[quote="howardhughes"]Its maybe cos they were just SO special to me that i get so wound up about them now (possibly) being 'police lite'[/quote]
Ahhh, you can never relive that first time, HH. Some of us indeed are Live Police Virgins. But as many may know, going back to an old flame can be pretty rocking. It won't be the same as it was; but experience can bring interesting new tricks to the table.
I appreciate what you say about blind fandom. In many places I agree with you in spirit but not in tone. If someone is invested in a band/person/whatever to the point that he/she'll be happy with anything, well, that's his/her prerogative. There are a great variety of people on-board: some dig SC because of his drumming; some because of his composition; some because of his wit; some simply because he's pretty. (Stewart, call me.
) Whether I tend toward those particular leanings or not, it doesn't change my opinions or affect my experience. To each his own and all.
The incendiary bring-it-on nature of the thread plus some snarky remarks from all sides combined to create a heated atmosphere -- which -- let's all be honest -- is exactly what incendiary and snarky remarks are designed to do. Folks will defend themselves, their "heroes," and themselves for having those heroes in the first place. It becomes easy to forget that we're here because SC is important to each of us for one reason or another; otherwise, (trolls aside) we wouldn't be here in the first place. Plus, we're all getting a but crazed with all this bloody waiting.
(But you did all give me a bit of content for a day on the Tour Countdown, so for that I thank you.)
As future performances go, Coco said it -- there are no guarantees, so buying tix involves a leap of faith. Like most I've got an emotional investment in the reunion: it's exciting and fun and brings back giddy memories. And I admit that if I think too hard about that, I realize that that's not just a little bit weird. But I wouldn't travel the country on giddiness alone. Since I am indeed a Live Police Virgin, I based my decision/leap of faith on The Police's oeuvre, on their record of high quality live performances, on their evident talents as musicians, and on their many years of experience, as well as on my decades-long desire to see Stewart in action.
Thus far, the only "evidence" ever provided for why The Police might not rock boils down to one thing: Sting. Yeah, I'll grant that Sting can be (forgive me, Stewart) a bit of an old lady at times. But he's also incredibly talented, and I personally don't see his "jazzy" side as being some kind of malevolent force. I can understand why some might; I just don't agree. I personally need something more compelling before I start to doubt the band's talents and track record.
Predictions of fabulousness or failure, then, boil down to a question of who will "win" in the struggle of band dynamic: will Sting's lite side take over? or will Andy and Stewart be able to kick the cobwebs out of Sting's ass? (Or is it even a valid debate?)
Call it a leap of faith, but (predictably) my money's on Stewart. If for no other reason than the practicality that the drummer determines tempo. All other reasoning aside, it's pretty hard to croon at 200 bpm. Until we have actual evidence, I'm with the glass-half-full camp on this one.
Nothing The Boys do will please everyone. But I hope as many of you kind folks have a great time as is humanly possible.
My expectations:
[quote="Spec A!"]Yes it will be different, but it won't be crap.[/quote]
(Jesus H! Shutting up now. Sorry.)
Dramatic highlights & a unique musical cosmos. Guaranteed.