Album Review: Have We Forgotten Joe Jackson?

Responsible for several hits beginning in 1979 and during the early 1980's, Joe Jackson continues to compose and produce albums at age 64! Sadly, his contemporary efforts seem to be largely ignored by streaming services, the media, and the recording industry at large. A bit of age discrimination to blame, possibly?

This is a shame, because Joe Jackson's more recent album, 2015's Fast Forward is worth your listening time.

Fast Forward album cover

There are few weak tracks on this album, and the uniqueness and diversity is staggering. From straight ahead, pulsating rock, to offbeat rhythms, no dull moments here. Lyrics have Joe Jackson's trademark flippant, self-deprecating, humorous bent. Singing about relationship paradoxes, for example on "If It Wasn't For You":

If it wasn't for you I bet, I could do better sleeping at night
It's so typical to forget every stupid, meaningless fight

...
Any father or son can be a real loser
And I'd be one too if it wasn't for you

Music is punctuated with Jackson's fine piano playing, lots of hooks, and a host of diverse instrumentation: horns, guitar, piano, synth, strings - you name it.

Exotic rhythmic patterns on tracks like "So You Say" really stand out and keep the recording fresh. 

The best track on the album is quite possibly "King of the City", a commentary on the fast pace of life:

We want it all

The big dream and the bright lights

But we don't see the stars anymore

We don't see the stars

We don't see the stars anymore

Definitely worth a listen.