Look Sharp!

by

Joe Jackson

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It's easy for many -- especially music industry writers -- to dismiss Joe Jackson as a pop musician who possessed nothing more than delusions of grandeur, due to his forays into jazz and classical shortly after his first two smash albums. A pompous musician, or a true artist? Regardless of what side you're on, there's one thing you can't deny: Joe Jackson was/is one crafty, talented S.O.B., and I feel he's a force to be reckoned with.

_Look Sharp!_ is a smash album with ridiculously catchy tunes, infectious melodies, cynical and ambivalent lyrics, and snappy rhythms that'll be impossible *not* to bop your head to. There is literally not one boring, unlistenable tune to be found here: every track is jam-packed with energy, taste and charisma. While the lyrics are quite sarcastic (and hilarious in spots), the music is impossibly upbeat, and refrains from depressing wallowing: leave it to wisecracking Joe to turn something so self-deprecating and sarcastic into something peppy and upbeat -- it almost makes you wonder if Joe is celebrating his own dissatisfactions with love and life. Either way, infectiousness and intelligence are so rare to come by in one package. But Joe Jackson delivers big-time in this department. "One More Time" is a perfect example of how Joe makes something miserable sound so peppy and fun: listen to those ironic, almost masochistic lyrics. Yet the music is so driving, tasty and energetic. Of course, many already know "Is She Really Going Out With Him?" featuring those semi-hilarious, yet reflective lyrics, and the muted riff on the verses. "Throw It Away" is a fast-paced, energetic rocker, with Joe howling in certain parts of the track. The title track many may have heard as well: a snappy, tasty number exhibiting excellent musicianship. Listen to the sophisticated arrangement in the vocal harmonies during the closing parts of the chorus. "Fools In Love" is a reggae-rock number that pretty much speaks for itself, title-wise: the lyrics and Joe's vocal delivery crack me up hysterically. Hilarious stuff. And later, to close out the album, "Got The Time" is a fast-paced, energetic rocker in the style of "Throw It Away."

Want something ludicrously catchy and snappy? Want something subtly sarcastic and sneering, but at the same time, utterly reflective, moving and funny? Want some upbeat music good for cruising with your girlfriend, or otherwise? Pick this album up, along with _I'm The Man_. Both are essential Joe Jackson albums.

Joe Jackson is a name that most music fans know of in both the United States and United Kingdom. Joe Jackson hasn't been a "superstar" in terms of a Top 40 artists. He also an artist who hasn't gotten the respect he deserves. Jackson has proven to be an outstanding songwriter, arranger, musician - and of course vocalist. Jackson has done a multitude of styles throughout his career, but Jackson is probably best known for his Jazz-infused piano work. However when tracing back to Jackson's early career, we find an artist that has his roots in the Punk/New Wave scenes of the late 1970s. This early style was demonstrated on his debut album "Look Sharp!". This album would produce some moderate early success for Jackson. While probably not as strong as his latter Jazz-infused material, it would nonetheless establish Jackson for what would prove to be a long career over the next three decades.

One thing that impressed me about Joe Jackson is how he has changed musical styles over his career. His roots are in Punk Rock and New Wave. After 1980, he would switch to more of an urban/jazz infused pop sound. Later in his career, he would bring in a Rock and Blues influence into his sound. One thing that has been a constant in his career is that Jackson's music always has a "storytelling" element to it. Jackson doesn't have the most elegant style vocals, but has"awkward" style vocals that complement the "storytelling" element perfectly. It also has worked throughout the different musical styles he has incorporated into his career.

"Look Sharp!" is Jackson's first album. It isn't necessarily his strongest material, but many of the constants of the storytelling and awkward vocals are seen in his music. While many know Jackson more for his keyboard vocals, "Look Sharp!" has much more of an influence with guitar and bass (credit to studio musicians Gary Sanford on guitar and Graham Maby on bass who do a great job). In fact, the bass plays a key role on this collection. This collection would set the tone for Jackson's follow-on work through 1980.

Here is a song by song synopsis of the collection:

"One More Time": This is a very catchy song. The guitar and bass influence is in full swing on this track. This song is New Wave through and through. The guitar and bass really are awesome as the song wraps up.

"Sunday Papers": The bass really drives this song. Jackson incorporates some light sociological commentary on the media on this track.

"Is She Really Going Out With Him?": This is more reminiscent of the pop sound that Jackson would move to as he career would progress into the 1980s. This song has the classic Jackson storytelling sound with him. However, once again the bass will be the driving force again.

"Happy Loving Couples": This song has similar elements to "Is She Really Going Out with Him?": Storytelling, quirky vocals, and a driving bass. However this song has a faster tempo and more of a New Wave feel.

"Throw It Away": This is a high-energy New Wave song. However, I like the way Jackson incorporates keyboards into this track on top of the guitar and bass work.

"Baby Stick Around": I found this to be an "average" track on this album. It wasn't a bad track, but not a "home run" track. Once again the bass drives a lot of this song.

"Look Sharp!": This song grows on you. Once again the bass sets the tone for this song. However, I think its the "awkward" vocals that really work on this track.

"Fools in Love": This song deviates from the standard Punk and New Wave formula. Here we see Jackson incorporate a slight reggae/ska sound into this. We also hear Jackson's storytelling element in full-swing. The result is one of the stronger tracks on this collection. It also showcases the versatility that would become a staple for Jackson's career.

"(Do the) Instant Mash": This song has a mix of humor and social commentary in it (i.e. "Human Beings don't have much to say; Robots making tons of cash..."). However, the musical style is very interesting. The vocals start out a bit like Philip Oakley from Human League. Both the vocals and melody are very catchy. Some great guitar riffs contribute to making this a catchy track.

"Pretty Girls": This song has a some retro 50s/60s style elements that are heard throughout the song. The bass plays a key role on this song and this song has the classic Jackson storytelling element to it - complete with some humor. Another very catchy song.

"Got the Time": This song has a high energy tempo and showcases Jackson's Punk/New Wave influence at its best. Jackson's "awkward" vocals lend itself perfectly to the fast pace vocals that comprise this track.

There are also two "bonus" tracks that appeared as B-sides.

"Don't Ask Me": This was a B-side to "One More Time". This was another Punk/New Wave styled track with the guitar/bass influence that is prevalent on the mothership album.

"You Got the Fever": This was a B-side to "Is She Really Going Out with Him?". In a lot of ways, musically this sounds like a continuation to the melody to "Is She Really Going Out with Him?". This song also has the classic storytelling element to it. Nice use of the harmonica on this track.

The liner notes contain a very good write-up that discusses a lot of the background into Jackson's early career as well as background on the "Look Sharp" album itself. The liner notes also contain the lyrics to all of the songs as well as the musician credits. This is not a bad album. Keep in mind, Jackson's best work was still to come - yet this was a good foundation. This is an album I would recommend.