‘Mercury Falling’ Has Moments Of Beauty

The bad news: Almost any song on “Mercury Falling” would make a fine duet between Sting and Bryan Adams. For the fans that have lamented the mellowing of Sting, “Mercury Falling” might just be the end - the album where he loses that ‘70s Police audience and his ‘80s jazz credibility.

The good news: While a bit tame on the first couple of run-throughs, “Mercury Falling” is really a work full of beautiful moments and tender heart, even if it doesn’t have the hooks, edge - or the hits - that his previous albums offered.

Don’t be fooled by the bland, happy-talk lyrics of the leadoff single, “Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot.” It’s easily the slightest cut on “Mercury Falling.”

More than half of “Mercury Rising” holds up to Sting’s best of the ‘90s.