Joe Jackson

A divorce and subsequent move to New York City resulted in the biggest seller of Joe Jackson's career. His piano comes to the forefront, the New Wave guitars of old get replaced with Latin percussion, and the synthy "Steppin' Out" was one of 1982's biggest hits. Along with Roxy Music's Avalon, this kick-started the Adult Alternative genre.

Night and Day is Joe Jackson's strongest album, the first on which his ambition, craft and
feistiness have fused into a coherent, emotionally charged statement. His earlier albums
sounded a bit too calculated to be trusted, and there are moments when Night and Day
lapses into glib social commentary. But for the most part, Jackson poses a series of musical
questions on such subjects as technology, violence, sex and pop aesthetics wit... More >

Every musical era generates its Paul Simon, I suppose, and though this one does avoid that literary patina, his sudden (and no doubt sincere) attraction to salsa has the same secondhand aura. Decent, intelligent sentiments decently and intelligently expressed. (Grade - B-)