Joe Jackson - Look Sharp!

Entering through the door that Elvis Costello kicked open, you know the one that allowed those nerdy and talented young men who did not look like "pop stars" to get to actually make an album like Joe Jackson's Look Sharp. Helped along by the hit song Is She Really Going Out With Him the record made Joe a star right out of the gate. Most of the material is from the outsider, cynical, broken hearted and a little more than pissed off point of view not unlike his fellow countrymen Costello or Graham Parker. Well written, catchy songs that tap into the energy of the punk movement this is one album from the late 70's New Wave era everyone should have in their collection.

One More Time is a bristling with energy track that is full of romantic frustration and loss while Sunday Papers is a great, wry social commentary on the public fascination with trashy gossip. Backed by a crackling, tight three piece band these guys really do justice to Joe's songs. A & M records has reissued and remastered the cd with a couple of b-sides as bonus tracks. Highly recommended if you are even remotely interested in music from that era.

Buy it here.