Music Review: Joe Jackson — Rain - Page 2

But those tracks serve mostly as entre’acts for the relationship songs that thread through them. Like “Too Tough,” the rueful “Wasted Time” retorts to a hurtful lover “Maybe I should be sorry / For wasting your time” without sounding one bit sorry. The jazzy interlude of “Uptown Train” has Joe’s hard-edged falsetto hopping all over a coded song about opting for romantic alternatives. But the album’s high point for me has got to be “Solo (So Low),” an unflinching plunge into the depths of melancholy. It’s just Jackson, his classical piano technique, and a shattering tone poem visiting a dark night of the soul. I won’t say more; you’ve got to hear this mournful beauty for yourself.

And then – a genius move – Jackson follows that up with the most traditional pop song on the album, “Rush Across the Road,” a buoyant tune about discovering an old girlfriend. When you least expect it, an upbeat number like this can rescue anybody from the depths of self-pity. He wraps up the whole package with “A Place in the Rain,” a waltzing hymn to contented coupling (“It’s amazing what lovers can do / With just a kiss and a glass of champagne”) and a perfect counterbalance to that alienated opening.

I just love a happy ending. 

These are of course songs that should be heard live – intensely personal, savage with passion, shrewd and smart. Joe’s currently touring with the trio, and given the musicianship of these three guys, the live performances will not disappoint. If the shows aren’t all sold out (I know the ones in New York went in a nanosecond), you’d be well advised to get yourself a ticket.

Article Author: Holly Hughes

Holly A Hughes has been a rock 'n roll fan since February 9, 1964. She's heard it all, on vinyl, cassettes, 8-track tapes, CDs, and mp3 files. But so long as it's got a good beat, she'll dance to it.

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