Joe Jackson “Fool”
It isn’t easy to find an artist that doesn’t bend to current trends, but Joe Jackson is one of them. On his 20th album, his voice still drips with sarcasm and sounds great as he makes his way through eight long detailed tracks.
“Big Black Cloud” slowly builds into a storm warning about the precarious state of middle-class living, and its piano chords just draw you in. “Fabulously Absolute” is a terrific tune with Jackson’s classic tonal twists, as he cries “Tell me what I want, tell me what I feel!” It really showcases the fear, anger, and alienation of the everyman. Then it goes into “Dave,” a great mid-tempo portrait of modern drudgery with nods to Jackson’s past works. Fans will definitely hear echoes of 2008’s Laughter & Lust throughout, but these songs are not so immediate. The overall production is sharp as ever, with Graham Maby (bass) and Teddy Kumpel (guitar) given ample time to shine. It needs a few listens to appreciate Jackson’s subtleties here, but this is the master at work. Highly Recommended.
8×8 “New Data New Day”
The prolific Lane Steinberg and Alexander Khodchenko continue to craft a dense weave of melodic richness on a bed of psychedelic textures. Never predictable, Lane launches into the standout tracks immediately with the rich piano, organ and woven harmonies of the title track and the catchy psychedelic fuzz of “Papa’s Garage.”
However, after those songs, the album slows considerably. “Racing To The Sun” is a fine exercise in restraint, as the melody is sparse but compelling. Other tracks don’t stick out as well, but Lane manages to describe milieus perfectly. On “Bye, Bye Landslide,” we visit a shifty carnival or on “Bernard’s Dilemma” its barbeque time in hell. Musically Alex is able to let loose on “Hidden In Plain Sight” and “Absolutely Hypnotized” with its swirling psychedelic guitar riffs. Overall a very good album that makes you want more. Highly Recommended.