Joe Jackson
Rain
Rykodisc
By David Chiu
Unfortunately it’s not the full-lineup of the original Joe Jackson band—just Jackson, bassist Graham Maby, and drummer Dave Houghton. But Rain is certainly not a disappointment because of it. With Jackson’s piano playing being the lead instrument rather than guitar, the songs have a definite jazzy pop appeal. There is no clearly no mistaking, however, his pointed songwriting as with the case of “Citizen Sane” and the rocking “King Pleasure Time”; and some beautiful ballads in “Wasted Time” and the hopeful “A Place in the Rain.” It’s not exactly upbeat stuff on Rain but yet it still feels good in the end. Following Vol. 4, this is another solid Joe Jackson outing.
Check out a performance of “Wasted Time” by Joe Jackson on YouTube.
NewBeats 