Sting - The Last Ship

A true renaissance man—musician, actor, activist and philanthropist, Sting has been aging gracefully with his many varied projects. The former Police frontman’s latest undertaking may be his most ambitious to date. A collection of dramatic songs about the demise of the shipbuilding industry during the 1980s in Sting’s English seaside birthplace near Newcastle, The Last Ship is full of colorful characters, Geordie dialects and themes about love, fatherhood and workers’ struggles. Guests like AC/DC’s Brian Johnson, actor-musician Jimmy Nail and folk group the Unthanks join the Grammy-winning artist on a series of ballads and shanties like “Shipyard” and “So to Speak.” Not surprisingly, a related Broadway musical is planned for next year. Never one to rest on his laurels, Sting continues to challenge himself with this fresh and thoughtful album.