Joe Jackson and Elvis Costello obviously have plenty in common: both rose to fame as vastly overqualified “punks” in the late seventies; both are best known for their first three albums; and both have dabbled, mostly successfully, in a variety of genres outside of the limelight since the middle of the eighties. They have different strengths, however. Costello is a fine musician, but he really made his mark with his lyrics; he can write a song about virtually anything and find an angle that makes it interesting–even gripping. You will like a Costello song better the tenth time you hear it than the first. Jackson’s gift, on the other hand, is writing rich, elegant melodies. A Jackson song will grab you the first or second time you hear it, or not at all.
Jackson’s latest, “Fool,” delivers in spades. His band sounds great; he has managed to integrate the piano and the guitar in a way I’ve never heard before. “Fool” may well be the best-recorded CD I’ve ever heard; every note practically shimmers. And the songs themselves are outstanding. Every one of them is memorable in its own way.
Lyrically, “Fool” falls a little short; Jackson can come across as a Brexit-voting curmudgeon railing about political correctness. That hardly matters, however. “Fool” is a big success, and well worth your time and money.