Sting has fallen from grace.

After The Police split up, Sting earned his fans' forgiveness with two strong solo albums, The Dream of the Blue Turtles and his impressive, jazz-oriented, Nothing Like the Sun. Now this intellectual songwriter has released The Soul of Cages after overcoming what he called a "writer's block" following his parents' deaths.

This subsequent grief smothers the album with a melancholy mood. "Island of Souls," the first track, moves lethargically. The keyboards, which had the potential to accentuate the beat, only serve as backdrop to Sting's poetic lyrics.

That track sets the pace for most of the album. The songs are filled with empty, synthesized sounds that barely carry Sting's aging voice.

Two exceptions are "All This Time" and "Why Should I Cry For You," which contain the upbeat sounds usually expected from Sting. Rhythmic guitars and uplifting drum beats blend well with the keyboards and Branford Marsalis' saxophone, rekindling fond memories of Sting's past.

These songs are moving, especially "Why Should I Cry for You," in which Sting asks: "Sometimes I see your face/The stars seem to lose their place/Why must I think of you?/Why must I?/Why should I?/Why should I cry for you?"

Unfortunately, the album again lapses into a string of pretty words and stagnant music. "The Wild Wild Sea" is repetitive; Sting's voice, which accompanies the long, echoing sounds of electric guitar, creates the same effect as warm milk before bed.

In "The Soul Cages," the title track, Sting fills gaps between words with cliched guitar riffs and solos common to all rock songs.

The singer, songwriter, actor and environmentalist extraordinaire does not use the intricate guitar elements of Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler that served him well in his previous works. Instead, he recites poetry and prose aided by a predominant keyboard.

If Sting cannot control his need to bare his soul in such a sluggish mannner, perhaps he can at least consider using less cardboard in his CD covers.