by a backup singer in every track.

The modest vocal performance along with the heavy use of the drum machine represent the album's weak points. Two tracks in particular, "Love ist The Strangest Way" (the video is on YouTube) and "Eyes of The Stranger," if supported by Sting's voice and Stewart Copeland's drums, could easily have found a place in a Police record.

This would be his only venture into pop, abandoned in favor of purely instrumental albums. As for technical expertise, there's nothing to say; his guitar work is excellent as always, unfortunately in the service of melodies that are not always exceptional.

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Summary by Bot

Andy Summers' album XYZ marks his only solo pop effort after The Police's breakup. His guitar skills remain excellent, but his limited vocals and heavy reliance on drum machines weaken the album. Two tracks echo classic Police vibes but lack key contributions from Sting and Stewart Copeland. Summers soon returned to instrumental music, leaving XYZ as a unique but uneven entry in his discography.

Tracklist

01   Love Is The Strangest Way (04:20)

02   How Many Days (04:21)

03   Almost There (04:30)

04   Eyes Of A Stranger (04:47)

05   The Change (02:53)

06   Scary Voices (04:37)

07   Nowhere (04:35)

08   XYZ (02:46)

09   The Only Road (03:40)

10   Hold Me (04:48)

Andy Summers

Andy Summers is an English guitarist best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band The Police; he has an extensive solo career spanning jazz, instrumental and experimental projects and notable collaborations.
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