Here is Senior Editor Eric Snider's review of the year's most hyped rock show.

Photo by Shanna Gillette.

The Police, Wed., July 11, St. Pete Times Forum

For the first three quarters of their concert at the St. Pete Times Forum, The Police seemed locked in an extended countdown, preparing for liftoff but not quite getting there. After an initial blush of excitement spurred by the first two songs — “Message in a Bottle” and “Synchronicity II” — the trio settled into an expert, workmanlike performance that lacked inspiration and the kind of sublime chemistry that makes a rock show raise the hairs on your neck.

This is, after all, a reunion tour among men in their 50s and 60s. Perhaps it’s too much to ask that the threesome play a two-hour set with the kind of burning, youthful verve that sends jolts of electricity through a large venue.

But it would’ve been nice.

Sting, looking improbably fit in a tight T-shirt, snug jeans and ankle boots — all in black — is not the sort to commune with his audience. Rather, he hovered godlike over the proceedings with a cool élan, a sort of benign arrogance. Aside from a couple of half-hearted jumps to end tunes that seemed quite obligatory, he didn’t put out much in the way of showmanship. His voice, however, was a marvel, easily as strong as during the first Police patrol in the ’70s and ’80s, but even richer and more assured.

This article appears in Jul 11-17, 2007.