The Police's first album ["Outlandos d'Amour"] showed an exciting rock band with reggae inclinations that could kill with two songs but barely get off the ground with the remainder. On their second album ["Reggatta de Blanc"] they've forsaken most of their rock base and turned strictly into a reggae band with white faces, and unfortunately the move doesn't work to their advantage. The lack of consistency becomes even more apparent, and while Sting's vocal comparisons to Bob Marley made for entertainment when he sang a tune like Can't Stand Losing You, an entire LP of a white Marley singing reggae isn't nearly as exciting. The single, Message in a Bottle, is truly exceptional … but the rest of the album just doesn't hold water, if you pardon the pun.

Jon Tiven, in his review of "Regatta de Blanc," in Audio (© 1980, CBS Publications, The Consumer Publishing Division of CBS Inc...