Music review: Joe Jackson – 鈥楩ool鈥�
Hard to believe that it鈥檚 fast approaching 40 years since Joe Jackson released his debut album. 鈥淟ook Sharp!鈥� introduced me to the clever angst and wit the British new waver contributed to the music scene on memorable tracks like 鈥淪unday Papers,鈥� 鈥淚s She Really Going Out With Him?鈥� and 鈥淕ot the Time.鈥�
In 1977, another angry Englishman garnered my attention with a brash debut album and a 1978 sophomore release that perfectly captured my mood at the time. With 鈥淢y Aim Is True鈥� and 鈥淭his Year鈥檚 Model,鈥� Elvis Costello crafted infectious tracks of punk passion with jabs of new wave, rock, power pop and reggae. Both of these Costello efforts easily make my list of favorite punk albums of all time.
It鈥檚 satisfying to know that both Costello and Jackson continue to produce impactful music and remain true to their craft.
鈥淔ool鈥� is Jackson鈥檚 20th studio release and possesses an engaging blending of the many sides of the eclectic singer-songwriter.
Constructed in the mold of a traditional vinyl recording, Jackson delivers eight arrangements that draw inspiration from his outstanding career.
Tracks such as 鈥淏ig Black Cloud鈥� and 鈥淔abulously Absolute鈥� are rousing throwbacks to the days of 鈥淟ook Sharp!鈥� and 鈥淚鈥檓 the Man鈥� as Jackson declares, 鈥淟ike I鈥檓 a fascist or a fool/Who didn鈥檛 go to snooty school/I get it wrong on the remote/And even wronger when I vote.鈥�
The charming 鈥�32 Kisses鈥� and enchanting sophistication of 鈥淎lchemy鈥� would feel right at home on 1982鈥檚 鈥淣ight and Day,鈥� a glorious album of New York cool that produced the alluring arrangements 鈥淪teppin鈥� Out鈥� and 鈥淏reaking Us in Two.鈥�
The album serves as an inviting composition of comedy and tragedy as the title track revolves around those unique individuals that can make others laugh with Jackson singing, 鈥淗e鈥檚 the man who don鈥檛 follow orders/Stands on one leg and plays the recorder/Gets out of jail and laughs at the warder/Break for the border.鈥�
With delicious traces of sentiment and insight, 鈥淒ave鈥� and 鈥淔riend Better鈥� unfold as standout numbers that showcase Jackson鈥檚 knack for composing melodic pop with substance, proving that he鈥檚 still as sharp as he was four decades ago.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.